The Missionary Review of the World — December 1938
1938
"What a Time to Be in China 1"
Courtenay H. Penn The Call of the Dyacks of Borneo R. A. Jaf/ray Christian Sadhus and Ashrams w. Q. Lash What Is the Koran?
E. E. Elder The Privilege of Preaching to Moslems -Stephen Khoobyar Presenting the Gospel in Brazil E. M. Do Amaral The Prime Needs of a City Church G. H. Bechtold 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to. Remember LET CHRISTMAS COME T:O
December 6-9-Biennial meeting of The chUdren of war.torn China. orphaned. abandoned. hopeless. lift appealing the Federal Council of Churches, hands. Your prayers and aid wUlllive them a Christian Christmas. Buffalo, N. Y. HOME OF OMESIPHORUI December 13-30 – International Mis- sionary Council, Madras, India. TAIAN. SHANTUNG. CHINA December 30-31 – All-India Confer- Thill faith work. one of the largest Christian institutions in the Orient. has saved ence of Indian Christians, Madras, thousands. Founded more than two decades ago by the Rev. and Mrs. Anglin. India. Thousands of earnest Christians have been blessed by sharin. their means in this ministry. Your help now will make Christmas a time of joy for hopeless chUdren January 8-10, 1939 – Home Missions and a time of reaping a great harvest of souls for the Kingdom. Council, Baltimore, Md. Write today for FREE picture and story of Chinese girl shown in this ad; January 21-25 – Cause and Cure of also receive "Helping China's Helpless." If God speaks to your heart, War Conference, Washington, D. C. enclose cheCk or money order or indicate willingness to join in prayer for God'. blessing on this work. Addres.: January 23-February IS-Iowa School for Missionaries. Iowa State College, HOME OF ONESIPHORUS American Office Ames, Iowa. 2811 North Racine Avenue Drawer 36 Chicago, Illinois February 6-l4-International Council of Religious Education, Chicago, Ill. Hughes was born in Atlanta, Ga., sev- Amoy, China, under the Reformed enty-two years ago. Church in America, died at Hemp- FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- stead, L. I., on November 12th at the ARY ASSEMBLIES *** age of 85. She was born in China, the daughter of the Rev. John Van January 24-26-Jacksonville. Miss Annabel Galt, retired mission- Nest Talmadge, a missionary, and January 25-27-Daytona Beach. ary of the Presbyterian Board, died in after being educated in America re- January 28-February I-Miami. Orlando, Fla., October 3. Miss Galt turned for her long service in Amoy January 29-31-Ft. Lauderdale. went to Siam in. 1891, and was sta- and came to America only last year, February l-3-Palm Beaches. tioned at Petchaburi for eight years. suffering from the effects of a frac- February 4-8-0rlando. From 1900, she was connected with tured hip. February 5-7-DeLand. Bangkok Christian College as teacher February 9-l0-Sarasota. of English. In addition to this work *** February 8-l0-Ft. Myers. she taught Bible classes, prepared and February 11-I6-St. Petersburg. edited several textbooks in Siamese, Mrs. A,no Liza Gulick, the widow February l2-15-Clearwater. aided in planning and developing the of the Rev. O. H. Gulick, formerly a February 17-18-Southern College. women's organizations in the local and missionary to Japan under the Amer- February 19-21-Tampa. National church, and worked in the ican Board of Commissioners for For- February 19-21-Winter Haven. Sunday school and community. eign Missions, died in Honolulu on February 22-23-Quincy. October 9th at the age of 105. She February 23-24-Tallahassee. *** was born in the Hawaiian Islands and February 24-26-All College. later attended Mt. Holyoke College, The Rev. John B. Dunlap, D.D., an Massachusetts. She was married to Obituary Notes honorably retired missionary from Mr. Gulick in 1855 and went to Japan Siam of the Presbyterian Church, where they remained until 1892 when Dr. Murdoch MacKenzie, of the U. S. A., died in Los Gatos, California they returned to Hawaii to work United Church of Canada, widely on September 22nd. He was born in among the Japanese. known by reason of nearly fifty years' New Alexandria, Pa., on Sept. 12, service for missions in Honan, China, 1860, and after being graduated from THf PRfSBYTfRIAn died recently. Dr. Murdoch was born Washington and Jefferson College and eighty years ago in Scotland. In Western Theological Seminary, he (0 The only weekly in the 1883, he went to Canada, was educated sailed for Siam in 1888 and remained Presbyterian Church. in McGill University, and the Presby- there for forty years, teaching and terian Seminary in Montreal; in 1889, doing extensive evangelistic work. He (. Its message is based upon he was sent to Honan, and with Dr. also prepared a Siamese hymnal and the Revealed Word of God. Jonathan Goforth had many perilous directed the work of the Mission Press experiences. Dr. MacKenzie was a in Bangkok. (0 Goes into every state in man of profound and devout scholar- the Union, U. S. possessions ship, upon which he drew with untir- *** and many foreign countries. ing energy in the training of a native ministry. The Rev. Masue Kawazoe, veteran Subscription rate – $2.50 pastor of the Church of Christ in J a- Ministerial rate . . $2.00 Shortly before his death, he realized pan (the Presbyterian and Reformed a long-cherished desire to visit the Church) died July 11th at his home SOc. extra..Canadian postage Holy Land, and a farewell visit to his in Tokyo. Mr. Kawazoe. was born in $1.50 extra.. Foreign postage native Scotland. Kochi sixty-nine years ago, was bap'- tized at seventeen, educated at MeJji THE PRESBYTERIHn *** Gakuin, Tokyo, and Auburn Semi- nary, New York. After being or- 121 7 Market Street Samuel Bryant, Treasurer of the dained in 1898, he was pastor of Philaclelphia, Pa. American Baptist Home Mission So- churches in Nagasaki, Osaka and ciety since 1919, died at his home in Tokyo. He was a member of the Palisades Park, N. Y., September 21. Committee on the Revision of the He had devoted eight of the nineteen New Testament, on the editorial staff years of service without salary. of the Christian Literature Society of Japan, formerly dean of the Theo- *** logical Department of Meiji Gakuin. president emeritus of the Japan Theo- Mrs. Isabel Hughes, wife of Bishop logical Seminary, former president of Edwin H. Hughes of the Methodist the Synod of the Church of Christ in Episcopal Church, died in Washing- Japan, pastor emeritus of the Aoyama ton, D. C., September 16, after an ill- Church, Tokyo. and one of the foreness of more than two years. Mrs. most Japanese scholars of New Testa- ment Greek.
*** Miss Katharine M. Talmadge. for sixty-four years a missionary in
Malwa-the Great Temple THE
REVIEW OF THE WORLD When Ihe good wOl'k calls you Easl … sail DBLAVAN L. PIBBBON, BeUtor p&O VOL. LXI DEC., 1938 No. 12 Publication and Buslnesa Ollie&– Third and Reily Ste., Harrlsburl, Pa.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROBBRT E. SPBBR, President A. L. WABNBlIUIB, V'CtI-Prerilknt W ALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIBBSON, Secretaf'1/ PAUL J. BRAISTED SAKUBL MCCREA CAVERT D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WK. B. LIPPllABD ERIC M. NORTH SAMUBL M. ZWEKER 1938 marks the second century of P & 0 Editorial Chat The great white Empresses hold service to the lands beyond Suez! When- every speed record to and from ever you are called to the other side of Here endeth our sixty-first volume the Orient. 10 days direct to the world, choose this traditional route. of THE REVIEW. But another volume Yokohama by Empress of Asia Cross to England by Cunard White Star begins with the January number. or Empress of Russia. Or only . . • and then embark in a great liner of This coming year is one that you will three days more via Hawaii by the P & 0 and British India fleets, led not wish to miss. Never were there Empress of Japan, largest and by the new 23,SOO-ton Stratheden and greater problems that face the Church fastest on the Pacific, or Empress Strathallan, featuring air-conditioned of Christ in China, Korea, Japan, In- of Canada. Connect at Honolulu dining saloons in first-class, hot and cold dia, Europe, and America. Never was from California ports. running water throughout, built-in out- there greater need for Christ and His From Vancouver and Victoria of-door swimming pools, children's play- Gospel; never were there larger op- to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, rooms! Regular service to Egypt, Sudan, portunities or greater encouragements. Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Iranian Gulf, India, Burma, Ceylon, THE REVIEW will keep you informed Details from YOUR TRAVEL Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Aus- on these points and on progress all AGENT or Canadian Pacific,: tralia, East and South Africa, Mauritius. over the world. 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. Special reductions and generous baggage allowance for missionaries. *** Convenient through bookings can be ar- In 1939 we plan to take up the most important topics discussed at the rangedby your travel agent or any office of Madras Conference, together with rad- ical changes proposed in missionary CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE policies and methods. Mrs. Howard Taylor is to tell in our January issue General Agents the inspiring story of how God guided the program of the China Inland Mis- 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. sion in North America. It is a story that all should read.
A number of pastors and mission- ary executives will tell "How to In- terest Men in Missions." The answers they give are illuminating for they come from experience.
Here is the c*om*men*t of one reader as to the value of THE REVIEW: "We have been delighted with THE REVIEW. Please enter our subscrip- tion sufficiently in advance so that we will not miss any of the issues. We do not care to be without the mag- azine. It is a source of spiritual power and inspiration to us."
MRS. HOWARD THOMAS, American Presbyterian Mission, Kiulung- kiang, Yunnan, China.
[561 ]
~ C!Cbristian C!Cbristmas :!fMessage
FROM JAPAN TO CHINA* DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS: I ask your pardon for my nation. Because of what. we are doing, I cannot preach in the Name of Christ. … I ask your attention to this fact; however, that even in Japan the majority of the Japanese people were against sending any troops to China. We Christians were bit- terly opposed to it. Therefore pardon us, pardon me especially, because our Christian forces were not strong enough to get the victory over the militarists. But the day will come when we shall be strong enough to do so, and when both nations will be harmonious and peaceful in the Name of Christ. . . . We Japanese love China. Where the city of Kyoto stands today there was in former times a colony of Chinese farmers. Because they had the highest culture then known, the Japanese Imperial Household moved to that district. As the city of Kyoto grew up, eighty per cent of its noble families came to be of Chinese descent. Among the immigrant strains in Japan, from the Southern Seas, from Korea, from Siberia, from Mongolia, the one which has contributed the dominant factor to Japanese civilization is from China. Therefore we who know the facts love China. But unless we, in both Japan and China, become more Christian, we shall never have per- manent peace. . . . Sometimes we are very selfish and even some Christians do not see the need of praying. . . . When you are contented, and have no holy ambition to build up the nation, you may have no desire to pray. . . . Oppressed by wars, oppressed by capitalism, op- pressed by the injustice of the present economic social system-can we ignore the needs of men? If we are contented with the sort of world we have at present, there is no use of praying to God. But if we want real peace, and real humanity, real Godliness, there are many problems for the solution of which we must pray. We must pray for each of the nations, for Africa, for India, and for China and Japan. We must pray for world peace, for the uplifting of the poor, for the desert to be made green, for the New Age, for the New Society. We must pray for science to be controlled by conscience. . . .
If you pray, world peace will be realized; the poor will be emancipated. Abraham Lin- coln prayed through the night before he wrote his Emancipation Proclamation. I believe it was because he prayed that the four millions of poor slaves were emancipated.
Unless Christ is glorified in the Orient, the fate of our continent will be very dismal. Un- less we believe in Christ, and deepen our spiritual life with Christian idealism, peace will never come…. Stanley Jones, in his small pamphlet entitled "Christ on the Andes Road,"
tells of how war had long prevailed between Argentine and Chile. After many years a reconcili- ation was suggested, and they came to the conclusion that they must have peace through Christ.
On the top of the mountain range between the two countries a great statue was erected of the Saviour, Christ, stretching out His arms, on the one side blessing Argentine, and on the other side blessing Chile. May the Prince of Peace come thus in the Orient, and bless China on the one hand and Japan on the other! TOYOHIKO KAGAWA.
• From Friends oj Jesus (December. 1931) .
.. IIl~~!IJI!IJI!i!i~~!IJI!i!lJl!i!i!i!i!i:IIl!i»a!i!i~!i!lJl!i!lJli; [562 ] REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1938 Topics of the Times REAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR 1938 moting international peace and a cessation from the building of a great army and air force. The widespread spirit of Christmas giving throughout the world is evidenced by the general Suppose that in Spain, Loyalists and Revoluobservance of Christmas even among the non- tionists should extend to each other the right hand Christians-in music, festivals, cards and the too- of brotherhood and should give themselves to the often formal exchange of gifts. How much of this work of promoting righteousness, brotherly love, activity is truly motivated and directed by the and the rebuilding of their national life on a firm Spirit of Christ? Christians acknowledge that basis. Italy might celebrate their Christmas by giving Ethiopia her freedom and her own people every good gift comes from God – our physical a release from fear. Mexico's gift might be not and mental powers, spiritual things – and are only a square deal for the peons and for the available even though we neglect, reject, despise Church but the right to teach Christianity and a or misuse them. The best gifts are those that no just settlement of questions involved in the conmoney can buy, and that enrich the recipient while fiscation of property.
they do not impoverish the giver. What about England and America? Could not With Himself, Jesus Christ gave the world His Great Britain make a better Christmas gift than love, peace and joy, the forgiveness of sin and 5,000 new bombing airplanes? How would the Life Eternal. Spirit of Christ best be shown in the settlement of Was there ever a time in history when these the Irish question, the problem of Palestine, Homegifts were more needed than today? How much rule in India and in the matter of German colit would mean if they were everywhere received onies? In America the Christmas spirit is not and shared? How infinitely better these would be shown in the increase of armaments and of taxes. than the gift of greater material prosperity for There is abundant opportunity to celebrate in a which men are striving so eagerly – better even settlement of labor difficulties and by giving unthan new laws, than new labor-saving inventions, selfish, efficient government to the nation, states higher wages. or shorter hours of work! and cities. Christ-like Christmas gifts would in- What a difference it would make in the world clude the general observance of laws and customs today if the true Spirit of Christ were manifested that promote purity in the home and personal life ; this year among all nations in the observance of sincerity in the worship of God; brotherly treat- Christmas. Imagine the effect if Japan, moved ment of Negroes, Mexicans and Orientals. Amer- by this Spirit, should give peace to China and true ica might celebrate in a Christ-like way by using religious liberty to the Koreans.. Suppose that her wealth to meet the crying needs of others Soviet Russia should celebrate Christmas by giv- around the world. Would not this be a different world if the love of Christ and a knowledge of ing the right to teach youth to know and worship His Way of Life should direct the Christmas cele- God, freedom to political prisoners and freedom bration of all nations in 1938 and in the years to of the press and speech! What if Germany gave civil rights and freedom from persecution to her come?
Jewish population, freedom from religious and We may not be able to control the giving of the political oppression to pastor Niemoller and other nations, but what about ourselves? As individuals Christians, friendly cooperation to Europe in pro- how can we best show our sense of indebtedness [563 ]
to Christ; how can we truly reveal His Spirit and thousands of Chinese find food, protection and make this a joyful Christmas, effectively carrying loving sympathy.
forward the work that He came to do-in our own Z. Should missionaries leave their stations to lives, in our home circle, in our nation and in the follow the fleeing Chinese so as to continue or world, to make this a truly joyful Christmas? establish work among them in new centers where little has been done? This course has been fol- MISSIONARY PROBLEMS IN CHINA lowed in the case of faculties of many schools and With the Japanese war-machine pressing on- colleges which have been closed by the Japanese ward in the west and south of China, the Christian advance. The Nanking University work has been missionaries as well as the Chinese find themselves moved to Chengtu in Szechuan; the faculties of in a difficult position. Driving onward up the Soochow College and Schools have been moved to Yangtse River the Japanese have captured Han- Shanghai and elsewhere ; much of the Bethel Miskow, Wuchang and Hanyang where over one hun"- sion of Shanghai has been transferred to Hongdred and fifty American and British missionaries kong or Kowloon, since their property has been have been working under the London Missionary occupied by the Japanese. Foochow College stu- Society, China Inland Mission and the American dents have been moved to a less dangerous. location Protestant Episcopal Church and twenty other further inland, since the Japanese seem to plan missions. In this Wu-Han district are located hos- the destruction of educated Chinese. Thus the pitals, colleges and schools and churches that Christians have sought to conserve their resources mean much for the development of China. Al- and to carryon their work with as· little loss of ready many of the institutions have been moved life and with as much efficiency as possible. westward to Chentu and southward to Hongkong but, with the modern airplane in the hands of a 3. In cases of Japanese occupation and dominaruthless but skilful enemy, no people or place, tion in larger or smaller areas in China, should however remote or peaceful, is exempt from the missionaries remain at their posts as neutrals and devastation wrought by these engines of destruc- serve all within reach-whether Chinese or J aption. The Chinese armies, in spite of intense suf- anese-even cooperating with Japanese for confering and against heavy odds, are still fighting structive work? This view is held by some who courageously to defend themselves and their coun- believe that missionaries are supra-national. Most try from this invasion but the immediate outcome of the missionaries, however, believe that, while is impossibl~ to predict. The Christian mission- they are ready to minister in the Spirit of Christ aries are proving their sacrificial courage, their to all within reach, their first responsibility is to real love for the Chinese and their resourcefulness the Chinese to whom they have gone as ambassain this time of danger. Without their help the dors of Christ. They believe that the Chinese are situation of the Chinese in the war areas would the victims of an unprovoked attack, and realize be infinitely worse; more and more the Chinese that there are still many millions of the people realize this. But the problems of the missionaries who have never yet even heard the Gospel and are many and do not decrease as the war advances. there are many thousands of towns and villages Questions are raised: still without any representative of Christ. They have seen the nobility and faithfulness of Chinese 1. When war threatens their ve'ry existence Christians and believe that this time of fellowship should missionaries close their work and move with them in suffering is opening many Chinese elsewhere to carry on? Some few "neutrals" ad- hearts to Christ and His message of life as never vise this in order to avoid international complica- before. tions. But the missionaries as a whole reject this suggestion as desertion of their posts. and their Christians and the Christian Church have never flocks. While women with children, who could not been exempt from suffering; but history has be of help under war conditions, have been evac- proved, times without number, that the very uated from many stations, the vast number of "gates of hell shall not prevail" against those who missionaries remain at their posts and risk their are loyal to Christ and His program. Victory and deliverance is assured since Christ is the Victor.
lives to serve the Chinese. In one mission seventy THE DILEMMA OF KOREAN CHRISTIANS out of seventy-one stations are still kept open and missionaries continue to serve as ambassadors of Reports from Chosen show the determination Christ and helpers in time of need. Many schools of Japanese officials to compel Korean attendance and colleges are necessarily closed, or have moved at Shinto shrines. At first this order was enforced elsewhere, because of danger to pupils and the only in certain centers and in government schools.
occupation of property by the Japanese soldiers; It was then extended to all Christian colleges and but the hospitals and churches are kept open and schools and now is being enforced for theological mission compounds are used as refuges where seminaries and Bible school students(and teachers.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Churches and other institutions are included in gods or to follow the superstitious rites propithe order to set up shrines or to bow before the tiating spirits in Africa and the islands of the sea. Emperor's picture. A refusal on conscientious grounds means rough treatment, imprisonment The situation in Korea is serious. In Formosa and other forms of persecution. the Shinto shrine rule has already been enforced. Apparently "Cresar" has won for the time being The Japanese officials are evidently determined and Christian schools that did not comply have to break down all opposition and are endeavoring been closed. There is danger that the Japanese to create a totalitarian Japanese Empire with ab- will endeavor to enforce the same regulations in solute and unquestioning obedience to every order Manchukuo and in occupied territory in China. of the Government. They recognize no God or Harmony is possible between national loyalty and law of God as of greater authority than the laws loyalty to God but there can be no truce between of the Empire, represented by their "divine" Em- the Japanese conception of Emperor worship and peror. While some officials declare that obeisance the Christian obligation to put God first in every at the shrines of the "Sun Goddess" is merely a phase of life. patriotic observance, they have refused to make any compromise in the ceremony such as will con- WILL MADRAS MEET THE OPPORTUNITY? vince Korean Christians that they can take part in the observance without disloyalty to God as the There is unquestionably a crisis in missions toonly object of worship. day. The conference at Madras, composed of selected delegates from mission churches 'and A crisis came in Chosen at the time of the meet- from American and European missionary leading of the Korean Presbyterian General Assembly ers, will be called upon to face that crisis. They on September 10th. The Japanese police ordered will consider, not so much the lack of missionary every delegate not to oppose going to Shinto candidates and missionary support from the shrines and many who refused were prevented sending churches, as the problems on the fieldfrom attending the Assembly. Missionaries were the promotion of self-support; their independence; asked to sign a statement that they would comply their union or inter-church cooperation in each with the order to advise their people to attend the area; the adequate training of native Christian shrines. They refused; if they attempted to speak leaders; the development of spiritual life in the on the subject at the General Assembly they were churches and homes; the place of education in forcibly prevented by the police who crowded the missions today; but, most of all, there must be an meeting place and sat on the platform. When the earnest study of the promotion of spiritual life, question was put-advising all to attend the of faith and Christlike service in each church and shrines-very few of the delegates responded; the group. Madras must look earnestly and fearlessly negative was not put to vote and some protested. at these problems and must prayerfully and hon- As a result several missionaries have felt it neces- estly seek God's guidance and power for their sary for them to withdraw from the General As- solution. Some present-day problems that form sembly and a committee has been appointed to the crisis seem to us to be as follows: appeal to Tokyo. Should secular education under mission con- The Japanese have also ordered that steps be trol be curtailed in many fields so as to release taken to alter the character and powers of the workers and money for direct evangelistic work. General Assembly, making the Moderator a "legal The church leaders must face this matter couraperson" with authority to act for the whole geously or they may be forced out of this field Church; there are signs that the Korean Church by governments that wish to control education. may be compelled to unite in one organization with the Church in Japan. Some new plan should be formulated whereby churches and institutions in the field will ex- Loyal Korean Christians are suffering in many ercise a greater degree of self-government, and at ways-in prison and out. They offer no objection the same time receive substantial support from to showing loyalty to the Japanese Emperor, to abroad, when they show that they will use it efthe Government and obedience to all righteous fectively. That problem of support must be faced laws; but multitudes take the stand that they and solved. choose persecution and death rather than be disloyal to God. It is' practically the old question More attention must be given to the developraised in Israel by the worship of Baal, in the ment of spirit-filled and intelligent Bible-trained Roman Empire by the order to worship Roman Christian workers in every church and in each gods and in every mission field in recent years field. The means must be found for the increase where Christians have faced persecution because and improvement in such training by schools, they have determined to worship God as revealed institutes and conferences. in Christ rather than acknowledge the prior claims of Mohammec or Buddha, the Hindu or Chinese Union mission enterprises are facing a crisis. If they are to continue they need to be placed on
a firmer spiritual basis, with clearer agreement FIFTY YEARS IN ARABIA as to aims and teachings, and as to the spiritual power, personnel and methods on which their Arabia, the great western Asia peninsula, is abiding success depends. about one third the size of the United States, and with a scattered population of possibly 10,000,000 A new study should be made as to the type of -chiefly nomadic tribes of Arabs, most of them missionary that is needed in order to cooperate hunters, traders and fishermen. There was no harmoniously with the leaders of the native Christian work among them, until in 1886 a churches, to help train spiritual workers, and to young man, Hon. Ion Keith-Falconer, went out do abiding, effective Christlike service. from England and settled in the small British out- post of Aden in southern Arabia. The Arabians How can the churches, and Christian groups in were scarcely touched by the Gospel Message. each field, conserve the essentials of the Christian Then two young Americans had a vision of the message? This includes the eternal, spiritual Neglected Peninsula. James Cantine and Samuel character of God, the Father; the revelation and M. Zwemer – college and seminary graduates, salvation provided in Christ, the Son of God; the connected with the Reformed Church-heard the guidance and power of the Spirit of God; the in- call of God and volunteered to go out as mission- tegrity and authority of the Bible as the Word of aries to these fanatical Moslems, without any God; the essential unity of Christians and their guarantee of Mission Board support. Peter work as witnesses of the redemption brought Zwemer joined them two years later but died in through Christ and His manifestation of the love 1898; the" other two continued the work. They established mission stations on the Persian Gulf, of God. traveled widely over the peninSUla and faced and How, at the same time, can the churches and survived opposition and many dangers. They are now "honorably retired" but still are active in Christians in each field contribute most to the America in behalf of Moslems the world over. promotion of God's control over human life– national, physical, economical, social, mental and After some years the Reformed Church in spiritual; and how can each country be free to America adopted the mission and has since spon- develop its own type of Christlike life and service sored its activities'. Their plans for the jubilee under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, without celebration includes an interesting history of the imitating American and European institutions? fifty years ("The Golden Milestone") prepared by Drs. Cantine and Zwemer; a tour has already But most of all, and affecting all, is the problem been taken among the churches; one secretary, of how the spiritual life of churches, families and Dr. F. M. Potter, has gone out to visit the field; individuals can be promoted most effectively so all Reformed Church congregations are to hold as to carry out the teachings and spirit of Jesus anniversary services on February 26, 1939; a Christ. thanksgiving offering is to be taken and used to strengthen the work; a church-wide study of Here is a large program for the four hundred Arabia is to be undertaken to inform Christians delegates during their two weeks' conference at at home as to the needs and progress of the Madras. The problems are different in Africa, Arabian enterprise. Here is a notable jubilee, Turkey, Iran, Latin America, China, India and worthy of joyful and sacrificial celebration. Japan. But the same principles underly them all and the same Spirit of God must show their solu- God's guiding and governing hand has been tion. China is sending a strong delegation to the clearly evident in the lives of the missionaries and conference but Japan can send very few; India in the development of the work. The evidences of will be well represented but many other fields this are clearly set forth in the history of the Mis- must depend on a small number of native leaders. sion prepared by the founders. Closed doors have America is sending about fifty and Europe (in- been opened, hostile sheikhs have become friendly; cluding Great Britain) as many more. One weak- invitations to visit new districts have been ex- ness will be in the absence of representatives of tended, even by the king, Ibn Saud himself; the independent, nondenominational missions like the interior and the coast have been explored; schools China Inland Mission, Christian and Missionary and hospitals have been established; tons of Alliance, Sudan Interior Mission and other "Faith Bibles and other Christian literature have been Missions." They represent a type of work and distributed; men, women and children have been . missionary ideal that should not be overlooked. won to Christ. Many of the stories of "Arabian Days Evangelism" are as thrilling as those of the It is a time for 'Christians at home to pray for "Arabian Nights Entertainment"; in addition the delegates at Madras and to prepare for the these missionary stories are true and stimUlating messages and the messengers who will be com- to Christian faith. ing back to report and to stir spiritual fires in America and Europe. Was there ever a greater need for a world-wide revival under the banner of Christ?
"What a Time to Be in China!"
By the REV. COURTENAY H. FENN, D.D. I ~. – I For Thirty-four Years a Missionary in China ,~==========================~ T HIS caption, from a missionary's letter* gives prehension has caused this experience to become graphic expression to the diametrically op- the time of unprecedented opportunity for the posite attitudes of two groups of people-an missionary and the time of unparalleled success attitude of repulsion and an attitude of exultation. for the Gospel.
In these days the most frequent salutation of a In view of this fact, what are the perils of war furloughed or retired China missionary from his and the hardships of seeing and ministering to acquaintances in America is: "Aren't you glad limitless suffering? Not only does the missionyou're not in China now?" With the current ary ask for no exemption from the sorrows of the newspaper and radio pictures of "bombs bursting people, but from the beginning has refused to in air" and in much more deadly proximity to accept such exemption when offered him. In so human lives and habitations, and with the maga- doing he has not merely won the hearts of the zines venturing at last to print eye-witness ac- suffering people, but also such grateful acclaim counts of the frightfully barbarous massacres and from the Chinese leaders that hitherto closed burnings and rapings perpetrated by a scientifi- doors have been thrown open to him and the limically equipped and demon-inspired invading horde, tations of liberty to give religious instruction in there are millions of our people, in the Church as the schools have been removed. The thanks of well as out of it, who cannot conceive of any the nation have been proclaimed by those highest other rational answer to the question than, "In- in authority and there has been a spontaneous outdeed I am glad!" Yet, mirabile dictu, the reply burst of appreciation of the sacrificial love, like from the missionary is, "No; I am distinctly that of the Saviour, of whose commission these sorry to be compelled to be out of China at this friends from the West have not been ashamed.
time, and only wish I might go back." And many Those who have kept closely in touch with the are going back, most of them invigorated for a events in China since JUly of 1937 have been better service at the end of a regular furlough, deeply impressed with the facts and the implicabut not a few volunteering to abbreviate the nor- tions of a widespread movement, which has been mal furlough in order to rejoin their mission asso- the inevitable consequence of the way in which ciates in the most strenuous, yet most interesting the war has been carried on. Its significance may and rewarding, ministry that China missionaries extend far beyond anything in the thought of have ever seen. Though God, in His wisdom, has either belligerent, and may achieve as beneficent not yet seen fit to "restrain the excess of wrath" a divine purpose as did the dispersion of the first (except in a marvelous preservation of missionary century Christians by the persecutions in Judea. lives), He has, to an almost unbelievable degree, Preceded by terror, accompanied by death .and "caused the wrath of men to praise Him." destruction, and followed by sanguinary "mop- ping-up," the invading armies have scattered the The first impressions of the savagery of the surviving Chinese civilian population in precipi- "undeclared war" were of frightfully wasting de- tate flight, carrying what little was left to them struction and of imminent peril to all missionary in a desperate trek over hundreds of miles of as well as humane interests. There has been no roads and rivers and wastes, as far as possible decrease in the savagery in spite of the protests from the devastating s.courge which had destroyed of a horrified and outraged world, no lessening of their property and taken the lives of countless the destruction and the threats; but, as the relatives, friends and neighbors. months have gone by, "the Form of the Fourth,"
like unto the Son of Man, has appeared in the There has been no respect of persons in this midst of the fire, with the Chinese Church, the hounding of the masses in flight. Men of wealth home Church and the mission, walking triumphant have been reduced to beggary; men of native and through the flames. A Power beyond human com- foreign education have been compelled to straggle • In the September number of The Ohinese Recorder, reprinted in a along the roads with the most ignorant and unlet- AFwmrerEicaas.tern Bulletin of the Foreign Missions Conference of North tered·, all alike have been kept from starving only [567 ]
by the kindness of those as yet undisturbed in a city and town and village to which the invading their homes by the oncoming storm, or through troops may never come. In cities like Shanghai the merciful provision by the Government or by and Nanking, laid waste from the air, the water the Christian Church, of refuges for the desolate. and the land, the hundreds of thousands of home- Entire schools and colleges, whose administration less, hopeless, wounded and sick, have made diffi- has been rendered impossible, or whose buildings cult the task of ministering even to the most acute have been bombed or occupied by the invaders, needs and this work has taxed the strength and have moved to distant provinces in the far in- the resources of Chinese and foreigners alike. In terior, or have combined with others in interna- the northern cities, now for months behind the tional settlements. Much of the culture of the lines of the invaders, tens of thousands have lost coastal provinces and of the great cities has thus all their possessions and must be helped; even in been transplanted to regions formerly considered Peking, which, through early surrender, suffered backward or unenlightened. It has been estimated less destruction than any other captured city, that at least thirty million people have been ren- refugees flee from the rural districts where dered homeless, unsettled from former founda- brigands prowl, as the invader controls little be- tions. And it is a most interesting fact that, from yond the city and the railroads, and soldiers work the beginning of the consequent migration, wise their nefarious wills on the peasantry.
men in the Government and in education foresaw Christians in the Crisis something of its extent and potential meaning and made far-reaching plans for turning the agony So practically throughout China there is des- and the evil to good purpose. Not only has the perate need of material help; and the loving min- Government opened many refuges for the mi- istration to that need, by missionaries and Chris- grants, but it has opened schools in many of these tian Chinese, has aroused hundreds of thousands places and has assisted the homeless wanderers of the suffering people to ask, "Why do these with food and clothing and means of transporta- Christians devote themselves to our relief, wash tion. In the remote west and southwest, where our sores, heal our wounds, feed our bodies and there have been few roads and no railways, mil- instruct our minds? They must surely have some- lions of men have been set to work to construct thing in their hearts which we do not have: what modern roads, while millions more are being is it? They say that they have learned it from trained for various industries, the machinery for Jesus Christ whose followers they are; from the which was early transported from Central and merciful Saviour who, they say, laid down His East China cities. The population of these west- life for us as well as for them." Thus the Gospel ern provinces having been greatly increased, in has found an entrance into many sorely burdened some cases doubled, by the migration from other and bewildered hearts; facilities have been pro- parts of the country, every effort is made to train vided, in Mission compounds. and elsewhere, for the newcomers for self-support through the de- study of the Christian truth and life, and multi- velopment of provincial resources and in the large tudes are being brought into the Kingdom of our variety of new construction called for by their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
presence and by national rehabilitation schemes. As one looks back a little more than a year to Model counties are being organized; model towns, the discussion by the Mission Boards as to the villages and farms are laid out and operated. Mu- reply which should be made to the urgent advice tual helpfulness is being cultivated as an essentiftl of their Governments, and the general, popular concomitant of the new patriotism which has been clamor that the missionaries should all escape the so greatly stimulated by the foreign invasion. peril and simplify the international situation by Spiritual Influences leaving China at once, one does not like to think what vastly different conditions would now exist What is true of educational and industrial cul- in China if those counsels had prevailed and if ture is also emphatically true of spiritual develop- China and her Christians had been left to them- ment. As the Christians of the more fully evan- selves. An unequalled opportunity would have gelized provinces, driven from their homes, have been lost irrevocably to show the love of God in migrated to Kwangsi, Kweichow, Yunnan and Christ to that people, and to win their hearts to Szechuan, where new centers of evangelization Him. So thrilling has been the success of the .
and education are opening, people who had "sat policy of withdrawing only the physically feeble in darkness" are seeing for the first time "a great and of reinforcing the strong, that, from the light." The vast migration of refugees has nat- Chinese Church, from officials, and from the mis- urally necessitated the opening of refuges, tem- sions on the field, has come not only a chorus of porary or permanent, far from the actual war thanksgiving but also a united and importunate areas, for the indiscriminate bombing of civilian call for more missionaries to meet the need and populations has precipitated the flight from many capture the present opportunity. How else could
the Church and the nation hope to minister to have risen most sympathetically to the need and thirty million refugees, among whom are hun- met the opportunity most effectively. Not only dreds of thousands of war orphans? Never be- have many buildings been made available as fore were Chinese hearts and minds so sensitive refuges, but camps. have been set up in many to the redeeming touch of self-denying love, mani- places as "resting places for weary wanderers" in fested in the sharing of suffering and the planning their almost endless treks in search of new, homes.
for better days. It is the general testimony that, Wherever possible, industries have been started in through this deliberately and prayerfully chosen these refuges, both to prevent demoralizing idle- glad sharing, "the prestige of the Church and hos- ness and to fit the migrants for self-support in pital has never stood so high as it stands today" ; their new abodes. Incidentally and Providen- the infinite love of God for mankind has shone tially, among the refugees are hundreds of skilled radiant as the one glorious hope of the world, and artisans. teachers, evangelists, homeless wander- is no longer thought of merely as an item in a ers like the rest. They are drifting to Hunan, and doctrinal system from the West. The loyalty and other regions, "for such a time as this," a time courage of the missionaries, who have "stood by" when the harvest is so unusually great and ripe the people of a strange land through the most and the laborers are so pitifully few, that they acute and devastating sufferings ever inflicted by have found fullest use for their talents and ener- one nation upon another, will never be forgotten. gies. Again, in strangest wise, God has "thrust Civilians and Soldiers forth laborers into His harvest." Most appro- priately has the Hunan Presbyterian Mission en- Christian ministry to civilians in or near their titled its Annual Report, "The War-cloud's Silver own homes has been but a part of the great work Lining," as it sets forth "the calibre of these of deliverance, protection and supply; an exten- guests" from war-torn regions, "trained workers,"
sive organization has been created to help the pen- "whole schools," "hospitals with equipment, niless migrants along the way to their remote des- nurses and doctors," "scientists, engineers, busi- tinations, and none have so inspired confidence ness men, rural experts," undaunted by misfor- and shared burdens as have the Christians. And tune and peril, responsive to need, ready to start great has been the change which has taken place afresh and eager to be useful. The courage of in the mutual relations of Chinese Civilians and many of these migrants is magnificent. A thou- their own soldiery. A few years ago the civilian sand students from three North China colleges, felt no greater dread than that for the Chinese having located temporarily at Changsha, a little soldier, who seemed ready to do almost anything later started out, men and women, to walk the but protect him. Now soldier and civilian are eight hundred miles to Kunming, capital of Yun- united for the defense of the nation, and the nan, to locate their University there.
civilian, realizing that the soldier is ready to suffer Cooperating Agencies wounds and to lay down his life for his country, is responding by doing all in his power to relieve The International Red Cross has furnished the wounded soldier on the field and in transit. much equipment and supplies, with expert direc- And so, by the combined activity of Chinese and tion, to the relief measures, as has also the Inter- foreigners, an elaborate organization for first-aid, national Famine Relief Commission. The League transportation and hospitalization has been cre- of Nations Epidemic Prevention Commission, ated, very inadequate of course in view of the with its groups. of health officers and specialists, limited number of doctors and nurses and the in- in three sections of China, is fighting to prevent sufficiency of supplies and funds, yet saving thou- smallpox, cholera, typhoid and malaria. Young sands of lives and relieving untold suffering. Mis- people are being trained to give first-aid and gen- sion hospitals have been crowded to the doors, and eral medical assistance. Many church services to the floors, as these torn remnants of brave and are crowded with interested newcomers. Chris- patriotic humanity have been carried in from the tian Fellowships are being organized. Student fields and the roads of that horror-filled land, skil- Centers are being opened, for entertainment, for fully patched-up for life, or eased for inevitable varied instruction, and for travelers' aid. Mr.
death with the Gospel message of eternal life in Stanton Lautenschlager, of Cheeloo University, Christ. Many university students have also lent has spent some months in presenting a challenging a hand in humble service in the laundries and message, personal and social, to the students of dressing-stations. Hunan, hundreds of whom have responded with a Few if any of the other provinces have seen as determination to follow Christ. He reports un- much of the migrants as Hunan, as through that precedented student interest in the things of the province pass. many of the natural ways from the Spirit.
east to the west, from the north to the south; and As the writer of the Hunan Report says, "One the Christians of Hunan, Chinese and foreign, of the most beautiful flashes of silver in this
struggle is the attitude of the Christians toward pressure of disinterested kindness, the barriers their enemies." Though more whole-heartedly of racial and national fear and dislike completely patriotic and resolved to win than ever before, thrown down by the courageous, self-forgetful "there is no bitterness or hatred against the in- ministry of a Godlike love, bestowed in the name vaders." Even the missionaries "have marvelled of Christ by men and women come from the other at the Chinese Christians' lack of resentment and side of the world, to live, and if need be to die, freedom from hatred. To listen to their prayers for China. And a multitude of the like-minded for China and for Japan is like standing on holy in the home lands, to whom is denied this privilege ground." This witness regarding Hunan is of personal ministry to such a need, are exulting echoed from all parts of bruised and bleeding in being there in spirit as they avail themselves China. Has the world ever seen its equal in any of one or another of the agencies, which have other land? sprung into life or added this function to others- the International Red Cross, the Committee on the "What a time to be in China!" Truly it is no Far East of the Foreign Missions Conference of time to be there for those whose chief delight is North America, the Church Committee for China in personal ease and comfort, whose slogan is Relief, the China Information Service, China "Safety First"; who cannot bear the sight of Famine Relief, or any of the Mission Boards blood or the smell of sweat, who think the lives of working in China – to give out of their relative a hundred Chinese of less value than the life of abundance for the maintenance of the missionone American; who have no sympathy with the aries and their manifold ministries to China's apspirit which impelled the Son of God to become palling need. "What a time to be in China" inflesh and dwell among us that He might redeem deed, in person or by the proxy of self-denying the world, or with the spirit of the Apostle Paul gifts loyally continued as long as the need of that whose joy was to "become all things to all men fearfully harassed and patiently enduring people that he might by all means save some." But the continues. Is it not, for every Christian and every able-bodied missionaries who are there exult in the unselfish humanitarian, a God-given privilege, as privilege which has been given them of minister- well as a duty, "to be in China" at this time? ing to the world's greatest need, and of watching the shell of indifference break under the steady A LETTER FROM OHINA By DONALD FRASER OF CHANGTE, HONAN: Following complete breakdown of negotiations with the former bitter persecutors of the Church, should have been the active force that liberated our people. It is a marked bandits after their request for $100,000.00 for ransom, contrast to other forces around us. No ransom was given and no conditions asked. things began to happen elsewhere. Kuo Ch'ing, the bandit The fortitude and spirit of the captive young women leader, crossed the Chang River; was surrounded by the under the most trying circumstances is a thrilling story. One of them, a young teacher, said: "I was born in a 8th Route Army, wounded, defeated, his home burned and Christian home but before the raid I cared little for Christianity. This time I have had a wonderful experience many of his followers scattered. He was rescued by of God. Now I want to work for Jesus."
bandit chief supreme, Wang Chih Ch'uan, and fled south. There was joy and thrill in her voice, a changed young woman. There is a glow in the witness of many of them. The 8th Route Army declared that all banditry must cease. When carrying them away the bandits sneered: "So you thought your church could protect you. See, we will look Kou Ch'ing was cornered but slipped through the net. after you."
Wild rumors said that he was going west to Shansi with One seventeen-year-old lassie they tortured cruelly, ask- ing, "Do you still believe?" twenty-three of our Christian people. No ransom, they Gradually she became semi-unconscious but always with would sell the girls! That blackest night our minds were the reply~ "I believe" and the prayer, "Father help me."
filled with unnamed fears. All next day passed and still In sending them back some of the bandit remnants said, "Your prayers have moved Heaven." no word. At 5 p. m. a breathless messenger arrived. Others .said: "You're different; could we come and "Freed," he shouted; "nineteen girls and four men are learn your doctrine?"
coming home." Fly wheels, fly! Our bikes tore up the dust Surely a mighty triumph of good over evil. We are more one with our Chinese friends here than ever before. as we raced out to meet them. Tired and dirty, after Adversity has schooled us all. God has sent the 8th Route Army to check this dastardly scourge that has terrorized three weeks with no washing facilities and only the scanty and bled the country to death for the last ten months. There is great rejoicing over wide areas in the order, reclothes on their backs grabbed out of sleep when they were spect for life and security that is following in the wake of this cleansing, restoring force. After ten months of hell carried away, they were home, alive and smiling and all the relief is tremendous.
well, except for three with malaria and others with blisters from enforced marches. .
The other fourteen had disappeared. The whole country was chaotic. Travel was very dangerous but our men, especially Liu Ch'eng Chang, were tireless in their search.
Monday five came in. But nine young women were still missing. Tuesday 2 a. m., loud knocking on the front gate.
All were back. "Rejoice; a,gain I say rejoice."
The venture was a dead loss financially to the bandits.
Not only that, they were scattered and broken and would have been completely eliminated but for timely aid. It seems strange indeed that the sometimes called reds,
Call of the Dyacks of
By the REV. R. A. JAFFRAY, Dutch East Indies Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance A MONG the Dyacks of Borneo, Buddha is them by way of the Barito River, with Banker- .r. named, Mohammed is named, but Christ is masin as a base. Some effort was also commenced on the west coast, entering by way of the Kapoeas not named. He is almost unknown. What River, but the Methodist Episcopal Mission has a great need for Gospel witness, especially in the now entirely withdrawn from Borneo.
interior of these islands.* On the north coast there are, beside the River Burito which empties into the sea at Banjermasin, The three main ports of British North Borneo five or six other rivers which are gateways to the are Sandakan, Kudat, and J esselton. The mis- interior. At none of these points has missionary sionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the work been attempted. Gospel are laboring here; the Basil Mission has independent self-supporting Chinese churches, Balik-papan is a city of about 21,500 people. and also the Roman Catholics. Work has been The district, of which it is one of the centers, has commenced among the Dyacks, the aboriginal tribes of the interior of British North Borneo. a population of about 200,000.t The city contains The Chinese are largely of the Hakka race and three-fourths of the Chinese inhabitants of Kudat a great mixture of races: Malay, Javanese, Boe- gis, Chinese, Indians, Arabs and also a sprinkling are church members. of Dyacks from the interior. As I walked the In Dutch Borneo there is no Christian mission- streets of this city, I asked: "Is there anyone here who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ?" After ary work carried on on the east coast. The inte- many replies in the negative, I was directed to a rior may be reached from many ports by river. Chinese carpenter's store, and found a Chinese On only one river is there a regular steamship who acknowledged the name of Christian. His line, at Samarinda, but by native craft the mis- face did not look like that of a Christian for his sionary can penetrate the interior and reach "the face was flushed with wine. As ·D. L. Moody once wild men of Borneo." said, "He may have been a Christian but he did not smell like one!" There he was-a lone Chris- The Dyacks, no doubt, originally occupied the tian-in the midst of the darkness of heathendom. entire island but the coming of the Malays, the He had a Bible and prayed sometimes, but could Javanese, Chinese, Indians and Arabs has gradu- not be considered a true witness for the Lord ally pushed the wild men to the interior. The Jesus. Later I met another Chinese who seemed Malays have inter-married somewhat with the to love the Lord but who dared not be baptized aborigines with the result that the Dyacks to this for fear of offending his parents. So far as I extent have been absorbed. It is said that the orig- know, no messenger of Christ has ever lifted up inal pure Dyacks of the interior are decreasing in his voice to preach the Gospel in this place. What population. The Dyacks were originally head- utter darkness! hunters and cannibals, and in some cases may still be such, but the influence of other races has I was anxious to visit Samarinda because it is had the effe~t of subduing and semi.,civilizing at the mouth of the Kutai or Samarinda River and them. On~ qf the original customs '¥f1s that a the main entrance to the interior of Borneo from young man proposing to his bride must have the th~ast coast. Here again 'is another city of darkskull of one whom he himself had slain ere he ness and the same mixture of races. There is a could hope to be accepted. This custom, I am Mohammedan mosque and Chinese temple in told, has nearly died out. Samarinda. There are houses of prostitution and gambling halls on all sides, in full swing. But no There are many different language groups Gospel chapel. I met some Chinese Christians who had been baptized in China, but who seemed among the Dyacks and most of them have Xlever been reached with the Gospel message. From the south coast some effort is being made to reach • I visited Sandakan, on the northeast coast of British BOI:neo; t Balik-papan is the great oil field of the Dutch Indies. The Ballk-papan on the east coast of Dutch Borneo; Samarinda ; Donggala ; Pare-pare and Makassar, the capital of the Celebes; installation of the Batavia Petroleum Company, the Royal Dutch Siagaradja, a port on the Island of Bali; SurabaYa on the northern Shell Petroleum Company, a branch of the Asiatic Petroleum Co., coast of Java, the largest commercial center of the Dutch Indies; is the largest oil Installation in the Far East. All the all con- sumed throughout the Far East comes from the Balik-papan wells. Bangdang and Batavia, the capital of the Dutch Indies, [571 ]
to have backslidden. In one store where I was tion is located in the port cities. The entire east telling the people about the Lord Jesus Christ, coast is without missionary work, and the Methone said in a loud voice, "God only blows the wind odist Episcopal Mission has evacuated the west on us to make us catch a cold." coast. The entire south coast is also unoccupied with the exception of Banjermasin and the work Four other rivers farther north are also gate- done by the Basil Mission and the Dutch State ways to the interior. The Kutai is navigable by Church up the Barito River. small steamer for ten days as far as Long-Iram, and by native craft for many days farther up. Dr. Slotemaker de Bruine, the missionary con- The Roman Catholic Church has a mission three sul of the Dutch missions encouraged us to occudays inland from Long-Iram at Lahan, where py some of the unoccupied areas of the Dutch priests and nuns are teaching the people farm- East Indies. We recommend the following fields ing, trades, and so forth. All the other rivers where no work is being done: from the east coast, save the Kutai, are, I fear, only navigable by native craft. A Dutch official 1. The entire east coast of Borneo, with Samarinda and traveled up one of these rivers, ascending terrible other places as centers. and dangerous rapids for seventy-five days, and came down the river, covering the same distance, 2. The west coast, with Pontianak and other places as in ten days. While I was trying to tell them of centers. The object would be to reach "the wild men of His love and of the sacrifice for our sins on the Borneo," the Dyack race of the interior. cross, and feeling the opposition very strong, an elderly Chinese lady came from the rear of the 3. The Boegis people on the coast of the Celebes, and store and said: "I once neard of Jesus when I the wild races of the interior, with Makassar as a center. was in China. I don't know much about it, but I know this-Jesus is good, Jesus is good." She 4. The whole southwestern coast of Sumatra. repeated this several times. I left Gospel tracts 5. A large number of smaller islands in the East Indies at many stores in Samarinda. where no Gospel witness has yet been given.
The population of Dutch Bornea is about 1,800,- If the Gospel does not soon enter these fields, 000. Perhaps one half or more of this popula- the influence of Mohammedanism~ which is spread- ing rapidly, will soon be such as to form a most effective barrier to the progress of Christianity. The fact that Mohammedanism is rapidly displac- ing paganism makes the evangelization of these fields urgent.
A Missionary Is Converted By EDITH FUESS HENRY, Shanghai American School, Shanghai, China I T IS homecoming for a missionary! She pauses of overwhelming facts around which sat commit- outside the compound wall to pound the door; tees, numb and dumb-nor power, nor wisdom, in the wait she turns to look back. The road nor means to cope with such; the paralyzing tales by which she has come has been a long, long road; of sorrow, pain, loss, destruction, poured from the it stretches back over eleven months in life's lips of arrivals fresh from battlefields; the feldeepest depths. In those few moments of time a lowship groups where gripping testimonies from panoramic view of never-to-be-forgotten days tear-stained eyes, quivering lips, and crushed passes before her eyes: days on days, and weeks hearts, yet dauntless spirits, could say, "I am on weeks of the ceasless roar of cannon, the pierc- bent, but not broken." . . . ing whistle of bullets, the deafening whirr of planes, the violent bursting of bombs; the heart- The gate opened! Can this be home! The shatsickening sight of scattered, mangled, bleeding, tered roof; the battered walls; the broken doors; human flesh, shrieking and groaning its prayers the empty rooms; the wild weeds; can this be to heaven; the endless lines of terrorized men, home? The home that twenty years ago in a women, and children madly fighting their way to spirit of love and dedication was built in this land safety zones; the great concentration camps of of China that He might have an abiding place hungry, filthy, frightened human beings waiting from which to reach out arms of loving ministry for the ministry of human hearts and hands; the to needy ones around? Can this be home? scurry, hurry, worry of channeling bean milk to the thousands of starving little ones; the fright- "We must begin and build again; build again ful days and nights in losing battle with epidemics the things that are gone." that stalked with relentless step among the masses, taking their fearful toll of life; the tables A house? Can one live again in the shelter of four walls, when so many thousands know only God's earth for a floor, and His sky for a roof?
A piano? Dare one make melody in his own
DR. IMAD-UD-DIN-A CONVERT FROM ISLAM
chamber when the teeming millions of this land Rugs? Can one with pleasure walk the path of hear only the rhythm of guns and bursting cushioned ways, when he sees the tracks where bombs? bruised feet have trod on rugged stones? . . .
Beds? Were it not better to companion those A stir: the neighbors, the friends, the Oriental who like the Master have not where to lay their crowds are standing by in silent commiseration. heads? "I can not see; I do not know; yet deep within Refrigerator? Why preserve food, unless one the silence of my soul there is peace. Old things can find a way to preserve for mankind love, have passed away; all things are become new. kindness, brotherliness, and peace? And I; am I not new?"
Dr. Imad–ud–din-A Convert from Islam* "BY REVEALING the Word of God I have found enjoyment in life. I rejoice greatly there was no peace in his heart. "Whatever af- in my Lord, and my soul is always making flictions or pain it is in the power of man to enprogress in his grace."-Imad-ud-din. dure, I submitted to them all, and suffered them to the last degree; but nothing became manifest The Moslem community, well organized and to me after all, except that it was all deceit." disciplined, with memories of centuries of conquest and domination, has been very stern in its At this time he was appointed to preach the resistance to foreign influences. And yet there Koran in the large Mosque at Agra with a view to were a number of important conversions among opposing the Christian missionaries and for three them in the first half of the nineteenth century as years he exponded the Moslem commentaries and a result of the earnest and vigorous work carried traditions. It was there he was perplexed most in on by Christian missions in Northern India. Even his faith and the thought of utterly renouncing the men of high social standing gave their hearts to world came into his mind with so much power that Jesus. he could not resist. He became a wandering fakir, going from village to village without plan or bag- Maulvi Imad-ud-din was a lineal descendent of gage. He was honored as a very pious soul but a famous Moslem saint, Gutale Jamal, and a de- none could know the uneasiness in his mind when scendent of the Royal House of Persia, famous as he thought of the Judgment Day.
champions of Islam. He was born in 1822 at Pani- He heard of the conversion of Maulvi Safdar pet, India, the youngest of four brothers. Much Ali at Jubbulpore and this put into his heart a care was bestowed upon him in imparting a thor- new hope so that he began an earnest study of the ough knowledge of Islamic law and religion. He New Testament. As he went on studying, a new studied at the Government College at Agra. This unspeakable joy came into his mind and he found education stirred in him a thirst after the knowl- solace in Jesus Christ. Afterwards he went to edge of the unseen. He visited fakirs and pious Amritsar and received baptism at the age of sixty- Moslems, frequented mosques and homes of maul- four, from Rev. Robert Clark of the Church Misvies, and carried on a vigorous study of many sionary Society. books on Islam. He wrote: "Since my entrance into the grace But he was assailed with doubts and perplex- of our Lord Jesus Christ, I have had great peace ities and his contact with Christians led him to in my soul. The agitation of m~,mind and restdoubt the Islamic injunctions and accepted prac;!- lessness have entirely left me. ETen my health is tices. He had some discussion with Maulvi Abd,ul improved, for my mind is never perplexed now." Hakim who could not convince him so that he once for all gave up the idea of disputation. He He became a zealous preacher of the Gospel began to acquire knowledge by reading night and and wrote many books, vindiCating the way of day, with the idea that time spent in its pursuit Christ to his Islamic brethren. One of these was given to the worship of God. books, called the Tahquiq-ul Iman (the Investiga- tion of the True Faith), was written for the He submitted his body to severe tests, by living maulvies who could not see their way to follow the apart from men, keeping awake at nights and by Crucified Christ. He was ordained in 1866 and various penances. He sat on the graves of holy the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred on him men with the hope that he might receive some the degree of D.D. in 1884. He died at Amritsar revelations from the tombs. But he says that on August 2'8, 1900, at the age of seventy-:eight after seeing his father and brother confess Christ. • Adopted from The National Missionary IntelZigencer of India.
Christian Sadhus and
By W. Q. LASH, Acharya in the Christa Prima Seva Sangha, Poona, India D ECEMBER 18th, 1904, is the date of the from place to place, on foot or by more rapid conversion of Sundar Singh, whose name means of locomotion, and are given opportunities has made the Western Hemisphere famil- in each place according to their reputations. iar with the idea of the Christian sadhu. In his Sadhus of this kind are in the minority. The life own country also he turned the thoughts of In- is full of temptations. It requires. a man of deep dians and others to the possibility of revealing humility and rare spiritual qualities to sustain Christ in ways well suited to the setting of East- them unscathed. Too many lack sufficient selfern life. Sundar Singh was neither the first nor discipline, and do not easily accept discipline from the only one to attempt such a method. He helped without. to bring to light the Secret Sannyassi Mission, which for generations. had hiddenly followed a The lack of any kind of discipline is the greatsimilar path. Dr. Pennell of Bannu and Tucker est weakness and danger of the solitary Sadhu's Booth of the Salvation Army had· made independ- life. In the Panjab, Sundar Singh's own province, ent experiments, and Sundar Singh himself came the problem is especially acute. The executors of into touch with the American follower of St. his will have made some attempt both to organize Francis, Samuel Stokes. Centuries before, in the sadhus already practicing, and to use the South India, Robert Nobile had proved the ef- funds he has left to give some training to those ficacy of presenting Christ and His message in an who feel a calling to this way of life. It was the Eastern garment. ambition of the late Canon Chandu Lal to form an Ashram at Sundar Singh's home in Sabathu, It is, however, a unique place that Sadhu to be a rallying place for the wanderers, and to Sundar Singh holds towards the methods of the help give them spiritual and mental nourishment Christian Sadhu and the Christian Ashram. His and discipline. To do so has not proved easy. influence on both has been indirect rather than Sadhu life tends to exaggerate individualism. Exdirect. In his lifetime he refused to allow a group cept in rare cases, we come to the conclusion that of disciples to gather round him and to train them the sadhu, who is unwilling to be linked with othin the way which he followed so successfully. ers under some kind of control, loses more and Disciples he has had, and even now has, nine more control over himself. In spite of the many years after his disappearance; but they are not attractions of this method of presenting the Gosall 'Sundar Singhs." They create problems for pel this way of life may prove more a liability themselves and for the Church at large, which than an asset to the Church. might have been less, if he had handed on his tradition to a company, trained by himself, and set- The Indian Ashram* is a means through which ting a standard for others. Yet his plea that his- the same inspiration may find expression. During tory has shown that organizations tend to decay the last twenty years or so many experiments after the death of their founders cannot be ig- have taken to themselves the name of "ashram." nored, and perhaps he was wise to found nothing. It is not always easy to discover what they have in common. Each is an attempt to come closer to Sadhu Sundar Singh's life is well known. It is the life of the country and to break down barnow nine years since he vanished into the Tibetan tiers, which have become increasingly serious in hills for the last time. A crop of Christian Sadhus 6ays of growing nationalism. Each has aimed has resulted, amongst them men of high mental also at a greater simplification of modes of living, and spiritual qualities, who have to their credit and a greater emphasis on the importance of much fine work as prophets of the Church. Such prayer in relation to the active side of Christian men are accorded great respect among Indians, ministry. Beyond this it is difficult to select the both Christian and non-Christian. They travel common features. Some Ashrams are only sea- sonal, being hardly other than summer schools of Footnote: The term Ashram denotes both the four normal stages asosmpeecrinaal ktyepme.arArimedonmgetmhebepresrmthaenneunct lseeutstl;emotehnetrss, of a Hindu's life, and the forest or mountain retreat to which the insist on single men or women; others have no Hindu went when the calling came to a life of meditation. In ancient days boys were sent to Ashram for spiritual training. In modern ~:y:h:a~r::::dlr:t~g:.1 and Tagore have added the Ideal of service [574 ] clear policy on this point. Equally diverse are the completed a few years ago what must be the finest environments which have been chosen; some are place of Christian worship in an Indian style of in remote jungles; others in country districts; architecture. It is a magnificent Jebalyam (chapothers in towns. el), with a walled garden surrounding it which is also used for prayer. Its architecture is that of a Three of the earliest Ashrams were permanent Hindu temple of South India. Increasingly, in settlements. In Travancore members of the this Ashram, the vocation to prayer and worship has claimed precedence over all other forms of CHRISTAKULA TIRUPATTUR ASHRAM HALL OF WORSHIP service. From time to time young men and others use the Ashram for periods of retreat or for Orthodox Syrian Church, the oldest Christian courses of training in service. Its influence is Church in India, formed an Ashram under the wide in South India; the membership is undeleadership of their energetic bishop. Two Ash- nominational, but the members adhere strictly to rams in reality were formed, one for men and one the principle of brahmacharya, or celibacy. for women. This was an Indian enterprise, as this Church is entirely Indian. It was an attempt A third experiment was made at about the to bring the ideal of community life into the same time, as the Bethany Ashram in Travancore, Syrian Church, which had already been for cen- when the Christakula Ashram at Tirupattur came turies familiar with the rampan, or solitary monk, into existence. This was the foundation of the but. had not developed the practice of a life of Christa Seva Sangha in the village area of Ahprayer among those living together. The location mednagar, in Mahar~shtra. During its early of the Ashrams was a beautiful wooded and hilly years its membership consisted of one Englishdistrict' in the interior of the State of Travancore. man and several Indian village Christians. There For several years these Ashrams brought great were married and unmarried within its fellowinspiration to their Church, and beyond it. Then ship. The members lived entirely in Indian style, its founder seceded to Rome, taking the sisters and sought to find natural Indian expressions in with him. A number of the men continued faith- Christian worship. As the Christakula has been fully under Fr. Alexios in spite of great difficul- helped by the rich store of Christian Tamil lyrics, ties. After resisting pressure for ten years he so the Christa Seva Sangha was fortunate in the was consecrated bishop this year, but continues to fact that the leader of the modern school of live in the Ashram and to give as much time to Marathi poetry, N. V. Tilak, was a Christian. it as he can. A number of other Ashrams have The idea was to form a nucleus of married memcome into existence in the Syrian Church, both bers with a band of sanyassis, who would go out for men and women. – . – _ . .-.. . .. About the same time two doctors, one an Indian and the other a Scotchman, felt a call to found an Copyrright by (Jh(JIrZes Petrasoh Ashram. This they did at Tirupattur in South India. The way of life is entirely Indian, and a INTERIOR OF THE ASHRAM CHAPEL number of young men have joined from time to time as volunteers. Until recently they were the in the manner of sadhus and return to the center only two permanent members. As was natural, for fresh inspiration. After about five years a with two men of their profession, the ideal of group of young men came out from England, service took a great place in the life. A hospital whose ideal was to be members of a community is attached to it. Other activities in the form of after the manner of St. Francis of Assisi. An schools and agricultural experiments. also serve the rural population. In this Ashram there was
Ashram was established in the intellectual center of workers from the jungle districts and carry of Poona, but the attempt to combine the idea of out devoted service to the simple peoples of the the original group with that of this later recruit- forest. The books of the founder, Verrier Elwin, ment led to difficulties. Hence in 1934, when the have done much to bring them to the notice of an original founder left the society it was divided unheeding world. into two groups. Maharashtran village Christians The Christa Sishya Ashram was open,ed a few POOL AND THE "CLOISTER" WHERE THE BROTHERS LIVE years ago in a village area, not far from the in- dustrial town of Coimbatore, South India. Its now continue a life akin to the earlier idea at a members are Syrian and Anglican. It is remarkvillage four miles from Poona, under the old able as one, if not the only, piece of work for othname. Meanwhile the Poona Ashram has become ers carried on by members of the Orthodox secthe headquarters of a community of Indians and tion of the Syrian Church, outside Travancore. Englishmen on the lines of a community. The impact of Christians, who are not the prod- uct of Western missions but can trace their own The Poona Ashram has now the name of history as Christians into remote days of our era, Christa Prema Seva Sangha. The buildings are on non-Christians is most interesting. The Ashsimple, and are arranged to concentrate the life ram regards the married state as normal for its inward. There is a chapel built in Hindu style, members. and,adorned by pictures painted by an Indian art;. ist, trained in the Bengal school. The emphasis Among the seasonal Ashrams the first to be is laid on the life of prayer; the evening and ear- founded, and the best 'known, is that of Sat Tal, ly morning are kept in strict silence to create an founded by Dr. E. Stanley Jones in North India. atmosphere of quiet. Time is devoted also to study To this beautiful spot, year by year in the hot and to active service. One of the chief tasks of weather, groups of Westerners and Indians come the Ashram is to build up a natural Christian life together for periods of spiritual and intellectual in an Indian setting, into· which others may also refreshment. Non-Christians sometimes attend. be brought whether Christian or non-Christians. Of late years, in Lucknow, the nucleus of the Sat Educated converts are frequently sent here from Tal Ashram has attempted to form a more permadifferent parts of India. There is a hostel on the nent Ashram life. It is too early yet to discern the same compound, and lectures' are given in a hall exact shape this group will finally assume. attached to the Ashram. Various works of social service, or Christian ministry, are carried out by An Ashram similar to the Sat Tal has come inmembers in the town and the Presidency, Bom- to existence at Kadoaikanal and does for South bay. Recently a branch has been founded in a India what the former does for the North. Such rural area about 150 miles north of Poona. seasonal meetings playa great part in drawing Among other permanent Ashram settlements CHRISTAKULA AT TIRUPATTUR STRUCTURE OF two of the most interesting are the Bhumjan Seva THE JEBALYAM MandaI and the Christa Sishya. The former has been founded by two former members of the Poona Ashram, among the aboriginal tribes of the jungles of the Central provinces. These Christians have gathered around them a varied group
INDIAN CHRISTIAN SADHUS AND ASHRAMS
together Westerne:rs and Indians, and help to demand for equal partnership to one of full conbreak down barriers which all too easily tend to trol. The Ashram movement has clearly an imform in ordinary mission work. They also make portant task in meeting this present situation. It their contribution in discovering and disseminat- must be Temembered that it has influence far being Indian ways of approach to the Christian yond the Ashram walls. The Christakula has faith and practice, and bring into fellowship "friends" out in the world. The Christa Prema Seva Sangha has a Third Order after the manner ASHRAM SCHOOL, VILLAGE CHILDREN AND TEACHER of the Franciscans, whose members in the several parts of India are full members of the society Christians from various backgrounds and schools with the brothers and share in its government. of thought. Similarly each Ashram has a circle more or less closely attached. Thus the ideals can penetrate It would be impossible to speak of all the Ash- the Church, and this movement is further helped rams which have come into existence, and are be- by such periodicals as The Ashram Review. ing added to year by year. Enough has been said to indicate different types of experiment, of which Yet there may be an even more important part several other examples could be quoted. There for the movement to play in the future. Chrisremains to consider the importance of this move- tianity is a supra-national religion. Great harm ment in India, for the present and the future. The will be done if Indian Christians attempt in their Ashrams have come into existence largely owing reaction to become isolated from the rest of their to a sense that India may rightly expect that a fellows. In the future the ideal of equality of religion, which was born in Asia, should reveal Easterner with Westerner, which has inspired the Eastern characteristics, and in answer to the pioneers, may turn to that of equality of Westtaunt that it is a foreign religion from the West. erner with Easterner. Thus the Ashrams will be- Every day it becomes of increasing importance come the channel of the riches of all Christendom that Christianity in India should be Indian. The being mediated to the Indian Church in a form Indian Government not only makes non-Chris- in which it can assimilate them. Some hope the tians contemptuous of anything not of the coun- Ashrams may become the much-needed homes of try, but affects the Christians themselves. They Indian scholarship and theology. resent any sign of dominance on the part of Western missionaries, and will swiftly :pass from a Finally, the discerning expect that, in spite of the present continuance of Mass Movements in some parts of India, a Dark Age awaits the Church in India in the not distant future. During such a period, institutions, whose primary task is to lay stress on the priority of prayer and worship over activity, will form valuable rallying points for the preservation and building up of the inner life of the Church, even as monasteries did in the Dark Ages of Europe. Their true worth will be proved when the day dawns for renewed expansion of God's Kingdom through Christ's Church.
THE PRIEST'S SON'S TESTIMONY Nungan, an outcaste boy of India, whose father baptized? Are you willing? It will mean that he is a village priest, has always been eager to hear must give up his idol worship and have nothing Bible stories. For years Nungan went with his to do with the heathen ceremonies or with idols." father to the temple and watched him perform the rites, offering to the idols many a buffalo, The father replied, "He has given that up long goat and chicken. Never for a moment did he ago. He won't come near the temple, and refuses think it wrong until he heard the Gospel of to eat or partake of anything offered to the idols. Christ. One morning Nungan came to the mis- He says he is not going to worship demons but only sionary and said: "Ammal, I want my name the Jesus God. You can baptize him if you wish." changed," (meaning he wanted to become a Christian). Weeks later he asked me again. While the father was standing there I asked Nungan what the Lord Jesus had done for him. Not long after this he came again up to me, Without waiting he said, "The Lord Jesus died and pathetically said: "Ammal, won't you let me for me on the Cross. I believe that and He is come?" now in my heart." He was entered upon the list of candidates for baptism. A few weeks ago At that moment his father came along and I Nungan had his heart's desire fulfilled and he took asked: "Do you know your boy wants to be the name David."-Darkness and Light.
is the Koran?
By REV. E. E. ELDER, Meshed, Iran Missionary oj the Presbyterian Church, U. s. A.
To UNDERSTAND the religious life of the nated "The Heifer" because it gives the command millions who follow the M.oslem faith one of M.oses to sacrifice a red heifer (Deut. 22: 1-9). must kn.ow something of their sacred book. The fifth sura is called "The Table" from a ref- Although the K.oran is not mentioned in their brief erence made to a festival table sent down to Jesus statement of belief: "There is no god but Allah from heaven. This is only one of the many sub- and Mohammed is the Messenger of Allah," Mos- jects discussed in that chapter which, before it is lems recognize the Koran as the Message of that a third through, has listed lawful foods and meats, Messenger. prescribed regulations for ablutions before prayer, No tW.o sacred books in the world have S.o much recalled Allah's covenant with Israel, warned in common as the Bible and the Koran. Both Christians of infidelity and retold the story of mention the creation of Adam and Eve and their Cain and Abel's offerings.
expulsion from the Garden, the flood, the faithful M.ost of the earliest suras are short and appear witness .of Noah and the promise to Abraham that at the close of the Koran. They were delivered he should have a son in his old age. The chapter by Mohammed at Mecca. The style is rhythmic, in the Koran entitled "Joseph" gives over three- but the staccato sentences are not strictly in score facts about his life which agree with the metre. These set forth such subjects as the unity story told in Genesis. From different chapters of Allah, the signs of his greatness and the cer- one may glean many details as to the life of Moses, tainty of judgment .on the unrighteous. Later in his sojourn in Midian, his mission to Phara.oh and Mohammed's career an appeal was made to his- the exodus of Israel from Egypt. The Koran also tory and many of the sections at the beginning contains a record of the tables of the Law, the and middle of the Koran tell and retell the stories episode of the calf, the manna, the quails and .of the prophets to illustrate Allah's guidance. At water from a rock. Space does not permit a Medina when the prophet became the head of a record .of all that is told .of David and Solomon, warring community the revelations took the form Aaron and Miriam, Cain and Abel, Lot and Zech- of legislation f.or peace and war, inheritance laws ariah. From scattered verses in the Koran one and regulations of religious ceremony. The sen- may learn that Jesus was the son of Mary, the tences now become involved; the rhythm is .often Word of Allah, the Spirit from Allah and the Mes- stilted and artificial. siah, and that he healed the blind and the lepers Each sura is made up of verses or ayas (signs and brought back the dead to life. But with all or miracles). This term suggests the fundamental this material in common, the Bible and the Koran conception of the book as a collection of wonderare in sharp contrast as to message, arrangement ful phra'ses and sentences. Another division of and theory of authorship. the Koran into parts cuts right across the chapter The K.oran speaks little of the "lostness" of arrangement. There are thirty equal portions man; there is great emphasis on the saying of which facilitate the recitation of the whole book prayers and the payment of alms by believers. during the month of Ramadan – the month of The red thread of sacrifice which runs through fasting by day and feasting by night.
the Bible is lacking in the Koran. Protestants, in their contacts with Moslems, The Koran, although almost as large as the New often assume that their scriptures are for them Testament, is not divided into integrated sections "the only rule of faith and practice." Alongside dealing with history, doctrine or prophecy. There the Koran there are other foundations UP.on which is little logical or chronological sequence in its religion is built; there is Tradition, what the arrangement. It consists of 114 suras (or chap- Prophet taught, practised and approved; there is ters) which vary in length from one almost as the Agreement of the Moslem community; and long as the epistle to the R.omans to some which, there is the use of reason in Analogy. All these in the Arabic text, take but three or four lines. have their place in the commentaries; all of them Each chapter has a special name referring to some have been resorted to in the making of canon law.
subject menti.oned therein. The longest is desig- Yet for the pious Moslem the Koran is the [578 ] source of all science and every kind of knowledge. forgery. Instead of simple narrative about Jesus Does it not say that it is, "a detailed account of he expects. to find God's words to Jesus. The Sereverything" (12: 111) and that in it "nothing is mon on the Mount appears to most followers of neglected" (6: 38)? When in Egypt Napoleon Mohammed to be like some of his sayings reasked the learned sheikhs whether this included corded in the traditions. the formula for making gunpowder. They replied that it did, but admitted that not every reader Another thing about the Koran that strikes the would know how to find it. Only a few years ago the representative of Egypt at the Oriental Con- non-Moslem reader is its constant reference to gress at Oxford said that those who pursue a deep study of the Koran do not fail to find there some itself. Mohammed believed that he had a message reference to the latest inventions or an explana- to deliver and that this message was contained in tion of some scientific points which have been ob- a book. Other peoples had their holy books in scure. He then proceeded to quote verses that for their own tongues. Through him the Arabs were him showed that the earth had been flung off from to receive a book in their own language. "Verily the sun and prophesied that man had the power we have revealed it: an Arabic Koran that ye to fly. may understand." The Koran is self-conscious. One dominant note repeated throughout relate to Authors of the Bible and Koran the book itself; yet during the life time of the Prophet no attempt was made to gather the "rev- There is a sharp contrast between the Bible and elations" into a volume. It did not receive its the Koran in the time occupied in their composi- present form until one of the Khalifas, or succestion. One represents less than a generation, the sors of the prophet as head of the state, realized other over fifteen hundred years. At least thirty that the oral record, treasured in the hearts of individuals contributed to the text of our Bible, men and in the few scattered written fragments, whereas Islam holds that Mohammed was the sole were futile to survive the ravages of war and human medium for the Koran. Christians believe time. An authorized edition was finally made by that the writers of the Bible interpreted God Zaid ibn Thabit who had been one of the Prophet's through their personalities as they wrote. Dif- principal scribes. All other editions were supferent times and different environments called for posed to be .destroyed. Some years ago Dr. men with different gifts. In Islam revelation and Mingana, of the Rylands Library in England, inspiration tend to merge into one another. To aroused considerable interest when he brought the Moslem's way of thinking the Koran is in no back from the east a manuscript which contained way connected with the genius of Mohammed. a version considerably different from the present text. Moslem critical works on the Koran give Some years ago a prominent Christian was ad- various readings that run into the thousands. Aldressing an audience in Cairo, and thinking to though the book is of comparatively recent date, clinch his argument he quoted from the Koran. when contrasted with other holy books, perhaps He prefixed his statement with the words, "Your no other has more variant readings. Are there prophet says." When the Moslem hearers real- verses left out that should have been included? ized that he referred to the Koran, there was a The Shiahs of Iran, who hold the preeminence of storm of protest, not only because the words were Ali among Mohammed's companions, hold that not given verbatim, but also because the foreigner some verses substantiating their claim have been had ascribed the words of the book to Mohammed. suppressed. Sura thirty today contains only sev- enty-odd verses; there is a tradition that it once In spite of this mechanical theory of inspira- contained two hundred. There is little wonder tion, native stories are given in the "Traditions" then that Umar advised, "Say not I possess the which reveal something of the process by which whole Koran, but of it what is extant." the Koran developed. One day Mohammed was dictating to his amanuensis, Abdallah ibn Saad, In spite ,of the references to the Torah and Injil something regarding the creation of man. When (Gospel) as being authoritative for their peoples, he paused Abdallah said in wonder, "Blessed Moslems today usually hold that the Koran has therefore be Allah, the best of Creators." The superseded the Law and the Gospels of the Bible. prophet was so taken with the words that he said, This is not surprising when certain verses in the "Write that down, for so it has descended." The Koran itself have been abrogated by other verses. story continues that the scribe wondered whether The text remains but a later saying has taken revelation from Allah had not also descended on away its force. The Koran provides for this by him. But such tales do not destroy the dictation saying: "Whatever verse we may annul or cause theory of the Koran. It is held to be wholly a thee to forget, we will bring a better one than it, collection of sayings coming to Mohammed from or one like it; dost thou not know that Allah is the Angel Gabriel, so that the Moslem, when he mighty over all?" first reads the Christian Gospels, rejects them as a At the same time I,slam holds that the Koran
is the replica of a Heavenly Book, written on a ers on the Arabic professional stage. The measpreserved or well-guarded tablet, sent down on uredcadences of the book have so woven themthe Night of Destiny and dictated to Mohammed selves into the life and worship and literature of piecemeal by the Angel Gabriel. In spite of the Moslem peoples that they are the expression of historical evidence for a great variety of readings their deepest emotions, sorrow and joy, anger and and the great part played by scribes in collating love, prayer and praise. the material, together with the possible omission of what was originally from Mohammed and the The percentage of literacy is low in many Mosinclusion of portions suggested by others, never- lem lands and that has increased the use of the theless orthodox Islam holds that the Koran is the Koran as a magical force. A minute edition is uncreated speech of Allah. Westerners may fail sometimes used as an amulet and worn about the to see the soundness of such arguments, but the neck or on the arm. The recitation of certain Moslem theologian, with his use of dialectic, an- verses is believed to make evil spirits flee in terswers that all the varied readings are given in the ror. Quotations are used as a means of divina- Preserved Tablet. He can even argue that, far tion. In lands where Arabic is not understood from detracting from the glory of the Koran, they the power of the Koran must often be thought of add to its glory. as magic. To the learned Mullahs any translation of the Koran from the sacred Arabic has seemed Although commentators admit that the perspic- a sacrilege. Turkey has now, however, issued an uous book contains obscure ambiguous passages, edition in Turkish in Latin characters. The reliit is held to be the miracle of the ages.. To millions gious leaders of Egypt finally admitted the possi~ who follow the religion.of Is'lam its claim is in- bility of an interlinear translation which would be violate. "Verily if men and jinns were assembled in their eyes a commentary on the sacred text. together with a purpose of producing this (book) they could not do it, even though they helped one With the invasion of Western civilization and another." Christian teaching into the world of Islam a chal- lenge has come to the power of the Koran. Even Influence of the Koran in the desert one finds that in practical life there are more real forces in a Moslem's life than the Few Christians appreciate the .hold that the sacred book Jarvis, in "Yesterday and Today in Koran has on adherents of the Moslem faith. In Sinai," tells us that the Arab will cheerfully give Arabic-speaking lands it is still the golden treas- false evidence on the Koran, and that in the Libury for examples of grammatical constructions, yan Desert if you want the truth you must get rhetoric and literature. Throughout Egypt stu- your man to make his oath at some sheikh's tomb; dents in elementary, primary and secondary in Sinai you must resort to trial by ordeal, which schools are required to memorize selected por- consists in licking a white-hot iron. Yet the edutions. Illuminated texts, in elaborate styles of cated classes among Moslems, who admit they penmanship, take the place of pictures and wall know little of the contents of their sacred book, decorations. Over the radio professional readers reverence it and say with one of the modern daily recite portions from it. The poverty- writers, "from the point of style alone, it is nothstricken beggars who ask for alms chant passages ing less than a miracle, as great a miracle as ever from the sacred volume. Rarely does a Christian was wrought." Time alone will show whether it ,preacher receive a fifth of the salary obtained by can stand translation, whether it will go down befavorites of the theatre or Hollywood studios, but fore changing ethics, and with what resistance it I have been told that the best professional reciters may confront the Living Word of God. of the Koran are as well paid as the best perform- NOW WHAT SHALL I DO?
We held our communion service at the soldier's camp, in two languages and I could not understand all of the dialects. We had put Itola's baptism off until the next communion for she had been "following afar off." She tried to speak to me several times, but the Buluba- speaking Christians crowded her out. We had not been able to check the communicants at this soldier's camp, as we usually check our outstation Christians before communion and not until after the service did Itola get a chance to speak with me. In great distress she cried out, through an interpreter: "I took the bread and wine before I was baptized and now they say I shall die. Now what shall I do?" I told the interpreter to explain to her that God would not hold her accountable if her heart was right. "Be punctual at the Inquirer's Class," I said, "and when I return, you shall be baptized." PLUMER SMITH, Mutoto, Congo Belge.
Privilege of Preaching to
-<tEf I By STEPHEN KHOOBYAR, Tabriz, Iran 115–·- THERE is probably no harder task in the of sin against God and our fellowmen and against efforts to advance the Kingdom of Christ oneself; on the other hand the teachings of Islam than the winning of Mohammedans, but these look upon sin in a very light way and even excuse difficulties are well known. The disappointments or condone the things which separate man from experienced are sometimes such that only the God in this world and the next. hope of Christ can keep one from pessimism. It is a great sorrow to see those who have confessed Christ not only shows sin in its true light but Christ fall away, but at the same time there is offers the one and only remedy for sin. In Islam real joy in preaching Christ to Moslems, when the fundamental idea concerning sin seems to be a man has been called of God. When we see Mos- that a man may make up for evil deeds by doing lems believe on Christ so that they are born into something that is good, like prayers or pilgrimage the Kingdom we are as certain to have joy in our or the giving of alms. In the faith of Christ the hearts as a rose is to have perfume. remedy for sin is supplied by God Himself; in Islam the only remedies offered are man-made It is a great privilege to be called to serve Christ works. and to share in the work that is dearest to the heart of God. David Livingstone is said to have Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has revealed the remarked that in all his toils and dangers there truth that God is our Father. Through Christ we was one thing which gave him greater comfort may approach God. To Islam the title of Father, than all else; it was the word of Christ, "I am as applied to God, is blasphemy and is almost withwith you always." In preaching to Mohamme-. out exception understood by Moslems in a carnal dans we should never feel lonely with such a way. Though the Koran says that God is as near Presence to sustain us. as the jugular vein, yet in actual practice the whole system of Islam makes Him appear like a power- It is also a joy to explain the Word of God to ful tyrant who cannot be approached. What a those who have no true message from their Cre- blessing to come to our heavenly Father through Christ, our Elder Brother! ator. It is wonderful to go from shop to shop, from house to house, from city to city as the In Christ we have a personality that is unique. bearer of Glad Tidings, an apostle of the Word of How far from anything that Islam has to offer God. If we do not preach to Moslems we are like are the love, forgiveness, mercy, service and selfthe brothers of Joseph who sat down to eat bread sacrifice of our Master. What a marvelous joy while their brother lay bound and in the pit. How to be able to point to such an example. But can we be happy while we leave our brothers Christ is far more than an example – He is the bound and in darkness? Christ is the only One One who atones for sin, the Mediator of the New who can fulfill every longing of the deepest spirit Covenant that reconciles those who were at enof Islam. mity with God, making peace through His Cross.
Our souls are also happy because in preaching a In these great offices Christ is unique; Islam has to Mohammedans we are fulfilling the command nothing like it. What a joy to present such of Christ. When He sent out the twelve and the Saviour to a Moslem and to proclaim His words, seventy they went on their errand with joy in "I am the way, the truth, and the life." "Come their hearts. The Apostle Paul could not remain silent after he had seen Christ, but found his joy unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
where we find ours in helping to carry the Gospel Christians have also the matchless blessing of to every nation and tribe. the help of the Holy Spirit to guide and empower them and to cleanse from sin. Islam teaches how The Wonderful Message ceremonially to clean hands and feet before prayers, but only Christ shows how to purify the There is joy in the Christian mes'Sage that can- heart. A few years ago, I was speaking in the not be found in Islam. It is a mess.age that per- waiting room of a mission dispensary on the verse, fectly meets the deepest need of our Moslem brothers. "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see The New Testament sets forth the true nature God." There were nine mullahs present. When [581 ]
I had finished one of them said, "It is impossible have presented the Christian message directly, in to be pure in heart." All the other eight agreed most cases without any reference to Islam, and with him. Without the Holy Spirit true purity many hundreds of Moslems have attended and is impossible. have shown the keenest interest.
Islam has its holy shrines, like Mecca and In one of the smaller cities of Iran we held serv- Medina, the graves of the prophet and the Imams, ices on several successive Sundays. Though there is no established Christian <church in that city we but it has nothing to compare with the Christian had a w.onderfulattendance of Moslems. The last sacred places that have a deep meaning fQr us. Sunday, though a heavy rain was faIling, there were more than three hundred Moslems in attend- Bethlehem-Place of the Incarnation. ance. N.o room at our disPQsal was large enough The Wilderness – The place of overcoming to hold such a congregati.on so I stood in a d.oor- way opposite to be sheltered from the rain and temptation. listeners filled the porches on the first and second Gethsemane-The place of agony for sin. stories of the long h.ouse where we were staying. Golgotha-The place .of atonement on the Cross. One could hardly believe that such an .opportunity The Empty Tomb-The place of victory through could be presented-that so many would be ready to hear the straight evangelistic message in a city resurrection. The Mount of Ascension-Place of power and the Great Commission.
It would be hard to imagine anything that eQuId that is noted :for its fanaticism. M.ost Christian evangelists in Iran have a room bring more jQy than the pr.oclamation of such or office where peQple may come to see them for great truths. If any Christian has, lost his joy in conversation .or to secure Christian literature. In preaching it must be because he has lost contact our .own evangelistic rQom we have a Bible class with these great and fundamental truths. If any each Sunday morning for Moslem men. Though worker for Moslems has lost the j.oy of such service let him return to his God-given Message and the attendance is somewhat irregular because most of the young men are from the upper classes of he will find there what he has lost. the g.overnment schools, we very often have thirty Islam has no real vital message. In a large or forty or even more of these intelligent young town of our province a number .of mullahs came men; they must often cut their classes to come. to our rQom. We asked them to choose a man to What a joy to have such hearers; their attendspeak for thirty minutes on the message .of Islam ance is entirely vQluntary, yet they leave their and we would speak for a similar time on the own school work to come and listen! That should Christian message. They chose the leading m.uj- bring joy to the heart of any Christian preacher. tahid who spoke for .only five minutes. We took the other twenty-five minutes of his time and the Opportunities to present the Christian message half-hour allotted to us to present the Christian are not confined to large congregations but come message. This has happened over and .over again from personal contacts in our every day WQrk. In in our experience. Great should be our JQY for a certain city I was invited, with a mission doctor, we have a wonderful message, which Islam has to the home of the head of the tax department.
not. He had also asked the Governor of the district, The Moslem Hearers the head .of the education department, several vil- lage landowners, and others to come to his home We not only have a message but we find in Mos- for conversation with us. We were able to prelem lands many who are ready to listen to it. sent tQ these officials the straight Christian mes- Though there are great .obstacles to be .overcome, sage and they seemed glad t.o listen. Recently yet we thank God for the great oPPQrtunities. that after Easter I stood in a school for girls with the lie around us. The fanaticism and bigotry which whole student body before me. The large room fQrmerly refused to listen to the message .of Christ was darkened and at the front .of the rQQm there have largely passed away. The tremendous social was a cross illumined by electric lights, covered changes and the m.odern outlook, together with by white cloth and lilies. By the light of the cross the new nationalistic spirit, sometimes make for I read the resurrection story. The great majority more freedom in preaching, and at other times of the girls were from Moslem families, yet there they .offer hindrances; yet in all we rejoice that was respectful silence and strict attention. Whose the general flow of the tide is toward a more ready heart would nQt overflow with joy at such an ophearing and more people willing to consider the portunity to preach Christ? claims of the Gospel. Last year, returning across the lake from visit- In the large cities all over Iran we have recently ing the churches in the Urumia region, I started been holding special evangelistic meetings. Some- a religious conversation with an army doctor soon times for a week these services have continued after the boat had left the pier. Others gathered each day and s.ometimes for longer periods. They around and through the whole day the conversa-
THE PRIVILEGE OF PREACHING TO MOSLEMS
tion went on, with all listening who were free to a mob of men. Some entered the room and began gather around. It was one more joyful chance for beating converts who were with us. They threw personal work. us out of the room; as they pushed us out of the yard, one man said, "If you ever come in this yard As a subject of a Moslem country, I live under again, or even in this street your blood will be a constitution which establishes Islam as the State spilled on these cobblestones." After we left a religion, yet there is an open door for the Gospel man who had lately professed Christ was shamewhich no one can shut. I have the joy of diffi- fully beaten by the rabble. culties to be overcome and the daily joy of seeing non-Christians willing to hear the message Christ Some time ago, as I was leaving the church, a has sent me to give. young Moslem put a sealed letter into my hand. I did not open it until I got home and then found it The Joys of Tribulation contained a threat that if I tried to convert Mos- lems to Christianity, either by preaching in the There is another sort of joy that comes from church or personal work, my blood would be shed suffering and persecution for Christ. The joy of in the street. It was signed "The Group of those the day of Pentecost was one sort of happiness for who Shed Blood." the Apostle Peter, but when some time later he was beaten he found joy in that experience also. We must expect at any time to be put out of We read in the Acts that "they departed from the places where we go to preach. Our books will be presence of the council rejoicing that they were seized and we may have trouble but, like the Hecounted worthy to suffer shame for his name." brews to whom the apostle wrote, most of us "have The Apostle Paul must have rejoiced to see not yet resisted unto blood." Even should it be churches spring up through his efforts but his our privilege to share the martyr's crown, we will heart broke forth in joy at the thought that his still say with the prophet Nehemiah, "For the joy apostleship was sealed by fellowship with Christ of the Lord is your strength." in His sufferings.. Just as we fail to match the apostles in power, so we fail to attain to a fellow- The Joy of the Harvest ship in suffering such as they enjoyed. The trials we are called upon to bear are trivial in compari- There is the joy in gathering fruit. We do not son to their sufferings, yet our own may be enough see great numbers of Moslems accepting Christ, to bring that deep joy which comes only through or mass movements such as are reported in India, sharing with Christ in pain and distress. Korea and Africa. We must work and pray for one convert from Islam, but in the large centers, Some years ago I was touring with one of the where churches are established, there quite a missionaries. We reached a district in the moun- group join the church each year. In the villages,· tains where so far as I know Christian evangelists on the other hand, there may be a single convert had never been. Some sixteen years before one here and there but we struggle toward the stage Christian had passed through the district. We where we may witness groups. of Christian became into a village just before nightfall, in a storm lievers in villages and small cities. The main reaof rain and wind. We asked for a place to stay sons why we do not see large numbers of converts but there was not one family in the place that are: would receive Christians – especially in our wet condition. They thought that we would contam- The lack of religious freedom; Religious or national fanaticism; a inate their houses in that condition. They showed Loss of economic and social standing; Actual persecution of converts. us the ruins of barn but we decided it would be beUer to stay in the streets than among the ver- One time, touring with a new missionary who min there. Another man took us to an old chicken had come from America a short time before, we house, one of the most filthy places I have ever stopped at a druggist's shop in the bazaar and a seen. At last one man suggested that there was crowd started to gather when they saw we were a shelter in an orchard some way from the village. speaking about Christ and the Injil (Gospel). I We made our way out there and found some sort moved to a wide part of the bazaar and at least of a room upstairs; we put our saddlebags over a hundred people gathered and gave me a wonderthe places where windows should have been and ful opportunity to preach the Gospel. They lisat last made our beds with the wind and rain tened with fine attention and were evidently imwhistling through our abode~ I have never in my pressed by the message. As we returned to our life enjoyed a sweeter sleep than that night. room my heart was singing, but I noticed that the young missionary seemed sad. When I asked the At one time I was invited with a missionary to reason, he replied, "I am filled with sorrow bethe home of a prominent man who had recently cause not one man stood up before the crowd and been converted from Islam. As we were talking confessed Christ. In such a meeting in America, a high Moslem ecclesiastic entered the room and we saw that the yard was filled with mullahs and
with people listening with that sort of attention, connection with our church, confessions had been at least fifteen or twenty would have arisen to few. One morning a young man, who had been confess their faith." Those of us who have spent attending services for some time, came into my many years in work for Moslems hope for that offic·e and made a clear confession of his faith in day but we have not yet seen it. Men and women Christ. He was from a good family and now has are born into the Kingdom one by one and great a good position as a clerk in the military service. is our joy over one soul that steps out into the How glad our hearts are made after a season of sunlight of Christ. little apparent fruit when we see the Spirit work- ing to turn men to Christ! One day as I was passin.g a vineyard, a boy came running and asked us into the garden where In one village I passed a mullah sitting in a an old man was sitting.. I read to him the story shop. Something made me turn back and I found of the Prodigal Son, and before I was through the he had never read the Injil, so I gave him a copy. old gentleman was crying like a child. He under- After that there was not a day when we did not stood the meaning of the story before I had ex- converse; he was certainly near the Kingdom and plained a word and I am satisfied he found Christ came to a full understanding of the love of Christ. in that single interview. In one village I had a conversation in a Bahai house that lasted until One of the fondest memories of my work for midnight. The owner was not converted but one Moslems was the conversion of a leading mullah, man who was present was deeply affected. He a descendant of the prophet Mohammed, who had came to see us later and before we had left the charge of several mosques. His was a wonderful village he confessed Christ and has remained true conversion and he not only believed but preached to. this day. his faith with utter disregard of consequences. He was called upon to suffer persecution which I recall three young men with whom I came in almost made him despair of life itself. But noth- .contact through the young people's society of our ing has been able to shake his faith. The last time church. One of them later confessed that he had I saw him he had a book in his hand and showed been drinking the first time he attended a meeting me two pictures,as others on the street stopped and had gone there as a lark. They all later con- to look and listen. One was the picture of a lion fessed Christ and though they have separated to and the other of a lamb. He said to me, "In the places that are far apart each has done much for end this one will triumph," pointing to the lamb. Christ in this land. It is not necessary to mention many other cases In one large city I had been working alone for which come to mind. As the angels in Heaven several weeks with very small show of results. I are filled with joy when one sinner repents, so we had given a Bible to a young man of a very prom- are happy beyond measure to see one soul from inent family. One evening as I sat in my room Islam born anew in Christ. If we carry the real almost discouraged as to the work, the young man message, in prayer and the power of the Holy came in. He had been reading the Bible, and be- Spirit, the fruit will come whether we or others fore he left, he confessed faith in Christ. My are to harvest it. I can conceive of no greater joy pessimism was· changed to joy. Shortly after this than that of seeing souls come out of Islam to take another man, who was a tailor and had been read- their place beside others who were formerly Zoro- ing much of our literature, confessed Christ and astrians or Jews, Armenians or Assyrians, and began to witness for Him. The poor man never all these together building the Church of Christ in reached the point where he could quite give up Iran. We praise God for our opportunities. "He his old custom of smoking opium but he professed that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious his faith before all up to the time of his death. seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." During some months of evangelistic work in A church that divides the Christian community is impotent to transform or redeem it.- Rev. Ross Sanderson.
*** We have sometimes covered over the ugly and dangerous weaknesses of our civilization and have given them the appearance of strength.-Rev. A. E. Keigwin.
FOR LEPER COUPLES IN A LEPER COLONY, NORTHERN
Obeying Christ's Forgotten Command Dona Eunice and the Lepers of Brazil _.o~ ~o._ r By EULA KENNEDY LONG, formerly of Brazil I A MONG those present at the fourth Interna- eradication of this dread disease in one generar-. tional Conference on Leprosy, which met in tion."
Cairo last March, was Dona Eunice Gabbi About a decade ago, under the capable and un- Weaver, a native Brazilian who married an selfish leadership of Dona Eunice, a small group American Methodist missionary in Brazil. She of Christian women began the work which is now came as official delegate and was the only woman carried on by seventy-two societies, associated in to read a paper before the conference. Dona a Federation of which she is the national presi- Eunice is a product of Christian missions, for she dent. They have erected prevention homes for received her early education in the mission the care of children whose parents have been in- schools of Argentina and Brazil. Later, she took terned in Government "colonies," and for un- a nursing course; and in 1929, toured the world tainted babies taken from leprous mothers at on one of our "Floating Universities." For some birth.
years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Weaver Since the disease is not inherited, a child's superintended the Methodist Settlement House in safety depends on immediate removal from a dis- Rio de Janeiro. eased mother. Tragic as this separation is to the About eight years ago Dona Eunice became in- mother, it is less terrible than that of seeing her terested in the lepers of her country and took up child doomed to hopeless suffering.
the work as a life investment. Up to that time, A very important phase of this work is keep- efforts in their behalf had been sporadic and ing up the morale of the patients. Dr. Muir, of In- localized. According to Dr. H. C. Tucker (for al- dia, has said that 85 per cent of the cure of lep- most fifty years Secretary of the American Bible rosy consists of moral and spiritual help, and Society in Brazil), "no one in Brazil is doing so only 15 per cent is due to medical care. Societies, great a work in dealing with this gigantic 'prob- therefore, have provided work-shops, libraries, lem as is Dona Eunice Weaver. Dr. Victor Heiser recreation centers and Christian chapels for the states that "Brazil may lead the world in the pres- patients, and organize entertainments for Christ- o ervation of the children of lepers and in the mas and other special days.
[585 ]
This work is in cooperation with the Federal and other influential men and women, receiving Government, which has built some twenty colo- cooperation from the humblest widow, as well as nies (in which about twelve thousand lepers are from the first lady of the land, Dona Darcy Varnow interned) and has fourteen more under con- gas. struction. Getulio Vargas is the first president of the country to attack this problem in a vigorous One of the most interesting and heartening and statesmanlike way. But government alone features is that Dona Eunice, although a Protescannot carryon all phases of this stupendous un- tant, has secured the cooperation of Roman Cathdertaking. It must have the assistance of private olics, Spiritualists, and Positivists. Her success beneficent organizations. in carrying out Christ's oft-forgotten command to cleanse the lepers, proves that Christian love, in From the pampas of the South to the waters of actual practice, can transcend barriers of class and the Amazon, Dona Eunice travels by train, ship, creed, and be a living force in .the service of sufauto and military plane, enlisting the sympathy fering fellow-men. and active support of state governors, Rotarians, Presenting the Good News in Brazil By E. M. do AMARAL, Rio de Janeiro Secretary of the Evangelical Federation of Brazil W HENEVER the message of the New Tes- The Christian conscience of the people of the tament reaches men, no matter how di- so-called "Younger Churches" reacts immediately, verse the interpretations may be, it will awakened by the responsibility for evangelizing always speak vigorously to the consciences, ap- the world in accomplishing the missionary task. pealing to the sacred missionary responsibility. They cooperate in the great labors initiated in Christians everywhere receive, as a command, the their country. duty of propagating the Good News of salvation; to present to men the unique Personality of Jesus But it is just to mention that, at the touch of Christ-the incarnation of the highest ethics, and the international or ecumenical spirit of Chrissupreme giver of energies for conduct. It is a tianity quite evident in the work of the Missions, duty to spread among the masses the noble in- the Christians of the evangelized countries awake, fluences of the Gospel. both in their duty to do missionary work and in their national feelings. For the love of their coun- The peoples who had already experienced try they wish to propagate the light of Christ; Christianity for centuries-and especially the or- and because Christianity awakens the conscience ganization which followed the principles of the of personality, and on account of the fact that the Great Reformation of the sixteenth century-felt national feelings do not die, there is born the dein its full power this heavy responsibility to prop- sire that the work, started by self-denying pioagate the teachings and the spirit of Jesus, to con- neers of other lands, may be carried on by those vey His influences among the people who did not who have received the fruits of the missionary know Christ, or who were in unfavorable circum- labors. stances on account of wrong interpretations and practice of Christianity. They have felt this duty, It is needless to call attention to the struggles and have sought to perform it with earnestness which have been fought, in these circumstances, and tenacity. many times due to lack of understanding from both sides as to their respective functions. Thanks In the exercise of this duty by the missionary to God, that there is already a new spirit predomcountries, there developes a true internationalism, inating and a better comprehension of duties will which exists in the religion of Jesus Christ, and bring greater blessings to the missionary enterwhich, in order to bestow benefits and accomplish prise in all the world. There is a reasonable its spiritual mission, is beyond racial and political expectation that this will come to pass. barriers. Again, this international spirit meets and often awakens the national spirit of the peo- Br.azil has already been the host to French ples who receive the blessings of the missionary missionaries in the colonial period (sixteenth cenenterprise. tury); and has had a movement of the Reforma- tion to a certain extent, during the Dutch control;
PRESENTING THE GOOD NEWS IN BRAZIL
also, in colonial times (seventeenth century) ; and God, and it is fair to mention that they are en- was educated in the principles and loose practices gaged in it with enthusiasm and a burning sense of Roman Catholicism. Not speaking about visits, of responsibility.
now and then, already received in the nineteenth In the capitals and in the larger cities, but espe- century, she began to receive the evangelical mis- cially on the coast, we have already strong sionary influence only in the last quarter of the churches-many of them self-supporting and help- last century, less than 80 years ago, implanting ing smaller churches as well as the general work, the regular work of the various Missions, which and maintaining regular missionary work within brought us their great blessings and, let us say their areas. Whosoever will examine rapidly the also, transported to the new land the sectarian evangelical enterprise in some capitals, will note struggles of Europe and America. the churches maintaining various preaching sta- Already, within a half century, the feeling of tions and congregations, within a short time will ecclesiastical autonomy has been greatly awak- develop into new churches and all of them dedicate ened, which means the privilege of self-govern- themselves to propaganda.
ment, responsibility for self-support, but still the A considerable part of the evangelistic field is in sacred duty to propagate the Good News by our the rural zone, and even there, in spite of the lack own efforts. A great progress has already been of resources, the National Church does the same achieved. There are denominations entirely auton- work of evangelism. It is a perplexing problem omous; others, which are autonomous, even in Brazil, but the Christian workers and the Counthough they receive some support from the Mis- cils face the situation with courage and energy. sions; and others upon which the missions have The rapid development of the churches comes yet preponderant influence. We have gone quite a way in the direction of about in such a way, that within a short time, the field of labor of one worker multiplies itself, the rethis equilibrium, which generates a healthy, mu- sponsibilities increase, new centers come up, new tual respect between the missionary and the native churches are organized in much larger proporforces; and also we affirm that there is not, in a tion than the regular growth of the number of general sense, the sad "nationalism" which dead- workers. A distinguished Brazilian preacher who ens the work. We meap to say this: the collab- occupies an important pastorate in one of the oration of missionaries and Brazilians is of such largest churches in Brazil, and who is working a nature that these can develop, with liberty and very efficiently, was the initiator of the work of satisfaction, the promotion of the Christian cause. evangelization in a vast rural zone, in which there We are thankful to report the fact that the are today, instead of the small church then organ- Brazilian Churches, all of them, felt the impera- ized, not less than three Presbyteries.
tive missionary duty, and all of them, continually, Completely occupied with the common labors, with some enthusiasm, by their own initiative and and with this work in which the cure of souls and expenses, and employing their own methods, do the propagation of the Gospel extend together, the the best work of propaganda that they can. Brazilian workers have not always had sufficient The Christian schools of Brazil are yet in a funds for spreading out and planting new marks great part under the direction of missionaries, in far-away places in the outlying districts.
affiliated with various Missions in the United But all this is done, while the sons of the States. In the Theological Schools there are also "younger churches," feeling the weight and glory some missionaries, even though nearly all the of their mission, are face to face with the hard Schools of Theology are under the Brazilian lead- task of giving guidance to the general work. The ership. In the regular pastorate there are several Evangelical press, the training of ministers, the missionaries, but in considerably less proportIon, general work of Christian cooperation,· although and variable according to the denominations with helped by missionary experience quite often, is which they are connected. In the work of evan- on the shoulders of the nationals. Along these gelization, in zones in which the Brazilian lines, the Fifth Evangelical Congress, which met churches cannot have much influence, and espe- in S. Paulo, in 1936, had an important task; with cially in the hard task to evangelize territories far the help of missionaries who were there they made away from the civilized centers, there is a fine a careful study of questions. regarding evan- number of self-denying missionaries, including gelization, education, literature, social action, missionary ladies worthy of all respect, who are ecumenism, unity, held the attention of the Con- doing splendid educational work and nursing, far gress and very important conclusions and recom- away from the resources of civilization. mendations were made, in which there is a cou- Excluding these and other works, which the rageous acknowledgment of past mistakes and Brazilian evangelicals receive with gratitude, the shortcomings, and the presentation of desirable national leaders, naturally, have an ample and steps. and initiatives to follow in behalf of the heavy task in the propagation of the Kingdom of future kingdom of Christ in Brazil.
Adventure in Panjab
By HELEN A. DUFF Missionary of the American Presbyterian Church at Moga, Pan;ab AN AMERICAN woman, beginning mission- brought encouragement. But in many villages she r-. ary work with her husband a few years ago found none but tottering and toothless old women in the Bible classes. "Why do not the young ones in the villages of southeastern Panjab, was come?" she asked. astonished to find that almost none of the Christian women in that district knew anything about "They haven't time. They are busy with their the new religion which they professed. In each children and their husbands, with their grinding village there was usually a man or two who could and spinning, and all the business of living. What tell a few Bible stories from the mission course time have they to think of God? But with us, who then in vogue, but scarcely a woman knew so have finished with living, our children are dead, much as the name of Christ. There was no dis- or grown and it is well now for us to give a cernible difference between their mode of life and thought to God and to death and the Judgment bethat of their outcaste neighbors. The homes and fore it is too late." children of the Christians were as dirty as others in the village; many charms were to be seen about Young mothers, wrestling with the problem of their necks; and much quarreling and filthy lan- how to find enough bread for their children, how guage was heard; they showed as little interest to save them from cholera and blindness and the "evil eye," and all the rampant vice of village life in school. were not concerned with God. He could be of no "Perhaps the evangelists take no interest in service to weary and despairing souls who groaned under the degradation of an outcaste teaching the women," thought the missionary woman's lot. Why should they give much time to wife. "They teach only the men." She decided to think of Him, when as yet their day for dying explain to the evangelists that the women also was still far off? should be taught. The evangelists listened politely. Some took the trouble to explain why such a The old women's answer marked the turning thing was not to be expected. There were a num- point in that district. We decided to undertake ber of reasons-time-honored sex taboos and to do something more creative. In many villages women's brainlessness. The headstrong young the old women still sit, passively content to listen foreigners must find out for themselves the utter to Bible stories, but twice a year now, increasing unreasonableness of their expectations. numbers of young women and girls flock eagerly into the mission station for a sort of girls' camp, The missionary changed her tactics. She de- for two weeks of dynamic study. cided to inspire the evangelists' wives to take up the service, each in her own home village. But The experiment was launched with misgiving. there were many practical difficulties. In that "Parents will never send their daughters," said district there was no precedent for such a pro- the wise and experienced evangelists. In the becedure. The women were not used to sitting in ginning few did. But in that first critical two classes. All their lives they had been told that weeks' session, the few girls who came had such they had brains like the buffal'Q.cf.The evangelists' a rich experience that their drab lives were wives dften reminded them of the fact. Besides, changed and the news spread. As a result many these wives had to care for their own homes and a girl has prevailed upon fearful old parents or children and could not take on more work, for a jealous or stingy young husband, to allow her which they were not paid. to attend camp once, if not twice, in the year. But gradually, by persistent prayer, with ex- A group of little two-room native houses was ample and precept, the work was begun. From found where the girls might live for two weeks. scattered villages came reports of women learn- All the activities of the camp are used to convert ing Bible stories. No radical change of life these drab mud houses into. what a Christian vilseemed to follow ammediately, but that would lage home should be! The girls pasted the houses take time. The missionary began making visits neatly with thin mud plaster, built tidy fireplaces, to the villages where women were listening; her decorated their walls with designs of their own praise of those teachers who were most faithful in white clay, or color. Pictures cut from maga- [588 ] zines have added splashes of color. Simple little There is at times tension or lack of cooperation, hand-made pottery have a place in the scheme. but as each situation arises, it gives opportunity Beds neatly spread and clean floors gradually for the girls themselves to evaluate it in the light become the standard. Personal charm has been of the standards which they themselves have ac- enhanced by daily washings and combing of hair, knowledged. Behavior is measured by the motto weekly washing of clothes, and getting rid of lice they have chosen, "In love serve one another."
once-for-all! Girls take turns in cooking, learn- The babies who are sure to attend also learn ing from a woman who is a mistress of the art. much, for these are made the subjects of all the There are also lessons in soap making, cutting experiments in baby bathing and weighing, in and sewing of garments, knitting, baby care, and feeding and discipline! They learn to take their sometimes in simple gardening and chicken rais- food once every four hours, instead of every time ing. they whimper. They learn to sleep, cool and com- The twice-a-day lessons in reading are attacked fortable, in their little cots, while their mothers with more zest than anything else and we find attend school. They like this better than being that there is nothing which so much enhances· constantly jiggled and smothered in mother's self-respect as an ability to read. warm lap. Mothers like it better too. Finally, Lessons in Bible are not cut-and-dried, but free they return to their village homes, bedecked in discussion is encouraged, to find answers to ques- the gaudy new shirts which their young mothers tions about daily living. have made for them. Two- and three-year-olds "What shall I do when my child gets fever? learn to detach themselves from mothers' skirts, My mother-in-law tells me that the blood of a and have a good time independently in an attrac- black goat smeared on the bed posts would be tive little nursery school.
helpful." Each morning and evening during the camp the "What is the harm in child marriage?" girls gather, sometimes together and sometimes "How should my husband treat me?" in separate house groups, for Christian worship.
"Why should I not slap my child when he an- On the last days, when the girls must return to noys me? How else can I control him?" their villages, their expressions of regret and To these and other daily problems the girls and their wistful yearnings to stay longer, are di- teachers try to find the Christian answer, in the verted into the more positive attitude of service light of Christ's teaching. There is gratifying for others. What are they taking back to their evidence of the effectiveness of this more realistic villages? Will they find some other girls to teach?
method, despite its many flaws. Staff meetings to Here and there a village girl can be found who prepare for class discussions have helped. has learned to read a little, or to knit, or to keep There is also much fun in these schools. There her children cleaner and to quarrel less with her are trips to thE! ice factory (as good as a trip to mother-in-law, because a friend who has been to Europe), picnics on the canal bank, games and camp has shown her that Christ teaches her to songs, and village folk dances. do those things if she wishes to follow Him.
TEN RULES FOR OHRISTIAN LIVING By THE LATE GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH 1. Consider your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and treat it with reverence and care. 2. Keep your mind active. Stimulate it with thoughts of others that lead to doing something. 3. Take time to be holy with daily Bible reading and prayer. 4. Support the church of your faith. Mingle with others. 5. Cultivate the presence of God. He wants to enter your life and will,-as far as you let Him. 6. Take God into the details of your life. You naturally call upon Him in trouble and for the bigger things. 7. Pray for this troubled, war-threatened world and the leaders who hold the destinies of the various nations. 8. Have a thankful spirit for the blessings of God – country, home, friends and numerous "
other blessings. 9. Work as if everything depended upon work, and pray as if everything depended upon prayer. 10. Think of death not as something to be dreaded, but as a great and new experience where loved ones are met and ambitions realized.-Selected.
Lift Up Christ in
Two Methods of Introducing Jesus to Non-Christians _o·<tH{1.:;11====B;;;;Y;;;;A;;;;M=IS;;;;SI;;;;O;;;;N;;;;AR=Y=IN=IND=I;;;;A====!III.- My FIRST year of evangelistic work in the Maddened by his prowess, the Mohammedans Panjab was spent in a proud and big- grew acrimonious in their attacks, saying abusive oted Mohammedan city, where for fifty things of Christ, and making personal attacks on years Christian work had been carried on with the evangelist. The Christian maintained his good almost no visible results. A spirit of defeatism humor, but his tongue grew more adroit in trip- and indifference, and even of antagonism to the ping up his less skilful rivals, demolishing their non-Christians, characterized the local church. arguments with his brilliant irony.
The Christians, having come from the Depressed Long before the evening was over, it was evi- Classes, were scorned by their proud Moham- dent that the Moslem opponents were routed. The medan neighbors, and it is not easy to love peo- discussion ended with shrill and furious invective ple by whom one is scorned! on one side, and cries of victory on the other. On But the Indian pastor and the missionaries had their way home, some of the Christians were plans for stirring the city into new life. A short seized and beaten by enraged Mohammedans, but time before the Panjab had been startled by the they gloried in their sufferings for Christ.
news that a brilliant and zealous Mohammedan Some of us who were new to the work were dis- maulvi (theologian) had been converted to Christ. turbed by the unfriendly spirit shown and there- As in the case of Paul, the talents which former- after dissociated ourselves from such debates.
ly had been skilfully used to refute the claims of Our Christian associates were patient, pointing Christ were now even more vigorously employed out that more Gospels had been sold during that in defense of the Christian faith. In the hope of week than in the whole preceding year. God could stirring lethargic Christians to fresh zeal, and of "make even the wrath of man to praise Him,"
converting hardened Mohammedans, the church whereas indifference was more difficult to over- leaders invited this man to come and give a series come. Some Moslems came to ask questions, while of evangelistic addresses before his former co- others sought to quarrel with the pastor and the religionists-the Moslems. missionaries. We were amazed w~en three young He had accepted the invitation and the news Mohammedan men asked for baptism at the close was soon spread, through every alley of our city of the campaign. They had become convinced, and into surrounding villages. It was rumored they said, by the logic of the evangelist, that to among the Christians that the local maulvies, follow the way of Mohammed would surely lead fearful lest their learning might not prove ade- them to hell. The baptisms aroused such bitter quate to the challenge of so illustrious an oppo- antagonism in the city that the young men seemed nent, had sent to Amritsar and to Lahore for two to be in peril of their lives and were obliged to of their most scholarly and most eloquent maul- make their escape into another part of the counvies to uphold the Prophet's honor. Excitement try. For a time every home in the city was closed ran high. Christian evangelists, as they went to us. about in house to house visiting, were sharply *** questioned about the coming addresses, and some- When the Christian Students' Council of a times were taunted in the streets. Christian college planned to show stereopticon On the night of the first debate, crowds filled slides of the "King of Kings" (Life of Christ) in the arena. Men and women with babies, attended the college chapel, where attendance was volun- from the Christian compound. For the first time tary, a group of Mohammedan students, prej- in the history of our city, Christianity was head- udiced against Christianity, determined to cause line news. The debate began in dignified and a disturbance.
scholarly manner, as the maulvies matched their As the lights went out, and the picture was learning against that of their Christian rival. It shown, the mischief makers began to chatter, soon became apparent that the maulvies were far shuffle their feet, snap their fingers, hoot in de- out-classed in their knowledge of the subject. rision, and throw paper wads at the figure of Again and again the convert scored, tearing to Christ on the screen. The president of the college pieces with ease the arguments of his opponents. felt that he could not allow such insults to his [590 ] Master, and sprang to his feet to shut off the pic- ly the audience watched that broken body taken ture. Just then there came before him the mental picture of Jesus and His disciples, weary and from the Cross and laid sorrowfully in its resting footsore at the end of a day's journey, refused place by His brokenhearted friends. The crowd shelter in a village of Samaria. While the dis- was deeply impressed as that invincibly friendly, ciples, in anger at this indignity to their Master, virile, gallant Spirit went down to seeming dedesired to call down fire from Heaven on the in- feat, so unmerited and ignominious. But with the hospitable village, "Jesus turned and rebuked dawning of Easter morning, when the noble figthem; and they went to another village." The ure of Christ rose from his grave, living and vicpresident decided to ignore the disturbance, and torious, the whole student body was on its feet let the picture go on. and the oppressive stillness was broken with cheer after wild cheer, exultantly ringing through Little by little, as Jesus walked before them on the chapel: "He has conquered!" the screen, healing the sick, comforting the sorrowful, playing with little children, gradually the The next day a sober-faced committee of Moshuffling of feet, and the derisive "cat calls" les- hammedan students called at the president's office. sened. Later, when the scenes of Christ's suffer- "We came to beg forgiveness," they said, "for our ing on the Cross were thrown on the screen, a shameful rudeness of yesterday. We would never tense and breathless stillness filled the room. Quiet- have acted as we did, if we had supposed that Jesus was like that!"
CHURCH GIVING HAS INCREASED The statistics of the United Stewardship Council (Harry S. Myers, Sec.) are for the church years ending between December 31, 1937, and September 1, 1938. These figures show an increase in giving to benevolences and to congregational expenses; membership also shows an increase.
The new depression that started in the fall of 1937 caused a severe slowing up in contributions in many churches, but the total for the year is larger than the total for the preceding report. In per capita giving the United Presbyterians stand at the head with $5.47 per capita for general benevolences and $7.09 for denominational work.
The increase in giving by the listed twenty-five church bodies is $2,313,425.00, or is .007 per cent over the preceding year.
All groups except five show a growth in membership; the Southern Baptists stand first with 4,595,602. The total membership, exclusive of infants, reported by these twenty-five church bodies in the United States and Canada, is 25,143,316, an increase of 133,766, over the statement made last January.
RELIGIOUS BODY 1 – -P-ER- -OA,P-IT-A-G-IF-TS- – – – 1 – – – – -T-O,T-AL-G-IF-T-S – – – – – – 1 Membership Denomina· oongrega. Denomina· Oongrega- Excluding tlonal Be· tiona! All tiona! tiona! AIl Purposes Infants nevo!ences Expenses Purposes Benove!ences Expenses 1——1——–1———-1——–1—— I Baptist, Northern ………………. .. $1.76 $10.19 $II.95 $2,590,305 $14,957,043 $17,547,348 1,468,043 2 Baptist, Southern ..•……………… 1.24 5.78 7.02 5,702,150 26,563,537 32,265,687 4,595,602 3 Baptist, Seventh Day ……………. .. 3.79 10.45 14.24 25,736 70,968 96,704 6,793 4 Brethren, Church of ……………… . 2.23 7.89 10.12 368,269 1,300,000 1,668,269 164,784 5 Brethren in Christ, United ………..• 1.92 10.02 II.94 790,793 4,125,218 4,916,011 411,674 6 Congregational and Christian …….. . 1.57 14.10 15.66 1,613,817 14,534,449 16,148,266 1,030,914 7 Disciples of Christ ………………. .. 1.33 6.08 7.40 2,130,988 9,768,528 ll,899,516 1,607,716 8 Episcopal, Protestant ……………. . 2.53 20.26 22.79 3,437,559 27,500,570 30,938,129 1,357,496 9 Evangelical Church ………………. . .69 19.07 19.76 162,820 4,498,461 4,661,281 235,868 10 Evangelical and Reformed ………… . 2.24 II.95 14.19 1,464,002 7,796,393 9,260,395 652,668 II Lutheran Church, United …………. . 2.32 12.26 14.59 2,612,550 13,802,994 16,415,544 1,125,399 12 Lutheran Conference, American …… . 2.62 11.31 13.93 2,699,066 11,658,225 14,357,291 1,030,861 13 Lutheran Conference, Synodical …… . 2.65 10.81 13.46 2,921,804 ll,894,245 14,816,049 1,100,572 14 Lutheran, Other Synods ………….. . 1.49 7.58 9.07 123,660 627,393 751,053 82,789 15 Methodist Episcopal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 98 14.11 16.09 7,285,917 51,788,184 59,074,101 3,671,ll5 16 Methodist Episcopal, South , ……… . 2.53 7.43 9.96 7,149,726 21,040,770 28,190,496 2,830,258 17 Muravian, North ………… , …….. . 4.86 17.38 22.24 84,603 302,234 386,837 17,392 18 Nazarene, Church of ……………… . 4.54 26.35 30.89 650,892 3,777,210 4,428,102 143,330 19 Presbyterian, United ., …………… . 7.09 16.80 23.89 1,276,683 3,025,969 4,302,652 180,065 20 Presbyterian, U. S, (So,) ………….. . 5.18 16.40 21.58 2,579,108 I 8,162,139 10,741,247 497,816 21 Presbyterian, U. S. A………. , ….. .. 3.58 17.64 21.23 6,823,443 33,584,4II 40,407,854 1,903,747 22 Reformed in America …….. , ……… . 3.76 19.66 23.41 598,440 3,132,064 3,730,504 159,343 23 Baptist, Ontario and Quebec …….. ,. 3.63 14.61 18.24 205,652 1 828,556 1,034,208 56,700 24 Presbyterian in Canada ………….. . 3.11 14.03 17.15 547,6331 2,467,362 3,014,995 175,824 25 United Church of Canada …………. . 3.62 14.13 17.75 2,306,259 8,995,562 11,301,821 636,547 1-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-. Average or total, 1938 … , …….. ,. $2.23 $11.38 $13.62 ……….. '1-.-.-.-..-.-.-..-.-1–.-.-..-.-.-..- ____A_v_e_r_a_g_e_o_r_t_o_t_a_I,_19_3_7_._._.._._._.._._'_'_"_"1__$_2_._16_ __$_1_0._9_6_ __$_1_3_,2_5_ _,_,_'_"_'_'_"_'_' _1_'_'_'_"_'_'_'_"_'_1__"_'_'_"_'_'_"_'_1__"_'_'_"_._._._. 1 1 1 _ _ _G_r_a_n_d_t_o_t_a_I,__19_3_8._._.._._._.._._.._._._._.'-'-'1-'._._.'_'_'_1_'_'_'_••_._._1_'_'_'._,_._'1 $56,151,875 _1$286,202,485 $342,354,360 25,143,316 Grand total, 1937 ….. …………. ……. .. ….. . …… $53,793,095 $272,964,745 $330,040,935 21,909,550
and the World's Crisis*
By INABELLE GRAVES COLEMAN, Richmond, Va.
Editorial Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention THOUSANDS, even millions of Christians When the first mISSIOnaries came to Yintak, around the world are celebrating milestones the present young people's leader was a tiny lad. of victory for Christ. Numerous reports of The American children attracted him and soon prevailing privations, persecutions, perseverances he was joining them in their story hour time and personalizations of both missionaries and na- about their mother's knees. Theile stories always tional Christians evidence manifold fulfillments included Jesus and the love of God. of the petitions of the pioneers of yesteryears. The Chinese lad was held spellbound by these No missionary has claimed that he or she has stories for they were like none he had ever heard made a sacrifice or complained because of priva- before. He retold them at home. None of his tions. There are some less surrendered souls who family had ever heard of Jesus but believed that may do so, but the missionaries dwell on life's there are many gods whom one must worship sweetest moments of fellowship with the spirit of in order to be prosperous. When the boy repeated God. Many of the by-products of the privations the stories of Jesus, his family did not like the however, would not be necessary if we at home idea of adding a "foreign god" to their list. would keep closer to missionaries in prayer and in knowledge of their needs. The climax came when this eldest son came home one evening declaring that this God of the One quiet evening in far interior China a for- foreigners is the only true God. Fear filled the eign missionary and an American on a missionary family. To fail to worship the spirit of one's anjourney sat sharing with the Chinese evangelists cestors and the gods of wel:tlth, health, the kitchen, their heart yearnings for God's Kingdom. After and the cradle or the gods. of thunder and disease, a little while the group knelt to pray. In Chinese, would bring great calamity upon the family. The in English, they joined their hearts in praises and lad's grandparents forbade his ever again seeing petitions to the Father of all. When they arose the foreigners. He must forget all that the twilight had given way to darkness, and only by strangers had taught him. But the child could not the glow of a flashlight could they find the door forget. The still small voice of God's Holy Spirit leading into the night. Without apology the had found entrance to his understanding. Alhostess said "Perhaps you wonder why I have not though he had never heard what Jesus said about given you light. There is a little group of Chris- loving father or mother more than God the lad tians not far from us who had no pastor. We chose to obey God. Today, as he counsels with were giving all we could to God's work, but some- Chinese youth, he understands what persecuone happened to remember that if all of us in our tion means to some who become Christian. little church would give our oil money, there would be enough to supply food for a pastor for this little *** flock. For two months we have had no oil for our lamps. We go to bed early and get up by God's Rumania's State Church is a branch of the Rosunlight. It is a good reminder to know that we man Catholic church, and when one of that church are in physical darkness that these babes-in- comes in vital fellowship with God's Spirit and Christ may have spiritual light. We remember Christ becomes his Mediator, he no longer goes to to pray more for them as we sit in the twilight's confession. Instead of paying fees to the priests, dimming glow, and have no oil for our lamps." his free-will, love-offerings are directed toward opening for others this true way of salvation In the two-thirds of the world where paganism through Christ Jesus and naturally the priests obreigns unrelieved by the Christian message, it is ject. Asa result the Evangelical is boycotted, exnot easy for one to turn from the ancestral to iled, persecuted. follow what seems to be a foreign religion. For many that would mean exile from home, family, Far in the north of Rumania is a little missionfriends and loss of means of support. ary society that included five young girls. One sunny April morning, when the beauty of spring- Ch:i~o~~e:i~~l~~~m 1~3~.isslonary Message given during the Florida time filled their hearts with melody, softly they sang a hymn. Before the chorus was completed, a [592 ] rough knock at the door filled them with fear. An The sorrow and suffering, and death in warofficer entered and marched them off to prison torn China today cannot be described. The picfor being "a public nuisance." Locked in a room, ture of death, hunger, and distress are too terrible whose ceiling and walls were dotted with many for words. knotholes, they were commanded to count these knotholes until they collapsed. It is not easy to In spite of war, imprisonment, boycott, and subbe a Protestant in dominantly papal lands. tle persecutions, the Christians of war-torn lands, totalitarian states, and other unenlightened na- The world's youth are on the march today, but tions are loyally persevering, faithfully witnesstheir bands are not playing "Onward Christian ing to Christ their Lord and Saviour. Soldier." These youth, in many parts of Europe, are marching to the commands of dictators like Recently one hundred and fifty young people Hitler, Mussolini, and Stalin. For disobedience of enlisted in special training for service under orders, they. suffer imprisonment. the leadership of Enrico Paschetto of Turin, Italy. More people were baptized into the Protestant In the prisons of Chosen there are today thou- churches of Rumania last year than during any sands of political prisoners. In Germany's con- previous year. centration camps there are said to be 100,000 men, of whom 10,000 are ministers of Christ. No one For the first time in China's history a corps of knows how many prisoners there are in Italy. In Christian medical students recently offered the Russia, imprisonment and exile have not been government their services and asked to be sent to sufficient to satisfy the dictators; many Christians the front to alleviate the suffering of their fellow have faced the firing squad. men. They are willing to risk their lives for others. One of the three hundred refugee camps Surely it matters to us that thousands of Chris- of Shanghai is located in Old North Gate Baptist tians in the world are persecuted for their loyalty Church. The day after the shelling of Natao, one to Christ. of the many missionaries who has chosen to re- main in China, braved the danger of flying shrap- Nazism that exalts a man above God; Fascism nels and stray bullets, and went over to this old that places. the State above God; Communism that church. The quietness when he entered the vesexiles God; Imperialism that claims divinity for tibule made him wonder what could create such a its emperor-all these attempt to fetter the souls silence among a multitude crowded into these of men. over-flowing quarters. He saw Pastor Y. C. Ching standing in the midst of this homeless, hun- Because Martin Niemoller preached from the gry crowd of crushed sorrowing humanity, readtext, "We ought to obey God rather than man," ing the 23rd Psalm. How could these people deshe was tried for treason and today he suffers in a titute, desperate, wounded, snatched from death "concentration camp prison." If he had said, that claimed their loved ones, understand those "We ought to obey Hitler instead of God," his fate words about the Lord as a Shepherd, from the would have been reversed. Over the beautiful psalmist? gates of one of Germany's oldest universities once was the challenge to youth: "To the living Spirit Then he remembered the words: "Surely He of the Eternal God." Now the word "God" has shall not fail nor be discouraged until He hath set been chiselled out, and "Germany" has been mor- his justice in all the earth, and the isles shall wait ticed in its place. for His law?"
Christians cannot be unaware of these facts. Calmly the missionary wove his way through The cause of Christ must be promoted with knowl- the mass of humanity until he stood by the calm edge of the conditions that affect missions and Christian pastor. Putting his arm about Mr. hinder or help the progress of the Kingdom. Ching's shoulders, the West and East, the white and the yellow races, brothers in Christ, testified "The Beauties of War" is the title of a recent to the fact that "The Lord is my shepherd." book from the pen of Mussolini's son, who has barely reached his majority. He depicts a spring- Faithfulness to Christ prevails in these lands time airplane flight through the heaven's blue of persecution and trial around the world. skies of Ethiopia. In the morning sunshine he spies a village of peasants-only women and chil- The Chinese ideograph for America is composed dren for all of the men and boys have gone to of a combination of characters meaning literally fight the intruding army. The young aviator "Beautiful Country to the West." Most of the drops a bomb on the peasants and with a laugh world thinks of the United States as a land synsoars above the dust and death he has created. onymous with beautiful freedom and delightful liberty. The eyes of the world are upon "Chris- Such hellish delight is incomprehensible to a tian America," as the United States is frequently Christian. Those thus destroyed lived in the land called by Christians of other lands where America of Abyssinia, the oldest nation to claim the name and her sins are not well known. "Christian."
At the Nanking home of Dr. Sun F'o in 1936, At a university luncheon in Nanking the Ameriwhen he was the head of the legislative depart: can guest sat next to a Chinese leader in Nanment of the National Government of China, a king's civic and social service work. Recalling group of Americans found their host in his office. their college days in America, they remembered Dr. Sun still wore his shaded reading glasses. that both of them had met at the Y. W. C. A. Before him were two opened books: a Bible, Camp at Blue Ridge a decade ago. (opened to the Proverbs of Solomon), and the Constitution of the United States of North "How did you come to give up the missionary America. With these pages before him, this Chi- call that burned so radiantly in your life then?" nese scholar and statesman was drafting the new ventured the American. constitution for the Republic of China. With national courtesy the Chinese woman hesi- A passenger on the Atlantic was coming to one tated, but the American urged her to forget Oriof the largest cities of the United States to teach ental politeness and to be Americanly-frank, for his native tongue. By calling, and in fifteen years she was asking the question for reasons deeper of service, he was a Christian minister and he had than curiosity. never taught school before. "Then, for Christ's sake, I shall tell you. As a "I would not have left my people-they need college girl in China I was very happy with the me now more than ever, but the churches are thought of going to America to be with and study closed; scores of preachers, who have dared to with people who love God. The night before our preach in spite of the government's repression, ship touched the United States, I did not even have landed in jail. But there is much we can do take off my clothes. I prayed all night. My heart without preaching in a pulpit. We can go from was full to bursting. I prayed three things: I h.ouse to house breaking the Bread of Life. Quiet- praised God over and over for such a privilege to ly we can shepherd our flocks. But my lad's come to Christian America; I prayed to be worthy mother died last summer. She was training him to set my feet upon America's soil-I felt so unto worship and encouraging him to be a Christian worthy; and I prayed for an open heart and mind in spite of Naziism. I was afraid to have the boy to receive the blessings of learning that I might grow up in a land that has exiled God. It is also be like the missionaries who come from this for the lad that I am coming to America. I want beautiful country to which I was now privileged him to have the blessings of growing up in Chris- to come. Then, but-" and her voice broke. tian America." Humiliated by the world's personalization of an Christian America? One trembles and prays! America unworthy of such admiration and es- May those who personalize and idealize America teem, Christians are moved by a renewed zeal to and call her people Christian, not be disillusioned! respond more faithfully to the aching heart of humanity.
The Prime Needs of a City Church By REV. G. H. BECHTOLD, D.D., Philadelphia -otil Executive Secretary, Board of Inner Missions, Evangelical Lutheran Church M OST Protestant congregations begin in supported by the congregation, usually support promising neighborhoods, in a growing themselves and are a source of support for the community of new homes and new fam- congregation. While the congregation grows and ilies. The folks have brought with them some prospers, it never outgrows its early manner of tradition of church attendance and join their new living. With the rapid changes in our modern friends and neighbors in erecting a new church urban life it suddenly finds itself panic stricken. building. For a longer or shorter period of time People are leaving the neighborhood and a differtheir chief occupation is paying the debt and rais- ent class of persons is coming in. Raising money ing the pastor's salary. Some city congregations for local expense and getting new members has not never get beyond that stage. In one communion. succeeded in permeating the community with the Gospel. Money raising devices may have made the over 80 % of the entire income was used for local congregation a nuisance to the small business man. Finally the congregation prepares to move to a expenses, interest, and liquidating debts. The Bible schpol and youth activities, instead of being
THE PRIME NEEDS OF A CITY CHURCH
"more promising" neighborhood. This is a drab tion. People have more leisure and more forms picture, but we need to examine ourselves before of amusement than ever. Amusement resorts proceeding to the building of a constructive pro- cater to capacity crowds but so do our hospitals for gram for action. mental diseases. The Church has a legitimate field in providing the plan and the opportunity for A change of attitude is a prime necessity in a clean pastimes. Music, dramatics and sports are truly Christian program. We read "My house health outlets for pent-up spirits. Folks learn to shall be called a house of prayer for all people." know one another better and are more ready to As a matter of fact, the average Protestant church work together in the serious work of Kingdom is chiefly a "house for the respectable middle building. In one large city church the older men class." We reach neither the very rich nor the were organized into twenty quoit teams. They very poor, although they are there among us. At played every night during the summer, becoming times, groups of congregations make a survey of better acquainted with each other, and in an in- their neighborhoods, but often that gives the indi- formal way, with the program of the church. vidual congregation no accurate picture of its field. Surveys must be made, in order that we may know For nineteen centuries the Christian Church who the people are who live in our parish. has been the St. Elizabeth of the needy. The vast State relief programs have overshadowed the work In every neighborhood there are static as well of the Church. Nevertheless only her persistent as moving elements in the population. Among benevolence has made it possible for the State to those who are static we find the conservative well- carryon on such a colossal scale. What the Church to-do, who were once active in the local church. lacks in funds she possesses in the miraculous Another group could not keep up the pace; they power of multiplying the loaves and the fishes. stayed in the neighborhood, but out of the church. Unemployment has had a devastating effect on In every community there are hidden treasures the life of all classes in the community. Lack of waiting to be turned up. There is a glaring illus- jobs causes lack of funds. Pride has kept many tration in the case of the aged widow in Philadel- former members out of the church. While it is phia for whose millions hundreds of hungry heirs laudable to say "Come whether you have money are squabbling, but for whose soul no church or not," what many really need is a job. Here we seemed to have any concern. have fallen down. Congregational employment committees cooperating with a community Free Having learned the possibilities of a field, the Employment Bureau conducted by the denomina- congregation must look at itself. Having gath- tion have sometimes been the means of finding ered the facts, the congregation must adopt a new work for hundreds in private and public positions. attitude of determination and optimism. First of all, its equipment must not look run down at the Social and economic changes afford the city heel. Many city churches were erected in the days church an opportunity to provide an outlet for the when folks had large families and when every exchange of ideas. In many cases, discussion one went to church. groups have taken the place of old debating clubs. People like to talk about present-day problems. People are conscious of a building that is clean In most congregations, there are one or more col- and well lighted and warm on cold days. lege graduates capable of conducting such a group. One danger is that the pastor may monop- Adequate and decent housing is one of the sta- bilizing factors in a city church. When the newly- oJize the time. Give the people a chance to answer weds can find a modern home close to the old home back. Our Lord had a deep concern for the physi- they will stay. If the family which has risen from cal welfare of the people; Christians may have poverty (are there any such today?) can find a no less. But what of the Gospel? Many sermons more comfortable dwelling among the old neigh- are only husks. The text often provides a peg on . bors they will remain. The church should have a which the preacher hangs his personal views. live interest in the enforcement of housing and What most people want is an authoritative presen- zoning laws, in order that she as well as her neigh- tation of the Scriptures in simple Anglo-Saxon. bors can live happily. It is more constructive to In many cases we have secularized the Church have some unsanitary condition corrected than to with such themes as "Patriotic Grandfathers' pay for the burial expenses of an innocent child Day," "Rocking Chair Sunday," and other cheap victim. tricks to draw a crowd. Worth-while services and messages send folks home with the conviction that People also need to be taught how to live in a they have been with God. home. Despite all the new fangled devices to lighten the "drudgery of housekeeping," nothing A church open every day, ministering to its has yet been invented to take the place of intel- neighbors all the day, is an answer to the prob- ligence. lem. True leadership involves surrounding one- self with an efficient force of workers. Instead of In most parishes in a city, nickelodeons, gramo- phones and player pianos started the process of drying up the wells of wholesome family recrea-
one pastor in a large city church there should be source of lay activity we could turn the ebbing three or four. Experience has shown that not tide in the city churches.
only the unchurched but many of our best work- We also need to cultivate the lost art of singing.
ers are in need of intense pastoral care. Mean- One small city church that we know, with a mem- while the solitary pastor is shackled by a multi-' bership of only 200 had three excellent choirs, an- tude of details that call for trained workers. other larger congregation has fifteen. Not only While every city church has audiences and or- have they served to hold together the group, ganizations, what it needs is worshipers who also spread the appreciation of good music, stimulated are workers, evangelists or deacons in the sense the singing of the congregation, but also they have of Acts 6: 3. City church societies should repre- sung the Gospel into hearts of many.
sent the spirit of Christian fellowship and be the In a community where there are people the training school for volunteer workers. In Ger- prime necessity of the city church is to believe in many the Protestant Church societies have had its mission to permeate and dominate the commu- more than three million volunteers ready at a nity with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, moment's notice for any service. With such a preached, lived and practiced.
Evangelistic Work in Ludhiana Hospital By D. M. PAYNE, Evangelist Memorial Hospital, Ludhiana, Pan;ab CHRISTIAN medical work brings us into been educated in a mission school, and would like touch with all classes of non-Christians- to read the Gospel story over again very carefully. Hindus, Mohammedans and Sikhs. Our ap- He bought a Gospel, and asked her to pray that proach to these people through our medical and as he reads Christ will reveal His full light to him health work is a very effective means of reaching so that he may find salvation and peace of heart. them with the Gospel message. In the hospital, where patients stay for a shorter or longer period, We also found this same earnest seeking after we have a unique opportunity of seeing their re- the truth as revealed in Christ, on the part of a action to the message and of finding out their atti- Hindu whose wife was admitted to the hospital for tude to Christ. Not only the patients, but their several weeks. He bought a Bible saying that he relatives, too, both men and women, have an op- had read it while in a mission school as a boy, but portunity of hearing the message day by day. had paid no attention to its teachings then. Now, however, he was anxious to read it over again very Many these days are buying copies of the Scrip- carefully from beginning to end. Another edutures and seem genuinely anxious to find out about cated Hindu, a master in a high school, whose wife these things for themselves. I think it is not an was in the hospital for some time, said that he exaggeration to say that there is a real spirit of had a Bible at home which he was in the habit of enquiry abroad in India just now on the part of reading to his wife and children. A text hanging many, who are dissatisfied with what their own on the wall of the ward, "The wages of sin is religion has to offer them, and this is causing them death, but the gift of God is eternal life through, to study: the Scriptures and listen with eagerness Jesus Christ our Lord" attracted his attention, and to the message of salvation through Christ. I one day he said, "Will you explain the meaning have, personally, met very few non-Christians of it to me? I have been pondering over it for the during my twelve years of service in this country last two days.'" who are really satisfied with their own religion, and can testify to having found the truth. On the The Hindu doctrine of Karma (salvation by contrary, I have met many who are ready to con- works) is a hopeless one, and it seems that some fess that they are in search of truth. of the thoughtful Hindus are wistfully looking to Christ for salvation that does not depend on the A short time ago the father of one of our Mo- self-effort of weak humanity. Our experienced hammedan patients was listenfng to the Gospel Bible worker, who visits among the "zenana" message while on a visit to his daughter. As the women in the city, reports that among the Hindus Biblewoman was preaching about the death and a number have given up the worship of idols and resurrection of Christ, he exclaimed, "Quite true! long pilgrimages to bathe in the Ganges to remove Quite true!" Afterwards he told her that he had the stain of sin. To some of these she has been
EVANGELIST WORK IN LUDHIANA HOSPITAL
preaching Christ for years. In some instances Him as a prophet, but since I have learnt more of their husbands have joined the Arya Somaj Com- Him during my stay here, I now know that He munity-an advanced sect of Hindus-who, in is the Son of God, and my Saviour from sin." Her spite of having given up idol worship and other eldest son, whose right it is to take the important old customs and superstitions, have still not set- position occupied by his father, refuses to do so tled the sin problem. Many are looking and long- because he says their religious teachers are false, ing for a manifestation of God in the flesh, the and rob the people whom they are supposed to coming of a Divine Being who is perfectly pure teach and shepherd. He says that his "two eyes and holy. Some of the women whom she has been have become four" since reading the Bible. teaching, have accepted Christ. One very significant fact in regard to the atti- The Mohammedans look upon Christ as one of tude of non-Christians towards Christianity, is their prophets, and reverence Him as such, but that they expect a higher standard of love and of do not believe that He died on the Cross to save life from Christians. sinners and think it is blasphemous to speak of Him as the Son of God. However we have come EIGHT CHRISTIAN COLLEGES FOR across a number whose hearing or reading of the WOMEN IN ASIA Word has had considerable effect on them, so that their ideas of Christ as taught them by their own There are eight Union Christian Colleges for religious teachers are changing, and one comes Women in the Far East. St. Christopher'S across many who have come to realize that He is Training College at Madras, India, opened in indeed the Son of God and Saviour of the World, 1923, has now an enrolment of 93 young women although only one here and there has actually with a practice school of 454 pupils. Its gradutaken the step of baptism, while there are a large ates are scattered all over India, teaching in number who are searching the Scriptures and are schools and colleges, in Christian, Hindu and gradually coming into the Light. A Mohammedan, Government institutions. a Police Officer, said to me the other day, Between three and four hundred Japanese "Since I have realized that Christ ..alone of our young women are studying at the Woman's prophets was born of the Holy Spirit, I have felt Christian College of Tokyo. Scholastic training compelled to make a study of His life and claims." is accompanied by practical Christian service.
A Mohammedan student who was in training in Ginling College recently at Nanking, China is our hospital for three and one-half years, recently having a desperate struggle and is operating in came to visit us, and said that the things she three units-one at St. John's College in Shanglearnt of Christ while here she has been passing hai, one at Hwa Chung College and a third at on to others. She said she was working in a part West China University, Chengtu. of the Panjab where many people have not heard the Gospel message, and invited us to go there Yenching College (co-educational) is operatand preach. This we did and found some who are ing within the Japanese lines at Peiping, China. really searching for the truth, and who took The enrolment is smaller than for some years. copies of the Scriptures to read. Others, to whom she had passed on what she had learnt of Christ Cheeloo University (Shantung) has had to as Saviour, are ready to come out on His side, abandon its buildings at Tsinan, but its doctors, and to acknowledge their faith before others in nurses and students are still serving the sufferbaptism. After we returned to Ludhiana a letter ing Chinese. came from a Mohammedan convert, whose home is in that area, begging us to come again, because, Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow, India, has he said "The harvest is really ripe." He also enrolled 214 students; these include girls who added, "I explain about Christ, my Redeemer, to have never been out of p1;trdah before coming to the people of my blood, who are really very fond college and girls who haie never been in school of hearing the message," and then goes on to say, before. Its graduates ~re scattered all over "Most of this country is populated by Moham- India. medans, who regard the Lord as prophet. The only thing that is to be done is to get them to The Woman's Christian College at Madras, realize his Omnipotence." India, prepares for medicine and the higher branches of learning. Many of its students take Another hospital patient, the widow of a big graduate work in America or England. religious leader a m 0 n g the Mohammedans through hearing the Christian message daily, de- Missionary Medical College for Women at Velclared that she has given her allegiance to Christ lore, South India, is . .veIl known through the since hearing about these things. To quote her work of Dr. Ida Scudder. Here seventy young own words, she said, "Before coming here I knew women are in training for a life of service in a country where women doctors are especially needed. The roadside clinic run by this medical school serves a large community.
-The Church Woman.
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.~ ij Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE 'vY. McGAvRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~'==I===========~='IJi OHRISTMAS GIFTS materials to use; for ways of tions. Use the books that are on working are prepared by the your shelves in a conscious ef- "There is so little we can real- various peace organizations of fort to preserve the will to peace. ly do for peace," mourned a the country. Choose one organrather short-sighted member of ization and keep in touch with it. Oooperate With the Ohildren a women's missionary society. Use as many of its ideas as you can profitably put into effect. in Study "There are, on the contrary," s u g g e s te d another, "several How Many Books on Peace We often fail to have a vital things." relationship between agencies Has Your Library? in the same church, doing the "Such as?" same thing. The following in- "Object to the sale of war toys Public libraries, missionary li- teresting report from a church for children in our neighborhood braries, libraries of the church in Oklahoma shows how a really stores; give some thought to buy- school departments, private li- valuable connection may be ing for your own children books braries, all these should have made. The Primary children which will aid world friendship, some good recent materials on were given the feeling that what and toys that emphasize con- Peace. A very practical thing they themselves were doing was structive enterprises; and think you can do is to have someone of real concern to grown-ups. out a definite way of helping really interested in peace educa- Their study must have gained them to decide to lay aside war tion make a classified list of what added dignity. The adults were toys which may come to them is available and where, and for made familiar with what chilfrom thoughtless relatives and what age groups. The young peo- dren can do in a field quite unfriends." ple might cooperate in this. known to themselves in their The first member had the Late winter is a good time for a own childhood. grace to blush. "Just to do those special reading campaign on the three things would: take more subject. Books may vary from "The Primary children recentthinking and a bit more courage the short but emphatic, "War is ly completed a study of World than I've given the cause of a Racket," by General Smedley Peace based on the course prepeace yet," she admitted frank- D. Butler, to the interesting but pared by Mrs. Elizabeth Loly. "I'm glad you called my rather difficult, "Power of Non- bingier-'Ship East-Ship West' bluff. I'll get busy at it, I prom- Violence," by Richard Gregg. and the accompanying teacher's ise you." Or it may include, "Ship East- guide. This project was carried Ship West," a book for 1st, 2nd on during the departmental ses- What specific task for world and 3rd grade children by Eliza- sions of the Sunday church peace are you laying before your beth Lobingier, which has facts school and a regular weekly group? Is it something each one and stories qui t e interesting meeting of the children of this can do if she has a mind to? Is enough for use with adults to department. Stories, dramatizait something the value of which whom they are unfamiliar. It tions, e x p lor at ion of Bible she will see? Is it something will do mothers and fathers a verses, investigations of facts whose cumulative effect will be real amount of good to read relative to the cost of war, the noticeable? Is it something that some of these new children's creation of peace bridges and demands a bit of courage or de- books on peace. "Broken Guns," other memorials erected between termination? There is something by Eleanor Brainard is another. f r i end I y nations, discussions every person can do. Find it, It is for Junior children. centering around methods of livput it before the group, follow ing together in peaceful relait up and report if possible on In this period when the world tions, were among the activities results. hangs on the edge of general con- of work carried on during this flict it is essential, if we are at study. Make Use of Peace all interested in ultimate peace, Organizations that we use the written word to "At the close of their work keep people's minds turned to together, the chi 1d r en had Many excellent and detailed the possible ways of cooperative charge of the peace program of suggestions for programs on dealing with each other as na- the Women's Missionary Society peace; for lines of action; for of their church. At that time the [598 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
things which they had learned Peace in an exhibit being sponsored by and done during their study to- the group. gether were shared with the Peace in our time, 0 Lord, older members of their church To all the peoples-Peace! (3) Some young people, wantin a most effective way. Peace surely based upon Thy Will And built in righteousness. ing to make quoted material viv- "As a concrete expression of id, memorized a paragraph each their interest in world peace, the Thy power alone can break and gave it, in proper sequence boys and girls are packing two The fetters that enchain with all the dignity, emphasis suitcases to be sent to the Com- The sorely-stricken soul of life, mittee on World Friendship And make it live again. and effectiveness they could com- Among Children – one for a mand. Voices which contrasted Spanish girl, and the other for a Too long mistrust and fear and personal characteristics Spanish boy. While this study Have held our souls in thrall; which differed gave emphasis to as such has been completed, the Sweep through the earth, keen breath it and helped prevent any feelleaders of this group feel that ing of monotony. much more can be discovered of heaven, about this subject, and will con- And sound a nobler call! (4) One group wanting to tinue to carry the peace emphasis in their church program."- Come, as Thou didst of old, reach the larger church body, In love so great that men with the cooperation of the pas- Mrs. Grant Truman, Supt. of the Shall cast aside all other gods tor printed a paragraph in the And turn to Thee again! church bulletin e a c h week. Primary Department. Church members were urged to 0, shall we never learn Are your adults familiar with The truth all time has taught,- save the bulletins and reread as the mission study being carried That without God as architect a whole the entire message thus out by younger groups in the Our building comes to naught? given them. church? Are they helping the children and young people to feel Lord, help us, and inspire (5) Another group sends out that these things they are study- Our hearts and lives, that we ing are more than just matters May build, with all Thy wondrous an occasional valuable piece of of childhood interest? Why not material by mail to every memplan various occasions when the gifts, ber on the roll. It is mimeochildren's leader can say to the A Kingdom meet for Thee! graphed, as is the short accomchildren, "The· women of the panying letter, and goes for very missionary society (or the men Peace in our time, 0 Lord, little postage. of the Bible class) are interested To all the peoples-Peace! in this, too. They are working Peace that shall build a glad new You might use the paragraphs at it. Would you like to go to their next meeting and tell them world, below in one of these ways. And some of the interesting and And make for life's increase. keep on the lookout for vivid and worth-while things. we have dis- helpful and forceful quotations covered?" The sense of oneness o Living Christ, who still from other sources for similar in the great world-wide task of use. To stimulate thinking is the Church which results from Dost all our burdens share, among the most important of the such interchange is valuable in itself. It also strengthens each COofmaellnmowenanedvedrwywelhl ewreit!h*in the hearts tasks of missionary education. group participating. How Use Quotations "War is not born in a field or be- Sing Hymns of Peace hind a wall, or in a drafting room. Below you will find some very It is born in the mind of a man, or in We have had few hymns in our pertinent paragraphs on the the minds of many men. It is later on actual worship which are def- causes of war and the creation that it becomes bombs and cannon and initely related to a desire for of attitudes toward peace. They the tread of men on the march. peace. It is time we were using are part of an article by W. W. some of them. Reid. "While ideas that give rise to war are allowed to germinate in the human A comparatively new hymn One wishes that all the mem- mind-and are carefully incubated by by John Oxenham, sung to the bers of one's missionary group popular ignorance, by a jingo press, tune so familiar to us all, "Dia- or of the church might have by all the proponents of greed, hate, demata" or "Crown Him with them. There are several ways fear and jealousy, by a warped mili- in which different Qrganizations tarism and 'patriotism,' and, also, too Many Crowns" is given here.* have secured general reading of often in the schoolroom and in the such paragraphs. pulpit-we may fully anticipate the • Printed copies of it may be obtained only known fruit of such germination: from A. Weekes and Co., Ltd., 13-14, Han- (1) Mimeographed copies of wars, more wars, and worse wars. over St., London, W. 1. gngland. Send an similar material was prepared international postal money order for 2 sbil- for one meeting. Its unison "Treaties, solemn pledges, high relings and 6 pence (about sixty cents) for 250 reading was planned as part of solves and reason are powerless before copies. Or for 500 copies send 3 shillings the program. Each member was the causes of war found in the human and 6 pence. The notation says post free. asked to take it home and medi- mind. Until the mind of a whole But you might suggest in YOUI' letter that tate further upon it. world-wide generation is changed, we if postage to foreign countries is extra, they cannot hope for lasting peace. An deduct it from the amount and spnd fewer (2) A member of one group 'embargo' is but war with newer copies. made a series of posters each weapons! Increased armaments pro- carrying in vivid lettering a voke added hate and fear-new causes short paragraph. She used these of conflict! Physical disarmament- in presenting a short talk on the without disarmament of mind and theme. The posters were later spirit-leaves us like our ancestors used, placed in consecutive order who yet warred without the tools of modern combat! • Copyright by The Ohristian Centwry In 1,000 Quotable Poems. Used by permission. "To keep any generation out of war, we must teach it a new philosophy. The whole strength of school, home,
church and the channels of public very familiar one "Uncle Sam box of hanging-tinsel was pro- OpInIOn must be geared together in Needs You," (The picture of vided but by common consent, this educational task-as they now Uncle Sam pointing straight at not used. Some of the mothers gear together when war is to be pro- you). Find a contrast such as and fathers had bought a couple moted. The new teaching emphasis the Poster of the Emergency of strings of electric lights. must be a p p 1i e d simultaneously Peace Campaign of 1937-1938, throughout the world: for peace can- "For What?" (A young man What was the point? They not reign anywhere while the roots of were preparing their gift to a conflict grow in any land. tied to the mouth of the cannon.) near-by city mission, so that the Arrange these against s 0 m e children there might have a tree "One remembers the technique of to enjoy, which was just the fitting the American mind into a war background the size, shape and same tree as they had enj oyed. program in 1917. . . . The success color of an army blanket, with If you could have heard the joy- of that propaganda is now history…. 1917 in large letters over one, ful, "I think they'll like this But if these same instruments of ornament!" and "We'll let them propaganda are used to promote peace, and 1937-38 over another. Be- put on the tinsel-hanging be- they can just as readily-perhaps tween them run the legend. cause we might lose some if we more readily-insure understanding "War is futile. Help us find the used it now," or "It's the nicest and appreciation and cooperation, and Christian way." tree we ever had!" Personal? war will be impossible. Their pride and happiness in it N ow for the display of your had no bounds. It was some- "Suppose we have a misunderstand- contrasts.1 Mounted on beaver thing far more than a gesture of ing, or difference of opinion, or an eco- board, they may be slid one at a giving. Every thing on it had nomic or territorial dispute with some time across an opening in your been selected with the idea of foreign power. Suppose our news- s tag e curtains-dramatically giving delight. papers have their best journalists pre- Rent equally well both sides of the dif- lighted-with the audience in All cannot have children give ference. Suppose the cartoonists, the the dark-as part of a program decorated Christmas trees. But movie men, the radio announcers, the on peace. you can arrange for whatever teachers in their classes, the preachers personal gift they are making at in their pulpits, and the orators of 2. Hire an empty store and set Christmas to have in its prep- all parties extol the virtues of the up the display for Friday and aration, and completion, the .. people with whom we differ; picture same thoughtfulness, and delight the good of their civilization, their Saturday. Hang curtains over in sharing. artistic contribution to mankind, the the windows till you are ready reasonableness of their point of view- to display. In this event you A Look at Future Plans perhaps their very needs for new will want to have an easily-read lands to feed increasing- populations. statement on your group's atti- Pages such as these must be Suppose dolls representing the chil- tude toward war where the win- planned months ahead. There dren of that land replaced guns and dow gazers can read it after are so many lines along which tin soldiers as toys; its pictures and looking at the posters. Someone we might search for effective songs and stories were used from kin- might smash the window, so be methods of working! dergarten to college; the theatres and prepared to pay damages. schools gave plays and displays re- You will find a wealth of in- countin~ that land's history and cus- A Very Personal Gift teresting and helpful suggestion toms' and aspirations. In fact, sup- among the following themes to nose every agency thought and worked Feeling that the children's giv- which we hope to be able to give for peace and understanding. prominence in the months men- ing at Christmas was not very tioned. "In such an atmosphere, commis- sions representing both countries could personal, a Junior Superintend- January-General Plans. easily reach a conclusion of the diffi- February-How to Make Effective culty that would be satisfactory to all. ent planned a bit of Christmas Recourse to arms would be un- Contacts with Missionaries, Mis- dreamed of. sharing in a new way. They sion Leaders and Nationals. March-The Local Church and Its "This is not a small task. Rather themselves always had a Christ- Missionary Program. it is the greatest task of the human April-Various Matters of Interest. race, the task of all governments and mas tree at their Christmas May-Plans for Summer Effective- of all peoples thinking and working ness. cooperatively. It is not to be attained party. Thig year they saved June-Helps for the Home Missions without cost. Into its cost govern- Study. ments will have to transfer many of money to buy an extra big one. July-Visual Education in Missions. the millions now spent in war-produc- Septembm'-Effective Publicity for ing armaments. It was left without a decoration Missionary Events. October-Helps for Our Foreign Mis- "What if one generation today on it. sions Study. 'sacrifices' all its pomps and vanities N ovember-Stewardship. that a thousand coming generations As the boys. and girls arrived December-The Enrichment of the may live!" Devotional Life. for the party, each carried some Twenty Years After Have you used effective meth- Christmas tree ornament or dec- ods along these lines? If so, kind- Rolled away in somebody's at- ly let the Department Editor tic in your town are some of oration. It was either a new one hear of them. those wonderful war posters of 1917-1918. They were superb in chosen and bought by the child their appeal. Emotionally they did just what they were intended especially for this occasion, or it to do. was one in good condition from Why not use them now for peace education? Here's how! his own home tree. .
Choose a poster such as the What fun they had decorating that tree. Some time was spent making extra decorations. A 1 Various posters against war may be bought from The National Council for Pre- vent:on of "-ar. 532 Seventeenth St.. N. W .. Washington. D. C. Write for descriptions and prices.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~'================~ij THE STRANGER IN OUR MIDST-THE MIGRANT!
"Away in the Manger, finds in some instances sixteen They Starve That We No crib for his bed . persons living in a one-room May Eat t shack; the only drinking water TTamp-Tramp-Tramp available that which is sold from Shall this continue to be true a filling station at five cents a or will you, and you, and you, Can you hear the Migrants as quart; a destitute mother and who eat fresh and canned vegethey move across the country in baby shipped as freight half-way tables and fruits gathered for search of shelter, employment, across the country to join a hus- you by the Migrants become schools for their children, hospi- band in an endless trek of six- their champion! It is imperative talization for the ill members of week jobs and twelve-week peri- that we as Christians and as their families; for sanitation, ods of looking for it! citizens see that the more than simple justice from individuals two million Migrants in America like you and me who eat the veg- For generations this condition have the right to work and live etables they gather. On foot, in has existed-ever since railroads as human beings. old cars, in and under freight and refrigerators made it postrains many come great dis- sible for neighborhood markets SIX A. M. AT THE NURSERY tances in expectation of short- to obtain tropical fruits in Jantime jobs gathering peas, beans, uary and vegetables the year Does Your Church Know? tomatoes, lettuce, cranberries, around. asparagus, cotton, sugar beets, How the Council of Women apricots, hops, and other vege- Recent years have added for Home Missions, representing tables, small fruits, and fisheries greatly to the number of Mi- twenty-three national women's here and elsewhere. grants due to floods, droughts, denominational Boards is at- share-cropper eviction, and most tempting to meet this problem? Through the pressure of pub- recently the tractor. Where the If not, make it your business to lic opinion the families of the tractors are appearing the rural secure for your pastor, your city slums can turn to the clinic, landscape is strewn with abanthe visiting nurse, the relief doned houses. Residents in west- • Quoted from an artiCle on Migrants by agencies, the school, or the ern Texas explain as they point: Paul ·S. Taylor, of the University of Calichurch and receive help because "There used to be two families fornia, entitled "What Shall We Do with they are members of an organ- out there. The tractor got both Them ?" April, 1938. ized community. But not so with the Migrant families – always SUPPER FOR THE FAMILY OF ELEVEN t "They Starve that We May Eat" is the "strangers in our midst." Un- These meals must be prepared in the early protected by law he is barely in title of a valuable booklet on Migrant work the consciousness of the public. morning before going to the fields compiled by Edith E. Lowry, and published Public opinion is not aroused to by the Missionary Education Movement and the :plight of this segment of of them. . . . That farm has the Councll of Women for Home Missions, Amedcan life. As a result one made a living for a family ever price 35 cents. since the land was broke. . . . The tractors are keeping our families from making a living." * [ 601 ]
Barbara Green make out someway until tomorrow al- would like to read something. He said though Dorothy had cried all night; he would and picked out Peter Rabbit. STORY HOUR FOLLOWS WORSHIP and they had no money. . . . Worker It was a sight to see him sitting there, AT TEN O'CLOCK saw the county doctor in —. He absorbed, mouthing his way through is not too vitally interested, but told a book he should have been able to Missionary Society President, her to use bread and milk poultice and read with ease seven or eight years your Sunday School Superin- bring Dorothy to him tomorrow and ago. But at least he can read it now tendent, and your young people's he would make no charge. Worker and that is something." leader full information by writ- told Father this on way back. If he ing to the Council of Women for does not see to it, perhaps worker will "A large majority of the children Home Missions, 297 Fourth take her." in these camps do not attend school. Avenue, New York, N. Y. What Of course they do not want to attend a force for public opinion we "We had a rummage sale. Many and, as a superintendent of one of the could be if every church made of the parents came. It gave them a schools said, 'If they did all come I the story of the Migrant a con- chance to see the Center as well as don't know where we would put them.' cern of that entire church! get clothing for the family. Most But they do not all come and never articles were sold for 5 cents, a few will unless local communities make a The following excerpts are things were 10 cents. Some of the point of seeing that they come by enfrom reports of the fifty-three parents said, looking around, 'No won- forcing compulsory school attendance." projects in thirteen states where der the kids like to come here so the Council of Women for Home well!' " "We were all ready for our trip to Missions with the aid of trained the Museum. The group of ten was volunteers has been a construc- Barbara Green just a good number. First we went to tive force in the life of the CLEAN-UP COMES JUST BEFORE LUNCH! the Park, and for awhile the boys kept Migrant: busy at the playground. We had "Today I had an extensive talk with lunch near the pond. The one diffi- Christmas Eve in a Cotton Claire on religion, I, a Baptist and she culty was that the boys wanted to Camp a Catholic. Her interest and knowl- catch the goldfish in the pond. They edge were astounding. The conversa- roamed around and looked at the vari- "We came to play Santa Claus in a tion was not one of proselyting, but ous things in the park, and then we small way-in a small way of neces- rather one of sharing. Religious con- all walked down to the Children's sity because of the almost insurmount- versation is not in any degree so taboo Museum. We saw colored slides of able task that is presented. Proper here as on the college campus. . . . the West first, and then movies of the clothing, nourishing food, warm As young as they are we get into good desert, South America, and the Far shelter. The cabins are built on the discussions on religion. They told me West. The boys were really interested ground and with rough boards covered today that they thought I would go to and enjoyed the exhibits. They seemed with dirt for the floor. An old garbage heaven even though I didn't tell my to be quite enthusiastic about the can turned upside down serves for a sins to a priest." whole trip. . . . At eight o'clock the stove, and a pile of cotton with a piece children's choir sang one of their new of canvas thrown over it is known as "Our men were forced to strike this songs for devotion and did very well. the bed. This is the winter home of morning When 'thousands' of cars … The dance later in the evening four children and their parents who came tearing in to drive them out of was a huge success, though there was pick cotton when the weather permits. the fields. They are striking for a some tension when the orchestra did . . . From churches, Missionary So- fifty-cent raise for the pickers. We not arrive on time. Someone esticieties and other organizations have stuck around until the tobacco in the mated that there were four hundred come toys, clothing and food which is shed was all used up then went home. people there as dancers or spectators." distributed to every household. . . . If . . . Back to work this morning. The those who have contributed could have boys only got a twenty-five-cent raise. "Workers were putting the rest of heard the cries of joy and glee, and . . . They didn't want the strike in the children to sleep, while B, M, and seen how tickled these children were the first place. These people certainly J were doing dishes. When they went as we handed the gifts to them from ought to be organ'zed that they may out they found a note on the, refrigour trucks they would, I am sure, feel better understand their needs. But erator, 'Dear teachers, we have moped fully repaid and realize that their sac- first of all must come education. Four every bit of the kitchen flour. It is rifices were not in vain." boys accused of leading our strike real clean. B-M-J.''' were fired." "Dorothy has a badly infected "We fold our hands and softly say finger. Worker stopped to see her "Jack is a bright looking lad of fif- Mother and urged her to take Dor- teen. The worker asked him if he Thanksgiving for our food this day." othy to the doctor. The mother said she had been told she would have to Don't have your concert first, and then tune your instrument; begin the day with the Word of God, and get into harmony with Him.-J. Hudson Taylor.
Christmas Story for
A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN never had opportunity to talk it White ought to tell it, since he BETHLEHEM with some one his own age. is a real teacher," said Micah's mother. By VIOLET WOOD, NEW YORK Although he felt very shy, he approached the man and "N0," said Dr. White. "You Micah had anxiously watched asked timidly, "Please, may I come from people with a rich the sky all afternoon. An air- help carry your bags?" tradition in poetry and beauty. plane had sailed by, but even It will be wonderful to hear you that failed to shake his gloom. "You speak English!" cried tell the Christmas story." The clouds remained and he the little girl. "Do you live was very much disappointed. here ?" So, after they had eaten a Tonight was the night of light meal at the inn, they went nights! For weeks now he had "Yes, I do. My mother, fa- to the roof. The air was melprayed that his father's busi- ther and I will be here for one low and the wind gentle alness would continue in the little or two weeks more," responded though it was December;, but town of Bethlehem until Christ- Micah. there were no stars to be seen mas Day. The prayer had been in the clouded sky. granted, for it was Christmas "Well," said the fat her, Eve and he was still in Bethle- "that's fine. We'll be here for "In America," said Joan, hem. a few days. This is Mrs. White, "perhaps there is snow on the this is Joan and I'm Dr. White." ground now. The Christmas "Oh," he sighed, "if only the trees will be lighted and the stars would shine tonight, so "My name is Micah," replied shop windows gaily decorated that I can watch the sky and the boy with a low bow. in red and green. And, oh, it look for the Star of Bethlehem. will be very cold in many parts How happy I should be!" His Just then his mother came of America. Just think, next mother had promised to take out and met his new acquaint- Christmas I shall be there! How him to the roof of the inn where ances. Mrs. White had just much I will love to tell my they were staying. There she come from a visit to the school friends there about this Christwould tell him the ancient story in Baghdad w her e Micah's mas in Bethlehem. I can't beof many generations ago when mother had once been a pupil; lieve this is really Bethlehem her forefathers had been shep- so they chatted together like old and that it is Christmas Eve. herds in the hills. It would be friends, speaking of teachers It seems like a dream." She wonderful to hear the Christ- and places they both knew. laughed. "These s t ran g e mas story in the town of Beth- mosques and minarets and low lehem itself. But none of this When rooms for the White houses look just like the picwould be possible if it rained, family were found and their tures on Christmas cards at or if the clouds hid the stars. luggage arranged, Joan said: home." Dusk was rapidly falling and the "We are going to walk through clouds remained. the streets of Bethlehem, even "Tomorrow," ask e d Micah, Micah gazed sadly down the if it rains. Coming to Bethle- "will you tell me about Christroad. The sight and sound of mas in America? Mother has an approaching automobile in- hem is my Christmas present terested him, although since his from mother and father. Won't told me about Santa Claus, father was a traveling mer- you come with us?" Christmas trees and the hangchant, he had seen more cars and ing up of stockings. I want to had journeyed more than most Micah's mother looked very hear more about them." Arabian boys. The automobile thoughtful. "I am ashamed to stopped at the inn and Micah have to say this, for it is partly "All right," answered Joan, watched an American lady, a the fault of my people, the man and a little girl about his Arabs; but it is not safe to "but I want to hear about own age get out, laughing mer- walk in the streets of Bethle- Bethlehem now." rily and talking English. This hem when it is dark, even on was very exciting to Micah, be- Christmas night. There are "It is a very simple story," cause his mother, who had been many street fights. Please do began Micah's mother, "one educated at a Christian school not go. It is already dark." that you have heard over and in Baghdad had taught him English. He often talked that "Mother, couldn't they come over, but I will tell it to you as language with her and with the up to the roof over our rooms? it has been told in my family British soldiers, but he had We could watch the sky while from the beginning many, many you tell us the story of the shep- generations ago. I come from herds," pleaded Micah. a long line of Bedouins, or wan- dering shepherds. They lived "Oh, yes," cried Joan, "that would be lovely." in tents made of dark woolen cloth which they threw over "I don't think that I should be the one to tell the story. Dr.
[603 ]
long frames, leaving a flap of afraid and covered their heads ing others there of the birth of cloth tied to a pole which they Jesus. used as a door. Like all shep- with their long tunics. But the herds they spent very little time "King Herod heard the report angel of the Lord appeared and and wondered what it meant. in their tents; they preferred to Later some Wise Men came from lie on the hillside day and night told them of the birth of a baby the East and said tbey had seen watching their sheep and look- a wonderful star. They asked: ing at the stars, and thinking that was wrapped in swaddling 'Where is the newborn king of about the God who made them. the Jews, for we have seen his clothes and was lying in a man- star in the East and are come to "Hundreds of years ago to- worship him?' Herod was frightnight a little group of Jewish ger where cattle were usually ened when he heard of this and shepherds were lying on the sent for the Jewish priests and hills near here. It had been an fed. Then the whole chorus of .unusual day and it was a teachers to ask them about the strange night. The sheep were heavenly angels sang as with old prophecy that told of the restive. The camel trails had one great voice of praise: 'Glory coming of a Jewish Messiah. been much used by strangers all Then he told the Wise Men to go morning and afternoon. for the to God in the highest and on to Bethlehem to look for the decre~ of the Roman Emperor, child. Cresar Augustus, was that all earth peace, good will toward the descendents of King David "As they traveled on, the star should bring their tribute to men.' appeared again and the Wise Bethlehem. So, many travelers Men were filled with great joy. came from as far away as Leb- "As suddenly as they came, They followed where it seemed anon and Jericho and Nazareth to point until they came to a to the ancient City of David. the angels went away again; the house in Bethlehem where they found the young child with Mary "The shepherds knew of the sky became as before, and a old prophecy that a Messiah his mother and they, too, wor- great silence surrounded them. shipped him." would someday be born in Bethlehem who would deliver his The shepherds were no longer *** people. They thought of it as they lay silently watching the afraid. They talked with one Here Micah's mother stopped sky. As tonight, clouds rolled speaking and looked up into the over it. Suddenly strange mu- another of their vision and de- sky. All the others looked up, sic was heard in the distance. cided that certain of them would too. The clouds had passed and The shepherds looked at one a lovely, bright star was shining another shaking their heads. go to Bethlehem and see if they Something wonderful was about over them. to happen, of that they were could find the wonderful child. "Oh," cried Micah in joy, "the sure. "Some of the shepherds went star! See the star!" "All at once, just after dark- "Just think," whispered Joan, ness had grown soft and black down the hills and made inquiras velvet, the heavens became "this might have been the very very bright around them with ies until they found the baby in spot." a strangely brilliant light. The shepherds were very m u c h the stable of the inn at Bethle- "Yes," said Micah. Doesn't hem. He was wrapped in swad- that star seem to be pointing here?" dling clothes, with Mary his "That is because the Star of mother beside him and her hus- Christ is shining in our hearts," murmured Dr. White. band Joseph seated near by. The humble shepherds bowed down and worshipped this child, who was called Jesus, of whom the messengers from heaven had told them. .
"Then the shepherds returned to their flocks, full of wonder at what they had seen. For many days they told the story of their vision, and their finding of the Christ child to travelers who stopped in the hills to refresh themselves and to fill the i r waterjugs. Some of these trav- elers went on,to Jerusalem, tell~
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO NORTH AMERICA try area all the churches have were removed, the bottles care- been slowly dying, with only one fully washed, then a tract or "A Reaching Mission" left that has a pastor who comes Gospel penny portion placed in every second week for a serv- within, after which the bottles Protestant pastors in Philadel- ice. It has been years since any were sealed and consigned to the phia, having had a preaching thorough pastoral work has been sea. This is no small-town enmission and a teaching mission, done there. The result is that terprise. Sometimes as many as have now embarked upon a there is not one person under 2,500 bottles go into Chesapeake "reaching" mission. Ministers thirty years of age in the area Bay at a single launching. of 22 denominations have adopt- that has made a Christian coned a program of pastoral and fession and united with any Thus, the bottles once containcongregational evangelism, and church. This is true of another ing evil spirits, now are filled by unanimous resolution declare community in the western part with the spirit of the Gospel. that "the supreme task of the of the state. church is bringing men, women, -Bible Society Record. boys and girls into personal fel- The Gospel in Bottles lowship with the living Christ. Crusade Against Liquor There is no solution of problems Near the waterfront in Balti- Advertising other than the Christ way of more, Md., is a small lunchroom life." bearing the sign "Mike's Place." The National Temperance and This might suggest the under- Prohibition Council is urging all President Walter Greenway, world, but the presiding genius temperance forces to unite for of Beaver College, who proposed is a devoted Christian Italian the suppression of liquor adverthe plan, originally developed who has hit upon a unique meth- tising in newspapers, magazines, this program in a rural church od to spread the GospeL Mi- over the radio and by all other of 100 members, enlarged and chael Coscia was born over a means. An undertaking of this found it effective in a town saloon kept by his father. His magnitude will require concerted church of 500, and finally tested associates as he grew up were effort, hence the Council, comit thoroughly in two Philadelphia the type who loaf in barrooms. posed of 27 organizations seems churches, each of which as a re- When he was past thirty there the logical force to carry forsult grew from few members to came a day when life took on a ward the project. Protesting to over 2,000. The program sug- new meaning for Mike, and he the owners and managers of gests preparation for the pastor felt an urge to preach the Gos- radio stations, to the editors and and the entire congregation, out- pel, but realizing his handicaps, publishers of newspapers and lines methods of publicity and he looked for another method to magazines advertising intoxicatthrough it all stresses the su- proclaim the message than from ing liquors, and laboring for the preme preparation by the Holy a pulpit. After he had estab- enactment of legislation to stop Spirit. Its flexibility permits it lished his lunchroom, he placed liquor advertising are the lines to be used successfully in any de- a Bible verse on the roof, where along which the Council will dinomination or congregation. The it could be seen by thousands rect its efforts.-S. S. Times. ministers of the city have been who transact business in the tall asked to spend from 9 to 9: 15 buildings near by. Irreligion in Films each morning in intercession for one another and for the churches Mike's next inspiration came Rt. Rev. John T. McNicholas, in this outreaching enterprise. from finding every morning Catholic Archbishop of Cincin- scores of empty whiskey, gin nati, spokesman for the "Legion -The Christian Century. and wine bottles scattered of Decency," says that effort is around Market Place. Of course, being made in recent pictures to Godless Spots they were gathered by the white spread ideas antagonistic not wings, so that for most of the only to Christian morality, but Harold C. Loughhead has sur- day the streets were clean. But to all religion. He warns film veyed a number of areas in rural Mike saw in these empty bottles producers that they have an in- Pennsylvania, and has discov- a great opportunity. He and his escapable responsibility to safeered some amazing facts about family began to gather the bot- guard the moral welfare of the this supposed stronghold of tles daily, like the manna. Labels public by putting before them Christianity. In one open coun- right patterns of thought and [605 ] conduct.
It was the American Cath- vestigation has discovered that aries was that of transportation. olic's Legion of Decency that Chinese percentage of delin- During the summer travel becompelled a radical change in quency is the lowest of any racial tween villages is more difficult the tone of motion pictures by or sectional group, the ratio be- than in the winter. The only a boycott, launched in 1934. ing almost negligible. Chinese means of transportation in many Now the Legion is viewing with teachers, questioned by the in- places. is by dog team and sledge grave apprehension the various vestigators, said that the reason over the frozen ~round. Small subtle attempts to employ the for this remarkable showing is a boats can ply the rivers and the film to project irreligious points precept of Confucius: "The mis- sea coast, but they are inadeof view-films that portray, ap- conduct of the child is the fault quate, very inconvenient, slow, provingly, concepts rooted in of the parent." Every Chinese irregular and costly. Only the philosophies attacking the Chris- child is made to understand that villages along water routes can tian faith. his misdemeanor in public brings be contacted thus in summer disgrace not only on himself but while the regions beyond are -Dayton Daily News. on his family, and the severest neglected. punishment is to "lose face." Iowa School for Missionaries Traveling by dog teams has United Church of Canada also its hazards. Many "mush- The first Iowa School for Mis- Crusade ers" have been caught out on the sionaries will be held January 23 tundra, many miles from the to February 18, 1939, at the Iowa The United Church of Canada nearest cabin in a blizzard and State College, Ames, Iowa. The is conducting a quarter-million then he will have to make a camp courses offered are Sociology and fellowship crusade during the and dig himself and his dogs into Rural Organization, Family Life last ten weeks of 1938, including a snow drift until the storm and Health, Agricultural and a recall to worship of all its abates. Another danger is from Rural Education, Foods and Nu- membership and a campaign for the packs of hungry wolves rovtrition and Agriculture. There a quarter of a million new sup- ing the tundra. Even if the will be afternoon conferences porters. This Church stands "musher" is armed he and his and field trips to near-by com- fourth in per capita giving dogs are an easy prey for the munities, schools and parishes. among the 2'5 leading denomina- hungry wolves. A special two-day conference on tions of North America. Rural Missions Work will be The airplane is a fast and a held over one of the week-ends In the last Canadian census convenient way to travel in during the school session. The the people listing themselves as Alaska. The plane can land on school is in charge of a commit- of the United Church numbered the water, when equipped with tee from the faculties of Agri- more than two million, or one in pontoons, on the snow-covered culture and Home Economics of five of the dominion population. tundra, when equipped with skiis which Professor R. H. Porter is Of these, the members in com- or on one of the many airfields chairman. Dr. Porter was for a munion are less than 700,000; kept in good condition by the number of years a member of of these the regular supporters Government. the faculty of the College of by envelope amount to 235,000; Agriculture and Forestry of the and those who also contribute to This mission has purchased a University of Nanking, China. missionary and benevolent en- Fairchild plane with a Warner- The only expenses to students terprises amount to only 110,000. Scarab 145 horsepower engine, will be for board and room. Mis- seating three persons besides the sionaries who expect to attend -The Christian Century. pilot. It has a cruising range of the school are requested to send 500 miles with a speed of 125 in their names as soon as pos- A Missionary Airplane for miles an hour and can climb sible to Professor R. M. Vif- Alaska 16,000 feet, crossing anyone of quain, Room 122 N, Agricultural the Alaska mountain ranges. It Hall, Iowa State College, Ames, The natives of Alaska will be is equipped with all the neces- Iowa.* visited during this winter by an sary instruments for blind fly- airplane which the Evangelical ing, including a radio, all in- How Chinese Check Mission Covenant Church of spected by the U. S. Government. Delinquency Chicago has recently sent to The trip from Chicago to Seattle Nome. When the old "sour- (Z300 miles) was made in 21 There are about 3,000 Chinese doughs" used to call preachers hours, at 12,000 feet altitude. boys. and girls in the New York "sky pilots" they did not realize From Seattle it was shipped to area. During the past eight that in the future the preacher Nome as the fog was too thick years there have been among would come dropping down from on the coast to fly all the way. them only two cases of juvenile the clouds with a message from delinquency. A recent court in- above. The plane will be stationed at Bandle, a village on the Arctic • A descriptive folder of the school may In the summer of 1937, the Circle, where a new work was be had on request, either to Professor Vlf- Covenant Mission sent its secre- opened last summer. The Misquain or to the Rural Missions Cooperating tary to the Alaska missions and sion Covenant has work in sev- Committee, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, he found that one of the prob- enteen larger villages and beside New York. lems confronting the mission- the six missionaries employ a
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
number of native evangelists. THE' ALASKA Scriptures, and where members During the last three years, five MISSIONARY of evangelical churches had been new churches have been built arrested on charges of subverand one parsonage. When the AIRPLANE sive activities. It was definitely plane becomes a weekly visitor known that this was due to presto the unevangelized regions the Put in service at sure on the part of the bishops work should quickly expand. Nome, September 27, of the Catholic Church. 1938. Will1>e piloted THE REV. G. E. JOHNSON. by Rev. Paul Ben- Representatives of the Amer- jamin Franklin Carl- ican Bible Society and the Brit- LATIN AMERICA son. On picture to ish and Foreign Bible Society right is the Secretary sought and secured a personal Human Salvage in Mexico of Missions of the interview with the proper gov- Covenant-Rev. Gust. ernment authority. This official Although the Salvation Army assured the Bible Society agents has work in some 80 countries, E. Johnson that the sale of Scriptures could political conditions in Mexico not be prohibited, since the Conmade it seem practically impos- he~dquarters, and the office cre- stitution of the republic granted sible for the Army to enter. But ated for the purpose has been in liberty both of worship and of a young Mexican, a former gov- contact with young people's commerce, but that the Governernment official and communist groups in every Latin American ment would not tolerate political leader, was converted, and with- country, trying to find out their propaganda. Assurance was givout knowing anything of the Sal- viewpoints and other prelim- en him that absolute abstention vation Army or its methods, inaries. The Congress will be from all political activity was began to work in the slums of held in 1940, probably in Lima, required of their colporteurs by Mexico City among drunkards Peru. Political conditions might both Bible Societies, and that and other human wreckage, on require the selection of another any breach of this rule led to inlines similar to those used by the city for the meeting. stant dismissal. The Minister, Army. who asked for a copy of the Bi- -World Dominion Press. ble for his own use, then ordered Street meetings were held in that a circular be sent to every defiance of the law, and when How to Handle Crime Problem Prefect in the republic. arrested this young man and his helpers continued to preach in Federal and State govern- – World Dominion Press. jail. The transformed lives that ments might make a note of the resulted convinced the govern- way the present government of An Evangelistic Odyssey ment of the value of this work, Guatemala handles its vice proband it was allowed to continue lems. Too often there is neglect A house on wheels is a novelty unmolested. This spontaneous in permitting marijuana cigar- in Colombia. The Gospel bus, movement has now been in- ette peddlers to hang around provided by Sunday School tegrated with the world organi- our high schools, but Guatemala Easter offerings and other gifts, zation of the Salvation Army. authorities hound down these was greeted along the road with ghouls and make their business this exclamation, Ave Maria -World Dominion Press. one of high crime. With the ex- purissima! Que es eso? (Hail, cellent police system, the crim- Mary, most pure! What's that?) Young People's Congress inal is most likely to be caught The bus accommodates about promptly, and alas for him if twelve people, seated on benches For several years evangelical convicted. and boxes, but on occasion more leaders of young people in Latin than twenty have crowded in America have been hoping for a Some years ago a German and listened to the Gospel story. Congress for young evangelicals merchant undertook to introduce from all the republics. The need the opium vice into Guatemala. Rev. Pryor T. Smith tells in of stronger ties among young He dropped with a thud into Colombia Clippings of some of Christians; interchange of ex- public contempt as a result, and periences; a united attitude to- his application for an importawards moral, spiritual and social tion permit was promptly turned problems; the creation of a down. Reform in Guatemala is strong force which may impress not a mere vaporous election by its idealism; and an effort to slogan for political purposes save Latin America from insta- only, but is handled calmly and bility are some of the reasons vigorously. which make the Congress a vital need. -Guatemala News.
The first River Plate Congress Scripture Distribution in Peru of young people met last year in Rosario, Argentina, and from it Early this year a number of came the formal decision to or- cases were reported where colganize the Latin American Con- porteurs had been prohibited by gress. Rosario was chosen as local officials from selling the
the difficulties encountered. Upon found anywhere. It is interest- Ethiopia when the Italian conarriving in a town, the bus is ing to recall a stanza from John quest was completed were asked parked in the plaza. Soon a Oxenham's famous poem of trib- to depart at once, and no foreign crowd of the curious is assem- ute to Livingstone: Jews have been allowed to settle bled, and often some burly ruf- there since May, 1936. The Jews fian will order the bus out of He passed like light across the dark- in Italy are roughly estimated at town, while others cheer him on. ened land, 44,000, and among them are a Sometimes the tires are punc- number who have recently fled tured, or a fictitious tax is im- And dying, left behind him this com- from Austria. posed for selling literature. But mand, in Yarumal business men filled -Alliance Weekly. the bus and bristled with ques- "The door is open! So let it ever tions about Protestant beliefs. stand!" Calvinism in Hungary As soon as one group left another took their place, and then Full mightily wrought he. Reformed Churches in eastern a third group kept the mission- Forth to the fight he fared, Hungary are among the oldest aries busy until far into the High things and great he dared, Protestant institutions in the night. Here and there, barriers In His Master's might to spread the world; some are said to have are coming down. been founded even before the Light death of Calvin. Most of Hun- EUROPE Right faithfully wrought he. gary became Protestant then, He greatly loved- and much of it remains so. A "Order of Christian He greatly lived- writer in The Christian Century Citizenship" And died right mightily. describes a walking trip through northeastern Hungary with a In Great Britain, 25,000 -United Church Record. Y. M. C. A. group, wandering young Methodists have instituted from village to village and visitthe "Order of Christian Citizen- Reich Church in Bonds ing pastors and churches. The ship," which requires the appli- boys marched behind a banner, cation of the Christian Gospel to A pamphlet has been privately singing folk songs, religious social problems. The movement printed and circulated in Ger- hymns and national songs. The is directed by a standing com- many which concludes with the banner consisted of a special mittee of the Temperance and question: "How does Pastor Y. M. C. A. flag and many rib- Social Welfare Departments of Niemoller's continued imprison- bons of various colors, which the Methodist Church, but steps ment affect us?" and the answer: they had received from places have been taken to put the young previously visited. On them people actually in control. Its It demands that we should recognize were such slogans as "For God program includes the fostering that Martin Niemoller is not in the and Hungary," "Onward with of international peace, the com- Sachsenhausen concentration camp as Christ," "Jesus Conquers," and bating of the drink, gambling a private individual, but that in him short Bible verses. Fourteen and other social evils, and the the entire Confessional Church and all days were thus spent. Each making of social surveys for the men who are fighting for the freedom church spire is crowned with a information of the young. of the Gospel in Germany have been cock and star, emblems of Cal- thrown into prison. It demands that vinism. The star is supposed to -United Presbyterian. wherever we are we do not keep our guide the people and the cock to mouths shut like dumb dogs, but speak keep them awake. Just how Livingstone Shrine out what God has ordered us to speak. much awake they are one cannot and that we fight for the freedom of say. Certainly there is much for "The most frequented person- His Church and for the authority of them to do. al shrine in Scotland," is said of the Gospel in Germany. As long as the Scottish National Memorial Martin Niemoller is in the concentra- Dictatorship in Greece to David Livingstone, at his tion camp, there is set up in our midst birthplace, Blantyre, near Glas- a signal. visible from afar, that the No sooner had Eastern Orthogow. In one year alone the at- Church of Jesus Christ in Germany dox Churches seemed to have actendance exceeded 73,000. It is is in bonds. quired the "ecumenical mind" already the greatest children's than the dictator of Greece took center in Scotland. Since the Pastor Niem611er is said to be steps to give the Greek Orthodox Memorial was opened by the in failing health. He is allowed Church an ironclad monopoly in Duchess of York, in October, one visit a month from his wife that country. Under new edicts, 1929, 406,208 visitors have and one child~ (He has seven.) persons trying to make converts passed through the turnstile. to any other church will be sub- Italy's Jews ject to fine and imprisonment; Dr. John R. Mott calls it one if foreigners, they will be exof the most wonderful things he Nearly twenty-five per cent of pelled. The police power is to be has seen in all his numerous Italy's Jews are affected by the invoked to compel school chilworld journeys, and perhaps the decree that all Jews who have dren to attend church on Sunday. finest shrine to any person to be established themselves in Italy and her colonies (excepting pos- sibly Eritrea and East Somali- land) since the World War must leave within six months, or be expelled "following application of penalties fixed by law." Under present laws they will be able to take little of their property with them, save a small amount of money for traveling expenses.
Foreign Jews in business in
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Literature expressing opInIOns the continent, yet if one mission by my own power that I am preserved not acceptable to the Holy Synod is banned. No doubt the purpose station a day could be visited, it till now and given the news of the behind these decrees is to check Roman Catholic activity, though would take eight years to see everlasting Gospel of Christ, but only an American Protestant missionary has been refused permission them all. -Pageant. by the power of the one great Cause to enter Greece, for the apparent reason that he was a Protestant of causes, the Almighty. minister. Dictatorship knows no curb. -Christian Century. White Hearts Lifted Up . -So S. Times.
AFRICA Mrs. Julia Lake Kellersberger, Memorial in Madagascar in the Presbyterian Survey, de- He Was "From Missouri" scribes a missionary meeting in World Dominion Press records the Congo: that native churches have given Mr. C. J. Mellis, sixty-year- 250,000 francs for the erection old realtor from St. Louis, after The Doxology rings out through the of a church in memory of David contributing generously to mis- opened windows and echoes in the J ones and Thomas Bevan, Welsh sions in Africa for nearly 20 mango grove. It takes no amplifier of pioneers to the island of the years, decided to take a look for man to make it resound. White hearts London Missionary Society, who himself, and see what it "was are then lifted up in prayer, though landed at Tamatave in 1818. In all about." In company with a the lips that utter them are black. 1907, the work was transferred Presbyterian minister, Rev. H. One after another these women rise to the Paris Evangelical Mis- J. Heinecke, of Greely, Colorado, and give their testimony. The first is sionary Society, whose missionhe sailed from Liverpool to the leader herself. Her testimony aries have erected the memorial Nigeria. Ten months later, after rings true, for there is a life back of church, which is the largest of traveling 15,000 miles across it to emphasize the words. the 3,500 Protestant places of Africa, these two returned to worship in the island. About New York. Said Mr. Mellis: A perfect "carbon copy" of an old- 4,000 natives were present at "The job missions is doing out fashioned Southern black mammy the opening. there is so big it beggars de- rises and with cracked voice tells of scription." The men brought her joy in being able to care for sev- Progress in Kabylia back 200 reels of movie film eral little orphan children and to cook which Mr. Mellis is showing the daily manioc for those at the hos- One encouraging feature of throughout his own state and pital too sick to care for themselves. missionary work in Kabylia is those adjoining, with a series of It has been strongly suspected that that in many places converts 12 lectures. she spends some of her hard-earned from Islam are taking the initia- pittance on delicate tidbits, such as tive in this work. Natives played Seventy-five mission stations caterpillars, or juicy ants, for the a large part in a recent Chriswere visited; to every mission- especially weak ones. A converted tian Conference. Under the ary visited they put this ques- witch doctor, sister of an African chairmanship of a gifted Kabyle tion: "How many natives in chief, reveals the fact that she had Christian, who translated the adyour particular field have never burned her former heathen medicine dresses into Arabic, French and heard a single sermon, never lis- and was made well, not by incanta- his own language, men of differtened to a single Gospel mes- tions and sorcery, but by an opera- ent tongues, from numerous dissage ?" The answer was some- tion at the Christian hospital. tricts met and told of their extimes 350,000, and never less periences in the Christian life than 100,000. Another question The climax of this wonderful meet- and their efforts to "let their was: "What special problems ing comes when a woman leper arises. light shine." do Africa missionaries have to She is a woman of unusual force of face?"; the reply was that the character. Like the one leper who re- A lack of conviction seems to greatest difficulty was to make turned to give thanks to Christ, she characterize man y Mohammebuildings and equipment keep tells of His gift of healing. Then the dans of today. In a shop in pace with the growth of the final hymn, "There shall be showers Oran, a man was heard to say: work. Another problem concerns of blessings," sung as only African "If I knew the truth I would fol- Mohammedanism. Entering a women can sing. low it. I would leave Islam and native village with a pack on his Mohammed tomorrow if I were head, the Mohammedan trader, A Strange Prayer convinced that the truth lay elsebefore untying his wares, pre- where." Those who heard the sents an invitation. "Come," he In some reminiscences of a remark showed no resentment. says, "be a Mohammedan. We'll missionary at Lovedale, South teach you to lie, steal and cheat Africa, mention is made of an -Life of Faith. the Christian infidels." African boy, pupil of a Chris- tian school, who had kept a Christ in Uganda Mr. Mellis said that while journal of his experiences. The they saw a good cross section of following is an extract: The C. M. S. Outlook says that Christianity has taken root in Before I go further I must tell you Uganda, and that the Church is about my prayers when I was a little becoming increasingly indige- boy. I could not believe that God nous. Uganda Christians have could hear prayer in Kaffir, and of served as missionaries in the English I knew too little. In fact, I Southern Sudan, in the Belgian knew but two words, "Friday" and "Amen." So I prayed, "Friday, Fri- day, Friday, Friday" four times and then, "Amen." But although this was my prayer yet the Almighty God did not cease to send down his influence upon me.
My parents became Christians, not by my power, though I often prayed for them by the same two words "Fri- day" and "Amen." Nor has it been
Congo and the Pygmy Forest, in gelized territory, covering a And what a privilege to look Ruan9a and Urundi. They have thousand miles from east to after such a family!" carried the Gospel to all parts of west, and three hundred from the Uganda Protectorate, from north to south, and suggested -The Chronicle. the great northern plain to the that the S. A. G. M. adopt it. Ruwenzori Mountains. Recently The challenge was accepted in EASTERN ASIA some men walked 300 miles to 1910, and A. W. Bailey was com- Kampala from a distant State to missioned to set a line of sta- Aleppo Beggars ask for African missionaries to tions across Rhodesia and Portutheir fellow-Africans 300 miles guese West Africa, to be known The beggars of Aleppo are an away. as the Andrew Murray Memo- interesting study. It would re- rial Field. Now, 28 years later, quire detailed research to find From Tanganyika comes the that goal has been reached and out to what extent they are orreport of steady growth in the a new challenge is presented in ganized, how their "beats" are number of African ministers, re- the recently granted permission divided and what are their musulting in more adequate pas- to occupy further Portuguese tual understandings. The Aleptoral care of Christian commu- territory. In southern Angola po visitor has the impression nities. there are from nine to sixteen that their business is on a sound large tribes representing three basis, and that there is no un- Islanders Have New Chapel language groups whose dialects employment. A number of the have never yet been reduced to beggars are quite well-dressed. The first Presbyterian mission writing. This area is totally un- The Maronite Church is the cento West Africa was on the island touched by Christian influence. ter around which they mill conof Corisco, off the coast of the tinually, but especially on Sun- French Cameroun, but the work- Undoubtedly, future work of day mornings. Old, old women ers soon moved to the mainland the mission will lie in Central sit along the walls, never moving and the island was left without Africa rather than in the south, about but waiting for alms to a resident or visiting missionary. where the natives have been en- drop into their laps. On cold African Christians on the island couraged to take responsibility, mornings, they have little brahave recently dedicated a beauti- and are becoming indigenous. ziers at which they warm their ful new chapel, planned, built hands and sometimes two or and paid for by the islanders -The Christian. three beggars will share this themselves, of material trans- comfort. Sometimes they sit and ported from the mainland in sail Tiger Kloof Family argue, instead of attending boats; the concrete was made on strictly to business; but one asthe island. The work at Tiger Kloof, siduous fellow may be seen beg- South Africa, is not standing ging even while he eats, mum- The dedicatory service was still, but widening its influence. bling touching petitions with his held in three languages: the Miss Janet Bryson has been mouth full. Benga of the island, the Bulu of Principal of Tiger Kloof Native the Cameroun mainland, and the Institution since 1923. She re- Aleppo is considered a rich Spanish of Spanish Guinea. ports that applications for ad- city, and with the prosperous are Each was translated for the ben- mission must be refused, as no also large numbers of desperefit of those who did not under- more can possibly be accommo- ately poor. Between the two, stand the others. dated. "School life," she says, this beggar class battens on the "is difficult to report, since it is philanthropically disposed. -Monday Morning. just the ordinary story of daily life among African girls-trying H. G. DORMAN, JR. More Open Doors to show them the things that really matter, trying to get them Situation in Palestine The South Africa General to grow in the things that are Mission began with work among worth while and to shake off The situation in Palestine, the white population of South those that hinder. Girls who dark though it is, has a few en- Africa, chiefly Jews and Mos- care-and those who don't; girls couraging features. lems, soldiers and sailors, rail- who know very little and those way and postoffice workers, but who know too much! Girls who 1. The Jews, driven by presthis proved to be the stepping have never known tribal life, but ent difficulties, are thinking and stone to that which followed. only the so-called civilized life of questioning about religious mat- The vast expanse of heathen a city like Johannesburg-girls ters as never before. They are darkness was a challenge, and who have never travelled beyond realizing that materialism and after claiming Swaziland, other their native village; girls who religious indifference are not a centers opened, and the work speak one language – girls who sufficient foundation on which to extended into the Cape Prov- speak three or four; girls whose stand amid the present storms, ince, Natal and the Indian set- fathers are paramount chiefs- and they are increasingly asking tlements. The next epoch began girls whose mothers earn their what Christianity has to say. when Frederick Arnot, mission- fees by hard work in a European ary pioneer, reported that he home in one city or another. 2. There is a change of outhad discovered a great unevan- look on the part of young Jews in the agricultural settlements. Formerly they were completely
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
indifferent, and often actively Education in Iran Bible and "no eyes," meaning hostile, to religion. This is no longer the case. The Old Testa- Several years ago, as a move there was none among them who ment is frequently read and to unite the nation more closely, could read. "Do you pray?" he often also the New Testament, the government of Iran pro- asked. No, they didn't pray. and Jews are ready and in many "Do you sing?" No, the young cases eager to discuss religious hibited Iranian students from man had told them their songs questions. attending any schools under for- were bad, and they must not sing eign direction. Thereupon, Pres- them any more. "What do you 3. It is evident there is a byterian mission schools discon- do when you meet in the dawning realization on the part tinued primary classes; though church ?" And the sad reply of both Jews and Arabs that in Hamadan and Teheran, Iran- came, "We just sit and wait." Christ does offer the one hope of ian Christians kept up this work. peace and reconciliation. The number of young people de- -Alliance Weekly.
-International Council of manding an education is now so A Year's Changes Christian Approach to great that the Ministry of Edu- the Jews. cation has asked the mission to Dr. and Mrs. C. Herbert Rice, reopen its lower schools. Under of Allahabad, have returned to In Armenia present staff limitations this is India, after furlough, and find not possible, but upper classes many changes; among them, the The Secretary of "Friends of Armenia" has recently visited are more and more crowded. It national Congress party had Syria to study the probable future needs and condition of the should also be noted that these taken up the constitutional meth- Armenians, and to recommend schools are in the front rank, as od of advancing the cause of some line of action. Stopping at evidenced by the percentage of self-government. Seven of the Geneva, he found that the Refugee Commission of the League of successful students taking the eleven provinces are now work- Nations was not only dead, but ing under a Congress party minwas calling in the loans made to government examinations. refugees. The whole refugee istry, many of the "stormy problem is greatly accentuated Adult education is making since Germany's seizure of Aus- great strides in the country. petrels" of agitation days now tria, and the increasing number Students in Teheran University occupying seats of authority. fleeing from areas under Nazi last year numbered 1,549, of High British officials are coopdomination. Germany is bring- erating with these ministries in ing pressure to bear upon small whom 86 were women. There countries to refuse help to ref- are 18,354 enrolled Boy Scouts. a genuine effort to make selfugees, and prevent their giving Dr. Sadiq, of the University, in government in the autonomous them asylum. a recently delivered lecture in provinces real and effective. Teheran stated that brotherhood, Measures of social, educational In Syria, Armenians have and agrarian reform are already made tremendous effort to make the sacredness of family ties and demonstrating that the new gova new start; most of them now the doctrine of the resurrection ernments are fully conscious of have SOme sort of a home. Ex- are the center of the Christian treme cleanliness and neatness religion. their responsibilities, and also was found in every shack; ter- that they have a large measure rible poverty and rags, to be sure, but self-respect and no beg- INDIA AND SIAM of popular support. The air is ging. However, everywhere full of proposals for the improvethroughout Syria, with the exception of the coastal province of Waiting for Light ment of the condition of the Lebanon, there is a feeling of rural population, for the proimminent danger, a constant The story is told of a mission- vision of specialized schools and looking over the shoulder for ary who visited a spot in India the bringing of educational what may be coming. where no missionary had ever methods into touch with the life been, yet the villagers had dis- of the people; with plans to pro- Armenians still need all the carded their idols and met each mote the mass education of illithelp that can be given them, week in a church which they had erate adults. especially in the spiritual realm, built. Inquiring into this, the lest with these long continued missionary found that a young . Says Dr. Rice: troubles they may fail to maintain their high Christian tradi- man, traveling for some foreign We are convinced that Christian tion, and their young people, business concern, had been de- institutions will in many ways receive particularly, lapse from the a greater welcome than ever before. splendid .standards of their fa- tained in their village several High-minded national leaders will thers.-Evangelical Christian. days by a flood. While there, he surely accept with gratitude all the told the villagers that they help that we can give in the solution of pressing national and human prob- should not worship idols; that lems. It is true that in the present there was a true God whom they atmosphere of religious rivalry and should worship, and that they tense communalism we may expect in- should build a house and meet in creasing opposition to the conversion it once every seven days. They of Hindus and Mohammedans to Christianity. On the other hand there had followed these instructions. is growing up a constantly increasing The missionary asked if they resentment against ancient authority and ancient forms of social and reli- had a Bible, and who read it to gious restraint. Inroads are being them. They said they had no made upon the caste system. This
growing spirit of freedom will itself that he wished a Christian mar- "Some bought gladly, others penetrate the realm of conscience and riage, before he could change his were so much confused by the religious belief. We need not fear for noise and crowds they were not mind again. This also put a re- interested. Some railed at us the future of the Gospel and the straint on the opposition. The Church, whatever the immediate difficulties connected with the political affair having come before the au- for bothering them so much. situation may be. thorities, they dared not resort Sometimes we talked until our Heathen Marriage the to violence. mouths were dry, but were- Stumblingblock MRS. A. B. GOULD, vived when anyone came to buy. Thus we worked for four days; Presbyterian missionary 3700 portions had been sold." The time – honored heathen at Ambala.
marriage ceremony is the last Ten in One Church Builds a School thing to be renounced by Indian Christians; and nothing so The Baptist Mission in Burma A church in a remote part of is in reality ten missions, owing Siam was having a hard time. arouses non-Christians as a de- to the great diversity of races The staff was small, the district parture from these rites. For and languages in this field. The large, the responsibilities many. one thing, a Christian loses Gospel must be preached to each A young Siamese minister was money by the renunciation, since one in his own tongue; and even called to this field, and soon put each guest is expected to bring a so, there are many tribes as yet his finger upon the difficulty. unreached in the hill section of· "N0 Christian education for the rupee to the bride's father. A Burma, and the border areas. So older boys," he said. "The little hundred guests would quite ma- when we read .of Bur man ones can go to the girls' school; terially help to defray expenses c h u r c h e s, Burmese-speaking but the big ones have to go to for the feast. But this is not all. churches are meant, not every government schools where they A while ago a Christian couple have to take part in Buddhist wished to marry their daughter church in Burma. to a Christian young man from celebrations, and are seldom able In addition to work among the to go to church or Sunday school. another district. The bride- many races in Burma, the Gospel They drift away from Christiangroom's party arrived the eve- is preached to Indian immi- ity. That means, too, that the ning before, reenforced by three grants. Most of the 15,000,000 Christian girls have to marry Christian preachers, whose pres- inhabitants of Burma live in vil- non-Christian .or only half-Chrisence, it was thought, would dis- lages of from ten to three hun- tian men. Some day our people courage active hostilities. The dred houses, and most .of the invited guests, Christians from will be so well trained and edu- missionary work centers in the cated themselves that they can other villages, had also arrived. towns. R u r a I reconstruction The dinner was cooked and committees are being organized. instruct their children at home in Christian faith and practice; ready to serve. But the enemy had mustered his forces. Chu- Footprint of Buddha but now we need a school." hras (Sweepers), the class from So he put it up to the church, which these Christians came, One cannot help being im- and the members agreed to start had gathered from a number of villages, and swore that not a pressed with the religious fervor a boys' school as one .of their bite of that dinner should be of the crowds, old and young, projects. It is still an experieaten until the parents consented who visit the footprint of Bud- ment, but is well under way. to a Chuhra wedding. dha at Prabat, Siam, every year. Church members contribute a The men stood by with walk- A Siamese colporteur tells in part of the expenses, some help ing sticks, to intimidate the the Siam Outlook of the oppor- comes from the mission and guests. The Mohammedans of tunities this festival offers for some from churches in other vilthe village sided with the presenting the Gospel. "We lages from which pupils come. Chuhras, and threatened to turn sang as we rode along by launch The Siamese pastor hopes to the family out of their village if to Lopburi. A man asleep was have the school self-supporting they persisted in their purpose. disturbed, and asked us what in four years.
All night the dinner lay un- we were doing. This gave us a touched. The guests drowned chance to bear witness. Great CHINA their hunger in sleep, so far as crowds were going happily Hope in the Long View the noise of battle would permit! along, some selling flowers to The discussion went on most of offer at the shrine. After we Dr. W. W. Yen, former Chi- the night, with the result that had found a place to stay in nese ambassador to Moscow and the father, never much of a force the market, we went into every Minister to Washington, believes in the family, was won over, and by-lane where we might make a that "out of the ashes .of death gave his consent to a Chuhra sale. So we continued until two and devastation, there will arise marriage. Here was defeat. The in the morning, for people were a new China, modern, sanitary, next step was for the preachers enjoying the festival all night. scientific and beautiful, testify- to get the father to the nearest Some of our Gospel portions ing to the indomitable spirit and police post four miles away, and were stolen: we pray they were indefatigable industry of the there make him sign a statement read! people." Dr. Yen thinks there
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
is no warrant for pessimism, be- upheld the cause of justice. Through sincere, often tearful confession cause throughout the ages the His words and works, He manifested of national and personal sin. Chinese have been able to the reality of His love and sacrificial Mr. Lewis says that in the many weather the storm. Out of the prayer-meetings he has attended spirit. I have come to the conviction that, if we wish to revive the Chinese present struggle, the greatest people and reform society, we must during the past year he has not gain will be national unity; an- heard one word of recrimination other is the lesson of self-help, adopt as our own the universal love against the invaders. On the the gain in moral values and in- and sacrificial spirit of Jesus. There- contrary, they often make earn- fore, I take it that in whatever sphere of life, whether in social relationships, ternational understanding. civil administrations, military com- est prayer both for the Chris- -The China Colleges. mand or other service, we must make tians of Japan and the people in charity and peace the basic principles general, and entreat God to dis- Victorious Christian Youth of action. To this end all revolution- pose their hearts toward peace. ists must accept, struggle and sacrifice A number of missionaries in Evidence multiplies as to the as a daily duty. This was the spirit widely separated areas of China victory of Christian over nation- of Jesus. This is what I meant when testify to their belief that this is alist feeling in this time of crisis. I had occasion to say before, "We the attitude of the whole Chris- shall not give up the hope of peace until peace is absolutely hopeless, but Hunan University Christian As- we will not shrink from any sacrifice tian Church in China. sociation addressed an open let- when the hour demands it."
ter to Japanese Christian stu- Snap Shots from Siangtan Time for Advance in Tibet dents, and after expressing dismay over the invasion of their Interesting things have been In China's Millions, Dr. J. H. happening in Siangtan, Hunan. Jeffrey lists the following reacountry, which they characterize One was the opening of the sons for a missionary advance as "wanton and unwarranted," Kwangtao Girls' School building among non-Chinese in Tibet: they express the hope that "our as a refuge for Christian Chinese flooding into the city. A commu- A more favorable political situation. common belief in God and our nity kitchen was set up and the love of personality will not dis- classrooms divided into cubicles A priesthood largely discredited, in appear in this time of crisis; and to accommodate 70 at a time. some parts at least. that the spirit of our common Morning worship is conducted, fellowship may be kept alive and one baptism has resulted. The destruction of many important Three refugees are tutoring as a lamaseries and the slaughtering of . . . so as to sow the seeds for means of support; others hold hundreds of lamas, thereby depriving future building for the service night classes. the non-Chinese people of their spirof God." The Hunan students itual guides. then urge the Japanese to join Another outstanding feature with them in a period of prayer was the organization of a Chris- High cost of training priests. at stated hours, saying, "Let us tian Fellowship group, that pray that this war will soon end, Christian refugees might get ac- Friendliness of the people towards the foreigner. let us devote ourselves to preparing for Christian fellowship be- Many regions formerly regarded as being closed to the missionary now tween our countries in the fu- are open.
Readiness to believe the mission- ary's message.
ture. . . . We pray for tolerance quainted with one another and JAPAN-CHOSEN and love and faith in God." The with the Christians of the city. letter is concluded by a quotation Two large gatherings have al- Delegates to Madras ready been held with over a hunfrom the prayer of our Lord as dred in attendance each time. After a good deal of hesita- tion, Japanese Christians have recorded in John 17: 20-23 and Bible study groups and a lit- decided to participate in the eracy class have been held espethe final sentence is, "God bless cially for the refugees, and the Madras Conference, and about literacy class for children has 15 Japanese delegates and seven you all!" -Advance. been reopened. missionaries are now on their way. Several full meetings of Chiang Kai-Shek on the Radio Continued Prayer for Japan the delegation have been held, and sectional and group studies In a recent radio address, the Rev. A. B. Lewis, member of are now going on. Dr. Kagawa Generalissimo referred to Jesus the Field Council of the China plans to go, and to spend some Christ as the leader of a national revolution, and also of a reli- weeks in evangelistic effort in gious revolution. He said: I have long sought to know the real Inland Mission, writes in the India. source of the revolutionary spirit of Life of Faith of the effects of Within the Christian move- Jesus. From whence did it spring? ment in Japan, there is a tend- Entirely from His spirit of love. war on the Chinese Church. ency toward a more unified con- Chinese Christians have been trol. The smaller denominations Through the spirit of love He would driven to their knees as never drive from the minds of men all evil thinking and break up systems of before. Heartfelt earnestness is and the many one-church units inequality that all men might exercise to be expected, but the outstand- are on the way to federating and the heaven-given right to enjoy liberty ing thing about their prayers then affiliating with the National and equality. has been the complete absence of Christian Council. Conferences All through His life Jesus opposed bitterness toward Japan, and the are also being held to discuss orthe use of might without right, but
ganic church union, and a spirit mise was correct, and he still has were baptized. Today there are of urgency is noted. his copy. -Monday Morning. 400,000 baptized Christians of the Batuk tribe. Their churches, ~The Christian Century. MALAYA AND THE large and small, dot the land. ISLANDS Making the Dead Give -Missionary Educator. Moslems of Malaya Japan has decided that the Chinese Conference in dead also must contribute to the Christian missions among Mo- Singapore conquest of China. A group of hammedans in Malaya have asdentists recently told the govern- sumed several forms. The first There have been Religious ment that about $2,900,000 in thing to be done is to gain the gold goes each year into graves confidence of the people, and Education Conferences in Singaor cremation urns, so it has been medical aid is one of the most suggested that a dentist be as- effective ways. Christian litera- pore in English, but recently one signed to each crematorium to ture is another. So far, only one remove gold fillings, plates, experiment has been made in in- was held in Chinese for the Chicrowns and teeth from the stitutional work; this is the bodies. boarding school in Malacca, nese Church in Singapore, in started with the idea that work, Here are some of the features to be effective, must be carried which entire responsibility for of a vast program of retrench- on outside the village environment: chemists in the Ministry ment, where Christian influence the program was assumed by of Agriculture are tanning rat has a better chance to operate. skins in their search for a leather One of the most recent experi- Chinese pastors and lay workers. substitute, and match makers are ments in establishing good-will asked to reduce the length of the contacts with the Malays has It continued for four days, June match by .029 inches. Shorten- been teaching the Malay women ing of the match stick, it is esti- to read. This has been made 28-July 1, at the new. Foochow mated, would save enough in a possible through the application year to keep the army going in of the system by Dr. Laubach, of Methodist Church. ,There were China, at the present rate of ex- the Philippine Islands, to the penditure, for about one hour Malay language. It has proved delegations from every Methodand five minutes. to be very successful, and thus another door has been opened. ist and Presbyterian Chinese -Alliance Weekly. -Christian Advocate. church of Singapore, Johore and Miserliness Saves a Bible! The Gospel in Sumatra Malacca districts, as well as While Syenchun, one of the largest Christian centers in One hundred and four years from Seremban and Sitiawan. Chosen, has active church groups ago, two American missionaries, and a living spirit of evangelism, Lyman and Munson, made the The men and women were it is a different story in a village first attempt to carry the Gospel barely three miles from there. to the pagan race of one-time about equal in number; the Voluntary Christian workers cannibals in Sumatra, called who went out from Syenchun to Batuks. Twice some of the Ba- women made their contribution conduct services and w 0 r k tuks had been killed by Mohama m 0 n g non – Christians were medans because they would not to the program equal to that of pelted with rocks; the Christian embrace the faith of Islam. villagers had even worse experi- Thinking these two white mis- the men, and were particularly ences, some were beaten and all sionaries were Mohammedans, were abused in one way or an- come to kill them, they promptly prominent in the demonstration other. Finally, local police took put them to death, and feasted a hand and jailed the most vio- on their flesh. For 25 years, ,no classes and in the smaller discuslent persecutors for one day. one dared go again. When the sion groups. Opposition was checked, but not Batuks at last realized that the ill feeling. missionaries were their friends, One day was devoted to each the way was opened for others to One young man had bought go with the Gospel message, and of four themes: children's work; five copies of the New Testament almost at once the Batuk people and his grandfather burned embraced Christianity. This re- young people's work; work them all. Then, hoping that the markable fact has no parallel in old man's penurious disposition the history of the Church today. with adults and work in the would keep him from destroying Thousands of these once cannisomething that cost a great deal, bals accepted the Gospel and community. 0 the r features he bought a very expensive copy of the New Testament. His sur- were: Church music and Sing- ing, Chinese Literacy work and methods of teaching illiterates Romanized Hokkien, and recrea- tional programs for young peo- ple. -Malaysia Message.
Filipino Christian Projects Dr. William H. Crothers, now beginning his second year of vol- untary service as member of the faculty of Union Theological Seminary, Manila, tellS' what he saw on a tour of missionary projects in the Philippines: "We saw self – supporting churches at their worship; met enough evangelical Christians in places of responsibility to know how far out of proportion to their numbers is their influence; saw three of our mission hospi- tals actually enlarging or plan- ning expansion; we saw, in fact, church history in the making- the love of Christ animating men
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
and women and children, mold- one who cannot use his brains they may be used for religious ining their lives and motivating for such purpose. They came to struction if it is so requested. institutions. If the thousands of realize that education is essenmen and women who, for the tial to progress. -Manila Daily Bulletin. love of that same Lord, have given offerings that have made Today, teachers are trained MISCELLANEOUS this work possible could have at Davuilevu, which has in addiseen what we have seen, they tion to the Normal School a pri- The Problem of the Jew would, in this dark day in the mary school, technical school Orient, thank God and take some and theological seminary. From There are evidences of incourage." -Monday Morning. this center come some of Fiji's creasing anti-Jewish feeling in best men. As a still further America and Great Britain. This An Old Timer Returns equipment for life, agricultural situation moved a group of training is provided at Navuso. Christians last spring to suggest A soldier who had served in Nor has the education of girls special days of prayer for Israel the. Philippines from 1898 to been neglected. Several schools on the first Sundays of July and 1902 recently revisited the teach them the principles of October, 1938, and January and I s I and s. Astonished at the hygiene and the art of cooking, April, 1939. Five suggestions changes he saw, he asked a needlework and home-building. for prayer have been made: friend how it was that the na- T hat anti-Semitism may be tives had made such unparalleled -The Missionary Review averted in the United States, progress. The friend promptly (Australia) . that Christians everywhere may named as factors in the prog- share something of Christ's love ress, the Filipinos' disposition to Quezon Rebukes Catholic for His brethren, that Israel will advice, the spirit of the Taft Church look to God for help and not to Commission, American teachers nations, that American nations and American missionaries. On the eve of his departure will have a share in the care of Noting an incredulous expres- for Japan, President Quezon of Jewish refugees, and that the sion at the mention of mission- the Philippines, issued a strong present issues in Palestine may aries, he added : "Yes, mission- rebuke to the Catholic Church in be settled as God would have aries. In proportion to their the Philippines. This was in re- them settled. number, no group did more to ply to an ecclesiastical letter, interpret to the Filipinos the urging a boycott of schools "Hadassah," the Women's Zispirit of America, and to assist where religion is not taught. onist Organization of America, them to assimilate its civil, edu- The President accused the has to date raised sufficient cational and religious freedom. Church of trying to meddle in funds to transfer and provide They discussed the personal and for 2,200 German and Polish community problems of the peo- affairs of State, and warned that Jewish children, and to settle ple on the plane of sympathy and this will not be tolerated. Among them in Palestine. Up to the friendship, and visited the hum- other things, Quezon, himself a present, 1500 Austrian Jewish blest of them as good Samari- boys and girls have applied to a tans."-Madras News Service. Catholic, said: Palestine Bureau in Vienna for similar transfer to Palestine. Education for Fijians It should be unnecessary to remind A Jewish rabbi of Lexington, A former student of the Meth- the ecclesiastical authorities in the Ky., VIsited Germany with a odist Boys' School in Suva gives Sherwood Eddy group last June, the Fijian point of view regard- Philippines that the separation of relying upon his United States ing education. Early Methodist passport to protect him from asmissionaries were the first to Church and State in this country is sault. He says that the situation build schools to teach Fijian in Nazi Germany has not been youngsters what they needed to a reality and not a mere theory; and overdrawn, and that all Jews know. The results were wonder- there are facing starvation by ful. Those early schools were that as far as our people are con- 1940. He calls attention to the held in the village church, if fact that cutting off these people there was one; otherwise, out cerned, it is forever settled that this from purchasing power will of doors. Lessons were mostly have its effect on economic consums and the vernacular; how- separation shall be maintained as one ditions, and the closing of Jewever, to know something is bet- ish stores will be reflected in all ter than to know nothing, and of the cardinal tenets of our govern- the industries. In his opinion, this paved the way for Fijian the faith of the Jew is not failparents to wish their children to ment. . . . . ing him. By hundreds, they are have an education, for they saw worshipping in their synathe contrast between the child If I were inclined to interfere in gogues.-I. C. C. A. J. N ew.'l who has learned to read and the Sheet, Dayton, Ohio, News. the affairs of the Church, as the School Curricula Revised Catholic bishops are attempting to do Some idea of what follows with the affairs of the State, I would when a conquering army enters tell the Archbishop and the bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Cebu that it is their lack of Sunday schools and catechists to teach the Catholic religion that is mainly responsible for the deplorable ignorance of their own religion that is found among Catholic youth.
Moreover, if the desire is to have hours exclusively devoted to religious instruction in the public schools, so that the regular school activities may not interfere with said instruction, I am placing Saturdays and Sundays at the disposal of all the ministers of all the religions existing in the Phil- ippines. On Saturdays and Sundays, the public schools are not being used for school purposes and, therefore,
a country may be had from in- The first task of the Council attention to the remarkable genformation sent by Dr. S. C. Ziegler, United Brethren missionary will be to aid in keeping up the erosity of Jews toward Chrisin North China. In regard to education he says: standards, professional and spir- tians. Christian refugees from The Japanese acquired control of a itual, of the medical and nursing Germany and Austria have delarge area so rapidly that it was impossible for them to handle immedi- appointees of the various mis- pended in large measure upon ately all the problems that arose. Revision of the curriculum was dealt sion boards. A second task will Jewish help. with in only the sketchiest fashion. Military training, Boy Scouting and be the study of environments in The lot of Christians of Jewish civics, which had been a part of the political training imposed on the many countries with a view to origin is even more unfortunate schools by the nationalist party, were suggesting to the societies ways than that of the Jews. They immediately abolished. A Codex Expurgatus for the textbooks used in in which their medical work were doubly outcasts. They were the other subjects was issued, and whole pages that offended them had may become better related to the not Jews, because their parents to be torn out, while separate para- churches, to government health or grandparents had embraced graphs and sentences had to be deleted programs, and to developing sys- Christianity, and they were not under the teachers' direction. For the tems of national medical prac- recognized as German citizens coming semester primary schools are tice. forbidden to use any of the textbooks because they had some tincture formerly issued in China. New ones now being printed in Japan are prom- of Jewish blood. It is underised in a month. In the meantime, we How Much Is a Man Worth? stood that the Council will enhave to mimeograph lesson sheets to use. Japanese as a foreign language An exchange comments on the deavor to assist Christian and has been added as a required subject damages allowed in accident other non-Jewish people who are from the fifth grade through the cases, and asks what is the true' fleeing from Germany, Austria twelfth. The general trend is toward value of a human being. A boy and Sudetenland. the elimination of Western ideas and -Life of Faith. influences, and bringing in classical lost his hand and the courts al- Chinese and pro-Japanese ideas. Recently all teachers were required to lowed him $1,700 damages, but attend a three-day institute conducted later, when he lost his other Christian Youth Conference by Chinese and Japanese officials, at which the invincibility of Japan and arm, he was allowed $2,000 dam- In the list of encouraging the desirability of a Japan-Manchu- age. An eighteen months old kuo-China alliance against the West child toddled out into the alley trends of today must be classed and the white race were loudly pro- where rubbish had been burned, the increasing number of youth cla.imed. and three toes were injured. conferences, and camps. One Damage, $750. A young wom- was held at Bievres, France, in -Dayton Daily News. an, injured in an auto wreck in August, when 60 leaders from 23 Omaha, was given $9,500 by the Christian Medical Council court. A girl going abroad to countries formulated plans for a buy perfume had her nose in- World Conference of Christian The Christian Medical Coun- Youth, to be held in Amsterdam, cil for Overseas Work was es- sured for $50,000. Because of Holland, July 24-August 2, 1939. tablished in New York on June her back being broken in an ac- The delegates represented the 3, 1938, by twelve missionary you t h organizations of the societies of North Arne ric a cident a girl was allowed $38,- churches, the Y. M. C. A.~ the which have long sought a way 000. A Kansas City lad injured Y. W. C. A., the World's Student by which their medical work by a live wire so that he could Christian Federation, the Ecumight become better correlated never smile was allowed by the menical Youth Commission of at home and more effectively in- courts $20,000. A boy's ability the World Alliance for Internategrated with the needs of the to smile is quite worth while. A tional ~riendship through the environment abroad. They have motorcycle officer in Omaha was already created an office for su- allowed $30,000 damage for loss Churches and the Provisional pervision of the health of their of a leg while on duty. Ian Ku- Committee of the proposed workers abroad. This agency belik had the fingers of his left World Council of Churches. has been at work in New York hand insured for $250,000 while City for over five years and is a Paderewski carries $10,000,000 The program is to have four conspicuous example of comity insurance on his fingers. The basic emphases. The first is to among missionary societies. It question is, if parts of the body is the stated purpose of the are so valuable, what is the stress solidarity by setting forth Council, "to discover what, un- value of a soul? the essential content of their der changing conditions, should common Christian faith; the be the unique contribution of second is an approach to the Christianity through medicine; problems of the day through inand, as an advisory body, to aid the societies in making that con- Aid for Christian Refugees tensive, daily study of the Bible; tribution effective." the third discussion of actual In the Jerusalem Chamber of next steps to be undertaken by Westminster Abbey, in October, Christian young people; and there was inaugurated a Central fourth, an effort to place all of Council for Christian Refugees. these elements of the program in It is estimated that the migra- a setting of ecumenical worship tion from Sudetenland will in- in which the theme of the day volve 100,000 Germans, 30,000 and the aspirations of the dele- Jews and 400,000 Czechs. Sir gates are brought together be- John Simpson, who was elected fore God in prayer. Chairman of the Council, calls -Federal Council Bulletin.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Devotees of Christ. By D. S. Batley, study books and will prove in- Himself. The Autobiography of a Illus. 12 mo. 147 pp. 28. Church Hindu Lady. By Ramabai Ranada. of England Zenana Missionary So- teresting reading for mission ciety. London. 1938. study circles. Translated from the Marathi by Mrs. Katherine VanAkin Gates.
If anyone still has a doubt Dr. Ida, India. By Mary Pauline Jef- 8 vo. 253 pp. $2.00. Longmans Green & Co. New York. 1938. about the conversion of Indian fery. Introduction by Mrs. Henry women to Christ and the value W. Peabody. Illus. 212 pp. $2.00. This is a very delightful of such "new birth," this book Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. by Miss Batley of the C. E. Z. 1938. autobiography of a Hindu wom- M. S. will supply uncontestable an, married to an educated Hinevidence. They not only became Anyone in America at all in- du reformer whom she refers to Christians but efficient workers formed about mISSIOns, and as "Himself." They never befor Christ. As the Right Hon. many in India not so informed, came Christians but continued to Viscount Halifax, former British will know that this book tells observe many Hindu rites and Viceroy of India says in his in- the thrilling story of Dr. Ida S. customs. The interesting story troduction, "These women, by Scudder, President of the Medi- reveals the highest kind of famtheir noble work, accomplished cal College for Women at Vel- ily, public and religious life much in their time." The stories lore, South India. And it is a among educated Indians. The of some twenty-three of these truly wonderful story – fuB of wife, married at the age of women are told here and told ef- stirring incidents and inspira- eleven, was later the founder of fectively. Almost all of them tion. the Seva Sedan Society, to uplift were connected with the Church Indian womanhood. The picture of England missions, but many It is an indication of the place is not typical of India any more others equally remarkable came Dr. Ida holds in India that a let- than are the sordid pictures in out through the work of Bap- ter from America, addressed "Mother India," but Mrs. Ratists, Presbyterians, Methodists with only the three English nade shows the brighter side of and others. words that form the title of this the picture and uses language book, should reach Dr. Scudder that might refer to the Jewish The biographies are very brief in a land of over 350,000,000 or Moslem religion. There is no but enough facts are given to people living in over 740,000 Christ in their thought or expemake them interesting reading. cities and villages and speaking rience so that the Christian view over thirty languages! of sin, salvation, God and eternal Some names are well known like life is not mentioned. Chandra Lela, Pandita Ramabai, The life story tells of Dr. Ida's famous grandfather, John Scud- Ellen Lakshinie Goreh and Susie der, and his call to India; of the It Began in Galilee. A Study in Sorabji. Others are known only father John who followed to the Revolutionary Christianity. By to a few outside of their immedi- same field; then .of Ida's mis- Reginald J. Barker, Director of the ate circles-but they are worth chievous girlhood and the "three Methodist Central Mission in Tonyknowing-women like Shuruth calls in the night" that led her to pandy (Wales). 317 pages. $2.50. Mohini Datta and Marmarna devote her life to the neglected Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Tenn.
Bose. Most of them have gone women of India. Most criticisms of Christian- to their reward but some are still Dr. Ida of India has built up ity are directed against some excarrying on their devoted serv- the large Christian hospital, isting form of it. But the critics ice. They came from many walks nurses' training school and Med- of the revolutionary Christianity of life and all had tasted the un- ical College in South India. To here proposed will have to direct satisfying fruits of Hinduism or the advantages of good birth, their shafts against the theory, other Indian religions before thorough education, beauty and not the practice, for the precise they found peace and satisfac- unusual ability are added, in Dr. gravamen of Mr. Barker's tion in Christ. They entered into Scudder, co u rag e, Christian charge (so far as he is critical) Christ's service as preachers, character and a vital fellowship is that unless Christianity is revteachers, mothers, doc tor s , with Christ. olutionary it is not real, and that nurses, matrons and Bible wom- The book gives much valuable therefore most actual types of en. Here is an excellent sup- information on India-caste, dis- this religion, as now exemplified, plementary volume to this year's ease, women and children. are not genuine. What Mr.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[617 ]
Barker proposes, however, is not Barker sees only failure for any upon Christ's head, if he has not set forth as something newly in- revolutionary movement, how- first crowned Him King and ever much he may sympathize Lord of his own life." vented and therefore untried. During the making of this book with their aims, which does not An Epilogue offers an answer he has re-read the New Testa- include re-making of men by the to the question any reader would ment many times-and with vig- power of Jesus Christ. Individ- ask: If the present state of ualistic (traditional) Christian- things is so diametrically unorous results. He goes straight ity fails because it is essentially Christian, and if not only the to the New Testament for the State but the Church opposes al- selfish and other-worldly, and most every attempt to right the bases of his contentions: that therefore is false to Christ and world, how can genuine Christi- Christianity is in essence revolu- to the Word of God; secular so- anity get a start? The author sees no mass-movement, but a tionary, not simply for the indi- cialism and revolutionary anti- few outstanding personalities, an vidual but for society; that per- Christian com m u n ism are "order" cutting across all fron- doomed also to fail because they tiers, perhaps forced out of orsonal and social Christianity are ganized Christianity and cominseparable. The light of the do not aim at inner transforma- pelled to found a church-life of Gospel upon this world, and our tion. The revolutionary appeal its own; filled with power, swinging open the gates of civilization in it, has never been "must be evangelical to be effec- prayer again, knowing God not turned more unsparingly and tive. . . . The Christian ethic only in limited interior ways but in the whole gamut of human exvividly than in this book. The as an ethic is impossible; as a perience. author re-examines carefully the religion it is gloriously possible." KENNETH J. FOREMAN. records and the ideal in Gospels Unlike some who have been and Epistles, surveys the present strongly moved by the social China Marches Toward the Cross. By Earl H. Cressey, Executive Secstate of the world, and concludes challenge of the Gospel, the au- retary of the China Christian Eduthat if the true Gospel of Christ thor does not ignore theology. cational Assn. Pamphlet. 25 cents. were really preached and prac- On the contrary, his social pro- Friendship Press. New York. 1938. ticed it would mean a revolution. gram is entwined with his re- Here is a timely pamphlet on Mr. Barker means just what ligious beliefs. He is no Calvin- the Japanese invasion of China he says. Many persons assent and its effect on the land, the lazily to the proposition that ist, but his brilliant excoriation people and Christian missions. of Calvinism is less an indication First the author, an American Christianity would make a dif- of that system as it is preached Baptist missionary for 28 years ference, if practiced. Where Mr. and now on the China Christian Barker differs is in proposing today than a reflection of the ef- Council staff, gives a brief statethat we do something about it; fect that a high Barthianism has ment as to the Marco Polo and in envisaging the revolution on a sensitive and social-minded Bridge incident in July, 1937, in concrete economic-social that was used as an excuse for Christian. the Japanese military advance. terms. Capitalism is flatly de- Even those who cannot go all The result has been increasing solidarity, resistance and announced; absolute pacifism is the way with the author can tagonism to Japanese on the part held up as the only really Chris- profit from reading such a book. of Chinese sufferers. tian position; repeatedly the No one can read it with compla- In the midst of this suffering saying is quoted, that "the bias cency. A gift at pointed phrase- and cruelty the story of the sacof the disciple who has the mind making makes truth stick. Al- rificial service of Christian mis- sionaries stands out as an epic of Christ, will always be towards most at random one may note: of heroism. They have defied communism." The truly radical "They were pricked to the threats, danger, suffering and nature of Christ's religion is so death. Men and single women heart-by the sharp point of the have stuck to their posts in order plain, we are told, that only those that they might minister to the can miss it who are comfortably Cross which had been driven Chinese refugees and wounded. cushioned in their own security. into the heart of God." "His The story quoted from various centers is thrilling and might be A Christian who speaks thus death was necessary for the greatly enlarged. should have earned the right to hard-hearted whose ve r y re- spectability obscured the i r Chapter three describes some do so; and Mr. Barker, as head need." of the work of relief, the exodus of a Methodist mission in the from invaded areas and the refamous (or infamous) Welsh "The Cross is no historic trick sults of air-raids. Christian to appease an angry God; it is work in "occupied" areas is the coal-mining district, has not only the eternal truth of God and His seen the end-results of capital- way with man in all his history." ism in a "Christian" country but has given his own life to bring a "The Kingdom (of God) is Christian solution. our world seen under the aspect The distinctive feature of this of the universal sovereignty of author's viewpoint is the God." "The significance of Jesus can warmth of his evangelical fervor, his high reverence for never be taught as a doctrine; Christ, and his deep-rooted it is born of that knowledge Christian faith. In no irritable which comes from love of him." or sarcastic spirit, but in love, "It remains true, however, that no man can lift a hand to place moves the entire argument. Mr. the crowns of earth's kingdoms
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
subject of chapter four. Mis- only once and then merely to re- Church and the Oxford Group," sionaries and Chinese Christians fer to an incident, his theological and that the Church should not have carried on with increasing viewpoint is apparently the same be "guilty of the insensate folly vigor, in spite of heavy losses. as that of the first four chapters of rejecting unity with any force Most of the mission stations re- of that formerly much discussed that can help in the winning of main open and active and thir- but now half forgotten volume. the spiritual world war." Critics teen of the great Christian edu- He holds that "the answer to of the "Groups" may not relish cational institutions are still in present world turmoil is a new such a characterization. The operation but eight of them have Christianity freed from the dog- book as a whole is excellent, a moved to new locations. Their matic metaphysics of the Catho- fervent summons to Christians enrolment is 4,305 compared lic Church, and from both the to get in pe'rsonal touch with God with 7,098 for the previous year. irresponsible otherworldliness of and unite in a spiritual mass The great Chinese trek to the Lutheranism and the legalistic movement which God can mobil- "new West" is briefly described conception of Calvinism." He ize for the salvation of the world. as the greatest mass movement strongly urges a "liberal Prot- ARTHUR J. BROWN.
of population in modern history. estantism" w h i c h "recognizes Factories, public buildings, rail- the will of God as supreme over Toward a Literate World. By Rev. roads and bridges have been de- all life, individual and national," FTank C. Laubach, Ph.D. Foreword stroyed in the path of the in- a Christianity the heart of which by Prof. Edward L. Thorndike of vaders. The last chapter (Nine) is the revelation of God in Columbia University. 8vo. 175 pp. describes the present missionary Christ, and the goal of which is $1.50. Columbia University Press. New York. 1938.
"opportunity." The prestige of the Kingdom of God as Jesus Dr. Laubach's short cut meth- Christianity was never so high described it. Those who do not od of teaching illiterates to read and people everywhere are ready as well as those who do agree and write has created quite a to listen to the Gospel proclaimed with some of Dr. White's state- stir not only among the Moros by men and women who are giv- ments and theological presuppo- of the Philippines where it was ing their lives for China and are sitions will find much in this revealing Christ by their acts as thoughtful and remarkably in- originally tried, but in India, well as by their words. teresting book in which they will Africa, and other lands. Dr. heartily concur. This book furnishes material Laubach has been called "an for many missionary addresses. ARTHUR J. BROWN. evangelist of literacy" who carries on his campaign success- A Working Faith for the World. By The Church Can Save the World. By fully among all classes of people. Hugh Vernon White. 213 pp. Samuel M. Shoemaker. 162 pp. He estimates the illiterates of $2.00. Harper & Bros. New York. $1.5!J. Harper & Brothers, New 1938. York. 1938. the world at 62 % of the popula- Although Dr. White became The rector of Calvary Protest- tion and in some countries it is sec ret a r y of the American ant Episcopal Church, New Board of Commissioners for York, has earned the right to be as high as 90 %. The progress Foreign Missions only seven heard and read. At the age of thirty-two, he took an old down- toward literacy has been steady during the past thirty years but it has been slow. By Dr. Lau- bach's method illiterates have years ago, he has already won a town Protestant E pis cop a I learned to read their native recognized place a m 0 n g the church (Calvary), with a large tongue in a few weeks. This scholarly thinkers and writers plant and a small congregation; will be of immense advantage in on missionary problems. The his flaming zeal has made it an general education and in openthesis of his present volume is evangelistic powerhouse in that ingavenues of Christian truth. well expressed in its title. He part of the city. . The present What has been accomplished and presses for a "faith" that volume, like its predecessors, the method, form a fascinating "works." In Part I, "Christian- shows that he has something to story. Missionaries and educaity a World Faith," he discusses say and that he knows how to tors in backward countries will the world's need of a unifying say it in straight-forward fash- be especially interested in Dr. faith, the different kinds of reli- ion. He believes that the situa- Laubach's story and many will gion, the role of religion in hu- tion at home and abroad is omi- be eager to apply his principles man life, and the effect of reli- nous with peril, but that the to their own people. The achievegion on civilization. In Part II, Church can yet be used to save ments among the Moros and the "Christianity at Work," he dis- the world if its members will influence on their whole life and cusses the religious character of dedicate themselves to the task thought constitute a miracle of the world mission, "sharing and in full surrender to the guidance progress.
beyond," and the two poles of of God. His viewpoint is that of the Christian movement. Part the "Oxford Group," of which he Directory of World Missions. Edited III describes the "Objectives of is the recognized leader in the by Joseph 1. Parker. 8 vo. 255 pp. Christianity" as Christian truth, United States. His zeal leads International Missionary Council. Christian personality, and Chris- him to declare that "antichrist New York. 1938. tian community. While he men- has been busy attempting to This companion volume to the tions "Re-Thinking Missions," wedge apart the organized "Statistical Survey" gives the
main facts-names, addresses, subsistence by hard work. The do not believe, in the hope of officers, periodicals and fields of reward 'Of toil, outside of char- winning their assent but we the mission boards, societies, col- acter and personality building, meet with disappointment. Why leges and councils connected is kept before the reader in the with Protestant foreign mis- form of wage'S or returns for is this? Such books are good sions. Merely this brief direc- service. The change of wages and useful, but· is there some tory impresses one with the mag- in various economies is carefully other approach to which Chrisnitude of the enterprise. Over considered as related to China. tianity must turn? Canon 1,100 organizations are listed Barry's restatement is firm and (without duplications abo u t The 3,000 years of feudalism persuasive-a genuine and hon- 1,000) ; these are related to nine- in China repeated many condi- est service to the Christian teen denominational families and tions found in the world tQday, cause. He himself, no doubt, independent groups. The Pres- showing the way to organic CQ- feels the perplexity. Our Chrisbyterians and the Reformed rep- operation among variQus ecoresent the largest number of so- nomic groups. The study of tian case is clear. Why then do cieties, (83); the Lutherans wages is fruitful for the scholar, men not believe? That is our come next (60); the Methodists the agriculturalist, the me- problem. The Gospel of John is next (43); and the Baptists chanic, the tradesman and 'Other full of answers to it. (42) . Independent and "Faith" workers but nQt to the militarist missions are not separately whose life is built on the philoso- R. E. SPEER. listed, but they number over 175, phy of force. union enterprises. 275 and indig- Steps Toward the World Council. enous societies over 100. The This book traces the primal By Charles S. McFarland. 8 vo. independent "Faith" missions cell of China in society toances- 128 pp. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell have had an especially large tral relations and then thrQugh Co., New York. 1938. growth in the past twenty-five property holding, bartering and years. This reference volume is the problems of industrial diffi- The recent Conference at particularly valuable for mission- culties. Facts as to' incQme, the Utrecht, Holland, draws attenary executives. cost 'Of living and the means of tion to the movement for church subsistence are carefully CQm- unity. The next step seems to Adventures of Service. Stories of piled. In an estimated popula- bet h e "World Council 'Of Modern Pioneers. By D. M. Gill and tion of 474,569,181 or 80% are Churches," proposed at the Ox- A. M. Pullen. 127 pp. $1.00; paper, active in agriculture. The me- ford and Edinburgh Conferen- 50 cents. Friendship Press. New chanical trades are growing in ces. Dr. McFarland, who was York. 1938. number and their products are the first Secretary of the Fed- becoming diversified. These eral Council of Churches of Here are eight stories of facts help the missionary to Christ in America, presents a pioneers who worked against gauge, not only the condition but brief history of the Movement, heavy odds to help their fellow the possible support to be ex- showing the need, progress and men and women. Some are well pected fQr the Church and its some of the suggested plans; known -like Jane Addams and institutiQns. Booker T. Washington. Others Victory Through Youth. By Luther are comparatively unknown- While there is nO' direct ref- J. Holcomb. Booklet. 83 pp. 25 like John Flynn of Central Aus- erence to the Christian mission- cents. Boardman Press, Nashville, tralia, Edward Wilson of the ary enterprise as such, every- Tenn. 1938. Antarctic Scott Expedition and thing in the book bears some re- Sophia Jex-Blake of Scotland lation to missions and to all life It is estimated that over 15,- who opened the medical profes- as related to sound economic sion to women. They a'"8 read- principles. JOHN M. G. DARMS. 000,000 young people under the able stories told fQr young people. Additional facts, a few What Has Christianity to Say? By age of thirty are connected with dates and names of places are F. R. Barry. 192 pp. $2.00. Haradded in the notes in the ap- pers. New York. Protestant churches in America. pendix. Canon Barry deals in this At least 10,000,000 are Roman Der Arbeitslohn in China. By Prof. fresh and refreshing book with Dr. Paul Arndt, Dr. Djini-Schen the modern world in its sickness Catholics and 40,000,000 are and Dr. Chii-Fen-Lo. R. M. 9. and with the Gospel worded to Hans Buske, Leipzig. the mind and speech of the mod- outside any church. One-half 'Of ern world a'S the one remedy for Every missionary to China its disease. To us who believe these are between twelve and will find great prQfit from read- it seems that such a statement, ingthis illuminating and inform- meeting the modern mind in its thirty years of age. Mr. Holative book. Evidently it was own habitat, ought to be conwritten after years of research, vincing. Of many present-day comb, a young man, writes of and from first-hand knQwledge statements of the Christian view of the field, by men who gained we have this feeling. And often the need of these youth for a we give these books to men who spiritual revival. The first sec- tion deals with planning a re- vival, suggesting committees and their work. The second part is a series of ten very short mes- sages from such men as Dr.
George W. Truett, J. H. Pace and Norman W. Cox. While the general tenor is Baptist, the whole book relates to youth and their spiritual revival. It has a definite message and practical value. •
Missionary BookshelF Prisoner of War 31,163-Bedros M. Dr. William Pierson Merrill
Sharian. Ernest Pye. 202 pp. recently resigned from the pastorate $1.50. Revell. New York. (Concludea from page 620.) of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City, has been elected A Year of Children's Sermons. By Soudan's Second Sunup. Desmond W. President of the International Com- Joseph A. Schofield, Jr. 192 pp. Bittinger. 254 pp. $2.00. Elgin mittee of the World Alliance for In- $1.50. Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Press. Elgin, Ill. ternational Friendship through the Tenn. 1938. Churches. Dr. Merrill is also Presi- Studies in Church Unity. Angus Dun. 48 pp. World Conference on Faith The pastor of the First Pres- and Order. New York. dent of the Church Peace Union. byterian Church of Gouverneur, Urban Scene. Margueritte Harmon New York, has acquired the art Bro. Illus. 61 pp. 25 cents. Friend- … … * of preaching also to adults ship Press. New York. through his talks to children, Vivid Experiences in Korea. William Rev. J. Quinter Miller, Ph.D., has without seeming to do so. All H. Chisholm. 136 pp. $1.00. Bible succeeded Dr. Roy B. Guild as Executhe stories in this volume of Institute Colportage Assn. Chicago. tive Secretary of the Federal Counfifty-two sermons-and they are The Spirit of the Shepherd. M. P. cil's Field Department. Dr. Miller real sermons, each based upon a Krikorian. 125 pp. $1.00. Zon- will continue to carry part-time re- Scripture te~an be adapted dervan Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. sponsibility in the work of the Con- necticut Council of Churches.
… … * Rev. Eleazar Guerra has been elected Bishop of the Methodist Church of Mexico. He is a graduate to local audiences. In some of Studies in Hymnology. Mrs. Crosby of the Southern Methodist University them, simple objects are used as Adams. 96 p:p,. $1.00. Cokesbury of Dallas, Texas. Press. NashvIlle. illustrations. H. H. F. .. * .. The Star in the East. C. Darby Ful- Sclrsi.ptu6are. Calendars for 1939. lB. and ton. 264 pp. Presbyterial). Com- Kemal Ataturk, President and each. Pickering & Inglis. mittee on Publication. founder of modern Turkey, died on November 10th at 58 years of age. The Victory Life. John Wilmot Ma- He is succeeded in the presidency by London and Glasgow. General Ismet Inonu, former Premier and sometimes called "the conscience These daily calendars combine hood. 120 pp. 35 cents. Zonder- of Ataturk." The late president was dates, Scripture texts, and com- van Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. regarded as a military genius who ments from well known Bible seized the reigns of power at the end teachers. The larger calendars What Has Christianity to Say? F. of the World War in 1918 and built a (with the comments from men R. Barry. $21.00. 190 pp. Harper dictatorship (nominally a republic) on like D. L. Moody, Horatius Bo- Bros. New York. the ruins of the Caliphate of Constan- tinople. The new president is expected The Way of Partnership in India. P. L. Garlick. Is. 86 pp. C. M. S. nar, F. B. Meyer, Arthur T. Pier- London. son, Campbell Morgan, Graham to continue constructive work in Tur- Scroggie, Hudson Taylor and Youth in the Toils. Leonard V. Har- key and to preserve friendship with others) are one shilling six pence rison and Pryor McNeill Grant. Great Britain and the Soviet Union. each; the others are one shilling. 167 pp. $1.50. Macmillan. New He is looked upon as an able soldier, York. a talented diplomat and a stern ruler.
There are also almanacs and di- Personal Items He was said to be responsible for aries that make very useful gifts abolishing the Moslem Caliphate, –especially to missionaries. closing religious schools and monas- teries, and forcing Turks to discard Dr. Hu Shih, the new Chinese am- the fez and wear hats. bassador at Washington, is the highest type of Chinese practical philosopher New Boole. and sage, with an American education. J)pmn~ He is not a professing Christian like. Central Africa Revisited. D. M. Mil- his predecessor Dr. C. T. Wang, but ler. 120 pp. 2s. Africa Inland is sympathetic with Christian ethics of tbe and ideals. Dr. Hu Shih is anti-mili- Mission. London. taristic and has been working for peace and unity in China, based on Cruickshank of Calabar. 6aA. lePxiacnkdeerr- literacy unity with a common national €btf~tfan Gammie. 110 pp. 2s. tongue, general education and agreeing & Inglis. London.
Five Times Ten. A Child's Story of ment in ideals. He uses politics to 1fft the Woman's Missionary Union. promote education, unity and liberty ell BOOK of worship in song, com- Myrtle Anderson Love. 64 pp. 25 based on it general recognition of the bining a hymnal for general cents. Broadman Press. Nashville. rights of man. He wrote in The Forum in 1927: church use, and a Song book for evan- Interpretative Statistical Survey of ~elistic purposes. Oilly songs sound the World Mission of the Chris- "The part played by the mission- tian Church. Edited by Joseph I. aries in the modernization of China In the faith and inspirational in char- Parker. 324 pp. $5.00. Interna- will long be remembered by the Chi- acter included—emphasizing Evan~e1- tional Missionary Council. New nese, even though no Christian church ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. York. be left there. They were the pioneers of the new China. . . . They agitated against foot binding, which eight cen- Japanese Terror in China. H. J. Tim- turies of esoteric philosophizing in na- Many of the new—the best of the old. perley. 220 pp. 75 cents. Modern tive China had failed to recognize as Age Books. New York. an inhuman institution." 504 Songs Responsive Readings The Man by the Side of the Road. … … * Topical Index Gold Embossed Willard W. Bartlett. 62 pp. 50 cents. Albert Pub. Co. Westerville, George H. Theuer, a graduate of Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Ohio. Yale University Sheffield Scientific edition only at $65.00 per 100–an especially School and a member of the Evan- low price. Single copy, 8Sc postpaid.
Write toda, for returnable sample cop, Patches-Missionary Life in India as gelical Church, has been called to be CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. Seen by a Dog. Loretta P. Root. associate secretary of the Student Illus. 98 pp. $1.00. Women's Mis- Volunteer Movement, 254 Fourth 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET sionary Society, Winona Lake, Ind. Avenue, New York. HARRISBUR.G, PA.
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The Missionary Review of the World — September 1938
SEPTEM8~
The Crisis-Looking Toward Madras Paul W. Harrison With Tibetans at the Crossroads E. B. Steiner Some Problems of a Midwest City L. Merle Rymph '
Why I Believe in Jesus Christ Chiang Kai..shek The Story of Meshed, The Sacred City Dwight M. Donaldson , The Modern Challenge to Christianity William Paton The Sunday Schools Over the World .
Robert M. Hopkins Practical Value of Missions to Pastors Archibald G. Adams 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea,.
I Church Management
For 1938 and 1939 IF YOU are considering the A Preaching and Worship Manual for the Year publication of a book, pamphlet, or tract, why not PRICE POSTPAID. $1.00 let us make it for you? Our facilities are most modem, (A full credit coupon in each book gives you a $1.00 and our location is at the credit on a Bubscription to "Church Management") "heart of distribution." Estimates on your particular re- ADDRESS quirements, with expert counsel, will be gladly fur- CHURCH MANAGEMENT nished on request. Auditorium Building Cleveland. Ohio e~ 8~ October 5 to 12-United Lutheran Obituary Notes p~ Church in America, Biennial Con- vention, Baltimore, Md. Dr. ~vi~on D. Lord, for over fifty years pastor of the First Baptist EFFECTIVE PRINTING AT October 6 to ll-International GOOd- church of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N. ECONOMICAL PRICES Y., the president of the American will Congress. Palaee Hotel, San Baptist Home Mission Society and re- The Evangelical Pre•• Francisco, Calif. cording secretary of the Federal October 9 to II-Home Missions Council of Churches of Christ in Jr_-.,. 2'1oe"""s"-i"e"u0I/0 / . For14 Conference. Bu1falo, N. Y. America, died in Brooklyn, on July October 14 to 20-American Luther- Third and Reily St…. an Church, Biennial Convention, 18th at the age of seventy-nine. Dr. H.rri.J,urg, Pennaylv.nia Sandusky, .ohio. Lord was born in Hillsdale, Michigan, October 20-Baltimore, Md., Insti- and was graduated from Union The- tute for Church Women. Mrs: ological Seminary fifty-five years ago. Bruce H. McDonald, 616 West Fay- He was instrumental in effecting the ette Street, Baltimore, Md. union of the Free Bapti8t Church, of October 23 to 2~Home Missions which he was a member. with the D.e. to Remember Conference. Cleveland, .ohio. • • Northern Bapti8t Convention in 1911. October 30 to Nov. I-Home Mi8- September 11 to 13-Italian Baptist 8ions Conference. Kansas City, Mo. • Convention o;f America. Cleveland. Dr. Lemuel Call Barnel, formerly THE PRESBYTERIAn secretary of the Department of Eng~ September 26-Home Missions Con- lish-speaking Mis8ions and Indian ference. St. Louis, Mo. • The only weekly in the Work of the American Baptist Home Presbyterian Church. Mission Society, died in Yonkers, N. September 11 to 16-International Y., on July 18th at eighty-three years Convention of the Disciples of • Its message is based upon of age. Dr. Barnes was born in Kirk- Christ. Denver, Colo. the Revealed Word. of God. land, .ohio, was graduated from Kal- amazoo College, Michigan, in 1876 September 19 to 30 (tentative)- • Goes into every state in and from Newton TheoloJieal Sem- School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell, the Union, U. S. possessiOns inary in 1878. After servIng pastor- Langdon, Tex. and many foreign countries. ates in St. Paul, Pittsburgh, Newton Center and Worcester, he became the September 21 to 28-General Council, Subscription rate – $2.50 eftlclent field 8ecretary of the Amer- United Church of Canada, Toronto, Ministerial rate – – $2.00 ican Baptist Home Mi..ion Society Canada. from 1907 to 1917. He was the author SOc. extra–Canadian postage of 8everal volume8, including "Two September 26 to 30-Southern Cali- $1.50 extra– Foreign postage Thousand Years of Mission8 Before fornia (Los Angeles) School of Carey" and "Baptist Work Among Mission Study. Mrs. H. M. Horn, THE PRESBYTERKIn American Indiana." His widow, Mary 1811 Huntington Drive, South Pas- Clark Barnes, survives her husband adena, Cal. 121 7 Market Street after nearly sixty years of married Philadelphia. P •• life. September 27 to. 21i'-A Second In- ••• terdenominational Women's Insti- Dr. Paul Rader, the well-known tute is to be held in the McCormick "cowboy evangelist," fonuerly pastor Memorial Y. W. C. A., Chicago. of the Moody Memorial church in Chi- Dr. T. H. P. Sailer, Dr. Arthur E. cago, (1914-1921), died in Hollywood, Holt, Prof. Samuel Kincheloe, Mrs. California, on July 19th, at the age E. E. McClintock and Miss Esther of 68 years. He was born in Denver, McRuer will be the leaders. Dr. H. Colorado, and in early youth was a cowboy. His father, Rev. Daniel L. —–Paul Douglass will conduct a semi- Rader, was a Methodi8t minister and nar on church unity and Dr. E. K. Paul became interested in evangelism Higdon, formerly of the Philip- at the age of thirty-one. He began pines, will conduct a seminar on preaching on street corners in Pitts- the Madras Conference. Dr. Sam burgh and afterwards he fllied pas- Higginbottom will speak at an eve- (CO'1/eltuled on pa,ge 887.) ning mass meeting.
October 4 to ~Warren, .ohio, School of Mi8sions. Mrs. George Konold, 814 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, .ohio.
and because O'f the fine print-
THE MISSIONARY ing, paper and pictures used to' illus- REVIEW OF THE WORLD trate its articles."
DBLAVAN L. PIBBSON, BcUtor (2) "THE REVIEW gives a gO'O'd ac- cO'unt O'f different fields O'f missiO'nary VOL. LXI SEPT., 1938 No.9 wO'rk. I vO'te this as the best when Publication and Business omce– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. cO'mpared with all O'ther missiO'nary Editorial and Executive omce– magazines. I like the way in which 156 Fifth Avenue, New York CltT. it handles each subject." . ~ Entered as second-class matter at (3) "THE REVIEW is a magazine;bf Post Omce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. the three-star variety. All the main 25 cents a copy-$2.50' a year. articles are O'f timely interest. This Foreign Postage, 50' cents a Tear. Published monthlT, except August. interdenO'minatiO'nal REVIEW gives an All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan unbiased view O'f the great issues at· and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, stake." . London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, 10' shillings a year. (4) "I place THE REVIEW first MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- amO'ng missiO'nary magazines. The LISHING CO., INC. department of Wa.ys of Working is BOARD OF DIRECTORS ROIIERT E. SPBER, Prellidcmt an effective feature fO'r the far- A. L. W ABNSHl1IS, ViC7e-Praridmt WALTER McDoUGALL, Treasurer sighted pastO'r. The World-Wide Out- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretof'll look is alsO' far abO've all O'thers in giving wO'rld news. The magazine is PAUL J. BRAlSTED SAMUEL McCREA CAVlIlRT evangelical withO'ut being narrow." D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JunD Personal Items Malwa-the Great Temple WM. B. LIPPHARD ERIC M. NORTH Miss Anna Belle Stewart, for many When Ihe good wOl'k SAMUBL M. ZWBMBll years a very effective missiO'n wO'rker calls you Basi … sail Editorial Chat among the mO'untaineers O'f the SO'uth, is retiring frO'm active service under p&O Since nO' August number O'f THE REVIEW was published both July and the Presbyterian BO'ard O'f NatiO'nal 1938 begins a second century of P & 0 September issues are enlarged in size. service to the lands beyond Suez! When- If the subscribers will nO'te this it will MissiO'ns, having reached the age ever you are called to the other side of save extra cO'rresPO'ndence. the world, choose this traditional route. limit. Miss Stewart did a remarkable Cross to England by Cunard White Star Our October number O'f THE RE- ••. and then embark in a great liner of VIEW will be devO'ted to' India, the fO'r- wO'rk at ColcO'rd, West Virginia, and the P & 0 and British India fleets, led eign missiO'n study subject fO'r the by the new 23,SOO·ton Stratheden and cO'ming year, and a large number O'f fO'r the last few years has been pi- Strathallan, featuring air- conditioned very valuable and interesting subjects O'neering in the Smyrna CO'mmunity dining saloons in first class, hot and cold are in view. The main tO'pics and au- running water throughout, built·in outthO'rs are nO'ted O'n the third cO'ver O'f Center, Byrdstown, Tennessee. Her of·door swimming pools, children's playthis issue. These include articles by rooms! Regular service to Egypt, Sudan, outstanding authO'rities, bO'th Indian wO'rk is to' be taken up by Grace Jus- Persian Gulf, India, Burma, Ceylon, and fO'reign. Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Aus- tice, whO' has been associated with tralia, East and South Africa, Mauritius. *** Special reductions and generous bag- Miss Stewart as a vO'lunteer, and has gage allowance for missionaries. N O'W is the time to' O'rder quantities O'f this issue O'f THE REVIEW in O'rder shO'wn the ability, understanding and Convenient through bookings can be arto' take advantage O'f the special price ranged by your travel agent or any office of and to' avO'id the danger O'f waiting Christlike spirit that fit her fO'r this until the editiO'n is exhausted. CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE resPO'nsibility. *** General Agents Dr. E. Stan*ley*Jon*es O'f India, will Pastors and professors of missionll 25 Broadway and 638 Fifth Avenue, N. Y. in theO'IO'gical seminaries will be espe- address a meeting O'pen to' all mincially interested in the article in the present number O'n "The Practical isters in Marble CO'llegiate church, Value O'f MissiO'ns," by ProfessO'r Archibald G. Adams O'f Temple Uni- New YO'rk, at 10: 30 a. m., MO'nday, versity. In a persO'nal letter to' the EditO'r, PrO'fessO'r Adams quotes the September 26. He will participate in O'piniO'ns O'f many O'f his students as to' the interest and value of THE RE- the University Christian MissiO'n VIEW in keeping them in touch with wO'rld events and in helping them to' which will be cO'nducted this autumn educate their people and to' prepare at 14 American cO'lleges and univermissiO'nary sermO'ns and addresses. AmO'ng these O'piniO'ns O'f theO'IO'gical sities. •*• students are the fO'llO'wing (stated in substance fO'r brevity) : Dr. Douglas Horton, minister O'f Hyde Park CO'ngregatiO'nal church, (1) "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF ChicagO', has been elected secretary O'f THE WORLD is rated high because O'f the General CO'uncil O'f the CO'ngregaits cO'ntent which is O'f wO'rld-wide tiO'nal and Christian Churches to' suc- ceed Dr. Charles EmersO'n BurtO'n, retired. Dr. HO'rtO'n was educated at PrincetO'n, Edinburgh and OxfO'rd Universities; has served as chaplain in the U. S. Navy, trustee O'f the American University in CairO' and at- tended many internatiO'nal cO'nfer- ences.
*** Capt. Ellis Skolfield, O'f the GO'spel Ship in the Philippine Islands, whO'
has been in America because of the ill health O'f his sO'n, has nO'w returned to' the SO'uth Seas to' cO'mplete plans fO'r taking the ship to' New Guinea and adjacent islands O'f the Dutch East Indies, as a preliminary to' O'pen- ing a permanent wO'rk there. It is expected that this survey trip will re- (Concluded on page 386.) [385 ]
I Itemi retary to the Board of Foreign Mis- What Shall We Study?
(Concluded from page 385.) sions of the Presbyterian Church, The American City and Its Church U. S. A. He assumed his new office (Kincheloe) presents the missionary quire about three months, after which on July 15, and is in charge of the task as emergent, with our rapidly in- Capt. Skolfield will return to America work in China. creasing urban population, treating to make his report and lay plans for ~!,mn5 the subject vigorously and construc- the future. *** tively. (Cloth, $1.00; paper, 60 cents.) City Man (Sears) is a special edi- Dr. Charles E. Maddry, Executive tion of a recent book that provides Secretary of the Southern Baptist of tbe Foreign Mission Board, who attended valuable supplemental material for the study topic. ($1.50 and 75 cents.) the Baptist Union of Italy in Rome, ctCbrl£ittan Urban Scene (Bro) presents the sailed from England for West Africa city today and its church in striking to visit Southern Baptist work in Ni~1 photographs, maps, pictorial statistics, geria. He expects to be back in Rich- 1Lt ~'f~ brief, gripping statements, etc. Inmond, Virginia, in September. dispensable for groups of all ages.
*** (25 cents.) ell BOOK of worship in song, com….. The foregoi,ng are for adu~t Mr. William Albert Harbison has resigned as treasurer of the American bining a hymnal for general groups. SpeCIal young people s >: Mission to Lepers and is succeeded by books are: Mr. W. Espey Albig, deputy manager A Course for Young People on the of the American Bankers' Association. Church in the City (Geer), which fur- church use and a song book for evan- ~elist. iC ~u'rposes: Onl d song~ • soun *** an the faith and Inspirational an char- nishes a guide to study, discussion, Dr. H. H. Underwood, President of acter included—emphasizing Evangel- worsh!p and. service, is based on The Chosen Christian College, Korea, has ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. A merwan Ctty and Its Church and been elected President of Severance M any of the new—the best of the old. UrCblt;ttny SScheandeo. ws(25(Sceeanrtlse.)) – a coHec- Medical College, Seoul. At one time, tion of true stories challenging to Dr. O. R. Avison was President of 504 Songs Responsive Readings keenest interest. ($1.00 and 60 cents.) both institutions and under Dr. Underwood's administration these two Topicallndex Gold Embossed Street Corner (Hunting), a reading schools will continue to cooperate. and source book by which juniors ex- Published in round notes and Roxite cloth plore a city ($1.00 and 50 cents.) *** edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especiall~ low price. Single copy, 8Sc postpaid. My Community, My Church and Me Write today for returnable sample copy The Rev. Dr. Lloyd S. Ruland, for (Hallenbeck) is a helpful guide for eleven years pastor of West Presby- CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. city groups in studying their own com- terian Church in Binghamton, New 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET munities and developing a program of York, has accepted a call to be sec- HARRISBUltG, PA. local service. (35 cents.) HAVE YOU READ?
THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER The biography of a remarkable missionary whom the (then) Prince of Wales visited in Bombay at the request of his mother, Queen Victoria.
What some readers say of this book: Robert Speer's "Life of George Bowen of Bombay" is one was so far-sighted and so deep-seeing !-the former because of the richest of missionary biographies. the latter. If one wants to sum up the interests of our DR. J. LOVELL MURRAY, Director of the Canadian School of Missions, Toronto. students today-:-Biblical, social, theological-Bowen is a What a life! He was old enough to know why he went, representative figure. And what a lesson in apparent failure! . . . I ·feel strongly that every student and alumnus of our and bad enough to know the meaning of salvation. One by- Seminary needs this book. What better book to lead them to product of his experience was his wonderful humility-noth- feed on the Bible. One hears so much "vestibule religion"- men pointing to the door and taking their people as far as the ing in the show window and himself in the remote back- threshold, but no opening up of the treasures within the ground. It is inspiring. Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and . DR. GEORGE P. PIERSON, formerly of Japan. Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in order We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main- to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is no springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his adolescent, but a man in Christ. This is no volume to be earnest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to Christ; and his deep-seated conviction that the Gospel of Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. repeatedly. HENRY SLOANE COFFIN, WILLIAM HAZEN, President of Union Seminary. Missionary in Sho/apur, India. The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for A biography of one of the saintliest figures of the nineteenth century. I could not put the book down. There is a years to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set fascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scathdevout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings which would serve as starting points for chapel talks. He ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self-indulgence and inef- ficiency. J. Ross STEVENSON, President Emeritus, Princeton Seminary.
Send $2.50 to-day for your copy of this latest book by Dr. Speer THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO.
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Notes bined the supervIsIon of a Boy's The great white Empresses
School with evangelistic trips. Mrs. every speed record to and from (Concluded from .2d cover page.) Derr gave her time to personal evan- the Orient. 10 days direct to gelism, teaching girls' industrial Yokohama by Empress of Asia torates in Boston and Chicago. From classes and training Bible women. or Empress of Russia. Or only 1921 to 1923 he was President of the three days more via Hawaii by Christian and Missionary Alliance *** Empress of Japan, largest and and later was President of W orld- fastest on the Pacific, or Empress Wide Gospel Couriers, a Chicago mis- Miss Lucy H. Dawson, formerly of Canada. Connect at Honolulu sionary society. Mrs. Rader and three from California ports. daughters survive him. General' 'Secretary of the Presbyterian Woman's Board of Home Missions, From Vancouver and Victoria *** died in Baltimore, May. 22, after an to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, illness of· several years. Her mission- Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Fred S. Goodman, for many years ary service included volunteer work Details from YOUR TRAVEL a member of the International Com- in city missions in Baltimore, re- AGENT or Canadian Pacific.: mittee of the Y. M. C. A. and for ligious work director of the Y. W. 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. some years an invalid, died at his C. A., in the Presbyterian Training home in Monclair, New Jersey, on School for Christian workers, the July 12th at eighty years of age. Mr. Daily Vacation Bible Schools and Goodman was born in Rockport, Illi- various women's missionary organizanois, in 1858 and was graduated from tions. After the consolidation of all Kalamazoo College, Michigan. He en- home mission agencies into the Board tered into Y. M. C. A. work in 1881 of National Missions, Miss Dawson and became associated with the In- became Promotion Secretary for ternational Committee twenty years women's work. later. During the World War he served on the World War Council and THE CITY had charge of the Religious Work Institutes for training those engaged The city-what is a city? in Y. M. C. A. war work. He was A city-that is where both Dives and retired in 1922 and then for ten years was American Secretary of the Wal- Lazarus live. densian Aid Society. He is survived A city-that is where men die of loneby one son, a daughter and eight grandchildren. liness in a crowd. A city -that is the land of plenty *** where men die of starvation. Dr. Charles C. Selden, formerly of A city-that is where a thousand peo- Canton, China, died suddenly in Oberlin, Ohio, June 15. He was an affili- ple live on an acre of ground that ated missionary of the Presbyterian they never see. Board, and devoted his personal for- A city is where thousands live in a tune and his life to work for the in- single block and never know they sane and the blind of China. He never have a neighbor. accepted any salary and lived simply A city is a place where may be seen in order to make conditions easier for both the glitter of vice and the the unfortunates. He retired in 1932. glow of virtue. but continued to live in China until A city is a place where vice centers in last March. sunless spots, and where virtue shines in secluded places. *** A city is all desert for some, all oasis for others. Mr. Walter W. Gethman, General A city is a place which some greet Secretary of the World Committee of with a cheer; others endure with the Y. M. C. A. from 1926 to 1936, tears. died in Geneva, Switzerland, July 8. But a city may not be characterized Mr. Gethman followed his war service in epigram. with the "Y" by founding a Y. M. C. A. in Czechoslovakia. He remained -CHARLES H. SEARS, in the there until taking up his post in Biblical World, October, Geneva. 1916.
*** Wherever the State claims to give Rev. J. H. Cope, American Baptist a theology to its people, or to set a principle of education, or tries to ormissionary to the northern Chin peo- ganize a conscience or impose a myth ple in Burma for thirty years, was upon the people, there you. will find stricken while on tour and died at the ultimate menace to the Christian Haka in the Chin Hills on June 13. Church.-Adolf Keller, G en e v a, Hundreds of converts and many Switzerland. churches organized among the Chins are testimony to the quality of his The fellowship of all the members service. In addition to preaching and of Christ's spiritual Church with one teaching, he translated the New another, overleaps all denominational Testament, Scripture portions and lines and all national boundaries.- Pilgrim's Progress; and also pre- President J. R. Sampey, Louisville, pared hymn books and school texts up Ky. to fourth grade in four dialects of Chin. The problem of more union among the churches of Christendom is not *** one of legislating ourselves together but rather that of the slow process of Mrs. Charles H. Derr, Presbyterian growing together.-T. S. Eliot, Lonmissionary to Chenchow, China, died don. in a sanatorium at La Vina, California on May 12. With her husband [387 ] she went to China in 1904, and located at Chenchow .where Mr. Derr com-
SANG TEACHING IN CHINA TELLING THE GOSPEL STORY IN
A WOMEN'S BIBLE CLASS IN KOREA WITH OVER 1 ,000 MEMBERS A SUNDAY SCHOOL IN NAZARETH, pALESTINE JAPANESE CHILDREN LEARNING OF CHRIST SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK AROUND THE WORLD (Bee arti ole by Robert M. Hopkins, page 402) electronic file created by cafis. org REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER, 1'938 Topics of the Times SOME THOUGHTS ON EVANGELISM There must follow guidance as well as training in the practice of devotion (Bible study and The University Preaching Mission has defined prayer) building up a Christian character, and its objective to be "to lead students to faith in finally help to enable the convert to give articulate God through Jesus Christ." If in this definition expression of his new found faith in service to his one were to substitute "men" for "students," one fellow men. Only then is the task of evangelism, might so define evangelism. However, when so so far as the convert is concerned, completed. doing, one should stress the fact that the term Faith without works is dead and of no avail. The "men" as used, refers to all men, male and fe- real test of faith is seen in the effect on a believer male, old and young, Jew and Gentile, black and and in what it impels and enables him to do.
white, agnostic and atheist, Buddhist and Mos- No doubt most people will agree on a basic lem without any exception whatsoever. This em- definition of evangelism and will probably admit phasis is essential in these days, when many its validity. Real difference of opinion arises foster a fellowship of religions, in which all re- when the question of methods of evangelism is ligions are more or less placed on a par, and who considered. Billy Sunday's high-pressure meththerefore protest against efforts to evangelize ods are not approved by some. The use of Bibmen as unwarranted "proselytism." The initial lical prophecy and scriptural appeal would be task of evangelism is to lead men to faith in God opposed by others; still others would claim sterthrough Jesus Christ. This task is not complete ility for any evangelistic effort that failed to until it has also helped such men to make a full stress personal sin, Christ crucified and redempsurrender to God and to articulate their faith, tion through His sacrifice. first to Him and then to. their fellow men in particular and to society in general. The intense emotionalism of many of the pre- war evangelistic campaigns and revivals are To lead men into faith in God through Jesus largely taboo' today. Such emotionalism is sup- Christ involves what is called conversion. Con- posed not to be in accord with present-day psycerning conversion Rabbi Solomon B. Freehof chology, practice and sophistication, though it is in his book "Stormers of Heaven" says: still used in certain Christian circles and appar- ently with success. No doubt the old revivals did There seems to be a uniqueness in the nature of Chris- often overstress the emotional appeal to the negtian conversion. Judaism is patient discipline, and Chris- lect of the appeal to reason. But today the tianity is sudden deliverance; Judaism is concerned with pendulum seems to have swung to the other exsocial development, Christianity is personal revolution. treme with intellectualism overemphasized al- 'fhere is explosive power in the Christian faith which can most to the complete exclusion of the appeal to the capture the souls of men in the calmest moment of their heart and conscience. True evangelism embodies self-contentment, tear down their spiritual organization, both. However much we may think and seek to and build it upon a new plan. understand God and our relation to Him, such an experience becomes ,articulate in life only when Would that more Christians had such convincing one feels it sufficiently to act. Mere argument faith in the explosive power of their Christian and apologetic, however convincing, rarely confaith! This tearing down of a man's "spiritual verts; invariably it is the Christian witness of a organization and building it upon a new plan," life that brings the'result. to use Freehof's words, is conversion or regeneration; this, is the first step in evangelism.
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Followers of Christ cannot evangelize others As we face the increasing human need in the until they themselves are more completely Chris- wake of wars, racial discrimination, social in- tian. Thus evangelism involves a further re- justice, moral relapse, and economic maladjust- sponsibility; it must include efforts to bring more ment, we are assailed by a sense of futility and Christlike reality into the lives of those already helplessness. What is the use of human efforts, known as Christians. This is of great impor-:- however sincere and energetic the individual may tance. We hear many criticisms of Christianity, be? Here one is forced to rely on God and away but few of Jesus, Christ. Many Jews, even the from dependence on man. As Fritz Beck writes: atheist type, assert that if Christians were more "A man without God, but with a knowledge Christlike, there probably would be no anti-Semi- of present world conditions, must surely despair."
tism, and more Jews would become Christians. At such times as these one realizes our utter de- Very true; but does not such assertion imply a pendence on GqQ and the need of Christ-centered remarkable faith in the power of the person of lives, projected out in service on the battle fronts Jesus Christ to mold lives and to influence human of human needs. Apart from God there is no relationships for good? hope or help for mankind.
One more word! God needs no proving. God One last word. Psychology stresses integra- is whether we are able or not to prove Him. Let tion of personality. That is essential. But inte- us not therefore be overanxious to prove His ex- gration of one's personality within one's environ- I istence by logic and apologetic. Let us not fall ment would seem to be of even greater impor- into the error of believing that God is simply a tance. In our world today, constituted as it is, one satisfying means of explaining an otherwise in- of the most difficult things is to be one's self, that explicable universe. God exists irrespective of is, to be an individual or to maintain one's dis- man's views or understanding of Him. And be- tinctive individuality. Independence of thought cause God is, I am. is not easy in the face of the intellectual "goose- IRRELIGION AND PAGANISM stepping" that is being enforced. We tend to conform to type and convention, like sheep which Today one encounters a lot of apparent irre- follow the bellwether. This is often especially ligion, if not out-and-out paganism. Experience true of the Christian. Some one has said "you reveals this to be very largely a veneer. Scratch it, cannot be Christian in this unchristian world and and you uncover great personal need and spirit- hope to survive." In other words, "Except a ual hunger. Men are hungry for spiritual and grain of wheat fall into the ground and die, it soul-satisfying food. Many suffer from a spirit- can bear no fruit." How many are prepared to ual vacuum which craves to be filled. To others, go all the way with Christ? How many of us life means little or nothing beyond "eat, drink would do as the apostle Paul, or Kagawa, or and be merry, for tomorrow we die." They talk Schweitzer or Niemoller have done?
of the failure of the Church but hope against President Robert J. Hutchins of Chicago Uni- hope that the Church may somehow satisfy their versity, when speaking to a recent graduating personal and spiritual needs. Modern and so- class, declared: phisticated man still longs for guidance, for as- My experience and observation lead me to warn you surance, for a power that will give him victory that by far the greatest, the most insidious, the most where now he suffers defeat. He knows that paralyzing danger you will face is the danger of corrup- tion. Time will corrupt you; your friends, your wives or "the world within us means more than all the husbands, your business or professional ambitions will worlds without." " corrupt you. The worst thing about life is that it is demoralizing. One may well wonder whether all the interest, feigned and real, in world affairs, such as prob- Life was never more demoralizing than now.
lems of war and peace, of racial discrimination Never was there more need for Jesus Christ than and of economic maladj ustment, is not largely a now-not vague or general religion~but a per- smoke screen to hide this ache and yearning in sonal Christ and Saviour. To give men such a men's hearts. Christian Evangelists must deal Christ is the task of evangelism noW as ever in with these world issues, but our interest in them the past. CONRAD HOFFMANN, JR.
must not be a beating around the bush and an evasion of other essential factors. We need to THE YOUTH FOR CHRIST preach Christ and the forgiveness of sin. After conversion, then is the time to give needed ex- We thank God for youth. They are to the pression to the faith that has been born, and Church and the State, what fresh young shoots then it is necessary to project that conversion into are to the future harvest. Everywhere we hear service for others. But there is no first and of "Youth Movements."
second here in order of importance. We must do It is estimated that there are nearly twice as the one and not neglect the other. many people in the world under thirty-three as
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
over that age. It is a well-known fact that there the youth of the world wants is to be given a high is ten times as great a likelihood of a young man standard to imitate. or young woman yielding to the claims of Christ under twenty years of age as there is when they Primitive people look to those of more advanced are older. Youth is the time for taking new countries. India has copied England, Japan is steps, the time of adventure, the time of growth, imitating Germany; China is seeking a model in the time when foundations are laid and when the United States. Good patterns must be set in habits are formed. art, in literature, in education, in politics, in so- cial life and in religion if the world is to make And yet is not youth today largely wasting its progress and is not to slip back into barbarity. energies and opportunities? The spirit of ad- Inventions, discoveries and modern machinery venture is too often spent in seeking thrills in will not produce purity, peace, brotherhood and illegitimate and dangerous paths. Natural curi- love. All peoples are truly hungry for clear osity and the desire to investigate lead too fre- knowledge and for a better way of life. To inquently to spiritual skepticism and blindly look- spire them to higher things the youth need: (1) A ing for truth about God without finding Him. good example of unselfish service; (2) a good How often the strength of youth is wasted in fool- example of unpatronizing friendliness; (3) an ish self-indulgence. opportunity to learn and to improve their condi- tion; (4) the knowledge of God as revealed in And yet, humanly speaking, youth is the hope Jesus Christ. of the world. The young people of today must be the parents, the teachers and preachers, the All creeds and all "isms" are contending for the scientists and artists, the authors and leaders of enthusiastic and devoted support of youthtomorrow. If the youth of today are not won to though that support may not be intelligent and Christ what will become of the church, the school, unselfish. There is no ideal, no inspirational exthe home, missionary work, and still more im- ample and no assurance of power to attain ideals, portant what will become of the youth as they that is equal to those found in Jesus Christ. In pass through this life into the eternity beyond? Him and in His program are combined all the ele- ments that appeal to the best in youth of all ages. In ·the face of some disconcerting signs in the And youth is responding to the challenge in their world today, there are many encouraging signs of readiness to enlist in sacrificial missionary servpromise. All over the United States and Canada, ice at home and abroad. many thousands of youth are gathered every summer in Christian camps and conferences. No JAPAN'S LOSING BATTLE less than a half-million young people come together, under trained leaders, for physical and , In spite of Japan's military advantage in modspiritual recreation. At a thousand or more re- ern equipment and trained soldiers, her military sorts these multitudes of earnest young people party is waging a losing battle in China. This meet to listen to inspirational addresses and to is becoming more evident as the months pass. learn what life and service mean. Japan has disregarded justice and mercy, has alienated other nations that are not ruled by the Similar gatherings are being held in foreign same ideals, and she depends on deceit and force lands, not only in Great Britain and many parts to keep her people in line at home. While China of Europe, but in practically all the mission fields. has now the most enlightened patriotic and able There were pra.ctically no such Christian gather- rulers in her history, Japanese leaders in power ings for youth fifty years ago. They have grown exhibit less intelligence and more cruelty than has up as the result of the growing consciousness of characterized her and puts her dependence on the necessity for giving a Christian training _to armed force. The general sympathy of the world the youth of today to prepare them to be the -inactive as it is-is with the Chinese in their leaders of tomorrow. The Bishop of Uganda desperate struggle for life and peace. While the writes of African youth: conflict is welding China into a united country, it is sowing seeds of discontent in Japan; while Dr. Aggrey used to say that he would like to have nine China is becoming more Christian and is even lives if he could be sure that in each he would be an suggesting opening their schools to the teaching African and born one after the other in Africa in this of Christian truth, Japan is becoming more pagan present century. The future of the world lies largely and is forcing her Christian people to worship at in the hands of the youth. Very much, however, depends the shrines of the Sun Goddess; while China is on the next few years. Primitive youth is imitative-it showing mercy to the enemy, scattering peace is important that the youth of England and America leaflets in place of bombs by airplane over Japan, should give them a good example to imitate. Youth is the Japanese continue to spread destruction in perceptive: he looks below the surface and very quickly China by bombs and machine guns that ruthlessly sums up what a man really is.
There is a passion for reality in youth. People cannot "get away with" shams and "window dressing," at any rate for long; but youth is impulsive and so is easily influenced temporarily by an emotional appeal. What
bring death to multitudes of men, women and Thus failure to comply with the demand that all J apachildren; while China is looking forward to re- nese participate in certain Shinto ceremonies may be reconstruction after the fighting is over, Japan is garded as a good reason for withdrawing the privilege becoming more and more impoverished physically of freedom of religious belief. and spiritually; while China appeals for peace on the basis of justice and friendship, Japan seeks It is natural that special efforts should be made to control by conquest and alienates those who would secure the obedience of subject peoples when it comes to be her friends. Shrine observance. This has become an acute problem in Korea and Formosa, and will be so in Chinese terri- Other nations in past centuries have tried J a- tories which come under the control of Japan. pan's tactics and have failed, even when they have seemed to win a temporary advantage. If the Japanese realized what their military leaders are doing and planning in China we be- The situation in Japan is revealed by a letter lieve that they would rise up and overthrow the just received from one who has lived there for present regime… But they are misled by governtwenty years and who knows and loves the Jap- ment censorship and propaganda. They are told anese people. (The letter could not be mailed in that China must be protected from Communism Japan on account of the government censorship.) and liberated from the Nanking regime and from The Japanese themselves are kept in ignorance General Chiang Kai-shek, their Christian ruler. of the facts and the military propagandists pro- Staged motion pictures are used to show that the claim that ignorance, fear, selfishness and jeal- Chinese are welcoming the Japanese soldiers as ousy are the motives that actuate all foreigners liberators and benefactors rather than ravishers, who oppose the program of the Japanese mili- terrorists and spreaders of venereal disease and tarists. narcotics.
The letter (dated in Japan, June 12, 1938) is In the meantime the common people in Japan in part as follows: are suffering from economic depression through high prices and many restrictions. They are told We can easily understand the causes of the rising tide that such suffering and self-denial are patriotic. of anti-Japanese feeling in other lands. While the The work of missionaries of Christ, presenting Japanese' people themselves are conscious of the antago- His ideals and message of life, is more than ever nism of certain foreign nations, it is attributed in the needed and is welcomed. The Japanese are hunmain to Chinese propaganda and the jealousy 0:1; the gry for life and peace. It is a great opportunity powers who are losing their economic spheres of influence in China. . " The people here only know what for the missionaries who show spiritual life and appears in the newspapers, and the result is that they power and have the message of God's love and are the victims of a propaganda which interprets the salvation. And the missionaries with reduced war in terms of a righteous crusade "to deliver China forces and income are busy teaching, conducting from the peril of communism." They know nothing of conferences and summer camps, and working the ruthlessness which has apparently characterized the through the churches and Sunday schools. The operations of the army and believe that the conduct of Japanese are responding with larger attendance the war has been above reproach! at evangelistic services, and with increased en- As is the case in all wars, the common people are the rollment in mission schools and colleges. Dr. ones who bear the burden and they are the ones who Toyohiko Kagawa, and other Japanese Christians, suffer. In thinking of Japan we trust that you will dis- express the feeling of the sense of shame and tinguish between those who are leading the nation in chagrin that "Christians are so impotent to stem paths of conquest and the great mass of people who are the tide of militarism in Japan." in the dark and are having to submit to increasing regimentation and more personal self-sacrifice. The people ,Evidently humanity must learn lessons through are in darkness and need desperately to be "translated warfare and suffering that they are not willing into the kingdom of God's dear Son." The fact that to learn through peace and prosperity. Among militarism is in the saddle is no reason for reducing mis- these lessons are the futility of selfish warfare, sionary interest in J.apan. Recent developments here and the superiority of spiritual forces over the main other countries present a challenge to the Christian terial, the supremacy of true love over the seIf- Church to increase their missionary interest. seeking human ambitions. Christ did not estab- lish peace in the Roman world but He did sow the The Japane~e Christian Church is finding itself in an seeds of life and of peace and victory in the hearts increasingly difficult position. This is in spite of the fact that Japanese Protestants have always been distinguished of His followers. Among His last words to His by their loyalty to Emperor and nation, by their obedi- disciples were these: "These things have I spoken ence to law and integrity of character, and by their faith- unto you that in me ye may have peace. In the fulness in the performance of the various, duties imposed world ye have tribulation but be of good cheer, I by the State. But officialdom has not been satisfied with have overcome the world." . This is the peace and this and has seen fit to make the observance of the various the victorythat the world cannot give and cannot ceremonies of State Shinto the 'sign of good citizenship. take away. They have put believers who regard the observance of State Shinto as idolatrous in the position of appearing disloyal. The Imperial Constitution provides that: "Japanese subjects shall, within limits of law, not preju- dicial to peace and order, and not antago!listic to their duties of subjects, enjoy freedom of religious belief."
A Crisis-Looking Forward to
By PAUL W. HARRISON, M.D., Muscat, Arabia Author of "The Arab at Home"; Missionary of the Reformed Chutch in America A WORLD Missionary Conference is to be held will the Conference be a success. To the degree this year in Madras. The hope is that the that it fails to do this, the Conference will be a whole Church of Christ may focus there failure. her thanksgiving for the past, and her intercession for the future. Most of all we hope that God Nor is this something only for the few who go will give us guidance for the present. Certainly, to that South Indian city. Now is a time for us hitherto hath the Lord helped us, and we have all to bow down and pray for guidance and power come a long way in carrying out the command, from God. With our attention focused on gain- "Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the na- ing God's guidance, and bringing our work into tions." We will stand with the Apostle Paul in line with His will so that we can go forward in Madras. In every direction, a great door and ef- His power, this should be a day, above all things, fectual is opened unto us "and there are many for reverent and careful study of God's Word that adversaries." If the Apostle could actually speak we may learn how He would have us carryon His to us, he would perhaps tell us that he faced no work. We need profound and prayerful studies such wonderful open doors, nor such appalling of the mind of Christ in regard to our missionary adversaries. problems. We must penetrate below the surface and understand what the Holy Spirit has to teach This is not the day of the grinning stone image. us in the life and policies of the Apostle Paul. We deal with emotional idols, terribly alive all of Different men will discover many different things them, fashioned after the likeness of Mohammed- in this Book which God has given us. No one anism~ Men and women and children, from the man will understand it all. Indeed, reflecting least to the greatest, deliriously worship some God's mind as it does, all of us together will enter class or race or nation, sure that thereby they be- only the fringes of the Divine revelation. God come the elite of the universe. Worship of that wants us to see visions and dream dreams out of sort must have an object of pers.ecution as well His Word. Thus He will guide us and give us as an object of worship. Jews serve the purpose power in carrying His message to a turbulent and excellently. So do Christians. Those of us who distressed world. work in the arid desert into which Mohammed transformed a sixth of the human race, look out Christ's View of the Kingdom on the nations today with a feeling very close to terror. It is a very dreadful disease that is spread- In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew we find ing over the world, but it is not a new one. And a remarkable group of parables in which Christ when this outbreak has run its course, and men's shows us the essential nature of the missionary enterprise. He was speaking of the Kingdom of hearts have hardened into shape under its pride God. The phrase has puzzled us and from it have and falsity, will it again be a thousand years be- been developed most diverse and complicated and fore the Good News of God's love finds its way materialistic notions. But evidently in Christ's into men's hearts once more and the first convert mind the idea was as simple as sunlight. Wher- is won to Christ? ever God rules over the human heart as king, No! It will not be even a thousand days for there is the Kingdom of God established.
when "the enemy comes in like a flood," the Spirit This was something new which Christ brought of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. -a gift from Heaven. With Him came the glori- But we must realize, with a deep and terrible ous opportunity of being under the direct and realization, that we on the mission field today genuine rule of God. Christ spent His time pro- need two things, and only two. We need God's claiming this good news of the possible realization guidance and we need His power. It will be only .of the Kingdom. He sent out His disciples two by to the degree that the Madras Conference sensi- two to carry the message further. He left us to tizes us so that we can hear and obey the Divine finish the task through the centuries, and finished voice, and opens. the windows of Heaven so that it will be, for "this good news of the Kingdom God can pour out a blessing,only to that extent shall be preached in all the world for a witness [393 ]
to all the nations." Here is a simple message: a seed which will grow in men's hearts. Indeed "The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at that seed grows. up to be Christ Himself abiding hand. Repent, and believe the Good News." in us. It is thus that God rules.
Christ emphasized three things about this King- Good news of that sort is not much of a seed, dom. In the first place it is open to all men. The philosophically and scientifically. Christ explained entrance requirements are simple. "Repent ye"~ carefully that it is "less than the least of all seeds" leave your old life; "and believe the good news" which are sown so assiduously in men's hearts. -accept as genuine and true this announcement It takes no extraordinary insight to see the truth that men can actually come under God's personal of that. Any monist has us beaten philosophically control. The offer is for every man to the ends before the debate begins. Any second-rate idol of the inhabited earth. It is an ecumenical thing. temple can surpass our most ehtborate rituals, and emotionally, ~_mpared with communism, and In the second place, this wonderful opportunity, fascism, and emperor worship, we are most prethis door to an eternal destiny linked to God cisely the least of all seeds. We feel a great urge himself, is to be found only in Christ. Even the to assert that the Gospel is really good seed, and God-given Jewish religion could not provide it. we spend much time measuring its philosophical Salvation to a few, that religion certainly did and scientific dimensions and convincing ourselves bring, but apparently not to many. This Kingdom of its impressive character. However, the Gospel of God that He preached was a new thing. Christ seed is really most unimpressive, as Christ told brought it, and its lowliest member stands above us long ago. Its virtue is in its vitality and in the highest of the prophets. The implications of the astonishing result that it can produce when this are tremendous. Even with the light of the sown in men's hearts. Epistles and of the Acts, we can grasp only a few of them. Christ, however, shows us the simplicity As God looks down on a faithless and perverse and unity of the wisdom of God. One thinks of generation, perhaps few things seem so incon- Fujiyama, as he meditates on it. gruous as the audacity of men who produce a showy and resplendent philosophy out of Christ's The third characteristic, in its way as remark- teaching, but lack faith to believe that God who able as the others, is that this Kingdom is to be spread merely by proclaiming the Good News of has embodied Himself in it, can by its means over- God's gift. The Kingdom of God is like sowing a come the idols of our time. We must pit the very seed. There is food for deep meditation in that power of God Himself against the terrifying teaching. It is a message much needed in these forc·es of evil which have become so strong. There days when the missionary finds himself confused is one way to do that, and only one, in season and and perplexed. Whatever else is true of our work, out of season, and that is to sow the Good News it must always be the proclamation of the Good of the Kingdom in the hearts of men. News of the Kingdom of God. That good news is CHRISTIAN MISSIONS-BANE OR BLESSING?
Why should we make sacrifices to support foreign missions? One great reason is because of the results of this work. Had there been no Christian foreign missionaries, then Cyprus, Ephesus, Philippi, and Berea would never have heard the Gospel of Christ. Except for mis- sions the message of Life which He came to bring would not have reached Rome, and from Rome could not have spread into Spain and Gaul. Without missionaries, Great Britain and America would not have heard the message of Christ; India, China and other lands would have no Christians and no Christian enterprises. Had there been no missionaries, there would be no Christian Church today. Most, if not all, of the humanitarian and philanthropic organ- izations that now minister to mankind would never have been established. Hospitals, homes for the aged, orphanages, colleges and public schools all have had their first inspiration in the ideals of life and service taught in the New Testament. History shows clearly that these un- selfish ministries of love did not exist prior to the coming of Christ and apart from the spread of Christianity. They are due to the revelation of God and His ideals for man as revealed through Jesus Christ and as they have been imparted to His followers.
'BY THE LIPU LEKH PASS INTO TIBET-ALTITUDE 16,750
With Tibetans at the Crossroads By REV. E. B. STEINER, Dharchula, United Provinces, India Missionary of the Tibetan Border Mission TIBET-called the "Roof of the World"-is and consist of peas, barley and some type of grain the loftiest country on the face of the globe. which. can be ground and made into very coarse The line of vegetation lies at 13,000 feet alti- bread, which the ordinary European stomach is tude. Tibet has successfully kept herself aloof not able to digest.
from the outside world for centuries, and because Tibetan traders are more numerou.s than farmof this has had a tendency to draw the country ers, especially in the south. They are made up of into seclusion. two classes-Khampas and Dokpas. The former spend summers in Tibet and winters in India. The Tibetan is what he is because of four fac- Leaving Tibet in October, they cross the Himators-altitude, lack of vegetation, seclusion and layas for their trading in the foothill cities of religion. His characteristics are the product of India. After bartering they return in March, these factors, particularly in that region over entering Tibet over Lipu Lekh Pass in June. They against Bhot on the south central border of Tibet.
This country can be conquered, not by war, but speak Hindi and other Hill languages. by the Gospel of Jesus Christ that will change The Dokpas cross by Lipu Lekh Pass into India these backward Tibetans into progressive citizens. only to near-by towns in the Upper Himalayas. Tibetans may be divided into four classes: They speak Tibetan only. These traders export farmers, traders, robbers, lamas. Farmers in wool, salt and borax; they import wheat, rice, Tibet are the least prominent of the four classes. dal, sugar and cloth. They reside in valleys only; their crops are few The Tibetan robbers are called Jokpas in our [395 ]
area. In India they call at our bungal.ow and beg and another 5,500. (We do not vouch for these alms and food. In Tibet they rob us, but not in figures.) India because the British Government would im- Lamaism is a religi.on of works. The word prison them. As liquor dealers in America pay "grace," as understood in the Christian religion, license to the government and are permitted to is not found in Lamaism. The doing of religious .operate drinking establishments, so in Tibet a acts is believed to be the means of entitling a per- robber buys a license to rob whomsoever he son to a place in the Tibetan heaven. Everything pleases. a lama does-whether worship, prayers, reading, In 1930 the Tibetan Government granted Mrs. eating, sleeping or working-is a religious act.
Steiner and the writer a passport to travel 145 The spirit of the mind or the condition of the miles in Tibet. We were accosted by robbers heart has nothing to do with securing merit for twice during our twenty days in the country. the Tibetan heaven. The larger number of acts One Saturday aftern.oon suddenly three Tibetan a lama can do in a given time, the greater his robbers galloping on horseback,with flags floating merit and the Lama can accumulate far greater and guns raised, rushed out from between moun- merit by prayers than in any other way. It makes tains, calling to our Christians who were half a no difference for what he prays or how; the thing mile behind: that counts is that he performs his prayers. Be- "Halt, you are traders; you have money; open cause of this erroneous conception, the lama re- your bags! And over there is a white man and sorts to all sorts. of devices for prayer to assist a white woman; they are traders; they have in the accumulation of merit. Am.ong these de- money; open your bags." vices the most common in our area of Tibet are They continued talking roughly and yelling. prayer-wheels, prayer water-mills, prayer-flags Soon those Tibetan robbers began to talk less and prayer-walls.
roughly and finally they rode away without tak- Every lama possesses a prayer-wheel which he ing anything. holds in his right hand and revolves it as rapidly A month later we received a letter from a wom- as he can. In the wheel is written a prayer and an in Indiana who said she was praying for us. each revolution counts for merit for the owner of That letter was dated JUly 17, 1930, the very day the prayer-wheel. Large lamasaries have made that we were accosted by those Tibetan robbers. huge prayer-wheels called "Sipo Khorlo," inter- preted, "Wheel of Life." We saw one prayer- Ten days later, just as we were breaking camp, wheel seven feet in diameter in the lamasary at a robber party of twelve appeared. One robber Taklakot. On his way out of the lamasary a lama examined Mrs. Steiner's coat sleeve and after- gives the huge prayer-wheel a couple of turns, and wards my water bottle. Seeing his primitive gun I began to examine it in turn. He was pleased S.o it registers prayers to his credit. The lama and looking into my face he smiled. After that he would not rob me. While .our party .of ten does not need to say a word for the prayer-wheel Christians stood with bowed heads in silence in does the praying for him. Inside of this wheel is our morning worship, these ten robbers stood a paper on which is written that meaningless there on the side listening. Mter prayer they prayer, "Om Mani Padme Hum," interpreted in passed on and we went our way. English: "0 Jewel in the Lotus Flower." We do not know why this prayer has been adopted as the The Buddhist Lamas lama's formal prayer, save that the Tibetan be- lieves that Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, The fourth class of Tibetans, and by far the sprang from the lotus flower. About the year most prominent, are the Lamas or Buddhist 400 A. D. a great lama adopted this prayer as a Priests. The home of lamas is called a lamasary model for his followers and it has been used ever and the religion of Tibet is called Lamaism, a since.
form of Buddhism. Many lamas attach dozens of "prayer-flags"
The first-born son of each Tibetan family must to a cord or rope that stretches from one building be surrendered to the lamasary to be trained as to another, or to a tree. These prayer-flags are a lama. As all families are small, the percentage small pieces of cloth six or eight inches long in of lamas is great. A lamasary is a training school strips, on each of which is written this same . as well as a church, and some are in training for meaningless prayer-"Om Mani Padme Hum."
twenty or thirty years. The women lamas are When there is no wind these prayer-flags are silent sometimes called nuns. They are not permitted and therefore produce no merit; but when the to marry. Lamasaries are therefore like medire- wind blows, these flags flutter in the air and pile val monasteries, and sometimes the number of up millions of prayers to the credit of the owner.
inmates runs into the thousands. One lamasary Riding on a pony a hundred miles into Tibetan in Lhasa is said to admit 1,100, another 3,300, territory, we came to numerous "prayer-walls,"
WITH TIBETANS AT THE CROSSROADS
four to eight feet high, made of stone. On each Lekh Pass; our two stations,Dharchula and was inscribed this same prayer. Some of these Sirkha, are located on this highway and all who walls were twenty feet long, some fifty or a hun- travel to the plains of India must pass our way.
dred or two hundred feet. As we traveled, I no- Many call at our bungalow for alms or for med- ticed that my horseman, a Tibetan, owner of the ical aid. Each call brings a contact and makes an pony, always passed on the left side of the walls, opportunity. To many we give a Christian tract never on the right. When we came to another and to some we tell the story of salvation by prayer-wall, I said: "Go on the right side," but Christ. Most of these Tibetan travelers halt near he only smiled. Coming to the next wall, I spoke our Sunday School for four or five days at a time firmly, "Why don't you pass on the right side?" and some draw near to see what it is all about.
He paid no attention. My cook, a Mohammedan They may remain for the hour. Our Tibetan evan- from that area, told me that if this Tibetan passed on the right he would receive no merit but, pass- ing on the left, each stone with that inscription (and there are thousands on a wall 200 feet long, on its four sides and on top), produces. merit to his credit. It is the movement of something that counts, not thoughts. of the heart.
The Dalai Lama, the ruler of Tibet who lives at Lhasa, is the head of this land of seclusion reli- giously and politically. Dalai Lama means "Ocean of Virtue." He is helieved by Tibetans to be an incarnation of Chewasi, the son of the God 0 Pak Me, "the Buddha of Boundless Light." They be- lieve that "0 Pak Me" has been reincarnated again and again; being an incarnation, they think that the Dalai Lama cannot sin. It is likewise believed that each is an incarnation of that same god and therefore does not sin.
Many Tibetans practice polyandry. A woman marries the oldest brother in a family and thus automatically becomes the wife of all the brothers.
Consquently morality among the Tibetans is low, and their conception of home and family life are vague. These concepts of loose marriage rela- tions even creep into the Christian Church. Some twenty years ago two Tibetan brothers became Christians; one was married; the other was a widower. It was claimed some years ago, al- though not proven, that when the married brother was. absent from home for a month or more, his wife lived with the other brother as his wife. A TIBETAN LAMA AND HIS FAMILY About three years ago a Tibetan Christian sought a wife among Bhotiya Christians for his nephew. gelists and Bible women preach in their camps, He had difficulty in persuading members of one and our Tibetan Christians have friends among family to give their consent so he came to us. We some and invite them to their homes. Our work- suggested that he try to secure the daughter of ers also display their Tibetan scriptures and tracts one of our Tibetan Christian widows. But the on a blanket to attract passing Tibetans. We are widow said, "He who marries my daughter, mar- not permitted to preach to the Tibetans inside ries me also." Is there any doubt as to the need Tibet, but on our evangelistic pilgrimage to Mt.
of Tibetans for Christ and His Gospel? Kailash, 60 miles inland, there were ten Christians , We are sometimes asked how we make contacts in the group, four of whom were Tibetans. The with Tibetans in order to win them to Christ. We government cannot prevent us from worshipping are located in Bhot, that triangle in India on the our God as we choose and therefore on Sundays borders of both Tibet and Nepal. Lipu Lekh Pass, in Tibet, we have services and Sunday school for at an altitude of 16,750 feet, is one of the six main ourselves. Tibetans often stand around listening.
outlets of Tibet; the great Tibetan highway of The ruler of Taklakot gave us permission to this part of India passes through Bhot. Hundreds visit the lamasary in his city and there we found of Tibetans annually travel out and in over Lipu 300 lamas, men and women, boys and girls-aged electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
6 to 60. In one room we heard a Christian hymn. A family of ten pure Tibetans, devil worshipers, Upon inquiry, we learned that the lama had heard left their home, sear.ching for the true God. One us sing that song last year in India. I recalled of the number, our Tibetan cook, tells the followthat the year before, I had sung this hymn at ing story: "My grandfather was a priest of the every camp along the Tibetan highway as I was devil. Often have I seen him beat his body with returning from Naini Tal. The wonder was that heavy cords until it bled. Three times did the this Tibetan, hearing this hymn but once, was devil demand everything we possessed. After the able to remember both the words and melody. third time, we began to think that there must be Leading lamas followed us, pleading that we sing, a God somewhere who would not make unreasonand there, beside the huge wall of that lamasary able demands. Ten of us left in search for this in that land where we were forbidden to preach, true God. We wandered around Tibet. Then an four of us sang a Christian hymn. These lamas epidemic overtook us, killing six of our number, then begged for tracts. They sent two messengers including both-iny parents. My grandparents, my to our tent and we gave them forty-eight tracts. aunt and I only were left. iWe continued our search and passed through vast areas. Our food A year later I toured along the Indian side of was gone and we could get none. We came to the the Tibetan border. From Kuti, the last town, I Holy Region, Mt. Kailas, the Lakes and Taklakot, ascended a mountain up ·to 16,000 feet, coming to but we did not find the true God in this so-called a large open plain where we camped. Here an- 'Holy Region.' Then we came over Lipu Pass nually Bhotiyas and Tibetan traders meet for bar- and down into this Kali River Valley to Sirkha. tering. Among other Tibetans, were ten wealthy The Bhotiyas told us not to go near the Mission traders with 7,000 sheep, who came across the Compound or we would be made Christians. We border from their Tibetan town some twenty days' did not know what kind of wkked people Chrisjourney distant. Before we could pitch our tent, tians are, but they visited our camp and invited us these Tibetans crowded about, gazing at me, for to come to the mission. They did not look like they had never before looked upon a white face. bad people, so we thought we would go and live A peculiar feeling comes over one to think that in the Mission Compound, but would not go to one's white face is the first such face another hu- their meetings. Then we heard singing which man being has seen. sounded good and we thought that this might be the place to find the true God. We sat outside to We were hungry and tired, for we had made listen and later we went in and sat in the rear. this ascent of 4,000 feet and had had nothing to Then we found the true God we had been seeking eat since seven in the morning. Our helpers con- and we forsook Buddha for Christ." The grandcluded that this was the time to conduct a service parents have passed on, but our Tibetan cook has for these Tibetans, and each in turn gave a mes- entered deeply into the Christian life and is now sage-including my Tibetan cook, a boy of seven- one of our strongest Christians. teen. The Tibetans listened eagerly and then bought every Gospel and tract we had. They A Tibetan lama student in one of the leading wished to buy also my Tibetan hymn book and lamasaries in Lhasa for twenty years left the offered me twice its value. We forgot our hunger, lamasary because he felt that he was not sinless. but I never before saw such hunger for scriptures He married and wandered around for three years and tracts. with his wife, who contracted tuberculosis. To- gether they came over Lipu Lekh Pass into our We have been told that in certain areas, pure valley as far as Sirkha, and there his wife died. Tibetans cannot be won for Christ, as their hearts Our Tibetan evangelist, Chirring, befriended this are impregnable to the Gospel. We have not lama, Lobsang, and invited him to our Mission found it so. A Tibetan widow with two little sons Compound. Lobsang was impressed and finally came begging alms of Dr. Sheldon thirty-three renounced lamaism in April, 1929. He is now years. ago. She was told the story of Christ and conducting a Tibetan school and preaches the was asked to give up her beggar life, but she Gospel. In 1937 Lobsang and his family made an would not. The next year she came again and evangelistic tour into Tibet and brought back a yielded herself to Christ. She remained true to pure Tibetan, who came from a town eight days' her Lord for thirty years, first as matron and journey north of Lhasa. This man was baptized later as Bible woman, until she went two years on January 16th. Lobsang is now trying to win ago to be with her Saviour. Dr. Sheldon died in another Tibetan, who came a couple of months 1912', but Bunden continued as Bible woman all ago from the interior of Tibet.· Was it worth these years. One of her little sons is now a Tib- while befriending Lobsang? etan evangelist and the other a Christian tailor.
Modern Challenge to
By the REV. WILLIAM PATON, London Secretary of the International Missionary Council W HERE does the Christian missionary a world there may be religion, but religion will enterprise stand in this world of national- have become like other things just one among the ism, racialism, economic struggle, and other parts of life, ruled by its own law, an interauthoritarian states? It is not enough to show est among the many interests of man. I know no that mission hospitals do much good and that more terrible example of the secular spirit than Christian schools in the East and in Africa are the acceptance by religion of a specialized place lifting the burden of illiteracy from thousands. among the affairs of men. When religion, and In our typical modern struggles. is the missionary above all the Christian religion, abandons its enterprise relevant? claim to shed light and guidance upon the whole What is the characteristic modern issue? Let life of man and becomes one professionalized in- us go back a little in our own history. There was terest among a mass of others, we have the once something called Christendom. The word supreme secularism.
covered the idea ofa region of the world in which This was our state until these last years; but there was a civilization dominated by a single we are not facing that sort of world now. The great view of the world. In that medireval Europe, disintegration of human culture and the fading there was a common faith, a single Church, a gen- away of the central and life-giving belief in God erally accepted philosophy, and a recognition of was not an affair only of the scholar; there set in the unity of life, in such wise that, whether or not a deep disintegration of society. The World War men kept the Christian moral law, it did not occur hastened the process. One can speak only with to them to suggest that, for instance, the world of great sympathy of the situation that faced Ger- economic life lay outside the boundaries of moral many, for instance, in these post-war years. To and spiritual rule. In that sense the whole of life see their country losing all its coherence and dig- was integrated around the truths of Christianity. nity may well Ikive men to desperate remedies.
We know how that world broke up; I am no And in many lands today, as we know so well,.
medirevalist and I am not suggesting that we there has come into view the new type of integra- regret that vanished world. There came the Ren- tion, or more truly the new type of religion. No aissance of learning and the Ref.ormation; nations longer do we face a negative kind of secularist arose in Europe and separate churches came into temper; we face the bold attempt to regiment the being. Natural science was reborn and as the life of man around the primacy of the nation, or years passed science was harnessed to production of blood, or of class, or of the State. This is what and industry and we had the industrial revolution. is meant by that ungainly word the "totalitarian"
Life became far more complicated as well as much State. It is more than merely nationalism or class- richer. But one great consequence followed. The loyalty. It is the claim that devotion to this cen- world of men-our Western world at least–':'no tral standard-race or blood, community or state, longer was integrated round the Christian view or class-has absolute worth, and that in obedi- of life. The life of European man became divided; ence and surrender to it man finds his whole the world of economics was believed to have its meaning.
own law and to be separated from that of ethics; In modern Germany we have a classical instance what was true there became true of all the parts of the struggle which such a mode of life must of life, and the characteristic of our Western entail upon the Christian Church. The Church in world was that it had no common governing idea that and in every land has two essential features and was not ruled by any universally accepted which make it the enemy of the totalitarian state.
view. Each part of life became a law to itself. They are, first, that every local or national Church This is what I understand by secularism; the is not only local or national but also a part of the loosening 'of the parts. of life from their proper universal Christian fellowship. It is therefore a uniting centre in the will of God, so that not only constant reminder of a fellowship and loyalty is there no God acknowledged but there is no wider than that of the nation. But the other rea- other dominating idea to take His place. In such son goes. deeper. It is the fact that in the last r 399]
analysis the Church is' not a human society only- work, only more rapidly than in the West. Among not a sort of club that we have formed to carry educated Hindus today one finds everywhere a out purposes of our own, but is a society divine lack of belief and a communal loyalty that has as well as human. It is human and therefore nothing at all to do with true religion. In such a stained with the sins of humanity; but its origins country as Egypt you will find Moslems of educa- lie in the Divine love and it is still the Body of tion and earnestness, but for many of them, real Christ in which His Spirit dwells. So that in the faith has gone and what is left is a keenly national last resort the Church of Christ can only obey consciousness cloaking itself in religious dress.
God first and can never assent to any other pri- In such countries it is inevitable that the same mary loyalty. sort of process should be followed as we have If we look at the world of our Western life, we traced in our Western world. A force of integra- see a society that once was Christian and now is tion there must be; life must have a common pagan, with Christian forces and groups at work energizing centre. Thus we find the old cry of within it; that the emptiness' of a purposeless Pan-Islam wholly discredited in the Mohammedan society is being for myriads today filled by the countries, and nationalism or, as in Turkey, a keen worship of new gods; that these gods are in fact racial loyalty taking its place. In India you see only Man himself, worshipped in some group such a portent as the opening and consecration of manifestation; and that as against all this there a temple in which there is no object of worship is today only one force, small and weak as it may except a great marble relief map of India- seem, that is inescapably committed to a wholly Mother India, into which the spirit of the god is different view. That force is the love of God in called as in other idols of Hinduism.
Christ with the transformation of life and the In Japan and her empire we see most plainly total view of the world ·and the active fellowship the rise of the new nation-state worship. It is an that accompany it. The Church with all its weak- ancient thing there, for the doctrine of the divine nesses is still the fellowship in which men cannot Emperor, his descent from the Sun-Goddess, and be thought of as submerged in racial or commu- the divine quality of the Japanes.e nation go back nity groups, or as mere automata in the interplay to the dawn of Japanese history. Yet is it not of economic forces, because men 'are known as certain that a country like Japan, in which there those whom God made for Himself and for whom is an almost unparalleled concentration of wealth Jesus Christ was content to die. in a few hands, must be exposed almost more than But this attempt to analyze our modern prob- others to the social strains that aooompany such lem has referred only to what used to be called an economic organization? It can hardly be a Christendom. What of the rest of the world? mere coincidence that in this modern world, sub- Do we realize to what a vast extent this same ject universally to the influences I have tried to process of disintegration and this same drift away sketch, there should be felt in Japan the need to from the religious centre of life have appeared in strengthen the claim of the nation-state and to the East also, and in Africa? In Africa the mat- use the old doctrine for this purpose.
ter is perhaps. plainer than in any other place. So it is that in Japan itself, and far more reso- One does not need to have lived in Africa to com- lutely and indeed ferociously in Korea, Formosa prehend something of what it means that, for and in the nominally independent but actually instance, tribesmen come great distances to labor puppet state of Manchukuo, we find the rites of in the copper mines, there to exchange the life of emperor worship, or a rite akin to it, pressed upon the tribe, in which the individual hardly exists the schools and the colleges. It is explained that and the tribal group is everything, for the life of the rites are not religious, but merely patriotic.
a modern industrialized settlement where a man This is not the place to argue this matter in detail, is forced to become an individual. But consider but I feel that when this claim is made it is meant the countries with the ancient religious cultures. really that the rites defined as patriotic, are more Hinduism has never been a religion only in the important than religion. It is the determination sense that it offered a religious consolation and of those who rule events in that empire to lay guidance to the individual; it has been a social down as the foundation of life the absolute accept- system and upon its precepts and governing ideas ance of the State. When you have that, then you a whole society rested. The word "caste" will may have your private religion – your sectarian suggest all that is. bound up in this statement. Or Shinto or your Buddhism or your Christianity.
again Islam has never been a reJi.gion in the nar- But that absoluteness of claim and of range which row sense; it has claimed to provide an under- we associate with religions is reserved for the standing of the whole of life. It has indeed been patriotic claim symbolized by the patriotic rite.
a boast of Moslem scholars. that Islam offered a It is therefore no matter for surprise that the synthesis of sacred and secular. But today we see Christian Church in these lands should be suspect.
exactly the same process of disintegration at I would only say here–for there are many things
THE MODERN CHALLENGE TO CHRISTIANITY
it is not expedient t.o say-that my own touch in .of economic forces, or a pawn in national policy, recent months with them left me with a clearer or that He is. in fact these and these alone. The and a more poignant sense of the meaning of the Christian faith, in basing man's dignity on God's Church in the modern world than I have ever had. love, offers the only ground on which that dignity and freedom can be maintained. Can we now gather up something of what this rough and most imperfect sketch suggests? Sec.ond, the Christian Church offers in the Christian fellowship something that transcends It is the inescapable and eternal paradox of the barriers of nations, race, and class. Where man's life that he cannot find peace within him- it fails to do this it is plainly false to itself; where self but only as. he returns to God. When he de~ it does this it is plainly true to itself and its parts from God-and even from the gods of the Founder. .old faiths of the East-he finds that the disorder of his life demands a commanding centre, and he Third, and here we touch the centre of the makes a god out of some part of his human endow- Christian struggle in our modern world, the ment-race and blood, or class, or nati.on. But Christian Church is a society not only human but that god not only leads him to war and strife and also divine, owing allegiance to God and pointing internecine feud, it demands also the total sub- beyond all human associations and loyalties, merging of the individual in the grQUp .or mass claims and obligations, t.o the unshared majesty or totality. of God and the absoluteness of His will, the pri- macy of His kingdom. The Christian asserts three things in opposition to this modern idolatry: First, we declare that In this struggle there is no East and West. It man is created by God, in His spiritual image, tQ is the peculiar significance of the Christian misdo His will in loving obedience, and that in the sionary movement that it symbolizes the univerpassion and death of Jesus Christ there is ex- sality of the Christian Church and provides the hibited the value that God set upon man. It is means whereby the older church can aid and not possible for Christians to agree that any .one, strengthen the younger in facing what is essenfor whom the Lord Jesus Christ was CQntent to tially and .universally a common task. die, should be a mere racial unit, or a plaything TRENDS IN MODERN MISSION WORK By THE REV. CORNELIUS H. PATTON, D.D.
Formerly Secretary of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
1. Transfer of leadership and ownership to the national Christians of each land at the earliest possible moment.
2. Recognition more fully .of the responsibility of governments and to cooperate with them in so far as fundamental Christian principles allow.
3. Efforts to encourage and conserve the values of indigenous religion and culture wher- ever found, seeking always to domesticate Christian ideals and institutions in the environment and tradition of each land.
4. Purpose to maintain, as may be necessary, the distinction between Christianity and so- called Christian civilization.
5. Interpretation of the Christian message in such a way as to make it applicable to the total life of a people.
6. Desire to make evangelism complete byemphasizing the Christ-spirit as the saving ele- ment in all processes of social improvement.
7. Stressing the improvement of rural communities as the special need of the hour.
8. Endeavors to offer motive and guidance in the effort to save the people of the East from the mistakes of the industrial order of the West.
9. Work for the consolidation of the Christian forces throughout the world.
10. In the selection and training of missionary personnel, insistence upon the highest de- gree of efficiency attainable. .
11. Preaching the eternal Gospel by word and in terms that men and women of this age will understand.
12. Attempts to find in the leadership and saving power of Christ the only hope of a dis- tressed and bewildered yet spiritually hungry world.
Sunday Schools Over the World*
By REV. ROBERT M. HOPKINS, D.D., New York Secretary of the World's Sunday School Association A S WE look over the world today it is increas- Word to the people than the Sunday School. Even .l'. ingly difficult to decide which nations may in the lands ""here antagonism to the Bible prebe called Christian and which are non- vails, Sunday School pupils grow up to have a Christian. Some lands that have had within their very keen appreciation of the Book. An illustra- borders a preponderance of people affiliated with tion will be helpful. In spite of the fact that the Christian Church are today following pro- Puerto Rico has the largest Sunday School enrol- cedures that are decidedly not Christian. Other ment of any Spanish-speaking area in the world, lands that have been known as, "heathen" are there is a distressing lack of copies of Spanish today conspicuous. for their forbearance and other Bibles throughout the Island. A little girl, whose Christian virtues under the most difficult circum- parents are affiliated with the Roman Church, stances. somehow found her way into an evangelical In lands that have been known as "heathen" Sunday School, and with the consent of her par- and where the Christian Church is young, and ents she became a regular attendant. As her the vast majority of the people have not as yet birthday approached, her father and mother pre- openly identified themselves with Christ, the Sun- pared a party, with invited guests and special day School 'is a great factor in the spread of the refreshments. When asked what present she de- Gospel and in Christian training. It is chal- sired most of all she said, "I want a copy of the lenging at the outset to learn that in Africa, Latin Bible." This request grew out of her attendance America and Asia the Sunday School is making at the Sunday School. Her parents discovered its greatest numerical advance today. In Africa to their amazement that they were unable to buy during the past fou.r years the Sunday School has a copy of the Bible in any of the regular book made more than half the net total gain of the stores, but she was not satisfied until a copy was entire world; South America came second. What procured. Thus the Word of God found an hon- are some of the reasons for such progress? ored place in an influential home that had hitherto First, the principal constituency of the Sunday not possessed a copy.
School is the children. Young people and adults Various kinds of related Christian literature mayor may not be enrolled in mission lands, ac- have also grown up with the Sunday School move- cording to whether the standards that prevail ment. Ofttimes in mission lands Lesson Helps have come from America or Great Britain. But were at first mimeographed copies of the patient everywhere the Sunday School serves the chil- work of some missionary. Frequently the surplus.
dren. Thus its contrihution is made in the plastic materials are sent from Sunday Schools in more period of life. A single illustration will suffice. favored lands. These are greatly in demand, par- In a Sunday School rally in Aleppo, Syria, chil- ticularly the colored picture charts and picture dren came from a wide variety of home back- cards. In the village of India, the forests. of Af- ground. When asked if any child wished to send rica, the crowded lands of Korea, especially in a message to the Sunday School children of the lands like the Philippines where English is known, world, a little lad arose and said in Arabic that such used materials are never sufficient to meet he wished to send the message : "We ought to love the demands. The street Sunday Schools in Egypt one another." This boy had been raised in a and Wayside Sunday Schools in other lands are Yezidee home where the basic doctrine is one of made possible by grouping the children for the hate, rather than love. He had learned the mes- first time about the picture rolls, and by giving sage of love in the Sunday School. out Httle picture cards.
A second reason is that the Sunday School is A recent report from China indicates that the concerned with the study of the Bible. Many National Committee for Christian Religious Edu- agencies are uniting to spread the Christian cation has published ever since the outbreak of Scriptures around the world, but none make their hostilities, a special Sunday School paper giving task more directly related to the teaching of God's simple teaching material for use in refugee camps.
• See Frontispiece. One copy of this publication has a picture of the r 402] soldier camp in the background, while a little National Committee for Christian Religious Education in China Chinese lad gives thanks for the bowl of rice of which he is about to partake. Thus,even in times Congo Protestant Council (Sunday School Committee for of war and distress, the children are taught to the Belgian Congo) thank God for the temporal blessings of life. Sunday School ASEOciation in Czechoslovakia Egypt and Sudan Sunday School Union Latin America has oeen one of the leaders in Esthonian Sunday School Union the development of indigenous Sunday School lit- India Sunday School Union erature. A graded series of lessons has been pre- National Sunday School Association of Japan pared, most of it written by Latin American au- Sunday School Association of Jugoslavia thors and largely published on presses in Mexico, Korea Sunday School Association Latvian Sunday School Union Puerto Rico, Argentina, Chile and other Latin Madagascar Sunday School Union fields. Brazil has also developed its Portuguese Concilio Nacional De Iglesias Evangelical (Mexico) literature, the demand for which has exceeded Bible Lands Union for Christian Education (Palestine, the Sunday School enrolment, since many outsiders are eager to have the lessons. Syria and Transjordania) Alianza Evangelica De Peru Philippine Committee of Christian Education The Sunday School has been greatly blessed as Sunday School Association of Poland a means for securing cooperation among the vari- Comrr.ittee on Christian Education of the Association of Evangelical Churches of Puerto Rico ous denominational churches. The World's Sun- National Christian Council of Siam day School Association is a federation of fiftyone national (or in a few instances international) We have not called the roll of the cooperating organizations each of which represents the organizations in lands where the work of the churches within a given area that desire to coop- churches has been long established. To include erate in Christian education. No ecumenical or- them would bring the number up to fifty-one con- stituent units of the World's Sunday ganization is more widely representative. In many School Association.
lands cooperation began in a An especially gratifying outreach of the Sunday School union. Sunday School movement has recently A recent visit to Cuba re- been witnessed in lands where the East- vealed the way this move- ern Orthodox churches have predominated.
ment is going forward. There Early approaches of West- is no organization there that ern missionaries were often brings Christian churches to- resented as proselytizing. In gether to consider their com- recent years the organization mon task. A conference held within the Orthodox church- in Havana upon the invita- es has opened new doors.
tion of the World's Sunday One of the first approaches School Association, resulted of the Sunday School was in a representative attend- SUNDAY SCHOOL BOYS IN INDIA made to the ancient Church ance from the seven evangel- of Armenia in the Near East.
ical churches. There was an outspoken desire to A loyal son of the Apostolic church, Levon Zenian, have some agency created that would enable them eager to serve his people, was introduced to the to work together in the task of Christian edu- Armenian prelates in 1929 and with their cordial cation. approval began the organization of Sunday The Sunday School has been thus at the very Schools. His work has been inspiring and has heart of cooperation in the Christian enterprise made· possible many new bonds of fellowship.
in many lands for half a century. It seems easier Within the Greek Orthodox Church the Zoe move- for Christian forces to unite for the Christian ment, stimulated in part by what was occurring education of their children and youth than in any in other Eastern churches, has resulted in the other Christian activity. This has been especially true in mission lands. Note this inspiring list of organization of many Sunday Schools in that organizations charged with responsibility for co- ancient body. Following the historic example of operation in the work of Christian education: Robert Raikes in Gloucester, England, the Greek Orthodox Sunday Schools were first limited to Council of Religious Education in North Africa (Algeria) boys, but recently they have included girls. The EI Comite De Cooperacion De Las Republicas De La Plata leaders of the Zoe movement are in cordial fellow- (Argentina-Paraguay-Uruguay) Conselho Evangelico De Educacion Religiosa De Brasil ship with Sunday School leaders of other churches Burma Sunday School Union and attended the last World's Sunday School Con- Ceylon Sunday School Union vention in Oslo, with the sanction of the Holy Comision De Educacion Religiosa Del Comite Consultor Synod. If a banner had been awarded at the Oslo De Cooperacion de Chile electronic file created by cafis. org
Convention to the city which reported the largest movement for religious education has been wiped proportionate gain in its Sunday School enrolment out. Also the totalitarian states in many parts of during the previous four years, that banner would Europe are now drastically retarding the growth have gone to Athens. . of the Sunday School. In America the growing Another very vital contribution to Christian spirit of secularism has likewise slowed down the progress in mission lands has been through the rate of previous progress, while in Great Britain, pioneering of World Sunday School Conventions. where the modern Sunday School had its origin, Twelve of these world .gatherings have been held losses rather than gains· are recorded. It is rein the past fifty years and each was widely repre- markable that, in the face of such adverse condisentative of the Sunday Schools in many nations. tions, there has been gain at all around the world. Three World Conventions have been pioneers in their respective lands-Jerusalem in 1904 in the This has been due to the so-called non-Christian Near East, Tokyo in 1920 in the Far East, and lands. In ~_me Latin American countries the Rio de Janeiro in 1932 in Latin America. These Sunday School enrolment has doubled within four representative gatherings of Christian leaders years. This movement is thus proving to be the from around the world have made great contributions to the lands visited. For the fourth time the medium whereby there is achieved a continued net gain of the total movement in behalf of Chris- tian education around the world today. .
Movement is proposing to pioneer with the first representative world gathering of Christian lead- ALL HAIL TO THE WOMEN! ers on the continent of Africa. The next World's The Central Committee on the United Study of Sunday School Convention is announced for Durban, South Africa, July 22 to 28, 1940. Thus one Foreign Missions This remarkable organization of women for the promotion of the study of foreign missions and the publication of missionary literature was or- ganized at the time of the Ecumenical Conference in New York in 1900. Now, after thirty-eight years of very effective service, it has closed its work of pUblication (July 1) and has turned it over to the Missionary Education Movement, with which the Central Committee has been cooperat- ing. Miss Abbie B. Child was the first chairman of the Committee. Mrs. Peabody, one of the or- ganizers, was the efficient chairman of this Com- mittee for thirty years. Miss M. H. Leavis has been the agent for the literature and is largely re- A SUNDAY SCHOOL IN LAPAZ, BOLIVIA sponsible for its successful business operation.
century after Livingstone left Scotland to make Other women leaders who have been very active his first momentous journey to the then almost include-Mrs. John T. Gracey, Miss Margaret unknown Dark Continent, a pilgrimage is planned Hodge, Mrs. Helen B. Montgomery, Mrs. Fredin which thousands of Christian workers from erick G. Platt and Miss Gertrude Schultz (the many lands will trek to Africa, now the continent most recent chairman). The Committee has pubwith the largest actual gain in Sunday School lished forty-eight senior textbooks, besides hymadvance of them all. nals, junior and kindergarten books and a chil- dren's magazine Everyland. The total number of We must not overlook the contribution which Committee books sold number 3,770,947 copies. the spread of the movement in mission lands is Three of the textbooks have been translated into making to the Christian cause ata time when in one or more of the following languages: Chinese, so many parts of the world Christianity seems to Japanese, Tamil, Urdu and German. The books be retrograding. The report for the last Conven- published by this Committee form a remarkable tion, held in Oslo in 1936 (gathered by World missionary library, covering practically the whole Dominion Movement at the request of the World's world, viewed as a Christian mission field.
Sunday School Association), was in many ways the most comprehensive review of Sunday School In one New York public school a recent religious census progress ever compiled. It showed a total Sun- showed that out of 457 "Protestant" pupils only 33 had day School enrolment for the world of 37,285,519. religious instruction in any church school. The New York This is a net gain of 894,579 over the report for Federation of Churches estimates that only one-half of the previous quadrennium. At the same time it the children of the city are receiving any religious train-. should be remembered that in Russia the entire ing under church auspices-Protestant, Roman Catholic or Jewish.
Practical Value of Missions to Pastors*
By PROF. ARCHIBALD G. ADAMS t Chair of World Religions and Missions, Temple University Philadelphia .nA.S A MISSIONARY for twelve years, bO'rn with preachers who are mostly underpaid, as they and bred and almost buried in the mission- see money gQing for unseen, unappreciated needs ary tradition and purpose, I am vitally interested in interesting young ministers in mis- elsewhere while their O'wn needs are sO' painfully sions, even more than I am in securing new re- present and felt. As prQtagonists. O'f the missioncruits for WQrld service. It is a difficult task, and ary cause, they are defenceless against the critifor several reasons. First there is the depressiO'n cisms O'f their people whO' seek every excuse to which has driven many churches tQrO'b Paul, the escape gIvmg. Thus they endanger their popmissionary, to pay Peter, the preacher. An Epis- ularity by supporting missions. copal Bishop was visiting the rector in one O'f the parishes of his diQcese, and as he left his auto- Moved by these conditions and cO'nsiderations it has been my purpose to' be as practical as posmobile he carefully lO'cked it. The rector ex- sible in ,presenting the .subject to my classes in claimed, "You don't need to' lock your car arO'und Temple University. I recall the resentment I felt here, Bishop, we're all honest." "I'm not sO' sure in college on being compelled to take courses that of that," replied the Bishop, "hasn't your church seemed of nO' possible use to me in my life work, been taking the missionary money for current ex- and the joy I experienced in the theological sempenses?" inary because all my studies were more or less geared into my preparation for service. There- SecO'nd, the effects of the Laymen's inquiry re- fQre it has been my intention to present the subport, "Rethinking Missions." Its unfortunate ject of missiQns in the most practical way in order publicity played up the failures of missionary work and soft-pedalled the successes. to' meet the O'bjectiO'ns to' missions and to' meet the need of ,pastors for information and training in Third, the keen competition in the ministry, missionary sermQn preparation. compelling young seminary students to bend every effort to prepare themselves for the demands of The Need for Information About Missions the pastorate, leaves, little time for so unrelated an interest as world missions. From my experience in teaching missions to As a pastor fO'r eleven years, I can sympathize high school students I did not expect to find much with the difficulties pastQrs experience in interesting their people in a subject on which the pas- knowledge of the subject on the part of seminary tors themselves are very slightly informed, and often greatly misinformed. There is hardly a students, but I was not prepared to find so little. subject on which the O'rdinary pastO'r feels it his None had ever heard of Adoniram Judson and duty to preach, or is compelled by his church rules to preach, which he finds SO' hard, dry and lifeless O'nly a few had heard of David Livingstone! At as the missiQnary sermQn. This attitude is naturally reflected in the sermon, and his people come least there would be novelty in the subject for the to' share his attitude. Then, too, in these days, O'f reduced income, one cannQt help sympathizing students, and their surprised delight at finding the subject so interesting was most encouraging.
Their need for information has been met in my classes in the following ways: (1) The history of missions has been made in- teresting by likening it to' a Prayer Rosary. This is an appropriate figure because most religions • CQndensed frQm a paper read at a HartfQrd Seminary CQnfer- use rosaries and the Prayer Rosary is a way by ence Qf ProfessQrs Qf MisslQns, 1938. which Christians have been helping to answer t the'Ir prayer: "Thy KI' ngdom, Corne."The lI'nks TahnQdugfhorI mhaanvye tyaeuagrhs t haadvuelttaBuigbhlet cmlaissssieQsnsmOinore ytQhuanng hpaeIQt pmle'ys f the ChaI'n h ave b een supplI' ed'In the connectI' ng life, 0 summer assemblies, I dQ nOot pretend tOo be a specialist In the field facts of each periQd Qf histQry; each student has Qf teaching. I Qwe my apPQintment tOo the Chair of WOorld RellgiQns and MissiQns at Temple University tOo the fact that I have spent a supplied a pearl in the chain, each pearl being the quarter of a century Qn the fQreign mission field, half as a bQY receiving vivid impressiOons Oof Qld China, and later as a missiOonary critical and atpapkreenciaf trQivme recponosret couft. Itvhee lip. feerloofdssomI.ne fQr 12 years tOo Western China, the rapidly changing China Oof tQday. mi"SSIQnary I attacked my new task at Temple University in the same way in Church history. These reports were read in class which I apprQach this subject, nQt as a specialist in educatiQn, careful tOo Qbserve the laws Oof pedagQgy, but as a missiQnary first, f::dt';~ N~ini~~k ~~~~~:~t!~.~~~ g~sl.eleven years have been spent [405 ]
at their chronological place in history. Each source of great satisfaction. One actually bought report of from 2,500 to 3,000 words covered the for his own library everyone of the eight mis- following points: a brief outline of the mission- sionary books assigned for his reading, after he ary's life; the influences which led him to enlist had read the library copies.. Of Morrow's life and his preparations for service; a description of Judson, entitled "Splendor of God," another of the most worth-while accomplishment of the student wrote in his review, "Thank you for put- missionary ; criticism of the least praiseworthy ting this on the required reading list. It is abso- missionary methods and attitudes; the suitability lutely the most -inspiring and gripping book I ever of his message in the light of present-day stand- read." Another said that missionary biographies ards; lastly, a portrayal of the most inspiring and "had so stimulated his thirst for more" that he impressive characteristics of the missionary. was reading biographies which had not been as- As far as possible each student chose the mis- signed, duri~_ his vacation, for pleasurable in- sionary he preferred; only a few had to take sec- spiration. .Another outstanding senior enthused ond choices. At each of our two-hour sessions over Brockman's "I Discover the Orient," saying throughout the semester a paper was read, taking that it had opened a window to better understand- about half an hour. In spite of a limited mission- ing and appreciation of the Chinese. A serious- ary library, by the end of the semester the stu- minded student wrote: "The life of Adoniram dents had come to know about sixty home and Judson by his son, Edward Judson, challenged me foreign missionaries, half of them thoroughly. with the question, would I be willing to serve They were assigned readings in other missionary Christ at such sacrifice? I thank God for having biographies, besides their individual assignments. read this book, and hope that if such a command (2) The students' need for information was comes I will be found in His will and not my own."
also met by the study of some fourteen mission- Yet another student laughingly declared that he ary magazines. They had to appraise these mag- always left his mission assignments to the last, azines, and classify, giving their reasons. Then because his weariness of mind and flesh from as- they described an ideal magazine that they be- signments in other courses would always be dis- lieved would meet all needs. In this way they in- pelled by the inspiration in his miss,ionary read- directly gleaned much information and learned ing. He would retire refreshed in body, mind and where more could be secured. The examination soul ~rom the stirring information he had secured.
called for a letter to the editor of each student's After making due allowance for a desire to get denominational periodical, making criticisms and a good grade, the character of students making suggestions. such testimonies, convince me that missions, if (3) Information was also imparted through given half a chance, can be made most interesting the eye-gate, both by the professor's own stereop- and inspiring. But the subject must find good ticon slides and, in one course, by the missionary soil in which to bear fruit. It is usually the most slides secured from various denominational head- intelligent, earnest and slerious-minded students quarters, the students delivering the lectures who respond most enthusiastically to the appeal themselves during the first half hour, followed by of the heroic in missions.
criticisms from other students. We must let missions slpeak for themselves in (4) For one course that presented "A minis- the following ways: ter's brief for world missions," information was (1) Reading good biographies of missionaries. provided in lectures and by 'assigned readings.. (2) Reading stories and bi,ographies of native (5) In the course on a "Critique of Modern converts to Christ. Bishop Frederick B. Fisher, in Missions," based on the Laymen's Report, a criti- his testimony to ministers of Buffalo at their ancal judgment was developed to evaluate informa- nual retreat some years ago, said: "When I went tion, and data on the outstandingly successful to India as a missi,onary my heroos were all ,of my missionary enterprises was given to the students own race: Livingstone, Carey and Judson. Now through missionary periodicals. my Christian her,oes are of another race: men In these five ways much information has been like Kagawa of Japan,and Sadhu Sundar Singh supplied in interesting ways. of India, and Sun Yat-sen of China."
The Students' Need for Inspiration (3) Many stories of missionary heroism and sacrifice were gleaned from the lives of my own To save missions from its reputation of being parents and other missionaries I have known.
one of the dryest subjects taught in seminaries it There are books like "Waste Basket Surgery" by was with no little concern that I undertook' to Dr. Gordon Seagrave.
make the subject inspiring to our School of The- (4) A study of Christ's missionary spirit, ology students. That most of them found the teaching and practice as the minister's chief missions courses unexpectedly inspiring was a source of inspiration.
THE PRACTICAL VALUE OF MISSIONS TO PASTORS
The Pastor's Need for Missionary Defence JudsQn's challenge to missionary effort, they grew by leaps and bounds until today they are 90 times At the outset of a course entitled "The Minis- as great (9,000,000) in a little over 100 years. ter's Brief for World Missions," the class was We read that in the Baptist churches in Lincoln's asked to bring in all the criticisms they have home town in Illinois, the majQrity refused to supheard in opposition to WQrld missions. These port foreign missions. Today thQse anti-missionwere met as fully and frankly as possible; then ary-minded churches are practically dead, while a series .of lectures followed which aimed to do the missionary minded churches have over 50,000 two things.: (1) to provide the students with the members in .one ass.ociation. most convincing arguments for maintaining world missions; and (2) to provide them with the foun- What would Sunday school teachers do without dation supports fQr a year's series of monthly ser- missionary stories? mons, which, with topical variations, could last them for a life time. Grenfell's mother was right when she said: "Labrad.or has doOne much more for my son than In selecting the eight most cogent arguments my son has done f.or the Labrad.or." for missions I am aware of what my friend Guy W. Sarvis, formerly a missionary in China, writes If there were no missions in the Christian in his review of Sewell's "China Through a, College Window." There Sarvis says: "The time Church we would have to invent s.omething like has passed to defend missions on the basis of Biblical texts and abstract ethics. They must be them to keep the Church alive and growing. evaluated for their worth to the persons and communities. directly involved as well as for their (3) Because we owe a debt to the past t.O pass significance in international relations at a time on the Gospel to the future. A mother and child, when the world is contracting physically in in East Aurora, New York, attended a missionary airplane tempo, while doctrines of national sep- service. When the mother put nothing in the colaratism are supplanting the ideal of human broth- lection basket, the child said: "Mother, aren't you erhood. The missionary process is essentially one going to pay for me?" Could that mother ever pay of the impingement of cultures, inevitable in the for her Christian home, husband, church, land and modern world, good or bad in terms of concrete Gospel? Never, yet someone had to pay! "The effects." noble army, men and boys, the matIlon and the maid," martyrs and pioneers, all the way back to While we attempt to apply this truth we do not the Cross, where the greatest price was paid, tesabandon the authority of the Bible as part of the tify that "We are not our own; we have been defense of missions, because in the rightly selected bought with a price." G€neral Pershing, when passages we find the support which Jesus Christ he laid the wreath at Lafayette's tomb in France, gave to world missions in spirit, teaching and said, "Lafayette, we are here." Should we not practice. Hence the first argument, practically say to the dead champions of the faith, pioneer the only Biblical one, is: missionaries who gave their all, to Christ and to spread the Gospel we now enjoy: "Pioneers, (1) Because Jesus taught and practised world we are here" ! missions. In this lecture the student is shown, in some cases for the first time, how Jesus gave much (4) Because the sacrifices of missionaries must of His time and effort to preaching to the Gentiles not be in vain. Using the theme of Col. John Mcof His own country. As He was almost lynched Crae's poem: "In Flanders Field": by fellow townsfolk because He said He was going to preach to the Gentiles owing to the Jewish To you from failing hands we throw the Torch; Be yours to hold it high! indifference and unresponsiveness, so the preacher If ye break faith with us who die of today, to be truly like his Master, must expect We shall not sleep, though poppies grow in Flanders field. to meet opposition from unenlightened fellow Christians to the world missionary program. But We read of heroic sacrifices of missionaries, of we must not, for that reason, desist from earnest missionary mothers, missionary children, of pareffort to spread the Gospel. ents at h.ome who have given their children for foreign service; sacrifices.of devoted Christians (2) Because the Christian Church needs world in the h.ome churches, to supp.ort missionaries. missions to keep it Christ-like and growing, by the As Paul said: "I .take pleasure in necessities for challenge of a great task, such as world missions Christ's s·ake." If soldiers, explorers, and scienpresents. "They who live unto themselves, die tists are ready to make sacrifices f.or their coununto themselves." TQ deny is to die, to give is try, why should we not be ready to sacrifice for to live. This is true of churches as of individuals. Christ? Baptists in 1818 numbered only 158,000. But, mainly because .of the spiritual effect of accepting (5) Because we should give of our best to atone for the w.orst we have given. Review of the his- tory of the white man's invasions of colored races -American Indian; African slave trade; parti- tion of Africa; Mexican conquest by Spaniards;
South American conquest; the occupation of In- lined in the previous. headings) so that they can dia, Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of repeat the main theme with variations made effec- Oceania; the semi-partition of China. Albert tive by fresh illustrations. These can be obtained Schweitzer of Africa says: "A heavy guilt rests from missionary magazines. More than forty stu- upon our Christian culture," and he adds that he dents voluntarily took out a year's SUbscription to is there to try to make some atonement. a missionary magazine, and have been enthusiastic (6) Because those who sit in darkness deserve readers of it.
to share in the light of the world. Multitudes Popular magazines also sometimes supply mis- earnestly follow what light they have, though this sionary stories and articles. These are at work is often superstition; many have an earnest in minds of people who never read a missionary hunger for the truth; they are ready to make magazine. Missionary books, especially biog- sacrifices for their own religions; they suffer raphies of nY.ssionaries, are a fertile source of through ignorance, superstition, and wrong. The inspiring illustrations-stories of work, stories of least we can do is to share with them the greater converts, the products of missions. Other good light we have from Christ. missionary literature can be secured from denom- (7) Because when they have the light non- inational headquarters.
Christian peoples often rn,a,ke the best Christians. The suggestion is also made that five minutes While it is all that American Christians can do to may profitably be devoted during the Sunday get an hour or two of religious programs a day morning service to reports on missionary events over the air, the Chinese Christians of Shanghai and progress, under some such title as, "The March have their own broadcasting station and fill the of Missions" or "News Not in the Newspapers."
air with Christian messages all day long. If made brief and pointed, such a feature will edu- (8) Because the kingdom of G,od cannot come cate and inspire the congregations.
fully anywhere until it comes everywhere, and it Good missionary drama is immensely effective, cannot be accomplished without the help of Chris- and suggestions are made as to ways in which this tians of every race and nation. America could can be used. Lists of recommended missionary not be kept "dry" under prohibition, largely be- drama (one is by Rev. La Rue Cober of Colgate cause of wet Canada to the north and Mexico to Rochester Divinity School, Rochester, N. Y.) are the south, and wetter Europe across the Atlantic, distributed to the students and they or their wives so no land can ever beoome fully Christian until urged to try their hands at similar drama. every land has accepted Christ and His way of life. As Lloyd George said to Stanley High: "If The Need for Example and Practice missions fail, the rest of us will have to shut up shop!" , The seminary chapel furnishes an opportunity for the students to hear missionary speakers, as The Need for Missionary Ammunition examples of how (as well as, how not) to preach "The best defence is an offence," militarists tell on mISSIons. One speaker, using stereopticon us. The preacher needs ammunition for mission- slides, unsllspectingly furnished a good opportu- ary sermons and guidance in dropping his bombs. nity for the students to criticize pro and con, in The strategy of the Trojan horse is a wise prece- the light of their class training.
dent for the .general who would take the enemy of Only practice makes perfect. The practice pro- missions unawares. When one student started vided for the students was in sermon construction, his sermon with the bald statement: "This is a and in presentation of missionary lectures with missionary sermon," he was warned that he had stereopticon pictures in the classroom, and sermon made a tactical error before he had a chance to delivery in their own churches.
be heard. Opponents of missions close their ears Sermon construction was after this manner.
and hearts at the outset, while others need not be The professor assigned missionary books on told. The "Trojan horse strategy" is to iriter- which sermons were to be written, then to be sperse sermons with int~resting missionary illus- preached by those students who were supplying trations, occasionally at first, until an appetite for pulpits. Thus they "killed two birds with one such food has been stimulated, and a demand is stone," a feat which students alw'ays appreciate.
created for missionary sermons. Then give mis- Those students who had churches where they sionary sermons attractive, catchy titles, such as could preach the sermons prepared in class, re- Modern Miracles of the Master; Good News from ported impressions made upon their congrega- Far Countries; Saddle-Bay Surveyors of the tions.
Kingdom; Jesus the First World Missionary; At the beginning of each two-hour class half an Are Christians Color Blind? hour was given to stereopticon lectures by the Students are urged to collect clippings and students two at a time, each taking turns prac- notes on each of the arguments for missions (out- ticing the mechanics of running a stereopticon
RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS OF A MIDWEST CITY
lantern, andgIvmg the message. At the close sermons, because they have information and inthe students criticized the presentation and the spiration, and confidence in their ability to put mechanics, before the professor made his contri- the message across. bution. One of the examination questions called for a list of instructions as to the physical, mental Great encouragement to this method of teachand spiritual preparation for the presentation of ing missions comes from the fact that one student missionary lectures to guide the novice. Students was so much interested in his study of the history were also asked to criticize the quality of mission- of missions in the Caribbean islands (on which no ary lectures supplied by their denominational book has been written so that no little research headquarters, and to compose a letter to the au- on his part was necessary) that he submitted a thorities making suggestions. master's thesis, illustrated with handmade maps of every Caribbean island. The assignment had Thus the students are helped to become efficient been for a 3,000 word paper, and the student had in the presentation of missionary material so that not yet graduated. To have aroused such interest they will no longer dread that duty but will look in a missionary subject is one indication that the forward with pleasure to preaching missionary methods work.
Religious Problems of a Midwest City By REV. L. MERLE RYMPH, Wichita, Kansas President of the Ministerial Association and Minister of the Fairmount Community Church, CongregatiQnal W HAT are the religious problems of a Mid- Street and Douglas Ave. According to the story west city? Even a superficial study of of pioneers, Douglas Avenue became the prized facts, made by a casual observer, would business and residence street by a mere chance reveal a series of religious problems in a city like circumstance, in that the cowboy surveyor who Wichita, Kansas. These problems grow out of flung his rope across Douglas Ave. used a 114-foot five contributing social factors: (1) the rapid rope instead of a 100-foot rope as intended. Be growth of the city, (2) the missionary zeal and that as it may, this prairie city developed as most optimism of its pioneer founders, (3) the rapid prairie cities tend to develop in the form of a shift of its population from an agricultural econ- "cross" with the original business center at the omy and life to an urban economy and life, (4) the intersection. Douglas Avenue, being the wider secularization of its common life, and (5) the ex- and more beautiful street, attracted the more perience of chastened optimism during the more desirable business and residential development.
recent depression years. Main Street became the center of industrial de- I velopment north and south, as well as the center of the less desirable business and residential de- In less than seventy years the virgin praIrIe velopment. That fact has had its bearing today has been overlaid with a city population of 117,000 on the types of churches and the success of church residents. In the year 1867 the spot on which the developments in the various sectors of the city.
city of Wichita now stands was vis,ited by a corps In considering the city's phenomenal growth, of government surveyors. and this territory was it is well to remember that the city's growth to a laid out in government homesteads, laying the large extent has been the result of the develop- foundation for the rigid pattern of the City's north ment of the Southwest trade territory. The trade and south, east and west streets. The shallow territory in a very real sense made the city. In ford and the grove of cottonwood trees at the 1871,·800,000 cattle were driven through this city intersection of the Little Arkansas and the Big to the nearest market. When the Santa Fe Rail- Arkansas Rivers was a normal meeting place and road was extended to Wichita in 1872, two mil- trading center for homesteaders. In the year lion dollars changed hands in Wichita in the ship- 1870 the two original town plots, laid out by two ping of cattle. In the next few years most of the pioneers, Munger and Griifensteing, were joined immediate trade territory was homesteaded. By and incorporated as the city of Wichita, fixing the 1885 the Board of Trade in Wichita was adver- two main business streets of the city as Main tising the southwest territory, as "the cream of
the Southwest, . its land as rich as the plains As evidence of the underchurched situation that of Belgium, its breezes laden with the perfume is ours, I submit some facts revealed in a study of wild flowers and apple blossoms as sweet as of Week-Day Religious Education in Wichita as ever blew over Ceylon's isle, . . . its corn fields made by the Board of Week-Day Religious Edustretching mile on mile, which will ere long be cation in the year 1935. That year 10,950 elekeeping rhythmic time to those breezes." Such mentary children were eligible to attend W. D. optimism, such faith in the Southwest, such busi- R. E. schools in the churches, for one hour one day each week. Of these 10,950 elementary chilness and commercial enterprise set the stage for dren that were eligible for such instruction, only the rapid development of the Southwest and in 5,371 were in public schools adjacent to churches turn the rapid growth of the city itself. It is that were able and willing to offer facilities and against this background of individual enterprise, leadership f~. such instruction. Five thousand agricultural and business advance, that the five hundred and seventy-nine other elementary churches of Wichita have functioned until recent children were enrolled in public elementary years. schools either not adjacent to churches or adjacent What has the rapid development of the South- to churches not able and willing to offer this inwest, and the rapid growth of the city, meant to struction to these children. The proportion of the the church life of Wichita? It has reflected itself children that should rightfully be looked upon as in the mood of the churches. The churches expect a Protestant opportunity and responsibility is to grow. They expect to be fed continuously by the transfer of members from the great Southwest indicated by the fact that of the 5,371 who had -hence the success of those churches in the South- the privilege of attending W. D. R. E. in adjacent west as feeders into the church life of Wichita has churches, able and willing to offer them instrucbeen of no small consequence. The churches like- tion, 4,032 accepted the opportunity offered them. wise have expected the wealth of the Southwest The lowest percentage attending from any public to transfer itself to Wichita and express itself in school where the privilege was offered was 84% the building of great churches here. The wealth of cattle, and wheat, and oil has been a major con- and the highest percentage 96 %. These pertributing factor to the financial prestige of many of· our city churches, and not a single established centages indicate the measure of Protestant opchurch continues to function today entirely inde- portunity in Wichita, if only Protestantism was pendent of the wealth of Wichita's trade territory. organized and eager to serve the city, i. e., if the city was adequately churched. In the number of churches that have been founded in Wichita and in the number of Prot- I know that there are those that argue that estant sects and churches that are endeavoring to such things as Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, and W. D. continue to serve the city, it would appear that R. E. are not necessary features of the church much of the religious faith, so expressed, has been program. I know that there are those who still ill-advised. With the hopeful expectancy that fol- contend that a Sunday church program is suffilows pioneer individual enterprise, Protestant cient. Let me call attention to the fact that Sunchurches were established throughout Wichita day School attendance is not sufficient. I have with reckless abandon. Today we have, accord- only the figures on Sunday School enrolments at ing to the Saturday Church Page, 114 Protestant hand, and could only make a guess as to the regchurches and sects trying to serve the city. The ularity of Sunday School attendance. I would omit the wild guess in favor of the hard, known city may be, as some claim, 80 % Protestant re- facts. The study made in 1935 previously referred to also reveals the fact that throughout the city sponsibility, nevertheless, it would appear that it the average percentage of elementry school chilis beyond reason to expect 114 churches to accrue dren enrolled in Sunday School is only 58ro, the sufficient leadership and financial strength to adequately serve the needs of city people. Many of greatest percentage in any sector being 63 % and the churches are so weak and feeble that whole areas are unserved by the Boy Scout and Girl the lowest being 44 %. . Certainly these percent- Scout organizations. Many other churches make no attempt to set up Week-Day Schools of Reli- ages leave a clear picture of the underchurching gion because they feel themselves too weak in of Wichita by our present program of Sunday leadership and financial resources. Still other religious education through our Sunday Schools churches carryon very inadequate and low-grade in these 114 churches. Sunday programs of religious education and worship. Wichita is now underchurched because it A study of the relative childhood responsibiliis overchurched with inadequate church organiza- ties of neighborhood, subcenter, and downtown tions. churches is still more revealing. The same study referred to in the above paragraphs reveals that it took four downtown churches with a total mem- bership of 8,900 to care for 1,284 pupils in the Week-Day Schools of Religion. The study also
shows the fact tha.t at the same time three sub- ties. Right now the sense of competition exceeds center residential churches with a total member- the sense that is ours of cooperation in meeting ship of 1,750 were caring for 341 pupils in Week- our common religious civic responsibility. Day Religious Education. More surprising still is the revelation we find in the studies referred to, The Influence of Sectarianism that three outlying re!>idential churches of 1,400 total membership were supplying Week-Day Here one may face frankly the heritage that is ours of our frontier missionary zeal in the Religious Education facilities for 601 pupils. establishment of denominational and sectarian Certainly the cost of Week-Day Religious Educa- churches. On the Saturday Church Page of the tion and the leadership of these schools is not Wichita Eagle the 114 Protestant congregations very equitably divided in the system of W. D. R. E. are listed under 36 different denominational and as it now stands in Wichita. I understand that sectarian captions. I suspect that this listing since 1935 two of the downtown churches have minimizes the actual number of sectarian groupaccepted the responsibility of helping finance and ings. Protestantism in every city has its myriad types of churches and Wichita is no exception. promote schools in outlying unserved districts. All home mission boards in the early days were Yet only one-half of our elementary children are offered these opportunities of religious instruc- eager "to possess the land" and to gain their tion. Surely no one will deny the fact that a greater statesmanlike churchmanship must be ex- rightful place in this metropolitan center. A pressed if Wichita children are to be offered this study of the Saturday Church Page reveals that minimum of religious instruction. the individual with the most rare and sensitive taste should be able to find the congregation of In a Midwest city like Wichita, all churches his choice here. We have our defenders of the are accessible to the adult population on Sundays. faith and we have churches' most tolerant and lib- From the most distant outlying point the down- eral. We have rigid sectarian churches and we town sector can be reached by bus in 15 minutes have churches that practice intercommunion as and by car in 12 minutes. The Sunday program well as open communion. We have our highly liof churches then is highly competitive and. each turgical churches and our non-liturgical churches. church finds itself in real, though friendly com- We have national cultural churches transplanted petition with every other church in the city. The from European scenes and we have typical Amerbigger downtown churches have the prestige of ican churches. We have country churches that years, of central location, of greater numerical have merely moved to town and we have highly and financial strength, and of a more highly paid ,adapted city churches. We have the more regular staff. The outlying residential church has the typ,es of Protestant churches like Methodist, Bappower of neighborhood appeal, the social power tist, Presbyterian, Congregational, etc., and we of contiguous and intimate family and age-group have a more or less irregular list including Penterelationships, and the warm spiritual appeal of costal, Tabernacle, Mission, Spiritualist, The- osophy and Unity. We have churches that insist intimate understandings. The subcenter residen- on being known as Trinitarian and one that above tial churches, many of them, face the area of all things is' Unitarian. Then beyond Protestantgreatest human need as' indicated by juvenile de- ism are the seven Roman Catholic churches and linquency, transciency, low rents and divisive the one central Roman Catholic Cathedral. Bereligious competitions. Having served for 11 yond this the two Jewish synagogues, the orthoyears as pastor of the Fairmount Community Con- dox and the liberal, with which some measure of gregational Church, a residential church five miles fellowship exists through the local Round Table from the heart of the city, I am most familiar of the National Conference of Jews and Chriswith the adaptations that such a church must tians. make, majoring in its community responsibilities The problem of fellowship and cooperation in throughout the week, without minimizing those such a myriad situation at times becomes a most opportunities that remain for intensive religious baffling one. Some of the more recept questions work on Sunday. For my own part, I ch,eri@the that ,ha:v/il come up in cooperative church fellowspiritual heritage that is ours of religious''iree- ship cit.cles are these: "How can church groups dom, with the right of people to worship and;;erve work odt an effective cooperative publicity and wh.en and where they choose; but I do hope t.hat promotioriprogram?" "Just what churches should along with recognition of that freedom as Prot- be represented in the Council of Churches-more s,pecificalIy, are churches such as "The Reorganestants we can so enhance our sense of shared ized Church of the Latter Day Saints" and "The social and religious responsibility that the needs Unitarian Church" sufficiently like-minded and of residential, subcenter, and downtown churches alike in faith and practice to be welcomed into the will be adequately met, that these several types of churches may fulfil their God-given responsibili-
fellowship of these already in the Council?" churches which were thriving churches in 1888 "Just how far and in what way should the Prot- were so depleted in 1892 that the only way they estant ministerial group share its fellowship with could see their way clear to carryon was to merge the Liberal Jewish Rabbi, who is most fraternal their forces into one church. Some churches have and eager for greater fraternity?" "What part been left stranded, located in the center of illshall Protestantism play in championing the reli- advised real estate ventures that failed to work gious rights. of minority religious culture groups ?" out. Other churches have been made by being Finally this most perplexing modern problem: located in the center of rapidly developing resi- "How can the radio time offered by the two broad- dential territory. In the main all those churches casting stations be most equitably and effectively located in good time in the heart of the "city divided among the various religious groups within cross," north and south, east and west, have the city?" If the reader of this, article is inclined grown by leaps and bounds regardless of their to feel that these questions have no real signifi- denomination~t affiliation. The only churches to cance, it would be well to sit in on some of the exceed them in growth have been those first estabconferences where these items· are inadvertently lished and centrally located downtown near the and unexpectedly brought to the fore for solution. heart of the business sector. Location means Here they must be faced as factual and emotional much to a church. Nowhere is this more evident realities. Sometimes the emotional factor is the than in a growing city like Wichita, with its varymajor factor. The religious problems that now ing types of residential and industrial developcome to a focus in this post-home missionary ex- ment schemes. pansion period are the problems that arise out of the Babel of sectarians that insist on their rights Just a word about the mind-set of the people of being heard on the city's streets, yet are more who move from the farms to Wichita, for to a or less desirous of finding their unity of expres- very large extent the city is made up of those who sion with others at the point of common under- have moved here from its trade territory. The standing and purpose. population is homogeneous and, for the most part, native American stock. Some come from the rural The Changing City Populations area, crowded off of the farms either by the mech- anization of those farms or because of the fact In dealing with the religious. problems that that the families have been too large for homearise from a shift from an agricultural economy stead farms to support all members generation and life to an urban economy and life, many things after generation. They come to Wichita full of come to my mind, but I shall limit this treatise expectancy and hope, expecting to be absorbed in merely to those problems which arise out of real the industrial and commercial life of the city. estate promotion schemes and those that appear Many of them do find their permanent place in the in the mind-set of the city man, recently trans- work life of the community. Some rise to high planted from the rural to the urban scene. places in civic and religious leadership. Others are absorbed in the city's industrial and commer- When one begins to study the different real estate promotion schemes that have had their day cial activities for a time only. Many are "let out" in Wichita, one begins to suspect that at least in at 45 and younger. Then it is that the sense of this respect Wichita has just grown up "like lostness and conscious maladjustment seizes them Topsy." Many subdivisions of the city have been and they suffer severe disillusionments, growing sanely promoted and have come as a normal result out of their own false hopes and the inadequacies of the demands of a growing city. Charts made of our modern city civilization in making perfor the city planning commission as early as 1923 manent room for them. One could not catalogue indicate some 23 different city plots that were the personal, the home, the social and the spirannexed, undeveloped, tax delinquent, and va- itual difficulties that the alert pastor must face in cated. Since that time many of these have been the fulfilment of his day-by-day pastoral duties, reannexed and developed as residential sectors. ministering to city dwellers today. The burst of the real estate boom in 1887 was purely a resultant of wild land speculation that One tremendous opportunity that the city brought a stalemate to city growth for ten years. church has today is the religious opportunity of Fifty church fammes from one church group influencing various professional groups through alone moved their residence from Wichita to the channels of religious inspiration and counsel. Eureka because they thought it offered more se- This seems to be the growing edge of the church's curity for their religious colony, and a more per- responsibility in civic life. So much of the work manent location for a denominational school of the Christian pastor in these days must be done center. The church of which I am now pastor as a professional religious adviser on the city came into being in those years, when two young streets and in the marketplace. Jesus found the condition quite different in the temple of Jeru-
RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS OF A MmWEST CITY
salem and on the streets of the Holy City from inadvertently. Adults are caught today in the what it was on the plains of Palestine and along throes of diversified and competitive Sunday pulls, the quiet shores of Galilee. The city pastor today, until Sunday for many has become a nightmare, likewise, finds the demands of the city quite dif- instead of a day of rest and worship. Schools, ferent from that of the more distinctly rural field. particularly universities, tend more and more to Religious work in the city must be adapted to the use Sunday for extras such as rehearsals, open highly specialized interests represented in city house and public concerts. Recreational groups life. The churchman in the city must face with and institutions, particularly those heavily com- courage and vision the demands of the city and mercialized, make their appeal more and more to adapt the work of his organization to the meeting Sunday crowds. Certain industries and commer- of those apparent spiritual needs, if the church of cial enterprises feel that they must open Sundays, the city is to have transforming and redemptive and the fact that people, including some church power. The city religious worker, today, who is people, patronize these businesses would indicate true to his trust, will face fearlessly as Jesus did that there is a public demand for Sunday open- the clannishness, the bigotries, and the self-suffi- ing. Then as a more recent development is the ciencies of privileged city classes, as his Master growing practice of professional and civic groups did before him. Likewise, he will follow the foot- to use Sundays as their big days for opening and steps of his Lord in entering sympathetically into closing their festivities. One divisive pull alone the problems of the underprivileged, the confused, would not be so devastating to the work of the and the harassed individuals who walk the city churches-but the aggregate of all these divisive streets without a real sense of security and "at pulls make it most difficult for churches to carry homeness." The spiritual service man renders to on consistent and constructive work on the day common humanity is still the best indication of that was once recognized as the Lord's day, and man's divinity. the day of the church's major opportunity.
The Secularization of Life What is the church to do about the seculariza- tion .of Sunday? Some churchmen are militant The secularization of contemporary urban life about the situation – and seek legislation, safemanifests itself in a number of ways, but no mani- guarding the Lord's Day for church purposes, festations of that secularization are more signifi- particularly certain well established hours. Some cant in the demands upon the city church for are troubled in the face of the situation-and seek urban adaptation than those that grow out of counsel. Some are intensely serious in the face (1) the secularization of Sunday and (2) the secularization of youth's sense of relative values. of the situation and are seeking ways to make Sunday more meaningful and ways also to sup- The secularized competitive usages that city plement th,e church's Sunday work with mean- people are bringing into their week-end and Sun- ingful week-day activities. Who is there who day experiences handicap the work of city does not recognize the gravity of the situation churches more than any reader of this article fully realizes. The chart made by the Week-Day sufficiently to realize that the church's one day of Religious Education Board reveals the percentage major opportunity has been and is being ruth- of attendance of elementary children in attend- lessly dissipated by many thoughtless and needless ance at Week-Day Schools of Religion in 1935 and competitive usages? Easter Sunday, our churches . in Sunday Schools for the same year. The aver- were crowded to the doors. One member of the age percent for Sunday School attendance stands regular Sunday worshipping congregation was at 58.70, ranging from 44% to 63%. The average heard to remark: "This shows how many people percentage in attendance at the Week-Day can go to church when they really want to."
Schools of Religion, 90%, ranging from 84% to I wonder just where are we going, and what 9670 in the different schools. Many factors enter are we going to do next Sunday, and the next into the fact that a greater percentage go to Sunday, and the next. In Wichita, we are for- W. D. R. E. than to S. S.; among these factors tunate enough to have both a board of education are "clothes," "the gang spirit," and the fact of and a city council that are sympathetic to the "no collection"-all in the favor of the W. D. R. E. church's problem. The publicly owned buildings school-but beyond these factors is the factor of Wichita are not open to the public on Sunday that parents. do not take the children away from for commercialized, competitive programs. Some the public school and the W. D. R. E. school for professional groups have given consideration to picnics, visiting and rural outings-as they take the church's need of a real opportunity to carry them from the Sunday School and the Sunday on its constructive and creative work by recog- worship program of the church. nizing Sunday as primarily the church's day. In But children are not the only ones who have the the main, however, it must be confessed that the influences of Sabbath observance taken from them problem has not seriously been faced by most in-
dividuals and groups within the city that should to be as group- and class-conscious as the Chamber be most concerned. of Commerce. A city-planning commission has been working since 1923 to effect a more whole- The other aspect of secularization I feel led to some city life. In times past the problems of face is also most real-I refer to the subconscious Wichita have been problems of its youth, exsecularization of our youth that takes place when pressed in growing pains. The problems today youth is educated only in and by our public school are the problems of middle age. Day after tosystem. Such education, valuable as it is, alone morrow they will be the problems of age. Right is not enough. The public schools, the high now interest is being manifest in filling in the schools, and the municipal university in this mid- gaps in city development by encouraging the erecwest city are so big, that the youth program of tion of diagonal streets to the four corners of the our churches appeal to the youth as too small and city. One of these has already been constructed, insignificant, unless the youth program of our terminating 'tlJt the airport. Another, soon we individual churches really does for these youth trust, will terminate at the Municipal University. what no public school, no matter how big, can ever Individual, unrelated real estate promotion do. Life to be healthy and whole must be under- schemes are giving way to city plannng and cogirded both by an adequate religious faith and an operative promotion enterprises. One cannot lisadequate religious experience in real spiritual fel- ten in at Democratic meetings these days and hear lowship. The church that meets this two-fold the words "the present recession" and at Repubneed will have the loyalty of its youth. The lican meetings and hear the echo, "the Roosevelt church's opportunity seems to be in those small depression," without feeling that the buoyant ingroup and age fellowship organizations where a dividualism of the past is really giving way to a type of religious. work and experience is nurtured sense of chastened optimism and perhaps also a quite comparable to the experience and work sense of somewhat restrained social responsibility. Jesus shared in the intimacies of fellowship with His disciple band. This likewise is true of the The Church in these days is caught up by the Christian Youth Council and the "Y" organiza- mood of the times. No great church buildings or tions. cathedrals are now being built in Wichita. No church is rushing into. new territory. The Council Looking Into the Future of Churches is not reaching out to take advanced ground with the boundless enthusiasm of the days I began this paper with an expression of bound- of its youth-yet it is conserving its status and less optimism, growing out of the consciousness it is undergirding itself for real work ahead, as that Wichita has been a rapidly growing city, are many of the churches. The Council of from the time of its founding until now. A new Churches grew out of a sense of shared church factor, however, has come into our common ex- responsibility some 18 years ago. The principle perience in more recent years. These depression of unrestrained individual church freedom had and recession years have disciplined our minds as Wichitans, as it has the minds and spirits of men run its course, and through the vision and courage and women the world around. Weare beginning of men like A. A. Hyde, Wichita's chief philanto recognize that the problems we now face and thropist, and Ross Sanderson, Wichita's pioneer are destined to face in the future will be more cooperative statesman; the Council of Churches difficult and baffling, for they will grow out of a was organized on a sane and constructive basis. more static situation. We already have one-fifth Last fall the National Preaching Mission conof our population on relief-in that we are one ducted in Wichita demonstrated the increased with our nation. Our sense of self-sufficiency has spiritual power that is released within a city like been somewhat broken in recent years as we have Wichita when churches join wholeheartedly in watched great dust clouds roll in from the South- united Christian effort. The growing sense of west and· as we have watched government agency interdenominational interrelatedness that is ours after goVernment agency established with head- today is a powerful and latent spiritual force quarter§: in our city for the relief of those in need undergfrding the churches for better days ahead. of govenhment subsidy. Kansas wheat farmers, historic~1ly individualistic and independent, have The future is uncharted. Spiritual needs will sensed their dependence and their interdepend- forever manifest themselves as real and all-com- ence, and have been learning to cooperate to pelling: The spirit of the Christ in the churches forward common interests and welfare of the com- will forever rise up to meet those needs. Just so .mon weal. Then, too, group- and class-conscious- long as the church, as "the body of Christ," emness has been growing within the city itself. bodies His Spirit and adapts itself to the changing Under the Wagner Act, labor g"roups are coming needs of the city, just so long will spiritual transinto a consciousness of group needs and bid fair formations take place and Christ's redemptive power wiiI be felt in the life of this midwest city.
I Believe in Jesus
I I~.- –tijf By GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK* of China · AITH and superstition are two entirely dif- did he receive a so-called higher education. He ferent things. We must all realize that super- was born in an ordinary home of the laboring class, the son of a carpenter. Because He per- Pstition is not faith, and that those who really have faith will not wander off into vulgar super- ceived that His nation was on the verge of ruin, stition. If a man lacks faith he can accomplish that Abraham's seed was about to be destroyed, nothing; nor can he accomplish anything if he He courageously decided to undertake the arduous admits superstition into his life. Men nowadays task of restoring His nation; He dedicated him- often regard faith as superstition, and supersti- self wholly to the cause, and resolved to struggle tion as faith, and because the two are confused, sacrificially for the salvation of his people; more those who oppose superstition also discard faith. than that, to save all mankind. So He led his fol- We should all know that the success of any lowers throughout the land, and by means of enterprise means that faith is indispensable. In preaching and healing, and through His divine these days when principles are in eclipse and de- wisdom and His unequaled power to present the sires run riot, when government is torn up, when three great themes of truth, righteousness and the people are suffering, and the nation is strug- life, He awakened His nation, He led His people, gling in disaster, how can we be saved from un- to bring about national revolution.
paralleled calamity unless there is vigorous faith Social Significance of the Gospel and confident assurance of victory? On the one hand we must break down all superstition, and Second, believe in Jesus because He was a leader on the other hand we must all the more exalt a of social revolution. The causes of a nation's de- cline are indeed many, but failure to remedy, by positive faith. For example, if we can believe in orderly change, the people's economic life is one the "Three Principles" first enunciated by Sun of the chief causes of national downfall. So who- Yat-sen, we can go and practice them. Because ever would promote a national revolution must we firmly believe the truth and righteousness. of first completely eradicate the ignorance, the corthe "Three Principles," we fear nothing. And ruption and the disorders of society, its selfishness this psy;chology of not being afraid, this spirit of and greed; then with a new spirit he can build fearlessness, comes from faith. up a new life, abundant, expanding and ascending. Thus he will seek the emancipation of His people. Jesus the Revolutionary First, believe in Jesus because He was a leader Jesus attacked with all his might the evil forces of national revolution. When Jesus came to earth. of His day; He tried with all His power to over- the Jewish nation was daily growing weaker. It come its pernicious mores. His purpose was none had suffered the full measure of insult and oppres- other than by means of His leadership and ideal- sion from the Roman imperial authority. From ism to deliver His submerged people out of dark- history we can see that the Jewish people, stag- ness so that they might become a new people. He gering under the violence of their enemies, were laid the foundat'ions of social revolution.
no different from cattle and slaves; all liberties Third, believe in Jesus because He was a leader had been taken away from them and all power put of religious revolution. Jesus saw the rottenness into the hands of Romans. At that time not only of religion in his day, the evil customs, and per- could Jewish national independence show no re- verted beliefs; the leaders one and all cheated the sistance, but even the will to resist had vanished. people, and imposed on them their false beliefs, Fortunately, at this point in the course of events seeking only their own selfish profit. Autocracy in Jesus Christ was born. the Jewish church, and the hollowness of its rit- He was not a scion of the nobility. He was ual, pained and deeply grieved Jesus. He recog- without temporal position and worldly power; He nized that unless the perverted beliefs and the did not grow up in a home of wealth, and still less hypocrisy were done away with He could not re- * A radio address broadcast fronl Hankow, China, ,on Easter eve, vive His prostrate people, and still less could He spread abroad and exalt the true spirit of religion. April 16, 1938. Translated into English by Prof. Warren H. Stuart So He constantly rebuked those who vaingloriof the College of Emporia, Emporia, Kansas. Reprinted from The Chl'istian Century.
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ously prayed at street intersections; he vigorously China and C~ristianity opposed those who in the name of religion would Now look at our nation. Suffering the last hundeceive the people-evildoers who undermine so- dred years from the corruption and weakness of ciety. He cast out the traders and overthrew the the Manchus, its condition bears striking resemmoney changers' tables; by means of a parable blance to the situation in Jesus' day. He exposed the wicked husbandmen, brought to book the wicked tribute-eollectors, and rebuked Sun Yat-sen, cherishing love for God and man, the covetous capitalists. suffused with the revolutionary spirit of Jesus, and motivated by universal love, followed the path All these efforts were solely to lead his people of revolution for forty years as if but for a day. out of darkness into light, from defeatism into With utter self-sacrifice He sought freedom for active struggle, from riotous living into decency, the Chinese people. At last in 1911 the Manchus' from greed and corruption into frugality and holi- imperial rule was overthrown, and the Republic ness. This work of reforming religion and cleans- of China broul'ht into being. Thus was the work ing away its evils – how important it was, and of national revolution achieved. what a Herculean task! How daringly and decisively, and with what utter abando~, Jesus en- As Sun Ya.t-sen's successor, I look ahead into deavored to rescue the Church and SOCIety of that the consequences of the people's revolution and day from its myriad ills to awaken the masses think over the causes of our present spiritual defrom their ignorance! So Jesus was a leader of pression, I firmly believe that in seeking to bring religious revolution. national recovery and social progress, we must advocate Jesus' spirit of universal love and of Love the Law of Life sacrifice. I feel that whatever one does, whether As I constantly study the basis of Jesus' revolu- dealing with men and situations, or commanding tionary spirit-where it was actually rooted-I and carrying on the government, in all forms of feel that the basis lay entirely in His spirit of love. service, only love and peace are the foundations of He a.imed by this spirit of universal love to expel human life; and struggle and sacrifi·ce are a revo- lutionary's duty. This was the attitude of Jesus. the wrong thinking of men, to abolish their unj ?st This was my meaning on a former occasion when systems, to make it possible for everr man to .enJoy his God-given rights, and the blessmgs. of lIberty . I said, "Until peace has become hopeless, never and fraternity. Jesus felt that "all within the forsake peace; when sacrifice has become necesfour seas are brethren," so he wanted men to sary, then sacrifice without reservation." draw near and love one another, sharing in time During the last few years, whenever at leisure of trial, helping one another in time of illness. from pressing duties, I have been promoting a Between nations He wanted to promote peace and social movement which has produced some wide- spread results. I refer to the New Life Movejustice, so all his life He opposed v!olence and ?I?- held fair dealing. He always cherIshed the SPIrIt ment. I am well aware that in this movement the of mercy, and helped the weak. His ~ords an.d superficial aspects may easily be emphasized while deeds manifest at every point the realIty of HIS the heart of it is neglected; it is easy to stress its universal love, and His spirit of revolutionary material phase, while overlooking its spirit. Now I have something new to add: that is to say, self-sacrifice. Because Jesus desired to fulfill His heaven-ap- if we are really going to practice the new method of living, not only must we have a new spirit, we pointed mission to save mankind, h.e held. fast to must have a New Life. This new life must have an indomitable resolve, an unwavermg faIth; He Jesus' spirit of universal love, and His determinamaintained an attitude of perfect good will, even tion to sacrifice Himself; only thus can this qualat the cost of life itself, not hesitating to sacrifice ity of new life be obtained. all so that his courageous. heart might struggle to th; end. And even when He faced the cross, with In brief, the spirit of Jesus is constructive, sacits unparalleled torture, he still remained un- rificial, holy, true, peaceable, forward-looking, full moved, unshaken by his trials. He maintained of eager striving; and it is revolutionary throughsupreme loyalty to ideals and duty, supreme mag- out. My fellow countrymen, let us cherish the nanimity toward friends. and comrades. Such de- idea of a "new birth"; let us maintain the resovotion and sympathy are the more precious be- lution of "sacrifice." Let us hold Jesus as the goal cause so difficult to attain. Then see Him nailed for human living; let us keep the mind of Jesus high on the cross, asking His heavenly Father to as our mind, the life of Jesus as our life. Let us have mercy upon His foes because of their igno- bravely go with Him to the cross, to seek the everrance. Behold how limitless is His spirit of uni- lasting peace of mankind, and the renewal of our versal love! nation of China.
Jesus' creative revolutionary spirit is founded The economic mess in which the world finds itself today just on this, His spirit of universal love. is more a mess of sin than a mess of economic ignorance. ·-Professor John Baillie.
Transformations in West
By G. C. BEANLAND, Nkolmvolan, Cameroun.
THERE is warfare which is far more subtle out, then carry them to their towns where they and engaging than any military campaign; are planed and prepared for these new buildings the warfare carried on between the soldiers and for attractive furniture. Others are learning of the Cross of Christ and the hordes of evil in the art of burning brick and tile, with which they all parts of Africa. Here is the great adventure are constructing very durable and serviceable for the Christian Church. It is a difficult task to houses. Still others are learning to build houses overthrow the evil, superstitious practices of with mud walls, which, when whitewashed with paganism and supplant them with the truths con- white clay taken from the beds of the streams, cerning God, man, and nature. The missionaries' make very attractive houses. part in this great work is that of teacher of hand, Another change is noticed in the dress of the head, heart and health. His work is never done. He must be continually on the job and no matter people. Our Industrial School conducts a tailorin which of the four categories of mission work, ing class in which young men have been taught industrial, medical, evangelistic or educational, to make clothing like that worn by the white man. his work lies, all his talents must be engaged all After an apprenticeship of sufficient time, these young men graduate and, on returning to their of the time to be able to see hts cherished plants towns, set themselves up as "village tailors" and grow and flourish. very few of them suffer from idleness as they Cameroun Colony on the West coast of Africa, have all the work they can do for their towns- where the work of the American Presbyterian people. Chauffeurs and mechanics are trained in Church is carried on, is a mandated colony under our Industrial School who are in great demand to the care and protection of the French Govern- care for and drive the many motors which have ment. It was a German colony prior to the great been brought out by traders and government World War, and after the war was mandated to officials. In order for these motors to function France. Mission work was greatly hampered and properly, of course, there must be good roads, impeded during the struggle but the natives were and the old trails of former days have given way led to realize our great dependence upon God and to modern gravel roads threading the country and His protecting power over all of us and we suf- connecting the different administrative points and fered comparatively little during those terrible days. Changing regimes brought about many commercial centers. Our medical department ad- ministers to the many sick people who are broug~t changes in our mission work but we adjusted in to our hospitals from all the regions round ourselves to the new government and we have had about, so that the natives who are suffering from very cordial and sympathetic relations with the the various tropical diseases can have medical French administration since their occupation of attention. This is bringing about a great change the colony. in the health conditions of the country.
Certain changes are noted in which the mission Since the introduction of our mission schools, and missionaries have had some part since the which at first had a very skeptical reception, work of the mission was established along the there has been noticed quite an intellectual change West coast of Africa about fifty years ago. One among these people. They are a people of marvelnotices today new and attractive homes of some ous memories, keen perception and very vivid of the natives which are being built along the imagination. They are not such philosophers as motor roads of the country. The young men have are the sons of Shem and Japheth but they are learned in the carpenter shops how to saw the nobody's fools. They have a very rich storehouse planks from the great timbers of the forest and of folklore and traditions and much of their how to build their homes with these planks. Not past is to be known only as one draws it out of being able to haul their timbers to the sawmill, the older people in conversation. To introduce they resort to the primitive method of digging a our schools to them we had at first, of course, to pit and rolling a section of the log over the pit reduce some of their language to writing as they ancl with large saws laboriously rip the planks have never had any method of writing or record- [417 ]
ing their language. It has been merely handed of the hardest fields of the mission. He and his down from father to son through countless faithful wife were sent far away into the heart generations. After the first translation of some of a very heathen tribe and there they established parts of the Gospel, and after the school children a home and set up their family altar. Soon word had become able to read and write their own came down saying "I have one convert." Later language, the schools took care of themselves. on he gained others and slowly he built up a little Word spread to many of the tribes that the mis- nucleus of believers about him. Other evangelists sion was able to teach the children to read and were sent up into that tribe because the people, write and soon schools were asked for by many of through the influence of this first evangelist, be- the chiefs of the different tribes, until today our gan calling for them. Finally it was deemed ad- schools are scattered throughout the entire area visable to establish a church in that tribe and of South Cameroun, even to the border. today there is one of the strongest churches in Not only did we give them our schools but we Cameroun in "hat locality, which was formally have given them a literature. At first the Gospels a superstitious, pagan, cannibalistic tribe.
and Acts were translated and later the whole of Another young man, Ze Esim, is a very lovable, the New Testament was given to them in their Christian character. He came to us from one of own language and put into the schools as a text- the older mission fields and was placed in the book. Now we have about finished the translation center of a very wicked tribe as there were a few of the entire Bible. Other literature, such as boys there who were inclined towards the things Pilgrim's Progress, school books, pamphlets for of God. Ze scoured the country round about and distribution in the towns and a monthly· news attracted scores of children to his school where sheet are some of the materials which have been he saturated them with the Gospel and taught gotten out on our well equipped Halsey Memorial them verses of Scripture to carry away in their Press. The printed page is going into the homes hearts. Opposed by some of the old heathen men, of most of the people who have learned to read he would preach to them and pray with them until and it is having its effect of spreading the news several of these men came over into the camp of of the Kingdom of God into many parts of the Ze's God. "Pray for me," wrote Ze, "as old land. Satan is trying to tear up my work, but I know Besides the physical changes and the intellectual that if I am faithful and persistent, Christ will change of the people we notice a spiritual change give us the victory for has He not said, 'Lo I am as well. These Bantu people are animistic and with you always even unto the end of the world.' "
have nothing in their faith that we may class as Craving more learning and a better way to preach a religion, but there is a superstitious fear of the Word of God, Ze is preparing himself for the the Great Spirit (Zambe) who made the world pastorate. With such a spirit he is bound to win and peopled it. There are many lesser gods and many more souls for the Kingdom of God.
their idea of worship is only some method of On such men as these, whom we can number appeasing the wrath of the Great Spirit or of by the scores, we are depending to build up the these lesser gods by sacrifice of fowls or animals; Kingdom of God in Cameroun. It is told that the consequently the old Jewish custom of sacrifice authorities in one of the African ports desired to as an atonement for sin has a special appeal to build a wharf alongside of which ocean-going them. We have, however, sought to teach them vessels might tie up and discharge their cargo of the great sacrifice made once and for all for and take on other cargo, so they ordered great those who believe in the strong Son of God. This timbers from Europe. These timbers were sunk Good News has laid hold upon thousands of these into the mud at the mouth of one of the big rivers natives and for them there is joy and happiness and their wharf built upon them. Soon the ter- in the new found life in Christ. Young men and mites began to eat into these timbers and they women are turning away from their old fetishes crumbled away into the river. Then the authori- and are giving allegiance to the Man of Galilee ties went into the great forest adjoining and cut who "came not to be ministered unto but to min- down some of the fine old mahogony trees, squared ister and to give His life a ransom for many." the logs, and, bringing these down to the coast, There was a fine young man who entered our sank them into this same mud and built their village school. He came from a very pagan tribe wharf upon them. There they stand because they and, by persevering in his studies, progressed are indigenous to the country and the termites rapidly and later asked to be admitted to the theo- cannot destroy them. The foundations of the logical school. He was a bright, inquisitive fellow Church of Christ are strong and we have faith to and tried to carry out the instructions of his believe that the faithful, Christian men and wom- teacher very faithfully. He was noted for his en of Cameroun will withstand the ravages of all piety and prayerfulness and when licensed by the destructive agencies for they are built upon Presbytery to preach, he asked to be sent to one the solid Rock.
A MOSLEM FEAST IN GOLDEN BANQUET HALL OF IMAM RIDA
The Story of Meshed, a Sacred City y the REV. DWIGHT M. DONALDSON, -.<!Ii{ Meshed, Iran A.uthor of "The Shi'ite Religion",. Missionary of [ : the Presb'yterian Church, u. S. A.
THE modern province of Khorasan has an area This is the third largest city in Iran and lies of 150,000 square 'miles. This is a little less about as many miles east of Jerusalem as Rome than one fourth of the entire area of Iran. lies to the west. Among the Jews of the Disper- Its population, notwithstanding its vast stretches sion, who returned to their homes after Pentecost of desert, is about equal to that of the fertile prov- with the marvelous news of. the risen Christ, were ince of Azerbaijan (1,500,000). While in Azer- Parthians, liedes and Elamites, and dwellers in baijan, in the northwest, American missionary Mesopotamia. It must have been shortly after the work was begun as early as 1835, in Khorasan, writing of the great report of St. Paul's mission- the large province in the northeast, bordering on ary jour~ys and preaching in Rome, that other Afghanistan and Turkestan, there was no mission believers, 'such as the Apostle Addai and Tatian, work established until the opening of Meshed in made their way East with the Christian Gospel.
1911. This is the largest and most significant pil- We know that before the overthrow of the Par- grimage city in Iran. Preliminary itinerating thiandynasty in A. D. 225, there were more than journeys were made by American missionaries in twenty Bishoprics in Mesopotamia and in Iran.
1878, 1894, and 1905, and finally in 1911 Rev. Furthermore, at an Eastern Council in A. D. 424, Lewis F. Esselstyn, D.D., was ,sent to occupy delegates came from the distant cities of Nisha- Meshed. pur and Herat and Merw.
[419 ] electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
In spite of the severe persecutions of Christians which has acquired this significance because it by the Sassanian kings, there were still communi- has been taken from near the tomb of the Imam ties of Christians in Iran at the time of the rise Rida, whom he trusts as his Friend, his Guide, of Islam in the seventh century, but the power of hi~ Mediator, and his Master.
the old Sassanian Empire was completely over- It is believed to be a special advantage to be thrown, and the forces of Islam pushed rapidly to buried near the Imam, in order to rise along with the East. Arab influence swept across Iran and him on the Judgment day, and be thus rated Afghanistan and on to India. Devastating wars among the friends and supporters of the Prophet and famines followed, so that by the time of Mohammed. Accordingly, for nearly a thousand Harun aI-Rashid (who died A. D. 786), who years, high prices have been paid for cemetery showed marked hostility to his Christian subjects, privileges near the grave of the Imam. For ages the remote communities of believers in Khorasan were almost wiped out.We read that Christian camel caravans have wended their way on long doctors took part in meetings that were held for desert j ourne~' that ended in Meshed, and frereligious discussion before the Caliph Ma'mun quently, in addition to their loads of merchandise, early in the ninth century in Merw. they have brought the bodies of good Mohamme- dans who died in distant places but who had ex- The Imam Rida pressed the wish to be buried in the great ceme- tery here. It is the custom also for corpses to be Harun al-Rashid's last military expedition was carried in solemn procession around the Imam's to quell a rebellion in Khorasan, but when he tomb before burial. About this tomb successive reached the city of Tus he fell ill'and died.' He kings of Persia, (Iran) have built a magnificent was buried in a garden sixtl'len miles away, and . shrine, with a dome and minarets of gold. Behis son Ma'mun moved on. .with the troops. to side ·it is. a, mosque, with a still larger dome of Merw, where he established his capital and main- tiles of turquoil?e blue. The sacred center of the a tained the authority of the Abbasid Caliphate in city is thia;;shrlrte;area. Devout Moslems stop as the East. Ma'mun made what he thought was a they cross st:reetthat leads to it, and bow to- politic effort to unite the great schism in Islam be- wards its resplendent golden dome.
tween the Sunnites and the Shi'ites by designating Changing Time as his heir apparent to the Caliphate the highly esteemed lineal descendant of the "prophet" Mu- A new day has now come in Meshed. On the hammad, the Imam Ali al-Rida, who was the other side of the city from the tomb of the Imam, recognized spiritual leader of the Shi'ites. This but with money from the Shrine endowments, a expedient proved to be exceedingly unpopular large modern hospital has been erected. The gov- among the Sunnites, however, and when the army ernment is systematically administering Shrine was on the return journey to Baghdad, it is said funds for public welfare, and among the efforts that the Imam Rida fell ill from eating grapes thus subsidized is a school for boys, with an im- that had been poisoned. As he died during the posing building that resembles the main building days of the encampment at the tomb. of Harun al- of the American College in Teheran, a curriculum Rashid, the Caliph Ma'mun had him buried with for 12 classes and an attendance of over 700 boys.
conspicuous honor at this place, in the garden of There is a similar school for girls, all in the name Sanabad, which later came to be known as the of the Imam Rida, with money exacted from the mashhad, or place of martyrdom, of the Imam Shrine authorities by the government.
Rida. Meshed~The Shrine City In order to accommodate automobile traffic the streets of Meshed have had to be widened, and to In the ravages of the Mongol invasions in the the amazement of everybody a great thoroughfare thirteenth century the city of Tus was destroyed, has been cut directly through the famous old cemeand a new city gradually grew up aro~nd the tomb tery on the north side of the Shrine, and hundreds of the Imam. This was the city of Mashhad, of the flat tombstones were used to pave the new which foreigners have come to call Meshed. sidewalks. Stories were told of miracles of healing through After ten years of work; in rented houses, the prayer in the name of the Imam, or through drink- missionaries in Meshed secured the present coming water mixed with dust swept from the tomb. pound of something over fourteen acres. It lies The very clay from the garden was reported to inside the city and is within view of the Shrine. have magic powers, and tablets of it are regularly used in the ritual of the daily prayers. The wor- Formerly it was land used for truck-gardening shiper lays the clay tablet on a cloth or prayer-rug but now there are trees and lawns and it is known that lies before him, and in the prescribed pros- as "The American Garden." It was purchased at trations he touches his forehead to the sacred clay, forty cents a square yard, but now it is appraised at four times as much.
THE STORY OF MESHED, A SACRED CITY
On this land there are five missionary resi- the Mission compound. It has enrolled a small dences, a fifty-bed hospital, and an elementary but homogeneous group of boys, in spite of serious school for boys. At the entrance to the compound opposition from Moslem parents .and the keen there is a Reading Room, which is a center for the competition of government schools. The reasons sale and distribution of evangelistic literature, for the existence of Mission schools, both for boys with a room where individuals come for Christian and for girls, are at least as strong as the reasons instruction. Another small building, near the for such schools in any other city in Iran. There football field, is used as a recreation center. is no other mission school within a radius of al- Medical work was begun in 1915, in a rented most six hundred miles. Well within that circle Iranian house, with one doctor and no trained as- lies the great province of Khorasan, with a fourth sistants. After steady development there is now of the area and about a sixth of the population of a well-planned hospital with good modern equip- all Iran, and including about a dozen smaller cities ment and trained workers. In addition to the tens that would send some of the best of their boys of thousands of patients who have been treated in the base hospital at Meshed, many more thousands have been helped on itinerating trips to other cities in the province of Khorasan. In 1924 a trip was made to Herat in Afghanistan and an- other a few years later.
Patients include many Iranians, Turks and Afghans, as well as some Indians and Arabs, Rus- sians and other Europeans. The great majority are Moslems, but there are also Jews, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians, as well as some who have no religious belief. It is the aim of the hospital staff that all should receive loving care in the name of the Saviour of mankind. Many pilgrims to the Shrine also come to the "American Chris- tian Hospital," and when they return to their far- off villages they sometimes take with them, not only gratitude for physical improvement, but a new spiritual hope.
The hospital also provides medical care for lepers who live in a village two miles outside the city. This is the only organized work for lepers in all Iran. There have been some actual cures from the dreaded disease, and treatment almost always stops its progress and relieves acute suf- MOSQUE OF THE BLUE TILES .aT ME'SHED fering.
The hospital maintains a standard of medical and girls to Mission schools in Meshed if they work that may serve as an example to the na- were developed so as to have boarding departtionals as they build their own hospitals. To co- ments, a secondary school, an industrial branch, operate with the Iranian doctors there are med- and such other facilities for work as would be ical conferences and public health meetings to commensurate with the strategic location and the stress matters of hygiene, sanitation and pre- unique opportunities of Meshed. ventive medicine. Infant and maternal mor- tality, though slowly decreasing, is still appalling, The Church in Its Khorasan Environment and much attention should be given to the instruction of mothers in child-care, midwives should be The fresh-water streams of Khorasan disappear trained, and constructive public health programs in the great salt desert, for they flow from the should be inaugurated. Along with this growth upper plateau into the central depression, known are even more favorable opportunities for the as the Great Kavir. This may serve as a parable presentation of the Christian message of hope of much missionary effort which seems to have and salvation. been in vain. New converts from Islam may show Christian educational work was begun on a a kind of ecstasy and enthusiasm while they are very small scale, with classes in two hospital among the hills of vision, but too often their rooms; then the school moved to a rented building Water of Life seems to be lost as they come down and finally in 1929 a good building was erected on to the problem of making a living in Moslem SQ- electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
ciety. For several years the number of converts as their Saviour, may give more effective testiwho have been kept together in the Church group mony in their present occupations. Those Chrisin Meshed has been made up almost entirely of tians who are artisans and small tradesmen must those to whom the Mission or missionaries have be able to withstand petty persecution and boybeen able to give employment. Happily some of cotting and win their way by honesty and forthese have rendered faithful service and have bearance to recognized Christian influence. made progress in Christian living, but in the case of others, when Mission employment has not been It is said that the horses of Khorasan, the faavailable their loyalty has waned. mous Turkomans, have by adaptation to their environment become "bony and clumsy-looking At the present time there are significant changes quadrupeds, with marvelous power of endurance." in the social life in Iran and we believe that the The camels of Khorasan also are celebrated for time has finally come when it is altogether pos- their size and strength. "They have very long sible for Moslems who have become Christians to hair and beat"·cold and exposure far better than find employment without working for the Mission. the ordinary Arabian or Iranian camels, which With industry, foresight,· thrift, patience, and carry only 320 lbs., whereas the Khorasan camels other virtues that make for Christian stamina this will carry from 600 to 700 lbs." In like manner can be done. Nevertheless, these Christians, in it is greatly to be desired that the converts from their capacity as pioneer missionaries among their Islam in Khorasan, and likewise the missionaries own people, need much sustaining love and prayer who are sent to this distant province, will so adapt that those of them who became Christians as themselves as to take root as Christians in this young men in mission schools may continue to be difficult environment, and in consequence may known as Christians in the cities where they go develop exceptional powers of endurance with a to work and that those who were patients or help- strong faith to carry cheerfully extra-heavy ers in mission hospitals, and who accepted Christ burdens.
A Church Serving the Whole Community By the REV. WILLIAM C. MUNDS, Corpus Christi, Texas f3.- Rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd ,:' of splendid educational buildings and parish houses closed from Sunday to Sunday. That is I N VIEW of the communal life upon which so- why the Church is often looked upon as purely a ciety is organized and in view of the service one-day-a-week institution. In the use of its equip- ideal which undergirds all Christian activity, ment, the Church must lose its smug, ecclesiastical the whole community is the definite responsibility life in the effort to have the spirit of Christ per- of the Church. If this be not so, the Church has meate every phase of our every-day life. The no reason nor excuse for its existence. Church must become an integral part of the life of man. In assuming responsibility for the whole One of the outmoded concepts of the Church's community, the Church must set up a compre- mission is that the Church is merely a preaching hensive program. This will vary in different station. According to the Gospel record our Lord types of communities, therefore we shall suggest preached very little, but he did a great deal. The a variety of activities in the hope that those in- Church should concern itself less with words and terested may find some helpful suggestions. more with deeds. The work of the Church in the ; foreign field for the past quarter century is a con- To begin with, the Church needs to understand crete illustration of this method. its community. This can best be accomplished by careful survey to determine the community's We must also cease stressing the importance of needs. Many splendid programs have failed for denominational loyalty to the exclusion of a pri- the reason that they were conceived without any mary loyalty to Christ and His way of life. This reference to actual conditions. Since the trend larger view is necessary as one cannot think in today is in the direction of highly institutionalized terms of community interests if he is first forced programs, the temptation is strong to make our to hurdle denominational barriers.
Church buildings must serve community needs. It is nothing short of a disgrace to see thousands
A CHURCH SERVING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY
churches beehives of activity. But little is accom- The crux of the community problem is here. It plished through such activity unless it effectively is not possible to raise the general moral level of a serves a definite purpose. The wise minister will community until the basic causes for juvenile know his community. That is the first step. delinquency are eliminated. It is utter stupidity and neglect of duty to assume that the general In making a survey, it is also necessary to know moral tone of a community can be improved until the assets of a community as well as its liabilities. more attention is given to the underprivileged There are usually agencies doing splendid work groups. Leadership for such work should come both in the character building and in the general from our churches. health field. The Church should use these agencies and bring people in contact with the organizations The city slums constitute a terrible indictment best fitted to serve their needs. It is a sinful against the Church, for often individual church waste of energy and money for the Church to members are responsible for the continued existduplicate work already being done efficiently by ence of such areas. Every social study reveals others. Our communities need today wise social the downward pull of the slum areas upon the engineering, and the Church can make a valuable moral tone of a community. The slums are the contribution in the field by supplying the initia- breeders of every known type of crime, and they tive and leadership. must be eliminated before civilization can be pulled up to higher levels. That is a responsi- Responsibility Toward Youth bility of the Church.
But there are many other contributions that the The Church and Moral Evils Church can and should make to the life of a community. The list that we shall discuss will not be The Church, being responsible for the whole comprehensive, but merely suggestive. The most community, must assume some obligation for the important phase of the Church's responsibility for evil conditions, as well as for developing the the whole community is towards its youth, and forces that are good. It is fallacious reasoning to being responsible for youth, the Church must as- assume that God will be satisfied to receive a sume the responsibility for the whole life of youth, chosen few into close fellowship with Himself social and recreational as well as religious. The and not be concerned with the multitudes who, prevailing theory of Christian workers is that if because of unspeakably bad social conditions, are youth is given proper spiritual foundations, other outside the circle of His divine society on earth. phases of youth's life will take care of themselves. Christianity is not only a personal religion, it But such a theory does not work, for youth de- is also a social religion which touches every area mands more than religious training. A whole- of life. As our Lord so trenchantly said, "I am some, social and recreational experience is needed not sent but unto the lost sheep." and if the Church does not supply it, the youth will go elsewhere to find it, and much of the com- One of the most degrading and injurious elemercial, social and recreational activities offered ments of any community is prostitution. This sin to youth is unwholesome, even harmful to char- only encourages the beast in man, destroys the acter. The time has come to face this situation idealism of youth, harbors the criminal, spreads frankly and inaugurate a youth program which gonorrhea and syphilis to a degree which is alarmwill provide wholesome social and recreational ing, but it injures the home and takes toll· in huexperiences as well as religious. training. man life that is enormous. Far from protecting virtuous womanhood, prostitution threatens her An increasingly large number of parishes and life and happiness. Whenever it is abolished, sex congregations are now conducting socials for crimes are reduced to a low level and the moral young people with splendid results. Other forms tone of the community is raised. Nothing is acof amusement may also be provided: girls' and complished by merely publicly protesting against boys' basketball teams, choral societies, young the existence of this institution. Far better for people's service leagues, dramatic clubs, Boy the churches to employ trained experts to handle Scouts, Camp Fire Girls, and a score of other ac- the situation. Prostitution can be removed from tivities that not only fill a real need but also serve a community and it is the Church's duty to help to tie young people closer to the Church.. remove it.
In thinking through its responsibility for the If it is true, as someone has said, that "it is the whole community, the Church must also minister duty of the Church to always concern itself with to the underprivileged groups. There are chil- the social problems that harass humanity," then dren and young people who need the Church, but the Church should instantly concern itself with who belong to the group not often welcomed by the divorce problem, a problem that is threatenthe Church. Admittedly, there are very real prob- ing the stability of the American home. Christ lems presented, but such problems can be solved. cannot be a dominant factor in homes that are
being broken up by divorce. Here again preach- viding the young people with wholesome social ing will accomplish little. The roots of the divorce and recreational activities. Desiring t{) meet this problem lie deep and the Church must adopt a need, at least in part, the Church of the Good c{)mprehensive educational program if construc- Shepherd, Episcopal, decided to build a Parish tive results are expected. Since marriage is a House. Several civic-minded citizens, who were serious undertaking, greater care must be used not members of the Episcopal Church, petitioned in preparing young people for it. If ministers the Church of the Good Shepherd to allow this everywhere would refuse to perform a ma.rriage building to be used by the whole community. The ceremony until they were convinced that the con- Parish was immediately faced with the question tracting parties were well qualified to undertake as to the Church's responsibility to the whole the venture, many hasty and ill-advised marriages community. would be av{)ided. An increasingly large number of churches are offering courses for young people After carefully considering the problem, it was on "The Preparation for Marriage, Home and decided that t'he community's needs must be con- Family," with surprisingly good .results. The sidered before parochial needs. A separate cortime is near when such courses will become a poration was formed, and an Operating Board recognized part of every Church School cur- was also appointed which included members from riculum.* practically every church in the city. While it is not officially an inter-church project, yet it is an Then there is the field of mental health. Every evidence of the splendid cooperative spirit which clergyman is now called upon to deal with people exists among churches of this city. who need the services of a psychologist or a psychiatrist. While he may be able personally to The Corpus Christi Civic Center is a building handle some of these cases, yet most of them will dedicated "To God for Youth." That is its prineed the services of experts. By putting those in mary purpose although it will serve a variety of need of this type of service in touch with the uses. proper agencies, the Church gives evidence of its concern for every form of human need. Some The building has a large auditorium seating churches have sponsored mental health clinics about 500 people and a stage for amateur drawith excellent results, especially where there is matics. It will be an ideal place for lectures, conno other agency doing this type of work. certs, and particularly socials for the young people. A fully equipped kitchen will serve 200 How One Church Served the Community people. Offices are provided for the Camp Fire Girls, Y. M. C. A., and other agencies. The base- It may prove helpful to relate how one Church ment contains a handball court, shower baths and accepted responsibility for a whole community locker rooms, free clinic for indigent children, a and is seeking to fulfil its obligations. game room and two parlors where various civic clubs may meet. A survey of the city {)f Corpus Christi, Texas, revealed a deplorable lack of facilities for pro- While this building will in no wise be able to serve the needs of the whole community, yet it is • Some communions require their clergy to give some type of a step in the right direction. There was a need. instruction to all those who apply for marriage. Individual The Church felt a responsibility to meet that need ministers of many communions have long offered such courses to and then did something about it.
prospective brides and bridegrooms. Few clergymen, if any, are In Corpus Christi there is another communal project. The missionary societies of six different qualified to give technical instruction on sex matters, but in every churches support and manage a Community Mis- sion in the Mexican section of the city. Each large city there are maternal health clinics available for such .pur- church is responsible for the religious services poses. In smaller communities progressive physicians will be glad conducted at the Mission for one month at a time. A trained Christian worker is soon to be employed to cooperate. Also there are splendid books on marriage that will to work among the people of that section.
prove helpful to those who read them. Every clergyman should have Each Church, as has been said, must study its particular community, and work out its own such books in his library to lend those who are to be married. program.
Obviously, none of these services can be rendered so long as the Church and her clergy refuse to assume a responsibility for dealing with this problem. The Church has an obligation which is some- thing far greater than actually performing the marriage ceremony.
Many communions realize the seriousness of this problem and are taking steps to safeguard the stability of the .home. At the last General Convention of the Episcopal Church a measure was intro- duced forbidding any clergyman of that communion to marry any couple until they had presented him with a certificate of health which included a Wassermann test against syphiIls. The measure was defeated by a small majority and wl!l undoubtedly be passed at some subsequent convention. The home is an institution which is vital to every community. Sinee the Church sanctifies the mar- riage relationship, it must help to make it a more intelligible and a more harmonious relationship. W. C. M.
Too many Christian bodies of various kinds are spending more time and effort today in winning members one from the other than in winning souls from the darkness of the King- dom of Evil.
Christ Found a Mexican Colonel*
This is the story told to Rev. N. W. Taylor, of Mexico City, by Colonel Rodolfo Curti V., formerly an army officer and then chief of Traffic Department, Police Force, Mexico City. Now he is on the Military Headquarters Staff, the Garrison of Mexico City.
TWELVE years ago, when stationed with my carrying out this commission that I received the regiment in the Mixtec region of the State of commendation of General Calles. I received praise Oaxaca, I was taken very ill and in my suf- also and promotion for my part in the organization fering, my thoughts naturally turned to my young of the Traffic Department and for other things wife and our four-months-old baby, who were done in the interest of the welfare of the city.
then in the city of Puebla. As I became worse I But then came disillusionment! I resigned from cried to God, asking that he spare me to them. the Traffic Department and for a time it seemed Finally I sank into a state of coma and the people that I had been forgotten by the Government in the village thought that I had died. I was pre- which I had tried to serve faithfully. I was even pared for burial and surrounded with candles. tempted to commit suicide. This was God's op- After some hours I regained consciousness and portunity.
sat up, causing terror among those who were in One night I dreamed that I was hurrying down the room at the time. a narrow, dark, tortuous street. I met a group of It was thought that the only chance to save my people and inquired, life was to take me as quickly as possible to "Have you found Him?"
Oaxaca City for an operation. But the village, "No," they replied.
where I lay sick, was four days' ride from the "Then let us seek Him together," I answered.
railroad and, as, the heat was intense, it seemed We threaded our way along the narrow street impossible for me to make the trip unless they for an interminable time it seemed and our anxiety could keep ice packs on me continually. But there increased every moment. At last we turned a was no ice in this mountain village nor in the dis- corner and saw in front of us a figure sitting on trict. The General commanding the State advised a low bench in front of a closed door. His head us by telegraph that he would send ice from the was resting on his hands but as we approached he city as rapidly as possible, but it was questionable looked up and I recognized Him as Christ. His whether any ice would last long enough to get me face shone and His hands and feet glistened like to the city. The first day, while we were waiting mirrors. I fell on my knees before Him; and all for the ice, a heavy cloud overshadowed the part His goodness, from that day in the Mixtec village of the town where I was lying and hailstones, so when the hailstones fell, flooded my memory and great that they killed chickens and turkeys, fell I burst into tears.
heavily for some minutes. The people hurriedly I awoke crying and the burden of my ingrati- filled sacks with the hailstones and I was placed tude and sin seemed unbearable. For the re- in a litter and the journey to the railroad began. mainder of the night I could not control myself I recovered but so great was my unbelief I forgot and continued crying like a child. When morning my prayer to God and ascribed the hailstorm to came I was like one in a daze. I could not even mere chance. remember the name of my only daughter whom I A few years later, when stationed in Guadala- love dearly. This condition lasted for three days.
jara, I was passing an evangelical church and I was in an agony of grief and sorrow and walked heard them singing "Nearer My God to Thee." up and down my living room or in the garden for Something seemed to grip my heart and I could hoursi at a time, crying, "My God, help me. My not restrain the tears. However, feeling that such God, help me."
emotion was unworthy of an army officer, I hur- Then I procured aNew Testament and began ried away. Later, my wife and I attended a serv- to read. Still no light or peace came. At last ice but did not understand the message. there came to my mind the words of the hymn I Then I was called to Mexico City to aid my Gen- had heard in Guadalajara and I remembered eral in the reorganization of the police force. At where there was an evangelical church in the city.
that time it fell to my lot to superintend the clos- I attended a service without getting any peace.
ing of all the Roman Catholic churches in the city I went a second time but still could not understand on the 31st of July, 1926. So zealous was I in the Way of Salvation. On the third occasion the * From The Philippine Evangelist, May, 1938. speaker was giving a Bible study on sin. As the [ 425 ] •
different sins were written on the blackboard I The following Sunday was Easter. We atsaid to myself, "Someone must have told about tended the morning service at which we learned me," for it was a perfect description of my condi- that some new members were to be baptized that tion. At the end of the meeting an invitation was evening. After prayer, my wife and I decided to given and I went forward. As I knelt there at ask to be received into the church in order to make the rail to my joy found my wife was kneeling our public confession and thus cut all that bound beside me. That night the pastor of the church us to the old life. That evening we publicly took led us into the Light and peace came into our our stand for Christ. In the four months which hearts. have passed since then we have been experiencing the truth of Paul's "If any man be in Christ, he Then came a great struggle. To go on with is a new creature; old things are passed away; Christ meant breaking with the old life. Christ behold all things are become new." All things must be all or nothing. There could be no half- have become l1oriously new for us and we are hearted surrender. But what would be the re- seeking to follow His Will. suIts? Would it mean losing position, rank and friends? I walked up and down my garden fight- *** ing it out and then like a flash there came to my mind the words, "Be of good cheer; I have over- The only knowledge Colonel Curti had of the come the world." I hurried into the house and Gospel story was through a very slight contact called my wife. with Roman Catholicism, which, in Mexico, em- phasizes a suffering or dead Christ, not a glorified "It is all settled," I said to her. "Christ has one. How was it that in his dream he saw a resurovercome the world and nothing can touch us ex- rected and glorified Christ? cept as He wills." From that moment we have tried to give our all to Christ, to do His will each Today Col. Curti is active in personal work day and have determined not to let a single day among the military and political leaders of the pass without trying to win one soul for Him. country.
Enlisting the Privileged to Help the Underprivileged By the REV. SAMUEL E. WEST Rector of St. lames Episcopal Church, Wichita, Kansas T HE sort of church of which I am rector is alike repeat the words too glibly. I have caught easily labeled as "privileged" by the news- myself talking to children about their privileges papers. They revel in announcing "A fash- and urging them to realize their responsibilities ionable wedding of socialites in the swank, to the underprivileged, and then wondering if in exclusive Episcopal Church on the HilL" It is a so doing I was not actuaJly aiding and abetting form of reporting whioh is exasperating to say the the subtle process of creating snobs.
least. By the same token there are still many people As a matter of fact this congregation represents left in the land 'who, despite the fact that they have been up against it, are senSitive and have a a cross-section of substantial middle-class business lot of self-respect; they by no means wish to be and professional people, with a fringe of wealth classed among the "underprivileged." Would it and another fringe of poverty. One of my faith- not be much better to use a good old scriptural ful laymen is a WPA worker and another is a expression, such as "we that are strong ought to janitor working for $60.00 per month. We have bear the infirmities of them that are weak." It eighty employed women and girls in a communi- is true that there are in all of our cities many cant membership of seven hundred. strong self-supporting parishes and likewise many weak, struggling, mission churches. By all of Personally I am inclined to think that we over- the precepts of the Christian religion, the strong work the phrase, "privileged and underprivileged." Religious leaders and social workers
ENLISTING THE PRIVILEGED TO HELP THE UNDERPRIVILEGED
should do all in their power to help the weak. The ago, when churches were having a hard time raisdifficulty which most of us experience in enlisting ing their budgets, we were discussing missionary the so-called privileged is probably due to the ab- quotas. One of the Vestrymen said, 'I don't see sence of the personal element, rather than to any why we should continue to send money to the other factor. This is true in regard to the mis- Chinese when we are so hard up ourselves. Why sionary enterprise and to the great programs of not forget missions until times are better?" I social welfare. To many people, missions and said to him, "Would you apply that same prinphilanthropy today seem to mean programs and ciple to our own Bishop and his program in the quotas rather than personal service. Something Diocese?" He replied, "No, dog-gone it, we can't must be done to remedy this condition. let the Bishop down. I wish I were not so fond of him; then it would be a lot easier to cut out During the recent Lenten season we tried an our Diocesan Assessment." The man knew, of experiment along this line in the Diocese of Kan- course, that the Bishop was vitally concerned sas. Bishop Wise suggested that in all of the about his mission clergymen and their congregaparishes and missions we conduct a series of mis- tions. Sometimes I ask myself if I am really in sionary book reviews. I invited six women to earnest in appealing for the missionary enterundertake these reviews and a number of men to undertake a similar task for the Men's Class. We prise. Do I really care about the advancement of have had such noted personalities presented as the Kingdom, or am I motivated rather by paro- Bishop Schereschewsky, Bishop Hare, Dr. Albert chial pride? We all need to ask oUI'selves ques- Schweitzer, Bishop Franklin Spaulding, Bishop tions of that nature. We can appeal, plead, cajole, condemn, denounce, argue and quote Scripture by Talbott, Dr. Grenfell of Labrador, and David Liv- the yard, but if we ourselves are not thoroughly ingstone. In every case both the men and the converted to the cause of missions all of our pulpit women who undertook the task have, I think, been thumping will fail to produce results. The telling thoroughly converted to the cause of missions, and of a story of missionary endeavor and personal I believe that they were able to communicate their adventure is more effective in enlisting the interown enthusiasm to the others. The lawyer who' est and support of the local congregation than all reviewed the life of Livingstone made the most of the high-powered arguments of ecclesiastical complete commitment to the cause of missions, at spellbinders. the conclusion of his review, that I have ever heard from a layman. The woman who was to tell But I wish to tell about the relationship of this about Albert Schweitzer happened to be in New parish to a struggling congregation of colored York the week before her review was scheduled, Episcopalians in the city. It may not be common and had an interview with Madame Schweitzer knowledge that we have no separate denominawho was in America at that time. This woman tional organization for colored Episcopalians. had accepted the assignment rather reluctantly as They are under the same jurisdiction, are reprea '~church duty," feeling it would be dull and tire- sented in the same Diocesan Convention, are some but she kept the .other women on the edge of their seats when she told the story. To "per- confirmed by the same Bishop and many of their sonalize" missions, philanthropy and the relation ministerial candidates attend the same Theological of the strong city church to the weaker mission Seminaries as the white Episcopalians. Conseis a difficult undertaking, but in some way it must quently the relationship of the mission for colored be done. The well-to-do members of our churches people in this city to the two self-supporting white are, I believe, no less generous than they used to parishes is just the same as that of a mission for be, but they are more careful. They have lost white people. At the present time these colored much of their own security and some of them feel Episcopalians are fortunate in having a priest of that they are contributing a good bit to the under- their own race, but from time to time during privileged through taxation. However when I years past they have been without pastoral overhave a personal problem which must be presented sight except from the two white rectors. It has as such, I find that the purse strings are open. been my privilege for several years to minister to Recently a young man in my parish was ordered this congregation but it is not of this pleasant by his physician to move to another climate. He personal relationship I wish to speak. was almost entirely without funds and appealed to me. I, in turn, appealed to two laymen over We have in this parish four licensed lay readers, the telephone, and within five minutes the neces- all of whom, with one exception, have served an sary amounts were forthcoming. apprenticeship in conducting services at the col- ored church. The Daughters of the King, a group One of the important factors in "personalizing of women who have charge of altar work, from the need" is the personality, enthusiasm and sin- time to time have supervised the colored women cerity of the leader. One evening several years in the care of their own altar and finally organ- ized a similar group for them.
,In our parish we have a tradition that we thought in helping to solve the problems of this carryon no money-raising activities for the sup- weaker mission church. Our aim has been to port of the parish by dinners, bazaars, rummage- avoid pauperizing the mission congregation. sales or anything of the kind. The one exception Their membership of not more than fifty is made is that once a year the women give a Musical Tea, up of school teachers, chauffeurs, porters, domesthe proceeds from which are sent to the Bishop tic servants and some business men. But their for support of missionary work within the Dio- greatest need is not for money but for personal cese. On two occasions several hundred dollars leadership and genuine friendly interest on the from this source have been used for the support part of the stronger white congregation. They of the local colored congregation. The women of are now approaching the time when they can soon the parish also help the colored women byemploy- support themselves, but they will continue to look ing them to serve possibly half of the parish din- to their many friends in this parish for guidance. ners given in this parish. Incidentally t~s cooperation has undoubtedly helped to ease the tension which so frequently Three years ago this mission congregation was exists between the two racial groups. in great need of a parish hall, for their ramshackle structure was about to fall to pieces. They took Whatever success we have had in this respect the matter up with some of us in this parish and is due to the enlistment of so many of our white we were able to secure a loan from the American laymen for personal service to the weaker congre- Church Building Fund and also a temporary loan gation. Had it been our policy simply to make a from the Bishop of the Diocese. These loans were grant of money each year to the colored brethren, made on condition that the people themselves raise very little would have been accomplished. The a certain amount, namely, $500.00, in about eight most intensely personal story in the New Testamonths. I shall never forget a day when the ment is the parable of the good Samaritan. In committee from the mission church met me in a that story we are told that the Samaritan, who local bank with the $500.00 in hand to apply on was undoubtedly a privileged person, when he the note. When the time came to build the parish came to the man who had fallen among thieves, hall one of the members of our white congregation did several things of an intimate personal nature donated his services as a contractor and gave a -"He saw him, he was moved with compassion, great many days to the supervision of the work. he came to him, he bound up his wounds, he Later another layman, an architect, gave his time poured on them oil and wine, he set him on his in further improving and beautifying the church own beast, he brought him to an inn, he took care structure. Another member of my congregation, of him." And after all of that he told the inna lumber dealer, has helped very generously in keeper that he would stand good for the expenses their purchase of supplies for the church and the and would come back to see how the poor fellow parish hall. was getting along.
Last year the vestry of the mission church ap- It is that sort of thing which we have largely pealed for help and we appointed a committee to lost in these highly specialized modern days. give them what leadership we could in conducting Somehow we must recapture the method of pertheir own Every-Member Canvass. The joint sonal service both in religious work and in social meetings of the two committees have been held in welfare, and when we do recapture it, I am conmy study and again I find the business men of my vinGed that we will have no difficulty in enlisting own parish are willing to give of their time and the privileged to help the underprivileged.
MORAL OR FINANCIAL DEPRESSION?
Many plead hard times as their reason for failing to support the Church and to give to benevolent causes. As a matter of fact, Government reports show that income is not a cri- terion of the gifts that may be expected. In the year 1936, taxable incomes in the United States increased 30 per cent over the previous year, but for the same period contributions for religious education and public welfare work decreased. The United States Treasury statis- tics for 1936 show a total declared net income (exclusive of tax exempt income) of $19,069,- 137,719 as compared with $14,212,403,587 the previous year. The contributions reported for the same year amounted to only $388,142,000 or about 2 per cent of the taxable income. The highest percentage of contributions to charity ever recorded by the Treasury came in the darkest depression years (1930-1934). On the gross incomes reported to the Government, the contributions amount to less than 1.8 per cent. Contributions through the churches in 1936 were less than at any time between 192'0 and 1934, being 40 per cent less than they were in 1928. Moral depression is more difficult to overcome than financial depression.
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II Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE MCGAVRAN, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~~=================~~ How Awaken Interest BOOKS ON CHINA of its civilization. Its pictures in Books? HOUSE OF EXILE, by Nora range from the old court to mod- ern factories. A study of the missionary li- WaIn – a very sympathetic picbrary at the church was discour- ture of upper class country life That is enough to give an exaging. Old books; out-of-date in China, by an American girl ample of what was done. Sevbooks; books that not even the eral women have taken to readmost ardent missionary worker who lived for a while as an ing widely the library books on could call interesting! Worst of adopted member of the Chinese the subject of whatever country, all, fifty women supposed to do family. Read it for contrast race, or nation is being studied. missionary reading and no with Pea r I Buck's "Good The mission study books proper, money to buy new books. Earth." and books of missionary stories worth buying have, conse- Here is what the group lead- LIVING CHINA, by Edgar quently, had behind them a much ers did. more fundamentally prepared Snow – translations of modern group of readers than was pos- The few interesting, recent Chinese short stories, written sible before. and worth-while boo k s were pulled out. There were new and published in China for home Even where the public library members in the group who had consumption. They contain some d.oes not have much that is modread nothing. They could start things you will find it hard to ern, there are chapters in recent with these. books which may have decided stomach. But here is modern China, in at least some of its phases, as seen by the Chinese themselves. Read it to help you Four people were asked to buy decide whether China has any bearing. For example, in Dr. for themselves and then loan to real need of the Christian mes- Heiser's "Oddyssey of an Amerthe missionary society one each ican Doctor," the chapter on lepof the best new books bearing on sage and Gospel. rosy and the colony at Culion, the subject of the current Philippine Islands, is excellent studies. HO-MING: GIRL OF NEW background for a consideration CHINA, by Elizabeth Lewis (chil- The public library was ap- dren's library), a story which of missions to lepers. you will find interesting light proached, and a committee of reading, to give you a picture of Kn.owledge awakens interest. capable women chose and read young China in transiti.on. Read For a club paper many a woman those books which seemed to it because you want to know will read background books for have promise of being at least something of young China in the months. Why not as much for good background books; i. e., terms in which young people a talk in the missionary society? those which in addition to beirig read of each other. The deeper the knowledge, the vivid, interesting and accurate, WHAT AND WHY IN CHINA, by deeper the interest. gave a picture of home, school, Paul Hutchison – an answer to town or country life; or a back- the puzzle which modern Chinese How Get New Members ground of the country, race, or history is to most of us. Clear, One young women's missionnation; or, an interpretation of concise, and interesting, though ary group has an unusual prothe people; or, a picture of their very brief, it gives us an excel- portion of new working-memneeds; or, any other specific lent summary.of China's politics bers. They have a sort of unpresentation which would give to 1927. Read it for clearer written rule that no one is ever women a background pattern understanding of some of asked to join their missionary against which their program China's present difficulties. society. Instead, a prospective talks and considerations would LOTUS PETALS, by Princess member is asked to come as a stand out. The very best of der Ling-most interesting com- guest to one of the regular meetthese were listed. ments on va rio u smatters ings; she is greeted as a guest Mimeographed sheets, bearing Chinese by one who was first- of the one who has brought her, the following sort of informa- lady-in-waiting to the old Em- and is treated as such. She is tion, were given out at the early press Dowager. Read it so that asked by the same person to fall meeting, where background you may see China through Chi- come again, perhaps not next reading was stressed. nese eyes in yet another aspect time, but soon. She is welcomed [429 ]
as a visitor for as long as she ship plays when· well produced. the draping of the graceful garwants to come. Then, as she becomes a familiar guest, she is We also know how hard it is to ments of India. asked to help with this or that. And then, sometime, quite cas- discover from the printed de- Why not secure, in your disually, she is asked if she would like formally to join the group. scription of a play just what trict or state group, a demonstra- If she does join, it is because effect it will have. And even tion program of plays and dramshe knows the group, likes the fellowship, is interested in the after reading a play it is a bit atizations, suitable for use durmeetings, and has done some work in connection with them. hard to know what impression it ing this next year? It should be She knows, through regular reports and minutes, about the will give. held at least a month before such educational and financial aims of the group, and is already taking Why not have a demonstration plays will be given in the local time to attend. There is, thus, no influx of new members to be night for missionary plays and churches. coddled along. There is no un- playlets? A district or state con- .W~y not send someone to ~ee willing member who has joined vention is a fine place to do this. ~IssIO~ary plays that ar~ bemg because she was pestered to be- An institute or young people's ,~_gIven m other churches m .y.our come a member. Anyone is welcome as a perennial visitor to conference is also excellent. A own or near-by commumtIes? that group. But no one is asked to join until she has shown a de- county interdenominational Sun- Send someone who can coach a sire to become a working mem- day school council meeting gives play for yoU! ~roup. ber of the organization. . another opportunity. Why not Jom WIth other mlS- P. S. Oh, yes, its quite true that this group has an unusually Here are two examples of how sionary groups or churches to good time together, has good this has been done very success- ask a drama~lCs club to prepare programs, and carries an inspir- fully. The Boston University and pr~sent, m each of yo~r I?roing financial responsibility. But School of Religious Education grams m turn, the b~st I?IssIonthen, you know, so could your society. used to have one month before ary play or dramatIzatIon you Improving Missionary Christmas an'd one month before can find? P!o.duce t~at play! Easter, a program of plays, You can Meetings music and other items, given as Or you can Jomtly .wlth some "If we don't stop taking so demonstration, to which were o~her group secure Its ~rodu~ much time for business," sighed tIon. A~d you can be gUIded m a bored member of a missionary invited representatives from the your chOl~e and h~ve your p~th group, "I'm going to quit com- city's churches. Two or more ~ade eaSIer for ItS productIon ing." She was right. The busi- plays, of differing difficulty and If y:ou arrange for an~ual, or ness seemed interminable. The secretary's reports were espe- type, were given each time-new cially boring. Attack at that point seemed strategic. At the plays which were available for semI-annual demonstratIOns. by next election, one of the church's most devoted club-women, was, use that season. How much bet- competent amateurs, at pomts with her previous consent, elected secretary. Her minutes, ter they could be judged, when where many are together who brief and to the point, gracious in their necessary acknowledg- produced on the stage than in can use such plays. ments, and in perfect order, have been a joy. It is noticeable that any other way! Ideas were Looking Ahead when this new secretary is oc- gained for costuming, for lightcasionally not able to be present, there is no slipping back into old ing, for music, for setting, all October is the special issue on ways. An ideal has been set up within the ability of the ordinary India. All the glamour and color for making the minutes a real church and yet stressing simple of the Orient can be introduced contribution rather than a detri- and dignified treatment. ment. into your meetings. And against A second example, which bids When You Produce That Play! fair to become a yearly custom, it you will present the tragedy is the presentation of two dem- and the hope of that ancient We all know the effectiveness onstration playlets, one on the land. We shall give some of the of missionary and world-friend- ways in which m iss ion a r y home missions theme and one on groups and leaders here and the foreign missions theme, at a there have made India a live luncheon program of the Mis- issue in their meetings.
sionary Institute of Indianapolis, In November we hope to have Indiana, early each May. It some very helpful suggestions would be interesting to know in for developing a sense of stew- how many missionary groups, ardship among the people of our missionary groups. Stewardship over Indiana and in adjacent is more than a faithful presenta- states from which delegates tion of the regular dues. It is an come, those little playlets. with their missionary message are attitude of life. And a very im- given in the missionary year portant part of Christian educa- tion is the nurture of individuals which follows; and just because and groups in that attitude. they were demonstrated there in a fashion which could be fol- Christmas and World Peace lowed in the smallest church. seem more and more to be joined in our thoughts.. We like also to For the current year, 'such a think of Christmas around the demonstration might include the world. In our December issue correct winding of a turban and we shall have some very definite
EFFECTIViE WAYS OF WORKING
suggestions for making the A missionary in Mexico, not Such a project can become Peace emphasis effective, and for long ago, found no welcome in a part of the stewardship training achieving a deeper sense of the certain village. So she moved of the children. Through it they real meaning of Christmas. over there to live, as a neighbor, become aware of the needs of Some avenues of service will be in a tiny Mexican "adobe" hut- others, they review their own regiven which other groups have to be, not a missionary, but a sources, decide to part with some found meant much to their own neighbor. She did not know things dear to them through asdevelopment. whether during the few months sociation, yet too often "hung she planned to be there, she onto" for only that reason, and Ventures in Understanding would find more than one or two they give time and money and curious children who would be effort to make the things "as A young women's missionary friends with her and to whom good as new" in order that they guild were studying the living she could be a friend. She ar- may be useful gifts to make, valreligions of the world. When rived with some trepidation. ued by those to whom they are they came to Judaism, they in- But the village people, hitherto to go. vited a young Jewish social hostile, welcomed her as they worker to come as a guest of one would have received one of them- Seven Rules for a Good of the members. They met her selves. Great things arose out Meeting socially before their supper, of that determination to give chatted with her during the herself, in their own manner, to 1. Be friendly. The regular member meal, and later listened with friendship. Is there anyone of who is retiring can be as lonely deep interest to her talk on your group making herself a as the stranger-almost. Great Jewish Women. For the member of another group, for an first time, for many of them, the hour, for a day, for a week? Is 2. Begin on time. Announce, "Thurs- Jew was linked with modern so- anyone putting herself in the day at 2: 00 P. M., with the procial reform. They began to real- position of needing from them gram beginning promptly at ize that Jews are a force for that same friendliness which she 2: 15." Stress the earlier hour, righteousness in America today. hopes to give them? for the greeting of friends and Theirs was more than a dispas- strangers is as important as the sionate study of Judaism that A New Avenue for Children's rest of the business, but begin night. They had a personal ex- Giving the program very promptly at perience in deepening their the time set. understanding of and liking for In connection with your study the Jew. What such experiences of the City, it might be wise to 3. Conduct all business with dispatch. in understanding are you plan- find out about Toy Libraries in Having planned a proportionning for your group during the your own or in some adjacent ately suitable time for the businext few months? city. Many city children in the ness, do not let it infringe upon underprivileged sections have the rest of the program. If it is *** not one toy of any sort. One of running over, analyze your tech- the interesting newer projects is nique and improve it. A young people's world friend- the establishment of a "Toy Liship group meeting included a brary" in some such district 4. See that the devotional period is Chinese boy and a Japanese girl. where children may withdraw a short but reverent in every way. What happened? Sparks flew! toy for a week, gs they would Stress simplicity and dignity; Some regretted that the two had withdraw a book from a library. and frown upon starting with an been invited at the same time. excuse for lack of preparation, But others realized, as never be- Where such a Toy Library facetiousness, or last – minute fore, how pride of race can cre- exists, an excellent avenue is passing of hymn books, etc. If ate antagonism even when Chris- open for a service project for the hymns 'are familiar, announce the tian brotherhood exists. From children of more privileged verses to be sung and sing withthat situation rose a deeper areas. Most of these children out books, not adding the hope understanding of the problem of have toys – such as scooters, that the hymn is known to everyracial antagonisms, and a sleds, roller skates, .and games one. If not familiar use books stronger desire to meet such an- which they have outgrown but or do not have group singing. tagonisms in the spirit of Christ. which are, basically, still sturdy This alone can produce. as it did and good. Dolls, games, toy fur- 5. Give sequence to your study. Rein that group, a greater senti- niture, puzzles, and other play- mind the group of the general ment than that of race, and things are lying in attics or on theme of study or program being draw alien peoples together. Are back shelves. Why not have a followed. Review in a sentence you keeping your group clear of "Paint and Scissors Club," meet- or two the ground already covsituations which might prove ing weekly for a few weeks, to ered in past meetings. State the embarrassing? Or are you out which will be brought these old aspect of the subject to be conto demonstrate, right within but good toys, to be renovated sidered today. Introduce each your own circle, that the most there by the Juniors under the item of the program with a word difficult race relationship can be direction of one or two adults or as to its bearing on today's desolved if courageously faced and young people? velopment of that aspect. met in the spirit of our Lord? 6. Relate the offering to life itself. At the time of its presentation, have a two- or three-sentence preSentation of some service the group is rendering through its gifts. Have a prayer dedicating the day's offering to its use.
7. Close on time. Never run past closing time. A meeting which closes on time has a rhythm and effectiveness which is lacking where it just runs on and on. Prompt closing makes for much more careful preparation.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y. I ==================I~'
SETTING-UP CONFERENCE The central theme run~ing FOR EASTERN MIGRANT ""–through the w.orship serVIces STAFF was the need for spiritual re- Hartford Theological sources in the midst of a c.om- Seminary plex and confusing world – "I JUNE 16-19, 1938 can do all things thr.ough Christ As Seen by Two Leaders who strengtheneth me."
The fourth annual Setting-Up THE STAFF OF THE NEW YORK AND The cl.osing session was held Conference for the workers in NElW JERSEY CENTERS; MISS HELEN Sunday morning in the Semthe Migrant centers .of the East- inary Chapel preceding breakern Area was held this year, WHITE, SUPERVISOR fast and was led by Dr. Miller. June 16-19, at the Hartford In that early morning hour the Seminary Foundati.on, Hart- message of the joy of service ford, Connecticut, when Dr. J. Quinter Miller, Executive Sec- in crafts, recreation, s.ongs, nurs- fell upon minds and hearts alretary of the C.onnecticut C.oun- ready prepared. And as these cil of Churches, his able assist- ery school methods, child care, highly endowed young people ant, Mr. R. Stanley Kendig and camp sanitation, first aid, be- Miss Vera MacCracken, Secre- haviour problems and religious had themselves been ch.osen tary .of the Hartford County education methods made a rich largely because of the privilege Y. W. C. A. proved to be m.ost program. genial and perfect hosts. of their experience, they left The earnest and energetic Hartford newly commissioned Thither they came – 40 Col- staff .of young men and women and eager to go out to serve. lege students representing the had crammed noteb.ooks, broad- ShaufHer College of Religi.ous ened minds and understanding Into my hearl's treasury I slipped a and Social Work, Pennsylvania hearts. There was a strong feel- State, Bennett College, Kansas ing .of fellowship and unity. coin State Teachers College, Bucknell University, Virginia State Am.ong those who were .of That time cannot steal nor thief pur- College, Kalamazoo College, very special help were Mrs. Maryville College, Muskingum Phyllis Williams, of the Insti- loin, C.ollege, Oberlin College, Amherst College, Yale University; tute of Human Relati.ons .of Yale o better than the mining of a gold- Divinity Students from Hart- University, who gave an inter- crowned king ford Seminary F.oundation and pretation of 'the Folk ways. of Andover Newton The.ological the Italians; Miss Lola De- Is the safe-kept memory of a lovely Seminary; and experienced Grille, of the International Inkindergartners, recreational and stitute .of New York, interpreted thing. -Sara Teasdale. home-economics folk, as well as Polish f.olk; Mrs. John Ainley, sch.ool teachers. Many were who taught songs and also gave LAURA H. PARKER, new to the work while others meth.ods in song leading; Miss PETRICHA E. MANCHESTER. had had much experience, for one of the sl.ogans .of Migrant Frances Hedden with concrete As Seen by a Worker Workers is "once a Migrant, al- and practical suggestions. in reways a Migrant." Here they ligious education; Miss Marie Sharecropping and its horr.ors .assembled to receive training in Gaertller in nursery scho.ol have been studied and effectively "center" technique, to plan f.or methods; and Miss Agnes Diehl dramatized to the country. Yet the current season, and to ex- the migration of w.orkers from change helpful experiences. community to community seek- Lectures and dem.onstrations ing new employment, supple- menting irregular employment at customary occupations, or habitually following seasonal employment is an accepted phe- in the field of crafts. nomenon in contemp.orary in- Saturday night the picnic sup- dustrial society.
per with the singing, camp fire Consci.ous .of the extent of the and worship service br.ought to problem .of migratory labor in all a nearness of God through the United States, the C.ouncil the great .outdo.ors and a realiza- of Women for H.ome Missi.ons in tion, by contrast, .of the severe 1920 established centers for the care of migrant families. It was and sordid things that would the staff .of these centers in the have t.o be faced during the ex- East which met at Hartford perience of the summer.
[432 ] electro nic fil e created by cafis.org
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Theological Seminary fro m grant ranks. The emplQyer June 16-19, 1938. looks at his migrant laborers as It is evident that a s'Ocial prQblem as comprehensive and people "whQm he gets cheap." basic as migratory lab'Or- 'Originating from a search for Hence, there is n'O coordination economic security and creating or cOQperatiQn among the groups. further problems of disintegratiQn 'Of family life, inadequate The good migrant social worker child care, poor housing c'Ondi- can and must break down these tions with consequent health problems, lack of sufficient edu- barriers. This was discussed by cati'On 'On the part 'Of children and adults, lack of time fQr Mrs. Manchester, Messrs. NewrecreatiQn and aesthetic expression, lack of opportunity fQr field, Glick, and Dr. Miller. participatiQn in dem'Ocracy, and a feeling 'Of intolerance–has n'O The migrant mQvies and the 'One final answer. Hence, the conference could best be viewed visit to the tobacco plantatiQn by stating its issues in terms of fundamental questions. expressed more adequately than It appears that a rather vital words the actual physical needs pre-supposition that undergirds of the migrant. each 'Of the issues, and is im- THE STAFF OF DELAWARE AND MARY- LAND CENTERS; MRS. P. E. Definite prQgram suggestions plied in each is: that the educa- MANCHESTER, SUPIDRVISOR tional and religiQus processes and helps were given in the should it be arran~ed? What which culminate in creative in- should be its extent? periods. with Misses Hedden, telligence and human under- 5. In facing the problem of healthstanding can transcend the cul- What can we do as inexperi- GordQn, Diehl, Gaertner, Mrs. ture and develop it. Upon one's enced, untrained people in giving reaction to the pre-supP'Osition first aid, camp sanitation, ar- Maramarco, and Messrs. Thomhangs the hQpe 'Of the social mi- ranging meals, summoning the grant worker. For, as seen aid of county agencies ? sen, North, and Kullgren when 6. Accompanying the maladjustment through: the issues and the dis- in labor and home, certain unde- we learned (bQth through hearcussion 'Of them, the migrant so- sirable and abnormal behaviour patterns are developed. How ing and d'Oing) something about cial worker is expected t'O be shall we meet them? an educator, religi'Ous director, 7. The migrants represent every cul- children's work; folk games and nurse, home economist, libra- ture. One works best with those rian, musician, and business he knows and understands. dances; homemade games; eveman. Unless he has faith, then, What are the folkways of the migrants with whom we are to ning, Sunday and rainy day pr'Oin the power 'Of a creative dy- work? namic educati'On coupled with grams for yQung people and the Qmnip'Otence 'Of God, he is as Let us develop these issues briefly as they were discussed at adults; and crafts. . a lost sheep. the c'Onference. ThrQugh the help of D'OctQrs With this in mind some basic The seven-minute presentaquestions and issues which were tions 'Of the four areas discussed Calverly and Clifford and Mr. cQnsidered are: picturesquely and interestingly by the Misses Vera MacCracken, Scott V e were ,able to feel that 1. What are the duties and problems Mary Cannon, CarQI Ferwerda of a migrant social worker? and Gladys Corkum prQvided an untrained health educatQrs could How does his work differ from excellent backgrQund orienta- the social case worker? tion for the understanding 'Of do something. the duties and problems of the 2. The migrants-How do they live? migrant socialwQrker. How Inspired, challenged, and defi- What are their needs? different her work is frQm a city sQcial case w'Orker! HQW much nitely helped by the experiences 3. What are the values of the migrant is involved! No longer are y'OU program for the employer, com- a case worker, or a nurse, or a of the conference we strove to munity, migrant? What should teacher, 'Or religi'Ousdirector- be the relationship between the but you must be a combination plan 'Our programs. Balanced migrant and community, em- of them all. ployer and migrant, social work- as they may be, we can still feel er and community, social worker Because any successful pro- and employer, migrant and so- gram 'Of migrant education must a lack, f'Or our prQgrams cannot cial worker? Where should the represent this cQmbinati'On, it focus be? What are some of the must include the empl'Oyer and get at the real roots of the prob- methods of attack? the community as well as the migrant. There exists, undoubt- lem. It· is evident that the old 4. Our program-What should it in- edly, a feeling 'Of intolerance clude for infants, children, among the community folk be- econQmy, attitudes land educa- young people, adults? · How cause they dQ n'Ot understand their migrant brother. There tion are inadequate, but the is, therefore, "a man without a country" attitude within the mi- problems of migrancy can be abolished is our cry.
May we keep always in 'Our hearts the spirit 'Of the "Work- er's Prayer" which we felt at the close of the conference.
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak In living echoes of thy tone; As thou hast sought, so let me seek Thy erring children, lost and lone.
Oh, teach me, Lord, that I may teach The precious things thou dost im- part; And wing my weirds that they may reach The hidden depths of many a heart.
Oh, give thine own sweet rest to me; That I may speak with soothing power A word in season, as from thee, To weary ones in needful hour.
-F'rttnces R. H avergal.
DEBORAH CANNON.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events .~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO 1 ~'='===—-=-===–=-=======~ J APAN-OHOSEN who is a Christian and I see eight out of ten, because of the sQmething in his face that is dif- Japanese insistence on attend- A Soldier's Penance ferent. I want it." AnQther ance at the shrines. These were The United Church Record wrote: "I was riding a bicycle, "-great institutions wit h fine reports the following incident, told by the pastor in whose returning tQ my home from buildings, a good reputation, a church it .occurred: school. You gave me a tract. I capacity student body, and ap- A Japanese soldier came to a little chapel at Pingting, a rural town in believe now in the true God. I parently a future of great useeastern Shansi, on Christmas Day. He knelt and prayed before the Cross have .one friend who believes fulness. But it became imposwhile the pastor looked on with a great alsQ, and we gather the village sible to preserve the Christian deal of interest. children t.ogether sometimes and c.ontent of the sch.ools and at the Rising, the soldier approached the pastor and handed him a five-dollar talk to them about God." same time meet demands made note, explaining that he and three of -Presbyterian Survey. on them which loyal followers his comrades wished to donate this to the church. He Never Met a Ohristian of Christ would find impossible to meet with.out comprQmising Asked what was his calling before An .old man in the country their consciences, so we had no the war, the soldier revealed that he was converted by reading the choice left save tQ follow the and his three friends were all evan- Bible before he ever met a orders of our Executive Comgelists before they were conscripted. Christian. Hearing of Chris- mittee and make this great sac- Why didn't his friends come to the tianity, and thinking it sounded rifice for the sake of our convicchurch too? The answer was: They reasonable, he wrote to a city tion that we, as Christians, had no "face" to come to the church friend who sent him a Bible and should serve only one God, and after all the sinful things they had a Christian newspaper. After that our deepest soul loyalty bedone in invading China and killing the reading these he asked where he longs to Jesus Christ. Chinese people. They thought they could meet a Christian and was could not present themselves in front told there were some in Hamada. "There is still a strong native of Jesus Christ. Finding some of the Christian church that is witnessing for wQrkers holding an open-air Jesus Christ. It is working and He, however, decided that he could service, he joined heartily in the growing. There are also still at least atone for his sins by coming singing, making a joyful noise wide open fields for evangelism. to worship in the church, especially quite out of tune, and laughed The Gospel can be preached as since it was Christmas Day. He and chuckled all through the freely as ever, and people listen hoped that with the love of Christ the talks, so that the wo r k e r s as gladly. WQmen's work offers world might be changed, all national thought that he was mentally many opportunities for Chrisdifferences sunk and all human suf- deficient, until they realized that tian service in home and comferings avoided. it was his overflowing joy at munity. All the hospitals are meeting fellQw Christians for filled, and witnessing for Christ The Printed Word the first time in his life! He has is being emphasized in each of never turned back from the them. More extensive Bible Japan has one point of ad- faith he entered intQ through training is being planned, SQ vantage over all other mission reading the Bible. When he that every church may have fields in that practically every prays he follows no conventional competent leadership." Japanese can read. Education method, but sits down with open there is compulsory. A mission- eyes and chats to his unseen Presbyterian Survey. ary, therefore, can write out Friend as if he could see the .one anything he wishes to tell to the to whQm he talks. A Oommunist Oonverted thronging multitudes whQm he passes in city streets, or to Korea Mission Losses A United Church of Canada farmers he meets along country missionary visited a Korean palanes, and hand it with a smile Rev. L. T. Newland, D.D., .of tient in a hQspital and noticed a and a greeting, and know that the Southern Presbyterian Mis- copy of Luke's Gospel laying on it will be read and understoQd. sion at Kwangju, writes: "With- the bed. Upon being asked what As a result, letters come tQ the he thQught of it he replied: "I mission, confessing sins, telling used to be a cQmmunist. I .of dQmestic problems, asking thought the wQrld was in such hQW tQ be forgiven or how to find peace. One man wrote: "I in the last few months the a bad state that only by destroygQt yQur tract. I know a man Southern Presbyterian Mission ing everything and beginning in Korea has lost its schQols, all over again could things be [434 ] set right. Since I have been here deeming love is read with great two or three portable steel I have been reading this book, interest and appreciation. houses that will be set up by -Bible S.ociety Record. R. G. Letourneau, Inc. One of listening to the hospital evan- gelist, and have had time to NORTH AMERICA these will be used as a dwelling think. .I am now convinced that for exhibition purposes; another the Jesus' way is the only way Christian Youth Council will be the headquarters of the Christian Business Men's Comthat will work, that of changing Problems of war, poverty, un- mittee, while it is likely that a the world by first changing the hearts of men, and I have de- employment, slum living, race third will house a Bible exhibit. termined first of all to become a prejudice, crime, in d u s t ria 1 -Alliance Weekly. strife, alcohol and political cor- Christian myself." -Korea Mission Field. ruption cannot be solved by any- New England Bible thing less than a united Chris- Demonstration ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC tian movement, according to the At the Metropolitan Theater consensus of opinion among al- Bible Distribution in Hawaii most 3,000 Christian educators, in Providence, R. 1., this sum- Thirty thousand children in representatives of forty-one de- mer 3,500 Evangelical Chris- Hawaii's public s.chools have each received a copy of the nominations in the U nit e d ti·ans lifted their Bibles high Gospel of Luke. This was in response to a request of the chil- States and Canada, who came above their heads and repeated dren themselves, and the earnestness of the request was :r together in Columbus, Ohio, for three times: "The Word of the proved by the enthusiasm with which the gift was received. the twentieth quadrennial con- Lord endu~eth forever." he Some of the teachers wrote: vention of the International demonstrabon passed resolutIOns "The children are very much Council of Religious Education· recalling people everyw~er~, "~o pleased. Many read these little volumes during the free-reading in July. The delegates discussed a reverence for the BIble m period."-"Since the arrival of such problems as Christian fam- these ~ord~: "We again a!fi.rm the Gospels of Saint Luke a new ily life, Christian leadership for ~)Ur f~uth m. the . au~henbclty, interest in religious literature has been shown."-"This school the modern world missions and mtegnty and msplrabon of the wishes to express i·ts thanks and missionary educ~tion, drama, Holy Scripture as. being the ~ne appreciation for the wonderful story in the form received. A visual education, temperance and final authorIty. for. faith dozen different nationalities attend this school, and to many education, education and gam- and conduct; that, m VIew of this is a new book and a new story. We feel that much bene- bling, Christian education and the desperate need of the world fit will follow; for surely the industrial _economic problems, ~oday, we go on ~ecord as send- Word will bear fruit." Christian education and race re- mg forth from thIS rally a clear, Messages. like these cam e from the pupils: a Portuguese lations, and world peace. Facts pl·ain and forceful call to the about the world situation were world to return to that rever- presented, not by theorists but ence f?r the Bible w~ich sh.all by experts speaking b e for e result m earnest readmg, bellef small groups that took advan- in i~s rede~ptiye message and tage of the opportunity for ques- ~bedlence to Its mvaluable.teach- tions .and discussion. The task mgs."-Watch'lnan-Examtner.
of Christian education was viewed as one that concerns . Readjustments in Presbyterian Christian attitudes in facing our Foreign Board critical problems. Because of the retirement of girl remarked: "The first night Christianity on Exhibit several members of its staff, the I read four chapters to my whole Presbyterian Foreign Board is family. I shall read the whole At the Golden Gate Interna- readjusting the duties of other tional Exposition in 1939 an ap- members. Rev. William P. book for them."
An eighth-grade Japanese boy peal for Christianity will be Schell, D.D., continues as· chairproudly remarked: "Thanks for made to those who take no man of the Home Base Council the story. I carry it in my thought for religion. About and a new division of special pocket and read it every chance 8,000 square feet of outdoor gifts and annuities; Miss Ger- space will be leased, upon which trude Schultz remains in charge I get." A Japanese girl declared: will be erected a large steel audi- of women's work in the Home "Even though I believe in the torium, and in this Mr. Irwin Base. Rev. Charles T. Leber, Buddha, yet I like this story of A. Moon will present several D.D. has been transferred from times daily his "Sermons from the secretaryship for Japan, the Christ." These children carry the Science," a series of spectacular China, Siam and the Philippines Word of God to their various scientific phenomena used to il- to the promotional work of the homes-in the city, plantation lustrate spiritual truth. After Home Base, with a supervisory center, fisherman's hut, labor eight years of preparation, Mr. connection with young people's camp, homestead shack and Moon seeks to present the first work. Rev. Willis C. Lamott, primitive native houses, scat- century Gospel with twentieth D.D., of the Japan Mission, has tered from ocean shore to moun- century illustrations. In con- been asked to assume responsitain peak, where the story of re- nection with this exhibit will be bility for publicity work while
Miss Mary Moore, one of the appointed to deal with problems Church Cooperation and Union.
secretaries f.or y.oung people's of harmonizing rituals, co.ordi- Bishop Perry presented a resolu- work, will go to San Francisc.o nating pr.ograms and merging tion passed by the General Con- to replace Miss Marcia Kerr, organizations of the Methodist vention in Cincinnati: wh.o comes t.o New Y.ork t.o as- Episcopal Church, Methodist The General Convention of the sist Dr. Young in the new de- Episcopal Church, South, and Protestant Episcopal Church in the partment .of missi.onary person- Meth.odist Pr.otestant Church. U. S. A., acting with full realization nel. Rev. S. Franklin Mack will Other questions considered were of the significance of its proposal, church extension, missions, hos- hCehruebrcyh ininvthiteesU. tSh.eA. Ptoresjobiyntewriiathn give his entire time to directing pitals, education and young peo- it in accepting the following declarayoung pe.ople's w.ork.
Rev. George T. SC.ott, D.D. is pIe, pensions and publication tion: chairman .of the F.oreign De- work. A small committee .of The two churches, one in the faith lawyers will furnish counsel in onfatetheWLoordrd oJfesGusod,Chrreicsot,gmt~z~mginctahrepartment C.ouncil, with special alliega} matters. The next meet-"'·-Holy Scriptures as the supreme rule responsibility for interdenomi- national relationships. Rev. ing wIll be held January 24, of faith, accepting the two ~acra- LI.oyd S. Ruland, D.D., of Bing- 1939, at Jackson, Miss. minegnttshaotrdtahienevdisbibyleCuhnriistyt, aonfdCbherliisetv'shamton, N. Y., a former mis- Church is the will of God, hereby formally declare their purpose to sionary in China, becomes secre- School for Missionaries achieve organic union between their tary for China. Pending the The first Iowa School for Mis- respective churches. election .of a successor t.o Dr. Leber, Rev. J. L. Hooper, D.D., si.onaries will be held January -The Churchman. of the Philippines, will serve as 23 t.o February 18, 1939, at Iowa secretary f.or the four countries' State College, Ames, Iowa. The Library, and Racial Problem recently under Dr. Leber's su- first three weeks will be devoted t.o classes in the following sub- Here is what can happen pervision. jects: sociology and rural or- when a mission study class ganizati.on, agriculture and ru- learns something and acts upon Lutheran Unification ral education, foods and nutri- it. The minister of a Colored tion, family life and health, and church in Portsmouth, Va., city Delegates to the Eastern Dis- agriculture. The aftern.oons will of 50,000, told a white mission trict Convention .of the Ameri- study group that the Colored can Lutheran Church voted to be devoted t.o conferences and people of the city had n.o access put aside "doctrinal differences" field trips. A two-day rural mis- to a library. This was news to with .other Lutheran churches sions conference will be held many of the white people. and to unite "in fell.owship .of pulpit and altar" with them. during the course .of the school. The mission study class inves- The vote foll.owed long discus- The fourth week c.oincides with tigated, secured the cooperation sion of the reports of the Ameri- Iowa State Farm and Home of the National Youth Adminiscan Lutheran Church Commis- Week, the lectures and exhibits tration, which made the desired sion on Fell.owship with the .of which will be open t.o the mis- library a pr.oject, obtained aid United Lutheran Church in from the PWA, was given space America and with the Lutheran sionaries. The Iowa School for in Mr. Birchette's parish h.ouse, Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Missionaries is being carried on received gifts from citizens for .other states. by the Iowa State College at the lumber, paint, labor, and some request and with the co.opera- but n.ot yet enough furniturre T.h e Evangelical Lutheran an,d b.o.oks (the Church Periodi- Synod of Missouri has churches ti.on .of the Rural Missions C.o- cal Club assisting) and put a in every state of the Union, and .operating C.ommittee, repre- trained librarian in charge. a total membership .of 1,305,000 senting some eighteen foreign in the United States and Can- The library was opened by a ada. At the recent Triennial missi.on b.oards in the United States. -Agricultural Mission Notes.
Conventi.on the Syn.od auth.or- Presbyterian-Episcopal program inc Iud i n g eight ized a drive for a thank offering s pee c h e s by representatives Negotiations to commemorate the hundredth from co.operating groups.
anniversary .of the arrival in the A delegation fr.om the Pres- Border Cooperation United States .of the Saxons who byterian Church U. S. A., met f.ounded this church. The sum Every Texas city of moderate sought will be in addition to the last December with Bish.oP Per- size has its "Little Mexico," cut annual budget of $1,500,000. ry and Dr. Howard C. R.obbins .off from the rest .of the town by of the Protestant Episc.opal The- United Methodism Meets ological Seminary to confer on invisible but definite lines that a closer union ·of the tW.o b.odies. are seldom crossed except by The first large j.oint meeting Representing the Presbyterian teachers, missionaries or occa- .of Methodists held since unifi- Church were Dr. L. S. Mudge, sional tourists. Few of the cation was approved by the stated clerk of the General nearly 7,000 Mexicans in Texas Methodist Episcopal Church, Assembly and Dr. J. Ross Stev- speak English: they have their South, took place in Columbus, enson, chairman of the Presbyte- own stores, newspapers, church- Ohi.o, in JUly. C.ommittees were rian Assembly's Department on es. While the majority are
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Roman Catholic, every Mexican notified the large canneries at ment is given for an hour three center has a struggling evangel- Ho.onah and Yakutat that no na- times within one week, and then ical mission, and the American tives need bother to apply for the patient is allowed to rest for Bible Society tries to provide work either as laborers in the a month before the treatment is Spanish Scriptures at cost. Sec- canneries or as fishermen, for continued. retary Marroquin, American Bi- they would n'Ot be hired." The A wealthy philanthrQpist 'Of ble Society's Mexican agent, a natives in that region, threaten- Brazil has offered a set of the few months ago made a two- ing to take things into their own apparatus to the United States, weeks' tour of the centers of hands, are prepared to fight, if for use at the Leper Clinic in Mexican population in Texas; a necessary, fQr their right to Carville, La. journey of over 1,500 miles, work. The largest cannery in -The Christian Advocate. with stops in various centers Alaska, located at Kassan, has where local c'Ommittees had definitely decided not to reopen. Thr.ough Brazil with the Bible previously planned interdenomi- Others may do likewise, rather national meetings to hear his than yield to the unreas.onable An outstanding piece .of work during the year has been the reillustrated lecture. He shows demands of the labor unions. markable journey through Brahis audience how colportage Unless the deadlock is broken, zil of two colporteurs, George work is done in Mexic'O, takes Glass and the redoubtable Antao them over mountain passes, on thousands of Alaskan families Pessoa. They c'Overed 5,000 burro back or oxcart; and tells will suffer. them how, under the present Mexican g'Overnment, the circu- LATIN AMERIOA miles, mQstly by mule back, but lation 'Of the Bible increased the SQme 1,300 miles was in a "dug past year by 10,000 copies; how the Scriptures are being trans- Educati.on in B.olivia out" and almost 250 miles on lated into the native tongues of foot. There were perils to face, 3,000,000 Indians .of Mexico The public school teachers of such as terrific cataracts, rapids, who do not speak Spanish; how Bolivia have petitioned the wild beasts and hostile tribes, the 130,000 Protestants of that g.overnment to use for public the latter sunk in poverty and country contributed 4,152 pesos schools the money now given to ignorance. Once 'On trek they (over a thousand d'Ollars) to the support the State church. The came to an abandoned region support of the Bible Society; Roman clergy have jointly is- ruled by a murderer who tried how even the illiterates often sued a pastoral letter to all Bo- to get them in his p.ower, but buy copies .of the Bible, in the livian citizens warning them with the c'Onnivance of two 'Of hope that someone will read that their religion is in danger, the man's own cut throats they aloud to them-so great is their that Communism is just arQund managed to escape. desire for the Word of God. the CQrner. and that they should The largest sales were made c'Onsider very carefully for in the priest-ridden town of Eighteen such meetings were whom they cast their vote. This Campinas. One very suspicious held, and 'Over 7,000 Mexicans year 1938, may prove a momen-· old lady refused to touch the heard 'Of the work of Bible dis- tous .one for Bolivia, especially books, but as the colporteur read tribution, while 14,000 Gospels were left with local pastors to if the Congress and the Senate one passage after another she be given out. should decide on the separation began to make exclamatiQns of -Bible Society Record. of Church and State, which ac- apprQval, and finally bought a tion is not altogether improb- copy, say i n g apologetically: able. "You see, I thought the bOQk -Baptist Missionary Review. was Protestant." The lurid pic- Alaskans in Distress tures 'Of Protestants, painted by Oxygen f.or Lepr.osy the priests, had filled the people Native Alaskans, who depend Brazil is said to lead the wQrld with dread. entirely upon the fishing in- in the fight against leprosy, and dustry for their living, are fac- These two intrepid men had ing a desperate situati'On grow- a new treatment being tried ing out of the activities of the there is reported by Dr. H. W. many adventures and escapes, Wade, of Washington, D. C. It labor unions in the United but the greatest experience was States who seek to control the consists of the administration fishing and canning industry of oxygen under pressure, and the satisfaction .of circulating throughout the Alaskan Terri- the inventor is Dr. Ozorio de 100 Bibles, 700 Testaments and Almeida, wh.o first thought of it 3,000 Gospels in 'One .of the dark- est regions 'Of the earth.
-The Neglected Continent.
tory. Demands of rival labor as a means 'Of treating cancer. Five Year Increase in Brazil unions have prevented the re- The patient is placed in a tank opening of the canneries. These into which pure 'Oxygen can be The Presbyterian Church of unions insist upon determining introduced and the pressure Brazil reported at the annual who shall be employed, discrim- gradually increased until it General Assembly held this year inating against native Alaskans. reaches an atmosphere and a in FQrtaleza that there are now A correspondent of the Presby- half (some twenty-one pounds 266 organized churches and 140 terian BQard of National Mis- to the square inch) ab.ove the .other groups, exclusive of 1,522 sions writes: "The C. I. O. has normal pressure. The treat- places where the Gospel is regu-
larly preached. These churches EUROPE heads of families-men in good are organized into three synods Mohammed's Birthday Cele- standing with the governmentand are ministered to by 183 or- must be presented for approval. brated in London dained ministers and nine licen- tiates. There are 43,100 church On May 12, a group of Mo- Calvinistic Congress members, and a Sunday school membership of 47,939. It will hammedans in London cele- The fourth Biennial Calvinbe seen by comparison with the brated the birth of their prophet istic Congress met in Edinburgh figures published in 1932 in the World Dominion Survey of Bra- and Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer was in July, and created "no small zil that this is an all round increase during the last five years. invited to attend. Two hundred stir" in the city. An announce- This church has maintained a persons were present, of whom ment of a "Nazi ban on Edinworker in Portugal for some nearly half were women. SO!lle burgh Congress" drew attention time, and it is hoped that a col- of the men wore the Pers~an to meetings which might otherleague will be sent to him from headdress, a few the IndIan .wise have passed with less nothe Brazilian Church shortly. turban, but as to the rest they tice but the added interest was -World Dominion Press. might have been any group of justified. Four German pastors cultured London people. About were refused permission by der three-fourths of those pr~s~nt Fuehrer to be present, the reason were Moslems. :r'he presldmg being that the Congress was ex- officer was a R.usslan a~d prayer pected to take a sympathetic at- Cooperation in River Platte was offered III ArabIC by an titude toward the Confessional Republics Egyptian. One speaker declared Church as did the World Con- A new epoch in cooperation Mohammed to be "the redeemer ference' on Faith and Order at among Evangelical forces in Argentina, Uruguay and Para- of womanhood, the light of the :n Oxford last year. However two world and the glory of civilizaguay is believed to have begun tion" ! !-Religious Digest. Germans of the Ref 0 r e d Church were present, but took as a result of a conference called Bans and Concessions in by the Committee on Coopera- Roumania no part in the program. tion in Buenos Aires. This Con- The Congress was made up of ference considered the question The Religious News Service about 130 delegates, and inof organizing a Confederation reports that the Roumanian cluded a number of Europe's of Evangelical Churches in this Government has made it illegal foremost theologians. Holland area, and a committee of nine for eight different religious sects and Hungary sent some of their was appointed to draw up plans to continue the practice of their best thinkers, and others came for such a federation. faiths. . from France, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, South Africa, New Of the forty-five pastors and The sects banned are: the Mil- Zealand, Australia, America, laymen in attendance, repre- .lenium group (which, .according Eire and Northern Ireland. The senting sixteen church bodies to the decision includes the In- general topic was "The Reand organizations, twenty-two ternational Students of the Bi- formed Faith and its Ethical Consequences" in the Individual, were nationals; eighteen were ble, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Family, the Church, in So- ciety, the State, in Economics, missionaries of North American others) the Pentecostalists, the in Art. It was emphasized that the world must get back to the and British Boards; and five Tremblers, the Church of God vital principle of Calvinism, the were ministers to non-Spanish- the Apostle, the Penitent Naza- sovereignty of God.
speaking groups in Argentina. renes, the Reformed Adventists, -The Christian.
It was regarded as the most rep- the Illistii, the Innocents and the resentative group ever meeting Stilisti (the Old Stylers).
in Buenos Aires to discuss At the same time, the official decision granted new concesmeans of closer cooperation. Reformed Church of France An "Evangelical Youth Con- sions to Baptists, Seventh Day gress," held in Rosario, Argen- Adventists and Evangelicals. The Reformed Church of tine, last year revealed an in- Baptists received special men- France, which now unites the creasing solidarity among young tion, the last clause of the long four principal French Churches, people. Strong leadership was decision stating that they will will officially function in its unimanifest; the delegates declared be permitted to organize church fied form on January 1, 1939. their allegiance not only to the communions throughout the The new organization will be Church and its place in deepen- country by fulfilling certain con- marked by a work of conquest, ing the spiritual life, but also ditions, which in countries like consolidation and forward evanadopted important resolutions the United States and England gelism. in the field of social action. would be considered imposi- The churches in Paris are These young people edit and tions; for example, a minister seeking to spread among their publish two excellent periodicals must confine his activities to the congregations a desire for Bible in this district and share in a four walls of the recognized study, carried on by groups radio preaching broadcast twice "prayer house," and before such meeting daily in places of worweekly. a house can be lawful a petition ship. The great success which -The Christian Century. bearing the signature of twenty has resulted is due to a deep de-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
sire to know better the Word olics are not concerned, since AFRICA of God in order to spread this they concluded a concordant knowledge throughout ,France. nearly ten years ago. Jewish Islam's Sudan Campaign The fall in the value of the problems appear to be more po- As a result of Egypt's ac- franc and the rise in the cost of litical than religious.. knowledged rights in the Sudan, living presents a troublesome The head of this new depart- Azhar University in Cairo is deproblem to all the churches, and ment has traveled widely and is veloping a Moslem missionary es.pecially to the Paris Mission- conversant with all these prob- enterprise for various countries, ary Society with its large com- lems at first hand. and proposes that young Sudan- mitments in British Sou t h There will be seven divisions ese be trained at the University Africa. It will force them to in the new department, each in the technique of teaching Isconsider seriously the salaries under the direction of a special- lam to the pagans of the Sudan; of pastors, their pensions, and ist in such fields as education, and that they imitate Christian the maintenance and current ex- religion, labor, culture and eco- missionaries in acquiring the penditure of all Christian ac- native languages of these people. tivities. Yet the church has nomics. In spite of various discour- unanimously decided upon ad- The Gospel for Refugees agements, Christian missions in vance. the southern Sudan are meeting -World Dominion Press. In spite of the difficulties with great response. In some which beset the Russian Gospel areas, thousands attend the Sun- Evangelism in Greece Movement, conversions and bap- day services, and native Chris- A small group of Grecians, tisms are continually taking tians have started hundreds of converted to evangelical faith place among refugees. in various bush schools throughout the through reading the Bible, were country. charged by the Orthodox Church parts of Europe. Evangelistic with illegal proselytizing, for meetings are held regularly at Danger in Half Knowledge which the penalty is banishment. A Greek lawyer, now Montbard, France, where there Rev. P. A. Unwin, of the studying in England, was em- are numbers of refugees. The C. M. S., says that with the ployed to defend them and was Movement is responsible for the preaching of the Gospel there so impressed with the unfalter- must be systematic Christian distribution of a magazine and education, and clinches the point quantities of Gospel literature, mostly Scripture portions and ing faith of these unlettered books. with the following story: "A men that he entered into a During the International Ex- workman, educated in a governdee per spiritual experience position in Paris last year, more ment technical school, came to through their testimony, and is than 15,000 tracts in French and my room a short while ago. 'I now devoting his life to the Russian were distributed. Large want to see the thing which Lord's work. He reports that texts were on display, where makes the noise inside that box,'
this little group has started a they could be read by visitors. he said, indicating the wireless church which is growing stead- In this connection, it is start- set. I took off the back and ily. One old, illiterate woman ling to note in a report of the showed him all I could; but I asked a neighbor to read a Bible National Lutheran Council that am ignorant in such matters. chapter to her every day, and the 1938 budget of the Godless Then he railed at me and the gist half the village was converted of his remarks was this: 'You through this one instance, one of organization in Russia amounts English are all the same ; you the converts being a man who to 65 million rubles. Of this had spent seventeen years in sum 42 millions are contributed keep the African back. You do not want him to learn lest he prison. by members and 23 millions de- rived from the sale of anti-reli- should govern himself and you After completing his studies gious literature. During the would be deprived of the shillin England, this lawyer plans to year 14 millions will be allocated ings which you get from native return to Greece and help to to subsidize activities of the In- taxes. The Mission is the ear shepherd this flock. ternational Godless committee, of the Government. You are as and the remainder will be uti- bad as the rest. Have you not Situation Eased in Roumania lized for propaganda purposes refused to tell me how the wire- less works? Did they not refuse All religious questions have within the country. It is ex- pected also that a contribution to tell me how to make electricity been taken out of the office of will be sent to aid in financing at the technical school? And the Minister of Cult, and a the International Free Thinkers' why do you not let the African special department has been cre- congress to be held in London make his own shillings as you ated by the Roumanian Govern- next autumn. This amounts to do yourselves?' " ment to handle all minority a total of $13,000,000, of which questions, including religious -C. M. S. Outlook.
and ethical. This move is high- $2,800,000 is designated for Education Proceeds Slowly ly pleasing to such minorities as "foreign missions" in the United the Baptists, Evangelicals, Re- States and other Christian na- A diagram in the Gold Coast formists and Adventists. Cath- tions. Annual Education Report shows.
the total number of children at- man it was not for them to say WESTERN ASIA tending school for the past no. Hebrew University twenty-five years: according to the ratio of increase, it would Bantu Sunday Schools The Hebrew University in Jetake approximately 600 years before a child-population of the The s,econd Bantu Sunday rusalem, when founded in 1925, present size would be attending school. School Convention in Johannes- consisted of one building, a li- burg was attended by 117 dele- brary of 74,000 volumes, a fac- A further diagram, taking galtes from 43 centers in all ulty of 30, a student body of 64 into. account increases of population, shows the percentages of provinces of the South Africa and a curriculum of four departchildren of school age attending school to the total child-popula- Union, Basutoland and Swazi- ments. Today, on Mount Scotion year by year for the 25-year land. ~us there are 12 buildings, a period; and shows that it would take over 3,500 years before The Convention endorsed the lIbrary of over 350,000 volumes, primary education would be made available for the whole recommendation of the Inter-De- ",",a student body of over 800; a of the child-population of the partmental Committee on Na- faculty of 110.; and a currICU- Gold Coast. Figures for the tive Education that native edu- lum on a par! III both scope ~nd whole of Africa would be even cation should continue to be sta.ndar?~, WIth .that of leadmg more startling. centered in religion. It urged umve:;slbes. WIt.h some of. the upon the administration of Na- world s ou~standmg ~ ~ WI S h -World Dominion Press. tive Education and the teaching ~cholars on Its facu~ty, I~ IS mak- body to make religious educa- mg ~emarkab~e strIdes m schol- Pioneering in the Congo tion worthy and effective, and arshlp and sc!ence. . . Perhaps no type of mission- that every subject in the school In. connecbon Wlt~ t~e Ulllary service makes a greater ap- curriculum should be made a verslty, a great sClenbfic repeal to the imagination than pioneering. Rev. Malcolm Guthrie medium for the teaching of re- search activity is being deof the English Baptist Society writes an account for The Life ligion. veloped. This includes special of Faith of a pioneer trip in the de~artmen~s of ~rchreology, edu- Belgian Congo, when he covered Grave concern was expressed ~abon, sOCI~1 SCIence and agrar- 315 miles in less than four at the growing evil .of gambling Ian economIcs, as well as a deweeks, walking or cycling. "In among children both native and part!llent of par~sitol?gy, wh~re the most distant villages," he European. Chu~ches were asked specIal rese.arch IS bemg carrIed says, "they had not only never to give definite teaching on the heard the Gospel-they had never even heard of people with subject, and the Government on concernmg leprosy and cana Gospel to preach. The only was urged to curb gambling by cer.-Hadassah News Letter. white men they ever see are the government doctor who comes all possible means, and to de- Challenge to the Christian twice a year, and the tax col- stroy the facilities for the evil. Church lector once a year." -World Dominion Press. Most people showed a real desire to understand the message. Laborer Starts a Church An Arab Christian leader in In the first village visited, two Palestine writes the following boys wanted to go back with Mr. A young Portuguese, with his Guthrie in order "to get wis- wife and family, has gone to Sao letter: dom"; others asked for an evan- Tome, Portuguese Africa, to gelist to come and live among strengthen a work that was What can one say about Palestine them, and there were discus- started by an indentured la- at present! It is a country torn to sions as to how his belongings pieces by strife, hatred, rioting and could be conveyed such a long borer who had been converted aggression. Materially as well as distance. At Bokwo, another to evangelical Christianity in morally the country is on the eve of village, the people ran away in Angola; and whose initiative a total collapse, and what is still fright, and during the two days' resulted in the formation of a more painful is the fact that the services nobody took any notice small group of Christians. They troubles of the country may be traced at all. Later, a solemn conclave had no Scriptures to instruct back to racial ambitions based on was held to determine whether them, but found some fragments religious tradition and history. Jews an evangelist should be allowed of a Bible in some waste paper. as well as Arabs hold fast to their to locate in the village, and they These they copied by hand and claims in this respect, while the Chriscame to the conclusion that if distributed. At first they were tian Church has not yet come forward Mr. Guthrie wished to send a persecuted, but later it was with proposals to reconcile matters on recognized that the evangelicals the basic principle of Christianity, were the best workers, and they In the meantime unemployment and were no longer molested. what it entails is growing rapidly, suffering, hunger, dissatisfaction with This young Portuguese work- life, etc. Yet missionary activities, er has been commended by all hospitals, orphanages, welfare centers the denominations in Portugal, continue their work, often under very and it is hoped that the work In strained conditions and financial dif- Sao Tome will be adequately ficulties, particularly those who de- supported. pend for their support on Middle Europe. But nobody sees how this -World Dominion Press. country's affairs may be settled, there is not one, ray of hope that matters will clear up in the near or distant future, and I think that all of us have failed in the paramount duty of pray- ing constantly for this holy land, as
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
God only can send peace and He will meeting. "I have written the the divine power of the Good undoubtedly do so in His time if we unite in prayers to Him. music for the Lord's Prayer," he News. said, and handed me a neatly -Near East Christian Council.
Iranian Christian Art written sheet of music. "Will INDIA AND BURMA you sing it for us· tonight?" I Recent relaxation of the Mos- asked. He agreed, and later on lem rule in Iran against displays impressed us all deeply by sing- Legislators Face Problems of Christian work has been fol- ing "Our Father which art in Indian legislators are finding lowed by the use of Christian Heaven" to Iranian music of his pictures in educational p r 0- own composition. Then he gave that their economic and social grams. An Iranian was asked to a splendid testimony, telling the problems are not capable of select from a catalogue of Perry others what God had done for speedy solution. Mr. Gandhi's pictures those best suited to his him. educational proposals are called people. Unerringly, he picked impractical; and obstacles cononly great masterpieces, and one Field Widens in Arabia result has been increased sales tinue to arise in regard to childof Christian literature. Dr. Paul W. Harrison outlines marriage laws. The usual dis- some reasons for encouragement turbances involving Hindus and Converted By a Dream in medical work in Arabia. One Moslems result in clashes here of these is the steadily improv- Rev. W. McE. Miller, Presby- ing equipment. Better build- and there. However, most obterian missionary of Teheran, servers agree that the experi- ment of self-government is working not too badly. Iran, tells the story of one of the ings, instruments andautomo- A halt has been called in the latest converts, a man about 30. biles all contribute to the doc- prospects of any large communal He came to a meeting for in- tor's efficiency, but more im- movement of the d e pre sse d quirers and introduced himself portant than buildings and in- classes. Dr. Ambedkar is out at the close. He had been seek- struments, better trained men for guarantees that if any gen- ing the truth for five or six are now available, and with eral movement should take place, years, but had not found it. better training come increased assurances must be forthcoming Finally, one of his friends sug- resources of medicine itself; for that the political rights and sogested that he read the New anemia, they now have some- cial and economic well-being of Testament. He came to the gate thing better than powdered his community shall be conof our Mission where there is a shingle nails. served.
small bookshop and bought the As the friendlines:s of the peo- The general attitude of these book, and was profoundly in- ple grows, the field for medical classes is favorable to the recepfluenced by Christ's teaching. A work widens. Some have come tion of Christianity wherever year passed, and he did not be- to suspect that dirt is as much missions are in effective touch come a Christian. Finally, he to blame as the evil eye in mak- with them, and this work prohad a dream. He saw a great ing babies sick, and some of the ceeds in proportion to the abilmultitude, dressed in various most picturesque smells in the ity of missions to buy up the costumes, following a float on Near East are about to pass opportunity. The various "mass which a majestic Person was en- away. With all this have come movements" are proceeding· throned. A voice said to him, enlarged opportunities, and it is apace. The movement in the "Follow the teaching which is the day of beginnings for the Bhil area of Central India is exruling the world today!" He Christian Church. ceedingly promising, and if the tried to go nearer, but the crowd There are regular preaching missions were in a better posi- services where men and women prevented him. After ten days hear the good news about tion to follow up what is an unthe dream was repeated, and the Christ. Some of these are held doubted desire on the part of voice said, "Why do you hold in the Hospital compound, and these people to become Chrisback? Follow this teaching!" some of them in the little houses tians, there is almost no limit to the degree in which these This time he found himself quite near the glorious Person. He of the hospital helpers. There 2,000,000 people could be rerealized it was Christ, and he are social evenings where Chris- ceived into the Christian Church. determined to become a Chris- tian men and women learn how The five – year evangelistic tian, so on the advice of his Christ wants them to associate movement continues to occupy friend he had come to church, with one another. These are the attention of the churches, and the sermon had made a deep church affairs. The outside with notable results in many impression. We suggested that world is not invited. They are places. Conferences of farhe yield himself to Christ at hilarious and useful. The sum reaching importance are being once, and he said he was ready, total of all this is that the held in preparation for the so we prayed together, put his Church is emerging, and slowly Madras World Missionary Conhand into the hand of Christ, taking shape and growing, not ference, and there is a new spirit and he arose with a new light in because of any exhibition of hu- of optimism growing up in many his face. Next week he was the man skill or efficiency or wis- quarters. -World Dominion Press. first to arrive at the inquirers' dom, bp.t simply as a result of
Fighting Fear and demonstrated at a meeting of could be done for them, are now Superstition the Kolapur Church Council at being treated successfully. The C. M. S. Schools in Srinagar Sangli, when the eight or ten addition of this deep X-ray is are teaching their pupils to live up to their motto: "In all things missionaries present marvelled probably the hospital's greatest be men." Superstition and the at the progress made by Indian milestone in years, while for the fear of doing what "is not done," are twin evils in Kashmir. The Christian women in the past first time in its forty-five years' fear of public opinion is very strong, but the following inci- fifteen years since their first history an ambulance makes dent shows how this fear is being overcome. Those who lived participation in this organiza- possible more village work. The near the lake at Srinagar considered it useless to learn to tion. It was not just an occa- office has been made into a censwim because the "djinns" in the water would pull them down. sion to get together and talk; a tral unit, a cash register in- To disprove the theory, a yearly swim across the lake was organ- great deal of constructive activ- stalled to simplify routine work ized. Howe v e r, the "djinn" ity was reported. One village and a central storeroom makes woman reported apologetically. for greater efficiency and econ- for her group: '~'- omy. Plans are under way for I am only a country woman and I a second operating room and a library. can't read, but I'll tell about our so- -Western India Notes. ciety. We live in the country and Cholera Outbreak there is no one to help us or show us how we ought to do things. We don't even know how to pray proper- worshipers were not satisfied. ly, as we've never had a real opportu- In the recent outbreak of "It is true you have conquered nity to learn anything much, but we cholera in the United Provinces, the day-water 'djinns,'" they met regularly anyhow and did the 15,000 cases, out of 30,000, are best we knew. reported to have died. Fortysaid, "but how about those who four out of forty-eight districts inhabit the water at night?" The Here is a list of activities, are affeded. According to the challenge was accepted, and taken at random from reports Associated Press, entire villages thirteen boys swam safely across read: the lake at midnight. have been wiped out. Giving information regarding tem- The first crew of boys to pad- perance and missionary work of other India is one of the world's dle a boat through the city, lands. greatest cholera danger spots, about thirty years ago, hid them- Supporting Christian p rim a r y with more than 400,000 cases selves under b I a n k e t s, so schools for non-Christian children. every year. The ignorance and ashamed were they as sons of the educated to be seen engaged Helping support widows and or- superstition of the common in manual work. In various phans by sewing and other activities. ways the school is modifying people hinder the efforts of the the social customs of Kashmir. Conducting a nursery school in a officials to cope with the disease. For example, the rule that boys needy neighborhood. Native custom requires that under 18 who marry must pay double fees to enter the school Doing voluntary evangelistic work, bodies of cholera victims be is an effective method of reduc- usually in villages. thrown into streams, instead of ing the number of early mar- being buried or burned, and any riages. More than fifty widowed Conducting Sunday schools. attempt on the part of the govgirls have remarried in the past Supervising primary schools. ten years-another old custom Selling Christian literature (one ernment to prevent this is met dethroned. There is a new atti- enterprising woman sold over 100 tude toward the suffering of ani- Christian booklets to delegates in one with opposition. However, the mals; many boys are entering day). government is making every ef- Teaching illiterates to read. Teaching sewing, crocheting, knit- fort to deal with the problem on ting, etc. a large scale by using mass in- Helping small village societies to oculation and disinfection of conduct their meetings. dwellings as rapidly as possible. Cleaning the church, each woman voluntarily taking a turn.
-Western India Notes.
the veterinary profession. Bet- Bright Spots at Miraj Converts Walk 100 Miles ter still, more consideration is being shown the sick and afflict- Miraj Hospital is known all It is news when we hear of ed. There is a marked spiritual Christians so anxious to attend influence in the school, where over the world as one of the few a Christian service they will 1,400 boys and 280 girls are be- self-supporting mission instituing prepared for life. tions, and is unique in its being walk one hundred miles in order the only hospital to support a to be present. A group of eleven -The Christian. medical school. It is especially men in the Telugu area agreed Women to the Fore known for its surgery, a repu- they would walk the fifty miles tation which the late Sir Wil- there and fifty back to attend Daily papers in India indicate liam Wanless and Charles E. the conference in Hindpur. Then how rapidly women are coming Vail established. Notable acqui- they decided to make an evanto the front in politics, education sitions of the past year were the gelistic campaign of it so and social service, while their deep X-ray and the ambulance. preached in the villages en progress in the field of Christian Patients suffering from deep- route, and in order that they religion is becoming more and seated cancer, who were turned might reach as many villages as more noteworthy. This was away formerly because nothing possible with their witness, they
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
decided to return by a different Evangelism Among Bunnans result will be is not yet foreseen. route. Not only did they walk Educators find themselves in an 100 miles but it cost them at A writer in the National impossible situation. On the lease nine days' wages for the Christian Council Review asserts one hand, they face the humiliprivilege of attending the s e that Burma is today as strongly ating demands of the arrogant meetings. The leader of the Buddhist as it has ever been; invading army. On the other, group, who is a cripple, told and if the non-Burman Christian they must reckon with the risfriends how God had supplied community were removed, the ing tide of Chinese patriotism all their needs and kept them Church would number not more which suspects every attempt at from harm along the way, his than 15,000. Some have main- accommodation with the conface fairly beaming as he told it. tained that the time has come to querors as incipient treason. abandon work in Burma· and Sooner or later, the missions -Darkness and Light. concentrate upon more respon- will find it impossible to main- sive peoples, such as the Karens tain even a semblance of neu- Santal Christian Council and Chins, and thus form a ring trality under such conditions. of Christian people around the For the mission colleges in the An unusual feature of the land, trusting that the evangel- Peiping area, that time has evi- Santal Christian Council held ization of Burma will ensue. dently arrived. last February was that all the sessions, both devotional and The Burman cannot be said -Christian Century. business, were held in the Santal to be antagonistic to Christianlanguage. There were 14 Euro- ity. The message does not Farm Cooperatives for pean and American, and about arouse opposition. The Burman Refugees 40 Santal representatives pres- is influenced by public opinion ent. An entire session was which regards Christianity in a Plans are being developed to given to a discussion of the Sad- political rather than in a reli- form cooperative communities hu Movement. Sad h u s are gious light. The Burman Bud- of farmer refugees. It is estiknown as "clean people," and dhist attitude toward Burmese mated that between fifteen and they urge the Santal to give up Christians is that they have cut twenty million Chinese have eating unclean things, chickens, themselves off from the life of been driven off their lands in pigs., goats and sheep being their country by associating the devastated war zone, and classed as such. They urge the with the foreign cult. Preach- only heroic efforts by the Inter- Santals to worship the sun. The ing and routine work will not national Red Cross and similar fact that they respond to this bring the Burman into the agencies can save most of them teaching is proof of a heart Christian Church. He will from starvation before the end hunger which makes it all the change his religion only if he of next winter. Something more more imperative that they be cannot get away from the fact is needed than merely to feed given a chance to hear the that the new religion is better and clothe these helpless hordes, Christian message. than the old in the quality of and this something is now be- character it produces. ing sought by setting up in Two other subjects. discussed sparsely settled parts of China, were rural education and evan- CHINA AND TIBET far removed from the battle gelism. The following points lines where the likelihood of inwere indicated as essential: Japanese Orders Defied vasion is sma II, cooperative farming settlements. The money Training in handwork as well as Three Christian universities required to start these is coming academic subjects. in Peiping have risked their fu- in part from the Chinese gov- ture existence by refusing to ernment and in part from Chi- The use of materials easily avail- comply with orders to partici- nese banks. able in the district in which the school pate in celebrations of the Japis located, such as date palm leaves, anese occupation. The schools This establishment of farm jute and bamboo. involved are the Protestant cooperatives may have a far- Yenching University, the Ameri- reaching and permanent social Opportunities for gardening and can Catholic Fujen University importance in China. Perhaps the study of methods of improving and the French Catholic Peiping this may be one of the ways in agricultural work. University. The presidents of which an unexpected good may all three were ordered to hoist come out of the present evil of A cottage plan of hostel especially the flag of the puppet provision- war. for girls, and training in domestic al government, to make speeches science and the care of children. against Chiang Kai-shek's gov- Emergency Fund for Colleges ernment, to call on Japanese Opportunities for self-government army officers and tender official Nearly 4,500 individuals and in the hostel; responsibilities in the "thanks" for the Japanese in- organizations in the United Church and of service in· the village. vasion, and to send telegrams to States have united to raise an Chinese abroad denouncing Chi- emergency fund of $300,000 to The need for a positive faith, ang Kai-shek as "the arch crim- ensure the continuance of the 13 backed up by the testimony of a inal of eastern Asia." What the American – supported women's Christian life, was emphasized, as was also the need for a program of adult education among rural Santals.
-N a t ion a l Christian Council Review.
and coeducational colleges in Shantung Christian University, dhist theories in the form of a China, as the consummation of a seven months' campaign. The and the Central Government "Wheel of Life." The six reproject was undertaken by the National Emergency Committee University at Nanking have all gions of rebirth are painted on for Christian Colleges in China. moved to Chengtu. Dean S. N. a scroll which ranges from two This Christian educational work was begun by Americans Cheer, noted Chinese medical feet to several feet square, and as early as 1864. Some of the thirteen institutions have been educator and graduate of Har- which can readily be rolled and forced to leave their buildings temporarily; others have been vard, who has been in charge of unrolled. It occurred to misbombed, and are now in dugouts on the campus, but all of them the government medical school sionaries in Tibet that a Chrishave managed to maintain some, or all of their programs through- at Nanking, has been placed in tian Tibetan scroll on the lines out the past year. The total annual budget of the 13 colleges is charge of outpatient and inpa- of those used in the country normally about $1,600,000, of which a little more than $1,000,- tient clinical instruction at would be a novel and effective 000 comes from western sources and the remainder from Chi- Chengtu, thus centering almost way of presenting the Christian nese resources. Prevailing war conditions have reduced radical- all Chinese medical education in ". message. Services of Mr. John ly their income from Chinese sources, necessitating this spe- this one institution. ""Carey were secured, and he has cial fund of $300,000 both to replace losses of normal income -Christian Advocate. made some very beautiful paintand to meet heavy emergency expenditures. ings showing the life of Christ Another Rockefeller Gift Evangelizing Tibet and some of the parables. A lo- cal touch is given by depicting The Rockefeller Foundation Mass movements are not like- the learned men questioning J ehas made a grant of $35,000 for ly to occur in Tibet where travel sus in the temple as dressed like new buildings and modern is difficult and villages are sep- the lamas of Tibet. equipment at the University arated by mountainous districts. Hos.pital of West China Union Furthermore, the people are The scrolls, six of them, are University, Chengtu, Szechwan like the soil on which they live each sewn on to material of yel- Province. In addition to this -arid and stony. Statistically, low, blue and red, the colors gift, the University has received there is not much to show for used by the lamas. Each scroll $50,000 fro m an American the effort put forth to spread is carried in a sheath made of Methodist and $175,000 from tin with loops so that a string or sources in China. With its new the knowledge of Christ; yet leather strap can be attached equipment the University Hos- there is no doubt that the evan- when the evangelist goes on pital will have 275 beds and gelists who live among the peo- tour. -Moravian Missions. educational facilities for 150 ple and show the Christian medical students in nor mal times. In the present war emer- example are exerting a strong MISCELLANEOUS gency it has 325 medical stu- influence. An experiment is bedents from all parts of China. ing tried by opening a Gospel World Outlook for West China Union University, Inn for pilgrims and travelers Christianity "isolated" in the recesses of West China and far from the to and from Central Asia. The The World Alliance of Rewar area, is now the acknowl- object of this venture is to pro- formed Churches appraised the edged educational center of the vide lodging for these people, outlook for evangelical Chrisnation. It is a missionary in- and to tell them the Good News, tianity, and finds that in some stitution in which American besides distributing the Scrip- countries it is improving, in Methodists and Baptists, the tures to them on their depar- others declining. Adverse con- United Church of Canada, the ture. It is hoped later on to ditions affect the evangelical Friends of Great Britain, and keep an evangelist permanently churches in Italy, Germany, the Church of England combine posted in the Gospel Inn, and Ethiopia, Egypt, Chosen, Forto maintain. Faculties and stu- improve its usefulness as an mosa, Manchukuo, Russia, Spain dents of the University of Nan- evangelistic agency as circum- and Belgium. Protestantism, king, the School of Medicine of stances permit. however, is either growing or holding its own in Scandinavia, Another is the industrial proj- Holland, Switzerland, France, ect, intended to help indigent Czechoslovakia, Poland, Ruma- Christians to tide over a period nia, Greece, Hungary, India and of financial hardship, but the Africa. Finding a "marked re- isolation gives ve r y limited vival of Calvanism in the scope for such an enterprise. It Ref 0 r m e d and Presbyterian is encouraging that the little churches of Europe," the report attributes this in part to "the group of Christians in a village influence of the writings of Karl called oSheh are planning to build Barth." There is no doubt that a small church, independent of the attack of neo-paganism on any help from the Mission. -Baptist Missionary Review.
Christian Tibetan Scroll the Christian Church is driving evangelical church bodies in Eu- The traveler in Tibet frequent- rope back to the Biblical and ly meets in villages a pictorial spiritual fundamentals of their representation of current Bud- faith.-Watchman-Examiner.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
By-Product of Missions baptized converts among the year over 1936," the report states. Married women com- Missionary activity is not heathen and Moslems in the prised' 73 per cent and single limited to the field of religion, same period was 2,000,000, or women 17 per cent of this total, but flows over into other realms, one to every 525 of the heathen widows and divorcees making up and one important by-product and Moslem population. The the remainder. Their average is the contribution which mis- same degree of success among age was 41.5 years, the youngest sionaries have made to science, heathen and Moslems as among being 25 and the' oldest 65. Last especially in such fields as phi- Jews would have shown 7,000,- year's total is 115 per cent lology, geography, anthropology 000 converts, instead of 2,000,- greater than that of 1933, and and the study of ethnic religions. 000. Three times as many Jewish 159.5 per cent above the average Their contributions have often converts enter the Gospel min- yearly total number of women been of eminent importance, be- istry as of converts from among patients during the period from cause they have usually grown the heathen. A careful com- 1916 through 1936. out of a long personal contact parison of facts shows that no with the subject treated and mission field of modern times Turtle Eggs-Novel bear the stamp of a thorough has been so fruitful as the J ewand minute acquaintance, in viv- ish. Contribution id contrast with so many weak, theorizing productions of the se- The Great Delusion Dr. Albert W. Beaven, who cluded study rooms of univer- has made a recent visit to Bapsities. The New York Sun reports tist Missions in the Far East, these facts for those to ponder says that one of the queerest in- Progressive Ministry to Lepers who have thought that the li- cidents of the trip was one censing of strong drink would man's contribution of 4,000 tur- A summary of the past year's help America financially and tle eggs as his offering toward work of the Mission to Lepers otherwise: the Burma Baptist Convention. evidences an increasing scope of Some churches responded by this Christ-like ministry. Here In three years the Federal sending bags of rice, some a are some of the advances: in- government was defrauded of whole ox, while another church creased accommodations and $1,800,000 in alcohol taxes, and sent 2,000 ducks for entertain- New York State of $900,000. Five illicit stills were discovered, larger numbers in its institu- with capacities ranging from ing the 4,300 delegates. But one tions; a steadily increasing num- 200 to 500 gallons. More than man who specialized in turtle ber of out-patients; more service 500,000 gallons of alcohol were eggs sent 4,000 of them. These, for healthy children of lepers. distributed annually by the ring. being very perishable, had to be This work is developing rapidly Whiskey dispensed consisted of kept in wet sand in the basein India, especially. In China the a blend of alcohol, water, some ment of the church, and because need for such work is becoming coloring matter and a portion of of heat and humidity had to be more and more apparent, and in so-called "cooked whiskey." In turned over every ten hours to the widely affected areas of Af- this way 500,000 gallons of al- keep them from germinating. rica it is now realized how much cohol were converted into 1,000,- The entire time of two people can be done in this direction. 000 gallons of bad whiskey. It was required just to turn turtle The Children's Hospital Home was used chiefly by bars and res- eggs. in Uganda is an outstanding taurants to refill empty bottles Much has been written about example. Transcending all this that bore advertised brands and the missionary giving of the alleviation, is the spiritual com- labels of popular liquors. Karens, their self-supporting fort that is being brought to the Here was a triple delusion. churches and their evangelistic sufferers. This phase of the The government was cheated out work. Dr. Beaven was amazed work is proven of value in pro- of tax revenue. The legalized to find, instead of the bamboo, moting physical recovery. liquor industry suffered from thatch-c 0 v ere d shed for a -Life of Faith. illegal competition. The drink- church, a magnificent concrete ers were deceived into thinking and b ric k structure, seating Some Facts About Jews the bottles handed them by bar- from twelve to fifteen hundred According to the J ewish Year tenders contained what the la- people and with a pipe organ that probably cost about $15,000, Book the number of Jews bels said. throughout the world is over The K eel e y Institute at all paid for by the Karens 16,000,000. In the nineteenth Dwight, Illinois, reports that themselves. The seven or eight century 72,000 Jews accepted more women alcoholics took the other buildings, including high Protestant baptism, not to men- Keeley cure in 1937 than in any schools and dormitories, were tion the 132,000 baptized into previous year since 1915, and built 'and paid for by Karen the Greek and Roman Catholic the total number of patients of money. This in the face of the Churches. This is one Protes-' both sexes last year was the fact t hat the average Karen worker's income is from eighttant convert to every 156 of the largest since 1907. Jewish population at the end of "Women patients at the insti- een to twenty-five cents a day.
that century. The number of tute'increased 57.6 per cent last -Watchman-Examiner.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information A History of the Expansion of Chris- jacket Df this vDlume which ….ance and especially what they tianity. (Vol. II.) The Thousand bears the symbDls Df falling pil- called the HDly Spirit-by their Years of Uncertainty-A. D. 500 to lars Df Crusader and MDslem very nature led to' variety and A. D. 1500. By Kenneth Scott La- tourette. Maps, Chronological Table warriDr; but the CrDss sur- to' extensive prDliferatiDn." This and Index. pp. 492. $3.00. Harper & Brothers, New York. mDunts the crescent and there is in line with the prDfessed in- are stars in the night-sky. One tentiDn Df the writer to' be "his- The first vDlume O'f this unsurpassed histO'ry Df the ex- reads these chapters with kin- tDrical and whDlly Dbjective" in pansiDn O'f Christianity was dling faith; thDugh God may his treatment Df the subject; reviewed at sO'me length (see December REVIEW, page 573). hide Himself, yet His truth and but his statement dDes nDt satisfy The purpDse and SCDpe Df the great wO'rk remain the same and right will win the day at last. Christians. every page bears the marks Df schDlarship and wide research. The treatment of sO' large a . Elsewhere the authDr ex- PrDfessor LatDurette has a clear theme is topical rather than presses his cDnvictiDn that Dnly style and does not waste wDrds. chrDnological. In the Introduc- thel"impDnderable"JDrces (sure- He Dmits nO'thing essential Dr tion we read: germane to' his theme and gives ly he means the HDly Spirit) "gDDd measure, pressed down, shaken tDgether and running First we will describe the conver- kept the Church alive and alight Dver" with very valuable fDO't- sion of those peoples who came into in medieval darkness. In dealnDtes. ing with the witness Df the the faith through Roman Catholicism, The title Df ProfessDr Latour- next of those who derived their faith martyrs and the patience Df the ette's book is arresting. The from Greek Christianity, and then re- saints during these dark days millenium Df racial migratiDns, count the territorial progress of the we IDng fDr a flash Df light and barbarian invasiDns and Islamic Nestorians and of the Syrian and fire. Even the stDry Df RaycDnquests seemed to be highly Coptic J acobites. Then chronologicalunfavDrable to' the spread Df ly we will double back on our tracks mund Lull is tDld in a rather Christianity. The hearts of the and tell of the spread of Islam and of lukewarm fashiDn, althDugh the faithful were perplexed. "At the the reverses which it brought to facts are faithfully chrDnicled. clDse Df the fifth century, Chris- But as Dne reads page after page tianity had becDme master Df Christianity. Next we will narrate the of the stDry Df the spread Df RDthe Mediterranean wDrld, which efforts of Christians to regain the was still, in spite Df its decay, ground lost to Islam and to carry man CathDlic Christianity in the majDr cultural centre Df their faith beyond the eastern bounds Spain, Gaul and NDrthern Eumankind. Within the next three of Islam into the lands of the Far rDpe, Df the missiDnary wDrk Df centuries it had IDSt abDut half East. Finally we will note the fresh this area and in the pDrtiDn outbursts of Moslem peoples which in the NestDrians in Ambia, Cenwhich still prDfessed the faith the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries tral Asia, China and India, Dne the level of civilizatiDn had dis- wiped Christianity from the map in is cDnfirmed in the cDnfessiDn: tinctly fallen." much of Asia and threatened it in "I believe in the HDly CathDlic Southeastern Europe. Following this The story Df these thDusand account of the varyin~ fortunes in the Church." years is black with tragedy, but expansion of the faith we will adnDt withDut rays Df hope. dress ourselves to the questions of the This secDnd vDlume Df PrD- effect of Christianity upon its en- Thrice blest is he to whom is given vironment and of the effect of the fessDr LatDurette's magnum The instinct that can tell environment upon Christianity. opus is a specific against all the That God is on the field when He Is most invisible. And the marvel is that such parDchialism and prDvincialism wealth Df material, such a sweep The entire hymn by F. W. Fa- across Europe and Central Asia, Df thDse whO' sDmetimes seem to' ber might have been put on the such a crDwding Df a thDusand years intO' Dne day, in Dne bDDk, think that Church history be- does nDt apparently Dver-tax the writer nor weary the reader. It gan with the RefDrmatiDn Dr is a great achievement. One sentence in the IntrDduction we with the DisruptiDn in SCDt- regret, where the author speaks Df the FDunder Df Christianity: land! Our LDrd Jesus Christ "The experiences which came to' His disciples after the crucifix- was head Df His church all iDn – the resurrectiDn appear- thrDugh all these thDusand dark years and made even the wrath Df men to' praise Him. He was cDntinually working Dut his eternal purpDse Df IDve in the midst Df human failure and un- certainty. S. M. ZWEMER.
[446 ] S. J. W. Clark. A Vision of Foreign presented here, are his lack of Forward Through the Ages. By Jesse emphasis on the importance of R. WHson. 139 pp. $1.00. The Missions. By Roland Allen. 12mo. prayer, his failure to state the 170 pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Judson Press, Philadelphia. 1938. Press. 1938. This small but important book This unusual story of a Chris- necessity of the spiritual new contains a readable summary of tian business man should be read birth and the spiritual qualifica- "missions and missionaries of by every missionary and every tions for missionaries; there is yesterday and today." Mr. Wilexecutive of missions. In seven also no clear statement as to our son has written out of rich exjourneys, (from 1905 to 1924) dependence on the Holy Spirit in perience, first as a missionary in Japan, then as general secretary Mr. Clark looked into foreign the calling and preparation of of the Student Volunteer Movemission work as a pioneer "fact missionaries and in the actual ment; since 1936 he has been finder." He formed his own work that is being done on each western field secretary of the opinions as to the results of the field and in the offices at home. American Baptist Foreign Miswork and the way in which mis- Mr. Clark had positive convic- sions Society. It is an excellent sions should be conducted effi- tions and courage; he stood for book to put into the hands of ciently to be in accord with the new and better methods, rather young people and members of teachings of Christ and the ex- than for more life and better missionary societies. Even those ample of the early Apostles. As personnel; for finer mechanics who are well read in missionary a result, he severely but con- rather than for greater dynamic: literature will like its admirably structively criticized the work of clear and sympathetic survey mission boards to their face. He Der Arbeitslohn in China. By Prof. and evaluation of foreign miswas convinced that too much at- Dr. Paul Arndt, Dr. Djini-Schen sions, past and present. tention has been given to "dig- and Dr. Chii-Fen-Lo. Hans Buske. ging in" on the mission field, and Verlag. Leipzig. A. J. B. too little to surveying the fields in order to understand the need .Every missionary to China Who Is the Holy Spirit? By Henry and to evangelize the vast un- ~Ill find profit from reading this W. Flrost. 12mo. 124 pages. occupied areas. He believed that $1.25. Fleming H. Revell Co., New the Gospel of Christ must be mformabve boo k, evidently York. 1938. widely scattered as "living written after much knroeswelaerdcgh~ Many Christians are like the Seed," that the Bible must be and fro m first-hand disciples at Ephesus in that they of the field.
given to all mankind as the Word The 3,000 years of feudalism have scarcely "heard whether of God. He advocated the use of in China duplicated many condi- there is any Holy Spirit." Much "simplified script." Mr. Clark tions found in the world today, less do they understand His naheld that native leaders must be and suggests the way to organic ture, offices and relation to trained and indigenous churches cooperation among various eco- themselves. It is one of the most should be established and taught nomic groups. The study of important subjects in Christian to be self-supporting from the wages is fruitful for the scholar theology and life. Huge volumes start; and that these Christian the agriculturist, the mechanic: have been written in attempts churches must be the real agen- the tradesman and other work- to interpret the Scripture teachcies for the evangelization of ers, but not to the militarist ings. Here is a simple, clear their own people. What he stood whose life is built on the phi- and practical study that takes tip for deserves the attention of mis- losophy of force. briefly the Spirit's personality, sionary executives today. When This book traces the primal offices, baptism, filling, em- Mr. Clark died a few years ago social cell of China to ancestral powering and other subtopics. he left his fortune to make pos- relations, and then through prop- It is wholly Biblical with a few sible the world surveys of the erty holding, bartering and the -too few-facts of Church his- W 0 rId Dominion Movement. problems of industrial difficul- tory and personal experience to Mr. Clark's main principles in- ties. In an estimated population show how the Holy Spirit has cluded: (1) an organized, well- of 474,820,000 there are about been carrying out the predicconsidered plan for the evan- 78,568,245 families, of which , tions of the New Testament. Dr. gelization of the whole world; 80 % are active in agriculture. Frost 'has rendered a real serv- (2) cooperation and coordina- ice, especially to pastors and tion among all evangelical Chris- The economic facts help the young Christians, in giving us tian forces; (3) special empha- missionary to gauge not only the this illuminating and undersis on evangelization, rather condition of the people but the standable presentation of what than on institutional work; (4) possible support that may be ex- is to many a difficult or negan unpaid native ministry and a pected for the Church and its in- lected-but very vital-subject. stitutions. While there is no self-supporting native church from the beginning; and the de- direct reference to the Christian Following in His Train. By Mrs. J. missionary enterprise, every- W. Cox. 8 vo. 217 pp. 60 cents. velopment of truly indigenous thing in the book bears some re- Boardman Press, Nashville, Tenn. churches, independent of foreign lation to missions and to all life 1938. control. as related to sound economic Mrs. Cox, the wife of a deacon The essential elements that we principles. in the First Baptist church in miss in Mr. Clark's program, as JOHN M. G. DARMS. Memphis, Tenn., was for a time
President of the Woman's Mis- by friends and critics, by evan- would not accept her as a mis- sionary Union. Her chronicle gelists and by men of little faith sionary until she was twenty- of the women's missionary work in the things for which D. L. five, so she filled the intervening of the Southern Baptist Conven- Moody stood committed. These time with the study of medicine, tion is filled too much with seek to set forth the man, his and sailed for Africa in 1919.
names and dates to be popular message, his achievements and Her life was crowded with rich in style, but it gives evidences the secret of his power. All see experiences and achievements, of devoted service and real in him a great man who wielded interestingly recorded in this achievement. a vast influence and left a last- biography. Miss Veenstra died ing impression, but all are inade- in 1933, but the work goes on Dannie and the Alabaster Box. By quate. with signs of blessing.
Constance Savery. 12 mo. 62 Mr. Wilson, a Christian jour- H. H. F. pages. 9d. Pickering & Inglis, Glasgow. nalist, who never knew Mr. ""l'he Presbyterians: The Story of a Moody but has seen the results Stanch and Sturdy People. By An active, mischief-loving boy, through the dramatic, vivid of his work and sympathizes William Thompson Hanzsche. 194 stories of a former missionary, pp. $1.25. The Westminister with his faith and purpose, ha~ Press, Philadelphia. 1938. here tried to interpret the becomes enthusiastic in the "Meaning of Moody." He suc- Ministers, members of Prescause. When Dannie was kept ceeds in giving us many interat home by illness and could not esting glimpses of the man and byterian churches and other stu- attend the big Missionary Ex- some idea of the secret of his dents of religion will doubtless hibition, "Uncle Arthur" made power, but they are only frag- agree with Professor Gaius up for his disappointment by mentary glimpses and ideas. Jackson Slosser of Western telling him thrilling stories of Most of the biographical ma- Theological Seminary, that this Red Tiger, the converted robber terial given here deals with Mr. "is a distinct contribution to of India. He suggested ways Moody's early years, before he historical literature." In brief by which even a small boy could gave all his time to evangelistic compass it gives the main facts earn money to help send the work-in other words to the first regarding the founding and de- Gospel to people whose religious half of his life. velopment of Presbyterianism in beliefs often caused them to Mr. Wilson clearly points out treat even little children cruelly. that D. L. Moody's one aim was the United States, with some ac- count of home missions, but A treasured "Alabaster Box," only a short reference to the brought from India by Uncle Arthur, was chosen by enthusi- to exalt Christ and to win men extensive foreign missionary astic Dannie to hold their gifts to Him – not to himself. He w 0 r k 0 f the Presbyterian says: "I am one who doubts that Moody will ever pass out of the Church. The author, who is a and Dannie enlists his sister, pastor in Trenton, N. J., and a Charlotte, and many 0 the r friends in the good work. His picture. I doubt it because former edito,r of The Presbyenthusiasm, coupled with his Moody was never in any picture terian Magazine, has written in love of mischief, gets him into some pretty serious situations, that did not include the Cross of a fine irenic spirit, declaring and invites frequent correction. Christ. It is not Moody's par- The children are so bluntly that, while "we need to hold to truthful, that they often cause ticular job that explains his great amusement. meaning. It is the fact that he our standards in a world which became big enough for whatever job might be ahead of him. 'God apparently has no standards at is able,' he would say. Love will all, we need to be sympathetic find a way; and this means that to the viewpoint of other Chris- tians." A. J. B.
The small boy seems almost a man filled with the love of God Youth in the Toils. By L. V. Hartoo well informed, and too well becomes the capable man that rison and P. McN. Grant. 167 pp. acquainted with books, for a the world needs." $1.50. Macmillan, New York. 1938. child of seven but the story is bright, interesting and dramatic. Johanna of Nigeria. By Henry Beets. This study has two objectives: 8vo. 228 pp. Grand Rapids Print- to state a very real social proband should help any child or ing Co., Grand Rapids, Mich. 1937. lem of every large city, and to a d u I t to become missionary stir public sentiment to the point This is the life story of a of dealing with it. Mr. Harrison Ir.inded. L. W. P. Dutch Mary Slessor. Johanna is an outstanding criminologist The Meaning of Moody. By P. Whit- Veenstra was born in Paterson, and Mr. Grant has devoted his well Wilson. Illustrated. 12mo. N. J., of sturdy Dutch parent- life to boy probleIru3. The book 151 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell age and at the age of sixteen includes actual stories of delin- Co., New York. 1938. worked in the Gospel Mission quent boys, some told in their One of the evidences of the conducted by Peter Starn. One own language, showing what greatness of D. L. Moody is the day at a Training Institute she made them delinquent. These fact that no biographer, and no heard Dr. Karl Kumm explain "case studies" indicate how difnumber of biographers do justice his idea of a chain of. Christian ferent handling might have to his life and work or fully por- missions across Africa asa bul- made good citizens, in place of tray him. We have "Lives" by wark to stem the tide of Islam. criminals. It is a timely book his two sons and his son-in-law, The Sudan United Mis s ion for this present day. H. H. F.
Book. Chiang Kai-Shek: Soldier and States- Foreign Missions Conference
man. Hollington K. Tong. 2 vola. North America. Report of Forty- 322 and 359 pp. Each vol. 158. fifth Annual Meetin(r. 188. pp. Missionary Arrives in Brazil A. T. Hum & Blackett, London. $1.35. Foreign MiSSIOns CoBler- Bentley Duncan. Svo. 192 pp. ence, New York. 28. 8d. Pickering & Inglis, London. Strong Man of China: Storr of Chiang Kai-Shek. 288 pp. ,3.00. W orId's Need of Religion, The. Pr0- New Testament, The. John Wesley's Houghton Mimin, New York. ceedings of World Congresa of Translation. Introduction by George Faiths, Oxford, 1937. 189 pp. 68. C. Cell 891 ])p. John C. Winston Christian Missions in Mid-India. J. Nicholson & Watson, London. Co., Phi1adelplUa. W. Pickett. 111 pp. 12aB. Jub- bulpore Mission Press. Educational Missions at Work. Ed- Forward Through the Ages. Jesse R. ited by H. P. Thompson. DIu. 128 Wilson. 189 pp~ $1.00. Judson Niger Ibos. G. T. Basden. Map. Il- pp. lB. 6d. S. P. G., London. Press, Philadelphia. Ius. 448 pp. 2lB. Seeley, Service, London. Buddhist Sects of Japan. E. Steinil- E,!aqelize or Fossilize. Herbert her-Oberlin and Kuni Matsuo. Lockyer. 92 pp. Bible Institute, Gambia: Country, People and Translated from the French. 308 Chicago. Church. John Laughton. DIus. 38 pp. 108.6d. Allen & Unwin, Lon- Seeing London With My Young pp. 6et. S. P. G., London. don. Friend&. C. A. Puncker. 144 pp. Drama of Madagascar, The. Sonia F. 28. Pickeding & Inglis, London. Howe. 359 pp. 158. Methuen, Christianity Explained to Muslims. L. Bevan Jones. 225 ])3). Rs 8. Roman Catholicism and F.reedom. London. Y. M. C. A. Publishing House, Cal- Cecil J. Cadoux. 207 pp. 58. In- cutta. dependent Press, London. Interpretative Statistical Survey of the World Mission of Christianity. An Open Letter to J ewa and Chris- Church Can Save the World, The. Edited by Joseph I. Parker. 331 tians. John Cournos. 188 pp. Samuel M. Shoemaker. 162 pp. pp. $5.00. International Mssion- $2.00. Oxford University Press, $1.60. Harper Bros., New York. ary Council, New York. New York.
Century of Mission Work in Basuto- Directory of World MiNions. Ed- Some ASl!ects of Religious Liberty land. V. Ellenbe}"ger. 882 pp. ited by Joeeph I. Parker. 382 pp. of Nationals in the Near East. Sesuto Book Dept., Morija, Basuto- $2.00. International Miseionary Compiled by Helen C. M. Davis. 182 land. – Council, New York. pp. ,3.00. Harper Bros., New York.
Children of the Rising Sun. Willard Sir, We Would See Jesus. D. T. Church and the Tribulation, The. Price. 816_ 3)p. $3.00. Reynal & Niles. 128 pp. 28. Student Chris- C. F. Hogg and W. E. Vine. 68 pp. Hitchcock, New York. tian Movement, London. 6d. Pickering & Inglis, London.
Send in Your Order Now for The October-Special India-Number of THE MISSIONARY ~'VlRID Some Leading Articles by Leading Authors with Maps, Chart., Illustrations INDIA AS A MISSION FIELD TODAY ……………… Alexander McLeish WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR INDIA …………………… A Record THE UNTOUCHABLES AND THE GOSPEL ………… Bishop of Domakal • INDIAN RELIGIONS TODAY …………………….. Nicol Macnicol ATTITUDE OF INDIAN STUDENTS TOWARD CHRIST …….. A. Ralla Ram. OUTLOOK FOR CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA ………….. E. Stanley Jones.
INDIAN ASHRAMS AND SADHUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Father Lash • HOME MISSIONS OF THE INDIAN CHURCH ………….. Thomas David CHRISTIAN VILLAGES IN INDIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. Z. Hodge OUTSTANDING INDIAN CHRISTIANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P. D. Devanandham NOTABLE MISSIONARIES TO INDIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. E. Abraham INDIAN ATTITUDE TOWARD CHRIST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E. N. Wells • Expected but not yet received.
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British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN It SCOTT, 12 Patemoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight S~gs a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER 'Ibis is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the inBuential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone"c;alled him, "The White Yogt..
When George Bowen died i~ 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. ADecisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years' of Independent Work. Life in New York, 1840-1844. XIV. The Bombay Guaraian. IV. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. V. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VI. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. VII. XVIII; Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. Cosing Testimony. IX. The Voyage to Incha, 1847. XIX. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work. by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY- 186 Fifth Avenue. New York
The Missionary Review of the World — May 1938
1938
The White Yogi of Bombay Robert E. Speer Signs of the Undertow of Islam Samuel M. Zwemer Encouragements in Work for Moslems George Swan A Man Who Stirred the Student World Testimonials to Robert P. Wilder Tragedy and Triumph in China Today W. Reginald Wheeler Sauntering in an African Market Julia Lake Kellersberger A Japanese Work for Outcasts Winburn T. Thomas 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea,.
D.te. to Rememb.r in Shanghai on April 7th. Dr. Liu to 1925 was Chaplain General of Brit-
was one of 200 Chinese leaders in- ish Forces. He traveled around the cluding presidents of universities world and visited America last sum- April 8-June 17-Each Friday noon, who were said to be listed for death mer t<> take part in the centennial E. S. T., there is a nation-wide mis- for some unknown reason. celebration of the birth of D. L. sionary broadcast over station WJZ Moody. and the Blue Network, to interpret Dr. and Mrs. Liu have taken a lead- *** the Christian missionary enterprise. ing p.art in Christian activities in The Rev. Dr. Frederick B. Fisher Various .'ministers, missionaries. and China. In spite of rumors that he pastor of the Central Methodist Epis: secretaries participate, under the was listed for death, Dr. Liu recently copal Church of petroit, and former auspices of the Foreign Missions wrote, "As a Christian and a Chinese Methodist Episcopal Bishop of India Conference of North America. citizen I shall never surrender. I am died in aDgeetroofitf,iMf~-icsihxi.ganH, eApwraisl 1b5oth~' trusting in God and following His at the April 28-General Conference, Meth- will. When I think of our Lord on in Greencastle, l"a., and studied at odist Episcopal ,Church, South, Bir- the cross I am ready for anything." Asbury College, Wilmore, Ky., Boston mingham, Ala. fDorr.tyL-ituwowayseabrosrnagino,Hwaansyaendgu,caHtuedpeih~ University, and Harvard. He went Soochow University and received the as a missionary to India in 1904, as a May 9-13-World Council of Churches, degree of M.A. from the University young man of twenty-two, but stayed Utrecht, Holland. of Chicago in 1920 and Ph.D. from there only two years. After his first Columbia in 1922. ,missionary service: he was pastor at May 12-16-Southern Baptist Conven- North'" Cohasset;" Massachusetts,. and tion, Richmond, Va. Dr. Ellen B.*Scu*dd*er, the widow of May 18-22-General Missionary Con- Dr. Walter T. Scudder, of the Arcot ference of the Woman's Missionary .
Union of Friends in America, Whit- later in Boston. He served from 1910 tier, California. t? 1920 as secretary of Foreign Mis-, May 19-General Assembly, Presby- SIOns Board of the Methodist, Episterian Church in U. S., Meridian, Mission, South India, died at Clifton Springs, N. Y., on April 10th. Mrs. copal Church and then of the Lay- Miss. Scudder was sixty-four years of age, men's Missionary Movement. Dr. May 22-Rural Life Sunday. a retired medical missionary of the May 25-General Assembly, United yisher. served as Missionary Bishop m IndIa from 1920 to 1930. His sec- Presbyterian Church of North Reformed . Church in America, and o~d wife, t.he former Welthy Hon- America, Cleveland, Ohio. . served for 35 years in South India. May 26-General Assembly, Presby- She was a pioneer in obstetrical work smger, surVIves. *•* terian Church in U. S. A., Philadel- among the poor in the Madras Presi- The Rev. Edgar M. Wilson, Honor- dency and established a women's med- phia, Pa. ical clinic and dispensary in Tindi- ably Retired Presbyterian missionary May 28-June 2-25th Annual Convention of the International Union of vanam. She was graduated from Mt. finroCmalithfoer~Wiae,stAerpnrilIn2d, i1a93M8.ission' died Gospel Missions, Medicine Lake, Holyoke College in 1895 and from the Women's Medical College of Philadel- He was born in Onarga, Illinois, Minneapolis. . phia; and Cornell University Medical May 3, 1.8.~8; was educated at :J:;ake' May 31-June 4-Triennial Convention, and 50th Anniversary, Wom- School in 1899, going to India in 1900. Forest College, was graduated ftom Princeton Theological Seminary and an's Missionary Society of the **• McCormick Theological Seminary. He General Synod, Evangelical and . Bishop Hiram R. Hulse. of the Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio. Protestant Episcopal Church of aCtutbha~ went to the Western India Mission June 2 – General Synod, Reformed died in Ha vana on April 10th, under appointment by The Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church in America, Asbury Park, age of 69. He was born in Middle- N. J. . town, N. Y. From 1903 to 1915 he Church, U. S. A., in 1894. Mr. WUson's first station was Kol- June S"–Synod of the Christian Re- was secretary of the American Church hapur, then he was transferred to formed Church, Grand Rapids, Missionary Society, New York. He was consecrated Bishop in 1915 and Ratnagiri where he engaged in evan- Michigan. gelistic and educational work. Here June IS-22-General Council of Con- for over twenty years served the cause gregational and Christian Churches, of Christ in Cuba. he met Miss Kate Green, of Earls ShUton, Leicestershire, England, who Beloit, Wisconsin. . Dr. Robert P*. W*ild*er, who was for was doing the same type of work. June· 18-24-Winona School of Mis- They were married April 29, 1897. fifty years closely identified with At various times during his long pe- sions, Winona Lake, Ind. Christian missions in the United riod of service, he also served at June 18-25-Geneva Summer School States and other lands, died in Oslo, Sangli, Kodoli, and Islampur. Be- Norway, on March 27. He was born, cause of Mrs. Wilson's continued ill for Missionary Education. For in- th~ son ~f .Rev.. and Mrs. Royal G. health, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson resigned formation address Mrs. Paul H. WIlder, mISSIOnanes at Kolapur, India, in 1928. After her complete recovery Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey Ave., August 2, 1863, was graduated from they applied for reappointment. Mr: Oak Park, Ill. Princeton in 1886, was one of the June 2S-27-National Council of Fed- a.nd Mrs. Wilson were honorably re- erated Church Women, Granville, Ohio. founders of the Student Volunteer tIred July 31, 1935 and since that June 2S-July 2-lnterdenominational Movement in 1886, and of the British Conference of Missions, Eagles Student Volunteer Missionary Union time have made their home in Cali- fornia. Mere, Pa. in 1892. He was General Secretary Dr. Angus St*ewa*rt W* oodburne June 2S-July 2-Mt. Hermon Feder- of the Movement from 1886 to 1901 died ated School of Missions, Mt. Her- and from 1919 to 1927. He spent at ~ad~ra, India, February 13, after mon, Calif. some years as a missionary in India a brIef Illness. He had served in the June 28-July 3 – Twentieth Interna- and later was Executive Secretary of Canadian Baptist Mission, and later tional Convention on Christian Edu- the Near East Christian Council, with .in the American Baptist Telugu Miscation, Columbus, Ohio. . headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.. sion in India as Professor in Madras July 12-August 17 – Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, *** Christian College. In 1930, he ac- Ind. cepted a call to the chair of theology Bishop J. Taylor Smith, of the in Crozier Seminary. Church of England, died at sea on March 28, at seventy-seven years of *• * age. He was a very active and thor- Simon Greensky, American Indian Obituary Notes oughly evangelical missionary whose preacher who served his people for Dr. Herman C.E. Liu, President messages have brought spiritual help nearly half a century, died December of Shanghai University, conducted to many all around the world. From 26 at the age of 82. He succeeded his under the direction of the American 1897 to 1901 he was Bishop of Sierre father in ministering to the Chip- Baptist Church, was killed by gunmen Leone; West Africa, and from 1901 pewas. '
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REVIEW OF THE WORLD "The Pastor and Missionary Educa- tion" and the illuminating criticism D.U.T.UC L. PmBSON, Bditor of the Movement for World Chris- tianity by Dr. Julius Richter are alone VOL. LXI MAY, 1938 No.5 worth the price of this number.
Publication and Business Office– SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Third and Reily Sts., Harrlsburr;, Pa. Editor of "The Moslem World."
Editorial and Executive Office– * * >I< 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at We very much enjoy and greatly appreciate THE MISSIONARY REVIEW Post 01l1ce, Harrlsburr;, Pa., under OF THE WORLD. Act of March 3, 1879. R. ESTHER SMITH, 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. American Friends Mission, Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. Chiguimula, Guatemala. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan Personal Items and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Mrs. Henry W. Peabody, veteran 10 shillings a year. missionary and advocate of missions, returned from a recent trip to India MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- on April 12th, bringing some colored motion picture films taken in connec- LISHING CO., INC. tion with the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Missionary Medical BOARD OF DIRECTORS College at Vellore, India.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUlS, Vice-Pnsident WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretarll PAUL J. BRAISTED SAMUEL McCREA CAVERT *** D. J. FANT The Rev. E. Mowbray Tate, of Portland, Oregon, has been elected to MWRMS. . ORRIN R. JUDD the presidency of Bangkok Christian College, Siam, to succeed the Rev. M. B. LIPPHARD B. Palmer, who resigned on account ERIC M. NORTH of poor health. Dr. Tate has been on SAMUEL M. ZWEMBR the staff of the college for five years and was acting president for fifteen Editorial Chat months prior to his dep'arture for the United States last July. The Annual Meeting of The Missionary Review Publishing Co. was * * >I< held at the Parkside Hotel on March 28th, Dr. Robert E. Speer presiding. Dr. Albert W. Beaven, President of The Treasurer presented the annual Colgate – Rochester Divinity School, report for 1937 and the auditor's re- and Mrs. Beaven have recently report, showing a deficit for the year of turned to Rochester after a trip $2,756. Of this amount $1,120 had around' the world. been cared for by friends of THE RE- VIEW through gifts to the Maintenance *** The great white Empresses hold Fund. every speed record to and from Dr. Kenneth G. Hobart, an Amer- the Orient. 10 days direct to The Secretary reported that plans ican Baptist missionary, being unable Yokohama by Empress of Asia are under way to promote the circula- to return to his work in Swatow, or Empress of Russia. Or only tion of THE REVIEW, especially among China, has been assigned to service three days more via Hawaii by pastors and libraries, and missionary as Director of Religious Work at Jud- Empress of Japan, largest and leaders in local churches. During the son College, Rangoon, Burma. fastest on the Pacific, or Empress year THE REVIEW has published ar- of Canada. Connect at Honolulu ticles by 123 authors on topics cover- *** from California ports. ing the whole mission field at home and abroad. Two special numbers Dr. Carl A. Felt, formerly Presi- From Vancouver and Victoria were issued, one on Rural America dent of Peking Theological Seminary, to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, and one on Moslems. has been elected Chancellor of the in- Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. stitution. Details from YOUR TRAVEL The present members of the Board AGENT or Canadian Pacific.: 6f Directors were unanimously re- *** 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. elected. Rev. Emory Ross, Secretary of the Respectfully submitted, American Mission to Lepers, attended the fourth International Leprosy Con- DELAVAN L. PIERSON, ference in Cairo under the presidency Secretary. of Dr. Victor G. Heiser on March 21st. Mr. and Mrs. Ross were then to *** travel south, west and east in Africa COMMENTS FROM READERS to confer with officials and mission- aries on the fight against leprosy. Those who look for real catholicity in church relationships, and for an James V. ** * Fort Worth, ecumenical horizon, will find it in the April issue of THE REVIEW. It is a Reid, of cure for pessimism in these dark days and a challenge to move forward in Texas, lay-evangelist in the Methodist spite of turbulence in the Red Sea. Home and foreign missions, the Jew, Church, South, spent several weeks heathen and Mohammedan, all find their place in this issue. I do not see in Guatemala among the Friends, the how the effective missionary pastor can neglect to use such a tool made Presbyterians and Central American Mission. He gave especial attention to young people and to the Indians, using the piano, organ and guitar.
Doors opened on all sides, the Indians being especially. attracted to him..
Next year he anticipates a trip to Panama.
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NATIVES IN THE ANGLO-EGYPTIAN
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 5 MAY, 1938 Topics of the Times THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE FOR TODAY Christ by ministering to others who suffer. Pro- fessor Pardee Lowe, a Chinese Christian, says: Young people and adults of every land are asking today: Why send Christian missionaries Chinese Christians still believe that the Church has a abroad? Has Christianity any vital message to message for China today, They hope that the Christians take to China in her hour of tragic need? Has in America will yet rise to the measure of their responsi- Christ the same or a different message for Japan bilities as representatives of Christ, and will not sanction evil practices for selfish purposes.
and Korea in this time of crisis? Have Christians But whether or not American and British a vital message for Turkey and Spain, for Ger- Christians fail, Christ will not fail. The message many and Russia, for Italy and Abyssinia; for of Christ to China must be distinguished from the Latin America and the United States? The ques- message of Christendom, or of so-calied Christian tion calls for a clear answer-one that will satisfy nations, of the t>rganized Church, or of individual Christians; the message of Christ today and aland that checks with facts. ways is the same for China, for Japan, for Ger- Two years ago China, for example, was turning many and for America. It is the message of the love of God as revealed in Christ; the message of more and more to Christ. Many of the National forgiveness and God's promise of life and peace leaders had become Christians; Generalissimo to those who accept Christ and His atonement for Chiang Kai-shek and his wife had clearly demon- sin; the message of guidance and power promised strated their Christian faith; and then the blow to those who seek to do the will of God; the mesfell and a destructive war was forced on them by sage of Eternal Life as the gift of God through a militant neighbor and threatened the very life Christ. of the nation. The lives of Christians are sacrificed or endangered and God's work is hindered. If temporal comfort and prosperity were to be Not only so but the so-called Christian nations have stood by without taking effective measures to help China. Righteousness does not seem to considered an evidence of the truth of Christ and have exalted any nation-at least in recent years. His message, the Church would never have sur- vive'd the first century. "The things that are seen Let us remember that the Christian message are temporal" and often disappointing; "the does not offer any guarantee of material comfort things that are unseen are eternal"-and they are and prosperity. Christ never promised His fol- lowers immunity from physical hardships. In not obtained by force of arms or purchased with fact, His Church was founded on sacrifice and money. But the fact that Christ's spiritual and some of its earliest promoters were martyrs. eternal benefits are of greatest value to Christians Never has suffering been separated from progress is no reason why any of us should look on comeither in the Church or the State, in individuals placently while others suffer. The Spirit of Christ or in nations; and today is no exception. It is must lead each of His followers to suffer with no sign that Christ has failed, because His people those who are poor or sick or persecuted, and to suffer-even unto death. render all the help possible without counting the Christian people in every land are strength- cost to one's self. The Christian message is one ened rather than weakened by suffering. In of God's justice and truth and love and the result China, there are thousands who suffer trium- is to be experienced in this Hfe as well as in the phantly and thousands more who show the love of Life beyond the Veil. Here is a message for [211 ]
war-torn China and Spain, for primitive Afri- the war. When school children visit the shrines cans and for communistic Russia, for Germans and for Jews, for the Depressed Classes of India by classes and schools the Sunday school attendand for the capitalists of America. The essential message of Christ must not be confused with the ance is greatly reduced. It is possible that grave message that men would like to see adopted in Congress, or Parliament or the League of Na- issues for the Christian Church are involved in tions, even though we may work and pray to persuade them to follow Christ's way of righteous- the mobilization movement. A Japanese profesness and peace. sor in a mission college characterized the attitude THE EMERGENCY IN JAPAN of the missionaries toward the war as that of a Japan is in the throes of a great emergency. "The grave affair" (Sino-Japanese war) has re- father who witnesses a fight between two of his quired the sending of large numbers of troops to China, and in Japan one is impressed with the sons; because of his love for them, he earnestly fact that there is something ahead which involves even more than is now apparent. Steps have been desires them to live together in harmony and cotaken by the authorities to conserve the resources of the empire and the people are being mobilized operation, and he dares not favor one above the for all sorts of undertakings. Thousands of new troops are continually being sent to the front. other. Some Japanese feel that unless mission- Often each soldier carries a flag on which is inscribed the names of his friends; the white flag aries and churches in Japan support the war, fuwith the round sun in the middle lending itself to inscriptions. Most of them seem to believe that ture Christian work may be seriously hampered. they are embarked on a great crusade, whose object is to "deliver China from the oppression of Attendance has already fallen off in many of the selfish war lords and red communists," and thereby usher in a new day of ideal cooperation be- churches, and pioneer mission work has become tween the Chinese and Japanese which will bring economic salvation to both lands! more difficult. Street preaching and public hall From a Christian viewpoint, probably the most evangelistic services are not looked upon with apsignificant aspect of the present emergency is that the Japanese Government has taken definite proval by some of the authorities, for there is the steps to mobilize all the resources of the nation for the purpose of securing the full attainment of feeling that Christianity fosters a spirit of peace the present objectives. This movement was ushered in by special gatherings at the State and love which is not in accord with the more Shinto Shrines and other places where prayers for victory were offered to the various deities, nationalistic and militaristic aims which now domespecially the Sun Goddess. The Emperor, as the High Priest of the nation, offered prayer to "the inate the nation. divine ancestress of the nation," and in so doing led all his people in prayer. Millions of people Effective prayer is what is most needed in these also visited the shrines and prayed for victory. Japanese Christians were at first gravely con- days that the Divine Opener and Closer of gates cerned lest this movement involve the churches as such in shrine worship. However, it was under- of opportunity will overrule so that the door in stood that Christian congregations might observe the day in a Christian way in their respective Japan will remain open. However the war may churches. Prayer in most churches has not been characterized by petitions for victory but rather result, there is the possibility or probability that for peace, and also includes the Chinese as well as the Japanese. all far-Eastern governments will tend increasingly The impression seems to have gotten abroad to limit and circumscribe the work of foreign misthat Christians are not loyal in their support of sions. The modern totalitarian state, whether it be fascistic or communistic, fosters the idea of man worship as represented by the State, and leaves God out of account. Cresar worship is again a very real thing, and the Church may be required to pass through severe persecution in this connec- tion. God's people are only a little company in any nation, and humanly speaking cannot hope to defend the freedom of their faith against the en- croachments of political power which itself finds strength in certain non-Christian religious sanc- tions. But all power is with God and He is able to triumph even in this situation and can use His obedient people for the fulfillment of His mighty purposes. A MISSIONARY IN JAPAN.
THE DAY OF OPPORTUNITY IN INDIA The Dnyanodaya of Poona states that "the In- dian Christian Church is growing at the rate of two hundred thousand every year" – an average of four thousand a week. This would mean an increase of two million members in a decade. Rev. J. F. Edwards, who has been in India for thirty years, says that never in all that time has India been so respJ)nsive to the Christian message as today. He continues: Never was Indian Christianity so profoundly respected for its character; witness the effects on caste people of
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Christlike outcastes. Never was Indian Christianity so Church at home, and is acted upon prayerfully generous and open-handed; for there is far more money raised in India itself for the Christian work in India than and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it will all the money added together that comes to India from be a great day for the Church of Christ in India. other lands. Never was Indian Christianity so intelligent Was there ever greater need for an intelligent as it is today and never have there been so many readers movement to inspire every Christian to be a of books and the daily newspapers as now. Never before Christian evangelist, as was true in Apostolic days have there been won for Christ in a single decade so many and in some mission lands today? Such a forof India's caste people as during the past ten years when ward evangelistic movement, with India's ambimore than thirty thousand of these were won. The reason tion for political independence, may be used of nearly always given by the caste people themselves for becoming Christians is that they have noticed the trans- God to promote a strong and truly indigenous In- formation in the life of the Depressed Classes through be- dian Christian Church.
coming disciples of Jesus Christ. The next main cause is the earnest daily witness for Christ of these Depressed LITERACY, MISSIONS AND LIFE Classes, even to those who for generations have been their persecutors. Christian witness backed up by Christlike "Sixty-two percent of the people of the world character is bringing about in India one of the biggest revolutions in history, the descent of the Brahmin from are still unable to read or write," says Dr. Frank his position of dominance, and the resultant spread of C. Laubach, of the Philippines, who has made a truly Christian democracy. special study of the world's illiterates. Evangeli- The Christward movement among the sixty or cal Christian missionaries have always empha- seventy millions of the Depressed Classes of India' sized the importance of promoting literacy in continues but, fortunately, there is no stampede order to develop an intelligent faith and a strong to enter the Christian Church. This would be Christian Church. But to teach reading and disastrous as the Church could not so rapidly as- writing is a slow process, especially where the similate and educate them. As is well known, adults are illiterate, and various short-cut meth- these Depressed Classes are in revolt against ods have been devised. Today much attention is Hinduism that has kept them in subjection, isola- being given to the literacy campaign inaugurated tion, ignorance and degradation for centuries. by Dr. Laubach in the interests of his simplified With so many caste people and outcastes both method of teaching illiterates to read and write in turning to Christ for light, liberty and salvation, a few weeks, by his "Key-Word" phonetic method.
it is evident that India herself is steadily under- It is true that literacy is not essential to salva- going a great change. But are Christian forces tion-to new life in Christ. To be able to read taking advantage of this new opportunity? Are and write is not even essential to a certain amount we rising to meet our responsibility by preparing of spiritual culture and "growth in grace." Many Christian leaders to educate inquirers and new unlettered men and women have been wonderfully converts? This day of opportunity may pass, or used in the service of God. But to be able to read the influx of uneducated people into the Christian and write is essential to general education and fold may lower the standards and vitality of the world progress. How tremendously important it Church. If the political independence movement is that these arts were known in Old Testament brings politics into the Church and the Church times and that careful records were kept of God's into politics corruption is sure to follow. India's revelation to man. What a blessing it has been Christward movement is no doubt largely due to a to mankind that the Apostles could write down desire for freedom, education and equality of so- the sayings and deeds of Jesus and could pass on cial, economic and political opportunity for ad- to others what they were taught by the Spirit of vancement. God!
At the same time that India is awakening, the There are in the Bible over 450 references to missionary personnel is decreasing on account of reading, writing, books, printing (by hand), the financial depression in the sending countries. chronicles and records. These references begin The opportunity to turn t~ese Indian multitudes with the days of Moses and the children of Israel.
to Christ is unique, but the helping ability of The Hebrews and later the Christians, to whom churches in America and Europe is crippled by were committed the "oracles of God," have al- the lack of men and money and because of a de- ways been known for their literacy and emphasis crease in sacrificial missionary spirit. This is on education. In every land Protestant Chris- shown by the fact that in the last four years there tians are today the most literate of all classes. has been a decrease of nearly 30 % in the mission- They realize and emphasize the importance of ary staff in India. This means an imperative need general education.
for new and well-trained Indian Christian evan- But in many lands there are still millions of gelists and leaders and for more well-chosen men and women who cannot read and write.
Christian literature in English and the Indian Latin America and other nominally Roman Cath- languages. If this challenge is accepted by the olic countries, like Spain, have reported a high
percentage of illiteracy, but in India, China, In this work of promoting literacy, especially among Christians, two things are of great imporro Arabia, Africa and other non-Christian lands, tance: First, to teach people to read; second, to provide such literature as will promote Christian illiterates sometimes run as high as 90 of the character by disseminating God's truth and love. population. Until this is overcome general edu- As soon as people become literate they are hungry cation is impossible for there can be little progress for something to read. The Bible, lesson helps, in literature, science and in the development of newspapers, or simple books – anything will be Christian leaders. Teachers, preachers and devoured and will influence them profoundly. writers are greatly needed in the church and the Christian Mission Board and Literature Societies masses must be able to read and write if they are should awake more fully to this need and opporto become acquainted with the Bible and Chris- tunity. tian literature. The power of the printed page is more and more recognized, not only by those who Dr. Laubach i~ now busy also developing a would propagate truth but by those who seek to "Good Life Movement" among the Moros in the Spl ead infidelity, anarchy and immorality. Philippines to promote law and order with the spirit of friendship. In place of trying to subdue Dr. Laubach is an American missionary, who independent marauding tribes or bands by the first discovered his short-cut method when trying use of powder and shot Moro leaders are inspired to teach illiterate Moros in the Philippines to to go to these warlike groups and persuade them read and write. This has met with marked suc- to learn reading and writing and to undertake to cess. Recently he has made visits to China, India help in establishing good government. This moveand Africa to study ways of applying this method ment is somewhat similar to Chiang Kai-shek's to other phonetic languages and he has awakened "New Life Movement" in China, but is carried enthusiastic interest among many missionaries on under a diff·erent name. and educational circles in many lands. Miss Alice B. Van Doren, Secretary of the National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon, writes: Recently while on tour in the Dornakal Diocese, where STUDENT LIABILITIES AND ASSETS great mass movements. to Christianity have taken place (and where Dr. Frank C. Laubach had introduced his Students away from home are subject to many new method), I visited a small hamlet of outcaste Christians, where all but 22 of the 120 inhabitants were some- special temptations to neglect God, indulge in sin where in the process of learning to read. As the Christian school teacher could not give them all the time they and lose faith in eternal verities. The freedom wanted, they had offered to feed a second teacher, each house taking him a day in turn; the accepted candidate of college and university life tends to laxity. The for the post was an ex-leper! As the women and children were more forward than the men, at the time of my visit, very exhilaration of youth tempts to unwholesome wives were teaching husbands, and children parents. The little herd-boys were carrying primers with them to the indulgence of appetites. Where not carefully pastures, and one small boy held the top record for teaching three others. On that hot Sunday afternoon with guarded and warned, students too often are given the sun blazing down at 2: 00 o'clock, the verandah was full of pupils each of whom wanted to show off his new to intemperance, sexual sins, gambling and irrevachievement; the ages of the learners varied from ten to eighty. I shall not soon forget the new self-respect erence. Radical socialism, communism and athethat had been engendered; and the looks of pride and joy with which each candidate, particularly the oldest, ism find fertile fields for their propaganda in went back to their places. many of these institutions. Too often their teach- Adapting Dr. Laubach's methods in India, literacy primers, charts, and newspapers have been ers weaken rather than strengthen faith in God published by the Committee for the Removal of Illiteracy, Central Provinces; by the Christian and in the prime necessity of obeying His laws. Literature Society for India; by the University of Calcutta; by the North India Christian Tract Not only are the youth at college separated from and Book Society; and by the Allahabad Literacy League. These materials are now in use in Gu- the wholesome influences of home and Church, jerati, Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Persian Punjabi and Chhattisgarhi. The slogan, but in recent years the churches in college towns, "Every One Teach One – A Literate India by 1941," proposed by Dr. D. P. B. Hivale, of Wilson the chapel exercises and the Student Christian College, appears prominently in some of the publications. Associations have lost much of their spiritual pro- gram and show less power to promote vital reli- gious life, even among students from Christian homes. '
But young people have valuable assets that make it most important to devote time, thought and prayer to their Christian training. They have youth and vigor of mind and body; they have ambition, courage and a spirit of adventure; most of them have idealism and are susceptible to the appeal of noble and unselfish service; they are not set in their habits and thought, and are keen to recognize good leadership, human need and the opportunities before them.
White Yogi of Bombay*
The Atheist Who Became a Christian Missionary -sf I By ROBERT E. SPEER lB- ~==============================~ GEORGE BOWEN was one of the most re- good subjection. There was Hume's history and he re- markable missionary personalities of the members that when he was still a schoolboy, the colored nineteenth century – remarkable for his cook, a stout woman, Roxana Worthington by name, who early life and conversion, for his scholarship and was for many years in the family and regarded herself his acute and extraordinary intellectual power, as a corporate member of the same, who did not know how to read but was very desirous of finding out what had for his Franciscan effort to imitate and represent been going on in the world before she made her appearhis Saviour, for his world-wide devotional in- ance, used to bribe him to come to read to her out of fluence, for his daring experiment with miracles, Rollin or out of Hume, at night when her work was done. for his spiritual insight, for his stedfast fidelity H's reading was by no means confined to history; his appetite was somewhat omnivorous; the Arabian Nights in the face of what he regarded as failure, for his had a charm for him; so had Scott's novels, but above all pride and his humility, for his gentleness and his Shakespeare. Shakespeare was a passion with him for strength, for his true mysticism, for the informed many years. rationalism of his faith in the supernatural Gospel of the New Testament. "The White Yogi," For several years after he had been made a clerk, he would in the daytime be running to the Exchange or Post Office or Custom House or perhaps be in the hold of a the Indians called him, and Bishop William Taylor Liverpool ship hunting up the boxes and bales consigned to the house and expediting their landing, or at the store spoke of him reverently as "the lamb of India." attending to them, or in the office copying letters, or February 5th was the fiftieth anniversary of his keeping books, or, in slack times, up in the garret reading death. some favorite book; in the evening he would be at Signor Da Ponte's learning French, Italian or Spanish, or at Of Bowen's ancestry, beyond his parents, we have no record. He was born on April 30, 1816, home reading Shakespeare or some other book. When in Middlebury, Vermont. The family moved in about fourteen he took lessons on the piano from a burly his childhood to New York City where his father Englishman but, not fancying his strictness, he left off was a merchant with a large dry-goods importing taking lessons and went on by himself. A great passion for music took possession of him when about sixteen, when business. At the age of twelve the boy was taken the Italian Opera Company came to New York, and for a into his father's counting room. Thereafter all dozen years there was hardly anything he more cared for his education was self-acquired but it had a range than Italian operatic music. and thoroughness which no university training could have surpassed. In later years he described The following books are still remembered as in the homc library, all of which in turn occupied the attention of H. and of his elder sister, between whom a great attachment this self-education in some autobiographical ar- existed, with great similarity of tastes: Nicholson's Cycloticles in the Bombay Guardian, in which he re- pedia, "Memoir of Duc de Sully," Washington Irving, ferred to himself as "Homunculus," or simply Good's "Book of Nature," Locke "On the Understanding," "H" : Dugald Stewart, Walter Scott, "Memoirs of Las Casas" (St. Helena), Miss Edgeworth, Telemachus, Saurin's "Ser- He was very fond of reading and as he got time de- mons," Henry's Commentary, Lemprieve, Lavoisne's Atlas, voured the books that were in his father's library. Though "Scottish Chiefs," Goldsmith, etc.-to which were added so many years have gone by, he has a distinct recollection many books in the French, Italian and German as these of most of those books. There was Plutarch in eight vol- languages were successively studied. He also had the umes and he can remember a particular place in the upper privilege of getting books from the Clinton Hall Library, back stairs of the house, 171 Green Street, where in the afterwards the Mercantile Library.
summer evenings he would pore over the fascinating Homunculus does not remember that he was ever in sketches of illustrious Romans and Greeks, making each those days or at any time, spoken to on the subject of his idol as he read about him. There was a Rollin's religion by his parents. There was no family prayer, and Ancient History and Xenophon's Cyropedia. This last perhaps not any in private. Still the family had a pew book exercised a great influence over him and deeply im- in St. Thomas' Church (Episcopal) and doubtless thought pressed his youthful mind with the conviction that a man itself as religious as its neighbors. H. can vaguely recall who wanted to be distinguished among men should prac- that once from Saturday night to Monday morning he had tice a rigid discipline like that of the youthful Cyrus, some uneasiness on the subject of religion; but it passed learning to endure hardness and keeping his appetites in away.
* We give a few glimpses of the life and character of this unusual At the age of seventeen H. fancied that he was intended by nature to shine in the world as an author. He thought man and remarkable missionary whose life, by Dr. Speer. has just it was his mission to write some tragedies that would been published, We can supply copies at $2,50 each,-EDITOR.
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astonish the world by their marks of genius. In the tion, and perhaps by the mediation of a prayer that you course of a year or two he wrote three or four. One of may breathe for me, I may at some future day arrive at these was entitled "Henry IV of Germany"; another was the same sphere of unfading joy. With unspeakable hap- Scandinavian in its name and characters; another was piness would I have preserved your life at the price of founded on something in Sismondi's "History of the my own; but I knew not what I wished; and my changed Italian Republics." Two at least were published, but re- heart knows that there is a peculiar benediction in your ceived no attention from the critics, a thing that was at lot, and that the misfortune is theirs alone who lose for a the time very surprising to the author and terribly galling. while the consolations of your presence and the example Instead of profiting by this rebuke, H. determined that he of your virtues. would yet conquer the attention of men. H. was in those days a great dreamer but his dreams were of a kind that As a last bequest she sent Bowen her Bible, stimulated him to exertion. He was intoxicated with con- with an appeal to read it daily. For her sake he ceit but knew how to veil this self-admiration so as to did so for the next two months, with a sympathetic appear to his acquaintances a modest, sober-minded youth, attitude to religipn but without prayer or any with better tastes than the generality of young men. He faith in the claim' of the Bible to be a revelation was thought to be exceptionally moral, but yet would not from God, and without any conscious abandonfor all the world have consented that certain facts should ment of his scepticism. His journals show, howbe divulged to man. We do not divulge them, and that ever, that deep changes were taking place in his for the reason that we do not think it would be to the thought. Paley's "Evidences of Christianity," glory of God or the good of any. H. had from his mother, carried home by him by mistake from the Merhowever, a deep sense of obligation and an inability to cantile Library, and Doddridge's "Rise and Progtolerate any neglect of it, a horror of everything mean; ress of Religion in the Soul," which he found on at the same time his conceptions of the true standard were a week-end visit in a friend's country house, comvague enough. pleted the work which Emma Morris had begun; on June 9, 1844, Bowen was baptized upon a pro- At the age of eighteen Bowen was released from fession of his faith in Christ, by Dr. Thomas H. business by his father, who gave him his freedom Skinner, in the Mercer Street Church in New and made him an allowance. For two years he York City. read and dallied, attending the opera, writing tragedies, mastering languages, French, German, Bowen's first desire was to go out at once with Spanish and Italian, and then at the age of twenty his Bible under his arm as a foreign missionary, went abroad for three years of study, travel and but on the advice of his friends he went in the fall further dalliance in Europe, Egypt and the Near of 1844 to Union Theological Seminary. There East. He returned to New York in 1840 (at the he took at once a position of conspicuous intellecage of twenty-four) and resumed his dilettante tual leadership; still more, it is not too much to life, spending his time in rea.ding, music, the say that his influence revolutionized the spiritual opera, art, and emotional and intellectual self-in- and missionary life of the Seminary. One of his dulgence. His journals and autobiography show fellow stUdents, the Rev. S. P. Leeds, said: the amazing reach of his reading and the subtlety of his mind and also his thoroughgoing religious I used to say that he seemed to me in those years as one unbelief. Encouraged by an uncle's attitude his who could be compared to a fire even were it kindled in an position was one of complete reasoned atheism. iceberg. He burst directly from Christ. Holy he was in- deed. He started a fire in the Seminary that was a gen- The Shock that Reversed His Life uine "revival" in the strictest sense. I think that at its close, one-quarter, say 25 out of 100 of our students, had Then in 1843 came the shock that reversed his devoted themselves to the missionary work. I like to rewhole life. He fell in love with Emma Morris, a call our affectionate intimacy and the good he did me. devoted Christian girl, and it would appear that they became engaged to be married. She fell ill In an article in the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE of tuberculosis, however, and died on January 26, WORLD (June, 1887), Dr. Robert Aikman, one ~844. In his last letter to her he wrote: of Bowen's classmates, wrote: I write . . . not to express to you the state of my mind About the middle of our Junior year, Bowen passed into since the extinction of all hope, for I would not add one a spiritual experience which I find it difficult to describe, pang to what you suffer, … but rather to speak of the although I was somewhat familiar with the process and chastening and exalting influences that have accompanied results. He had been giving himself more and more to this affiiction. Surely it will be a satisfaction to you to protracted and intense study of the Bible, and particularly know that you have been, in your last earthly hours, the to the Gospel of St. John, and more especially still, to means of rescuing me from a state of lamentable doubt those deep portions of it which comprise the Saviour's and uncertainty to a blissful belief in the soul's high and last discourses with His disciples in the passover room. everlasting destinies; and that the despair caused by the He discovered that there was an experience to which he announcement that I should never more see you on earth had not attained, and in which it was possible permanently was soon visited by a divine intimation that a blissful to abide – a state of absolute certainty as to spiritual paradise would be the abode of your enfranchised spirit. truths, of entire devotement to the glory of God, and of With one hope I survive, then-the hope that by a constant rest in God. This, of course, was nothing else than the recollection and imitation of your virtues, by diligently "abiding" of which our Lord speaks, and it was not difstriving to make my life more worthy of your contempla- ferent in its nature from that of Bowen's first experience;
THE WHITE YOGI OF BOMBAY
but it came to him as almost new, and so it came to his great predecessors Schwartz and Carey. In the classmates. I shall never forget an evening prayer meet- second place Bowen came to the conviction, this ing in the seminary and the impression which his testi- first year, that he ought to give up any missionary mony made upon his classmates, although nothing could salary from America and to bring his mode of be less ostentatious than his words and manner. One of living to the simplest and most frugal basis. our most intelligent men arose and said, "Is this something Thereafter, accordingly, for his entire missionary new in the Christian life, or is it a deepening of the cur- life he supported himself by a few hours of teachrents which flow in all our hearts?" No doubt it was the ing each day or by his writing or by wholly unlatter, but it made the impression almost of newness. solicited gifts, and he lived in a humble room or in the office of the Tract Society. At that time Bowen began to come under the power of a mental habit, not peculiar to him indeed except as to its The reasons for the course which he adopted completeness and permanence. He made a distinct effort were set forth in his letters and journals, and to realize the actual and personal presence of the Saviour with him, to become intimately and at all times conscious of the nearness of Jesus as one to be spoken to and walked with. This grew by cultivation to be a great life power with him. One day, Bowen, J. Edwards Ford (afterwards of the Syrian Mission) and myself were together in the room of Thomas A. Weed. The last named was a genial and even jovial man, and a great favorite of us all. He led the conversation into the line of the nearness of Christ to his own, in order, I suppose, to draw remarks from Bowen, who, after a while, said in his quiet way, "I have at this moment a more vivid sense that Jesus is in the room here than I have that either of you three are."
Beginnings in India GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY On the completion of his course in the Sem- especially in a long communication dated January inary in 1847, Bowen was sent by the American 8, 1849, addressed to his fellow missionaries. His Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions as diary for January 20, 1849, summarizes his view: a missionary to the Marathi Mission in India. He sailed from Boston on July 31st, his only fel- It is a question that occupies my thoughts considerably, low passengers being Mr. and Mrs. Wood, going whether I ought not to renounce my salary, and seek to to the same mission. After a journey of 172 days, support myself in some way. It is not an absolute duty. during which Bowen studied the Marathi language There is no sin in receiving my support from the church. and read voraciously and wrote with deep devo- Even the apostle Paul received assistance from the tional insight in home letters and his diary, he churches. But the question arises, will not good follow landed in Bombay on January 19, 1848. In his from such a course? Would not the influence of such a journal of December 23, 1847, he wrote: course be important to the church, to ministers and to the heathen? There is reason to fear that very many min- It appears to me 1WW that the highest style of Christian isters are influenced by the love of filthy lucre; and as in God's sight is one who lives in the wise exercise of all many more are liable to have such motives ascribed to his powers, sparing himself not at all, doing all to produ ce them by the world, seeing that they receive large salaries great and immediate results, yet esteeming that in God's which they spend upon themselves and families. The favor is his li fe, repining not when there is no appearance world is enslaved to money, and the world thinks the of fruit, and willing to be thought unprofitable by the church. Am I willing t.o forego the honor that cometh from man? God grant me such faith in him and such love to souls that I shall strive according to his working that worketh in me mightily, doing all to save them, and yet entertaining such confidence in the greater love of God as to believe that he doeth all well even when I see no sign of vegetation above the surface.
In this spirit he began a ministry that was to continue without interruption for the rest of his life. The first two years were marked by two distinctive experiences. In the first place, after a few months his health failed and he was so troubled with a throat affection that the doctors advised his immediate return to America, if his life was to be saved. He was convinced, however, that God had brought him to India and he refused to leave. He lived to see the cautious doctors all dead and to spend forty years in India without a furlough or vacation, resembling in this his
church also is enslaved to it, and will think so just so long Taylor came to India. Taylor was another .of the as by any possibility it can. I am convinced that it is of most distinctive and picturesque personalities of primary importance that there should be unequivocal the nineteenth century. He roamed all over the examples of self-denial in the church, and especially on world as a Christian evangelist, looking to no the part of ministers. In the ninth chapter of 1st Corin- human agency for direction or support. He bethians, Paul labors to establish two points, first that he lieved in self-supporting missionaries like Paul, had a right to be sustained by the church, and secondly who maintained himself by his trade as a tentthat it was right for him to renounce, this right. And he maker. In his book, "Self-Supporting Missions," uses the very strongest language to express the importance published in 1882, he advocated missions estabhe attached to this last. "It were better for me to die than lished and supported by men "at their own cost that any man should make my glorying void." He at- without any guarantee of compensation." He did tached sO.much importance to it, that he would rather die than not do it. This is amazing, and shows that he had not disapprove qt missionary work supported by very different notions from ours concerning the best means of extending the Gospel. money, but it should be money earned or contrib- uted on the field and not sent out by the home Accordingly Bowen resigned his salary but was church. He allowed charity, as such, but not as encouraged by the Board to retain his connection a form of missionary work subsidized by foreign with it and the Mission, while. he pursued his .own funds. In Asia, Africa, South America, indeed course. This he did for five years, 1850-1855. all over the earth, this heroic, adventurous, un- Then a disagreement arose over the question of daunted spirit moved, establishing churches and children's baptism and for ten years Bowen schools, conducting revivals and evangelistic camworked in independence of any official relation- paigns, laying here and there enduring foundaship but on uninterrupted terms of affection with tions and, it must be admitted, leaving far and the Mission. His work embraced daily preaching wide also the wreckage .of courageous but unenon the streets of Bombay and by the seaside, the during sacrifice. writing and circulation of tracts and books and the editorship of the Bombay Guardian. This Bowen was delighted with Taylor's fervor, diweekly paper had been started in 1851 by a small rectness,evangelistic faith and courage and withgroup of British and American missionaries but in a few months identified himself fully with the the burden of editorship rested on Bowen and Methodist Episcopal Church in India, but not as from 1854 to 1865 he was solely responsible. Then a missionary of the Methodist Board in America. the paper was suspended for a few months but in He continued to be self-supP.orting and his rela- March, 1866, it was resumed and continued under tion was wholly to the Church in India, although Bowen's sole editorship until his death in 1888. that Church was recognized ,as a part of the Amer- During those years the Guardian was one of the ican Church, which at that time pursued the policy ablest and most interesting religious papers pub- of holding all national sections of the Church as lished anywhere in the world. The comment of integral parts of the American General Confer- Bishop Robinson on Bowen's editorship, in the ence. Bowen made no reports to the Methodist issue of February 11, 1888, which reported his Board and the reference to him in the minutes of death, is abundantly justified: the Bombay Conference relate little more than his repeated election as Presiding Elder (.or District The loss which religious journalism has sustained in his Superintendent as he would now be called) of the death cannot be estimated; neither can it ever be fully Bombay District. The Gospel in All Lands of repaired. Few, if indeed any, editors known to India have March, 1888, the Methodist missionary magazine, approached George Bowen in facility of incisive comment in its article reporting his death said: on current topics; in masterly analysis of measures, methods and men's characters; in thorough grasp of all reli- The Indian Witness, in an account of the South India gious, social and political subjects; in intelligent acquaint- Conference recently said of him, "The veteran George ance with, and insight into, the great modern movements; Bowen still retains his place as the Nestor of the Conferin power to penetrate the core of a proposition, expose the ence, unchanged and unchanging, unless perhaps a little fallacy of an argum,ent, and pierce the vulnerable point more ripe for the rest which for twenty years he has in an antagonist's armor; or in general breadth of literary seemed about to enter. With an appearance of feebleness culture and philosophical attainment. he had an amazing reserve of strength and endurance, although carrying on his shoulders the triple burden of an Bowen and Bishop Taylor Editor, a Presiding Elder and a Missionary, preaching in two languages to the natives." In 1865 the disagreement between Bowen and the Congregational Mission had disappeared, Bowen's Cha'racter and Influence Bowen having returned to his former views .on baptism, so that his relation to the Mission was Bowen sustained this relationship to the day of re-established on the old basis. Bowen accordingly his death, was honored in the Methodist Church continued his full financial independence but as its most saintly leader, and was beloved and worked with the Mission and as a member of its honored by other communions. He died at the Councils. In 1871, however, Bishop William
age of seventy-two on F'ebruary 5, 1888. The fulfilled his mission; he has finished his course; he has late Bishop J. E. Robinson wrote of him: won his crown.
George Bowen belonged to all denominations that hon- Some of Bowen's devotional articles in the ored Christ. To him people of all churches, of the various Guardian, published in Great Britain and America grades of society, of every walk in life, turned as to a true in three volumes entitled "Daily Meditations," friend and counsellor, and as an example of all that is "Love Revealed," "The Amens of Christ," are good and beautiful in a Christian life. How he was loved among the greatest devotional books of the and reverenced by Methodists is well known; but in this Church. But his own life was the greatest devocity, where he has gone in and out among his feHows these tional contribution. In his journals he wrote: forty years-in this land where his name has ever been as ointment poured forth-there are thousands who are not It came into my mind that there was needed such a life Methodists who love and revere his name, and who will of Paul as could not by any means be issued from any affectionately cherish his memory as long as life endures. printing press. We wanted Paul himself, embodied, breath- ing, moving and repeating before our eyes the' life de- Knowing how accessible he ever was, how quick and scribed in the New Testament. One of us must become sensitive and responsive were his sympathies, everybody, Paul himself ("Journal," March 30, 1848). irrespective of race or creed, felt that he had a prescriptive right to go to him in any time of trouble or distress. I want to have Christ walking about the streets of Bom- And so for these many years he has been at the service bay as He did about those of Jerusalem and living among of every man, woman or child needing his counselor his this people as He did among the Jews. He was emphatihelp, his sympathies or his prayers. The more destitute cally the friend of the people. They were His family, His and degraded and feeble the one who appealed to him the home . . . I want to have Jesus the missionary in my more glad was he to wholly give himself to that one in mind's eye continually. By the grace of God I may at love and prayerful sympathy. If since apostolic days there length learn to· love. Love overcometh everything. It will has lived a man on earth who unselfishly and disinterest- be a blessed day when I feel at horne in the'se streets, and edly sought the good of his fellows in Christlike willing- can linger in them without any desire save to continue ness to spend and be spent for them, and who stood ever preaching the Word ("Journal," June 29, 1848). ready to lay down his life for the brethren, that man, we hesitate not to say, was George Bowen. Probably the holiest man in this world is he who retains keenly and most unceasingly the sense of his liability to Bowen's principle of simplicity in missionary sin. I desire to be that man ("Journal," May 7, 1849). life was not asceticism. He went about freely in social life, a welcome guest everywhere, a superb Two of the great lessons from Bowen's life are musician, glad always to make other people happy, to be learned from his "failure." He tried once popular with children, with a quaint touch of to perform a miracle, in the conviction that dishumor. As Bishop Thoburn wrote of him: ciples today ought to be able to do now what apostles once did; he failed, but his faith did not In going to live among the people, Mr. Bowen adopted fail. And he used to declare that his preaching no disguise. He continued to wear his European clothing had been fruitless, that he did not know of any and he retained his European habits, and in this he no result from his long years of evangelistic effort. doubt acted wisely. In China a foreigner sometimes But he was mistaken. There are many who came smoothes his way by adopting the Chinese costume, but in to know Christ first, and many others who came India, where the people are familiar with the sight of to know Him better, through George Bowen. And Europeans, nothing whatever is gained by such a change. his work is not done. "The removal of George He hired a room, put a little plain furniture into it and Bowen marks an epoch in the history of our comlived on a most frugal fare. He earned his livelihood by munity," said the editorial in the Times of India, teaching a few private pupils but kept his expenses within on Bowen's death. And Bowen's memory still less than $200 a year. He was in no sense an ascetic and marks epochs in human lives. To adapt Henry when invited out, as he often was,' he always ate cheer- Newbolt's lines: fully whatever was set before him. His tastes were simple and in his own little home his fare was simplicity itself. Whether his fame centuries long should ring On one occasion he entertained the members of the Bom- He cared not overmuch. bay Missionary Conference at breakfast and when the meal was served it consisted of bananas and bread. He Nay, Bowen cared not at all. But we have his was too transparently honest and consistent to ·assume a inheritance. style of life, even for the once, above that which he daily maintained. Friends often tried to add to his comfort but He passed content, leaving to us the pride always in vain. On one occasion when he was absent some Of life obscurely great. unknown ladies invaded his room and refitted it through- out, putting in a new and almost luxurious bed, and other THE TASK OF THE CHURCH articles corresponding with it. The next day all the new articles were quietly distributed among the poor and the I boldly affirm that the Church has nowhere room resumed its 0ld4ime appearance. assigned to it the achievement of converting the All India will pause to pay a tribute of respect and love to the memory of George Bowen. All India is the debtor. world in this dispensation. Let none be offended He was a peerless saint among Christians, a royal prince among missionaries. One had to see him and know him in at this statement, since I emphatically add that his simplicity, but yet in his strength, in order to under- stand what our Saviour meant when He said that we must though our task is not to bring all the world to llecome as little children. He had don,e hi,S work; he h~s Christ, our task is unquestionably to bring Christ tQ all tl1E) wQrld.. A.. J. GORDON.
of the Undertow of
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D. I 111- Editor of "The Moslem World"
~==============================~ MANY have written regarding the rising tide of its outward signs of power. In ·1922, the cap- of Christian effort in Moslem lands; we ital Sultanate was abolished, in 1924 the Caliphate, would add a postscript on the undertow of and in the same year the Mohammedan religious Islam. The sea has its ebb and flow of resistless schools were replaced by secular public schools.
tides; its constant currents and its sudden storms; Dervish lodges have been suppressed and worship its trade winds which are the mariner's trust, and at the tomb of great Mohammedan leaders, which is tempests which are his terror. The effect of all had for centuries been the object of pious venera- these is seen on the surface. Along the shores, tion, has been forbidden.· In 1928 the Turkish especially after a rising tide or a heavy gale, constitution was so amended that Islam ceased to there is also the undertow, the reactionary cur- be the religion of the state. In the same year the rent. The tide is visible and trustworthy, the Latin alphabet of the West supplanted the sacred undertow invisible and treacherous. Arabic script. The calendar has been made to The same has been true in the long history of conform to that of Europe; the wearing of the Islam and its relation to Christianity. At first there fez, long identified with the Mohammedan faith, seemed to be a glorious rising tide of monotheistic has been prohibited, and all clerical garb is for- faith in Islam, and of a devotion to God – often bidden on the streets. The greatest mosque of sublime in its conception of Deity and of duty. Mohammedanism, the Hagia Sophia (Church of This has been followed by the undertow of reac- Santa Sophia) in Constantinople, has been turned tionary Arabian paganism. This was true even into a museum, and the neighboring mosque, Sul- in the case of the Prophet Mohammed himself tan Ahmed, the most beautiful of all mosques, has when he consecrated the Ka'aba-stone and then, been transformed into a public library. Sunday for a moment, lapsed to pay honor to Lat and has been legalized as the day of public rest and 'Uzza, of which he said: "They are two high- recreation, instead of the Mohammedan Friday; soaring cranes and verily their intercession may most wonderful of all, the number of pilgrims to be hoped for" (Surah 53: 19). Some Koran chap- Mecca, the sacred city toward which all Moslems ters that rise, like "the verse of the Throne" pray, is dropping off to an extent almost incred- (Surah 2': 256 ff.) and "the verse of Light," ible. In 1929 the number of pilgrims, which had almost to the heights of Job and Isaiah, are fol- dropped to 18,000, was in 1933 only 1,269.
lowed by puerile passages full of animistic super- There are many startling signs of the dawning stitions such as Solomon's jinn, Alexander's of a new period in Islam. Reforms, social, intel- bellow-blowers, or J ewesses blowing on knots lectual and moraf are now the order of the day.
(Surah 113). Nationalism has supplanted the Caliphate. The We note also a backward undertow in the his- Moslem press everywhere is broadcasting new tory of Moslem theology and jurisprudence, as ideas and ideals. Compulsory education is advo- Dr. Duncan B. Macdonald has shown in his inter- cated for communities where ninety-five percent esting study of the subject. There have been of the masses are still illiterate. The hands of the puritanic revivals and popular reactions, periods clock are being moved forward violently at An- of enlightenment and culture, when Islam held gora but are pushed back with equal vigor in aloft the torch of civilization; these have been other centers of the world of Islam.
followed by dark centuries of ignorance and su- Unless we take account of all this action and perstition. Al Ghazali's call to repentance were reaction our conclusions will be at fault. There forgotten for centuries while the mullahs pored is a rising tide but there is also an undertow. For over the pages of Al Buni's encyclopedia of magic example, a Chicago newspaper reported some and the world of Islam became illiterate to an time ago that the daughter of one of the rulers extent hardly credible-90 to 95 percent! among the Moros in Sulu,came to the University Politically and religiously we also note the of Illinois, received her education, left a full- undertow. The Turkish government has, in the fledged American girl-graduate, in dress, de- last ten years, divested Mohammedanism of most meanor and ideas-only to be dragged down on [220 l her return home, by the undertow, and to become Archipelago. The Koran tells of Harut and the fourth wife in a prince's harem. Such cases Marut, the two angels of Babylon who teach men are not exceptional; they occur even in Cairo and how to bind or break the marriage vow. Moslem Calcutta. commentators tell how a Jew named Lobeid, with the assistance of his daughters, bewitched Mo- The study of many popular forms of Moslem hammed by tying eleven knots in a cord which magic is of interest. Mrs. Dwight M. Donaldson, they then hid in a well. The Prophet falling ill of Meshed, has published a volume on the current in consequence, this chapter and that following it superstitions of Iran, which is significant in this were revealed; and the angel Gabriel acquainted connection. The student of Islam will never under- him with the use he was to make of them, and told stand the common people unless he knows the rea- him where the cord was hidden. Then Ali fetched sons for their curious beliefs and practices. We the cord, and the Prophet repeated over it these need accurate knowledge to have sympathy and two chapters; at every verse a knot was loosed avoid showing contempt for those caught in the until, on finishing the last words, he. was entirely undertow of superstition; nor must we denounce what to them may have real sacramental value. freed from the charm.* After all, superstition is a sign of extra-faith or extra-ordinary faith (aberglaube; bijgeloof). One may still see women of the better class in Cairo, eagerly awaiting the verdict of an unkempt The religion of the common people today from sand-diviner from Morocco who is tracing their Tangier to Teheran is still based on hundreds of fortune, or misfortune, by clever geomancy on a weird beliefs, many of which have indeed lost street~corner. Here we see the results of this their original significance, but all of which still heavy undertow of superstition. The husbands bind and oppress mind and heart with constant of these women formerly hung blue beads on the fear of the unseen. Witchcraft, sorcery, spells and necks of their donkeys to ward off the evil eye; charms are the background of native Moslem psy- now they hang them on the radiator-tops of their chology to an extent that is realized only by those motorcars for the same purpose. Facts are stubwho have penetrated most deeply into the life of born things, and Christian missionaries must face the people. I have seen a student in Lahore pre- facts. paring for an examination in Psychology take the dust from a Moslem saint's tomb as a specific for The words of Frazer apply in this connection: passing a high grade! "As in Europe beneath a superficial layer of Chris- tianity, a faith in magic and witchcraft, in ghosts Not only does superstition prevail among the and goblins has always survived, and e"en flourvast majority of the Moslems-with literature of ished among the weak and ignorant, so it has been magic, the universal sale of amulets, charms, talis- and so it is in the East. Brahminism, Buddhism, mans, magic-squares and the practice of geomancy Islam may come and go, but the belief in magic -but in the very source-books of Islam, the and demons remains unshaken through them all, Koran and the Traditions, these practices nearly and, if we may judge of the future from the past, always find their origin or their justification. It is likely to survive the rise and fall of other hisis rather astonishing therefore that in the two- torical religions. . . . With the common herd, volume monumental work of Edward Wester- who compose the great bulk of every people, the marck on "Ritual and Belief in Morocco," so few new religion is accepted only in outward show, bereferences are given to the Koran text or to the cause it is impressed upon them by their natural Traditions of Bukhari and Muslim. Nearly all of leaders whom they cannot choose but follow. They the superstitious practices which he catalogues so yield a dull assent to it with their lips, but in their carefully, and explains so interestingly, can be hearts they never really abandon their old supertraced to early Arabia and to the practice of Mo- stitions; in these they cherish a faith such as they hammed and his companions. Their doctrine of cannot repose in the creed which they nominally God includes the magical use of His names and profess; and to these, in the trials and emerattributes. The belief in revelation has degener- gencies of life, they have recourse as to infallible ated into a bibliomancy and a bibliolatry, more remedies when the promises of the higher faith crass than that ever found in any other book-reli- have failed them, as indeed such promises are apt gion. In Persia one can purchase bilingual editions of the Koran in which every page has printed to do." t at the top its "good" "bad" or "doubtful" value for telling fortunes. Not only is there in Islam today the strong undertow of superstition, but we must reckon with In no monotheistic faith are magic and sorcery other undertows: the power of social custom, of so firmly entrenched as in Islam. This is one of the chief reasons for the spread of Islam in Cen- • See "AI Razi," Vol. viii, pp. 559-564. Here we also learn that tral Africa and among the Malays of the Dutch an afrit used to tease Mohammed, so Gabriel taught him to repeat this chapter at bed-time. It was given him as a charm against the evil eye.
t "The Scapegoat," pp. 89-90,
a language and literature which have dominated such unity of action in a strike as is shown by life for centuries. It is not an easy pull for those Islam as soon as one of their number breaks away. who venture out to rescue people engulfed in this It is as though the road of life were one black turbulent sea. mass of people all crowding in the same direction. What chance would a single individual have to Writing from Iraq where all the superficial cur- face about and start going in the opposite direcrents of a new civilization and a new nationalism tion? He would at once find himself out of harmight seem to favor freedom, the Rev. Dirk mony with the entire mass, would find it next to Dykstra tells of the undertow experienced by con- impossible to make headway against the deterverts: mined current of the mass of humanity about him, and would probably be trampled to death in his "No one living in Christian America can have efforts to reverse his steps. And much more real the slightest conception of the faith, the courage are the difficulti~s that beset those who face the and the fortitude that are required for this seem- spiritual powers of darkness set in dread array ingly simple act of following the Lord. Every- against all who would follow Jesus Christ." thing is against them. From childhood their minds have been impregnated with the thoughts, A true view of events, literature and thought habits and superstitions of Islam. To break with among Mohammedans and of the progress of it means to break with everything that their fore- Christian missions in Moslem lands must take fathers have believed and have held precious. account not only of rising tides but also of the Then all about them is the unity of Mohammedan undertow in Islam. brotherhood. No labor union could command Encouragements in Work for Moslems By GEORGE SWAN, Zeitoun, Egypt Missionary of the Egypt General Mission THE work for Moslem evangelization is at stead of showing the advance for which the work present in a critical condition. Fresh sup- calls. plies of men and money are being withheld. One of the chief reasons for this is the discour- As Elisha prayed for his young man, we would agement which has come to many supporters of pray for the supporters of missions to Moslems: such work. It is significant that discouragement "Lord, open their eyes that they may see." Faith is rarely found among the missionaries to Mos- should require no visible encouragements, but God lems. Like Elisha at Dothan, they have the in- knows our weakness and encourages His children ward vision that realizes that "they that be with to "look on the fields" until we see them as He us are more than be with them." Like Habakkuk, sees them … "white already to harvest." by God's grace, we are able triumphantly to cry out: "Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, Look for a moment at the history of Moslem neither shall fruit be in the vines . . . yet I will advance. Think of that great wave of conquest rej oice in the Lord; I will joy in the God of my that swept across North Africa to the Atlantic, salvation." The veteran leader of a Scottish Mis- destroying the Christian Church in all countries sion, from whence have gone many missionaries, save Egypt, then crossing the Strait of Gibraltar says that of all the missions in which they are into Spain, and moving across the Pyrenees into interested none have been more greatly blessed France. When not far from the English Ctanthan one to the Moslems of Morocco, in spite of nel, it was turned back at Tours and ultimately the great paucity of results. The secret of this was driven out of Spain. Though the Moslems reflex spiritual influence was the grace given to still remain in North Africa, they are nowhere the missionaries to carryon apparently unfruitful under Moslem government, except in Egypt. work undiscouraged. Think of that later drive of the Ottoman Turks But even undiscouraged missionaries are in which was not turned back until John Sobienski danger of falling into discouragement when they defeated them outside the walls of Vienna. How See the interest in the homelands falling off, in- vast the Ottoman Empire was and how rapidly has it diminished even within the memory of many still living ! It is a thrilling story, but how
ENCOURAGEMENTS IN WORK FOR MOSLEMS
poorly has the Church of Christ risen to the great that the cumulative effect of mission work is tellopportunities that this "diminishing" has given it. ing and an abundant harvest is waiting to be gath- ered. Oh! that the Church, instead of finding The story is yet unfinished. An account by an excuses for neglecting these signs, would really English writer in the Spectator, of June 25, 1937, pray the Lord of the harvest to thrust forth more tells of the renewed remnant of Turkey in Asia laborers into his harvest field. In some way be- Minor under Kamil Attaturk and shows the dis- yond our ken the Lord limits Himself by the attisatisfaction with the religious freedom they have tude of faith in His Church. so far attained. They seek for that spiritual truth which they feel is a dynamic necessity for the wel- Consider how few missionaries are equipped fare of the nation. What a call to prayer is this with the necessary knowledge of Islam and are to all who seek the coming of Christ's Kingdom! working directly for Moslem evangelization. Do not make the mistake of thinking that in a coun- Think of the great Mogul Empire of India, at try where Moslems are greatly in the majority, its height under Akbar, and compare with this the and where there are perhaps a hundred missioncondition of the Moslem minority of India today, aries, that there are that number of missionary forced to curry favor with the ruling Christian workers for Moslems. You will probably find power to give them any standing at all in the after careful investigation, that there are but two country. or three; the others are occupied either with the evangelization of the pagans or the building up Take into consideration the fact that since the of the Church that has been gathered out from inauguration of the modern missionary movement them. (only about 150 years ago) three-fourths of the Moslems of the world have come under the do- If you realize how short a time Christian misminion of Christian powers. sions have been working among Moslems, in con- tradistinction to the work done by individuals As we meditate upon these things we come to such as Raymond Lull, Henry Martyn, Bishop the conclusion that God is opening doors for the Valpy French, Ian Keith Falconer, General Haig Church of Christ to enter; yet how meagre has and others, you will be astonished at the amount been the response of the Church; how deaf has of fruit already gathered, and you will not be it been to God's call; how easily discouraged and surprised at its paucity. how readily we have turned aside to lines of less resistance! The late Lilias Trotter called this Moslem prob- lem, "A Challenge to Faith." The littleness of The Paucity of Results the Church's faith in taking up this challenge is evidenced by the littleness of the Church's effort There is a great similarity in the work of the to make known the message of Christ's salvation evangelization of the Jew and that of the Moslem. to the Moslem millions. The astonishing thing is For many decades missionaries faithfully pre- not the unfruitfulness of the effort, but the sented the Gospel to the Jews in many lands, with Church's lack of faith which stultifies any adefew visible results, but every now and again there quate effort. were conversions, and some became a blessing to the whole Church – for example, as Edersheim, As in the case of missions to Jews which have Adolph Saphir, and David Baron. But in this been in existence very much longer than missions wonderful day in which we now live when we see to Moslems, the converts though few, have been prophecy regarding God's ancient people being often of such outstanding quality that they leave fulfilled before our very eyes; we also hear from no doubt of God's will to save Moslems, and of Central Europe of considerable gathering of Jews His power to make them stand in spite of the into the Church of Christ and we are encouraged fiercest opposition, and of His .grace so to transto expect ere long "that day" of the Lord will form them so that the beauty and holiness of come when "all Israel shall be saved." Is it read- their lives are a powerful witness to mature, ing too much into the prophetic utterances of Christian communities. Scripture if we look for Israel's great day to be also Ishmael's day of blessing? Surely something Think of examples like Dr. Imad-ud-Din of Inof the sort is indicated in the promise, "In that dia, of Sheikh Mikhail Mansour of Cairo, Dr. day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Sa'eed Kurdistani of Iran, and many others who Assyria even a blessing in the midst of the land; are now with their Lord. whom the Lord of Hosts shall bless saying, Blessed be Egypt my people and Assyria the work of my The "Beloved Physician of Teheran," now an hands, and Israel my inheritance." But be that as octogenarian, has faithfully served his Lord from it may, it is perhaps somewhat speculative; yet early manhood and has won the esteem of Christhere are abundant indications for those who have tians of all communions and the respect even of been working among Moslems for many years Moslem rulers. In Egypt there is a Presbyterian pastor who found Christ when he was but a boy
of eleven. He was of humble parentage and has tian communities he is much in demand and leads gone on from strength to strength; now wher- a bright and happy Christian life, which is even ever a Christian community feels its need for re- more effective than his excellent sermons. vival, whether it be in Egypt or Palestine or Syria, it is this Moslem convert (formerly a schoolboy These are outstanding cases, like David's three in a Mission school) whose help is enlisted. Not mighty men. But David had many more than only does he see "many conversions in his missions three mighty men whose deeds were also worth but he leads his converts on to that absolute sur- recording; and there are many others in Moslem render which is essential for a holy and radiant lands whose names might be mentioned, men and Christian life. women, girls and boys who, because of their faith, have suffered greatly and who out of weakness Among the women, though this field is consider- were made strong. ably more restricted on account of Moslem prejudice, there is the daughter of a Moslem farmer, "Lift up your,~es and look on the fields." Do converted in a Mission school at an early age. not provoke God to anger by saying "Can God"? Her messages are of great power and are wonder- (Psalm 78). Though we may receive encouragefully used of God; more outstanding, however, is ments to our faith as we look on the fields, the the beauty of her holy life. needful faith will only come as the light shineth in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of Sheikh Mikhail Mansour used to be a professor the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. in the great Moslem University of AI-Azhar. When we truly behold Him, obedience becomes Sheikh Kamel Mansour has taken up the work natural and though like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezewhich his brother laid down and has greatly ex- kiel we are called to an apparently unfruitful tended it. He preaches two or sometimes three ministry, we will not turn aside from the call but, times a week to large gatherings of Moslems of being truly convinced that God's Word "will not the more intelligent classes. He is the friend of return unto Him void but shall accomplish that all Moslem converts and in all their difficulties which He pleases," we will encourage ourselves in they turn to him. As a special preacher to Chris- the Lord, as David did in his blackest hour.
Sauntering in an African Market By JULIA LAKE KELLERSBERGER, Bibanga, Congo Beige American Presbyterian Mission; author of "Congo Crosses"
" UR English word "saunter" is derived from their masters; chickens fluttering, sheep pulling two French words, "Sante Terre," which at their tether; the wails of baby blacks and baby goats blending harmoniously; earthen jars jos- 0 means Holy Land. Crusaders on their way tling jovially together; crackling fires beneath black pots; the indistinguishable murmur of hunto Palestine were called "Sante-terrers"or Saun- dreds of voices, like mutterings of thunder growterers. We, too, may make of every "saunter" a ing louder and louder until one recognizes the real pilgrimage. If our eyes, ears and hearts are laughter of children, the gossip of women, and open to God's messages of color, sound and sight, the angry voice of traders. I heard His voice each walk that we take can lead us straight to the above the sounds of an African market! Holy Land of God's Presence. I took such a walk recently through an African market, perhaps the The smell of burned grass; of warm earth least likely place on earth to find God or to feel soaked and steaming after rain; of dried roots His nearness. In the midst of a babel of barter and herbs; of fresh fruits a"nd newly dug nuts; and a turmoil of trade I met Him. of palm oil and strong soap; of unworn cloth and pipe smoke; of poultry and live stock; of "ripe" Winds whispering through tips of tall trees; meat kept too long; of sweaty bodies close toants rustling beneath dry brush; the running gether. Amidst the odors of an African market water of a near-by stream; tiny birds of tropical I discerned His incense. plumage chattering on palm fronds in gleeful anticipation of a fat feast of tid-bits left untidily Blue sky, blue hills, noon shadows; green grass, on market soil; lean dogs slinking stealthily after
SAUNTERING IN AN AFRICAN MARKET
green palms, golden fruit; brown herbs, grey burning bush to us. "Put off thy shoes from off smoke, bright beads; purple, orange and crimson thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is turbans bobbing restlessly to and fro; Joseph's holy ground." coat of many colors gracefully draped the lithe black bodies of the more fortunate ones. I saw "Into the woods my Master went, clean forespent, forethe pictures that He painted on market rows! spent.
He was there among the "greens" where native Out of the woods my Master came, content with death roots and indigenous vegetables were displayed. and shame." He walked among the seeded corn, millet and cassava flour as surely as He had walked among the Cheap European cloth in rainbow colors and wheat fields. Where handfuls of coarse salt were menagerie design, glass earrings and beads; bargained for and squabbled over, I heard these safety pins for stringing around the neck or words: "Ye are the salt of the earth, but if the slipping in the ear lobes; needles, thread and butsalt have lost its savor wherewith shall it be tons; bright tin cups and saucers, cheap cigasalted ?" I stopped among the clay pots and water rettes are all displayed at Vanity Fair and show jugs of various shapes and sizes for campfire the detrimental presence of the white trader, who cooking and hasty visits to the spring. I had is teaching the simple African to lay up for himwatched them in the village as they shaped and self treasures on earth where rust and white molded, ready for this market day. "Mould me ants break through and steal. "Love not the and make me after Thy Will, while I am waiting, world, neither the things that are in the world." yielded and still." At an African trading center I listened t.o the ser- mons that He preached. In the meat market one's nose is held and one's appetite is lost. Ripe meat displayed in tempting Shiny ebony bodies with shredded rags around arrays; strings of fish blackened in the sun; their loins; a skeleton child, gaunt and weak, gazhippo meat, the older, the better; shriveled ing hungrily about; laden women carrying huge rats; juicy caterpillars; fat frog legs; skinny baskets; black madonnas nursing their babies; crabs; fried ants; cat and dog steak; luscious expectant mothers; wrinkled hags bent and locusts; goat carved "in toto," the skin and in- warped from years of slavery and drudgery; ternal workings being preferred. This is man's witch doctors adorned with charms and medicines depraved taste, for which he will spend his last to keep away the evil spirits; "red women" hard-earned cent, unwilling to hear the Voice greased with crimson palm oil and hair daubed whispering: "He that hath no money, come ye, with cakes of red clay, a sign of child birth; redbuy and eat; yea, come buy wine anti milk with- capped soldiers, strong and straight; a trader, out money and without price." nodding over his wares, a victim of sleeping sick- ness; a leper here and there. This is the person- In our saunter through this African market we nel of an African market. I felt His heart throbs see a group of men squatting on the ground around in this throng. a huge gourd filled with native tobacco. One suck of this community pipe costs one-tenth of a cent. "When He saw the multitudes, he was moved It is passed from one buyer to another, around the with compassion on them, because they fainted circle and back again until the smokers become and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no drugged with its fumes and often fall into the shepherd. Then saith He unto His disciples, The fire and are fearfully burned. Woe to that man harvest truly is plenteous but the laborers are who steals one breath of smoke without paying few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest the price. Another group of men are drinking that He will send forth labourers into His harcorn beer or palm wine. Their laughter becomes vest." My sauntering had brought me to the Holy louder and their voices so rasping we can hardly Land. This is the lesson that God had for me hear these words: "And the merchants of the there! earth shall weep and mourn: the merchandise of purple and scarlet and wood, vessels of ivory and The reign of death is broken; of brass and iron; odours and ointments, wine The reign of Life begun, and oil and fine flour, beasts and sheep and slaves and souls of men." For God to us has spoken, In the person of His Son. Bundles of fuel, fresh cut from the forests are lying at the feet of tired woodmen. It is friendly His coming was the token wood, ready to kindle flickering fires on mud Of God's love for our race, thresholds to cook warm mush for hungry little mouths or to light a torch in the darkness to re- And we behold His glory veal the narrow trail. Every bush may be a In boundless truth and grace.
*** There is no condemnation For those whom Jesus frees; He is the consummation Of all God's promises. T. R. GLOVER.
A Man Who Stirred the Student
Testimonies to Robert P. Wilder 'From Dr. Robert E. Speer, one of the first traveling sec- signed the simple declaration of the Movement- retaries of the Student Volunteer Movement and a "I am wHling and desirous, God permitting, to life-long friend of Dr. Wilder. become a foreign missionary."
Few men have wielded so deep and wide an in- After this year Wilder attended Union Theofluence on the past generation as Robert P. Wilder. logical Seminary~.New York, for one year but as When still a young man, only twenty-two years of it became evident that the Movement, which he age, he became in a real sense the founder and had been instrumental in founding, needed his the mainspring of the Student Volunteer Move- care, he returned to its traveling secretaryship ment for Foreign Missions which has led thou- for the year 1888-89. He then completed his sem- sands of students to go out as foreign mission- inary course and went out to India as a mission- aries. This Movement has also inspired tens of ary. After seven years of fruitful service among thousands of young people in schools and colleges the students, working with a free commission and in the churches at home to under the Presbyterian Board, study missions; it has instigated his health required his return to a vast increase in missionary America.
giving; it produced the Lay- .In later years a great part of men's Missionary M 0 v e men t his service was with the student which, until its absorption in the movements of Great Britain and Inter-Church World Movement, on the continent of Europe matched the offer of missionary where his command of English, lives with missionary gifts; this German, French and Norwegian same enterprise has led thou- and his rare adaptability and sands of young men and women deep spiritual devotion made into the ministry and Christian him a great power. For ten service at home; it was perhaps years more he served again as the greatest single spiritual secretary of the Student Volun- movement of the last fifty years. teer Movement in America Robert Wilder was born in (1918 to 1927). When he re- Kohlapur, India, in 1863, the tired from student work, al- son of the Rev. Royal G. Wilder though then at sixty-four years and Eliza Wilder, who first went of age he was called to a new to the field under the American field as secretary of the Near Board and later became mission- ROBERT P. WILDER East Christian Council reprearies in Western India under the senting the evangelical missions Presbyterian Board. When they returned to in the Levant, and with headquarters in Cairo.
America in 1877, because of ill health, Mr. His noble spirit, his absolute fidelity to Christ, Wilder founded THE MISSIONARY REVIEW and his tact and his humility made him acceptable lived in Princeton, New Jersey. Robert was to all types of Christians; in every relationship graduated from Princeton College in 1886 and he endeared himself to all with whom he worked.
that same summer attended the first Student Con- Robert Wilder was a very gentle and controlled ference at Mount Hermon. He and his sister personality and at the same time was as steadfast Grace had prayed that one hundred students and tenacious as steel. His consecration to the might there volunteer for foreign missionary missionary watchword, "The Evangelization of service. Their prayers were answered and the the World in this Generation," and to his Master Student Volunteer Movement was born. As a Jesus Christ, was utter and unconditioned. He result Robert Wilder and John Forman, another was a great illustration of what God can do with son of India, carried the missionary appeal to the one who gives himself to Him with a single mind colleges and universities and theological sem- and an undivided will.
inaries of the United States and Canada during He was a speaker and pleader of rare persua- the ensuing college year of 1886-87 and literally sion. His method of presentation was simple and thousands of students answered their call and direct, and his appeal was to the mind and con- [226 ] science. He set forth his case with plain and rea- Even more would I call attention to the secrets soned argument and followed it up relentlessly, never relaxing his gentle but resolute pressure of his power. Robert Wilder was not a man of for a surrendering decision of the will to Jesus Christ as absolute Master and Lord. as many talents as some other men might seem to possess but he was one who used to the very Through all the years he held inflexibly to the limit every talent he had. He was a man of one missionary purpose and spiritual ideals of the Stu- idea and this was a great idea – the summoning dent Volunteer Movement which God had used of men to devote their lives and all that they might him to found. All his influence was used to hold possess to making Jesus Christ known and obeyed it true to its original character; it is not too throughout the entire world-and this, so far as much to say that no one man has contributed possible, in his own generation. He lived under more to the expansion and establishment of the a constant sense of immediacy. This was tracemodern missionary enterprise than Robert p. able to the fact that he made the Watchword of Wilder. the Student Volunteer Movement his personal watchword, "The Evangelization of the World in *** this Generation."
From Dr. John R. Mott, for many years Chairman of Robert Wilder had a first-hand, authentic, in- dubitable experience of Christ, and, therefore, he the Executive Committee of the Student Volunteer possessed a clear sense of direction, a compelling sense of mission, and a satisfying sense of Divine Movement and an intimate associate and friend. companionship. He thus helped to create an at- mosphere of belief in which the wonderful works My first meeting with Robert Wilder was when of God became possible. He possessed and exerswimming in the Connecticut River at the time of cised great heart power. It was by this, rather the first Christian Student Conference at Mount than by force of intellect or power of organiza- Hermon, Massachusetts, in July, 1886. His rul- tion, that he made his conquests. It was his ing passion as a recruiting officer for world-wide capacity for friendship and his understanding missions was even then strong in him; before the sympathy which goes far to explain his everinterview was over, which began in the water and widening and abiding influence. continued as we tramped back to the school campus, he had appealed to me to become a mis- Wilder was one of the most fruitful personal sionary. My last contacts with him were in workers I have ever known. He was at his best March, 1937, at the meeting of the Near East in helping men in "the valley of decision." Lit- Christian Council at Alexandria, Egypt, when the erally hundreds, probably thousands, of young only theme in all of our conversations was the men and young women owe their life-work deciwidening of the limits of Christ's Kingdom. Dur- sions to his wise, faithful, winning, persistent, ing the half century between these two experi- personal efforts. This number includes many of ences it was an exceptional year in which we did the greatest missionaries and other iIifluential not meet-in North America, in the British Isles, Christian leaders of modern times. here and there on the European Continent, in India, or in one of the lands of Western Asia or In his student days Wilder fastened upon his Northern Africa. In all of these scores of meet- life, as with cords of steel, those devotional habits ings there was not one in which he did not convey which explain his power. The word "habits" is the impression that his main concern, and always used advisedly because in a life abounding in acthe most urgent concern, was the making of Christ tivity and subject to changes and interruptions King throughout the world. nothing was ever permitted to interrupt or abridge the time spent recollectedly or consciously There is not space available to set forth ade- in the presence of God and in the assimilative quately his achievements as founder and promotor study of the Bible and other vital and dynamic of the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign writings of the Christian faith. His God-con- Missions, as leader in other Christian Student sciousness and his attentiveness to God take us to Movements in the Occident and in the Orient, as the heart of his creative influence and undying missionary to the intelligentsia in India, as Reli- influence. In very truth, by the Grace of GOd, he gious Work Director of the International Com- accomplished a work which will never die. mittee of the Y. M. C. A., notably in the fateful days of the World War, and as the General *** Secretary of the Near East Christian Council. Without doubt, his most original or distinctive By Jesse R. Wilson, an associate and the successor to contribution, as well as his achievement of most highly multiplying power, was that of moving Dr. Wilder as Secretary of the S. V. M. spirit in the launching and wide projection of the greatest student missionary uprising in the his- By calling, profession, and practice, Dr. Wilder tory of the Christian Church. was "hopelessly" a missionary. One can think of no set of circumstances under which he would not reveal something of God.
On one occasion when an automobile accident, tional Student Christian Movements. He attended in which a taxicab ran up on the sidewalk, had the first Student Christian Conference in the crowded him and two other men into a plate glass United States, and became the first secretary of window, Dr. Wilder heard one of the men swear- the Student Volunteer Movement. Under the iming. Looking up from his knees, in the midst of pulse of his spirit and message similar Missionary broken glass, he said: "Don't take His name in Unions sprang up in Great Britain and the Scanvain; He is the best friend you have." dinavian countries. Most of his life was spent among the students in India and other lands, One might as well try to keep fire from burn- where he made wide and striking contacts. In ing or light from shining as to keep a man with spite of the fact that he was never in robust that kind of spirit from being a missionary. Only health his lifetime was given to constant travel death could stop him so far as this world is con- and speaking in 'l-our continents. cerned, and then, no doubt, the Master will have some new missionary venture ready for him. But Those who met Dr. Wilder in student gatherdeath has not stopped his missionary lab-ors. The ings will remember him for two things: First, for influence of his life, in terms of the extension of his vivid portrayal of the need for leaders in the the reign of Christ throughout the world, con- expansion of Christianity around the world which tinues in the lives of sc-ores of us across the world led many to devote their lives to this service. But who loved him and were inspired by him. even more vividly folk will recall his talks on the devotional life, and his conduct of "Morning Robert Wilder saw missionary service on four Watch" periods. Thousands of students learned continents – America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. to take their first steps in the devotional life in After seven years of service in India, where he these hours of quiet thought and prayer at conwas born, he devoted himself to the students of ferences and other retreats. North America and Europe, being specially drawn to work in the Balkan states. But he will be It was not his task to compile or write great known best for his relation to the Student Volun- books. His several small volumes are the record teer Movement of North America. He was chief of his talks and of his experiences in the early among its founders and was more responsible for days of the Student Volunteer Movement. His its early success than anyone else. magnum opus has been written into the living ex- perience of thousands of students who are today Now that he has gone from us, memory is active responsible Christian leaders in many lands. So recalling the incidents of his life and one is led his influence will continue to increase through the to reflect on the secret of the great contribution years. he was able to make to the cause of missions. The open secret of his life was prayer. He thought On his early visits to Scandinavia he met the around the world and prayed around it daily and girl who became his devoted comrade through the throughout the day. In the "Morning Watch" years. Theirs was a comradeship – unclouded, his spirit became attuned for unceasing prayer. radiant and beautiful. His h-ome was always a I have prayed with him quietly and audibly in the strength to him. Great thanks to her who estabretirement of his study, in crowded subways, on lished it again and again on four continents! traffic-filled thoroughfares, and in the ante-rooms Whether in Egypt, India or America, or perhaps of men's business offices. The passion of his life most of all at "Norheim" in Norway, ;people was to enlist men and women for missionary serv- caught the meaning of the Christian life from ice. The chief expression of this passion was the this home life and fellowship. one he had learned from Jesus himself: "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the Harvest that he thrust A Near East friend once challenged Dr. Wilder forth laborers into his harvest." And pray he with the thought that one should tithe his time did with such notable success as forever to have for prayer. This he endeavored to do, progressdemonstrated the efficacy of this method of secur- ing until very much more than this amount of ing workers for the Kingdom enterprise. We be- time was actually given to prayer and devotion. lieve that many of his prayers are yet to be In a small clearing among the trees of the garden answered-that in the years ahead God will con- at "Norheim" he found a "chapel" where he retinue to call men and women into missionary serv- tired for long periods of meditation and prayer ice because Robert P. Wilder prayed. of intercession. More than one person remarked during these last months that he seemed to have By Dr. Paul T. * * * of Dr. Wilder already entered the Future Life. His experiences Braisted, the son-in-law reveal attractive and compelling stories from his wide contacts, but one impression will rise su- and present Executive Secretary of the Student Vol- preme above all others, for those who knew him unteer Movement. best: the impact of a gentle, radiant, faithful From the days of beginnings Robert Wilder was a leader in the formation of national and interna-
TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH IN CHINA TODAY
missionary; one in whom the Spirit of Christ was Robert Wilder never lost his first love; never manifest. The secret of this will be found in an turned back from his first great life purpose. Like unbroken observance of the "Morning Watch" Zinzendorf he had "one passion, and it was He and his unquestioning faithfulness to the truths alone," the glory of Christ in the salvation of a learned in his missionary childhood home in India. world. From his birthplace in India, to his final resting place in Norway, one can trace the flaming *** torch of this quiet, pervasive life. He wrote little but pleaded and prayed much; he lived in foreign By Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, missionary to Moslems and countries most of his life and yet always remained formerly a traveling secretary of the Student Vol- a loyal American, and in no other land was his unteer Movement. . influence greater among the students of his gen- eration. The secret of his power was his prayer- Our friendship has stretched across fifty years life, centered in sacrificial devotion to Christ. He from 1886, when I signed the Student Volunteer knew no life divided. When he spoke or prayed pledge at Hope College, Michigan, to the day when it was evident that he had seen the Lord "alive I last saw him New Year's Eve at the Indianapolis after His passion" and bore in his own body the Student Volunteer Convention in 1935. When our marks of discipleship. He always reminded me paths crossed during this period it was only to re- of what Temple Gairdner once said in Cairo to a call and rekindle at the hearth of his fiery heart little group of workers: "The agonia is the measan old passion for "the evangelization of the world ure of our success." in our generation."
Tragedy and Triumph in China Today By w. REGINALD WHEELER Recently a Missionary in Nanking "To preach good tidings to the poor; . . . to set at in Nanking. One foreigner wrote of the scene the liberty to them that are bruised; … to proclaim the next day after the attack on Nanking: acceptable year of the Lord." Never have I been so appalled as by the sight at Central W ITH these words, Christ began His earthly Hospital. The grace of God must have intervened yester- ministry. Foreign Missions from the be- day in an unbelievably saving way. One Japanese plane ginning have sought to incarnate these dived down on the hospital and let loose two one-thousandwords in action. Today they are being given pound bombs intended for the main buildi~. They struck heroic expression in war-torn China. In the midst about fifty feet apart at each end of a tennis court, only of ruthless destruction, savagery and cruelty, the a few yards away from a long dugout where over a hunmissionaries and the Christian Chinese have found dred members of the staff were temporarily taking refuge. new and rich opportunities of service. If the bombs had landed a few yards either north or south the destruction' would have been tragic. If they had hit In the present stage of the "undeclared war," the hospital, the one hundred patients, including a Japthe Chinese consider their country to be divided anese aviator, would have been blown to bits. A few into three areas: the "occupied area," including yards the other way, and the whole staff of the hospital the Northern provinces and the lower Yangtze would have been wiped out. As it was, these tremendous valley; "free China," including the West and bombs and numerous smaller ones dropped around them South; and the "area of conflict." In all areas accounted for only one death and five injuries. except "free China," the aerial bombardment of defended and undefended cities and towns has The patients from that hospital were transbeen cruelly destructive. Not only lines of com- ferred to The University of Nanking Hospital, and munication, concentration of troops and airdromes the service there carried on. have been targets for attack, but civilian groups and even hospitals have been bombed by the Jap- The Christian hospitals have brought healing to anese. The bombing of the Disciples' Hospital at many who have been wounded, and comfort to Nantungchow resulted in over thirty deaths, and others in their dying hours. An American surother hospitals attacked included the Adventist in geon writes: Shanghai, a Methodist in Nanchang, the Episcopal in Wusih, and the Central (Government) Hospital The slaughter of civilians is appalling. . . . Two bay- onetted cases are the only survivors of seven street clean- ers who were sitting in their headquarters when Japanese soldiers came in, and without warning or reason, killed five of their number and wounded the two that found their way to the hospital. … The Japanese announced in a Refugee Camp that if ex-soldiers would come forward and
admit that they had been soldiers, their lives would be China, the statement speaks of the .service of the spared. . . . Two hundred men stepped forward and missionaries: according to the story of one man who came wounded to the hospital, these two hundred men were led into the Those missionaries who were able to remain at their hills and used for bayonet practice. . . . He himself had posts have helped care for the civilian population, the sick, five bayonet wounds. the homeless refugees, the hungry, the wounded and a mass of terror-stricken men, women and 'children, many In one city over twenty thousand soldiers and of whom they had served for years past. These mission- suspected civilians were killed. Attempts were aries, men and women, have witnessed untold horrors. and made to burn their bodies. . . . Some of the vic- experienced insult after insult in their humanitarian work. tims of this savagery managed to reach a Chris- One of their tasks has been to police "Safety Zones" and tian hospital before they died. There have also try to keep the Japanese soldiers from attacking helpless civilians, especially the women. At great personal risk been countless attacks upon Chinese women in and unarmed, they have not hesitated to place themselves the captured cities and towns. An American ob- between armed sol4,iers and Chinese civilians, and thus server writes of the scenes in one captured city: have preserved the lives and honor of many, though fre- "It is being said on every street with tears and quently threatened with death. Another work was to distress that where the Japanese Army is, no per- supply food and shelter, with very little help from the army. Most evidence goes to show that they were hin- son and no house can be safe." Another Amer- dered in their ministry of mercy.
ican wrote six days after the Japanese Army had In the midst of all this strain and misery, Chi- entered a captured city: nese Christians have shown wonderful courage Today marks the sixth day of :this modern "Dante's and faith, as is indicated by letters received from Inferno," written in huge letters with blood and rape. . . . the field, written by two Christian women. After Nine-tenths of the city is totally deserted by the Chinese; an air raid one wrote: the remaining tenth contains about two hundred thousand terrified citizens. (One-fifth of the former population.) What a blessing to be Christians-the "Given Peace" in our hearts, though physically we are the same as others The details of the attack are not printable, but and are greatly bothered by the air raids and the hostility the missionaries in many a city and town know to the innocent. . . . It is altogether unbearable and the facts and have brought healing and mercy and pitiful to see people trembling with fear, never knowing protection to many in great distress. As one that God is their refuge and shelter during the air raids. Of course, we never know what is God's will; we might woman writes, "Religion has become a reality to be bombed as others; but the "Peace" inside is a blessed many of us during these days of terror and de- comfort and protection from the necessary fears.
struction. Jesus becomes a friend who walks by A Chinese woman who has been active in relief your side as you go forward to meet a group of work writes that her deep sorrow "has not yet fierce men whose shining bayonets are marked blurred her mind for thinking."
with fresh stains of blood." One hour of devotion in the morning and another hour In a statement released April 1 by the Commit- at night help to release me from the human side of affairs. tee on Relief in China of the Foreign Missions . . . Our assurance of God and eternity form the founda- Conference of North America, a veteran corre- tion of our hope. . . . spondent is quoted as follows concerning a cap- I am deep in refugee work from 8 a. m. to 9 p. m. It is only through constant expression of love for our suffer- tured city: ing people that one feels one can have the right to exist You can scarcely imagine the anguish and terror. . . . today. . . . If it were not for serving my own suffering Practically every building in the city has been robbed re- people, I would have brought my son and come over to peatedly by soldiers, including the American, British, and your sweet land of liberty for a shelter. But as condi- German Embassies or Ambassadors' residences, and a high tions are now, I live and die with them. . . . The mispercentage of all foreign property. . . . This still goes sionaries here are our saving grace. They encourage and on, especially outside the "Safety Zone." There is not a strengthen us.
store in the city, save the International Committee's rice Other similar letters, showing the faith and shop and a military store. Most of the shops, after free- courage of the Christians and the devoted and for-all breaking and pilfering, were systematically stripped often heroic service of the missionaries, come by gangs of Japanese soldiers working with trucks, often from Shantung and other parts of the invaded under the observed directions of officers, and then were territory. Amid the destruction and cruelty of burned.
Most of the refugees were robbed of their money and the war, missionaries and Chinese Christians are at least part of their scanty clothing and bedding and making live again the words of Christ, with their food. . . . You can imagine the outlook for work and healing and their hope: "To preach good tidings life in this city with shops and tools gone, no banks or to the' poor . . . to heal the brokenhearted, to communications as yet, some important blocks of houses burned down, everything else plundered and now open to preach deliverance to the captives . to set cold and starving people. at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the A report sent out by a representative group acceptable year of the Lord."
of missionaries in Shanghai was released March 4 Here are the voices of agony and grievous in America by representatives ,of the outstanding tragedy: but here also is the undertone of un- denominations. After reviewing, the situation in mistakable and certain triumph.
Christian Wark far
-•..sf I By WINBURN T. THOMAS, Kyoto, Japan I jilt-.- A J APANESE Christian pastor, Shinichiro The next largest group living near the Settle- Sodeyama of Kyoto, is doing a remarkable ment in Kyoto are the Koreans, of whom 550,000 work among his slum neighbors in Japan's are in Japan, and 40,000 of these live in Kyoto. greatest cultural center. Of this number 2,000 are found in Tanaka. In The largest group of Japanese in Tanaka, the Korea, 86 ro of them were farmers, lO ra were slum district from which the Settlement takes its unemployed, and 4 ro were engaged at various name, are the water level people, suiheisha. They closely resemble the outcasts of India, and live in trades. Since they cannot become agriculturalsegregated colonies. Over one million of these ists in Japan they must live in cities and subsist people are scattered among 6,000 "blocks" in Japan. They have physical characteristics which by menial labor. In Kyoto 42 % of them are brand them as members of this low caste and are discriminated against in the commercial and social world. While their origin is lost in history, their ancestors may have been slaves, taken as prisoners of war. During some ancient period they were assigned to the tasks of butchering meat, tanning leather, cleaning toilets, and other tasks which were taboo in higher circles. These people are symbolized by four fingers of the uplifted hand, which apparently refers to the fact that they work with four-legged animals. Another popular name for them is Eta, meaning "great dirtiness," but one dares not use this term in public places.
Their historical low caste status persists, despite the fact that they were supposed to have been given equality during the Meiji Restoration (1868). The suiheisha are keenly conscious of their caste stigma, and have a national movement which aims at their liberation; but this movement is so radical in policies that its activities are BEFORE THE SETTLEMEN T F OUND HIM closely watched by the .police. "coolies," 25 % are in the dyeing and weaving in- Discontented with the present conditions of so- dustry, and a small percent are kami-kuzu-ya ciety and feeling no obligations to anyone for the (ragmen). While Japanese rag collectors usually meager bits of civilization they enjoy, their communities are breeding grounds for dangerous thoughts. For example, they find the platform and policies of the Shakai Taishuto (The Prole- work with wheel carts and are able to earn the tariat Mass Party) much too lukewarm, and equivalent of fifteen to forty cents a day, the would prefer to see a real radical political party Koreans are generally unable to obtain a cart, and in the field. It is impossible to do any constructive so are obliged to pick where they may, putting work among them without a knowledge of con- their finds in sacks which they carryon their .temporary liberal and radical thought currents, shoulders. In this way they are able to make no for they feel that only in a class-less workers' more than ten cents for 10-12 hours work. Thus world will they ·be free from the caste restraints their level of life is very low. Despite this fact, which now oppress them. Christianity in Japan has thus far made little attempt to evangelize 88 % of them do not wish to return to Korea, and these people. their numbers in Kyoto are increasing 300 to 400 annually by immigration alone. Despite the boa,s_t [ 231 ]
of universal compulsory education in Japan, 54% Silent, and unable to think for fear lest their of their children do not go to school, some because hopelessness would drive them to insanity, the of poverty and many because they are girls. lumpens rapidly become unemployable. Extracts . Among the Korean Sunday school children at the from the diaries of some of them are revealing as Settlement, only about half can read, so that ef- to their thoughts and habits. fective evangelism must be accompanied by the One young man, aged 40, writes: Weare sleeping next door to a go.vernment rice store- house, the price of which is kept high so as to line the dealers' pockets. We have no rice and in the sight of the building we are sad. One o.f Japan's names is Mizuha no. kuni ("the natio.n full o.f rice") and yet we have nothing to eat.
A thirty-seve:tt;;.year-old man says: To.day I will go. to register at the unemployment ex- change. If I write my address, readers will know that J live among the outcasts (that is in a 8uiheisha block), but it is there or nowhere, and being a man I want to live. But I do.n't live there by choice. When I think o.f my fate, tears fill my eyes.
Another man, 28 years of age, writes: PASTOR SODEYAMA COLLECTING RAGS AND Ours is an unsafe existence. A small rain can force a PAPER TO SELL FOR OPERATING EXPENSES holiday upon us. Everyone else is loudly celebrating the visit of the Emperor, while with dirty clothes and a sad establishment of a school in which they can be pocketbo.o.k I loo.k here and there for wo.rk, pained in body, pained in spirit. The gloo.m of the unemployment bureau educated. Records show that 56 % of the Korean is beyo.nd the imaginatio.n o.f the employed bourgeois and secure classes. Teachings co.ncerning "the middle· way" mothers bear their children without medical atten- are not adequate. We must also. provide fo.r the daily tion while all suiheisha women use mid-wives or needs of the ever-increasing army o.f the unemplo.yed. doctors. Poverty is one of the determining fac- Men canno.t live on the efforts of the Po.lice who. teach the tors in this situation. values o.f "the middle way." We also need bread.* Perhaps the most interesting group in the A fourth class of unfortunates in Tanaka area Tanaka district are the lumpens (homeless unem- consists of parentless children and the aged. Such ployed). This class has suffered miserably as a children receive five cents daily from the governresult of the depression. Until eight years ago, they were "free workmen," and earned enough to A SUNDAY SCHOOL OF SUIHEISHA (LEPERS) IN KYOTO live in cheap hotels. Since the depression began, however, they have not even the few necessary ment, and the old people eight cents. A great pennies to stay in these places, but must beg and many are left dependent because their parents live as animals. They often sleep in fields and and supporters are criminals and political under bridges. refugees.
In 1936 a writer for the Kaizo (Reconstruc- A fifth class found in the slums are the lepers, tion) , a liberal economic review, examined two virtual outcasts because their disease is a disgroups of them at one of their havens and found that out of 100, there were 29 who had formerly • Translated from "The Kaizo Economic Review," March, 1937. been middle-class merchants or small salary men, 9 had been farmers, and 39 factory workers. This shows that over three-fourths of the lumpens in Japan today are victims of the breakdown of our economic order. While 60 % of them are sound in body and would like to work, jobs are not available and they have been forced to sink to the level of animals. A new kind of floater has come jnto existence of recent years-namely, student vagabonds, college graduates, for whom there is no work.
JAPANESE CHRISTIAN WORK FOR OUTCASTS
grace to their families. Five or six thousand are up a free medical clinic. He recognized that their being cared for in Japan's larger hospitals, and souls were sick, and that they needed the Gospel, plans are under way to erect hospitals to care for but they were unwilling to listen to his sermons as many more. Even when these are erected, while hungry and ill. The homeless who gravi- however, the state will be able to take care of only tated to his door needed shelter, food, and cloth- a small portion of the total. There are thousands ing. _ He therefore rented a house where he not of so-called "home lepers" who refuse to register only gives help in these ways, but tries to teach them to help themselves by finding jobs, and win WHERE THE HOMELESS ARE AT HOMEl back their self-respect. For the underprivileged suiheisha children a night school was started. So with the police or let it be known that they are many demands are made upon him by the lepers leprous, for one of the worst fates that can befall that Sodeyama finds himself a part-time worker a person or family in Japan is to have this disease. and money-raiser at the understaffed prefectural So, some families prefer to keep concealed one of leper rest house where patients wait their turn to their number who has the dreaded disease. It is enter the larger hospitals. estimated that there are at least 500 such persons in Kyoto. Many others are evicted from their All this work is done from the Christian point homes and disowned when the secret is known. of view, chiefly supported by the Kamogawa . This latter fact accounts for much of the destitu- Church of which Sodeyama is pastor. Morning tion among these people and the necessity for prayer services are held at the Settlement. Serv- their migrating to the suiheisha blocks. For in- ices are also. held on Sundays at Church and Set- stance, near one of the Osaka bridges is a colony tlement and leper hospital, and Sunday school for of the people, living in the crudest of tents and the slum children. While the church is numeri- huts, and existing by begging and peddling at the cally one of the least important in Kyoto, few monthly temple fairs. It is inevitable that these congregations exceed it in outreach, usefulness, homeless, penniless beggars should drift to the or the smallness of its financial liabilities. slums. These Christian ministries are Sodeyama's It is difficult to appreciate the "why" of the guarantee to the people of Tanaka that his Gospel work of the Tanaka Settlement without under- is genuine. His faith is proved by works and the standing the poverty, the despair, the bitterness results. Without them, the people who live around which characterizes these -suiheisha, lumpens, him and attend the services at his Church and Koreans, and lepers who live there. A SLUM BABY TRIES TO "LOOK PLEASANT" Sodeyama first became aware of these problems and then felt the urge to preach the Gospel of Settlement would lose their confidence in him. Christ to them. As his faith was more than an They would consider his religion no better than emotional mysticism or merely an other-worldly Buddhism, which they do not generally respect. escape, he sought to help them meet some of their By this work in Tanaka he is creating a respect more glaring problems. For instance he found for Christianity as a prelude to its acceptance. that there was much illness and disease among These classes of people generally suspect religion, men, women, and children. Koreans making ten but he is slowly and surely building up a self- cents daily or even suiheisha at 40 cents, can- supporting church and the whole community is not buy sufficient rice and pay rent for themselves being permeated with the Christian spirit. and families, much less consult a doctor when ill. Sodeyama sought to solve this problem by setting
Is Our Message to Non,Christians?
By PROF. L. LEVONIAN, Beirut, Syria Near East School of Theology I N LANDS where Christianity comes into con- sage is The Fact of Sin. "Christ came to save the tact with other religious systems and feels sinners." In whatever way we interpret the Gos- their grip over the masses, it is especially im- pel, personal or social, dogma or life, and in whatportant to have a clear Christian message. The ever way we define sin, this is certain: that sin minister who would be comparatively at ease in is a fact in human life. We know that men are his home country in choosing themes for his ser- in the grip of greed, lust for power and wealth, mons, begins to ask himself, "What is my mes- selfishness and impurity; we know that these are sage? What shall I preach? Have I anything the very things which make men miserable indi- vital that I may share with these people?" vidually and that poison social relationships.
These questions resolve themselves into this Christian ministers agree on this, whatever their central problem: What is the essential Christian theologcal viewpoint. We know that sin is the message? The Christian missionary a hundred curse of humanity. Whatever our psychological years ago had a clear and definite answer to this or social conception of the origin of sin may be, question. He had a clear idea of his mission. In this is clear that the materialistic viewpoint of the light of our present knowledge regarding the life, making pleasure the aim of life, has been de- non-Christian faiths, it is, perhaps, natural that straying the human life, individually and socially. our emphasis and methods of work may be dif- No other system of religion or philosophy that has ferent. But there is, too often, ambiguity and put forward this point as strongly as Christ has uncertainty at the present time. exposed it. Jesus said, "Out of the heart come Many problems disturb some workers: Is the forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornica- Christian message personal or social? Is the tions, thefts, false witness, railings; these are the Gospel message primarily and essentially for the things which defile the man." Those are the things individual or for the society? Should our main that make life a miserable episode. "The wages objective be to save the individuals or to permeate of sin is death." There is no exception to this, the society with the principles of the Gospel? and men are walking today in the way of death.
Other points relate to Christian doctrine and The second fundamental fact which lies at the life. Is Christianity essentially doctrine or life? foundation of the Christian message is man's need Should we emphasize Christian beliefs or the of salvation. Whether our conception of salva- Christian way of living? Much controversy has tion is individual or social, it is a fact that men been carried on in regard to this question in re- miserably fail and are dying, and are in need of cent times! Or again should our message be salvation. We are all restless and need rest; we homocentric or theocentric? Shall we begin with are all unhappy, and seek happiness. Men are man or with God? Some even say that in the past asking today how to find peace and reconciliation? too much emphasis has been laid upon service in If you dig down under the skin of men, whatever the name of Jesus Christ, and we must emphasize their external color may be, you shall find that service in the name of human need. they are searching for reality. The religions of the East have their answers to this inner search There is almost a babel of tongues on these of the human soul. Some say, "Kill your desire questions. A world-wide conference, such as the proposed Madras Conference is much needed to for happiness and you will find rest." Others say, bring together these divergent conceptions, in an "Submit yourself to the inevitable and you will be atmosphere of intelligent thinking and spirit of contented." Some point to the way of asceticism, reverence, to discover the unifying foundation. others to the way of pleasure. Men have tried all Perhaps we can find some link harmonizing these these ways, but none of them have satisfied the different lines of approach in a complete circle- human heart. Consequently men are driven either one that is Christo-centric. to pessimism or to laissez-faire. Christ gives the answer of hope to fallen humanity. There is a We would like to indicate some conclusions aris- more excellent way than that of capturing, ening out of our own experience and stUdy. slaving and devouring one another. It is the way The first essential element in the Christian mes- [234 ] of fellowship, of love, and of sacrifice; the way of Christ is to experience salvation and reconciliaforgiving our enemies, and praying for those who tion, not because of a mysterious and metaphysical persecute us; the way of loving our neighbors, knowledge, but because Christ opens before us and sharing our possessions with them. the heart of God and draws us to Him. Christ gives us a new vision of our fallen state and of But how can this new way be found and fol- the glorious inheritance before us; He transforms lowed? Is this practical? The greatest criticism us inwardly and spiritually, and creates us into a of Christianity by others has been just on this new manhood. Christ is the Saviour, because he point. Men have thought that the way of other is the great Lover; He is the great Reconciler, religions is within the capability of human power, because He is the great Sacrifice, and He gives whereas the way presented by Christ is imprac- life and power to those who trust in Him. tical and beyond human power. Does Christ demand the impossible? Christianity has been This is the heart of the Christian message. Can criticized, not because of the lowness of its ideals, we be satisfied in presenting something less, than rather because of the height of its ideals. But that? If we are to share with others the best that Christ challenges man's defeatism and calls him we have-our science, our art, our culture, shall to victory. Salvation is the keynote of the Chris- we not share our knowledge of Jesus Christ with tian Gospel. them? We cannot keep our best treasure for our- selves, and not let others know about it, and still This leads to the very heart of the Christian be Christian. That would be like the man who message. It is unique in the whole realm of kept his only talent in a napkin and hid it in the thought. It is the sUfficiency of Christ for salva- earth. We must be faithful to God's truth. tion. Christ is the Saviour. "He shall save his people from their sins." Islam leads men to a If we can tell the story of Jesus in its simplicity system of ordinances, but has no message of sal- and beauty, men will listen to it. If men oppose vation from sin and failure. Buddhism, that the Christian message, the main trouble is not great system of thought in the East, leads men to with the story but with us. Many reject the Chris- Nirvana which in reality is an effort to escape tian message mainly because of sectarianism. We from life, both here and hereafter. Christianity separate peoples into sects and groups rather than deals with a Person who has overcome the world unite them in the newness of life in Christ. In and will enable us to overcome it also. Christ place of sowing the seed of life and letting it brought the message of salvation through atone- take its natural course and grow, we are often ment, or reconciliation with God. New relation- anxious, stretch out our hands and try to direct it ship to God brings also a new relationship with and to mould it in our own fashion. We must our fellowmen, and with life. The fact of atone- understand the way of Jesus better and follow his ment is true in the experience of all true Believers. method of work and preaching. Through Christ, we are reconciled with God and with other children of God. Our message is Jesus Christ – the fact of Christ; the Christ of history, the living Christ of Christ tells us that the Father sends his rain faith, the Christ of inner experience. It is a pity on the just and the unj ust. God "loved the that in the past instead of presenting this fact of world," the whole world, and has given not only Christ to needy humanity, we have tried to define His sun and rain free, but even gave His Son for Him in human words and impose our definition the world's salvation. To know God through upon others.
TWENTY-THIRD PSALM-A CHINESE TRANSLATION 1. The Lord is my Original Shepherd causing me not to arrive at want. 2. He (The Original Shepherd) causes me to lie down in green grass places, and leads me beside the peaceful restful waters. 3. He (The Original Shepherd) causes my inner heart to awaken, and for His own Name's sake leads me to walk a righteous path. 4. Although I pass through the lonely vale of Death's shade, even then also I will not fear meeting any evil thing, because You, 0 Lord, are constantly by my side; Your rod and Your staff both comfort me. 5. Before my enemy's very face You spread a feast for me; You use fragrant oil to rub my head; my cup is running over full. 6. From the moment of my birth, all through the affairs of this world, Goodness and Com- passion certainly attend me and, besides all this, I am to dwell in Jehovah's home forever.
-Translated by RAY L. TORREY.
SHORT SKETOHES OF ASSAM OHRISTIANS By RANDOLPH L. HowARD* Have the younger Christian converts in the mission fields been trained to carry the respon- sibility as leaders in Christian work? The following brief sketches show that many Assam Christians of India are proving their ability and initiative.
ROMANUS is a member of the Kachari tribe, at Hosinga, where there is little missionary supervision, although a revival had resulted in the baptism of thousands. In this area, in addition to the mission school, there are ten government primar~ schools, six of the teachers being Christians. The mission school, of sturdy timber framework and iron roof, is entirely the contribution of the Mongoldai Association. Manifestly the school boys and folks from the near-by villages hold Romanus, their evangelist, in high esteem. A scar on his head tells of persecution for his faith. "It is not what we get but what we give that makes us happy inside,"
he says. He knows, for he has given a month's salary toward the completion of the school building. .
At Baraigaon ("the great pass"), Assam, the head master of an efficient school, GOBIN- DRA, is a Garo. His clothing does not amount to much in Western eyes, but his English is good and so is his Christian spirit. His school has 108 pupils. To keep things going, he and the school boys cut sal trees and float them to market. They farm an acre of rice and an acre of mustard. A rough, yet attractive man, he has a determination about him that promises well for the future.
In the eastern part of the Naga Hills one finds INAHO, whose story would make an article in itself. As highest native official in his area, he had, before conversion, driven Christians from many villages, confiscating all their possessions. His conversion cost him heavily, for he had to divorce the younger of his two wives and send her away with his only child; but his radiant face clearly indicates that the "cost" had been as nothing compared to the bless- ing he has received. His work has resulted in a great ingathering from this group in recent years and in the last year 900 have been baptized. Their care and spiritual nurture is a heavy responsibility.
At Borbeta Medical Compound, three miles from Jorhat, is JOSHUA, head compounder in the large dispensary and lay-pastor of the local church; a fine-featured six-footer, he makes a commanding figure in the pulpit of the little church which the people have built for them- selves. In an address he said: "All around us are non-Christians. We should preach to them. We need your prayers for that. . . . Every year we go on preaching campaigns to near-by villages and a week's preaching is yearly done in Majoli. Its people are all good people who listen to the preaching attentively."
It is a rare testimony to the method of approach that the people listen attentively. At North Lakhimpur is MATHURA HORO, headmaster of the school. Son of the oldest Christian in the Association, he shows what can be done in two generations. Mathura had prepared two maps showing the great groups of churches around North Lakhimpur. There are 45 of them in this field. "They are," he said, "like lights set on hills, lights to seven language groups."
ABAN H. MOMIN, one of many Garos found far from his homeland, deserves more than passing mention. He is mission compounder at Kangpokpi. In a station given by the Rajah of Manipur-a station so isolated as to make work among the mountain men difficult-Aban acts not only as compounder, but sells books, and carries a large share of the fine leper work as well. Dr. W. R. Werelius says that but for the help of Aban, his task would be impossible; "our problems could not be met without Aban," is the testimony of the missionaries.
.. Condensed from Mis8wns.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=I====~================~==~~ Summer Activities married life. In such cases it 3. Thread-(Prayer-the thr~ad that would be apropriate to leave a leads up to God and HIS prom- What are some of the activi- copy of The Upper Room as you ises. Sentence prayers). – ties which we may pursue profit- depart. ably during the summer time? 4. Hooks and eyes – (Important to First, there is the matter of Third, the alert leader will hold us together-business meetreading. Many leaders organize welcome every opportunity to ing). book clubs in the auxiliary mem- deepen her own spiritual life and bership. As many women as understanding, whether it be in 5. More trimming-(Another song or are interested, join the club by study by herself, in Schools of songs). buying a book to circulate among Missions, or in Retreats. What the others, or lending one al- great dividends are paid one 6. The material- (The meat of the ready in possession. The books who takes an hour a day for program-study book work). are all of a devotional or reli- study, prayer, and meditation! gious nature. The leader is dili- Opportunities for Christian 7. Needles and Pins – (Sharp points gent in seeing that the books women to gather in groups under from many sources-short readreally move from one member inspirational leaders are greater ings from missionary magazines, to another. It is usually advis- now than ever before. Perhaps etc.). able to have no more than ten the way will open for you to be in one book club. If a book club in such a group this summer! 8. Final trimming- (Another song). seems inadvisable for any rea- 9. Lining and padding- (Refreshson, the resourceful leader still -Woman's Home Missions. will find ways to stimulate sum- ments). mer reading. Perhaps her pas- A Spring Dressmaking tor has a few books he will Meeting If you want to use this approgladly lend for the summer; in priately for a work meeting, this case she may seek out wom- A little methods sheet called perhaps for dressing dolls for en individually who might be in- The Star in the East tells of a missionary boxes, the following terested in reading a book or curiosity-tickling program that plan may be used: pamphlet. Perhaps some. going will appeal to women at a time on vacation to a cottage wlll wel- when interest becomes somewhat In cutting the shapes for the procome some good reading matter; dulled by seasonal lassitude. grams, cut them in sets-two sleeves, perhaps there may be some who two fronts for the waist, a back, and are ill or convalescent who like- For the invitations, send out a strip for a belt. If you expect thirty wise will a p pre cia t e such samples of material with cards girls, make five sets, pl"inting on each thoughtfulness. pinned to them as price tags are piece of each set the program, and pinned in the stores – strips of numbering all pieces for each set Second, there is the opportu- voile, dimity, ginghams, per- alike. Toss the programs thus made nity of calling. Many women may cales, about two by five inches into a basket and mix them. When be actually more available for re- or so. On the card: guests begin to arrive, each draws a ceiving calls from the Leader of program and matches it with the other Spiritual Life during summer Just a sample here you see pieces numbered like her own. These months than at other times. At Of what our meeting is to be girls so grouped sit and work together, any rate, many chances for help- You'll not guess it, I'll be bound, and each group has the task of dressful conversation about spiritual So Friday night just drop around. ing a doll. The doll, a piece of white matters are bound to occur. material for the "undies," a yard or There may be June brides in th~ June 10, at 7: 45 p. m. so of lace for trimming, a piece of church group who would wel- In the Social Room. dimity, gingham or voile for a dress, come a call and friendly conver- also heavier material for a coat and sation about the help and joy For the programs, printed on little cap or tam are all providedthat can come from a family wrapping paper, cut in the shape a set of material for each group. The altar set up in the beginning of of sleeve patterns, waist pat- girls divide the work among them- terns, skirt patterns, write: selves and sew during the program. Any doll not dressed for the street at 1. Trimming – (Songs to "dress up" the close of the meeting has her cloth- the program). ing parcelled out to her several foster mothers to be done at home. 2. Measures-(A chart exercise-tak- ing measure of various fields- Vacation Bible Schools Africa, China, Latin America. Where do I fit in?). Church Business gives an ex- cellent plan for summer use [237 ] among children of junior age, as follows: A novel and interesting feature of our Vacation Bible School was the Mission Study Course, "Messengers
of the King," for Juniors and Inter- get a bird's-eye view of the work of ary information and of the mismediates. No textbook was used; the the church by this interesting method. course was taught entirely from post- So the posters went visiting to circle sionary spirit. ers. The first poster (white) outlined the PLAN (Acts 1: 8-b) by which the meetings and the stories were told to Christian Citizenship MESSENGERS (Mark 16: 15) were groups as interested as had been the to spread the MESSAGE (John 3: 16), the ever-widening circle at the children. If interest in Missions lags The atmosphere of the Fourth beginning of the Christian era being of July should be utilized for carried down to the present, our own in your church, you might try this city being our "Jerusalem," our state poster plan.-Church Business. more than the explosion of gunour "Judea," and Foreign Missions our "uttermost parts of the earth." A Missionary Picnic powder and the loud-voiced ora- Six large Home Mission posters This plan, taken from THE tory of effervescent patriotism. (green) and six Foreign (orange) REVIEW of August, 1928, and How about stressing a brand of showed the work in detail. The first available for folk of all ages, is patriotism linked up with misof these, our Home City poster, pic- worth repeating: sions? Woman's Home Missions tured the Day Nursery for Colored -'indicates lines of practical enchildren, sponsored by our local The teachers and officers of a church, the weekly sewmg for the certain Sunday school wanted deavor. needy, and the orphanage for the sup- some novel kind of an outing to port of which we are partly respon- take the place of the regular All citizenship workers should sible. The State poster showed pic- Sunday school picnic. rfhey remember constantly that our tures of our mission work in Florida task is to help remove the causes among the Cubans and the Negroes. could not afford to go out of the which bring about the conditions The other four Home Mission posters city or to provide elaborate that we are trying to remedydepicted work among the Foreigners, sports. The outing was to be the poverty, the drinking, the Negroes, Mountaineers, and Indians, held in a rundown tourist camp in various parts of the United States. grove. The missionary enthu- poor housing, the corrupt poli- siast recognized an opening and tics, the indifference to educa- The six Foreign Mission posters suggested "A Trip Around the tion, all the things which cause featured Mexico, Brazil, Africa, World." the plight of the underprivileged China, Korea and Japan, respectively. among whom our Society does With this series of thirteen posters Each class became a certain its work. we used three large maps, one of the coumry and decorated its place United States, another of New Testa- accordingly. The boys bUIlt a There are, at least, two means ment Palestine, and the third, of the by which we may reach this end: real straw hut and blackened the formation of public opinion, World. their faces. Several brought and definite activities toward the The posters were made beforehand drums, and Africa was the re- enactment and enforcing of sult. legislation. by the teacher of the course and were the result of weeks of reading, clip- The American Indians ap- This year's mission study ping, sorting, and pasting-no light book, Rebuilding Rural America, task but a most enjoyable one. Much peared in full regalia. Tepees treats the Cooperative Movematerial was gleaned from back num~ ment in Chapter 3, and the bers of our missionary magazines, were set up, and a monstrous Junior study book Ship East- totem pole, which took weeks to Ship West is on peace. The from the publications of our Mission carve and embellish, were in evi- Board, et cetera. From other sourc_s dence. Wierd dances were the Union Signal has an invaluable came pictures of life and strange cus- order of the day. pagecaUed "Washington News toms among the various peoples repre- Letter," and there are many exsented. From one worker came a A pretty booth under a blos- cellent articles in secular magcollection of fine photographs. Fasci- azines and the daily papers; but nating missionary stories were also soming tree and hung with lan- one must be always on the lookused in the school program, especially terns and paper umbrellas, out for the possibly biased point stories pertaining to the pictures of view of the editor or pubshown on the posters. where tea and cake were dis- pensed by girls in bright ki- lisher. One poster a day was presented to monos, was unmistakably Japan. the children, following the order of Home, Church, State, the United The biggest surprise of all was States and other lands. At each lesson all the previously used posters a red pagoda built by the men's were displayed so that the children Bible class, of heavy pasteboard The next step, of course, is might talk over what they had learned boxes, in the Chinese city. A with one's own auxiliary. It is about them. Outside of class the chil- part of the Great Wall, formed for this that the program comdren made scrapbooks from pictures mittee provides "one citizenship left from the teacher's poster-making. of boxes, fenced them in. As a final project, the children were The missionary enthusiast had meeting a year" and the Citizenasked to write short themes answer- prepared some banners telling of ship committee urges "five min- ing the Questions,. "If you were volun- the work of their denomination utes at any meeting" to bring up teering for mission work, would you in each field. These were made some urgent matter of public c)1oose Home or Foreign? What par- of unbleached muslin and waved policy. And next, there is the tICular place? Why?" The influence of the missionary stories was clearly from the trees of the various community, the cooperation with seen in the answers, and who can say that some of these dreams will not countries. other like-minded persons, the yet be realized? The hymns chosen by the men planning or sponsoring of public Though Vacation Bible School is now over for the year, the usefulness and sung at the end of that pic- meetings or discussion groups, of these attractive posters continues. At the closing demonstration of the nic, turned out to be missionary newspaper publicity, even the school the women of the church saw the posters and they, too, wanted to hymns. Unconsciously they had quiet championing of an unpop- absorbed something of mission- ular issue.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
How to work for action to put some nurses. Divide up in a "Eating and drinking are a our beliefs into effect, most of us way that pleases the Sunbeams. powerful auxiliary to religion."
know – interviewing or writing Put chairs together for beds. Your department editor would or telegraphing to legislators, You may have cold water for the endorse the sentiment – with petitions, resolutions, box-office nurses to give their patients, qualifications. The matters of comments, voting, working at and broken bits of crackers for motive and emphasis must be elections; the difficulty is how pills. Fix caps for the nurses considered. In a recent leaflet to make ourselves do it. out of clean towels or crepe on "Dinner Programs," bearing If any of us are inclined to be paper. Talk about when Sun- the imprint of the Women's Mis- beams are sick at home so they sionary Society of the United discouraged by the present out- will better appreciate the kind- Lutheran Church in America, look, the war clouds, the evident the following sound principles increase in drinking, the labor ness of their families. Everyone (herein paraphrased and adapt- walks and speaks quietly; big ed) are set forth. situation, let us remember that this Congress has passed a brother brings home flowers or Purpose: (1) To give a missionary rather drastic neutrality act, and fruit; big sister reads or tells a message. Unless those who attend go that the country in general has story; father comes in to bring away with some new missionary actually given up its insistence some' cheer-up gift and mother thought or idea, the purpose has not been accomplished. (2) To make poson the freedom of the seas; that is always by the bedside ready sible the best social fellowship on the even the newspapers are begin- to help in so many ways. Think- highest possible plane. A genuine ing of all this dear attention good time has permanent valuesning to admit the connection be- carries something away with it; cretween drinking and automobile should help our Sunbeams be ates and develops friendships, but grateful to their families. The should not consist merely in jokes, accidents; that motion pictures contrast of their good care with etc., which entertain momentarily. have unquestionably improved in the neglect in lands without the last few years and that, no Plans Should Include: (1) The Christ should help Sunbeams choosing of a central missionary matter whether or not the par- better to understand the bless- theme for the entire program. This ticular remedies employed meet ings of God's love. Help them theme is more important than the with our approval, the federal menu and should be printed on the government is paying more at- to outgrow petulance and im- program. (2) The adaptation of patience when sick. Your pro- every feature of the program to the tention than ever in its history gram should move along in this theme chosen – decorations, favors, to the economic and labor situa- toasts, etc. (3) Provision for enjoy- fashion: tion.
Methods Briefs Sunbeam hymn. able fellowship of the highest type: Prayer for all Sunbeam bands. Entertainment improving opportuni- Roll Call. ties for fellowship and friendship.
SUMMER PLAN FOR JUNIORS Business. • Programs: May be worked out on Scripture Story, Matt. 9: 18-26, told themes pertaining to (1) A person or Have this meeting out of doors persons-missionaries from the church around a camp fire. Toasted with simple realism by the leader. in which the dinner is held or supmarshmallows after the program Hymn. ported by its Conference or Synod. would be inviting. If the stories Acting out being sick, permitting the (2) Other missionary representatives. seem a bit long for Juniors di- (3) A country or countries. Prefervide them into sections or invite Sunbeams freedom in using their ably those in which the church has some Intermediate girls to tell imagination after you have talked missions. (4) Our world-wide work them to the Juniors. Singing it all over first. -short toasts by individuals, rearound a camp fire is fun! Hymn. sponses from missionaries or nationals Choose recreational songs appro- Story-Tell one or two stories about present or in messages from them priate to your organization and medical missionaries. read by individuals present. (5) A lead into a good hymn before Prayers thanking God for good doc- toast scheme on a special subject. beginning the program. After tors and nurses and loving care. (6) Young women's objectives. (7) telling the stories, sing again A mission study book. (8) A proand then quietly have your Talk about what Sunbeam gram without a speaker. Scripture study and close with a children can do when someone prayer before entering into the else is sick at home. They can Table atmosphere may be given by social side of the program. Find walk quietly, and not let doors pictures of missionaries and their out if any nurses or doctors have slam, and be happy and helpful, fields, table decorations, letters from gone as missionaries from your missionaries laid on tables for guests state and tell their stories too. etc. to share and discuss, etc. A clever For activities why not cut out chairman is a necessity.
of magazines, bright colored pic- Participation in Program: Young tures for making scrapbooks at women, outstanding speakers, guests a later meeting, or select a nice who are present and should be recog- picture to cut into a jigsaw puzzle. nized. Care should be taken against over- Prayer that Sunbeams may al- crowding a program, a definite time MEDICAL MISSIONS FOR schedule with two or three minutes to each toast, ten minutes to an address, SUNBEAMS ways be shining happily and etc., being strictly adhered to. The helpfully. – World Comrades. Beginners: The Sunbeams use of a large committee to make will like to play at being sick, Missionary Dinners favors, programs, etc., is also educa~ some being patients, some doc- tiona!. If the meal is a dinner or a A woman wise in the ways of supper it should not be advertised as tors to come and feel pulse and American churches once said, pretend to take temperatures, a banquet.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~I=====—========—=======I~'
BAOK HOME THE SETTING IS AN INDIAN HOGAN, again. (Pointing to kettle.) On an Indian Reser- showing the Marionettes who gave the Indian Playlet, "Back Home," vation during the Annual Meeting of The Council of Women for Home Missions Grandmother (Shocked): Stu ff ! Used as a Marionette Why it's the best of Show this year's corn. I saved it for a treat- Characters (All in to celebrate (grieved Indian costume): tone). Indian Girl, Grand- mother, Grandfa- Indian Girl: Corn! ther, Weaver, The Corn! Corn! It isn't Lover (off – stage good for people to voice) . have such a limited die t. In domestic Scene: Interior of a primitive Indian science cIa s s, we home. Kettle over fire center Grandmother: You know- learned about balanced diet. back; with grandmother stir- many times have I told you, In- Fresh vegetables should always ring contents. Partly woven dian names all have some real be served with starchy foods.
rug hangs diagonally across meaning – much more than Grandmother: Our soil is so rack at left center, at which white people's names-too many poor we can't raise much. We Weaver stands silently work- all alike. don't have meat any more. When ing. (Enter Indian Girl, at 1·ight.) Indian Girl (Scornfully): But I was your age Little – – –, Indian names sound queer nowa- when I was young, we used to Indian Girl: Well, grand- days-Walking Stick-Blue Owl mother, I've put on myoid tribal -Little Brown Squirrel. Why have a big chunk of venison or dress to please you, just for to- when I first went to school, boys bear meat. That was goodday, though. were always. asking me if I liked that was good. (Grandfather nuts! The only name I know of appears in doorway, leaning Grandmother (Looking up): that's worse is Polecat – Tom's against door.) Very nice, much nicer than that family name. Y.ou don't know scrap of a dress you wore when how he suffered when the boys Indian Girl: Well, those days you got here, not enough sleeves, found that out! not enough skirt. Indian dress are gone, along with beaded much nicer for Indian girl. Grandmother: Well, to me clothes and war bonnets and you'll always be Little Brown there's not much use thinking Indian Girl: Well, you needn't Squirrel. You may wear silly about them. As for me, I'm goexpect me to dress this way all high-heeled shoes and put that ing to live in the present. (A the time, my generation has to awful red stuff on your lips but soft whistle outside.) There's take its place in the white civ- I shall always remember the Tom..-we've got a heavy date toilization. What chance would I happy barefoot girl who played night. (Exit.) have when I go to look for a job in the woods and gathered ber- -dressed like this? ries and yes, climbed trees like Grandmother (Shaking her a squirrel! (Chuckling.) Do head sadly): What shall I do? Grandmother: A-a-job? Oh you suppose you could climb Nothing seems right. After all my Little Brown Squirrel, I trees in those high-heeled shoes thought I would have you at these years waiting for her to come home, she seems like a stranger. (Enter grandfather, muttering.) home, after those lonesome you had on last night? Grandfather: Huh . . . years! "Heavy date." What may that Indian Girl: Why should I be? Indian Girl: Little Brown 'climb trees? I hope I'll never Squirrel! Can't you ever learn get to the day when I'll have Grandmother: Just one thing that I don't use that name any to exist on nuts – for that more we don't understand. more? Why did Indians ever matter, I don't think I can use such crazy names anyway? ever get used to that stuff Grandfather: I hoped she'd be like my brother's grand- [240 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
daughter. She has given up the SYMPHONY OF PRAYER But women were not alone in Indian dances, to be sure, and the observance of the day. she dresses like white people but The most significant sym- "More men were present than she is so kind to her family. You phony the world has ever known ever before." "For the first know she takes care of all the was produced on March 4, last, time the men of our church came sick babies for miles around and on the occasion of the World Day and took active part." "Eight she says next year she's going to of Prayer. A "Symphony of of our young boys and girls led learn to be a real nurse and help her people to be well. What do Prayer," some ?ne has desi?"- in prayer at our service, .whic.h you think makes the difference? nated it, and Its theme stIll was held at night because m thIS echoes throughout the earth. rural community everybody is Grandmother: The school up at work in the daytime." "I their way seems different, some- With the Fiji Islands intro- rang the church bell at ten how. You know the Bearskin ducing the prelude at the break- o'clock so the men at work could Boys went up there to school be- ing of day, accompanied a few pause to offer prayer." "A mill for~ the family moved here- minutes later by New Zealand, closed at noontime so the people and how they have helped their the volume increased as the might unite in prayer:" "~e folks on the farm! It's the best strain was caught up, in turn, by had two children's servICes WIth farm around here now. the peoples of the Orient, Mada- over two hundred present." And gascar, Jerusalem, Africa, Eu- from the Southern mountains, Weaver (Turning from her rope, and finally, the Americas, "Our young people have been work and speaking in tone of until the voices of over fifty taught that it is a sin for them disapproval): The girls married countries were blended. Truly, to pray in public. It did our out of their tribe – they chose at that hour the world's great- hearts good when on the eve their own husbands. est crescendo must have been of March 4 the young people achieved! It diminished only asked us if they might come to Grandmother: Yes, but they as, with the passing of the hours, our living room and have a series married good men that they group after group fell away to of prayers. They knelt around knew at the same school, and return to the tasks at hand. And our fire, and prayed with revthey're doing well. not until a day and a half later erent earnestness. I felt that was heard the final benediction, our prayers of the last two years Grandfather (8 low l y and a reverent "Amen" sounded by had indeed been answered." thoughtfully) : It must be the a band of Eskimos at a candleschool, but what is the differ- light service on St. Lawrence And for what did these and ence? bIseltawned~nanAliasosklaateadndstrSiipbeorfial.and others among the praying mil- Weaver (8 low l y and dis- Many were the languages and lions ask? Not for personal tinctly): One Wing Bearskin tongues that had their parts in says her children are always this unique symphony; many gain, or for material. ble,ssings talking about somebody they call were the forms and diverse the for themselves or theIr groups. Religious – Work – Director and locations in which it was heard. They prayed for peace in a sinhow they could always go for torn world. "Lord, help the godadvice … "If ever the world needed less many to feel their need of prayer, it is now." "Never w~s Thee." "How may we as Chris- Grandfather: Yes, now you this troubled human famIly m tians point the way to the unbemention it, Bill Bearskin has greater need of prayer." "Only lieving?" "What should be the told me too-about the good ad- God can bring us out of our attitude of the Church toward vice the Religious Work Director present chaos." "':ith thes~ 3;nd the warring nations ?" "We gave his boys . . . helpe~ the~ like thoughts in mmd, ChrIstIan thank Thee that we still have the to appreciate the good thmgs m men and women from all walks right to religious freedom." the old tribal ways . . . how to of life, all races and all climes, "Restore to the hungry millions keep the best of Indian life and gathered for the observance of their privileges of religious worto avoid the bad in white life too. the day. ship."
Weaver: One Wing Bearskin Excerpts have been culled And so it was around the says the Religious Work Direc- from many reports. "We .had globe! Despite the countless tor comes every summer during twelve inches of snow the mght tongues and dialects there was her vacation to encourage the before but everyone in town no lack of harmony, "no disboys and girls in the fine work walked to the meeting." "A sonance of sound." Above the they are doing at home. small blizzard was raging but it "thunder of war and the clamor did not affect attendance." "Our for material things," there rose Grandmother: I wish Little heating system was not working the voices of the Christian world Brown Squirrel had gone to a so we met in a private home." in a symphony of prayer.* school where there was a Reli- From the South, "Through mud gious Work Director. and water, on foot and horse- • The World Day of Prayer is spons,?red back they came." While in the by the Council of Women for Home MiSSIOns Grandfather (Very slowly): tropics, "The rains poured and and the Foreign Missions Conference. Tbe Why don't they have them at all poured." above article was prepared by Mrs. Florence the Government Schools? Hayes of the Presbyterian Board, from actual' letters received in the omce of the The above playlet was produced as a Council following the observance of the Day. Marionette Show by the Publicity Com.mittee of the Council of Women for H?~e Missions in Annual Meeting, 1938. AdditIOnal copies are available for five cents each.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIET~A H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO AFRICA Christians have been assuming building a church, and promptly Among Jews in Egypt responsibility. Before the mis- .every man agreed it was the sionaries left Wolamo, there "thing to do. The men and boys Missionary work among the . were more baptized believers in would mud the walls; the wom- Jews in Egypt is limited to that tribe than in any other, but en and girls would carry the wa- ter, cut and bring in the grass, Alexandria and Cairo. There is more have been baptized and no organized work among them while the men would cut and in other towns of Egypt. The added to the church since the carry the poles for the frame "remnant of Israel" in Egypt at missionaries came away than and roof. As for doors and win- had been in all the years they present is relatively small, prob- dows they were at a standstill, had been there. but an old man had a sudden inably from 70,000 to 80,000. The "A few months ago one of spiration. "Are we going to live Church Missions to Jews in in this house?" he asked. "N0," Cairo has operated since 1922. those baptized in Wolamo came he continued, "this is God's The English Mission College, house. He ought to be willing to to Addis Ababa and reported starting in a very poor quarter that many were listening in a help us build it, and since we of Cairo in five rooms at the new way to 'God's matter,' and don't have any door and window back of a soap factory, with some were asking for baptism. frames, why not ask God to furonly 22 children enrolled the Quite on their own initiative, nish them?" The suggestion first day, has· expanded until two believers asked leave to go to their country to preach the was taken up with alacrity, and there are now three college Gospel, strengthen those who they turned to me and asked me buildings and about 650 children to put the proposition before in attendance, under the in- believed and if any seemed to be fluence of Christianity. A new ready for baptism to baptize Jwok (God). I knew where the school, opened last October, is them. Nothing was heard of door and window frames would designed to accommodate very them for almost seven weeks. have to come from-the mission Then one day they turned up at Doleib Hill-but I agreed that poor Jewish children. Attend- again, tired after the long jour- God ought to be given a chance ance is increasing. There is to supply them, so I prayed, and also the Christian Union which ney, but with beaming faces. is an organization for bringing When asked how the work had the Lord did supply them. In gone they said, 'That we retogether the ex-pupils of the Col- the incredibly short time of lege who are now launched out mained so long, it was because three months the building was the work was beautiful.' Alto- completed and ready for dedicain life and who are determined gether about 2:0 were baptized, tion, without mortgage or debt. to witness for Christ in their while a good many others gave various spheres of service, and I am all for that kind of a church evidence that the 'matter had en- building." to win others. tered them.' "
"God's Matter" in Ethiopia First Native Church in Sudan What Christian Life Means Much has been written about Rev. W. Don McClure tells, in Forty years ago in the area the sad part of the situation in the United Presbyterian, of the covered by St. Augustine (An- Ethiopia, but there is a brighter remarkable Christian growth in glican) Mission in Southern side. Rev. Clarence Duff gives a Shulla village in the Sudan. Rhodesia, there was not a single some glimpses of it in the Evan- baptized African. Now there are gelical Christian. "The mission- "We pushed out the sides of 14 trained native clergymen and aries have sought to teach the our meeting house; then we 200 teachers. native Christians that the re- pushed the cattle out from barn sponsibility was really theirs, and preempted their place. One As part of the usual mission and to keep the worship and or- day when we had more than 100 activity there was a recent ganization of the little churches, people packed into stalls built for young people's gathering at or groups of believers not yet or- 15 cows, and the old women had Penhalonga. Candidates for ganized, so simple that the na- to sit outside in the sun, some- baptism came for a final test. tives themselves could carry it one raised the question as to Besides attending classes, they on. In most cases the native what we should do. Aba Nyilek, worked; cooked their meals, the elder, the only Christian in helped harvest mission crops, the village, hesitantly suggested and cut and carried the timber [242 ] and the grass thatch for a new them how he found out about ably the Congo Mission has reallodge. God. Now he helps the nurse at ized a greater degree of coopera- the dispensary, washing soiled tion than that of any other Col- As for what baptism means to bandages and weaving cloth ony they visited. By 1902, the them, they all know that Chris- with his new foot. missionaries of many different tianity demands a break with societies felt the need of a reliheathen customs and the wor- -Episcopal News. gious conference, and from that ship of spirits. There are some time periodical conferences have failures, to be sure, but every- The March of Time in Africa been held. At these conferences body recognizes a failure for missionaries of the various sociewhat it is. The point is that all Great changes have come ties have been able to discuss naof them know the Way of Life. about in South Africa since it tive problems and customs; the At this meeting 347 were bap- took Robert Moffat three months relationship of missionaries with tized from 40 village churches. to trek a d[stance which can now the Government; the occupation be traveled by rail in forty-eight of the field, etc. One-third of He Found God hours. The picture is one of con- the time at all such conferences trasts. The grea,t cities of South has been given to worship and Among many sick folk in a Africa have been born of the prayer. Liberia village was a miserable white man's lust for wealth. man with feet so diseased he Kimberley, for instance, was Through the Congo Protestant could not walk, and his family founded on diamonds; J ohan- Council it has been possible for had abandoned him. For months nesburg on gold, and North societies as a whole to make a he had crawled about uncared Rhodesia on copper. All this direct representation to the Govfor and unfed while the disease means revolutionary changes in ernment. Two periodicals have was devouring him. Sometimes the life of the African. Converts also been published, Congo Miswith a few stray grains of rice to Christianity too often crum- sion News, and another prepared he could coax a chicken near ble under the strain of the white especially for native Christians enough to capture it. Dr. Junge, man's civilization, mastering who know French. This has a of Cape Mount, got him into the new languages and separation circulation of over 3,000. Cirmission hospital and worked on from home ties. But there are culars are sent regularly from him until one foot healed but the a Iso splendid victories, fine the Congo Protestant Council to other had to be amputated. Dur- friendships among the races and all Protestant Mission Stations ing the weeks in hospital he had consecrated lives. giving helpful information. Cirlearned English rapidly, and culars are also sent to Belgian when he was coming out from Supplanting the Witch Doctor pastors. the anesthetic after the amputation, the nurse was surprised to Thirty years ago a boy in the There is now at Leopoldville hear him say, "I love the white Congo, Timoteo Mfiengi, offered a Union Mission House at the man's God. He is good. You to help a missionary while she service of all missionaries who other fools, can't you see what dispensed medicine on her back pass through Leopoldville. It is He does?" porch. The task assigned him in charge of a native Christian, was to receive the brass rods under the supervision of the Sec- He recovered steadily and a used as payment for medicines, retary of the Congo Protestant wooden leg was made for him. and drop them carefully into a Council. Since 1935 there has One of his first remarks was, "I grocery box. This year, Mfiengi been a Union Bible depo't and can go to church now." The is finishing his studies for his book shop. -China's Millions. Sunday after it arrived, he was diploma as medical assistant at the first person in church. Later, the Sona Bata Medical School. WESTERN ASIA the doctor said, "Now you are It has been said of him, "Probwell and strong. What would ably no one, white or black, has New Hope in Turkey you like to do? What did you do done more to counteract the inbefore you were sick?" He used fluence of the witch doctor and For fourteen years the Amerto weave fine country cloth, he the false native reasoning as to ican Board in Turkey has been said, but needed his lost foot to the cause and cure of diseases laboring under a handicap of guide the thread. So the doctor than Mfiengi." Through the misunderstanding and suspicion, explained to the wood carver, years few Christians in that area but it now appears that a better and before long the foot was have exerted a finer influence. day is at hand. Statistics just ready, carved, even to the toe issued of the attendance at misnails, and painted to match the An Example of Cooperation sionary schools in Turkey show other foot. that there is a marked increase There has always been the in enrolment. One reason is the Meanwhile, a native teacher closest cooperation between mis- obvious fact that the mission had been giving the patient reli- sionary societies and mission- schools have been doing a quality gious instruction. As soon as he aries working in the Belgian of work which all Turks, sinwas able to work, he announced Congo. The Phelps-Stokes Edu- cerely interested in education, he was going back to his own cational Commission, after two desire. An illustration of this country town where the people visits to Africa, stated that prob- increased confidence in mission had refused to help him, and tell
schools is the fact that the Edu- and it was an inspiring sight in Ain operation to direct activities in cational Department is this year Harod to see numbers of the young this field of Sunday school teachpaying the tuition and expenses colonists coming into the communal ing. The fact that the governof sixty additional pupils in a dining hall with Bibles in their hands. ment has abolished children's Boys' Trade School. We found a large demand for Scrip- primary day schools emphasizes tures; the New Testament as well as the importance of providing the Much the same could be said the Old. very best religious instruction of medical work and of other for children. Also the lack of lines of service that are being Forward in Iran ordained native ministers makes carried on in Turkey. Conscien- it all the more important that an tious work continued for many Church leaders in Iran have adequate force of native teachers years has come now to be recog- issued an appeal to all members should be thoroughly trained. nized and appreciated. Medical of the Evangelical Church in centers also are crowded with that area to take part in a "Pro- -W. S. S. A. News. patients. Parents have repeat- gram of Evangelistic Advance." edly said in putting their chil- It reads, in part: Government Nurses in Iran dren in mission schools, "we bring our children here because In view of the need of us all for a Last year the government of they learn something which fuller knowledge of Christ, and in Iran decided to establish trainmakes their lives better." view of the wonderful opportunity we ing schools for nurses in Meshed, now have for giving the Good News Teheran and Tabriz, and asked Literacy Lessons in Arabic to the people of Iran, . . . we have the help of American Mission been led of God to call upon all mem- nurses in these three cities. Up Dr. Frank Laubach writes of bers of the Evangelical Church to ded- until this time there had been in the new phonetic method of icate themselves anew to Christ, and Iran no education for nurses exteaching Arabic: to unite during the coming year in an cept that given in Mission hos- earnest and prayerful effort to achieve pitals. A good deal has been "We have come across a really the following results: accomplished, although the stugreat improvement in teaching dents in the government schools Urdu-Persian script; I believe 1. To enroll all the members of our were found to have inadequate the same improvement could be churches, both adults and children, in educational background. made in teaching Arabic letters. weekly Bible classes. We are making forward steps in The two groups have worked all our literacy lessons, as ex- 2. To establish daily family wor- together harmoniously. Those perience suggests improvements. ship in every Christian home. of the government school group In 1939 I plan to go up through have entered wholeheartedly into India to Afghanistan, Persia 3. To form in every church a rep- all the activities, social and reliand Iraq, and then to cross over resentative group which will meet gious. They are always eager to to the Near East, follow down weekly for the purpose of intercession be a part of the group which, as the coast of Africa, and finally on behalf of the church at home and opportunity offers, assembles on cross over to South America and abroad. Sundays for singing hymns and Mexico, arriving in 1940 to help reading the Bible in Turkish for promote literacy work in all 4. To conduct in each church a the patients. They are also regthese countries." series of meetings for the deepening ular attendants at the weekly of the spiritual life of the members hospital prayer-meetings. -Near East Christian and the salvation of unbelievers. Council. -PresbyterianBoard News. 5. To inspire every church member Changes in Palestine to try to lead at least one other per- INDIA AND SIAM son to Christ this year, that the num- It is reported by the National ber of believers in our churches may Untouchables Spurn Temple Bible Society of Scotland that a be doubled. Rights distinct change of attitude has taken place toward the mission- We enter upon this undertaking in In the Bombay Assembly, the ary and colporteur in Palestine. the assurance that through Jesus "non-easte" Independent Labor A Bible colporteur writes: Christ all things are possible for those Party, composed entirely of De- who believe. pressed Class representatives, Instead of the suspicion and veiled did not welcome the Bill introhostility which we so often used to -Near East Christian duced on January 24 for removencounter, we have received a most Council. ing the legal obstructions which cordial welcome in almost every col- prevent trustees of Hindu temony. . . . Almost everywhere we were Training for Children in Iran ples from opening these temples warmly invited to return, and when to Untouchables. Why not? in several cases we did so, our recep- Dr. R. T. McLaughlin, Execu- During the temple entry agitation on the second visit was even more tive Secretary of the World Sun- tion of the past few years many cordial than our previous reception, day School Association for the "Untouchables" have made clear though the colonists knew perfectly Near East, paid a visit last year that the right to worship in well who we were, and our aim. to Iran, chiefly to study the sit- Hindu temples does not assure uation in the Church of Armenia We found that the Old Testament in Iran, and opportunity was afis being used by young immigrants as forded for bringing into closer the textbook for the study of Hebrew, fellowship the missionaries and prelates of the Armenian church, who have hitherto had few such contacts. Visits were made to all the impovtant centers, cov- ering over 5,000 miles. One result of the visit was the forma- tion of a joint committee on co-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
to them any of the bedrock skirts of his son's plot of land. observe how prohibition measrights of citizenship from which As he had told us, his son was ures are working, and is very Hinduism has excluded them, having as little to do with his much pleased with the hearty cosuch as civic equality, drinking father as possible. I asked the operation of the public in makwater from public wells, and son if he wouldn't help his fa- ing them effective. educational privileges for their ther and he replied: children. The General Assembly of the " 'He's a Christian, his jat is South India United Church has Not only this, but temple gone.' assured the government that it rights, if bestowed on 60,000,000 will give hearty support in this people, would only serve to swell "'And what your jat?' "noble endeavor," as ex-Presithe coffers of temple priests, and " 'We're Hindus.' dent Hoover termed it. This fasten the shackles of priestcraft " 'Yes, but what jat?' Church pledges itself to use all on an already long-suffering sec- "(Reluctantly): 'We're Mu- its agencies, such as churches, tion of India's population..Chris- chis (leather workers).' schools, societies, magazines and tians stress the further point " 'And what jat have Muchis public meetings to impart knowlthat for India's suppressed and got?' (They are usually classed edge and urge action along the depressed millions to obtain the as Untouchables.) line of temperance and prohibiright to enter Hindu shrines, " 'Oh well, we all stick togeth- tion, as well as in all other moral and worship the idols there, er, and he's become a Christian; and social endeavors. It has a would not only bring no advan- that's something different, some- total membership of more than tage, but would have the sad re- thing foreign.' 280,000. -Christian Century. sult of leading India's needy mil- "'Do you know how many lions further from the Living Christians there are in the "Hinduism a Disease" God, for whose fellowship they Ranchi district?' crave. "(Doggedly): 'That's anoth- The leader of the Depressed er district, there aren't any Classes Movement away from Active Women's Group Christians in this district.' Hinduism, Dr. Ambedkar, thus classifies Hinduism: Christian women in the Basa- "'As a matter of fact, there lore District had a vision of serv- are,' I replied. 'There's a Chris- Hinduism is not a religion but a ice that led them to form an or- tian community 12 miles away. contagious disease. People of every ganization of Indian women. Anyway, won't you help your fa- caste should flee from it as they would For the most part they are too ther build a better house?' flee from bubonic plague or hydroshy to take part in a meeting phobia. When Hindus have extracted where men are present, but "'Hindus can't work with nectar from poison let them begin to working alone they are very ac- Christians.' talk of extracting salvation from tive. At their meeting a year Hinduism. Not only should the Deago they decided to support a " 'If you got a job on the rail- pressed Classes renounce Hinduism, woman worker, each woman put- way, you'd work with Christians but people of high caste also, as it is ting aside a handful of rice, or there, wouldn't you?' Hinduism that has made them tyrants its equivalent, each week. The or oppressors of their own people. money collected last year. pro- "Finally the son promised he vided for the support of the would help his father to build a -United Church Record. worker. Home offerings did not house, and I have promised to decrease with this new venture. give one or two rupees for the Promising Development timber, etc., that would have to in Hinganghat -Foreign Mission Broad- be bought." cast. Recent happenings in Chanda The cheering sequel to this reveal a situation full of prom- Leper Problems tale is Abhay's determination to ise; this, too, in an area which hold to his new faith. had seemed to be unresponsive. Rev. G. C. MacIntosh, while Hinganghat is a mill town 70 acting superintendent of Purulia -Without the Camp. miles from Nagpur, C. P. A Leper Hpme, discovered the dif- group there heard some stray culty of restoring disease-ar- Where Prohibition Works bits of the Gospel; were thereby rested cases to their community. filled with a desire to know more Abhay Muchi had been dis- In four of the eight church and appealed for a teacher. In charged as free from leprosy, councils of the South India response, a pastor, catechist and but returned to the Home to say United Church one of the quali- Bible woman began regular inhe was finding t.hings difficult at fications for an office-bearer in struction. The first baptismshome, as his son would not let the church is total abstinence about 60~took place at Christhim stay in the house. "So I from alcoholic drink. The as- mas, 1936. On New Year's Day, promised to go out and investi- sembly resolved that all its con- a large group of young men gate," writes Mr. MacIntosh. stituent church councils should made their way to Nagpur, by "Arrived there, we found he had adopt the same rule, and should bicycle, bus or on foot, to get huilt a tiny little hut on the out- seriously consider whether the fresh inspiration from the city time had not come in South India Christians. to make total abstinence a condi- tion of church membership. This community continued to meet in groups throughout the The prime minister of Madras has been touring his district to
year. A Christianized public Ordained in Three Languages life have been trained at Judson OpInIOn has developed. It is The Kachins are a virile race College. hoped that, with some help, a suitable house of worship may in north Burma. In 1927 the Church Service in Siam be erected. Aside from the original converts, there is strong 50th anniversary of the begin- Petchaburi Presbyterian evidence of a widening and deep- ning of Baptist missions among ening interest in related groups. them was celebrated in Bhamo. Church believes in having spe- From another near-by part of At that time there were about cial services every month. One the town the pastor is now in- 7,000 Christian converts. Since structing a large number of en- then the number has about month it is the communion servquirers, and he reports enquiries doubled, and all that prevents ice; another m{)nth it is for chilreaching him also from one or their more rapid Christianization dren; another for the family or two villages. in the neighborhood is a lack of workers. A recent where there are relatives of the episode is helping to overcome the farmer, etc. Each Sunday Christians in the town. that handicap, when seven can- both children and adults bring didates for the ministry were to the altar either flowers or -National Christian Coun- presented for examination. Each ·'@{)me piece of handwork, or cil Review. in turn gave his Christian ex- perience and call to the ministry. something they have raised as Boys Play Colporteur One by one they came before the their part in the Lord's Acre Council for a searching examina- At a festival in a Travancore tion. Theological students in Plan, which is followed with a Christian community a feature America might have hesitated at great deal of enthusiasm. This on the program was a school the questions. Three languages church also believes in commuboys' enactment of the colpor- were used, Kachin, Burmese and nity service. It does not believe teur's work. One lad imper- English. All these men were in leaving out the non-Christian sonated the colporteur; others proficient in Kachin, most of community in its good times. At were in varied guise. One in them in Burmese also, and some priest's garb examined the col- of the examiners 'only in Eng- Christmas time the one condiporteur's stock. "This is the tion of the invitation was that Bible," he said. "It is a bad lish. each one, from the Governor book which spoils the low-class folk and makes them :think them- The next day the service of or- down to the lowliest, should selves important." dination was held in a large bring at least one article of cloth- mandat of bamboo and thatch. ing which they were willing to "Wait a minute," said the colporteur, "let me read you a pas- donate to a good cause. These sage." He read the Beatitudes. articles were collected at the door. Some were sent to the "Is that in the Bible?" asked Nakon Leper Home. the priest. "It sounds like Mahatma Gandhi." There was no church large CHINA enough to hold the crowd. By He was shown where the passage was and went away with a 11 o'clock Sunday morning the Not in the Headlines copy of St. Matthew. The next boy represented a Moslem. "Are mandat was packed with people. A writer in Woman's Missionyou a preacher?" he asked the ary Friend gives instances of boy with the books. Some of them had journeyed two the working of spiritual forces "No, I am only a bookseller," or three days across the moun- not in the daily press accounts was the answer, "but I have of the Far Eastern conflict. A some very wonderful books." tains. Fully 500 crowded in. radib broadcast from Shanghai The Mohammedan began to Twenty-seven deacons were or- urges finding God "along our read one of them. "Away with daily path of activity. It is only it," he said. "It is a Christian dained at the same time. Around book which affects men's reason the presence of the great Comand makes them change their be- Kutkai several new churches panion who can keep us patient lief. I remember how a hunting dog once devoured a leaf from will soon be organized under the with one another, in love with the Bible and was never good for our fellow men, and able to forhunting afterward." So the fol- leadership of these men. All lower of the Prophet hurried away. who participated were impressed Then the colporteur packed up with their earnestness and sinhis wares, counted his cash, and -Mis,sions. moved on. It was quite realistic. cerity.
-So S. Times. Judson's Influence Abides give those we call our enemies even as Christ also forgave us. The influence of Judson Col- Perhaps the biggest thing we can lege, Rangoon, the only Chris- do for China is to open that door. tian college in Burma, is felt in . . . Behold I stand at the door all phases of national life, politi- and knock. If any man open I cal, medical, educational and will come in and abide with him religious. Judson College grad- and he with me."
uates are members of the new Christian nationals are bear- House of Representatives and ing their cross. without bitter- the Senate. One of the six min- ness. In churches, as pastors isters of the Governor's Council pray for China they pray also is an alumnus. Leading doctors, for the Japanese people. Spe- both men and women, outstand- cial meetings have been held for ing educators and lawmakers, prayer for China and strength- religious lead.ers in all walks of enin~ morale. The last evenin~
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the theme was on the way of the old. It was started late in 1918 Shanghai, three great institu- Cross, with special prayers for at Kuling by seven Chinese tions, are carrying on under abthe Japanese – even for those Christians who had a clear call normal conditions with a creditwho under orders are dealing to organize a self-supporting able enrolment and a quietness death and destruction to the missionary society. This work of spirit among the students that Chinese. Echoes of this spirit has grown until it has become is amazing. One morning at a come from different sections of nation-wide and interdenomina- week of prayer service for the China. A Chinese woman said: tional. staffs of the Christian agencies "In this war-torn land our faith which have their offices in is being tested. There is one Its purpose is to send the Gos- Shanghai, the tone was one of thing we do know: when we pel to frontiers and to stimulate deep earnestness, as men and reach out through the darkness Chinese churches. women sought to find strength toward God whom we cannot for their faith, to pass through even see, a Hand comes down It has a Board of Directors what was termed "our Gethsem- and holds our own, and holds it composed of twenty-one mem- ane." "Let us not f.orget," close." bers from different provinces, said the leader, "that our faith elected by the General Confer- is in Him who came to preach Country Evangelism ence which meets once every good tidings to the poor, to pro- three years. Forty missionaries claim release to the captives, and Rev. G. H. Aldis of the China have been sent out; thirty-seven recovering of sight to the blind, I n I and Mission, assisted by are now in the field. The annual to set at liberty them that are young Chinese Christians, has budget is about $10,OOO,-free bruised, to proclaim the joyful been experimenting in street will offerings of Chinese Chris- year of the Lord!" preaching in the Futzunyi area. tians. While almost all mission A subject was chosen for each boards throughout the world -Christian Century. day-God, Man, Sin, The Cross w ere cutting appropriations, -with the idea that the first ad- this Society increased its appro- Crisis for China Colleges dress should introduce the sub- priation year by year. What ef- ject, and each following speaker fect the present situation may Of the 111 colleges and uni- take his hearers one step fur- have is yet to be seen. versities in China, the present ther. In spite of the rival attrac- military operations have entirely tions of theatricals, acrobats or -Chinese Rec.order. destroyed two, seriously dam- the cattle market, they were aged four, and placed more than never in want of an audience. Moukden Bible Workers thirty others in constant peril. Many Gospels were sold. The Many of the imperilled colleges hearers were a typical Chinese The British and Foreign Bible are being moved farther inland. , country crowd, their faces curi- Society has its shop on a street ous, indifferent, slightly con- in Moukden where all passers- Every Christian student in the temptuous, wistful, haggard, by can see in the window open world should be concerned about listless, interested. Here is a pages of the Bible in their own the plight of China's students. priest with shifty eyes; he buys tongue – Manchu, Mongolian, Here is a clear opportunity for a set of books. Will he use them, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Eng- the World's Student Christian as some do, for shoe soles, or lish, German, French and Rus- Federation to function. Accord- will he read of the One who came sian. From here Scriptures are ingly, the North American sec- to save such as he? sent to 40 colporteurs, some in tion of the W. S. C. F. is spon- large cities, others in sparsely soring a Far Eastern Student Along comes a weather-beat- settled country districts. Three Emergency Fund. It will be en farmer, who listened to the are pioneering in the far north raised and administered by Gospel stories with close atten- where prayer centers are grow- Christian agencies, but not tion; suddenly he asked, "How ing in number. necessarily limited to the assist- long ago is it that this Jesus was ance of Christian students. More on the earth, and suffered these The most northerly mission important than the cash involved things?" and, when told, he said, work in the continents of Eu- is the possibility of a deep ex- "How is it that we have not rope and Asia was opened up by perience of Christian fellowship heard about this until now?" one of the Manchu colporteurs among students in all lands. All these converts of country three years ago. He visited the work must live in the midst of city of Taheiho, not far from the ~Chinese Recorder. a deadly and corroding heathen- North Siberian frontier, and ism, an atmosphere in which within a month sold over a thou- The Tibetan Challenge most of us would find it difficult sand copies of the Scriptures. to live victoriously for a single Interest grew and there is now Here are some evidences that day. -The Life of Faith. the nucleus of a Christian the time has come for a mission- Church, with 35 families in Bi- ary advance among the non- Chinese Missionary Society ble study groups. Chinese of Tibet, as listed by Dr. J. H. Jeffrey in China's The Chinese Missionary So- -Chinese Recorder. Millions: ciety is now nearly twenty years Christian Work Goes On St. John's University, Soochow University and the University of
(1) A more favorable politi- JAPAN-CHOSEN Thirty-one members of the cal situation. Kagawa's Message newly elected diet are either ag- (2) A priesthood largely dis- In order to develop a more gressive Christians or have a credited, in some parts at least. vital fellowship between Amer- Christian background and Chris- ican and Japanese Christians, tian connections. Several are (3) The destruction of many some American Christians in outstanding church members. important lamaseries and the Los Angeles have been occa- Others in the group, though not slaughtering of hundreds of sionally joining with Kagawa's lamas, thereby depriving the friends in an early morning churchmen, are Christian in non-Chinese people of their spir- communion service. One such their life, attitude and political itual guides. "Kingdom of God" meeting, at- principles. With only 250,000 tended by Japanese and Amer- (4) The high cost of training icans, was held March 6 in the Protestant Christians in a poppriests. Vermont Square Methodist Epis- ulation of 70,000,000, this indi- (5) The friendliness of the cates that Christianity has taken people towards the foreigner. r"oot in the nation's life.
The other statement has to do (6) Many regions formerly copal Church, when the follow- with the dedication in Tokyo of regarded as being closed to the ing message from Kagawa was Uemura Memorial Hall and the missionary now are open. read: new building of the Japan The- (7) A readiness to believe the Although we [Christians in Japan] ological Seminary. This strucmissionary's message. may not react according to the man- ner of the West, still we know that ture, built at a cost of 168,614 A plan for advance was dis- the foundations of His Kingdom are yen, will house the Japan Thecussed at a recent conference of peace and love, and we continue to ological Seminary and serve as the West Szechwan District of work for them. I believe in Christ the China Inland Mission. The and His gospel of love for all. I be- denominational headquarters for relative values of different cen- the Empire. ters were also considered. lieve in His cross and the ultimate victory of those who bear its burden. The Japan Theological Sem- Christians in Japan must carry a inary represents a union of the Tokyo Theological Seminary, the cross. Christians in the world must Encouraging News from carry it with them. Theological Department of Meiji Manchuria Gakuin (Presbyterian Boys' Col- -Christian Century. lege) and the Theological De- Hailar, Manchuria, has the Anti-War Sentiment partment of Tohoku Gakuin lowest percentage of Christians According to the Chi n a (North Japan College of the Reof any provincial city in the Weekly Review, leaflets are be- formed Church in the U. S.). In country; but according to the ing found in the Japanese navy this splendid building are unified W.orld Dominion Press there has and on the bodies of dead Jap- the theological training and the never been such a demand for anese soldiers, which were issu~d administrating activities of this the Scriptures as now – hun- by Japan's Peace League, the aggressive Christian commudreds of Bibles, New Testa- Farmers' League, the Ex-Serv- nion. ments, Bible portions and Chris- icemen's Corps, and other ortian literature. Numbers were ganizations, all opposed to the Two Worthy Projects sold in dens of vice. The present war in China. The Japanese Rev. Allen D. Clark tells of disturbed situation and distress navy has already arrested two social service projects in of mind disposes many to give twenty sailors and sent them to Chungju, Korea. One is the heed to Christian preaching. face firing squads. Home for Girls-in-Need, started Reports recently presented for One leaflet lists the following about three years ago as an ex- 1937 show that there is a real reasons for opposing the war hunger for religious instruction against China: periment, for the benefit of girls on the part of the peoples. Con- who need moral and spiritual verts have been gathered in "(1) We should not fight for help to set them on their feet. large numbers at all the centers, the military and financiers as and a wider extension of the slaves; (2) Already 200,000 The Council supports the Home work into untouched areas is men have been killed since the and the Salvation Army provides clearly indicated. The Govern- Mukden Incident of 1931; (3) the worker. The experiment has ment has not restricted freedom There is no reason to sacrifice for work or movement about the more, since China is not our proved such a success that it has country. enemy but the militarists are." been continued and encouraged. A number of young women have There is want, hunger and suf- Trends Toward Christianity been saved from a life of degra- dation and sent out as respect- able Christian members of fering everywhere, and non- The National Christian Coun- society.
Christian officials and others cil of Japan is composed of rep- The other project is that of well disposed have given large resentatives of all the Christian Travelers' Aid. This also was assistance, frequently on condi- churches in the Japanese Em- begun as an experiment, with tion that the relief is adminis- pire. One of its recent Bulletins funds provided by the Council tered by missionaries and native has two significant statements: and the worker by the Salvation Christians. one of them: Army. The work is being car-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ried on at Fusan, on the southern tious, is also rendering a distin- ment to several hundred pacoast, where most of the traffic guished service. tients each clinic week. to and from Japan passes. In past years, the station and pier The women of the Philippines The cost of one treatment is have been notorious for the fre- have developed unique capacities ten centavos, or five cents. From quency with which unscrupulous for leadership. In Iloilo, at the grateful patients Dr. Hall reindividuals have preyed upon first Women's Conference repre- ceives in payment one or two those who landed there without senting all the provinces, reports eggs, a bouquet of flowers, a friends, perhaps without suffi- were given on the work of the bunch of bananas. -Pageant. cient money to continue their Bible women, personal evanjourney, or without the neces- gelism by nurses, the planning Town Terror Converted sary police certificates for leav- of children's and women's proing the country. The number of grams and White Cross activi- A young Filipino who had for young women who have been ties. They also discussed with several years taken pride in be- "befriended" into houses of ill earnestness problems emerging ing known throughout the region fame by reason of their igno- from the newly granted political as "The Terror of Lagonoy" one rance will probably never be suffrage, the prevalent gambling day met an acquaintance who known. Nearly forty women vice among women, types of mis- had been studying his Bible. have been befriended by the sionary programs and their per- Acts 2: 38 was pointed out to worker, and over a thousand sonal financial responsibility to- him. Into his mind sprang the have received spiritual aid as ward the evangelization of their thought: "Of what use is my well as material. communities. -Missions. life as I am now living it in all sorts of vice and sin?" The Chinese Church in Korea Neosalvarsan for Yaws Spirit of God worked deeply in his heart and when, a short time The very promising work . In 1930, when Dr. J. Andrew later, an institute was held in the among Chinese in Korea is for Hall, medical missionary in the local church, the "town terror" the present at a standstill. All Philippines, was conducting a was present at every session. the Chinese workers and many weekly clinic for victims of a Without any clear conception of of the Christians have returned typhoon which had devastated what was going on in his heart, to their homes in China because the island of Leyte, he noticed he turned to the Saviour as an of war conditions. Many of that many of his patients were opening flower turns to the sun. them have families in China and not so much the victims of the Completely transformed, he tesnaturally wish to be near them storm as of a contagious skin tified in the closing meeting, "I at such a time. The young wom- disease-yaws. Gently he lifted find it hard now to realize my an evangelist who has been in from ulcered legs and faces red good fortune that God should Seoul for three years and has cloths, which, quack doctors to have led me to seek salvation in done such fine work among the the contrary, had proved ineffec- Jesus. At the moment I was Chinese women living there, has tive as a cure. Neosalvarsan baptized there settled upon my also gone; the church is closed was then injected, which Dr. heart the certainty that never and all the work suspended. Richard P. Strong, another again should I do any of the evil American p h y sic ian in the things to which I had before -Korean Echoes. Islands, had discovered was so been accustomed, for I know that effective that one injection was my Lord Jesus whom I love ob- ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC often all that was necessary. jects to them. There and then I felt a joy which I cannot express Advance in the Philippines As patient after patient held in the clean path toward ever- out stiff and useless arms and lasting life in which I had now Central Philippine College is legs, or held up faces from which begun to walk." solidly behind the program for the flesh had been gnawed away educated lay and ministerial until open holes gaped where Challenge Brings Conviction leadership; also making their nose and lips should have been, contribution to future leadership Dr. Hall decided that something When Mr. Cecil Abel returned are the student centers and dor- must be done on this island to Papua after several months' mitories. The mission hospitals where muddy rivers, used for absence he found many signs of at Capiz and Iloilo are leaving bathing, spread the disease, and improvement, e. g., one in Maitheir imprint on community life where superstitious natives had vara was the absence of pigs. by standing for the best that more faith in the power of spir- Phyllis Abel writes: modern medical science has to its than in cleanliness and medoffer in both the prevention and ical care. Previously Maivara swarmed cure of disease, yet not forget- with them. You could not have ting that the Great Physician has In April, 1931, single-handed, a meal without hordes of them a message for the soul. The hos- Dr. Hall started his first clinic almost snatching the food out of pital at Iloilo ranks highly with for the victims of yaws. Today, your hand. They were the peoboth Europeans and Filipinos. there are fourteen or more clin- ple's gods. Think of the step in- The Capiz hospital, less preten- ics, where the doctor-evangelist volved for the whole village gives healing and encourage- without exception to fence its
pigs. As a result, food grows on a united basis. The first was tor, Rev. Francisco Quintanilla, unrestricted; there is abun- conducted by Dr. Worth M. has had 50 conversions during dance at your door. Tippy who has assisted in devel- the past year. Among the re- We gave a dinner-or the oping the plan. A Sunday school claimed are erstWhile outlaws, equivalent of a. dinner-to all has been organized under the bandits, bootleggers. One man the leading men in the district, leadership of a professor of the who had planned a murder and the Christian leaders, the big University of Maryland. The had bought the weapon for the sorcerers, the heads of various response of the people of the purpose, came for advice and reheathen ceremonies and feasts, community has been' most cor- mained to pray. He is now a the councilors and policemen. dial. church official and a tither of his There were lots of gate crash- No church building has yet income. ers! Not for the meal did they been erected, but the possibility The church school has an encome, but to hear if there was of a significant adventure in ."rolment of five hundred, with a anything new. Mr. Abel made Christian unity and fellowship comparative attendance record. this the opportunity to com- in a new community seems to be A junior church is maintained mend them on their improve- opening up. with an enrolment of ninety- ment. He pointed out that where three. Seventy percent of the lives were changed, houses and Church Education for Adults church members come from these groups. villages were altered, not for the The American Association for Dr. V. M. McCombs is superworse but for the better. When Adult Education is making a God was in control of a man's survey of adult education in the intendent of all Methodist work life his house would be the best churches. An unequalled oppor- in this area. From the Plaza in the village. He reminded the tunity exists in this field. When Center, headquarters of the Mispeople of their individual re- federal and private benefactions sion, he has toured north and sponsibility to God for their vil- to experimental courses in adult south, preaching, teaching, evanlages, to make them centers education diminish, the churches gelizing, ordaining, and confirmwhich would demonstrate God's alone will remain with the ma- ing. He supervises sixty-two power and ownership. terial equipment, the intellectual communities wit h forty-three power and the adult constituency pastors at work. The people caught the vision. which can make a great educa- Even the heathen began to take tional program possible. With- -Christian Advocate. responsibility. They began to out surrendering the preeminent pray and to heed when God place that preaching occupies, Fetish Fails to End Drouth spoke to them. One man who ministers can multiply their inhad resisted the Gospel in Mai- fluence through the students Hundreds of the Gros Ventre vara for years said: "I can't and teachers who are ready for Indians in Dakota believed they touch work that is controlled by the churches to lead them into a would never be rid of drouths God, with unclean hands and an genuine program of adult edu- and crickets until their fetish, unclean heart, He must become cation, under Christian auspices. the "Sacred Bundle of the Water my Lord and Master first." Busters," was returned to them. There and then he surrendered -Pageant. The America~ Indian Heye himself to Christ. Foundation reinstated the fetish, What Is Watts? but the Commissioner of Indian When a Flying Squad re- Affairs, John Collier (whose ofturned to Maivara a week later, Watts may suggest a hymn fice apparently requested its refive influential heathen had writer, electric currents or a turn), recognizes that the yielded to Christ and were lay- steam engine, but we refer to a "Bundle's" ret urn has not ing the foundations of a God- bit of old Mexico within Los pleased all the Indians. controlled community in their Angeles. Living there are 22,- own lives and homes. 000 Spanish Americans, among By way of contrast, read what them a sprinkling of pure Span- the agriculturist at Tucson -News from Kwato. Training School says: NORTH AMERICA ish, a very considerable dash of Our objective is to help these Church in Resettlement Town African, and a trace of Anglo- youngsters to improve their farming Saxon. Race prejudice seems methods and thus provide better food. Most of the Indians seem to be using not to exist. methods of their forefathers. For The Washington Federation of Although this field is allocated example, in one of my agriculture to the Methodists, Episcopalians, classes, 93 percent of the students Churches has taken the initiative have irrigation available but few use in providing for the religious Holy Rollers, Christian Scien- it. . . . We believe that the Indian needs of the new community tists, Spiritists and Roman Cath- who can make a better living for himcalled "Greenbelt," in Maryland. olics are at work in Watts. self and his family is going to be more There is a beautiful new church consistently Christian. .And it does As a result of a meeting called of the Methodist Mission, not yet work. The homes of the Christian Inby the Comity Committee, at- dians are cleaner and better furnished tended by representatives of the completed in d eta i 1, which, and their children are happier and major denominations, a plan was standing in the exact center, is better cared for. -Monday Morning. worked out for religious services the pride of the town. The pas-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Undaunted Christians problems.' I do not believe they 742, with 3,376 ministers. There is a corresponding increase in In spite of hot winds, "hop- have, but the Negro may believe the Sunday schools. An in- pers" and drought, Christian otherwise. Negroes in this coun- crease in giving shows $10,- try are the country's most needy 000 over a year ago, and the education cannot be downed in citizens, not only economically Missionary and Maintenance the Dakotas. In one church but religiously. Communism Committee is seeking a 10 per every family is on relief. In an- gets the vast majority of its re- cent increase over this-a total other church, parishioners had objective of $1,790,000. been able to grow nothing: cruits from the ranks of the des- "every wisp of hay for the cow titute, the hungry, ignorant, More than half the missions and every handful of feed for of this Church are in China. the hen has to be shipped in." homeless, naked, sick, desperate From the point of staff and ex- ones; the folks who believe that penditure, their West China Yet members of this church there can be no life more miser- Mission is the largest of any want a minister badly enough to able and unhappy than the life Protestant work in China. No raise $800. In still another they now live, and so, in their missionary has been evacuated town, which hot winds had lit- during the present strife. erally burned to a crisp, the field despair, they turn to Commu- nism." -United Presbyterian. Pioneer work is being done by their Home Mission Board. On representative found a thriving Visiting the Eskimos the prairies and the Pacific Coast Sunday school and a Christian the church maintains 11 hospi- tals with a staff of 16 doctors Endeavor society, with an at- By request of a missionary and 68 nurses. Medical boats tendance equal to half the mem- nurse, the Presbyterian Board ply their way to isolated spots. bership of the church. There are also 50 centers min- of National Missions recently ar- istering to Indians. One person -Monday Morning. ranged a 1,400-mile aeroplane out of seven in Canada is a non- Anglo-Saxon; for these the trip, so that Rev. John E. Youel Board publishes six foreign-lan- Keep the Christian Sunday of Fairbanks, Alaska, could guage papers, and preaches the Gospel in 28 languages. . The Lord's Day Alliance has . make a three-day pastoral visit launched a five-year campaign to the Eskimos at Cape Prince -Presbyterian Register. • to free American, as far as pos- of Wales. When Mr. Youel LATIN AMERICA sible, from commercialism on landed, the whole population of Sunday. It is planned to raise 200 Eskimos turned out to meet A Faithful Puerto Rican $250,000 to put the program him. Mr. Youel writes: "After over. This determined effort to Dona Emilia is the most faith- the Sunday school hour, we held ful member of Marina Presby- bring about a correction of pres- a half-hour service. Using John terian Church, Mayaguez, P. R. ent abuse of Sunday is com- 3: 16 as my text, I gave the mes- A gangrenous foot necessitated manding the attention not only an amputation to save her life, sage with the help of Robert but she observed that one leg of church leaders, but of civic Mayo, an interpreter. Quite a was better than none at all! organizations. The movement Having no one to care for her, number responded when I gave she was faced with the problem will be carried into churches and the invitation-all boys and girls of self-support when she left the hospital. In her tiny, one-room Sunday schools, public schools from. 10 to 1.5 years of age. house, seated before a charcoal fire, roasting coffee hour after and colleges. "Sunday night we held a hour, she shows her solution of it. For this work she is paid -Christian Advocate. church service, and sacraments from 3 to 5 cents a pound and of baptism and the Lord's Sup- out of this she puts aside 5 cents every week for the church. She Negroes and Communism per were observed. More than tells us that God has been so 100 took communion – practi- bountiful with her that she hopes Dr. Mark A. Dawber, Secre- she will always have something tary of the Home Missions Coun- cally all the adults in the village. to share with the less fortunate. cil and author of "Rebuilding I baptized five children; one of Dona Emilia launders her the babies was on its mother's clothes and keeps her house Rural America," said recently in back in her parka. The elders clean; this, ~ith her handicap, a sermon in New York that more takes much hme, yet she never than 2:0,000 Negroes have joined' were most devout and deeply sin- misses a church service, even the Communist party and thou- cere. I have never held. nor par- when the streets are muddy. She sands of others will join "when ticipated in a more solemn Com- 2,000,000 cotton-picking Negroes munion service any w her e.
are put on the economic scrap Charles Oxereok is the church heap." Furthermore, he said: and Sunday school organist and "Thousands of Negroes are join- plays very well, though he has ing the Communists because the never had an organ lesson." Communists go to the Negroes -Monday Morning.
with an attempt to parallel the United Church of Canada Christian attitude. They call the Negro 'brother,' and say, 'There The latest Year Book of the is no segregation in our organ- United Church of Canada shows ization.' Also, the Communists a gain of nearly 100,000 mem- say to the Negro: 'I have blue- bers during the past decade.
prints to solve your economic Membership now numbers 697,-
hops along on her crutches and similar to that carried on by rades' salvation in a series of is always there on time. She Senor Ruiz, a former student of meetings to be held in a little cannot manage her crutches on this Institute, who is also a car- gospel Hall near the regiment. the church steps, so she goes up penter. He works at his trade The meetings will be only for and down on her hands and for a living and preaches the soldiers of the two regiments in knees. Once she slipped and Gospel in the evening and on Concepcion. fell, but bruises and scratches Sunday. Having secured a lot, did not prevent her going on to he puts all of the spare time and A not her opportunity has church. She is not only a church materials he can get into the arisen in the same city among member; she also belongs to the building of a house which serves the English business men who Women's Society and takes an also as a meeting-house until the have invited Mr. Strong to give active part. congregation, which he is slowly a series of Bible talks in the building up, is able to build its English Club. These have mani- A Sermon at a Circus chapel. festly aroused much interest. '~Drunkenness is Chile's chief Rev. J. L. Santiago-Cabrera, Outlook in Brazil curse. A law has been proposed of Mayagtiez, Puerto Rico, has to the effect that every cantina found that the Gospel can be ef- One might suppose that recent and liquor shop in Coihueco fectively presented anywhere, political events in Brazil would within 600 feet of any church, even at a circus. He says: lead to a serious handicap of school or police station be closed. evangelical work, but it seems Prayer is asked that this law In my 11 years as a Sunday school likely that the reverse is true. may be carried into effect, as it missionary in Puerto Rico, I have had President Vargas, who has taken would be a great thing for this many experiences, but none so unique to himself so much added power, old town and its inhabitants, and as the one along the highway to Cibao. has no fanatical views, and ap- for the poor Indians who have I was going to Cibao, where we have parently neither the Church of to pass through it. a chapel, to hold a series of meetings. Rome nor national socialism is Along the road I came upon a circus behind his coup. Although he EUROPE that belonged to an acquaintance. He has obtained freedom of action invited me to preach and I accepted by dismissing the Senate, it is London's Institute for Colored the offer. The usual performance was more than likely that there will People suspended and in a circus tent by the be no vital change in the governroadside I preached to 400 people who ing of the Republic. Article 32 The son of a prominent Moslistened eagerly, not in the least dis- of his 1937 Constitution states lem in Ceylon is rendering a turbed 'that the program had been the following: "It is prohibited valuable service among colored changed into a religious service. If that the Union, the States or the people in London's East End. opportunity offers I shall preach at a Municipal Authorities . By race he is a Malay, was cock fight, of which Puerto Rico has should establish, support or reared a Mohammedan, but conmany. hinder the exercise of religious verted to Christianity at a mis- worship," but it goes on to em- sion school in Kandy. Sowers in Colombia phasize that any religion or doc- trine may be maintained. So He started the first church for EI Instituto Biblico is at pres- that while on the one hand the colored people in London's dock ent the only institution of the authorities cannot actively help area in a former dance hall. In Presbyterian Church in Colom- the evangelical religion, they 'can attendance at the same Sunday bia for training evangelists and and must stress its legality; on school session would be black, pastors. Most of the students the other hand, they cannot ac- brown, yellow and white boys come from rural communities, as tively support Roman Catholi- and girls. From the dance hall the rural population comprises cism. the work was moved to premises some eighty per cent of the that once had been a Chinese whole. Courses in agriculture -Evangelical Union of lodging house. Later, this was and rural sociology enable grad- South America. demolished and new plans are uates to contribute to the im- under way; the Old Ship Inn provement of community life. The Gospel in Chile has been purchased outright, More and more the students are and the building pulled down. taking an active part in the life The opening of the military When sufficient funds are in of the church and its evangelistic season in Chile furnishes oppor- hand a home will be built where program, in holding cottage tunity for seed sowing in several colored sailors, with their wives, prayer meetings. of the southern regiments. Mr. will always be sure of a hearty William M. Strong writes of the welcome, and where men, wom- One of this year's graduates hope that a new religious move- en and children will hear the will return to the Bogota region ment is developing in the Chil- story of Christ's love for them. from which he came. He has ean army. Several soldiers in his eye on certain small towns the "Chacabuco" regiment in -Life of Faith. where nothing but colporteur Concepcion have banded towork has been done, and where, gether to pray for their com- Church of Scotland Crisis from his experience in that work in those towns, he believes there The Church of Scotland is facis a good opening for the Gospel. ing a crisis which will be consid- His ambition is to start a work
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ered by the General Assembly of Still Witnessing in Spain hundreds of assemblies and that church at its meeting in groups of believers came into be- May. The present financial con- Evangelical truth is still be- ing, and the movement is addition of the missions indicates ing proclaimed by the Figueras vancing into the heart of Poland. that the Church will have to Evangelistic Mission and Span- It is arousing interest and gaininitiate an all-round retrench- ish Tract Society, in the province ing ground among Polish Roman ment in all mission fields, or of Gerona, northeast Spain, al- Catholics, as well as among J ewbring about the complete aban- though war conditions are ren- ish Zionistic and radical youth. donment of one of the fields. dering its ministry increasingly It is notable also in that it con- difficult. stitutes a moral and spiritual Two rem e die s are being barrier against the onslaughts urged: the first comprises an A recent aerial bombardment of atheism and communism effort to secure special contribu- destroyed many houses and peo- from Russia on one hand, and tions to the Moderator's Fund, ple, but except for the breakage neo-paganism and Nazism from instituted at the last General As- of several windows, the mission Germany on the other hand. sembly to help wipe out the house and tract depot were un- Were there a Bible school in deficit. The second comprises harmed. The Director, Rev. L. Poland, this awakening would rapid expansion of the League Rodiguez, writes that during be strengthened spiritually and of the Twenty Thousand, where- the period of the war he has pro- helped in its forward evangelisby individuals are invited to duced seventy-two Gospel tracts. tic action. But since there is no promise to give one pound them- "It is useless," he says, "to offer Bible school at present, the naselves, or to become responsible, the Bible to a people who disown tive leaders ·of these young along with others, for raising it, a people taught to burn the Polish Evangelical Churches are one pound of additional income Bible as a book condemned by untrained, and their labors are yearly. the Pope. It is first necessary to of necessity limited and ineffi- provide literature and articles in cient. -Christian Irishman. -Religious News Service. support of the Bible." Rumania Reopens Churches Dutch Sabbath German Ancestor Worship in Germany In dealing with religious mi- The Minister of the Interior norities in Rumania the penin Holland is favoring the en- The New York Times is au- dulum swings rapidly from one forcement of a law of 1815 thority for the statement that extreme to .the other. Dr. J. H. which prohibits all trade and ancestor worship, such as that Rushbrooke, Secretary of the professional activities on the practiced by the Japanese and Baptist WorId Alliance, reports Sabbath, closes restaurants and Chinese, has appeared in Ger- that the Rumanian Minister of bars during the hours of divine many along the Baltic Sea coast, Cults ordered local authorities to service, strictly limits other pub- notably in Mecklenburg, which permit the reopening of all Baplic services, and bars certain has become the center of ex- tist churches that had been forms of sport. When the pres- treme Germanism and neopagan closed. About 50 churches reent government took office it be- experimentation. The head of sumed services. The Minister gan with an announcement that the National Socialist party in also gave assurance that a new it would conduct its administra- Mecklenburg has ordered that law would be presented in Partion on "the principles of posi- unused chapels be transformed liament to ensure full recognitive Christianity." into "ancestral halls." Here an- tion of Baptists. cestral tablets will be placed, It is also announced that the containing the names and sym- The Jews did not fare so well. Minister of Justice will strictly bols of families in the vicinity. With the government party deenforce the divorce laws. feated in the election, King Carol A regional cultural director of was forced to turn to Dr. Octa- -Christian Union Herald. the party recently dedicated vian Goga and the "National such an ancestral chapel. It was Christian" party to form a new Greek Bible Readers decorated with a swastika and government. The first two acts the ceremony opened ·with a of the new cabinet were "to na- An increasing number of Bi- Chopin prelude. The party offi- tionalize the Rumanian press on bles and Gospels are being pur- cial delivered an address and German lines," and to start a chased by Greeks. Last year 66,- then received into "the commu- cam p a i g n of anti-Semitism. 000 copies of the Scriptures were nity of all Germans" six children Masses of Jewish citizens ensold. The circulation of the Bi- of a local family. Like cere- gaged in small businesses are to ble is greater in Greece than in mQ.nies are taking the place of be deprived of their means of any other Balkan State. There Christian marriage and baptism livelihood and will be forbidden are now eleven churches within in coast villages. to own land. All Jews naturalthe Union of Greek Evangelical ized after 192'0 will be deprived Churches, with twenty mission Poland's Possibilities of citizenship. There are more stations. In addition, regular than 1,200,000 Jews in Rumania, services are held in at least thir- As a result of the spiritual many having entered from Poty towns and villages where awakening in Poland in 1918, there is rieither church nor established mission station.
-Watchman-Examiner.
land and Germany to escape being taken down. He took the The New York Sun, which re- nails back to the island where ported the ceremony, stated that persecution. -Missions. everything has value, and noth- most of these worshippers are ing is wasted. descendants of wandering bands Changed Tactics in Russia of Tatars who had roamed Are Women Less Generous? across Eastern Poland in the "For the moment we will 14th century. change our fighting t act i c s Stewardship meetings held reagainst the Church. During the cently in New York City under Inter-Mountain Area past twenty years we have used the auspices of the National Conference every sort of force in our fight Committee for Religion and Welagainst religion. That period is fare Recovery, divulged the in- The second annual Interat an end. The new period will teresting fact that American Mountain Area Conference was witness a spiritual fight against women possess more of the pri- ''held at Salt Lake City (January religion. This fight will call for vate wealth of the country but 30-February 1, 1938), under the even greater effort than violence. contribute much less to private auspices of the Home Missions Above all we shall need a large charity than do men. So many Council. This conference innumber of highly trained and complimentary things have been cluded representatives of Bapcultured propagandists. When said regarding the activities of tist, Presbyterian, Methodist, the second period shall be closed, women in religion and various Congregationalist, Disciples, and then the third and last period forms of welfare that the state- Episcopal churches. The prowill be entered upon, in which ment of Miss Mary E. Hughes, gram covered the economic, soreligion in the Soviet Union will director of the National Com- cial, educational and religious exist only as an historical mem- mittee's W 0 men's Division, interests of this territory and ory." seems almost incredible. She about 250 delegates were present said: "Women do no.t give as from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and So says the Russian Commis- generously as men, nor do they Montana. sar of Education. give to as many types of organ- izations. Although the wealth The President, Dr. Robert -Alliance Weekly. of the country is rapidly getting Steele, reviewed progress along into their hands they have not several lin e s of cooperative MISCELLANEOUS as yet accepted ;the principles of Christian work, including the stewardship. Women today hold United Preaching Mis s ion; How American Money Is Spent 60ro of the bonds and savings Un i ted Leadership Training Conferences; united Young Peo- Total national income $40,000,000,000 and 80 % of the insurance poli- ple's Institutes; Daily Vacation For all church work . 793,000,000 Schools, and United Studies of For roads and im- cies; they buy 85 ro of all retail work in this territory. – provements ……. 1,482,000,000 merchandise. They spend but For education …… 2,174,650,000 they do not give." Dr. Mark A. Dawber, Execu- For corn, wheat, cot- tive Secretary of the Home Mis- New York Hears Call of Allah sions Council, speaking on the ton, oats, etc….. . 2,480,000,000 Progress of Christian Unity, re- For automobiles … . 2,789,000,000 How many REVIEW readers viewed the several important For tobacco ……. . 3,500,000,000 know that there is a Mohammed- mergers of denominations and FOR ALCOHOLIC an mosque in New York City, the trend toward Christian co- located at 108 Powers Street in operation in the world and made DRINKS …….. 4,000,000,000 Brooklyn? About 70 New York a plea for greater cooperation in Mohammedans gathered there order to make possible a minis- When the liquor traffic gets one- at midnight, November 5th, for try to the great, neglected areas tenth of the income of the nation and the opening ceremony of the of life. Comity and cooperation the churches less than two percent, Fast of Ramadan, the only fast mean the release of both men we see the lines of the forces engaged. ever ordered by Mohammed. All and money for missionary work There can be no solution until the present wore red or green fezzes. as shown by the experience of power of greedy liquor forces has been Men and women, seated on their the United Church of Canada. taken away and they are put out of prayer rugs, were separated by that destructive business. a green veil six feet high that Trust and Rest stretched across the center of the Luxury and Economy room. All had removed their "Trust and rest when all around thee shoes before entering the prayer Missionaries are sometimes chamber. The Imam, Samuel Puts thy faith to sorest test; .accused of living in luxury. Rafalowich, was garbed in a Among their luxuries may be flowing green robe adorned with Let no fear or foe confound thee, listed the featherbeds used in a a wide white ribbon. Behind the missionary home on the island of pulpit was a large photograph Wait for God and trust and rest. Tristan da Cunha, in the South of the tomb of Mohammed in Atlantic, near Patagonia. Their Mecca. "Trust and rest with heart abiding, beds are mail bags stuffed with penguin feathers. Like a birdling in its nest, Among missionary economies, Underneath His feathers hiding, one might list the collection of bent nails, gathered in London Fold thy wings and trust and rest." by the missionary as he walked about the streets while the coronation reviewing stands were
Missionary'
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,========================~~ -George Bowen of Bombay. A Mem- there appeared little promise of sionary's life should be as selfoir. By Robert E. Speer. 8vo. a missionary, a scholar, a mystic denying as that of Christ or Paul, 366 pp. $2.50. Sold under the or a saint. Born of irreligious and in the same ways. In the face of' general disapproval, he auspices of The Missionary Review parents, taken out of school into Publishing Co., 156 Fifth Avenue, his father's business at twelve, gave up his salary from the Mis- New York City. 1938.
This first product of the Hon- he did not again have freedom sion Board, lived on the most orable Retirement of Dr. Speer, for study until he was eighteen, meager food, with simple clothafter 46 years as a Mission ing and housing, earned the pit- when he directed all his reading Board Secretary and World and thinking along the lines of tance on which he lived by teach- Statesman, is the completion of ing and writing, and gave away a labor of love begun many years agnostic science and philosophy everything beyond what was ago. Fascinated by the unique needed to supply his simplest and was a convinced and avowed life and labors of this "mission- atheist up to his 28th year. needs. To this plan he adhered ary, scholar, mystic and saint" to the end, though accepting of the 19th Century, Dr. Speer Confident that he would be much entertainment from friends "some great one," Bowen wrote poems, dramas, and novels, has through the years been which found no publishers nor and receiving care and medical readers, to his surprise and bit- attendance from them in fresearching the world for all ex- ter disappointment. His awaken- quent illnesses. At the end of tant records, interweaving with his life Bowen declared, with ing was almost as remarkable as them the jUdgments of contem- that of St. Paul. When God's sadness and too great modesty, poraries, and crowning all with time had come to reveal His Son that he was without evidence of his own glowing yet discrim- in him, He chose a beautiful the conversion of a single native inating tribute to one whom his Christian woman, soon to be through him; but many witown generation called "The laid low by a mortal disease, to nesses agree that the absolute Lamb of India." awaken George to the facts of sincerity and selflessness of his The book contains rich food God, of Christ and of Heaven. life was the most powerful infor thought for all missionaries In the apparently blighting sor- fluence for good in Western into whose hands it may come, India. He was an insatiable and a blessed thing it would be row of her Home-going, and if other friends of Missions with the help of her Bible and reader, an incessant but quiet would add to it those books of Paley's "Christian Evidences," preacher, a prolific and convinc- Bowen's for which he is most Bowen's thought and life were ing writer-not merely on spirfamous, "Daily Meditations" abruptly transformed; what itual themes but on every interand "Love Revealed." The re- things he had before accounted est of men, nations and missions. viewer made the acquaintance of gain became loss to him for The secular and agnostic studies these two books in early youth Christ's sake. At once he felt and writings of his youth caused and has re-read them repeatedly called to a missionary minis- him only shame, with rejoicing try, attended Union Theological that they had not been published. to the present day. He believes All his unusual intellectual that, short of the possession and Seminary for three years and reperusal of a file of The Bombay ceived appointment as a mission- powers were absolutely devoted Guardian (the weekly religious to his one life-purpose: to bring ary to India under the American a living Christ into redemptive paper edited by Bowen for Board of Commissioners for thirty-four years and made a Foreign Missions. During his contact with the world's sin, and missionary life of forty years every sacrifice to this end was powerful spiritual agency) the joyous. His diaries record many (1848-88) Bowen took neither lamentations over his own weakstudy of these two books, whose vacation nor furlough. Before ness and failure, yet normally contents were taken from the the joy of the Lord was his Guardian, would make a larger he left America he had seen fa- ther, mother and two sisters con- strength. contribution to the spiritual verted to Christ. equipment and inspiration of missionaries than any other In the fervor of his consecra- In the closing chapter of this books, aside from the Bible. tion, a few months in India perhaps too voluminous Memoir, In George Bowen's youth convinced Bowen that any mis- Dr. Speer admirably sums up the Any of the books noted In these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers OJll receipt of price.
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witness of George Bowen's life: In the latter portion of the flect something of the stress and "His method of life and work book, the author gives to the heartbreak of the separation was not an absolute method. Apostle Paul a treatment sim- from loved ones, the loneliness There is nothing in the Scrip- ilar to that given to Jesus; thus and terror, the sheer physical tures which makes it prescrip- the man who is conceded to be and mental strain of those early tive; and, while the spirit of second only to Jesus as an ex- days in Burma, and yet underhis life is the right spirit for all pounder of the Christian faith neath it all the great dominant workers for Christ and for man, is made understandable because purpose that gave to life meanexperience did not demonstrate of the environment as portrayed. ing and enduring satisfaction. that his methods were the only This makes the book of especial methods or the most effective interest to Pauline students. Here is not only a most vivid methods. But his holy life for picture of life in Burma, but as forty years had been before the Mr. Mathews was formerly well the throb and glory of compeople as a living example of the literary secretary of the panioning with those who live the saving, keeping, sanctifying London Missionary Society and dangerously. A very human was once on the literary staff of story, filled to the brim with power of Christ, as no other life The Christian World. For sev- color, adventure, life. had been. He was no narrow- eral years he has now been prominded, ascetic recluse. No fessor of Christian World Rela- J. C. ROBBINS. faintest shadow of uncandor, of tions at Boston University and hypocrisy, of professionalism Andover – Newton Theological Bible Problems Solved. By George darkened his life. He was what School. He is the .author of H. Gudebrod. Portrait. 8vo. 385 he appeared. He appeared what many authoritative books on reli- pp. $2.75. G. P. Putnam Sons. he was. And he tried to be and gious and missionary subjects, New York. 1938. appear what he ought to be. He and his liberal use of New Tesanticipated that form of Chris- tament quotations has the effect Mr. Gudebrod is a layman, tian teaching represented in of making clearer some seeming but an earnest and devout Bible many contemporary movements ambiguities. MARSHALL R. HALL. student. He accepts the Bible for the deepening of the spir- as the inspired Word of God and itual life and the wisest and The Challenge of Burma. By Alice here gives his interpretation of most practical attempts of today Towne Eveleth. 201 pp. $2.00. many puzzling statements and to feed the hungry human soul." Revell. 1937. paradoxes. By comparing Scrip- ture with Scripture, he brings With Dr. Speer, we wish that Here is a vivid, compelling out the wonderful self-interprethis Memoir had been sent forth story of adventure, faith, and tation of God's Word. He premany years ago; yet there was courage, based on the experi- sents his answer, for example, never a time when this spiritual ences of two very human young to such questions as "Why did emphasis was mOre needed, at people who were missionaries Christ say that John the Baptist home and abroad, than in this to Burma in the days of "His was the greatest man ever born fiftieth year after George Bowen Golden-footed Majesty, Ruler of of woman?" "Why did Jesus cry of Bombay was called as a good Seven Countries, King of the on the cross, 'My God, my God, and faithful servant to enter White Elephant, Lord of the Ris- why hast thou forsaken me'?" into the joy of his Lord. ing Sun," – the cruel, blood- thirsty King Theebaw. One particularly unique and COURTENAY H. FENN. interesting study is that of "The The story takes Martha and Golden Candlestick of Zech- The World in Which Jesus Lived. John Grandon (Martha and ariah," compared with the can- By Basil Mathews. 130 pp. $1.50. Frederick Eveleth) from lover dlestick of Revelation. Abingdon Press, New York. 1938. days in Massachusetts across stormy seas to Rangoon and the Part I deals with the seven The author traces the scenes jungles of Burma. We read of candlesticks of Revelation; Part wherein Jesus moved during His the beginnings of work among II with the Parables of Christ; youth and His ministry. In bold Shans and Burmans, of John's Part III with the dispensations; strokes, Mr. Mathews sets down and Martha's approach to the Part IV with various Bible probthe habits of the people, their people and the gradual winning lems that call for an answer. environment and their traditions of their love and loyalty. We Mr. Gudebrod takes the Sermon when Jesus knew them. follow the young missionaries on the Mount as presenting the through tall elephant grass, up standards that Chris,t would To know with accuracy the boisterous rivers, in danger have demanded if He had been scene in which a subject moved from wild buffalo, cobras, bears, accepted as the King when He is to know the subject better, and tigers, robbers, and murderers, came to proclaim the Kingdom to help make clearer the Great as they visit far mountain and of Heaven, and what He will de- Soul who moved with such force jungle villages. mand when He returns to reign. and with such after-consequences across the stage of history, Mr. It is a story of adventure, The book is extremely inter- Mathews gives a picture so vivid heroic suffering, and endurance, esting and reveals much study. that even those who have never motivated by a great passion Its usefulness would be greatly visited the Bible lands will feel and a rock-like assurance of increased by a topical and scripthat the country has been clearly God. Bits of Martha's diary re- tural index. Some of the Scripvisualized. ture quotations are not exact and are apparently given in free translations or paraphrases.
though Poor. By Donald Grey A Sure Remedy Prescribed by the PARENTS •.•
Barnhouse. 12mo. 95 pp. 1 sit.. Doctor. Walter Lewis Wilson. Pickering and Inglis. Glasgow. 126 pp. 20 cents. B. I. C. Assn. In the Foreign Mission Field 1937. Chicago. Endorse Calvert School These six sermons clearly They Starve That We May Eat. Home Study Cours•• show the way of salvation from Edith E. Lowry. 72 pp. 35 cents. sin and its consequences through Council of Women for Home Mis- Eor Children Jesus Christ. The language is sions and the Missionary Education simple, clear, forceful and Bib- Movement. New York. Calvert School, through its Home Instruclical. The title sermon shows tion Department, will give your child a that happiness is not the product A Year, with the Nasmiths. Ann superior elementary education ••• by mail, of financial prosperity but comes Miller. 96 pp. 18~ Pickering & regardless of where you may live. Modfrom having the burden of sin Inglis. London. ern, approved courses from this famous removed and from living in har- school are being used by parents allover mony with God as He is revealed A Year of Children's Sermons. Jo- the world with outstanding success. in Christ. The other sermons seph A. Schofield. 192 pp. $1.50. deal with Temptation, Sin, Son- Give your children the advantages of these ship, The Glory of Old Age and , Ookesbury Press. Nashville. interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, Punishment. They are good Better Village Schools: A Program and attractive materials. Instruction is messages, especially for youth. under the personal guidance of teachers in of Action for India. Mason Olcott. Calvert's prominent and successful private New Books DIus. 224 pp. Rs.3. Y. M. C. A. day school in Baltimore. Pub. House. Calcutta. A Dorp Parson in the Diocese of Write today for booklet of complete in- Pretoria. T. S. Harvey. 16 pp. 3d. formation. Costs are low. S. P. G. London. Jean's Plan of Campaign. M. P. CALVERT SCHOOL , Neill. 317 pp. 28. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London. 180W. Tuscany RQad t Not Safety First! Balt:imQr. ~ Maryland The Approaching Advent of Christ. Dr. S. Parkes Cadman used to said: "Every institution is the Alexander Reese. 327 pp. 6s. tell the following story: "A Georgia cracker sitting, lengthened shadow of a great , Marshall, 'Morgan.& Scott. London. ragged and baref oot, on the man." The great endeavors and AmWeirlilciaamanWd. tLhoeckFwaorodE, aJsrt.ernChWinaar's. steps of his tumbledown shack, achievements that have enriched was accosted by a stranger who the life of the race are the prod.. Capacity for Resistance. Frederick stopped for a drink of water. ucts of men and women who V. Field. Japanin Jeopardy. Bruno have lived daringly, often dan- Lasker. 20 pp. each. 10 cents a Wishing to be agreeable, the gerously. stranger said, ocofpPya. cifAicmReerilcatainonCs.ouNnceilw, YInosrtkit.ute Educational Missions at Work. Edited by H. P. Thompson. 128 pp. "How is your cotton coming ls.6d. S. P. G. London. on?" A Modernistic Version of Thien Nthewe TLeasntgaumaegnet. ofA tThreanPsleaotpiolen. "Ain't got none," replied the the 23rd Psalm Charles B. Williams. 576 pp. cracker. [Suggested after reading much of $2.50. Bruce Humphries. Boston. "Didn't you plant any?" Paul, a Christian Financier. Herbert "Fraid of boll weevils." the present-day jargon on life and morals, by those who have forsaken E. Blair. 64 pp. 50 cents. United God as their Good Shepherd and now Stewardship Council, New York, "Well," said the stranger, darken counsel by words without and The Christian Literature So- "how is your corn?" "Didn't plant none," said the knowledge.] cietyof Chosen, Seoul. cm• ragctk0erb.e "F rraaim.d.t"here wan't go-. The unseen Infinite is the Pocket Bible Handbook. Henry H. no source of my motivation, and I "Well, how are your pota- shall not want personality. He Hlalley. 356 pp. ~.OO; 10 'or more copies at 50 cents each: H. H.
Halley, Chicago. maketh me to experience true Peaceful Change. The Alternative to toes ?" self-expression and to attempt "Am' 't got none. Sca'rl t ' new projects in the psychology FWoarerig(nHPeoaldilciyneAsBsno.o, kNs)e.w Y4o6rkp. p. < tato bugs." po- 0 of adolescence. He restoreth the "Really, what did you plant?" right complex to my introvert asked the stranger. soul. He leadeth me into a pref- "Nothing," said the poor man. ace to morals for goodness' "I just played safe." sake. Yea, though I peregrinate Sir Wilfred Grenfell, who is through the present depression, now an invalid 'after a life of exuberant health gives me a stiff heroic service in Labrador, has upper lip. I can grin and bear said: "An invaluable rule for my fate. Good luck is always me has always been: when two with me. Its creative impulse courses are open, chose the more and the pep of my elan vital adventurous. " comfort me. Surely normal be- One c 0 u r s e . ignominously haviorism and carefully con~ failed, the other achieved mag- trolled Altruism will follow me nificently. The story of hUlnn until the jig is up and then (properly cremated) I shall PUBLlCATlOHS.INC: progress, individual and social, dwell in a marble urn forever. is written in the romantic lan- guage of adventure. Emerson DR. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER.
NOT MISS THESE COMING ARTICLES
mE MISSIONARY ~'W>RID SEE OUR SPECIAL JUNE NUMBER ON Christ and the Modem City The Church Challenges the City ………………………….. .Dwight /. Bradley The Children of the City Shadows …… , …………. , .. , …. ," ,Richard E. Scully Outdoor Evangelism in the City ……………….. " ………../. Arthur Springer The Gospel for the City ………………………………… .Harry A. Ironside Presenting the Gospel to All ~ations and All Classes ….. : … .Robert A. McKibben Winning the Industrial Class to Christ and His Program ……………. .A./. Muste The Church's Responsibility for the Community ……………… William C. Munds The Prime Needs of a City Church …… , ………… , …………. G. H. Bechtold The Needs of Special Populations ……………………….. Herbert E. Eberhardt Home Mission Work in a City . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aubrey S. Moore The Youth Problem in the City … , …. , …………………… .Robert V. Russell What Church Federations Are Doing to Save the City ……………… Walter R. Mee The Flight from the Inner City ………………………. .Ernest Graham Guthrie What Can a Suburban Church Do? ………………………………. .Frank Fitt The General Function of the City Church ………………… .EUm A. E. Palmquist I Religious Problems of a Mid-West City ……………………. , … L. Merle Rymph A City Policeman's Story ……………………… '" …………… .Paul Buffa ORDER COPIES FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SOCIETY, BEFORE THE EDITION IS SOLD OUT 25 cents a copy $20.00 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — March 1938
1938
The Present Situation in China . Frank W. Price The Wind Shifts in Mexico By a Resident 0/ the Republic A Visit to Beautiful Formosa George H. Winn Religious Situation in Soviet Russia Nicholas Arseniev A Trip Into Closed Afghanistan J. Christy Wilson The New Outlook in India Alexander McLeish Foreign Mission Appeals Today H. Kerr Taylor ZS Cents a Cop, $2.50 a YeaT
to Ran'ember PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with Amer-
ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. March 4-World Day of Prayer. March 23-24 – United Stewardship Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana Council, Columbus, Ohio. For MinUte…, Teacher., Mla.ionarie., Sunday Sc:hool Worker. and Laymen April 28-General Conference, Meth- 5 0 Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees – Cost Reasonable July 12 to August 17 – Two Terms 15 Days Ea.ch – Interdenominational Free odist Episcopal Church, South, Bir- Rooms Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined mingham, Ala. Dr. W. E. BiedenroH, Directo. (Ask for free Prospectus, Dr. l. A. H……. D_ May 12-16-Southern Baptist Conven- tion, Richmond, Va.
May lB-22-General Missionary Con- the preliminary conference of the . tion from Princeton Seminary, in 1887, ference of the Woman's Missionary proposed WorId Council of Churches he married Helen M. Pierson, the eld· Union of Friends in America, to be held at Utrecht, Holland, May est daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Whittier, California. Mrs. Bertha Arthur T. Pierson, and together they S. Snmpter, Argonia, Kans., Sec- 9-13. … … • sailed for Japan under appointment retary. bJf'tbe Presbyterian Board of Foreign Dr. W. Bruce Wilson has been Missions. They served successively in May 19-General Assembly, Presby- elected Secretary of the United Pres- Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kyoto and terian Church in U. S., Meridian, byterian Board of American Missions Shimonoseki, Japan, for thirty years Miss. to fill the vaenncy caused by the death and ten additional years among the of Dr. R. A. Hutchison, on December Japanese in Korea. Tbey were hon- May 2S-General Assembly, United 11. Dr. Wilson became Associate orably retired in 1928 and made their Presbyterian Church !>f Nor t h home in New Haven, Connecticut, un- Amenea, Cleveland, OhiO. • • • Secretary of the Board a year ago. til the death of Mrs. Curtis. They Professor Kenneth S. Latourette are. survived by a daughter, Miss May 26-General Assembly, Presby- will deliver the N. A. Powell Lectures Grace P. Curtis, formerly a mission- terian Church in U. S. A., Philadel- in the Canadian School of Missions, ary in Japan, and three sons, Pierson phia, Pa. Toronto, April 4th to 9th. The last Curtis, Senior Master in the Stony three series of lectures have been Brook School for Boys; Ralph R. May 31-June 4 – Triennial Conven- given by Dr. Nicol MacNicol, Prof. Curtis of Wilton, Connecticut, an offi- tion, and 50th Anniversary, Wom- D. J. Fleming and Dr. Thomas Jesse cial of the New York Central Rail- an's Missionary Society of the Jones. General Synod, Evangelical and Reformed Church, Akron, Ohio.
June 2 – General Synod, Reformed road; and Gordon A. Curtis, formerly Church in America, Asbury Park, N.J. Obituary Note. . . a missionary in China, now Minister June lS-22-General Council of Con- Rev. Frederick S. Curtis, for forty of Music in the Independent Church gregational and Christian Churches, years a Presbyterian missionary in of Wilmington, Delaware.
Beloit, Wisconsin. … Japan and Korea, died on February Rev. Thomas E. Stevenson, "Par- June 2S-July 2-Interdenominational 6th at the home of his brother-in-law, son Tom," of Boulder City, Nevada, Conference of Missions, Eagles Delavan L. Pierson, Upper Montclair, was killed on Christmas Eve by a N.J. . . car with a drunken driver at the Mere, Pa. Mr. Curtis was born in Norwalk, June 2B-July 3-Twentieth Interna- wheel. He had won a fight to keep Connecticut, on October 11, 1861, the liquor out of Boulder City. tional Convention on Christian Edu- son of David Seymour Curtis and cation, Columbus, Ohio. Isabelle Raymond. After his gradua- … September–G e n era I Committee, World's Student Christian Federa- Bishop Elias Cotgell, 80 years old, a great Negro 1eader, died on .!,mn~ December 4. Bishop Cottrell founded tion, Japan. December 13-30-International Mis- of tbe . colleges in M1ississippi, Arkansas, sionary Council, Madras, India. Alabama and Texas.
… …
Mrs. Courtenay H. Fenn, who went ((bri~tian out to China as a missionary of the Per.onal Item. Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., in Dr. John G. Goucher, deceased, JLife 1893, and was recently honorably refounder and benefactor of Aoyama tired, entered into the life beyond on Gakuin in Tokyo, has just received cA BOOK of wonhip in song, com- February 5th from her home in Upper posthumous honor by the dedication bining a hymnal for general Montclair, N. J. Dr. and Mrl!; Fenn church use, and a song book for evan- gave forty years of loving sernce to . . of a bronze medallion placed in a gelistic purposes. Oilly songs sound China and the Chinese. They passed in the laith and inspirational in char- through the siege of the" Legations at large stone in front of Aoyama Ga- Peiping during the Boxer Rebellion in kuin Theological School. 1900. Even now Dr. Fenn del!ires to return to China to revise his Chitlese … acter induded–.emphasizing Evangel- Dictionary. … * * ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Paul Rader, former President of Many of the new—the best of the.old. REVIEWS WANTED the Christian, and Missionary Al- Miss Helen Burns, of Miss Michi liance, and afterwards pastor of the 504 Songs Responsive Readings KawaU's Christian School in, Tokyo, Moody Church, Chicago, is in London would like to have back numbers of for five months, ending in May, to Topical Index Gold Embossed THE REVIEW for the use of shut-ins work at Mildmay Center. In the and for program material for their United States he has been pressing Published in round notes and Roxite cloth missionary society. If any of our readthe claims of the World-wide Witness edition only at $65.00 per l00-an especially low price. Single copy, S5c postpaid. Fellowship. … … …
Dr. Lewis S. Mudge, of Philadel- Write today frw retum4ble .ample copy ers would like to forward their copies phia, has been selected as a repre- CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, Inc. after reading they may be s~nt to Sentative of the Presbyterian and Mrs. G.' N. Pidcock, Box 13, Blooms- THIRD AND REILY STREETS bury, N. J., who will forward them to Reformed Churches of America to be one of America's twelve delegates to HARRISBURG, PA. Japan.
MISSIONARY Please accept my congratulations
the magazine." REVIEW OF THE WORLD MRS. SANFORD E. COBB, Secre- DIllLAVAN L. PIIIIRSON, Edttor tary for Missionary Education, Reformed Church in America, VOL. LXI MARCH,1938 No.3 New York.
Publication and Business Olllce– *** Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. "THE MISSIONARY REVIEW brings Editorial and Executive Olllce– to me much of inspiration and guid- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ance." Entered as second-class matter at MRS. PEARL JOHNSON SCHIND- Post Olllce, Harrisburg, Pa., under LER, Linton, N. D. Act of March 3, 1879. A CORRECTION-DR. SA'EED The great white Empresses hold 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. every speed record to and from Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. KURDISTANI the Orient. 10 days direct to Published monthly, except August. Yokohama by Empress of Asia All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. In our December REVIEW (page or Empress of Russia. Or only British agents – Marshall, Morgan 569) there was a picture of Dr. Sa'eed three days more via Hawaii by and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, Kurdistani, the Kurdish Christian Empress of Japan, largest and London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, physician of Teheran (not Isfahan). fastest on the Pacific, or Empress 10 shllings a year. Due to inaccurate information, the of Canada. Connect at Honolulu statement was made, under the por- from California ports. MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- trait, that the Doctor had been im- LISHING CO., INC. prisoned by the Iranian Government From Vancouver and Victoria "for his Christian faith and courage." to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, BOARD OF DIRECTORS He was imprisoned but Dr. J. Christy Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. ROllERT E. SPEER. President Wilson writes that this is an error. Details from YOUR TRAVEL A. L. WARNSHUIS. Viae-President Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani was taken into AGENT or Canadian Pacific.: WALTER McDOUGALL. Treasurer custody "for having written a letter 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Secretary of condolence to the family of a Kurd- ish chief who had died in his home in PAUL J. BRAISTED Teheran, where he (the chief) was SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT required to live lest he stir up trou- D. J. FANT ble among his people. Dr. Sa'eed MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Kurdistani made the remark in his WM. B. LIPPHARD letter that it was fortunate the chief ERIC M. NORTH had died in his own house rather than SAMUEL M. ZWEMIIIR in jail, like some others. This letter was read by the censor and the police Editorial Chat thought there might be some political implications in what he had written, The annual meeting of the Mis- whereas he meant it merely as a letsionary Review Publishing Company ter of sympathy to the bereaved famwas postponed on account of the lack ily. The good Doctor was held in of a quorum; the date on which it custody for several months but friends will be held will be announced later. were allowed to visit him. He was finally released when his son sent a *** long telegram explaining the whole affair to his Majesty Riza Pahlevi Many articles and requests are re- himself." ceived for the pUblication of articles on such topics as Peace, Race Rela- PARENTS … tions, Social Justice and Law Enforcement. Althougoh we sympathize In the F01'eignMission Field with these movements we do not deal to any extent with these topics, un- Endorse Calvert School less they are directly related to world Home Study Courses evangelization and training for Christian service, because we are con- for Children vinced that Christ deals primarily with the spiritual need of all man- Calvert School, through its Home Instruckind, the need of each individual for tion Department, will give your child a spiritual regeneration and whole- superior elementary education •.• by mail, souled surrender and obedience to regardless of where you may live. Mod- Christ as the only Saviour and Lord. ern, approved courses from this famous Other remedies are only surface school are being used by parents all over treatment of symptoms and do not the world with outstanding success. eradicate the disease, the sin that is destroying mankind and is disrupting Give your children the advantages of these homes, communities and nations. interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, and attractive materials. Instruction is *** under the personal guidance of teachers in Calvert's prominent and successful private Here are some comments on the day school in Baltimore. REVIEW, recently received from our readers: Write today for booklet of complete in- "THE REVIEW is proving of great formation. Costs are low. value in the work of our Department. t CALVERT SCHOOL The articles are to the point and help 180W. Tuscany Road us in the various phases of missionary education needs. I am especially Baltimore oQo Maryland advertising the "Moslem World" issue in connection with our church study of Arabia on account of the Fiftieth Anniversary of our Arabian Mission.
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TODAY. SUNRISE PRAYER MEETING AT A YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONFERENCE
GRADUATING CLASS' IN A MISSION KINDERGARTEN AT DAILOTEI SIGNS OF THE GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY IN FORMOSA
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXI AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 3 MARCH,1938 Topics of the Times RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA preparation of all citizens for participation in national defense is being inaugurated. By REV. FRANK W. PRICE, Shanghai The end of the war seems far off. Japan's peace Missiorwry of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. terms have been reported to include the follow- ing: collaboration between Japan and China in During December and January the area of war, an anti-communist policy; demilitarized zones devastation and suffering in China greatly wid- and Japanese garrisons in China; an economic ened. The Japanese captured Nanking (Decem- agreement between China, Manchukuo and Japan ber 13) and Hangchow (December 24). Fight- on Japan's terms; war indemnities. A missioning has now extended near Hangchow, around ary writes from central China, "We do not yet Wuhu and north and northwes~t of Nanking. In know of any real hope for middle ground between Shantung province, Tsinan was captured on De- the sweeping Japanese intentions and the Chinese cember 27: Since then the Japanese armies have determination to hold some degree of independpressed toward the vital railway junction of Su- ence. Meanwhile misery reigns in much of China, chow near the Kiangsu-Shantung border. Chi- and the problems of the future pile up for both nese forces have been massed in great numbers countries." to defend the 150-mile-wide corridor traversed by the east-west Lung Hai Railway. The closing of "I feel that we individually and as a race have the gap between the two invading armies would to suffer much more before there may come a put Japan in a position to attack Hankow, the better day for us," wrote Dr. Wu Yi-fang, presiimportant city on the Yangtse. However, guerilla dent of Ginling College for Women as she left operations by mobile units are continually har- Nanking to join a group of teachers and students rassing the invaders' lines of communication and in Wuchang. But the leaders and people of China have slowed up the Japanese advance. About have already demonstrated that they can meet half of Shansi province has been occupied but the danger and suffering with marvelous fortitude. Eighth Route Army (former communist army) Not only have soldiers shown courage; thousands has successfully resisted further penetration. In of workers on the railways and in postal and telesouth China, Canton has been under strict martial graph offices have carried on under fire. Mails law. Japanese air raids upon cities of Kwang- have been delivered with remarkable efficiency ;tung and upon the vital Canton-Hankow Railway except in some areas now occupied by the J aphave been increasingly severe. anese army. Boy and Girl Scouts have risked their lives in rescuing wounded civilians. The In spite of critical defeats in the Shanghai- women of the nation are organizing for relief Hangchow-Nanking triangle, the government and people of China seem determined to continue the work. Schools have moved to central and west struggle for a long time. Generalissimo Chiang, China and teachers are serving for mere "living in six broadcast messages to the nation, has urged allowances." Millions of the common people, greater effort and sacrifice until freedom has been driven from their homes, have accepted their won. Visitors report that he is "full of confi- hardships bravely as part of their sacrifice for dence, physically fresh and buoyant." He and the nation. other leaders see hope of ultimate victory th~ough a protracted war which will wear out Japan "China is bleeding upon the thorns of this inthrough the costliness of an extended occupation. vasion," writes Dr. E. Stanley Jones. Missions A great program of "mass mobilization" with and the Christian Church are bleeding too. But the Christian witness has been a bright star in [115 ]
0, • the night of suffering. "As I leave China," con- out news and messages of encouragement to tinues Dr. Jones, "I want to pay my tribute of Christian workers all over China. gratitude to the Christians of China, both missionary and Chinese, who are holding so steady In East China War Zone and true in this time of national calamity. I am proud to belong to such a band. There is a tough- The destruction of property in the region beness of fibre in them that is the result of years of tween Shanghai and Nanking has been appalling. facing crisis after crisis. The missionary enter- Air raids, fires from incendiary bombs and shells prise has faced many a crisis in China and has and finally the burning of property by retreating grown under each one of them. It will come Chinese troops have laid waste the once great and through this one, too, perhaps purified." populous cities of Soochow, Wusih, Changchow, Chinkiang, and Sungkiang. Hundreds of smaller In the Shanghai Area cities and towns have been ruined. Much mission and church property has. suffered. All the mis- "In an area of but six square miles, that nor- sion buildings of the Presbyterian Church, U. S., mally cared :for a population of nearly two mil- in Kiangyin, hospital, schools and missionary lions, utterly destitute refugees are now numbered residences were burned. Sections of the Presbynot by tens of thousands but by hundreds of thou- terian and Methodist Hospitals in Soochow were sands. To us has come the sudden challenge to burned. In Kashing a Roman Catholic orphanage save this flotsam." More than 175 camps have was bombed resulting in the death of 86 children. been established in Shanghai, to house 150,000 Hospitals, schools, churches and missionary homes people. The Nantao Safety Zone, under the di- in most of this area have been looted. The beaurection of Father Jacquinot, has 250,000. Includ- tiful city oof Hangchow has been spared the tering destitute refugees living with relatives or rible destruction visited on other places, but the friends there are about three-fourths of a million city has now only one-fifth its former population. in need of food. Many missionaries living temporarily in Shanghai have been giving full time Property losses have been estimated at $500,- to help in the refugee camps. 000,000. The life of nearly twenty million people has been tragically disrupted. They have been People are returning but slowly to the devas- driven to the four winds before the invading tated sections around the International Settle- armies and when ·they return it will be to desolate ment. Chapei is a city of desolation. A few homes or to farms without animals and seed. One missionaries have been permitted to visit their news dispatch from China said that not even in former centers of work. At the Southern Baptist the World War was there such widespread desocompound in Hongkew "the condition is terrible." lation. The dormitories of Eliza Yates School were shelled, the classroom building burned and resi- Many missionaries refused to leave when the dences have been demolished and looted. The fighting raged in east China. The North China University of Shanghai property is occupied by Daily News said oof the missionaries in Soochow, Japanese soldiers and all faculty residences have "From the beginning of hostilities this intrepid been looted. Margaret Williamson Hospital was little band with their able Chinese assistants, have destroyed after the fighting had- ended. The ex- carried on without cessation." Dr. Mason Young, tent of other damage to mission and church Miss Lucy Grier, a nurse, Rev. Charles McDaniel buildings is not yet fully known. and others took wounded civilians and patients from a hospital foor the insane to an island in The University of Shanghai, St. John's Uni- Lake Tai, and stayed with them for weeks. Other versity and twenty Christian middle schools are missionaries stayed with Chinese Christians in continuing their work in the International and villages and were noot heard of for weeks. Rev. French Settlements. Churches are full on Sun- D. F. Stamps and Miss Mary Demarest of the days. But Shanghai, formerly a nerve-center of Southern Baptist Mission in Yangchow were remission work in China, has been cut off :to a large portted missing for nearly two months. A misextent from the inland. Missionaries have with sionary doctor wrote, "The future is very dark great difficulty secured military passes too inspect and this whole section may be swept clean before their stations even near Shanghai. The Japanese it is over-we can only live day by day trusting rure evidently working for control of the Interna- in Him." Twenty-eight missionaries stayed in tional Settlement and censorship on cables and Hangchow and fourteen in Nanking through the mails has been tightened. The economic future siege and capture of those cities and with them of Shanghai is very dark. But the Christian many fearless Ch~nese Christian workers, caring forces are undaunted as they seek to minister for thousands of refugees in "safety zones." with the love of Christ to those in need. The Christian Broadcasting Station continues to send The missions which have suffered most heavily in the lower Yangtze region are the Southern
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Methodist, Northern and Southern Presbyterian, year. A provisional government was set up in Northern and Southern Bap.tist, Disciples and December, staffed by corrupt pro-Japanese pup- London Mission. Fighting now presses in upon pets. So far no outstanding, able Chinese has stations in north Kiangsu and southern Chekiang. been willing to coopera.te with the Japanese in their plans for an autonomous north China. Dr. Robert F. Fitch, of Hangchow, writes, "The repercussions will be f~lt everywhere in east Christian educators are determined to carryon, China; cold and hunger will be experienced by not to falter in their program, to conciliate where millions of the poor. For several months to come, necessary but not to give in on questions of prinperhaps into the late spring and summer there ciple. The Japanese officials are seeking to conwill be an overwhelming need for further aid trol the schools and all references to nationalist from outside sources especially from the Christian China have been deleted from the textbooks. The churches of the West." Confucian classics have been substituted for so- cial sciences and ethics. Slogans everywhere The Fall of Nanking ex:tol the aims of the Japanese army. Chinese students have been compelled to join parades cele- The story of the fall of Nanking and the sub- brating Japanese victories. There have been sequent weeks of terror has been graphically told raids on libraries and offices of teachers, and some in news dispatches from China. A. T. Steele re- teachers have been arrested. Japanese is to be ported in the New York Sun, "The fall of Nan- the main foreign language in the universities. king would have been infinitely more frightful if However, four middle schools in Peiping and not for the courageous efforts of a handful of Tungchow have an enrollment of 2,350, only one American missionaries and German business men thousand less than last year, and Yenching who stayed throughout the siege." But these (Christian) University now has over 500 stubrave fourteen ran risks which nearly cost them dents. The strain on principals and teachers is their lives once and again. severe. "Do you wonder," one writes, "that our educators, Chinese and foreign, are growing A cable from one of the missionaries who had grayer each month now than in five years prehelped to maintruin the safety zone, received on viously?" January 18, said, "University of Nanking sheltering thirty thousand refugees. This service from The Japanese advance into southern Hopei has December 13 has been tenaciously maintained caused widespread desolation. One missionary amid dishonor by soldiers, murdering, wounding, estimates that seventy per cent of ,the people of wholesale raping resulting in violent terror. In- north China evacuated. "Many of our mission stitutional losses moderate. Majority residences stations were completely wrecked, and the vilpartly looted. Staff splendid despite injuries, lages were almost empty of inhabitants. Crops danger, unspeakable distress. Ginling College were left rotting in the fields, unharvested. The situation comparable. Christian Hospital service whole countryside was lifeless." The invasion unique. Relief needs dominate city." was accompanied by constant foraging, looting and raping. "It is all more cruelly ruthless than Included in the Safety Zone, and hence spared anything in the American press descriptions," the material destruction inflicted upon the rest of another missionary wrote. Paotingfu suffered Nanking, were the University of Nanking, Ginling especially during and after the siege but mission- College, Nanking Theological Seminary, Wome,n's aries of the American Board and Presbyterian Bible Training School, Ming Deh PresbyterIan missions have continued to serve there. School for Girls and many missionary homes. In the area occupied by the Japanese, evangelis- In spite of the sudden advance of the Japanese tic work is going on. "Chinese Christian leaders," armies both the University of Nanking and Gin- one report says, "are everywhere showing a faith, ling College were able to move their staffs and courage and determination which no obstacles .so considerable equipment to central and west far apparently can defeat. These men are an lll- China. The government also succeeded in mov- spiration to their missionary colleagues. The ing 19,000 out of the 20,000 cases in which it had Church in the north does not intend to abdicate." packed the art treasures from the National Mu- At the county seat of Chowchow an evangelist seum. and his family and other Christians, total of sev- enteen, were killed by a bomb in one church yard. Nanking is at present little more than a Jap- "The Chowchow experience," a missionary writes, anese armed camp, subject ,to raids from Chinese "brings to me forcefully the realization that the airplanes. The city and surrounding region have Church, the real Church is a fellowship. Organonly a small fraction of the former population. ization, property and programs may disappe~r, The Safe.ty Zone is daily feeding 50,000 of the but little groups of Christians who are one WIth most destitute. Christ in God will continue."
The War in North China The people of Hopei province have been ex- periencing the force of Japanese rule for half a
The Church of the Brethren mission field in students. The churches are active and a new ex- eastern Shansi was first to feel the eff'ect of in- tension service to rural churches is proving very vasion. A woman missionary from this region fruitful.
writes that the countryside was ravaged bare. "I "We will go ahead as long as possible," writes have spent weeks in the midst of hell. When one one missionary. Most of the missionary women thinks of :the great areas of this country of which and children have left the province.
this is a fair example, it is too awful to contem- South and Central China plate." Several members of the Brethren Mission have been reported missing. The New York Kwangtung has suffered from incessant air Times of February 2 carried a report, through raids, the objectives apparently being the de- Hankow, that three missionaries had been shot struction of government-owned property, the by a Japanese sentry: Rev. and Mrs. Alva Harsh terrorizing of the ,civilian population and the of Petersburg, W. Va., and Miss Minerva Neher, prevention of sea-going commerce. Casualties Laverne, Cal. have been high, especially among civilians.
The Japanese lines at one time reached as far The churches and schools have tried to consouth as Fenchow and Taiku in the American tinue, many with emergency programs. Hospitals Board Mission field. The Oberlin-Shansi School have rendered courageous service. Many Chrisat Taiku moved first to Yuncheng, Shansi, then to tian institutions have organized first-aid corps. Shanhsien, Honan province. It may move further The Union Theological and Bible Training schools inland. The Ming I School at Fengyang moved in Canton have had one hundred per cent atto Tsishan in the southwest of the province where tendance. The College department of Lingnan the China Inland Mission has strong work under University has been maintained at Canton, under Chinese leadership. Many missionaries are re- the leadership of the new president, Mr. Lei Yingmaining in Shansi and also in Shensi to the west. lam. True Light and Pui Ying Schools moved to The Japanese are said to have about 140,000 Hongkong. The Union Normal School and Mei troops in Shansi alone. Wa School were bombed on December 31. The dining hall of Union Normal and the main build- In Suiyuan and Chahar provinces the Japanese ing of Mei Wa were severely damaged. The Ma army holds the main points but, in all the north- Kwong Home for the Blind was removed to ern provinces, irregular Chinese troops and local Macao. defense organizations are making the garrisoning of the area more difficult for the invaders. Relief Hainan Island has been fairly quiet in spite of needs are serious in Peiping, Tientsin and all the some bombings and the constant fear of attack conquered territory. by gunboats.
Shantung was spared war until late in Decem- One report from south China gave high praise ber, but Governor Han's vaccilating policy left to three women missionaries of the English Presthe province without a plan of defense and J ap- byterian Mission who had stayed on at Swatow anese occupation was rapid. Part of Tsinan city and helped to maintain morale among the Chriswas destroyed but the buildings of Cheeloo Uni- tian leaders and people there. versity have escaped damage, according to latest word. Fighting around Tsining, an important "I cannot close this letter," writes one missionmission center, has been especially severe. Suf- ary, "without giving expression to the evidence fering in Shantung has been accentuated by a of the wonderful spirit of our church leaders in flood last summer which made two million people this time of national crisis, especially in their dehomeless. termination to keep the spiritual side of the church uppermost and at the same time express Many missionaries, sojourning at Tsingtau, their loyalty to their country. Chinese church have left for Shanghai or other ports. A con- leaders have not been heard to preach hate; their siderable number, chiefly men, remained at their prayers always include a petition for Japan, espestations. cially the Christians of Japan." "Don't worry about us missionaries," writes another, "but pray In Chekiang and Fukien for the poor Chinese people."
Southern Chekiang and Fukien have been least The biggest battle of the war is now raging in touched by war of any coastal region, but Amay Central China, northern Kiangsu and Anhwei has felt the hot breath of attack. and in Honan province. More than 500 mission- Professor E. M. Stowe, of Fukien Christian aries normally live in this area. Several mission- University, writes that the University and Chris- aries of the United Church of Canada returned tian schools of the province have been carrying to their stations in Honan after furlough only on as usual, "a seemingly miraculous oasis in a two months ago, and a great number of mission- sea of chaos and blood." The new Union Theo- aries in the fighting zone will carryon at their logical College at Changchow has opened with 26 own risk.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
The Yangtze River below Wuhu is blocked There are 60 mISSIOn centers of 16 mission sowith booms. Since the capture of Nanking and cieties and more than 430 missionaries in the Wuhu there has been a considerable exodus of great area. Since the chance of Szechwan ever missionary families from Kuling but a number being occupied by Japanese armies is very small remain and the schools for foreign children are the strategic importance of this province from being maintained. The school at Chikungshan the standpoint of the Chinese government and has closed. defense and from the standpoint of Christian work and planning for the future cannot be over- The Wuhan cities (Hankow, Wuchang and estimated. Hanyang) have been bombed many times and air raids have reached as far up river as Ichang. But Government universities have moved to Chungotherwise the provinces of Hupeh and Hunan kiang and Chengtu. In one city 24 temporary have been quiet, and Christian work has suffered buildings were erected in 40 days. The Univercomparatively little. The effect of the great mi- sity of Nanking has moved to Chengtu and will gration from east China is felt everywhere and cooperate with West China Christian University. many cities have increased rapidly in population. Cheeloo Medical School has also moved from Hospitals are crowded and Yale's Emergency Shantung to Szechwan. Hospital in Hunan has prepared to receive 2,000 wounded soldiers. Chinese National Organizations Plans for mass mobilization and education of The National Christian Council continues its the people in self-defense are being promoted ac- office in Shanghai but is working more through tively in these central provinces. Hunan prov- regional organizations especially in central and ince is being made an important area in agricul- west China. The National Christian Council has tural experiments and rural reorganization which issued a "Call to a Forward Movement," suggestwill increase its productivity as a source of food ing a threefold emergency program for the supply. churches: relief, spiritual uplift and cooperation of the churches with other agencies in service to Dr. W. Y. Chen, of the National Christian the people. Christians are being urged to give a Council, wrote, after a visit to central China, "The cent a day to relief work. spirit of the people in the churches is simply wonderful." Many inland stations write of the help A Y. M. C. A. leader in China writes, "We need which Christian leaders and their families from your continued undergirding. All are determined east China have brought to them in their work. to stay though positions dangerous." Mr. George The churches are active in relief work and stu- Fitch at Nanking, Mr. Eugene Turner at Hangdents of Christian schools are participating in chow, Mr. R. S. Hall at Tsinan, and Mr. Edward many service activities. Lockwood at Canton are rendering notable serv- ice in places of peril. The National Committee of The railway from Wachang to Canton is still Y. M. C. A.'s has organized emergency service open despite repeated bombings. The new motor for soldiers in 28 cities. One hundred full-time road from Changsha to Kweilin will be completed secretaries have been allocated to this work while soon. The Eurasia planes still fly from Hong- two hundred are carrying on the regular Associakong to central and west China and carry mails. tion program where possible. The Peiping Y. M. C. A. has cooperated with the Red Cross in In West China relief work and recreational ac:tivities for wound- ed soldiers. Through hut work, soldier clubs, serv- Bishop Ralph A. Ward, of the Methodist Church ice to wounded in hospitals, help to soldiers at in Szechwan province, writes, "The rapid and railway junctions, travelling units, a work comsweeping changes in national life are affecting parable to that of the Y. M. C. A. during the World great changes in Szechwan. Thousands of stu- War is being done and with very limited funds. dE:mts and teachers, business and professional people and government officials are bringing a The Y. W. C. A. has organized its women membroader outlook, many material things and crea- bers into many forms of service and is helping to tive power. Many of the newcomers are Chris- train civilians in first aid, health work, and the tians. Most of them are at least awakened spir- meeting of emergency needs. itually. The local Christian communities need adjustment to the new opportunities, not to speak Interruption of Educational Work of their need for more vital Christian faith and life for themselves." Such is the unexpected new Fifty per cent of the Chinese colleges and uniopportunity in west China. versities have been closed or forced to suspend. The Ministry of Education has established two Szechwan is larger in size than the British Isles temporary universities, one at Sian and another and contains a population of over 70,000,000. It at Changsha. Nankai, Gentral University and has some of the most fertile farm land in China.
Futan University have new quarters in Chung- cans in China and :the Advisory Committee of king. Tsinghua and National Peking University China Famine Relief. are now located in Changsha. The new location of some Christian colleges has been noted. College The International Red Cross is taking over adstudents and graduates are not being encouraged ministration of a large number of refugee camps yet to join the fighting services but at least one- in Shanghai and is extending the "Morris plan." half of the 45,000 college students are engaged in The Salvation Army has been most successful in war-time studies. Many have joined the War- conducting clean camps and in feeding the refutime Students' Service Corps. gees wholesome food at very low cost.
The Christian colleges are playing a noble part Christian relief committees everywhere are in the National life during the crisis. Yenching, most active in helping. "The least that Christian as has been mentioned, carries on in Peiping with organizations can do under circumstances like an enrollment of over 500. Cheeloo University these is to make the-maximum contribution to ease medical students have been transferred to Cheng- pain, to heal the wounded and create channels tu, other students to various institutions. Ginling for the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to find ex- College is operating in three units, at Shanghai, pression in the midst of carnage and strife," at Hwa Chung College and at Wes:t China Union writes one Christian group. The National Chris- University. The University of Nanking has moved tian Council has sent out flying squads to survey to west China. Soochow University suffered heavy needs in devastated areas and give help where losses to its property and is still closed. The Uni- possible. versity of Shanghai continues work in temporary quarters in the French Concession and St. John's The outstanding service of the Christian hos- University carries on. Hangchow Christian Col- pitals everywhere has won high praise from all lege has not suffered damage to property although classes of Chinese. The work has been carried Japanese guns are now located nearby. Some on often in great danger and frequently without teachers and students transferred to a small town sufficient medical supplies. One missionary from in Anhwei province. Fukien Christian University north Kiangsu went 1200 miles to Hankow and and Hwa Nan College, Foochow, have been able to back in order to secure needed drugs. In some keep going without serious interruption. Lingnan areas Chris,tian forces have joined with govern- University, Canton, has 460 students on the ment forces in medical service. Christian field campus. The opening enrollment of Hwachung hospital units are being planned. College, Wuchang, was fifty per cent above normal due to admission of students from other schools. The Chinese government and army were utterly West China Union University, Chengtu, has an unprepared to care for such large numbers of enrollment twice that of last year. Classrooms wounded soldiers. Dr. A. R. Kepler after a tour and laboratories are utilized in successive shifts. through eight provinces reported, "I return to All the colleges are incurring serious deficits this Shanghai from my journey with the wounded solyear, although operating costs have been reduced dier as my most poignant memory. I can't get to bare essentials. him out of my thoughts. He is the most pitiable person in China today. The chances are that he The Need for Relief Work must eat all the bitterness of the refugee, inade- quate clothing, insufficient nourishment, no pro- Never have the Chinese themselves done so tection from rain and· biting north wind, wounds much for their suffering fellow-countrymen as festering through lack of surgical care." It may they are doing today. Chinese doctors have volun- be days or weeks before he gets from the front teered in large numbers for medical service, one line to the medical centers at Nanchang, Sian, hundred going from Shanghai alone. The Shang- Wuhan or Changsha. Dr. Kepler continues, "The hai Chinese churches contributed $40,000. Local war was unwanted by China. The government relief committees have been formed in a large was not prepared to face so formidable an enemy, number of cities. But the need is so great that and one so thoroughly prepared and equipped outside help is imperative. with every conceivable modern missile and instru- ment of destruction. These poor wounded men The Federal Council of Churches, Foreign Mis- are a summons to the Christian forces in China sions Conference, China Famine Relief, Inc., and and throughout the world to come to their rescue other organizations have appealed for relief funds and set agencies in operation which will look after with limited results. All mission societies have their needs." He urges a Christian Medical Auxilmade special appeals. The American Red Cross iary to work in close cooperation with governin September authorized chapters to receive funds ment medical units. but initiated no campaign. Funds will be administered through a committee of prominent Ameri- One missionary, after visiting the vast camp for wounded soldiers and war viotims at Sian, wrote, "It is the largest mass of suffering human-
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ity I have ever seen. Yet there was no groaning nor has the Church ever before stood out so clearor complaining even from stretcher cases who ly as a minister of good will and helpfulness to were borne past me by tired Boy Scouts." our suffering people."
The danger of epidemics will increase as spring BATES COLLEGE PROJECT IN ARABIA and summer come on, and all kinds of medical supplies will be needed. Eight Bates College students came back to Christians all over China have been contribut- campus after the Student Volunteer Convention ing to relief funds and women have been making garments for wounded civilians and soldiers. One at Buffalo in 1932, and had decided to adopt a misgroup made 1600 wadded vests and in each sewed sionary project suggested at the convention. a printed Scripture verse and message of comfort. Missionaries and Chinese Christian workers have Through personal sacrifice they volunteered to been visiting camps of wounded soldiers to give send to Dr. W. Harold Storm in Arabia fifty dolcomfort. To one missionary who was on his way to this service Madame Chiang Kai-shek said, lars for his medical work. Interesting letters and "And do not forget to ,tell them of the One who pictures came back as a result. An emergency suffered more than they." operation on the desert sands, an eye disease en- The Outlook and the Opportunity dured for years, cured, a child made over in the hospital-such incidents graphically described President Wu Yi-fang of Ginling College, Chairman of the National Christian Council, held the students and heightened their interest. wrote to friends in America, "In regard to the general situation in China, I don't see any possible Later the so-called Student Volunteer group lost improvement immediately and we must face the probable result of withdrawing to Szechwan, Yu- its identity by merging with the Christian Service nan, Kwangsi and Kweichow provinces. As to how long this process may take, no one can tell. Club. Just as Dr. Storm was about to sail back to I sound, I am afraid, very pessimistic, but in fact I am qui,te confident of the ultimate triumph of Arabia, Dr. Rayborn Zerby, adviser to the Chrisright over might." tian Association on the campus, suggested that President Francis C. Wei, of Hwa Hung Col- Dr. Storm be invited to return to the campus lege, now in America, said recently, "Wheth.er China is defeated or victorious the need for ChrIS- again to interest the Christian Association, comtianity and for Christian higher education will prising all the students of the College, in support be greater than before. If China shall be victorious, she will have all the greater need for of his project. Christianity to use wisely her new position and power. If she should be defeated, she will need The invitation was accepted. Dr. Storm was Christian courage and wisdom in dealing with the problems that will confront her." due to appear at chapel. His train was late.
A missionary leader writes, "As soon as hostili- Chapel began. There was a long hymn. The ties cease, under restrictions and difficulties such as we have never before experienced, we are going President prayed longer than usual. As he turned to have a tremendous opportunity to preach and teach our Christian faith." Af.ter his two months' to sit down, Dr. Storm appeared breathless. "A preaching tour in central and west China, Dr. E. Stanley Jones declared that China presented the storm has burst upon you," he began, and he truly greatest challenge to Christianity of any land in the world today. carried by storm the student body that morning.
Finally, this message from the Executive Coun- In the evening a large number of students came to cil of the Methodist Episcopal Church in China, may be taken as an appreciation and an appeal see pictures of his Arabian friends, of diseases from all Christians in China today: and operations, of desert travel and to hear his "Never before have the loyal confidences and intimate cooperation between the Chinese and the story of healing body and soul. He showed armissionary groups of our church in China been so plainly evident nor so distinctly stimUlating, ticles used in Arabian tent life: the mat for dates -and these articles he presented to Bates College as a permanent Arabian exhibit.
Since that time annually in the Bates Chapel the work of Dr. Storm has been presented and an offering has been made by students and faculty.
The Y.M.C.A. purchased and sent to Dr. Storm an "eye kit" such as was used during the War by field surgeons. This kit accompanies him on his desert trips.
The adoption of Dr. Storm by Bates students has been peculiarly fortunate because he has a personality which appeals to students; because his work carries with it so much of the humani- tarian appeal; and because he has made such a successful effort to keep in touch with the campus.
Here is a means of widening horizons of college students that means a deepening of the religious faith of those who appreciate the spiritual side of such missionary work. MIRIAM: B. MABEE.
WHAT IS IN A NAME IN CHINA?
By GEOFFREY W. ROYALL "What's in a name?" Forty million Chinese would answer, "Chang," another thirty-five million would reply, "Wang," and a paltry thirty million would bow and say, "My unworthy name is Li." In other words, approximately one hundred million, or almost one quarter of the people of the Dragon Kingdom answer to the name of Chang, Wang or Li. Suppose they all had telephones!
Try to visualize the name of every third American being identical; or imagine everyone in the British Isles, with perhaps the exception of Wales, having precisely the same surname. Such a proposition literally knocks the imagination down and out. The above staggering state of ~ffairs actually exists in Cathay.
The "Four Hundred Million Customers" ,that Carl Crow has introduced to you of the Oc- cident~ have but five hundred surnames among them all! The Smiths, Joneses and Browns that jostle us in the telephone directory have their unique counterparts in the Changs, Wangs and Lis of China. The word Chang has several meanings, the best of which perhaps is "stretch" ; Wang means "king"; Li is translated "plum." The fourth most prevalent name in this cus- tard-colored kingdom is Chao meaning "hasten."
Originally the Chinese had but four hundred thirty-eight surnames. These were tabulated by a scholar in the early Sung dynasty and appear in booklet form under the title Pai Chia Hsing-"All the Clan Names." These surnames are printed in groups of four which enable the native student to memorize them more easily. The average school boy is able to quote the whole list of four hundred thirty-eight by memory and to write them on demand!
China is a kingdom of villages. Their name is legion. Every walled town has mush- roomed about it between five hundred and two thousand hamlets. Very often the natives of a whole village will have the same name.
Ten centuries before Christ, when the family system had not yet come into prominence, marriage in China was not under the strict ethical code of the sages as it was later at the advent of Confucius, Laotzi, and Mencius. At that time there was no definite system of sur- names. Men and women mingled more or less freely together so that often a child was born without the mother being sure of the father's identity. During this comparatively early period in Chinese history (known as the To Fu Ch'ih) a child was generally gIVen its mother's name and not that of its other parent. As Oriental civilization progressed the family gradually be- came the strong link that held society together. A man had one wife and when he wished to leave his property to his son, he insisted on the latter taking his name and propagating the family interests. However, it was not until ,the time of the Chan-Kueh (the Warring States, 403-221 B. C.) that family names began to take on any semblance of permanency. Even then they were subject to change.
Chinese surnames and their English meanings are undoubtedly as brimful of human in- terest as our Occidental names are to them. After a careful study of the clan names I have translated and arranged the most interesting into groups.
The majority of us are acquainted with such family names as Green, Brown, White, Black, and Grey. While the Middle Kingdom has a White family, she has no claim to any Browns, Blacks, Greens or Greys. However, true to the Oriental love of bri&1ht colors, China has a Mr. Blue, Mr. Yellow, Mr. Red, Mr. Crimson, and even a Mr. Colour.
The West has a group of animal surnames. such as Bear, Pig, Fox, Wolf and Lyon. Be- sides the Bear family, China boasts a Mr. Ox, Mr. Camel, Mr. Goat, Mr. Dragon, a Mr. Horse, and also a Mr. Cart!
Before China became a Republic the arranging of weddings was an affair that bristled with superstition. This is still the case in the rural districts. The Mei-Ren, or Middle Man who had the delicate task of choosing a wife for his client, first learned the name of a likely maid before he enquired about her appearance and ability. Supposing the young man's family name were "Ox" and the girl were a member of the "Red" family, the parents of the young lady would object to such a match on the grounds that after the marriage Mr. Ox might "see red"! It is very doubtful if Mr. Cash and Miss Waste would make a good husband and wife. For similar reasons the Fish family, unless they belonged to the New China, would never marry their daughter to young Master Hook! On the other hand the parents of Miss Water might favorably consider the son of the Well family as a son-in-law. . . .
Are you acquainted with the Happy and Sing families? No? China is! Time and sand meet in other places than the hour glass, for among the mustard-colored sons of Han there is actually a Mr. Time and a Mr. Sand! . . . Perhaps the most unique galaxy in this remarkable constellation is Mr. Season, Mr. Summer, Mr. Warm, Mr. Autumn, Mr. Winter and Mr. Cold!
Winds Shift in
-··<tli{l!;;11===B=y=a=R=E=S=ID=E=N=T=O=F=TH=E=RE=P=U=B=LI=C==~I~ T HREE years ago. a mighty spiritual cQnflict Then suddenly the tide turned. NQt a missiQn- was being waged here in Mexico.. It was a ary Qr pastQr cQmprising the praying grQUp critical hQur, fQr cQmmunism was sweeping dQubted fQr a mQment but that GQd had laid bare Qver the land. The aggressive atheism which His Almighty Arm and had wrQught a miracle. streamed daily Qver radio. channels was blasphe- The mQst radical members Qf the cabinet were mQUS and deadly in its purpQse. The whQle edu- dismissed. It was nQthing shQrt Qf a revQlutiQn.
catiQnal system Qf the cQuntry was being re- The natiQn was shaken. Since that hQur there vamped fQr the purpQse Qf prQpagating atheistic has been a steady shifting Qf the winds. To. what cQmmunism. SchQQI teachers, agents Qf the gQV- extent Satan has been bruised under the feet Qf ernment, were being murdered in every state by the saints, if I may use the ApQstle Paul's lanthe rebelliQus "plebe." Children in public schQQls guage, will be indicated by this simple circum- were being taught to. march to. the tune Qf Uno, stance. On Christmas Eve, I heard brQadcasted dos.. no hay Di6s- (Qne, twO.; there is no. GQd). frQm a GQvernment statiQn, the Christian hymn, One was almQst afraid to. mentiQn the name Qf "Little LQrd Jesus Asleep in the Hay." As the Jesus. MissiQn schQQls were clQsed. All rQads wQrds "I IQve thee, LQrd Jesus," came sweetly were leading to. Russia. Qver the air, my thQughts went back to. the prayer cQnflic.t and I remembered the blasphemy Qne was This is the fact withQut gQing into. many re- lated questiQns. The type Qf RQmanism which WQnt to. hear frQm such statiQns three years ago.. fQr centuries had dQminated the land and which All are cQnscious Qf the marvellQus shift in the fQr gQQd reaSQns had fallen into disrepute, had winds in Mexico.. Heavenly breezes are taking prepared the SQil fQr the anti-religiQus sentiment the place Qf the deadly arctic blasts that had been that was nQW grQwing so. rapidly. This and Qther blQwing. NQwevery day brings fresh cQnfirmaquestiQns Qf a similar nature we will nQt discuss tiQns. DQQrs fQr the Gospel are Qpening so. rapidhere. ly that Christian wQrkers are nQt able to. enter them all. FurthermQre, we are seeing that all A grQUp Qf Evangelical pastQrs and missiQn- things wQrked tQgether fQr gQQd, God causing aries, deeply cQncerned, decided to. meet daily fQr prayer. FQr eight mQnths every mQrning at 6: 30 even the wrath Qf men to. praise Him. Unfruitful they literally bQmbarded Heaven. It was a tre- branches Qf Christian service in which there mendQus cQnflict waged in the heavenlies. There seemed to. be no. evidence Qf Divine life, were was no. mere saying Qf prayers-it was agQnized wiped Qut, and there has CQme a return to. vital intercessiQn; it was a case Qf thrQwing dQwn the evangelism. If we stand firmly with Chris,t and gauntlet to. the "prince Qf this wQrld," and then Qbey His cQmmand to. go. into. all the wQrld and fighting it Qut with his demQniacal fQrces; it was preach the GQspel, then when stQrms and flQQds wrestling with "principalities and PQwers" that CQme, Qur hQuse stands firmly Qn the Rock. prevail in this wQrld's darkness. The fQrces prQ- The shift in the winds is evident in a thQusand moting atheism were nOot merely gQvernment Qffi- ways. The head Qf the Bible SQciety tells me cials Qr a few radical members Qf cabinet; it was that they have just clQsed their best year. The nQt due Qnly to. the influence Qf Russia. Satan Y. M. C. A. has infQrmed me that they had never himself was marshaling his fQrces; the CQmmu- had such a fruitful year as the Qne just ended. nistic "ideQIQgia" was but an instrument in his Evangelical pastQrs, missiQnaries, cQlpQrteurs, hands. There was a feeling of QPpressiQn, SQme- deacQnesses, Christian wQrkers Qf every kind have . thing indefinable that stifled Qne's spirit. Only a new gleam in their eyes. Heavenly breezes are GQd CQuld turn the tide. FQr eight mQnths the blQwing. thrQne Qf GQd was besieged by this devQted and determined grQUp Qf intercessQrs. They felt them- It is true that missiQn schQQls, abQlished three selves whQlly dependent Qn GQd. He alQne CQuld years ago., are still clQsed, but Christian fQrces fQrmerly given to. educatiQn are nQW wQrking hurl back the infernal fQrces that were taking alQng definitely evangelistic lines, and WQuld nQt cQntrQI Qf the land. With dQgged persistence return to. the Qld Qrder if they eQuId.
they prayed and refused to. be discouraged. If the letter Qf the law is still in many respects [123 ]
unfriendly to the Christian Church, at least to the the winds of such a revival are now beginning to Roman Catholic Church, even here the law is be- blow no one can doubt. On all sides there are the coming more and more a dead letter. There is a fragrant heavenly breezes. Christian workers, new spirit abroad. Officials all over ,the land far from being discouraged, are on the march recognize the difference between Evangelical work with eager, wistful looks upon their faces. True, and the old Roman Catholic order. Though their the Roman Catholic Church has received a blow enmity to the latter, for reasons clear to even the from which she will never recover. But in her most superficial observer, is not abated, and prob- place the Sun of Righteousness is ari.sing with ably will not decrease, their friendly attitude to- healing in his wings. We covet the prayer of ward Protestants becomes ever more pronounced. Christian people everywhere that God may raise up laborers. "The harvest is plenteous but the To illustrate: For a year or more the Gospel laborers are few." has been preached in the Mexican Federal Prison. Then suddenly the door was closed. This led to a TO TRAIN MISSIONARIES TO MOSLEMS call to prayer that God who had opened the door would keep it open. After much prayer the case The Henry Martyn School of Islamic Studie'S was presented to the head of the Federal District, who expressed real satisfaction because of the One-seventh of the world's population is Moswork and iss.ued an order that the workers be per- lem. To lead a Moslem to Christ, without a knowlmitted to go ahead unmolested. Hundreds in this edge of the teaching and practices of Islam is like great prison have accepted Christ as their per- trying to lead a Jew to Christ, without having an sonal Saviour and are eagerly studying the Scrip- adequate knowledge of the Old Testament. But tures. how is the average missionary and Christian worker going to wade through the voluminous A recent experience with the firemen of the city writings of Moslem apologies and the replies by reveals the hunger in men's hearts for the Word Christian scholars to their declarations that the of God. A casual call at the Central Fire Station, Bible is corrupted, the Koran abrogates the Bible, with' a New Testament, elicited such a fervent Christ was a mere human prophet, Christ never response that in a short time Bible classes were died on the Cross, there is no need for the atoneorganized in all four stations. The chief, a thirty- ment, no resurrection occurred, and other obsecond degree Mason, was eager that his men jections? should be acquainted with the Bible. Some two hundred Testaments were given out and it was a One answer to this great need for a training joy to sit with these men about a great table in center for missionaries and Christian workers is their station library, and to read and expound the the Henry Martyn School at Lahore, opened in Word of God. Unfortunately, Police Headquarters 1930. It was appropriate that such a center are in the upper stories of the same building occu- should be opened in the Punjab in the heart of pied by the Central Fire Station. When the police eighty millions of Moslems. learned about the work among the firemen the result was a suspension of the Bible classes. As- The most remarkable feature of this School has surance has been given, however, that after the been the training of Moslem converts and Indian storm has blown over, the classes will be resumed. workers who have felt the call to bring the Gospel Not all depar,tments of the Government are aware to Moslems. Workers representing twenty-one of the shift in the winds, as this incident reveals. different missionary societies have already taken advantage of the course in Lahore, some having A mighty Salvation Army movement is under come from as far away as Kashgar, Chinese way in the Federal District, under the guidance of Turkestan and Inland China. ' the Spirit of God. The work was begun by a Mexican government inspector, who had found Twenty-seven Extension Courses have been Christ and began witnessing to the "down-and- conducted throughout the length and breadth of outs" of the worst section of the city. Without India, which mean that hundreds of Indian Chrisany knowledge of the Salvation Army, this con- tians have been given a new vision for work vert, Sr. Guzman, developed a work with an evan- among Mohammedans. gelistic emphasis even stronger than that which is found in the Salvation Army today. Sr. Guz- The School, with all its great opportunities, has man and a group of his Christian "soldiers" re- been threatened by the possibility of having to cently attended a Salvation Army Congress in close because of the lack of $2,500 required an- Atlanta, Georgia, where he received the Army flag nually for running expenses. Such a far-reaching from General Evangeline Booth herself, and was work run on such a small amount of money is officially adopted into the Army. remarkable; to close the school would be a catas- trophe.* The eight months of intercession had as one of its objects a spiritual revival in Mexico. That • Subscriptions may be sent to the Treasurer, The Henry Martyn School, 9 Masson Road, Lahore, India.
SYNOD OF THE PRESBYTE'RIAN CHURCH IN FORMOSA-1937
A Visit to Beautiful Formosa –eel I By REV. GEORGE H. WINN, Seoul, Chosen I )it- ~==========================~ A PORTUGUESE sea captain, beholding the Mackay. He was my interpreter for part of the beauties of the island, called Taiwan by the conference. Japanese under whose government it has We docked at a modern wharf at Keelung and been for forty years, exclaimed in Portuguese went to the home of Miss Adams in Tamsui, the Ihla Formosa – "Beautiful Isle" – and that has most beautiful of the Formosan mission stations.
since remained its English name. After Sunday at Tamsui we went on south to For many years we have desired to see For- Tainan by an all-day train journey to attend the mosa. As a little boy I had taken from my fa- conference of Christian workers. The Japanese ther's bookshelves the story of Dr. George Leslie train service is excellent and at numberless sta- Mackay's lif,e and had read it with interest, so it tions side lines branch off to huge sugar plan- was a great thrill to go to Formosa and there take tations.
dinner in the home of his son, the Rev. George Many pushcars are used where the energy is [125 ]
provided by two men who ride down hills and and the coffee bean grow in the mISSIOn comsometimes pole the car at five or six mnes an hour. pounds; at Tainan the compound contains many In addition to the coastal line on which we rode rose-apple trees from which they gain an income there was an inner parallel line through the moun- of about 200 yen. Brilliantly-colored wild shrubtains, but an earthquake damaged that line so bery abounds everywhere. Many of the mimosa greatly that s,eventy-five million yen would be have flowers of a greenish yellow, instead of the necessary to restore its tunnels and bridges. One pink to which we were accustomed; trees, similar train had just gone through a tunnel when the to the acacia in foliage, bloom in brilliant reds and earthquake came and destroyed the tunnel behind yellows. Banyan trees are common and at the it and the bridge ahead. Only this f'lpring, two railroad stations are trained and trimmed to spell years later, did they manage to get the train out out the names of the stations. of the predicament. The soil is exceedingly fertile so that two, and Water buffalo are everywhere in the rice fields; occasionally three, crops of rice a year are haras they plow and harrow, the driver pours water vested. Sugar cane is abundant, and the world's supply of camphor comes from Formosa. Bamboo is present everywhere, being planted around the villages to protect them from typhoon winds.
Many tons of bamboo are shipped to America. Coal is also abundant and petroleum, gold and silver are found.
At Tainan we had a unique experience-a ride in a bamboo boat. Some twenty large bamboo poles are bound together in a curved raft. With sails set, the raft slips along, the water rushing through the cracks from one en~ to the other. To keep passengers out of the water, tubs are pro- vided; and in them we sat high and dry with water all around.
In Formosa are the aboriginees of the moun- tains, driven there when the Chinese invaded the island some four hundred years ago. They are of Malay descent and were head hunters. The more civilized tribes remained in the nlains and intermingled with the Hakkas from China. The Amoy Chinese are the largest element of aU, and there are some 300,000 Japanese who have ruled the land for forty years, since the Treaty of Shi- monoseki. Our chief interest in the people was in their relation to Christ. There are four mission sta- tions, two in the north, two in the south. The Protestant church, mostly Presbyterian, numbers about 50,000, making one Christian in a hundred.
ABORIGINES AND AN EDUCATED FORMOSAN WOMAN The Roman Catholic group is very weak. The Presbyterian churches number about one hundred over the animal with a long-handled dipper. If and seventy, served by forty pastors. Although they are dry their skin cracks. Everywhere flocks graduates of the Theological Seminary are more of ducks with their keepers are to be seen wad- numerous than that, they must work on probation dling in the water along the roads, their keepers for three years, studying and taking examinations strolling after them in leisurely manner holding before they are ordained. No church is built exumbrellas aloft. It is amusing to observe the cept by approval of a committee of Presbytery haste with which the ducks automatically seek the who pass on plans and see if sufficient funds are side of the road at the sound of the honk of an available. The church is practically self-supportauto. ing and self-governing.
The island reminds one of Hawaii. The lux- The missionary conference had an attendance uriant flora of the tropics greeted the eye, and the of some 140 pastors and unordained. workers. The fragrance of the same flowers used for the Ha- latter are seminary graduates, largely young men waiian lei gr,eeted the nostrils. Banana, papaya and forward looking, with a zeal for Christ. It
A VISIT TO BEAUTIFUL FORMOSA
was a real inspiration to be with them for the a Women's School. Church Kindergartens have week. been added recently and are a powerful 'agency in linking the homes with the Church. The First church at Tainan has one of the best organized Sunday schools I have seen, made up Presbyterian missionary work in North Forof some four hundred children and young people. mosa is conducted from two centers, Taihoku and One hundred .of the young folk are .organized into Tamsui. The work in South Formosa is under preaching bands and go out from Sunday to Sun- the Presbyterian .Church of England. day to preach. There were five hundred Christians present at the morning worship service. The MacKay Memorial Hospital was built at Outside many stood around the doors and win- Taihoku to carryon medical work and is filled to dows, while others sat in the shade of the trees to capacity. There is a leprosy clinic for out-palisten. It was a well-dressed audience and seemed tients, closely identified with the Happy Mount largely composed of the business and professional Leprosy Colony. To the patients in every hosclasses, though some in coarse work clothes were pita;} department the story of Christ the Great not ashamed to come in with them. The singing Physician is made very clear. was hearty and accurate in pitch, and I was interested to note a blind man in front singing and General evangelistic work is carried on among following the service in the Braille. the Aboriginal tribes to build up an indigenous, self-governing, self-supporting and self-propa- The second service of the day, instead of being gating church. The native Christian churches at night was in the afternoon, at the Peaceful have their .own governing body, the North For- East Gate Church, which has a membership of mosa Presbytery, which, with that of the Presbyseven hundred. That service also was well at- terian Church of England in South F.ormosa form tended in spite of a heavy downpour. The pastor the Presbyterian Synod of Formosa. is a strong leader, a convert from the Plainsmen. The orderliness and quiet reverence of the wor- The evangelistic work is promoted byaggresship in that church created a truly spiritual at- sive teaching and preaching. A three-year movemosphere. ment was begun by the native Presbytery which seeks t.o quicken the whole church life through Let me tell the story of a Formosan magistrate. prayer, Bible study and various forms of service. He loved the savages and did his best to keep Revival services have been held by Evangelist them from coming down on head-hunting expedi- Dr. Sung of China. Thousands attended; huntions. They, on their part, respected him and dreds were converted and several hundred preachknew that he was a true friend. One day they ing bands were formed, the members pledging said they must have one more head for a great festival. In vain did the magistrate protest. themselves to testify to Christ at least once a Finally he asked whether they would make this week. Thus the whole spiritual life of the church their last such raid. They made an agreement to has been quickened. so do, so he said, "At early dawn I'll send a man dressed in red. Take him." Sure enough a figure The spirit of Christian youth in Formosa was in red appeared. He was shot and his head taken evident at the conference of 1936 when two hunin high glee, but soon their savage rejoicing was dred delegates, men and women, testified of their turned to mourning for they found that this man joy in Christian fellowship. The first Preachers' in red was none other than their best friend, the Wives' Conference of North Formosa was held in magistrate who had given himself for his people. Tamsui for three days, attended by forty-three The people saw the evil of their ways and re- preachers' wives. Definite w.ork among the pented. From that time head hunting has not women and girls of congregations was planned. been practiced. This man's stone memorial stands The Formosan Women's Missionary Society has at a spot near where he gave his life. now over 400 members and is actively interested in the work of the Bible women who receive excel- *** lent training in the Women's School at Tamsui.
PRESBYTERIAN WORK IN FORMOSA Japanese Government regulations n.ow require that all missionaries in Formosa use the Japanese Evangelical missionary work in North For- language instead of Formosan Chinese. This m.osa is conducted under the auspices of the Pres- change has placed a heavy load of language study byterian Church in Canada and has followed the on missionaries, but they are finding that the two general plan outlined by the pi.oneer missionary, languages will be of value in evangelism. Dr. George Leslie MacKay. He undertook to give the Formosans the best possible Christian educa- Changes in the educational situation have left tion in order to train them for life and service. our missionaries free to devote themselves to teaching the Gospel and training Formosans to There have been established a Boys' Middle carryon the work so that in time to come native School, a Girls' School, a Theological College and Christians may assume the responsibility of evan- gelizing their own people, and native homes will become centers of religious Ufe.
Situation in Soviet Russia*
By NICHOLASARSENIEV, Warsaw, Poland Professor of Theology in University of Warsaw .nA..NY investigation into the religious situ~tion accordingly. I.t seems as if events were pressing in Soviet Russia is met wth baffling difficul- towards a spiritual issue and this makes the pres- . ties, but in this intricate and seemingly ent moment a significant one from the religious confused panorama certain facts stand out clearly. point of view.
(1) There seems to be an increase of religious A Closer Survey of Facts feeling and of religious energy among the people. Possibly it is the manifestation of this, rather In spite of every eff.ort on the part of the Bolthan the feeling its·elf, that has increased. sheviks, it was found impossible to strangle all religious life by persecution. This very persecu- (2) Methods of anti-religi.ous propaganda' and tion has had the opposite effect and religi.on has, of religious persecution have, to a great extent, in many cases, been strengthened and driven more failed, and there is disappointment among Bol- deeply than ever into the lives of the Russian peosheviks as to the results of their struggle against ple. Every n.ow and again this religious convicreligion. tion seems to spread in ever-widening circles, sometimes among the most unexpected elements (3) The Bolsheviks had to adopt some changes of the population. in their handling .of the religious question. These changes are mainly of a tactical, not of an essen- Let me quote from an interesting article by E. tial character. Most of them are only means of Yaroslavsky, the leader.of the League of Militant concealing the real state of things. Alth.ough Atheists.1 In reply to his questi.on: "Who goes these "veils" or "screens" are transparently to church-people belonging to what strata of the clumsy they have proved effective, and friends of population ?" the following is the answer: the Soviet Government in foreign countries accept them, with no wish for further investigation. In At the factory Fmser (in Moscow) quite a number of other words, these changes (t.o a great extent only workmen are missing from work on church holidays. In fictitious) represent a policy of deceit, built on a the religious organizations of the province of Gorky (pregigantic scale and used by the Bolsheviks to mis- viously Nijny-Novgorod) four per cent of the presidents lead public .opini.on in foreign countries~ of parish councils are workmen. . . . There is a railway village, Kbstych, where 10,000 workmen live. Among the (4) Religious persecution c.ontinues in Soviet communists this village is known as the 'priest health re- Russia, although there are some changes in its sort,' more than fifty priests live there. In Petrozavodsk application. in the parish councils of the churches Onejskaya and Neglinskaya workmen predominate. Let us take the (5) In the main, the general picture .of the offi- Church of the Transfiguration in Irkutsk: there are, on cial attitude to religion in Soviet Russia is much the whole, 911 believers in the community, among them the same as it has been for five .or six years. The 866 women of whom 40 per cent work in factories. Ijevsk difference lies in the greater religious activity of is a factory town. In 1936 the local priest Pletzky was a the Believers and in the collapse of many of the former workman. . . .
methods of anti-religious propaganda. In the railway village D.oobliantchina, the The collapse of anti-religious propaganda, due church choir consists of fifty singers, many of to lack of c.ollaborators, becomes more manifest them young people; the majority are railway day by day. This, however, does not mean a workmen. In the village Ilovay-Rojdestvenskaya change in the attitude of the Government. One (near the station Brigadirskaya), inhabited string of its bow, that of anti-religious propa- mostly by railway workmen, the church has re- ganda, is broken, or rather damaged; ,the .other, cently been restored.2 The miners in the Donetz that of vi.olent destruction of church-buildings and district, having obtained from the authorities ma- objects of religious art and the putting to death terials for building their homes, handed them over of bishops, priests and many Believers, continues for the restoration of the churches and chapels.
to functi.on. Bolsheviks are realizing more and Children are again being baptized. Before the more the unabated power .of religion and hate it • Condensed from Wo.rld Domini,on (London), January, 1938. 1 Anti1"eZigiosnik, No.6, 1937. 2 Communist paper Goodok, quoted in the Warsaw paper Slo1}o, 28th August, 1937.
[128 ] entrance to dangerous coal mines public prayers The growth of religious life is especially conare said.3 spicuous in the country, notwithstanding the col- lectivization of the peasant classes. In collective There is a remarkable spread of religion among farms it is not uncommon to find priests celethe young people, who are especially the object of brating religious services in a barn or shed which anti-religious propaganda in Soviet Russia, and has been turned into a chapel.lO In the province even among the c.omsomoltzy (members of the of Nijni-Novgorod the peasants have started "con- Youth Communist League). The Review of the secrating" their huts, which means that they ask Youth Communist League, the Comsomole Truth, a priest to come and conduct a short service and gives a picture of the growth of religious feeling sprinkle the hut with "holy water." In some vilamong the young generation in the province of lages even the village authorities (themselves Voronej. The girls have founded a "secret mon- peasants, although members of the Communist astery"; fifteen girls from two kolkhose (i.e., col- Party) are being influenced by the general relilectivized villages) joined it immediately. Boys gious awakening and make no objection to and girls go to communion, are wedded in church processions or to public prayers being said churches, observe church fasts and religious rites. by the clergy in the village schools at the opening Young married couples baptize their children. In of the school yearY Church holidays – special spite of all this these young people continue to be Days to St. Nicholas, St. John, St. Peter, St. Paul, numbered among the Coms.omoltzy.4 St. Elija, and our Lady of Kazan, are celebrated by the peasantry, and especial reverence is paid The Bolshevic Review, Socialistic Agriculture, to the feasts of Transfiguration and Assumption. speaks of groups organized by the young people In the small town of Alexin (formerly province for the reading of the Bible.5 In the district of of Toula) religious funerals of the faithful take Zaslavsk (province of Vinnitza) three Comso- place. In the .community of Boorilovsk (district moltzy have signed the request for re-opening the of Efremov) numbering 1,300 inhabitants, all church.6 In Beresovsk very early in the morning families baptize their children, with the exception people may be seen gathering in a churchyard, of five or six.12 where priests are celebrating. (This means that there is not a church left in the locality.) The This enhancement of religious activity seems to Oural Workman writing of this adds: "It is sad be backed up and fostered, much against the aims that many young persons are in the crowd." In of the Bolsheviks themselves, by the new constithe province of Nijni-Novgorod the leader of the tution of Soviet Russia, passed in 1936, by which local board of instruction was entrusted with an the right of citizenship (i.e., the right to vote) investigation into the state of the schools. He has been restored to ministers of religion. The found that boys in primary and secondary schools Believers seem sometimes to consider these "conwere singing in church choirs. In smaller towns stitutional changes," which are meant, in the and villages schoolboys might be seen asking a main, to remain a dead letter, as something which clergyman's blessing when they met him in the might improve the religious situation in Russia. street. 7 In dealing with local authorities they often appeal to these changes, as giving them a new legal stand- A Bolshevik journalist, Kosharev, tells us in the ing. They sometimes feel sufficiently emboldened Soviet paper Pravda that the Comsomoltzy go to to present petitions to the Government for perchurch, are wedded in churches and baptize their mission to re-open churches. These petitions, acchildren: Soviet students take part in church cording to report, are signed, not only by members choirs in Penza and Ulyanovsk. At the thirteenth of "collective farms," but even, here and there, by Communist Party conference in Kiev much was members of the Communist Youth Organization. said about schoolboys and girls buying small icons and crosses in the churches. Yaroslavsky tells usS The review Antireligioznik13 tells us that the that in the Gorky province in twenty-two districts priests try to explain in their own way paragraph there are 182 members of church parish councils 124 of the New Constitution: of Comsomol age, that is, between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five. Bishop Silvester was In many places, even in the province of Moscow, the recently arrested in Torjok. He had great in- faithful celebrated in the churches solemn services of fluence on the young people. As a protest against thanksgiving for the promulgation of the new Constituhis imprisonment some of the Comsomoltzy threw tion. In their sermons priests praised its authors and away their Communist certificates.9 expressed their gratitude to God. In the province of Yaroslav the peasants of the collective farms talk of the 3 Bolshevik paper Trood-. Compare Slovo, 5th and 12th September, necessity of re-opening churches,14 1937. 10 Slovo, 4th April, 1937. 4 Slovo, 3rd October, 1937. 11 The Bolshevic Review, Socialistic Agriculture, 1937. • Siovo, 10th October, 1937. 12 Antireligioznik, No.4, April, 1937. 6 Antireligiosnik, No.4. April, 1937. ]3 Antireligioznik, No.4, April, 1937. • Siovo, 6th June, 1937. 14 Socialistic Oulture, quoted in the paper Pravos/avnaya Russ, 8 Bolchevic, No.4, 1937. Vladimirovo Tchecho-Slovakia, 10th July, 1937. • Slovo, 5th September, 1937.
Even the village authorities are telling members of the The redoubling of persecution shows that these anti-religious propaganda movement that Believers and "friendly hints" fall on fruitful soil. The Soviet ministers of the cult are now in possession of the same Government can be thankful te these informers. rights as other citizens.15 We, too, have reason to thank them, for, through the rage and hate of these collaborators of the The movement for re-opening churches seems to spread Soviet executioners, out of those very reports through many parts of Russia. In the district of Zaslavsk which are meant to be weapons of persecution and three Comsomoltzy have signed a request for that pur- which have already sealed the fate of many bepose.16 lievers, how be;autifully there shines forth the religious fervor of the humble clergy and the The Meaning faithful people.
These reports are brought out as a charge It is interesting to note the response to the reagainst Believers. Names are given where they quests for the re-dpening of churches. There seem are available. The Bolshevik authorities will prob- to have been occasions when the results were faably see to it that such happenings shall not be vorable. The Kharbin papers contain the memrepeated, and that the persons in question shall oirs of a certain Mrs. Kravtchenko-Kostenko, who be punished. The following may be read, for in- left Soviet Russia in March of this year. She stance, as a distinct denunciation: tells of a terrible drought in the Volga region in – the summer of 1936. The people became restive The parish council of the church Neglinskaya (in Petro- and demanded the re-opening of the St. Elija zavodsk) has for its chairman the carpenter Kijin, a work- church in the town of Balashov. A petition was man from the Onega factory. The workmen Frolov and sent to Stalin himself who at once complied with Anookov are members of the same parish council. The the request by a telegram, being afraid (accordpresident of the parish council of the Zaretzkaya church ing to Mrs. Kravtchenko) of troubles among the is also a factory woman, Arifmetikova. We could quote peasantry. The general attitude of the Soviet many similar examples. . . . When a religious funeral of Government towards such questions, however, is a workman of the Onega factory took place, seventy-five clearly stated in a decree in the "religious" secworkmen of the factory were present. Neither party or- tion of the G.P.V., which alone has the authority ganization, nor Comsomol nor communist trade union cared to grant such petitions. Four requirements are in the least that church people should use the funeral of necessary for the re-opening of a church: (1) It a workman for a religious demonstration. must be proved that the people asking for this are politically trustworthy; (2) the church in ques- It would be astonishing if hints such as these, tion should not be situated within less than onegiven by spies of the Soviet Government, should quarter-of-an-hour's walk from the nearest school remain unnoticed by that Government. We may (this condition alone is enough to make all these be sure that the workmen of the Onega factory applications worthless); (3) there must be no had to pay dearly for their participation at a reli- "founded" objections from the local godless league gious funeral and in parish councils! 11 to the re-opening of the church!
The informer of the paper Ouralsky Rabotchy As to the promises of the new constitution, they says: are meant, to a large extent, to deceive public opinion outside Russia. The effect produced on This year the church "Fathers" have developed an un- Believers seems to have been unexpected by the precedented activity. In the district of Voroshilovsk, under Government. The religious tide has been strengthcover of "divine words," the papers are making counter- ened. That explains the cry of rage that fills the revolutionary propaganda against the most important Bolshevik periodicals for the year 1937 to a measures of the Government. In March of this year the greater extent than before. They are doing their priest Slavtza, of the church of Gorodistshe, threatened best to restore the balance, by redoubling the govfrom the pulpit those among the Believers who would allow ernmental support of anti-religious propaganda their children to be educated under atheistic teaching. on the one hand and by pursuing the line of phys- The sermon of the priest was directed against the Soviet ical suppression on the other. The reports in the methods of education. Bolshevik papers that we have quoted are pre- liminary steps pointing out the enemy to the In the village Lenktva the priest Kotchetkoff has com- authorities. The sequel is often exile or even the posed a special prayer for pacification of the church. The death-sentence for the victim. prayer was directed against the collective farms and tended to excite dissatisfaction against the Bolshevik au- Anti-Religious Propaganda thorities. This holy priest took special "care" of tlie atheistic youth. The activity of the priests does not limit The inner impulse of the anti-religious propaitself to the precincts of the church buildings. At the ganda movement is dying out. The breakdown of station of Oosolskaya men and women from the collective the Godless Movement is a fact to be reckoned farms may often be met, talking "peacefully" on religious SUbjects. In the village of Eskino the ex-priest gathers the people in the evenings in his room for prayer. (This means that the church has been closed and taken away from the Believers.) Every evening the singing of a choir may be heard from the house of this holy father.
Such information provides a most efficient and terrible weapon for the suppression of religion.
15 Socialistic AgricuUure, See Slovo,. 16 AntireZigiosni/(;, No.4, 1937. 17 Unhappily this proved to be true.
RELIGIOUS SITUATION IN SOVIET RUSSIA
with (the Godless policy of the Soviets, of course, on relentlessly? Here we come at last to the true still continues). In sixteen provinces of the Sovi~t nature of things.
Union the leagues of the Militant Godless have The Metropolitan Peter, the real lo.cum tenens ceased to exist. Some of them, before dissolving, of the vacant Patriarchal Seat of Russia, died last handed their archives over to the councils of reli- year in exile under terrible conditions. His lawful gious communities. The records of the atheistic successor, Metropolitan Cyrill of Kazan (ap- league of Vyshni-Volotchok, for instance, are in pointed twelve years ago by the Patriarch Ty- the custody of the local Evangelical community.l8 chon) is condemned to forced labor, which means The General Secretary of the League of the Mili- an awful death – slow, painful, in dirt, stench, tant Godless, Olestshuk, gives a survey of the state hunger, exhaustion and humiliation, eaten by ver- of utter decadence and inner dissolution of the min and covered by wounds and loathsome rags.
organizations throughout the country.l9 In Mos- What has become of the many bishops and in- cow there was not a single active godless member numerable thousands of priests and Believers still among the workmen of Moscow factories who in the labor camps (death camps would be a truer could be invited to take part in a conference dedi- description) of the G.P.U.? 24 A Bolshevik official cated to the problem of improving and heightening statement gives the figure of 9,126 "ministers of the activity of the League.2o cult" in these terrible camps of compulsory The Constitution and Religion work.25 This figure is clearly an underestimate: added to these there are numbers in exile in the The wording of the paragraph of the new con- wildest parts of northern Russia and Siberia. The stitution concerning religion runs as follows :21 destruction of churches continues. There was a In order to secure full freedom of conscience to the pause in the destruction of the well-known "Pascitizens of the Union of the Soviets, the Church is sep- sion Monastery" (Strastnoy) in Moscow, but it arated from the State and the School from the Church. has been renewed with energy.26 The famous The liberty of practicing religious cults and of anti-religious propaganda is vouchsafed to all citizens. Vydubitzky monastery near Kiev, dating from 1070, has been quite recently destroyed.27 During The former text (May,1929) stated that liberty the first half of 1937 no fewer than 612: churches was acknowledged by law to "religious confessions have been pulled down in Soviet Russia.28 Orders and anti-religious propaganda." The 1918 text have been given for the destruction of a further was worded, ". . . liberty of religious and anti- 2,900 churches and 63 monasteries.29 Many of the religious propaganda." It can be seen that there big towns have not a single church left.
is no vital difference between the texts of 1929 and A fierce campaign against the Orthodox clergy 1936, and we know that the quite liberal and tol- has resulted in many executions. In the rooms of erant wording of the 1929 text did not protect the former theological academy of Moscow a High Believers from the most atrocious treatment, it School for Atheistic Culture has been opened.30 merely served as a sort of screen to cover the in- In August, 1937, tWe'llty-nine clergymen were sencreasing religious persecution.22 tenced to death and shot in east Siberia. In Kras- noyarsk, as a penalty for influencing young peo- What guarantee is there that the nearly iden- ple towards religion, five Orthodox, three Roman tical text of 1936, restated solemnly as part of the Catholic priests and ten Baptists were sentenced new constitution, will make things easier? to ten to fifteen years in SovieJt concentration camps.31 Of greater interest are paragraphs 135 and 136, restoring the right to vote to the clergy.23 It is Where is the liberty, the tolerance, proclaimed our prayer that this will really mean an improve- by the Soviet Government? Let us try to sum up ment in the religious situation. A Christian's at- the religious situation in Soviet Russia in a few titude towards the Soviets depends ultimately on words. It is dark indeed, and stained-and sancthe latter's real (not fictitious) attitude towards tified-by blood and suffering, but there are rays religion. How can this "restoration" of clergy of hope. In God's good purpose there is a rising and Believers to the full right of citizenship (in tide of spiritual life in the country which has been passing, it may be remembered that this right strengthened by the very means destined by goddoes not mean very much in Soviet Russia) be less men to stamp i.t out. reconciled with the persecution of religion going 1.8 See the Bolshevik Review, Oommunist O,/Jtwre, Slow, 6th June, •• Descriptions of Ilfe In labor camps may be found in Prisoner ot 1937. the O.G.P.U., by George Kitchin (Longmans, London, 1935), and 19 Antireligiosnik, No, 7, August, 1937. AU8 dem Lande der Stummen, by Alexandra Anzerowa (Bresla.u, 2Q See Slovo, No. 37, 1937. 21 Paragraph 124. Bergstadverlag, 1936). 25 S. B. Sove, Die Orlhodoxe Kirohe in Sowjetrubkf,nd und in der 22 See my article in the German Cathollc monthly Hoohland, seP- Emig,ration (Eine Heilige Kirohe, 1937, Heft 1/3). tember, 1936. 26 Slovo, 30th May, 1937. 23 The text of paragraph 135 runs: "All the citizens of the U"S.S.R., 27 SZOvo, 18th April, 1937. 28 Dei,. Riell. Komme, September, 1937. having attained the age of eighteen, have, independently of their 29 La Libre Belgique, 3rd July, 1937. race, nationaIlty, confession, and social origin, the right to partake 30 Prawslavnaja Rus8, 25th September, 1937. at the elections of deputies and can themselves be elected, with the at. Slo1)o, 19th September, 1937. exception of lunatics and of persons who have been condemned by Tribunal to be deprived of right of election."
A Trip into Closed Afghanistan*
A Vacation Trip with the Expedition of the American Institute of Iranian Art and Archteology, Visiting Meshed, in Southeastern Iran, and Visiting Herat, in Afghanistan By the REV. J. CHRISTY WILSON, D.D., Tabriz, Persia Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A ..
W E LEFT Meshed in the afternoon and Afghanistan, it would no doubt be a most difficult drove 150 miles to the Iranian border cus- and, at first, a field of very small apparent results. toms at Yusephabad. The director of cus- When the changes come, however, which have so toms was a former student of the Alborz College affected other Moslem lands and are bound sooner in Teheran. A concrete monument marks the or later to reach Afghanistan, it would be won- boundary of Iran and Afghanistan. derful to have Christian representatives already The border post is at Islamgaleh, where our established on the ground.
passports were inspected. Everyone speaks Per- The head of the national hospital told me that sian but Pushtu has recently been made the official there are only two qualified doctors and several language. others with some little private training for a city After leaving the border, we followed a made 60,000 to 75,000 inhabitants. This doctor promroad with crushed stone surface, but in places ised to invite Dr. Hoffman, in Meshed, or Dr. heavy sand had drifted over the highway. The Cochran to come to Herat to consult on the build- Afghan legation in London had warned Mr. Pope ing of a new government hospital. This may dethat it might be best to avoid night driving, but velop into an opportunity for establishing close we were overtaken with darkness in the desert relations between the medical work of our mission and drove on for about two hours to Herat. The· in Meshed and Afghanistan. distance from the border post to Herat is about The fabulous country of Afghanistan is very eighty miles. We were entertained at the hotel operated for foreigners by the Afghan Govern- much like Iran of yesterday. The men all wear white turbans, with one end dangling down the ment. There is entirely a different spirit among the back or over a shoulder, which caused my servant, Ali, to remark, "It appears that all the men are people of Afghanistan from that which we see in mullahs up here." We found that roving bands Iran today. All the enthusiasm for the new and novel and for progress is lacking, except in a few of Afghan raiders are not fiction, for there was a wounded Iranian officer at Turbat-i~Sheikh Jam individuals. There seems to be great religious conservation and fanaticism. The women are who had received a long bullet wound through the upper part of his led in a fight near the border on tightly veiled in costumes that were prevalent in Iran thirty or forty years ago. ,.Some of the the previous day. We fitted one of the spring beds in the back of our truck as a hospital cot, with women wear white or colored "charshabs" in the street, though the majority are black. When we plenty of mattresses and quilts, so that he could lie down at full length. We had come up in three were taking pictures from the roof of the J ami' Mosque men were sent ahead to cry out a warning . and a half hours, but it took six on the return trip lest by chance there should be women in some with our wounded officer. The road was rough, and even with careful driving it must have been near-by yard who might be seen even from such a painful trip for him, though he said he was very a distance by our profane eyes. comfortable, and expressed his appreciation to I gave out a few Christian tracts and Gospels, Donald Wilber and me by drawing us down to his where there was evident desire for them. Should an opening come for the missionary occupation of bed, after we had delivered him safely to the mili- tary hospital in Meshed, and giving us each a re- • Condensed from The Presbyterian. sounding kiss.
[ 132]
New Outlook·in
By ALEXANDER McLEISH, London, England Survey Department of the World Dominion Press A RECENT visit to India and careful study of foreigner will come into right relationship with the work of many missions has produced his Indian brethren. Almost any work can be some strong impressions concerning. the carried on which the group agrees to do; there mIssIOnary situation. Just at a time when the is practically no limit to its possibilities. In view response to the Christian Gospel is at its greatest of the great incompleted evangelistic task before the missions are hard pressed to maintain the us every talent can be pooled and utilized.
work. The additions to the Evangelical Christian The need of India must be approached realisti- community are between 200,000 and 250,000 a cally. At this stage of the Christian enterprise, year, and the problem of shepherding them, train- for the foreigner to repeat the experience of the ing pastors and teachers, and pressing forward pioneers of 120 years ago and to bury himself in to meet ever-increasing opportunities for evan- an unevangelized area, as if there was no heritage gelism, is increasingly difficult. There are prob- of the Christian faith and experience in India ably not less than 4,000,000 Evangelical Chris- upon which the newcomer could build, seems to tians in India today, and the witness of many of many observers a foolish policy. Every newcomer .these is the main factor in the great increase of should surely become fully aware of this accumu- the Christian community. This fact must greatly lated experience, and should not repeat the mis- affect all future missionary policy. takes of the past, nor neglect the opportunities Our objective is the evangelization of all India, that have opened on every hand.
and in this the individual Christian witness has To adjust oneself to a new outlook may be diffiproved the most potent factor. It, therefore, must cult, but it must be done if we are to preserve be our great aim to make that Christian witness precious lives and to utilize aright the financial more effective. How can this be made effective? resources, acquired with difficulty. There is great The first necessity is the organizing and equip- waste of both these resources today in India; ping of the Indian Church as the primary evangelizing agency in its own land. In this the for- there is a call for collective action on the part of eigner need no longer take up alone pioneer work missions in dealing with the opportunities and which can be better done by the Indian himself or needs of their respective areas, and for the estab- through effective cooperation with Indian work- lishment of a new relationship on terms of equal- ers. The missionary has the more difficult work ity with Indian fellow workers. Workers of the of undergirding the Indian Church, contributing type who could fulfil this position, do exist but, to tasks still beyond its power, such as the train..: for the most part, they are not being effectively ing of pastors and teachers, the support of pioneer used by missions. Many are working "on their evangelists, and all that will help the Church to own," or have gone into secular professions and discharge its evangelistic task as effectively as business. Meanwhile missions employ workers possible. All this the foreign mission can do with- on srnall salaries, who are not the best kind of out pauperizing or destroying the self-respect of leaders for the Christian community which they the Church and its leaders. serve. There is no solution to this situation from There are many young people who feel the the point of view of the mission; the true solu- claims of the Indian mission field today. The diffi- tion is to accept the viewpoint of the Indian culty in regard to these is to know. what to advise. Church which in these matters must be served by Some things stand out clearly. The first is that both Indian and European in full and generous any new work should be done in cooperation.with cooperation.
Indian leaders of the right stamp. Everywhere Experience has shown that a Church built up by ashrams, or brotherhood fellowships, are spring- foreign effort remains an exotic or conglomerate ing up, and this is one of the ways in which India entity which fails to fit into the community life.
herself is pointing to the solution of co-working Further, continued foreign control of the grow- with the foreigner. The ashram, or fellowship ing Church is unhealthy. All this denotes that team work, insures from the beginning that the there is need to revise our policies and ask whether [133 ]
the mission-centric plan of work is wise and in complete fellowship with them. Only in this whether we can find a better way. I am convinced way can the great and growing response to the that there is a better way, more difficult certainly, Gospel be met. yet the only way to build the Church of the future in India. An example of what is here urged can be found in the work of the Diocese of the Bishop of Dor- There is in India an average of only nine mis- nakal where a large Indian staff under Indian disionaries to each 1,000,000 people in India, and rection works with a few Europeans who do just there are as a result great unoccupied fields con- that special kind of work for which they are spetaining many millions of people. There are 670,- cially fitted, namely, training teachers and pastors 000 villages, of which Chdstians certainly cannot for the Church of the future. There are other be found in more than 70,000. These many vil- examples Of the new order in India, but they are lages can never be reached by foreign enterprise; it is, therefore, imperative that plans be made de- a still all too few. Qld traditions and practices are liberately to reach them through the Indian Church. The task at the moment is to find Indian dying slowly, but new day has dawned on the leaders and to associate with them kindred spirits Christian enterprise in India, and it behooves us from Christian lands who will be prepared to work to realize this and plan our part as foreign mis- sion workers in the evangelization of that great continent in a new spirit and with a new humility.
Rethinking Missions With Moslems -e{ I By S. NEALE ALTER, Hama, Syria (1921-) I ~.- ~==========================~ ONE of the great ancient Greek philosophers social, political and industrial tenets, must bring has given us the three steps for rethinking. all people into the Christian fold by a strong These are: careful statements of a thesis, world-wide missionary propaganda. By this the- the antithesis, and the synthesis. Following these sis Christianity makes a direct antagonistic attack three steps we shall state briefly the thesis for on Islam. This attitude has been justified by the missions during the last century, the antithesis following claims: to this from the point of view of the thoughtful First, the only true form of monotheism is Moslem and finally we shall consider a new syn- found in Christianity – unity in Trinity. The thesis of missions to Islam. When one attempts to "rethink missions" with monotheism of Judaism is considered inferior be- cause too primitive, while the monotheism of Moslems one needs to take into account the atti- Islam is judged to be a perversion of that of tudes and opinions of Moslems who really do some ,Judaism and Christianity and therefore even less genuine thinking. While these represent less than tenable. two percent of the Moslems at present, they are the ones who will determine the future course of Second, Christianity claims to possess the one Islam. The unthinking masses do not acknowl- and only doctrine which guarantees salvation from edge that there could be any true thesis for Chris- sin and entrance into Eternal Life. This doctrine tian missionary work among Moslems, and a new has been developed by the Christian Church and synthesis would be considered as the rankest form reduced to creeds.
of heresy-a compromise with the devil himself. Third, modern Western civilization is held to With the thinking Manodslepmr,esheonwtsevaern, the situation be superior to all others, and is a direct result of is quite different encouraging Christianity. This civilization has usually in- challenge for both missionaries and Moslems to cluded the political, social and industrial orders do some real rethinking, preferably in joint con- current in the countries from which missionaries ferences. are sent. Western civilization is introduced by The Thesis; In brief the Christian thesis for promoting modern education and by supplanting missions to Islam has been somewhat as follows: the less ideal social, industrial and political orders, Christianity being the only true religion, holding by those prevailing in the West. The expansion of the one true form of monotheism, possessing the Christian political and industrial imperialism of one true doctrine of salvation and having superior the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries have
RETHINKING MISSIONS WITH MOSLEMS
made this claim seem to be important in the eyes on a much higher plain of physical, cultural and of the "sending groups." spiritual well-being than similar workers in the Moslem Near and Far East, but that Western in- Fourth, the Christian Church, as an institution, dustrialism, democracy and culture are the endeavors to absorb into itself all people of the panacea for all the ills of mankind, the thoughtful world. The great weakness to this project has Moslem is no longer as naive and ready to accept been the fact that there have been so many com- this claim as he was twenty-five years ago. The peting forms that the Church has taken. Each thoughtful Moslem will continue to look West inbranch of the Church shows an unwillingness to stead of East for material inspiration but he is make serious modifications in its particular doc- not willing to accept everything without many trines and forms of worship. As numerical gain serious reservations and modifications. has been too often considered as the measuring rod for success; different missions have even Thoughtful Moslems also disagree with the often been in strong competition with each other, claim that Western civilization is entirely the reand with the national faiths of other Christian sult of the Christian religion. They claim that groups among whom they were working. many factors, such as modern science, secular edu- cation, mechanical inventions, imperialism, and Fifth, the claims as to Jesus have often made it change of itrade routes, have also played very im- portant parts in Western progress. necessary for a convert to accept all the implica- The fourth claim that the Christian Church tions, interpretations and creedal statements of should absorb all the people of the world is rejected since the thoughtful Moslem sees little the particular sending group. It was seldom that evidence of its realization. He makes serious objections to the results which he sees in the even minor modifications were permitted among effect of absorption on some of the individuals who have been taken into the Christian Church. new Believers. . But to the claim, that one must accept the his- The Antithesis to this thesis for missions, torical creedal statements about Jesus, the brought by modern thoughtful Moslems may be thoughtful Moslem takes the greatest exception. stated as follows: Moslems claim that the Chris- Missionaries go to Moslems to make Jesus Christ tian form of monotheism is not superior to all known to those with whom they come in contact. others but that their simpler form is better. In There is no greater need than this since Moslems fact many thinking Moslems feel that many do not really know the Jesus as He is revealed in Christians believe in three Gods, since it is diffi- the Gospels. The statements in the Koran about cult to recognize their complicated belief in the "Aisa" are often far from correct. Trinity as true monotheism. Thoughtful, well informed Moslems do, however, recognize that many After coming into contact with missionaries Protestants hold a true monotheism. Some even who make Jesus Christ known, many thoughtful go further and acknowledge that the modern Prot- Moslems are willing to correct the false historical estant conception of monotheism would have a statements of the Koran and accept the Gospel good influence on Islam, since it would vitalize rather than the Koran as the true history. Also the austere desert deism of Islam. But most Mos- many are willing to admit that Jesus Christ must lems would prefer austere deism rather than any- have a superior place to Mohammed, and some are thing that seemed to them to be a compromise even willing to accept Him as offering the true with polytheism. way of salvation, but they reject some of the dog- matic interpretations that do not seem to be . As to the second claim that Christians have the proved conclusively in the Gospels. Koranic interonly true doctrine of salvation, the. reply is that pretation has become such a fine art that those life in all its fulness of past, present and future skilled in tafseer can prove anything by an appeal cannot be reduced to any short dogmatic formula. to the Koran. When a thoughtful Moslem has Islam claims to have reduced this process to the given up these interpretations he is not anxious minimum in teaching that one may obtain salva- to accept a new set of interpretations that seem tion simply by repeating with serious intent the to him to be speCUlative. formula, "There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet." When Christians pre- The Synthesis. We can only point out a few sent to thoughtful Moslems a new set of dogmatic observations as to factors which must be taken formulas, they do not receive a very enthusiastic into account in a new synthesis. response. Dogmatics have ceased vitally to interest them. First Islam should not be classed with poly- theistic heathen religions but should be recognized To claim that Western civilization is superior as one of the great monotheistic faiths. The task to all others, thoughtful Moslems reply that there of the missionary is not to destroy such faith but is no objection to the claim that modern medicine is much superior to the quack practices of Moslemsheikhs, and that the agricultural and industrial methods of the West enable workers to live
"to fulfil" on any and all occasions. Moslems who club. A true synthesis takes into account all the come into contact with him on the basis of under- facts and issues or difference between the two standing, impartial research, and good-will should points of view, in order to see where these differ- not be pressed into a new spiritual bondage of ences may be brought into agreement without dogmatism, but should be brought into the fuller sacrificing the truth or essential issues; finally liberty of Christ. the purpose is to make a clear statement of the Second, Christian missionary methods should essential variations which cannot be brought into avoid controversy as far as possible; instead there agreements. The new synthesis will thus show should be direct, simple and positive presentation that Christianity and Islam have many very vital of the Scriptural message of Jesus Christ, relating differences, such as the austere desert deism as it to modern life. We should emphasize beliefs contrasted to Jesus' teaching of the Fatherhood and practices which Christians and Moslems hold of God. To recognize such a vital difference is not in common and be tolerant in matters where we sufficient to clear ,:pp the issue, since there are do not agree. Anyone familiar with Islam will some who will choose the austere deism, just as realize that there are many differences of opinion there are those who choose to live in the desert and that there is not much danger of compromise. rather than among the most beautiful gardens.
Third, Christians should cease to measure suc- Islam also differs from Christianity in that cess in terms of numbers brought into the church. Islam knows practically nothing of that spiritual It may be better to make it difficult for a Moslem freedom which we have in the Gospel of Jesus to make a formal break with his own community Christ. The spirit-controlled life is of more im- in order to join the Christian community. This portance than assent to dogmatic creeds or ritual- might be done not by placing obstacles in his way, istic deeds performed to obtain merit. Moslems but by placing the responsibility for such a break have much to learn in this respect from the life on those who wish to make the break with Islam. and teaching of Jesus Christ. Moslems should This policy may seem to some missionaries un- recognize that there is a very vital connection be- fair, since there are already so many difficulties tween the high ethical demands of the Gospel of for a convert, but this course would avoid many Christ and the cultural and educational develq,p- of the unfortunate situations which now arise. ments in the West. For instance modern science Such an announced policy would also go far to- demands an honesty similar to that required by wards eliminating the misunderstandings with Jesus. Satisfactory government administration thoughtful Moslems over the matter of proselytiz- and international relationships, which are so de- ing from their group. This might also lessen the pendent on right attitudes towards others, un- prejudice against Christian missions. selfishness, brotherhood, and truthfulness, cannot Fourth, we should allow the freedom provided be developed by ,the compromising ethics of Islam.
for in the New Testament to every Mosle.m who Christian nations have only partially realized this is willing to extend a fraternal spiritual fellow- fact since they still use the same compromising ship to Christians. At present Jesus and Mo- ethics as those taught by Mohammed.
hammed are in direct competition, and Islam has But the greatest difference between Christianity developed a system of dogmatics regarding Mo- and Islam is in the Way of salvation. Islam de- hammed which is similar to the historic dogmatic pends almost entirely on the formal acceptance of theology of the Church. A thoughtful Moslem dogmatic creeds, and the performance of meri- who has recently rejected these dogmatic claims torious deeds prescribed in a ritual. Islam knows for Mohammed is not usually prepared to accept little or nothing about those deeper spiritual reali- without question a new set of dogmatic theological ties of salvation secured through Jesus Christ statements. Yet many wish to accept Jesus as the which offers the abundant life here and hereafter.
New Testament reveals Him. An Indian Moslem A new synthesis will make this difference more is reported to have said: "India wants your clear to all.
Christ but not your Christianity." Many thought- A comprehensive synthesis, such as is here sug- ful Moslems are anxious to enter that spiritual gested, will require time. Conferences are needed fellowship in Jesus the Christ, but do not want between spiritually minded, thoughtful Christians the trappings of Western doctrines and practices. and Moslems who are willing to do good, honest Fifth: When we speak of a new synthesis of rethinking, instead of merely rationalizing and missions to Islam, we do not mean a compromise seeking new defenses for their much loved and in which we attempt t~ bring the truths of the honored dogmas which may no longer offer a vital thesis and the antithesis into acceptable agree- way of life. Such a synthesis has become a vital ment, as is the case often in the political sphere. necessity in order that we may find and keep a Neither can we "soft-pedal" differences and imi- vital reality, in regard to life and faith, in the tate the "hail-fellow-well-met" spirit of the Rotary face of modern materialism.
Post Office Christian
-01§{ I By REV. B. G. LOVELACE, General Secretary, London 1}!Ie– W HAT is the P.O.C.A.? It is a work built men and women gather to hear the heaven-sent up step by step thrDugh over fifty years, message from men of God. Here, toO', pDstmen a WDrk begun and continued in God, and have come for rest and refreshment, specially set having but Dne aim, to' extend His Kingdom and apart for their use. The ,testimony of one was: glDrify His Name. "If it were not for this place I should gO' to' the *** public-house or sit on the curb." Weekly meet- ings drew many, and as the men passed on to In the year 1875, Miss Annie Hodgkin, then a other districts and others took their place, numyoung girl, was staying at BDurnemDuth, and be- bers were blessed. Times have changed; the postcame interested in the work of Miss Whiteway, men nDW having better duties, the rest rooms are who sought to help policemen and postmen by no longer needed, but the meeting room remains, means of Christian literature sent through the and there the weekly Prayer Meeting still holds post. Four years later Miss Hodgkin, with her its own. Again and again have the prayers offamily, settled at Surbiton, and there this interest fered there been abundantly answered. was deepened. She tried to touch the postmen of Kingston in the same way, also arranging meet- A worker in the Central Telegraph Office, Lonings for them, and fDllowed up these efforts with don, was so moved by the daily life testimony of practical interest. This small beginning proved a colleague, herself a P.O.C.A. member, that he to be the start Df a life-work. was led to make the great surrender, and ere long the purpose was formed to devote his life to the Another seed was in preparation. In Central telling forth of the Glad Tidings. He came into London a group of Post Office men were keenly the work as Home Evangelist, and is, after but a feeling the need of the deepening of their own few years in the Baptist ministry, with us today spiritual life and fuller facilities for helping their as General Secretary, and, with all his knowledge colleagues in things spiritual. To this group came of official life behind, has from the first proved tidings of the work at Kingston. They got into indeed to be sent of God. As Home Evangelist, touch with Miss Edmonstone, who had taken up Mr. LDvelace was able to' make tours and open up the work, and together they planned in the Lord. many Provincial Offices. This was the definite start of the Association as such. Two simple aims were: Other activities multiplied. Miss Edmonstone was led to ask for the use of a rODm for work 1. To band together in prayer and fellowship amDng the boys of the Savings Bank Department. the Christians of the Service; The Ladies' Branches also came intO' being, for soon the Money Order, Returned Letter, Clearing 2. To seek to win their fellow-workers for House, and later on the Telephone Departments Christ.
The P.O.C.A. has never swerved from loyalty had each their Dwn branch.
to the whole truth of God as set forth in the Scrip- At one of the early meetings at Kingston-on- tures; the Word of the Cross has ever been its Thames a member prayed fDr God's biessing on final ultimatum. *** the work in its beginnings and that it might grow and spread all over the world. This prayer was The work marvellously grew. An Institute was never forgotten, and was destined to be wonder- opened in London and found its home in one build- fully answered.
ing after another, until it finally settled at the India-To the meetings for the ladies of the present Headquarters, 62, Bartholomew Close, Savings Bank came, among others, one whose which have been occupied for some twenty-five heart was already Christ's, and who soon became years. There in narrDW and sDmewhat dark a staunch member Df the branch and a help in rooms the light of God shone, and memories of seeking others. The desire for missionary service hallowed hours spent there are still precious. To- was born, and at a Keswick Convention, where day, "62~' has become a familiar password. Here she was Dne of a P.O.C.A. party, Miss Hale of- counsel has been sought and counsel given; here fered herself to God f.Dr work abroad. Ih the [137 ]
meantime, the prayer seed had been maturing the work. Time fails to tell of the sacrificial givin another direction. Some members in Dublin ing, of the P.O.C.A. Boat, and of the souls and Belfast had been travailing in prayer for reached. Now other workers have gone out; India, and through their gifts and initiative, first Bible classes are held, a Gospel paper is circulated a Gospel paper was started and then a native widely, correspondence is largely used, and the evangelist appointed to work in the Post Offices Scriptures are distributed. of Ceylon. It was not long before Madras was touched, then the Punjab, Calcutta and Bombay. South America – A young girl, entering the The work of the evangelist at Gujerat revealed office, was invited to a P.O.C.A. meeting. Brought the need of a lady worker for the families of offi- up in a Christian home, its godly influence was cials, and at a Keswick Convention the call came with her, although as yet religion had not seemed to a P.O.C.A. worker who was at the time Hon- very attractive. But she accepted the invitation, orary Secretary for Belfast. She went out to and at one of the first meetings the message of the India the same year. We have now besides, a na- friendship of J~sus Christ so came home to her tive worker, Mr. Mathews in the South, and a that she received Him as Saviour and before long Gospel paper, "Bright Echoes," is circulated the desire for service in the regions beyond was through the country. implanted. South America became the object of. her prayers and Miss Goldsmith had the definite Japan-Some years before Miss Hale's call to call to South America. She went out, and has India, Japan was touched with Gospel literature labored there now over twenty years, editing the through the voluntary work of missionaries of paper "EI Correo," a magazine for Spanish-speakother Societies. At present advance is greatly ing countries, aided and encouraged by her husneeded, and will be made as funds and helpers are band, Mr. Curtis. Through the influence of their given. The Savings Bank had given of their best work, branches have been started in Brazil and for India, the P.ostal and Telegraph Staffs were Mexico, helped by voluntary workers in those to point the way to China, and eventually to send parts, and Peru and Venezuela are also being also from their ranks to that country. touched in a similar way.
China-At a time when there was no effort for A Postmaster in North Argentina noticed a China, suddenly one day a Scotch postman sent little packet of "Correo," the P .O.C.A. Gospel "Ten shillings for China." "After many days" paper, in his office. Attracted by the name, which this little seed bore fruit. The need was contin- means "The Gospel Mail," he opened the paper, ually remembered before God at the Central and for the first time in his life he read of the Prayer Meeting and by many interested else- Good Tidings of life. It awoke in him a deep where, and prayer was answered in a remarkable thirst for further light, a Bible was obtained, Gosway. pel meetings attended, and finally the man became a sincere follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hard At the time of the Boxer troubles the Empress by his office he built a little preaching hall as a of China had a telegram sent all over her empire, token of his gratitude to God for the blessing rethe wording of which was as follows: "The for- ceived, and there he conducts a Sunday School and eigners must be killed, the foreigners retiring other meetings. must still be killed." This telegram fell into the hands of two telegraphists, not Christians, whose South Africa-The Provincial Branches were hearts were so touched with the desperate plight slowly increasing, and a good deal of spade and of the foreigners that they put the word "Pro- trowel work had been going on. One member tected" for the word "Killed." Swiftly the mes- spent his holidays touring "on the wheel" on besage ran over the wires from town to town: "The half of the work; another visited Germany, which foreigners must be protected, the foreigners re- was opening up. This work was shared by the tiring must still be protected." Before the mis- Scattered Branch, which came to include members take was noticed hundred~ of lives were saved. not only in the then United Kingdom, but also in The story quickly spread to England, and it came many Colonies and Dependencies. The South Afas a challenge to the P.O.C.A. to send the Gospel rican Branch grew out of the Scattered Branch. A to their Chinese colleagues. Prayer became more member up-country wrote telling of the deep need definite, and when the Chinese Imperial Post Office of himself and those working with him for spirwas established it was felt that the time was ripe itual help. "I have longed," he wrote, "to live as for a start. It was arranged to send out Bibles a Christian should, but the life here is deadly and Testaments to all the Post Offices in China, monotonous; the loneliness of the veldt has got then numbering only 1,000, with greetings from into my soul." A seed of longing desire from a their comrades in this country. The response was troubled heart became the means for a definite so wonderful that Mr. James Heal, then of the work in South Africa, and another life was sur- China Inland Mission, was led to give himself to rendered that the purposes of God might not fail.
THE POST OFFICE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
Mrs. Goslin, of the South African General Mis- have heard the call of God and put themselves at sion, gave herself for this work. With Cape Town His disposal, to witness and serve while still as a centre, touch was soon made with offices and carrying on the daily round. The Association calls individuals up and down the country, and today loudly today for more such surrendered lives. many are blessing God for the P.O.C.A. in their What could not be done if God had such a witness midst. The present Hon. Secretary, Miss Findlay, and one or two of the first members are still in every Post Office in the land? * among the chief helpers. A Post Office influenced for Christ is not only a Egypt-The work in Egypt, where an Arabic receiving station but a distributing centre. So paper circulates, began with a few scattered mem- often the life of a little community in various bers, and now reaches Post Offices in a fairly wide countries centers around the Post Office. The area and numbers many members. On one occa- work of the P.O.C.A., which commenced over fifty sion the village postman took Mr. Upson to see years ago, has now become world-wide in its the Postmaster. For a long time after supper scope. Every fresh advance has been born in they discussed the Gospel, and finally the Post- prayer and its foundations laid in the distribution master brought his family for evening worship. of the Word of God. Thus country after country has opened to the work through its missionaries Europe-In Europe we have the same story to and workers, and Gospel magazines are regularly tell; the seed of prayer sown and the purpose of distributed to postal officials in over thirty-three God worked out through those whose hearts were countries. At the present time the response from touched to respond to the call. The work in Italy inquiring souls is growing greatly and the hand arose through the prayers of a Scotch postman, of God is upon work and workers in manifest and and the first year's issue of the quarterly Gospel growing blessing. It would be of strategic impaper was made possible by the gift of a whole portance for the Kingdom of God if He graciously year's rise of salary by a lady in the service. This raised up a fellowship of service among the Post work showed the best method of touching other Offices of the United States on behalf of the great European countries, i.e., through Gospel papers work yet to be done among Post Office employees specially prepared and distributed widely through throughout the world in leading them to a living the post. France, Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Ice- faith in Christ. In some instances this work is land, are all reached in this way. One other line being done on virgin soil as in Portuguese Guinea, of work used is the distribution of the Scriptures; Goa, and Timor, where there is neither missionthese have been widely circulated in Russia, and ary nor Christian missionary work of any kind. are still being given in Esthonia. In the Euro- Yet the post is wide open, and this constitutes not pean work every fresh country entered has been only ari opportunity but a challenge. Each of our the result of some individual appeal for prayer Gospel magazines contains an offer of a free copy for an open door in the land. of the Scriptures, and in this way contact has been made with thousands of men and women in the There remains much land to be possessed. The Post Offices which has led many of them to faith perusal of even one copy of the "Quarterly Mail," in Christ. the official organ of the Association, will show the world-wide nature of its activities. Very early in MISSIONS AS A OAREER its history John Wes'ley's motto, "The world is my parish," was adopted, and today the P.O.C.A. Charles M. Sheldon, the author of "In His Steps," tells is working in every continent. For many years the Society was known as the International Postal, of a university class reunion, where one alumnus asked: Telegraph and Telephone Christian Association, the present title having been more recently "How do you account for Manley's going as a missionadopted as more concise. ary? He was the most intellectual and brilliant man in *** our class. Now it has been years since I have heard of It will be evident that such a work as here described could not have been maintained by the him. Poor fellow! A great career lost!" Service alone, unless by support from a very large percentage of its members. The Christian public The speaker was the head of a corporation and had has greatly helped, and their gifts and interest have been a distinct boon. And this is not out of spent all his life since graduation in piling up money. His the way, for does not the Post Office serve all? 'And any Gospel work on a sound basis will appeal companion, a distinguished journalist, replied: "I have a to the people of God. letter here from Manley enclosing a little circular. His There have been and still are Christians who work includes a great hospital for surgical cases; a preaching circle of fourteen stations and outstations; a publishing house that ranks among the first in the East, and a boys' training school with an attendance of 500 students. He has twenty-seven assistant workers in vari- ous departments." The big businessman replied: "I apologize to Manley; I did not know what a great career a modern missionary has. By the side of it my own is small." -Watchman-Examiner.
• Gifts for the work should be sent to the General Secretary, the Rev. B. G. Lovelace, Post Olllce Christian Association, 62, Bartho- lomew Close, London, E. C. 1.
Mission Appeals
By the REV. H. KERR TAYLOR, D.D., Nashville, Tennessee Foreign Missionary Educational Secretary, Presbyterian Church in the United States W HETHER we now call it "Foreign Mis- ", sions," or "International Christianity," or quaintance with religious and mission matters is "World Christian Community," or just the quite aware of this. Kingdom of God, our problem remains to raise the eyes and the interest of Christians at home to the If, however, we are convinced of the integrity outlying, less-favored areas of the world that of the missionary enterprise, what remains in the know not the Good News of the incarnation of light of changed conditions, of our missionary the Son of God. Certainly for a few more decades appeal to the people in the home churches? What at least this is a task ,that must derive its support are the vital facts that make legitimate an emfrom Christian churches and societies in Western phasis in the present-day call for money and men churches for people in area6 overseas. and deep concern for the areas of earth overseas? We believe that the integrity of the appeals of the A generation or even a decade or more ago the former days carryover with much of their appeal for interest and support was concrete. strength into the world situation today, and that Those overseas lands were called "heathen" lands, the newer conditions, born of the very success and still unopened and untouched with the Gospel. values of the cause of Christ in the world, only The religions and cultures there were admittedly emphasize and underscore the reality of the abidnon-Christian. The soul-stirring appeals of those ing missionary need and the claim of these needy days were effective: the untouched fields; the areas on more privileged communities. millions in total darkness who were going into eternity at the rate of so many every minute; Missionary appeal has always been most effecheathen concepts; ,the prevalence of cannibalism, tively made along the lines of a real need, of a polygamy, slavery, infanticide; the degradation great opportunity, and of the results that such of woman and the universal practice of idolatry. work may legitimately be expected to produce.
Today the emphasis has changed; so has the It is necessary to put in the very forefront the basis of appeal for interest and support. The stupendous need presented by an unfinished task. task to some extent has lost its pioneer appeal. As one recalls the mighty appeals of a generation The coastal areas and river and railroad towns in ago for untouched areas of the world and its peothe mission fields have been reached to some ex- pIes, one thinks of the exceedingly small number tent with the Gospel story. Great independent of cities and towns and villages that have been churches now stand in the cities of Tokyo, Shang- effectively reached today by the messengers of the hai, Canton, Calcutta, Bombay, Cairo, Johannes- Gospel of Christ. There are hundreds of millions burg, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City. Multitudes of human beings who still are in exactly the same of voices in lesser known cities and towns in these condition as were those of whom we were told in "non-Christian" fields praise the one God and former days. Something must be done to reach Father of us all even though they have not all ac- these people. They continue to live and stumble, cepted Christ as the only Saviour. to question and die, without a knowledge of the truth of God. Think of the tens of thousands of The world, too, is shrinking in its size. Life in villages in China, Japan, India, Africa and other any land is not nearly so provincial and primitive lands into which has never yet gone a messenger as once it was. Steamships, Clipper planes, ra- with the Gospel. Here is a condition that we negdios, telegraph, telephone, commerce and interna- leet at peril to ourselves. The newer and more tibnal dependence and conflicts have brought that advanced problems and policies at home and about. In the whole world Christian community abroad cannot ignore it. This was a major apthere has come a corresponding shift from a peal for an awakening Church a few decades ago. purely personal and devotional emphasis to a ,But consistency in our attitude requires that fuller recognition of the social implications of something must yet be done to overtake these Christianity. Anyone with even a passing ac- same great needs that exist today.
Loyalty, to the service of Christ, and the sacri- [140 ] fice of those who have served in these hard places for the expenditure of life and money. Men are urges completion of the task so nobly begun. It encouraged by dividends – material or spiritual. is obviously wise to build now on foundations Young workers looking to foreign service wish to so well and so sacrificially laid, that the task may be assured that, as a return for the giving of their go on without interruption. The missionary task lives to such service, there is offered a reasonable has rarely in any field reached a final stage. The promise of definite and worth-while achievement. typical Protestant congregation in the Far East, it has been said, is a group of about fifty Chris- There is much to say on this point. The church tians surrounded by 25,000 non-Christians. The should be informed of indigenous church growth, same thing is true in other fields. Here is the of well-planned occupation of the field, of virile possibility of a strategic advance. In terms of native church leadership and effective movements military strategy the Church should bring up its of advance. reserves. There is nothing more appealing and convinc- Present-Day Opportunities ing than reports and illustrations of strong per- sonalities, indicative of the reality and vitality of One recalls the appeals once made for men and the church in fDreign lands. How great is the enmeans and united prayer that doors then closed couragement that has come through Toyohiko might be opened. There are few such closed doors Kagawa and Bishop Azariah, T. Z. Koo and multoday. It is exceptional today when a missionary titudes of others in every mission field. cannot stand and preach or teach or heal in the Name of Christ in any place on the earth's sur- The Church at home needs to realize the great face. The fact that God answered these prayers service and influence that the missionary enterand Dpened the doors should nerve us to a renewed prise is exerting on the field. Such a book as "Beeffort to occupy the openings now before' us. We yond Statistics," by S. J. Corey, presents a most prayed for the opening of doors into great geo- convincing argument. In social uplift, in health graphical areas. That prayer was answered. measures, in education, in the creation of good Life areas, too, of every kind stand open today. will, in the ameliorating of such great evils as The field of service for properly qualified foreign unbridled prostitution, intemperance, use of narworkers remains wide and the opportunity is cotics, unchecked causes of famine and plague, ours. The messenger must be well prepared, in- mi'ssiDnaries have rendered outstanding service. telligent and of sympathetic heart, but the field As Dr. Corey says, "NDbody but an intellectual fDr such a worker is almost unlimited. provincial, a moral agnostic, ,or a dDgmatic quack can be cynical about these great results of mis- The missionary message is fresh and vital; it sions." has a universal background; it personalizes, as it were, an ecumenical conception of what the The Protestant Christian enterprise has abun- Church of Christ is. There is experience to meet dantly proved its essential relation to the world's a difficult task. There is needed on mission fields life. It has fought its way to its present position those who can bear witness to the universal char- of commanding influence in a world in spite of acter and claims of the Christian faith. It is too pronounced and strong opposition where there easy for the growing Church to conceive of itself should have been alliance. The missionary cause, as a separate entity with little or no relation to a as it has been carried on, has little Df which to Christian world fellowship. Provinciality is al- be ashamed; it has much fDr which it may be ways a curse of Church life. For health and in- thankful and to which it can point with pride. spiration the newer churches need association with older and more experienced churches. There is less provincialism in our day than there was when the missionary enterprise was born. Never was the experience of the Church needed For that let us thank God. World events and namore than on mission fields tDday. There is no tional interdependence have forced us to think in necessity for the younger churches to make all the more inclusive modes. Foreign service is not mistakes that have for decades weakened or made merely so "foreign" as it once was. It has come futile much of the effDrt of churches in other closer home. lands. The mDdern missionary, with trained mind and heart, and with vital contact with President Roosevelt, standing in Chicago in Oc- Christ, can mediate the best in Christian expei'i- tober, 1937, made a clarion call to men of all races ence; from his peculiar position he can guide to. return to and live by the principles of the past pitfalls in church policy and life. Prince of Peace. Here was truly a nDtable em- phasis on the work of the missionary. FDr how Convincing Results shall nations believe and live by the principles and life of One of whom they have not heard? The supporters Df missi,onary work wish to And how shall they hear without a preacher? feel that there are encouraging results to show And how shall they preach except they be sent?
Christians everywhere need to waken to the reality, the ,opportunity and the success of a di-
vinely appointed task well begun. Foreign mis- new faith and courage. Every church and every sions have weathered a perfect siege of side-line church member true to Christ must face the criticism. Weare more than standing unshaken claims of this world enterprise which has successin a world whose current philosophy has led it into fully stood the test of time. a cheapened over-concern with the mere tinsels of life. We need to have faith and courage and Move to the fore! God himself waits morale strengthened in the thought that God is And must wait till thou come. with us and that the task well begun has been Men are God's prophets, carried forward to its pre'sent magnificent stage. Though ages lie dumb. While we cannot point to a service that has not Halts the Christ Kingdom had its mistakes and while we yet have many With conquest so near? things to learn, we have much for which to praise Thou art the cause, then, God. We need to go on with the enterprise with Thou man at Jj.he rear- M.ove to the fore!
When a man receive's the Lord Jesus Christ he also receives the power of God to pass through all his being, and to be exhibited in the world for the glory of God and for :the salva- tion of others. The principle and practice of self-sacrifice should control him at every point so that, exactly following in the steps of his Redeemer, as a faithful imitation of Christ, the man should be known as one who, by his life, recommends Jesus Christ to others.
PREB. H. W. WEBB-PEPLOE.
SOME WORLD SUNDAY SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENTS IN 1937 1. In the Apostolic Church of Armenia, Sunday school work, well established in Syria and Palestine, has been extended for the first time to Egypt, Cyprus and Iran (Persia), under the leadership of Levon Zenian.
2. Secretary Newell S. Booth, of the Belgian Congo, has published an indigenous manual, "Serving God in the Sunday School," which will have wide use among Sunday school workers throughout Africa.
3. Sunday school work in Brazil has been greatly advanced through the call of an associate, Sr. Jose Del Nero, to serve with Rodolfo Anders, general secretary.
4. The indigenous program in China for training leaders for voluntary service in the church, in spite of the outbreak of hostilities, has made remarkable advance.
5. The ancient Coptic church in Egypt is vigorously promoting the formation of Sunday schools and is working in close cooperation with the other churches in Egypt.
6. The ZOE movement w,ithin the Orthodox Church in Greece has been accorded official approval by the (Greek Church) Holy Synod to include Sunday school classes for girls taught by women teachers.
7. In spite of decrease in Japan, bo,th in the number of Sunday schools and in enrollment of pupils due to the growing spirit of militarism, the National Sunday School Association i,s steadily pushing forward its work.
8. In Korea; many outstanding Sunday school leaders have been imprisoned becaus,e of their unwillingness to worship at Shinto shrines and so place government 10Yialities before their loyalty to Christ.
9. The conviction among evangelical leaders in Mexico has deepened that the Sunday school d'S the best- agency to meet the needs for religious education since such education is now restricted by law ,to homes and registered church buildings.
10. The holding of a seoond annual general Sunday School Convention for the Bantu (natives) in. the Union of South Africa has resulted in a decided advance in Sunday school work ;among Bantu children.
11. Puerto Rico has the largest Sunday school enrollment in any Spanish-speaking area in the world.
12. In Turkey, the churches are maintaining Sunday schools as "Children Worship Services," in order to comply with the law which prohibits the conduct of schools without govern- mental supervision.
Ways of
crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home i EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO '~I"==~=========================================== Ministers and Missions-in Re- sermon, and having a church Number 3: In addition to hav- geared for departmental mis- ing a membership well organized lation to the Local Church sionary study, I depend mainly and manned for missions, gives upon the dynamic of frequent up his evening service for six The key man to the missionary en- contact with live missionaries weeks, beginning on the first terprise in America today, the one (live in all senses of the word) Sunday in November, to a school who will determine more than anyone who not only speak from my of missions in which every deelse the attitude of the church to the pulpit but meet integral church partment (except the Primary, movement, is not the board secretary, groups-such as the young peo- which has its instruction at the or the foreign missionary, but the pas- ple's society-and also as many regular Sunday school hour) has tor of the local church. He it is who of the membership in their its own group session under the stands before the congregation every homes as practical. Weare a most competent instructors- Sunday morning as the expounder of missionary church. (This an- largely college professors-meetthose things which are held to be of swer is satisfactory, but we ing at the opening for a fifteentranscendent value in human life. . . . should also like to have heard minute assembly period in which Christian missions is not thought of of a correlated, integrated plan stereopticon slides, moving picas a one-sided operation in which we through which the missionary tures, brief dramatic sketches or are the active ones while they (the machinery in the church reaches talks by authoritative speakers non-Christian world) remain recep- its maximum efficiency and de- are presented. This has proved tive, but rather a reciprocal interplay velopes its full potentialities. such a success that after the first of influences between two foci. . . . But far be it from us to criticize year or so the other denomina- The minister must be reasonably cer- any plan that works.) tions of the community united in tain with reference to the attitude the effort, and thus an advance which he should seek to develop in Number 2: Had an outstand- has been made not only in mishis people. From now on, attitudes ing innovation in the way of a sion study but that of the denomare the main thing which America Men's Missionary League in inational comity-which must lie can contribute. What is required is which the masculine members at the foundation of the eventual that the attitude within should be kept pace with the feminine in church unity of which many of made to correspond with the facts in definite mission study and con- us dream. the changing world without. . . . Re- served the special efficiency of ligious history is being written rapidly business and professional men Number 4- has had six or eight in these days. The details are con- in the undertaking of actual successive Family Church Nights fusing and must be left to those con- field projects, in community, beginning in the autumn, in cerned. The really prophetic ministry country-wide and foreign work. which the mid-week service is will discover the major trends and given over to an all-church suppresent these to his congregation in (What a splendid group to turn per-substantial but simple and such a manner that their attitudes loose in the special Civic and Peace inexpensive enough to be within may keep abreast of the times and projects stressed in this year's plans the reach of most of the memtheir support may be continued to an in all the denominations! See THE bers. The ensuing meeting inenterprise which is doomed to change REVIEW, page 155 of the March, 1937, cludes a devotional period and so long as it is alive. issue for picture and an article on this missionary presentations in the endeavor.) way of the mission study books, This declaration of an out- addresses, dramatic sketches, standing Christian thinker is so This league holds meetings in pictures, lively programs sponcentral in the present mission- other churches, puts out a pam- sored by the various missionary ary situation that the Depart- phlet with full directions for or- organizations, and even lively ment Editor asked a number of ganization and work. social features, of a homogeneous pastors what their policies and nature. This works well in his practices were in the matter, (Published by Board of Adminis- membership and is looked forwith the following results. Be- tration United Presbyterian Church, ward to eagerly each year. hind each numeral there stands Publication Bldg., Pittsburgh, Pa.) the name of a bona fide clergy- Number 5, whose plan apman: Its leader, Rev. G. A. Brown, peared in the January, 1938, is- 238 Princeton Ave., Elyria, Number 1: Taking missions Ohio, will give help to any into be an essential part of the quirer who will enclose postage warp and woof of a Christian for reply. life, I do not preach occasional missionary sermons but, using [143 ] missionary facts and illustrations in the normal course of any
sue of THE REVIEW, uses the the church at home is visibly suf- Japan – p I a y let, "Let's be midweek service over a definite fering from "marasmus"? Send Friends." China – description period most profitably by hav- us your own or your pastor's of China. Have some one impering a School of Broadening Hori- plan to pass along to those poor sonate missionaries. They might zons-for the children's groups preachers of an anemic Gospel. wish to introduce a couple of during the church worship hour, Chinese children. Play some and for the young peoples' and Another key man in mission- deck games. Africa – be sure adult groups during the B.Y.P.U. ary teaching is the Sunday and point out the Southern Cross hour. The mi.ssionary prayer school superintendent. The De- and other constellations (use partment Editor is especially suggestions from Chapter 1, meeting at the midweek service anxious to get helps from and Congo Crosses, to give atmosis held once a month for eight for him. Write to the address phere); visit mission stations months. Four meetings are to at the head of this Department there; meet missionaries and be on the Moslem world and four if you have any suggestions. learn about work. on the rural theme. Three progressive rural pastors, alive to More Briefs from Our Homeward B 0 un d: Group present-day problems, are to singing; reading-"Two Roostcome in and speak on outstand- Exchanges ers" or "The Pig and the Hen" ing points in their work. A or "The North Wind and the The following Around the Sun"; special music; New York stereopticon lecture on colpor- World Cruise is an adaptable Harbor – song, "America the tage work will climax the pro- plan taken from The EvangelVcal Beautiful"; Negro spirituals. grams on rural life, while a mov- Missionary World: Kentucky-just in time for the ing picture on the Mohammedan missionary meeting; devotiontopic will complete the series. Take in all points of interest, als; brief business meeting. but especially concentrate on Much earnest work and thought our mission stations. Leave Home A g a in: Farewellswere put upon this plan in order from San Francisco and stop at hymn of parting. to coordinate comprehensively Japan, China, Africa, dock on the eastern coast and visit Ken- A Missionary Picnic was anall the features of the work. tucky. other usable plan. Last June the Baltimore district of the Evan- Number 6 takes a study book Supplies necessary for the gelicals met for a picnic, groups for six successive mid wee k journey: Boat-can be made by gathering from all directions meetings and has the subject arranging chairs in the shape of from early morn to the sunset a ship with crepe paper around hour which climaxed the day. matter briefly and attractively the outside. Then in the center, Everyone was ready to contribsummarized by some speaker by using a long table, crepe ute something to the success of paper and cardboard, you can the day – races, contests and who can be held within his time fashion the smoke stacks; Gas- games for the children. A mis- -a different speaker for each energy; Oil-enthusiasm; Goal sion band gave a demonstration chapter. Accompanying stere- Chart-maps; Tickets-dues or and an original song. A debate opticon or moving pictures ought fare; Passport-your baby pic- on "Why I Believe in Missions" ture; Schedule-program; Ko- was very interesting. Towards to be used wherever possible. dak-an inquiring mind and its evening girls came from their On an average, the services thus pictures. places of business and mothers gave them supper from the picutilized are the best attended in Organization: Pilot – presi- nic baskets. Then all sat on the the entire year, especially on dent; Chief mechanic-program hillside facing the setting sun picture nights; and incidentally, chairman; Hostess – meeting and the girls held an impressive hostess; Purser – treasurer; sunset service. Scripture readthe problem of What to Do With Recorder – secretary; Guide- ing and prayer were followed by the Prayer Meeting Hour is person in charge of tour or the two beautiful mi.ssionary stories. solved for the time being. advisor; Red Caps-entertain- "Abide with Me," sung by the ment committee; Fruit seller- company, closed the service. The Number 7 – and the name dispenses f r u its, sandwiches, Spirit had drawn us into one back of that numeral is Legion candy, etc.; Newsboy – litera- large, happy family. -number 7 has no plan or con- ture committee – dispenses all sistent practice or definite policy church periodicals. A Convention with the BirdiS whatsoever, stating all un- furnishes a picturesque meeting Invitations in the form of cir- attraction even to those not yet ashamed that the handling of culars announcing the date of interested in missions: missions had been left mostly to tour and rates: C r u i s e- "the sisters," as they had the "Around the World Cruise" ; Invitation Ship-Goodwill; Shipping Comtime and seemed to be better in- pany-Evangelical lines. Come, let us go to birdland formed and more interested than And see what they can tell the rest. "0, a few missionary Suggested Schedule: Song- instrumental or vocal (Star About the work of Missions illustrations are occasionally in- Spangled Banner) as the ship Which we should know so well. troduced into a sermon but the leaves port; Explanation of tour congregation didn't seem to care —'Guide; Group Singing; Brief The meeting will be held (date and Description of Japan; Touring place). for that sort of preaching." And yet these otherwise worthy men are under commission to preach the whole Gospel in which the winning of the world for Jesus Christ is fundamental! Is it any wonder that missions lag and
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Decorations home life necessary to the wel- a coordinated plan of missionary fare of young girls in a city. promotion. The following ele- If possible, make this an outdoor meeting. If it must be held indoors Another problem is that of ments are suggested for incluat night, try and make the room as finding wholesome recreation in sion: suggestive of the out-of-doors as pos- most cities. . . . Con g est e d sible. Bird nests, bird baths, stuffed streets and cheap motion picture 1. The preparation and distribution birds and even a few canaries will houses form their places of help to make you feel closer to God's amusement. Out of these come of missionary materials and nature. hundreds of girls and young supplies. women with vicious tastes and Devotions low ideals to make up a group 2. The promotion of missions through of undesirable citizens. Our in- institutes, conventions, assem- Call to Worship–Read Mat. 6: 26. terest in Christian Citizenship blies and like gatherings. Solo by Canary (one dressed in yel- should lead us to do the follow- ing simple ,things in our several 3. The propagation of the mission- low)-"This is my Father's communities: World." ary cause through church pe- Scripture Promises (read by different 1. A group of white women in each riodicals and church school members)-Isa. 40: 31; Ps. 103: city should get first-hand information literature. . 5; 91: 1-5; Mat. 10: 29-31; Deut. on how the Colored women in the 4. The promotion of special mission- 32: 11, 12. lowest economic class live in their par- ary days and periods. ticular city. The group should work Program – Take a bird's-eye with a housing committee, or if none 5. The deputation and itineration of view of certain mission stations. exists it should form one for the pur- missionaries on furlough. Have members give word pic- pose of bringing to the attention of tures of activities upon the sev- the privileged people their responsi- 6. The cultivation of the Christian eral fields as seen while soaring ~ilit~ for seein~ to it that Negroes WorId View among student life. high above them. These word hve m surroundmgs that will produce pictures will be based upon facts, good citizens. 7. The regular and -systematic culbut the presentation will need to ture of pastors in the missionbe largely imaginative in order 2. A committee on employment and ary idea. to secure the best effect. employment standards should be found to work with the Negro women who 8. The building of a program of mtis- The Evangelical Missionary must labor long hours for little pay, World is replete with practical and who as a result cannot care prop- sionary education and promosuggestions. erly for their homes and children. In tion in the local church. the long run it might be possible to 9. The enlistment of the annual cO?!.- Problems that Confront build up public .sentiment for paying ference missionary societies for heads of families wages sufficient to active participation in this pro- Women and Girls reduce the number of such Negro gram.' women. 10. The complete correlation of this An address by Lucy Dean Slow, Dean of Women in Howard 3. A committee should be formed to program with that of all other University, may well be pon- find out what opportunities exist for agencies affected thereby. dered by us all. It appeared in caring for girls during their leisure The Evangelical Missionary time. . . . The Church could be of "Peace ,on earth, goodwill to World: service, for their own lecture rooms men." Shall we help our boys and parish halls could be used as cen- and girls to cultivate an attitude In discussing some of the ters of constructive recreation. of International Peace? . . . problems of Colored women and girls precipitated by their con- 4. Finally it seems to me that all How about Christmas gifts that tact with city life and their at- of us need to be aware of what is go- will suggest thoughts of Peace? tempts at adjustment to it … ing on in our cities to this group of … From the Women's Interwe find that all of them have people. . . . With the economic prob- national League for Peace and their roots primarily in the eco- lem solved, it will be easier to solve Freedom, Pennsylvania branch nomic condition of the people. the social and moral problems, . . . Many very serious prob- at 1924 Chestnut St., Philadellems face these newcomers (in A Comprehensive Outreach phia, you may obtain a list of the exodus from farm to city), the most serious of which is Dr. Carl Heinmiller, Field Sec- toys which can be purchased in maintaining a home. All too retary of the Missionary Society four of the leading stores of frequently the bulk of the Negro in the Evangelical church, in his Philadelphia. Names of the population is forced to occupy annual report, says ,this about a manufacturers will be sent upon alley dwellings and old houses comprehensive outreach: request to those wishing to .order deserted by better paid whites. through local stares. The list Often these are lacking in sani- I would like to share with this consists of board games, card tation and are located irr sur- body a growing conviction of the games, handwork sets, maps, roundings not con d u c i veto imperative need for a more com- puzzles, pictures, indoor games, wholesome living. . . . When prehensive program of missionyou consider that approximately ary education by this Board, in dolls and figures, and the prices 51 per cent of the Negro married order that we may effectively are stated. Send for the leaflet, women are employed as against confront our constituency with The New Patriotism Is Peace; 22 per cent of the white married the "planetary dimensions" of Building the International Mind women, you can realize how diffi- the Gospel. I am wondering if through Toys. . . . Are you cult it is to maintain the proper the time has not come thoroughly thinking of books for your young to study our present procedure for the purpose of formulating friends? From our literature headquarters you may secure Broken Guns, Ship East – Ship West, Victories of Peace, each 50 cents in paper, one dollar in cloth.
This suggestion from The Evangelical World is of great importance. The books mentioned may be secured from any mis- sionary literature headquarters; and the gifts will be just as appropriate on birthdays and other gift-giving occasions as on Chrlst- mas.-EDITOR. .
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE,NEW YORK, N. Y.
J =============================I~ Study Quietness "I Stand Amid Eternal Ways" "Time out now to bury the dead"; "Who's this fellow? Here's his head;" Paul, the pastor and mission- -Burroughs. A man lets out a piteous cryary, true to his understanding of "I'm going to the Lord on high!" the unique Way of Christ, wrote ==;=~–~ to the Thessalonian Christians, Another dying man looks roundconcerning love ,of the brethren; Photograph by Dorothy L. Webster "I guess – I'm going neath the . . . ye yourselves are taught of "SPIRIT OF PEACE" God to love one another; for in- ground": deed ye do it toward all the Peter Colonn&, aged 15, hears So it is both day and night, brethren that are in all Mace- The Call to Battle Everywhere its "Fight, fight, fight!" donia. But we exhort you, None will miss you in your grave; brethren, that ye abound more Hark! The bugle's triumphant sound They've gQt their own lives to save. and more; and that ye study to Throughout the dismal woods around; be quiet, and to do your own Dig your trenches firm and steep, I think now you'll understand business and to work with your Get a place where you can sleep. War's not music and a band; hands . . . that ye may walk Hark! The sound of marching feet- Nor a uniform neat and trim, becomingly toward them that The enemy we're going to greet, But tragedy both stark and grim. are without, and may have need "Come on, boys, we'll make a charge"; of nothing. "Gee, that cannon sure is large." Is this "Call to Battle," heard I hear a whining close at hand; by a schoolboy, in any way the Does quietness really accom- "Duck! A shell's about to land"; responsibility 0 f Christians? plish all this? All night long the shelling. goes, What shall we do about it? While in the trees a soft wmd blows; When? Peaceful Change "What's the use? I'm going to die." "Keep on; make another try." Shall We Cure War? "Do you remember, Little Boom! Boom! Boom! The cannons Chipmunk,what the Spider Armistice 1918! First Con- Woman told the Children of the roar, ference on the Cause and Cure Sun when they started out to Why this killing and this gore? of War, 1925. January 1938, subdue the enemies?" "That thing once was Johnny Jones, the Thirteenth Conference on Now's a mass of blood and bones; the Cause and Cure of War had The old man with his face still Billy was my friend and true, for the theme, "A Present-Day serene after years of hardship Now he's dead and buried, too." Program for Peace." smiled at his Little Chipmunk. [146 ] From the Call to the thir- "Repeat the words I have teenth Conference, we find the taught you. Repeat them every positive emphases that "Our morning when you greet the sun. business at the Conference will Repeat them now." be to reinforce our knowledge, to refresh our courage, redouble Na Nai said in a low voice- our efforts, and reaffirm our be- liefs, having in mind that saying Put your feet down in peace. of President Masaryk's-"Noth- ing kills an idea that is really be- Put your hands down in peace. lieved in."
Put your head down in peace. The implication in the Call is, if enough Americans believe in Then your feet are peaceful.· the idea of preventing the use of Then your hands are peaceful. war as a national policy in set- tling disputes with any govern- YQur body is peaceful. . ment on the face of the earth, then "the present-day program Your mind is peaceful. for peace" will be given a chance to develop in our home communi- Your voice is peaceful. ties. By such efforts, our coun- For, my children, remember this, The trail is beautiful-Be still.
-From . Laura Adam.s Armer: Dark Circle of Branches. By permission of Longmans, Green & Co., New York.
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
try may finally become peace- Henry Adams' idea that if he others who attended the Thirminded and peace-acting in all and two friends returned "say, teenth Conference on the Cause relations of life. This will not in 1938-their centenary-they and Cure of War agree with mean absence of struggle or lack might see the mistakes of their Mrs. Harper Sibley who closed own lives made clear in the light the program with the consideraof force, but the field of action of the mistakes of their succes- tion of "War and Religion," will be in the scientific and sors; perhaps then for the first namely, that there is a dynamic moral realms, and also in the re- time since man began his edu- strength in the Christian faith ligious field. cation . . . they would find a in the Fatherhood of God which can and may soon triumph over Felix Morley said early in the world, that sensitive and timid all opposition to the present-day Conference, "If we want to build natures could regard without a program for peace. machinery for peace out of our shudder." True, they find it not! vast store of knowledge, it must It is quite clear that education Carrie Chapman Catt, invinbe built by a group of like- for peace must include practise cible soul and inspiration of all of new ways by the present gen- peacemakers, spoke unforgetminded people." He presented "four points of achievement" of erations. table words: "there is a new the "late" Brussels Conference. way. Anyone who feels inclined In this 1938 Conference such might add this new one to the He gave other indications from subjects as World Economic Co- old. . . . Just how ashamed are present events of the beginnings operation, Raw Materials and you of War history, and of the of a new world order. Colonies, Trade Barriers and Currencies, American Capital, years the human race has The responsibility of powerful Labor, and the Farmer, became wasted its brain power in innations for world peace was the personal affairs of those at- venting new armaments to kill, urged by most of the speakers. tending. Doubtless these mat- instead of trying to find a way The discipline needed to walk ters will become more and more the common possession of our to stop war. If you are not the road of world peace must be citizens in their present pursuit ashamed now, ask God to make accepted by an increasing num- you ashamed. It would be the ber of persons and groups. The of livelihood and happiness. If greatest blessing that could discipline for peace will be it is not happening where you come to you. When you have costly, perhaps greater than the live and work, send straightway to the National Committee on become ashamed, work to make cost of the World War. It seems your family, your friends and to be a matter .of responsibility the Cause and Cure of War, 1622 on the part .of the people, mean- Grand Central Terminal Build- townsmen ashamed likewise. I ing ourselves. The choice neces- ing, New York, for the report of long to s,ee a great army of the sitates positive and steady con- the Conference and the Mara- ashamed, marching up Capitol victions as to the means used to thon Round Table material. The Hill to our Government, in order achieve peace. National Peace Conference, 8 that, together, we may make a West 40th Street, is in the midst gigantic apology for man's war The Conference program did of a fifteen-month campaign for record. . . . It is not from argu- "reinforce our knowledge" on ments that peace will come, but World Economic Cooperation. an international scale. There The Conference frankly poses it wHl arise out of the purified was a review of the ways used this question to the public: "Are souls of men who have put internationally in opposition to you willing to make as the price morality above immorality." for peace a fraction of the sacwar, the plans for the interna- rifices you would make for My mind and heart turn to tional peace campaign, and a war?" possible international pol ice the observance of the World Day John Donald Adams, in the of Prayer, on March fourth, for force. There was the considera- January Atlantic Monthly, con- which the people are preparing. tion of American policies to pre- tends that "personal conscience vent war, such as Neutrality, The Day is .observed annually in the United States has fallen the first Friday in Lent by Concerted Action as in Boycott to a new low in our history as a and Sanctions, our Country's nation." "Where personal con- Christians round the world. Far-Eastern Pol icy, and the science dies, there is no free- The theme is "The Church – A Reciprocal Trade Agreements dom." He is positive and help- World Fellowship." The civil strife in our own country and which seem to be basic to the ful in his emphasis that "the new world order. There were personal conscience is nourished the use of queer methods of fili- Round Table discussions on the and sustained by faith, and by bustering and the like, increased Far East, an International Po- the ready assumption of individ- armament and show of giant lice Force, Spain in Europe, force give us deep concern over Danger Spots in Eastern Eu- ual moral responsibility for in- dividual acts." With Christians, the public welfare. rope. Able leaders opened the it should not be necessary for "Justice brings us peace and subjects which were then fur- Mr. Adams or anyone, "to con- quiet; honesty renders us sether explored by folk who care, tend" this point. cure; my people shall have and who will, not only to be edu- homes of peace and rest in cated for peace but to be effec- The church women and many houses undisturbed. (Isaiah 32: tive for world p€ace. 17 Moffatt.) In a Christmas letter sent to This Issue of the Bulletin has been pre- pared by Miss Anne Seesholtz. former editor. the writer, a friend quoted
AMERICA sions, asserts that our Govern- Itinerating in
ment's use of the term "good Literary Cooperation in neighbor" carries with it impli- , Rev. H. A. Martin, Presby- Mexico cations of tremendous responsi- terian minister in Lageado, Mat- bility. "If America is going to to Grosso, Brazil, has lived in Evangelical writers h a v e be really a good neighbor nation this interior for 20 years, 2,000 formed a Union, by means of it cannot be that in any super- miles from the seaport of Sao which all engaged in evangeli- ficial way," thinks Dr. Odell. Paulo. Most of his time is spent cal publication will have a way "It must be the result of an im- traveling among the natives by of exchanging articles, arrang- pulse within. We must be a mule train. He does most of his ing unified statements on mat- Christian nation if we are going sleeping in hammocks strung ters of general interest, and to carry into effect in any real between two trees in the jungle. generally becoming better ac- way a good-neighbor policy. He says: "If we slept on the quainted with similar work in And we cannot do it if we expect ground, huge black ants would other denominations. It is hoped something in return." descend on us in armies, and that all petitions for help in con- would infect us with fever from struction of churches, Christian Dr. Odell emphasized that their bites." centers and other kinds of en- there would be no fundamental terprise iss u e d by various worth to any neighborly policy Since Brazil is a country withchurches of the country will by our government "unless mo- out fences, the mission party has have a greater publicity as a re- tivated by something genuine in something of a problem to keep sult of this Union. our hearts." its mules from straying while it encamps overnight. With each -World Dominion Press. Colombia a Backward Land mule train there is a horse known as the "godmother" of Bibles for Nicaraguans Colombia is one of South the pack. At night the mules America's most difficult mission are allowed to roam free, but The American Bible Society fields. After· more than eighty the horse is hobbled and a bell is printing 3,000 Miskito New years of occupation there are is affixed to its neck. Because Testaments for the Moravian now only twenty-six national of the strange affinity which the Mission in Nicaragua, of which ordained workers, serving forty- mules have for horses they never a portion have been shipped. six organized churches with a stray far away. The demand for Miskito Scrip- membership of 1,196. The Suntures has grown with the in- day-school enrolment is 2,245. Mr. Martin supervises. the crease of adult literacy. This Many new missionary societies mission work in Matto Grosso, language is spoken by almost are entering this field, most of and in addition to evangelism 25,000 people of Nicaragua and them of the independent and has under his care a training Honduras along the east coast, faith groups. In one year the school for teachers at Burity. and for about 25,0 miles up the total number of missionaries has He discreetly refrains from com- Coco River. It was reduced to jumped from 87 to 113. There menting on the policies of the writing by missionaries over is an open struggle in Colombia new government of Brazil. ninety years ago, and the whole between church and state. While New Testament has been avail- religious conditions are back- Drive Against Liquor in Chile able since 1905. It was revised ward the country is making rapand published by the American id development in many other The present government in Bible Society in 1926. ways. This is particularly true Chile is whipping up sentiment in means of transportation. to restrict the sale of intoxicants. -Bible Society Record. There is even a proposal to de- Among the aggressive evan- stroy many of the vineyards. Implication in Term "Good gelical missions are the Presby- The president and his advisors Neighbor" terian, U. S. A., the Christian warn that the future of the na- and Missionary Alliance, the tion will be imperiled unless Dr. E. A. Odell, Secretary for Gospel Missionary Union, the drastic action is taken to curb the West Indies of the Presby- Cumberland Presbyterian and the drink menace. The brewers terian Board of National Mis- the Scandinavian Alliance. say, as they say in the U. S., that the problem is one for education, [148 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
not for legal handling. But open, an organization known as be given by teachers that have left Chilean women want to see some the Union Evangelique Interna- the churches. In exceptional circumaction, along with education. tionale D'Etudiants is seeking to stances special instruction can be fur- They have, to produce action, "buy up the opportunities." It merged ten organizations, in- nished for children remaining in the cluding the Feminine C i vic Christian Church by teachers who Party, the Pro-Emancipation of is estimated that there are 45,– are "ecclesiastical professionals." Women Movement, the American Women's Club, the Feminine 000 young men and women -The Living Church. Evangelical Club, the Chilean Women's Association, the Club studying in Paris, about 8,000 de Professores, the Woman's Federation, and the Methodist of whom are from other parts Finland-Protestant Bulwark Feminine Federation. of Europe and overseas. The Union has an attractive club- Religiously, Finland is the -Christian Advocate. room, converted from an old eastern outpost of Protestant- coach stable, and conveniently ism, facing Greek Catholicism of EUROPE situated in the heart of the Uni- versity Quarter. Here meeting;;, yesterday and militant atheism An Achievement in Giving Bible-study groups, and social of today. The Finnish Church gatherings are held each week. forms the shock troop of Lu- To secure local gifts of £10,- The president is a French teach- theranism against the onslaught 500 in two weeks to restore a er, the vice-president a Chris- of persecution and a propaganda church in Wolverhampton, Eng- tian Japanese student. No fewer of godlessness that has· almost land, is probably a world record than 20 nationalities are reprein rapid fund raising. The sented in the meetings. destroyed the Church in Russia, mayor launched the appeal for Ukrainia and elsewhere east of £10,000; 28,000 letters were A new venture in 1937 was a the Baltic. m a i led to householders; a Young People's House Party, short film, in which the mayor held at Vennes, Switzerland. Lutheranism was brought to appealed to the town, was shown The daily program included con- Finland through Swedish influin nearly all the cinemas; the versational Bible study, fol- ence, a change that developed in church was floodlit every night, lowed by a season of prayer. Alopen until 10, and visited by together more than 1,000 young a conservative and gradual manthousands in groups escorted by people attended the four camps. ner. Although Finland has felt guides; the local newspaper gave daily support of the cam- -The Christian. the influence of various cross paign. currents and religious move- ments which have affected Prot- A change of mayors. took place estantism, it has been remarkduring the period, and the new one took up the appeal at once. ably free from internal schisms Fourteen days to the minute from the start of the appeal, the Plan to Subjugate Church and separatism. Ninety-eight mayor went to the church steps per cent of the entire Finnish and announced the total received. A service of thanksgiv- A December issue Qf the population of three and one-half ing followed. Schwarze Korps, a Nazi period- million people, are members of ical, announces a "program for the Lutheran Church. It is not Paris Evangelical Student the future German Church" noticeably affected by the insid- Union which seems to offer little to ious forces of atheism and Bol- choose between exile or martyr- shevism that continually seep About four-fifths of the popu- dom for those who remain Chris- through its borders. lation in France have drifted fro m all religious mooring. tian. Here is the "program" : AFRICA French Protestants n u m b e r scarcely more than a million, (1) Germany proclaims a State remost of them in the south where ligion to which all citizens, without today are evidences of revived exception, are obligated. This new Sunday Schools Imperative interest in Bible study. religion is based on the "revelation For some time the Egyptian Although opportunities for of God in nature, and in destiny, life Government has been working evangelistic efforts are becom- and death of the peoples." on a program of compulsory eding fewer in several European ucation, and it is now being put countries, there is still complete (2) The churches will be permitted into effect. One of the serious liberty for Gospel teaching in to exist as purely private institu- Republican France. Realizing tions if they subordinate themselves that the door may not remain in sermon and teachings to the basIc problems confronting the Chris- doctrines of the general State re- ligion. tian community is that of the re- ligious lessons in these compul- (3) The State refuses all coopera- tion with the churches. It removes sory schools. These lessons are its protection from them and refuses in the Koran and Islamic teach- the financial support hitherto paid ings. While the children of to them. Christians are not required to (4) The State confiscates all attend these religious lessons, it church property on the grounds that "this property was created through is inevitable that much of the the joint cooperation of all citizens, and in a period when State and Moslem teaching given to other Church were still an entity." Con- children will be imbibed by vent schools and institutions and mon- Christian children. Further- astic settlements will therefore be more, these children are without disbanded. (5) Religious instruction in the religious training unless the churches Will be conducted in the Christian community is suffici- service of the State religion, and will ently large to make some spe-
cial provision on its own ac- said; "I do forget so." As they yet be the grave of Italy; and to count. It is therefore most repeated to him the story of the have ordered his son, living in important that an effective Sun- Cross his face lit up, and he said, Jerusalem, to pay no attention to day school program be main- "Oh, now I begin to remember! any invitation from this same -So S. Times. tained. Sheikh Metry Dewairy 'fell me more." source.
has a large· part in promoting A young man who had op- Locusts, and a Revival this work. posed the Gospel put his hand Aggressive Evangelism in on the old man's shoulder and Bolobo is a town of about Morocco 5,000 inhabitants, on the river said to the missionary: "This is bank about 450 miles from the The Southern Morocco Mis- mouth of the Congo. In its large sion attains its jubilee this year. the only one in the village in hinterland an extensive evan- whose heart your words have en- tered." -Life of Faith.
In this fanatically Moslem land, New Ohristians gelistic work has been carried on a staff of 25 missionaries carry > for nearly fifty years, and a on educational, medical and Results of the preaching mis- large c~urch membership had evangelistic work in several cen- sion in Efulan, Presbyterian been bUIlt up: But whIle the ters. As always where Islam is WbeeysotnAd freixcpaecsttaattiioonn~ went so far church grew m numbers, there in power, the work is not easy. that help was a falling away in quality. Medical work proves a most use- was sought to examine the 642 ~here were plenty of fluent naful means of contact. Those who who publicly confessed Christ, to tlV~ P!eachers, and several evanjourney to the mission for medi- see if it were the real thing. gelIstIc teams, put the he~then cal attention are never allowed After the missionary preached knew that the mner experIence to depart until the Gospel mes- his sermon he told these people of the church members who sage has been presented in some that he did not want them to preached to them was not greatly form. come forward unless they really different from their own.
Mr. Robert Nairn, of Mar- meant it. It was not just to have In 1934, the missionary staff raksh, tells in The Christian how one's name written, but it must called a conference of pivotal the medical work leads to evan- be a real confession of faith in men and women, hoping for a gelistic opportunity. Mission- Jesus as their Saviour. After complete renewal. Far from aries, visiting a village for the that 600 came forward. producing a singleness of pur- first time, sought out two wom- In some parts of this field pose,. th~ deacons. resented t~e en, who, they remembered, had there have been people so afraid ImplIcatIOn o~ faIlure ?~ theIr come from that village to the that they might confess if talked pll;rt .and ~et~hated by ~ItIng the dispensary some time before. The result was that the mission- ttoh~ythkantewthethye would hide when mISSIOnarIes shortcommgs. The personal workers frank discussion proved to be aries were warmly welcomed, were in their town. These were salutary. The deacons declared and at a meeting in the small people who knew they should be that cooperation was impossihouse of one of the women the room was crowded with an at- gCihvreisutpiatnhs~ but who could not ble, and, atfet enrsiot hnr, e etl;meyo nut h~asniof things of this world. increased tentive congregation. Arrange- One man went away from his mously tendered theIr resIgnaments have been made to visit town when he knew the preach- tion. On the first Sunday. of the village each month. Increasing numbers of Jews, ing mission was t ocwomn inog~lya ntdo January, 1935, no CommunIon went to another service could be observed.. Then living in all parts of Morocco, find the mission there, and con- swarms of locusts were SIghted have been visiting the dispen- fessed in that church. near Bolobo. The European offi- cial was instructed by telephone sary in Marraksh. No oppor- to organize beating parties and tunity is lost of testifying to Ohaos in Ethiopia keep the locusts from alighting. them of their Messiah. Scrip- For three days the people weature copies are sold every day. Mussolini has arranged that ried themselves in the effort to Lantern services usually prove the Roman Catholic Prelate of preserve their maize, manioo popular, and provide. excellent Rhodes shall officiate at the and ground nuts, and then the opportunity for presenting the crowning of a Roman Emperor locusts departed without doing Christian message. of Abyssinia. But it is not so any material damage. sure there will be a crowning. A Moor's Fidelity A condition of chaos is reported The coming of the locusts was in Ethiopia, with guerilla war- effectual in bringing within a Here is an example of endur- fare and shortage of food. The week a revival, a conviction of ing faith. A convert of the conquerors move about only in sin and testimony. North Africa Mission in Mo- large companies and protected rocco is over 70, and on a recent by airplanes. Haile Selassie is -The Christian.
visit the missionaries found that said to have refused Mussolini's Native Health Problem his memory was failing rapidly; offer of the Abyssinian throne but his trust in the Saviour was under Italian protection, with Unsatisfactory health condi- Rteadfast. "Tell me again," he the remark that Ethiopia would tions among the natives of South
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Africa is disturbing the Govern- Sabbath in Palestine sionaries and there have been conversions in many pal'lts. ment and public opinion. Gen- Tel-Aviv in Palestine has the distinction of being the only 100 S. M. ZWEMER. eral Smuts is quoted as saying: per cent Jewish city in the world. Last year, a series of Iran Attacks Illiteracy "The natives in this country meetings all over Palestine cul- minated in a conference at Tel- The Boy Scout Movement is are getting rotten with disease Aviv, during which lectures were spreading rapidly in Iran, under given on how to observe the Sab- government support. Eve r y and are becoming a menace to bath in agriculture, industry, town of any size has a troop; it ~tc. This movement is supported is claimed there are 50,000 civilization. Something will III the highest Jewish circles. Scouts in the country. They are organized and directed by an have to be done, the condition is For some time the arrival of American, Thomas R. Gibson. the Sabbath has been proclaimed becoming worse and worse." on Friday afternoon all aroun<l The government encourage- Tel-Aviv by the blowing of the ment of adult education also Agit3;tion . over native physical Shophar, or ram's horn trumpet grows apace. Night classes in of Biblical days. After dark reading and writing are condeterIOratIOn and the serious there blazes from the dome of ducted in all the provinces. Il- the synagogue an electric sign lustrated posters showing the death rate among their children "Remember the sabbath day to' value of education are placed keep it holy." The reformers everywhere. At present, so has been increased by an outcry want to see every Jew in the many people have enrolled in synagogue on Sabbath and pri- these courses that it is taxing from urban areas that native vate motor cars put away. the department of education to provide the necessary teachers servants are carrying wide- -Alliance Weekly. and equipment. The hope is that illiteracy will be abolished in two spread infection into the homes Decline of Islam years. -Christian Century.
of the whites. Tuberculosis and Islam no longer has the INDIA AND BURMA strength and power of 40 years other p~lmonary troubles, per- ago, and gates of brass are be- Training in Evangelism ing opened. Modern Arabia has son~l dlsease~, and. unsanitary a~ area. of one million square Those who know the value of mIles, wIth about eight million college trained women evangelhabIts prevaIl among natives people, and is the center of a ists in America and England feel great non-Christian religion. that similar training should be who are in daily contact with Islam has been bound together available to Indian women stu- by the annual pilgrimage to Mec- dents, in view of the present white people and their cphriledpraern~ ca from all parts of the world. open door for Christian teachand who handle and The Government blue book on ing. This has led to a new ven- the subject shows a shrinkage in ture in one area of the United their food. A demand for com- the number of pilgrims from Church of Northern India. Two 300,000 twenty or >thirty years members of the Bible Women's pulsory medical examination is ago to about 50,000 last year. Institute committee of the Pun- During the last 50 years marvel- jab Church Council were asked being'made, but there are legal lous progress has been made in to make a tour of girls' middle Arabia. The slave traffic has training and high schools and and other difficulties. The root been stopped, the old social sys- the women's college to present tem is uprooted, and it will not the challenge of evangelism and difficulty can be dealt with by be long before Egypt and Arabia Bible teaching as a vocation. follow the example of Iran and The idea was well received and relieving malnutrition and re- Turkey in the emancipation of discussion brought out reports womanhood. Ibn Sa'oud has of actual evangelistic and social moyi~g its source in poverty. been raised up >to develop and service projects being carried on unify his country. Roads have by the various groups. It is ThIs Illvolves the whole economic been made through the desert, hoped that the day will come and the automobile has replaced when Indian youth will have and industrial situation. the camel as a means of trans- their equivalent of the Student portation. Modern developments Volunteer organization. -World Dominion Press. have helped missions, and Ara- bia has now nine hospitals along Another Sundar Singh? WESTERN ASIA the c?ast. Arabs are watching the lIves of the Christian mis- A young sikh is preaching in The Power of Initiative western India, with the result Modern Turkey has coined a new word which means "·the power of initiative." It is on everr tong~e at present. A deputy III parlIament and editor of a monthly magazine, New Education, discusses it in an article.
rower of ~nitiative, he says, can eXIst only wIth freedom. As there was no freedom in the country in the days, of a Moslem theocracy and ab- solutIsm, there could have been no power of initiative. Those who be- lieved everything came directly from God considered it a sin to begin a work on their own initiative. The Sulta~s thought themselves as irresponsIble as God, as infallible as God tal;s1e t hseuhssthiatd~otew of God on earth and of the Prop het; 'these d~d not desIre to have anyone in the kmgdo~ with personal initiative.
There IS freedom, now in Turkey, therefore also the power of initiative.
. . . There is much work which the power of initiative can accomplish by creative science and industry and in !he domain of literature and learnmg.
Fascist government would do well to ponder this. -World Dominion Press.
that the number of Bibles. sold halls each with rooms for 150 Scripture texts in brilliant colors increased from 500 to 12,000 in students and for two unmarried beside the way. Two Christian a year. members of the staff and a cer- hostels have been opened where tain number of tutors. The 450 travelers may obtain a night's This Sikh was converted by or more delegates to the World lodging, hear the Gospel, and reading some literature on a steamer going to Canada. World Missionary Conference can be pass on. In one town an attrac- Dominion says: "He has all the conveniently accommodated. tive newspaper is being produced fire of an apostle. He preaches Christ and Him crucified, and The college moved from Ma- monthly, on the back page of tells Christians that they must dras city to its new home at which a Gospel message is themselves be convicted of all Tambaram six months ago. In printed. sin if they expect to see the non- Christian so convicted. He is the work of the college several Siam Sends Missionaries roving the churches of the Pun- missions cooperate; from the jab as Sadhu Singh used to do. How he lives is a marvel. He proceeds of the "British Colleges. Siamese Christian churches of never asks for money and re- Appeal" a sum of £10,000 was •Chiengmai have recently sent fuses it, except for his railway given last year toward the new out five young people into misfares, and he has no collections at his meetings. He tells simply Tambaram set-up. sionary service. Two of the five how Christ brings. into his life joy which he vainly sought as a The Church in the Punjab are foreign missionaries, having Sikh." gone over the border into Yun- In honor of pioneers who laid nan Province, China. Kiulung- In This Case-Not! the foundations for the Church kiang was formerly a station of of Christ in the Punjab, great the Yunnan Mission of the Pres- Rev. S. P. Hieb, pastor of a groups of Christians poured into byterian Church, but was transchurch in Sholapur, denies the Ludhiana last October, carrying ferred to the Siam Mission bestatement of a recent Ripley banners and singing psalms un- cause, although in China, the "Believe It or Not" cartoon, til two thousand registration language and customs closely rewhich called this-"the Christian badges had been used up, and semble those of Siam. Robbers' Church-the strangest still more delegates arrived for church in the world . . . whose the three-day celebration. One A missionary who attended a entire congregation consists of day the crowd marched through farewell service for them rerobbers from the hereditary the streets of the city, displaying marked that "they are going criminal tribes of India." The Bible verses, preaching, singing, with quaking knees, but going." fact is the church is called "The in a remarkable procession over City of Hope Church." Less a mile long. At a community -Monday Morning. than one-half its membership is supper, 2,700 Christians, gathdrawn from the people of Crim- ered from all walks of life, from Judson College inal Tribes. It is inaccurate to village and city, many former represent that all, or most of the untouchables, ate together in the Judson College, Burma, has "Crims" are joining the church, bond of Christian fellowship. reached the highest enrolment in that people who still have crim- its history – 337 – classified as inal habits are accepted as The Principal of the Theolog- follows: 197 Christians, 75 Budchurch members, or that the ical School, Rev. S. N. Talib-ud- dhists, 48 Hindus, 14 Mohamstigma of their former occupa- Din, sounded the challenge that medans; 117 Burmese, 108 Kation is attached to Christians in inasmuch as America has pro- rens, 70 Indians, 22 European, the church. vided money and leadership, the 10 Chinese, 4 Chins, 2 Kachins, Indian Church must now give 2 Mons, 2 Shans; 102 women, Madras Christian College in money and men and service to 235 men. There are 248 students meet the unparalleled opportuni- in residence, 157 men and 91 New Location ties for the presentation of women. Ninety-nine students Christ in India today. At the receive aid in some form. Tambaram is the new location closing consecration service it of Madras Christian College, was decided to raise during the Two Sunday schools are mainpremier Christian college in In- next five years a Centennial tained for Burmese children in dia. It is 16 miles from the city Fund of ten thousand rupees for a near-by village, with 107 of Madras, but connected by ef- evangelism. pupils and 12 teachers. The Inficient electric railway service. dian Church, which developed The college is built on about 400 -Presbyterian Tribune. from efforts of the college stuacres of land and on the model dents, meets regularly in the of the residential universities of Ways of Working chapel and its pastor has a gen- Oxford and Cambridge in Eng- uinely evangelistic influence. land, and of Harvard and Yale in the United States. It has four -':"'Burma News.
Moravian missionaries in Ti- CHINA bet use various methods of mak- Christ the Only Hope ing God's Word known. One missionary, adapting the method Chinese Christians in North China are praying for Chris- of the Buddhists who carve holy tians in Japan. When a Japa- words upon the rocks for pass- ing pilgrims to see, stencils
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
nese Christian soldier comes Throughout the country there is scene of battle moved from into church the words, "I am a growing recognition of the ab- Chapei to the western district of also a Christian," banishes at solute necessity of honesty in ad- Shanghai, St. John's campus once the expression of strain ministration, and men whose in- was on the very edge of the batand apprehension on the faces tegrity is beyond question are tlefield and it became necessary of the people. An English- being sought to fill positions of for everyone to evacuate. speaking soldier came-an en- trust. In spite of war, a new gineering college graduate and China is being built, and the -The Living Church. a Sunday school teacher in Ja- Christian Church is being asked pan-"What a pity I What a to furnish the ideals. Y. W. C. A. Service pity I" cried a young Chinese teacher. The man talked with The Silver Lining The Young Women's Christhe Chinese pastor and asked for tian Association is rendering a verse from the Chinese Bible, A missionary in P e i pin g valuable service in China during since he was going to the front, writes the Presbyterian Board the present struggle in meeting together with the pastor's auto- of a station prayer meeting in urgent human needs. Refugee graph. He wished to carry it in which a report was given of ex- camps, first aid classes and clinhis hat. The verse given him periences in Paotingfu, when the ics were the first response to the was, "Where there is neither city was taken by the Japanese. situation; a woman's service Jew nor G r e e k, barbarian, The courageous and convincing center has bee n established Scythian, bond or free, but testimony of the Chinese Chris- which combines into one large Christ is all and in all." tians in the face of wounds and unit a refugee camp for unem- death, the equally impressive at- ployed Chinese women, a hostel More than one individual Jap- titude and conversation of Japa- for factory girls already at anese soldier and officer has said nese Christian soldiers under the work, and a vocational training they would prefer not to be in compulsory sway of a military center for those still unable to this war, but "we are under or- system which enrolls all able- return to, or find work; units ders." bodied men for war; and the of industrial girls have gone to evident use of this testimony by the front to aid in helping both An American woman whose the Holy Spirit in the conversion soldiers and civilians. name is known nationally was of many; all demonstrate that no walking along a street in Japan matter how dark the world out- It is gratifying to note that a few weeks ago just before sail- look may be, God's overruling the regular forward-looking proing for the United States. A providence is making even the gram of the association is being Japanese gentleman fell into wrath of man to praise Him. carried on throughout the counstep beside her, asked if she try; some of the national staff were not an American, and St. J ohn:'s University members are remaining at headapologized for speaking to her Carries On quarters in Shanghai, while but said he felt that he must. eight others have gone to Han- He said, "I don't know who you The work of Christian educa- kow to establish a national headare, but you are going to Amer- tion goes on in Shanghai. St. quarters in Central China, and ica and I want you to tell the John's University began its fall to be ready to follow the Gov- American people that we J apa- term five weeks late in a huge ernment if it moves farther innese do not want this war-We office building constructed of land. Every cent of money do not want to fight China. It concrete in the heart of the busi- raised for pursuing the program is only the militarist party in ness district. goes directly to China. control, and we are helpless." The many practical difficulties Movements in Central Asia War and Christianity connected with such a move were met and overcome by the The missionary occupation of A writer in The Christian Ad- acting president, William Sung, Chinese Turkestan has been exvocate declares there never has and the administrative staff in a ceedingly thin, but so long as it been a time in China when an- most efficient manner. Funds was possible to do so, two pioneer tagonism to Christian teaching for the extra expenses such as missionaries, George Hunter and was so rapidly disappearing. rent and the transportation of Percy Mather, traveled up and The work and spirit of the furniture were collected from down sowing the seed of the Church are making themselves the alumni. The enrolment of Gospel in preparation for a harso strongly felt in high places students was greater than ever, vest yet to be garnered. They that they are quietly permeating many universities in China be- sought to reach the most remote the life of the people, breaking ing unable to open at all, and peoples, and succeeded in spreaddown prejudices and removing their students transferring to ing the knowledge of Christ and barriers, which a few years ago St. John's. distributing Scriptures over an seemed immovable. Old super- enormous area. stitions are disintegrating and About half of the staff conopening up an unhindered way tinued to live on the university Meanwhile, on the Western for the message of the Christ as campus which was guarded by side, the Swedish Mission in the Saviour of men from sin. British soldiers; but when the Kashgar, by medical and educa- tional methods, maintained a
steady effort to reach the Moslem he has been speaking night after In his plea for vigorous suppopulation. At present it is not night to packed audiences. It is port of missions, Mr. Castle used possible to report accurately the reported that young people are Japan, the country with which missionary effort of Chinese especially restless and bewil- he is familiar, as an example of Turkestan because of the critical dered at the situation, and are the need for such work. "We political situation, but there has earnestly seeking for the lead hear people say, 'I will not give been advance in that territory which Dr. Kagawa is so capable to missions in Japan.' If they which lies south of the Kara- of giving. feel so bitterly toward Japan, koram Pass. There are plans they should give more freely for new effort at the starting The National Christian Coun- than ever before, since, in their point for all caravans moving to- cil of Japan announces: "One own opinion, the Japanese are ward Chinese and R u s s ian of the primary objects of hold- desperately in need of Christian Turkestan. ing the 1938 World Christian {)tandards of conduct. The use- Conference in the Orient was to fulness of missions is not in the Nothing could be more impor- make it possible for the attend- least dependent on whether we tant than to establish work ance of full delegations from the approve or disapprove the acwhich will influence traders and younger churches." This may tions of the government of the travelers who form these cara- not now be possible, but the country where the missions are vans and supply them with Council reports that it will co- established." Scriptures. There is talk of es- operate as far as possible in tablishing bases from which making the meeting to be held Another speaker, B ish 0 p hitherto closed provinces, such in India in December, 1938, a Tucker, himself a former misas Yasin, Hunza and Nagar, can success. sionary to Japan, defended the be pentrated, and there is hope existence of missions in Japan of occupying an area known as – World Dominion Press. against the criticism of those the Trans-zoji-Ia field which is who hold that Japan's present accessible from the Kashmir Practice in Leadership conduct toward China does not border, and which will greatly justify missionary effort. affect pioneer work in Ladakh A little over a year ago the and Baltistan. Osaka English School decided "Perhaps we do not realize to organize a Sunday school to that Christian nations some- -Mildred Cable. take the place of week-day Bible times do not show evidence of classes. At that time there was Christianity in practical con- JAPAN-CHOSEN not even one student who had duct," he said. ever had the experience of lead- Kagawa's Christmas Gift ing a worship program of any Christian influence in Japan kind, and only three who would "has won an almost complete American friends of Kagawa, lead in public prayer. It was victory" in elevating m 0 r a I have sent him a Christmas gift not easy to plan worship pro- standards of the Japanese in soof $1,000 to continue his service. grams for an untrained group cial, industrial, business and More than 350 persons had a of this kind, who had never be- philanthropic life. While admitpart in this gift. Probably there fore had any connection with a ting that perhaps it has failed in has never been a time in his life Sunday school and who knew regard to influencing the nationwhen Kagawa was in more need little about Christianity. But alistic attitude of the Japanese, of a practical demonstration of gradually the i r interest in- Bishop Tucker said: "I believe Christian brotherhood than the creased, and a few "born lead- the cause may be that as the present. ers" were discovered. Only once Japanese watched the activities or twice has anyone declined to of Christian countries in the Or- Rev. J. Henry Carpenter, 285 take part when asked, and then ient, witnessing certain degrees Schermerhorn St., Brooklyn, N. with good excuse. There is an of aggression, they have not Y., is treasurer of this fund, average attendance of fifty. gathered that Christianity has which has a balance of $100 still much influence on Christian govin the bank, and promises of -World Outlook. ernments;" -N. Y. Times. more to come. Christian Front Urged Aid for China -The Living Church. At a missionary rally last Jan- Here is proof that not all Jap- Difficulties Beset the N. C. C. uary in the Cathedral of St. John anese are militarists. Rev. H. H. the Divine, New York, William Kano, minister in charge of the The National Christian Coun- R. Castle, former U. S. ambas- Episcopal Church's work among cil's United Campaign of Evan- sador to Japan, appealed to Japanese farmers in Western gelism has been slowed up by Christianity to present "a united Nebraska, has sent a gift of $10 the Sino-Japanese crisis. The front against the forces of re- to the China Emergency Fund. thinking of the nation is given action and evil." He branded As further proof, a young J apawholly to the struggle being communism as reversion to the nese artist, son of Yone Noguchi, waged. Only in Tokyo are the primitive, and Naziism and Fas- made a drawing of a Chinese meetings arranged in the Spring cism as enemies of individual mother and child, to be sold at of 1937 for Dr. Kagawa being liberty. a benefit in New York City for carried out as planned. There
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the Chinese. The drawing was 2. Learning to listen while God always been a matter of uncerpurchased by a Chinese business speaks, and to obey what He says. tainty. Recently the Dutch Govman of New York. When asked ernment has made a thorough why he contributed his work to 3. Telling to other people the good survey of their part of the this end, Mr. Noguchi is quoted results that have come to their lives. island, with the result that the as saying: population is now estimated at There have been surprising results. over a million. Here are num- I give this drawing to make the Many school girls have confessed that berless tribes and races un- Americans understand that the Japa- they have been cheating in examina- reached except as viewed from nese are not all militaristic. I am tion, and have resolved that, at what- the air. They are generally just as distressed for the Japanese as ever cost to their marks, they would known as Papuans (curly). for the Chinese. Whereas in China cheat no more. They have confessed They are black, have curly hair, people are killed and hearts are brok- to the matron that they stole food and in many cases are still proben, in Japan children will be raised and fruit from the cupboard when ably cannibals. Nearly one hunwith hearts hardened to a race next she was not around, and have re- dred Dyak Christians of Borneo to them if they win this war. solved to return or pay for all they have been employed by a gold have stolen. Some have confessed to mining company, and have gone -The Churchman. stealing money and have planned to to New Guinea. Some of the Chi- return it. There is a new conscience nese missionaries of the Chinese Year's Growth in Chosen about obeying the rules of the school Foreign Missionary Union are and dormitory. feeling a call to this island, which Rev. C. A. Clark writes in save Greenland, is the largest Pyengyang News that 1937 was These young people spend an hour island in the world. a remarkable year in the rural or so each day in quiet times together, field. Every church has been listening silently to hear what God -The Pioneer. filled to overflowing; four con- says. The answers they are getting gregations are building new, and are practical, and are resulting in In Dutch East Indies larger churches. As a gesture of such striking changes that everybody sharing, Mr. Clark contributed notices them. The Dutch East Indies is one 10 yen to each; except for this of the largest fields of the Christhe people have met the entire C. E. Jubilee in Australia tian and Missionary Alliance. Recost. cently the Government withdrew The following call has been its objections to the Alliance us- Mr. Clark began work in his issued: "Ninety thousand Aus- ing a hydroplane in one of the field fourteen years ago when tralasian Christian Endeavor- districts of Borneo which is exthere were 21 churches; two or ers affectionately and enthusias- ceedingly difficult of access. The three of these barely started. tically invite their comrades of only condition is that the plane Today, there are 45 churches in every nationality to come to Mel- shall be nominally owned by a the same area. Five women bourne, the entertaining city of Dutch subject. As a Dutch misworkers are paid in full by the the Tenth World's Christan En- sionary was due to arrive on the churches. Each church last year deavor Convention-August 2nd field a few weeks ago, there is had a week of Bible classes. to 8th, 1938. We earnestly ask not likely to be any further ob- that you will make every effort jection. This method of trans- ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC throughout your territory to or- port will save the missionaries ganize a representative delega- much time, and will be a safer Bible Course for Formosa tion and thus kindle fires of con- way of traveling than by the secration, fellowship, unity and swift-flowing river. The Canadian Mission in For- goodwill that will spread from mosa asked for a Japanese Melbourne to the utmost corners The Alliance has a Bible translation of Dr. W. L. Sival- of the earth. . . . school in Makassar, Celebes, len's Bib I e Correspondence where about 170 students were Course, for use among Japanese "Christian youth, 'neath the enrolled during last year, pre- Christians in Formosa. This has Southern Cross, holds out to you paring to preach the Gospel in now been made, making this the ready hand of welcome and the unevangelized parts of the course available in Korean, Chi- affection. A young nation, fac- islands. Nearly 3,000 converts nese and Japanese. The number ing the dawn of a great future, were baptized in 1936, most of now enrolled is over 10,000 and whose people are imbued with these being in Borneo, and those who have finished the the highest instincts of friendli- bringing the Christian commucourse are more than 3,000. ness, invites you to mingle with nity in that island to more than her sons and daughters in for- 11,000. . -The Christian. -Pyengyang News. mulating a covenant-program of world evangelism, world unity NORTH AMERICA The Real Thing and world peace." Our National Leakage Some of the young people in -N. C. C. Bulletin. Dansalan, P. 1., have resolved to Prof. Charles J. Bushnell, of take their Christianity in earn- Unexplored New Guinea Toledo University, and other ines:t by doing these three things: The entire coastline of New 1. Analyzing their lives, getting Guinea has been assigned to the rid of every little sin, and surrender- Dutch missions. Many thouing completely to God. sands have been reached, but the task of evangelizing the interior of that great island is an enor- mous one. The population has
vestigators have recently sup- their signed cards. Among those 1938, in eastern, central and Pa- plied some startling figures in signing were: cific areas. The theme will be regard to crime's economic drain 33 Catholics 1 People's "Presbyterian Young People in on the nation. For example, in 49 Episcopalians the World Christian Communi- Church the time those defaulted war 53 Presbyterians 93 Methodists ty." Each conference will con- 2 Brethren 1 Pentecostal -debts have been running, the ac- 1 Mormon 2 Church tinue for five days, and each will <cumulated crime bill would pay be led by Dr. Harold McAfee for all the wars in history. This 12 Congregation- of God Robinson. College students will alists 3 Swedish appalling drain includes a gam- 14 Christian Mission have time set aside in each for bling bill of $4,000,000,000; $3,- Scientists 3 Greek consideration of their particular 500,000,000 lost through com- 7 Evangelicals Orthodox problems, and to plan for regionmercial frauds, diverting funds 1 Salvationist ,al student organization. 45 Lutherans 6 St. Andrew from legitimate channels; the 4 Disciples Protestant 1 St. Lucas loss from crimes against prop- . 30 Baptists 19 Unsigned Inquiry Into Student Affiliation erty; the half million annual ar- -Po T. L. Quarterly.
rests; the 2'00,000 prison population with an annual turnover University Christian Mission The Episcopal Church has of fifty per cent, the police, made a survey, and announces courts, transportation and insti- The Federal C 0 U n c i I of that 47,729 of the nation's stututions estimated at never less Churches announces a "Univer- dents are Episcopalian, or one than $10,000,000,000 and as sity Christian Mission" to be sixth of all college students. The high as $15,000,000,000. conducted at the invitation of survey also disclosed that a total leading educational institutions of 88.3'1'0 of students in Ameri- If even a fraction of this mon- of the nation during 1938. It is can colleges have a definite reey were saved by preventive a united effort on the part of all ligious preference. These figmeasures, it would stimulate g r 0 ups engaged in student ures are based on information business; and a large propor- Christian work to present the received from 1,340 institutes of tion of the taxes spent on the claim of Christian faith and life higher learning, involving 82'8,- futile turnover of a constantly upon students of America. 071 students. recruited criminal class could be put to constructive purposes- The primary purpose is to Methodists, with 156,423, or 18.89 education, libraries, recreational confront students wit h the percent, led the list of denominations. facilities, health and mental hy- claims of Christ upon their lives, giene. and to lead them to a definite Roman Catholics were second with Christian discipleship. The time 122,786 students, or 14.83 per cent. Let it be noted that this loss is opportune for a new religious is cumulative in its effects, in- movement a m 0 n g students. Other groups in order were: creasing both taxes and cost of Many are seriously looking for Baptist, 99,219. living. a Divine Master in whom they Presbyterian, 88,473. may believe, and for a cause to Congregational and Christian, 48,- Gospels for Evanston, Ill., which they may commit them- 354. Protestant Episcopal, 47,729. Lutheran, 38,339. Hebrew, 32,405. Disciples of Christ, 13,921.
High School selves. The aim of the Mission Christian Science, 12,282. will be to make the strongest Latter Day Saints (Mormon), 11,- Through the cooperation of the possible presentation of Christ, 428. principal of the Evanston High and of what He means for the School, the Scripture League of life of the individual and of the It was found that in nine Evanston placed a Gospel of St. world. The Mission has been or- states it is illegal to inquire into John on the desk of each boy <and ganized under the chairmanship the religious preferences of stugirl in the different assembly of Dr. John A. Mackay, Presi- dents. -The Living Church. rooms, and the matter was dent of Princeton Theological briefly explained to them by the Seminary, who s e influential Mormons on Relief assembly teacher. They were leadership a m 0 n g thoughtful told that the acceptance of the Christians is recognized on all Statements appear from time book must be entirely voluntary sides. to time to the effect that the and that if they did not wish to Mormon Church has taken care keep it they could drop it in a Presbyterian Youth of its own relief problems durbox on their way out of the Conferences ing the depression, and since. A room. Less than 500 of the 3,000 Presbyterian missionary at Wa~ Gospels were refused. After An attempt to do something satch-Logan Academy calls this reading the Gospels through, al- on a national basis about Pres- "publicity" for the Latter Day byterian young people in their Saints, and says that 42 per cent of Mt. Pleasant-about 90 per most 400 signed the P. T. L. relationship to the United Chris- cent Mormon-is on government membership cards and received tian Youth Movement and to the relief; the situation in other their Testaments. The Scrip- Student Christian Movement parts of Utah is similar, or ture League reported that 361 takes form in plans for three worse. The state supervisor of marked "I accept Christ" on conferences in June and July, social work, a Mormon, by the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
way, says that the Mormon in distant and islated places turn War Resisters Church does very little in this almost invariably to the mission- The War Resisters' Internaconnection. tional is pledged to refuse sup- aries for advice, for interpreters, port ,to any kind of war and to -Monday Morning. for hospitality. Thus the Chris- tian Church has its own sources work for the removal of all The Race Question of information, which on the causes of war. It has members whole are more complete and As a follow-up of last year's in sixty-eight countries, and in study of the American Negro, more trustworthy than any other twenty-five of these there are fifty-two organized groups. The two conferences of church wom- sources dealing with the same headquarters in London reports en have been held, one at Asbury class of facts. The nearest ap- Park, N. J., the other at Evans- proach to a General Headquar- that "open work is now absoton, Ill. Considerable attention ters for the world's Protestant lutely impossible" in Germany, was given to reports from de- churches is the International and that in Italy correspondence nominational representatives as Missionary Council, which deals can only be "erratic and carried to how far their groups had with what would be called in military parlance the expedi- on with great discretion." But progressed in their racial atti- tionary forces of the churches. the Peace Pledge Union in Great tudes, and the specific results of Britain has 127,000 members,- in -Presbyterian Tribune. five hundred groups with its their recent study. These re- own weekly newspaper. In the ports showed long standing in- Some Figures Do Not Lie United States there are 13,000 terest in the Negro, first as an members of the War Resisters' object of missionary endeavor, Churches uninterested in mis- League, and the movement con-. sions eventually die. The Watchnext as the center of a great man-Examin.er supports t his tinues to grow in numbers and moral controversy that split sev- effectiveness. The Bel g ian eral of the denominations, then theory with the following figures. Union Against War, an absolute as a hopeless freedman who In 1832 there were 3,000 anti- pacifist organization, includes needed education and leadership missionary and 3,000 missionary 75,000 members of the Flemish training, and finally the increas- Baptists in one state. Fifty Ex-Servicemen's Association and ing shift from simply doing years later there were still 3,000 things for the Negro to thinking anti-missionary Baptists, while 20,000 members of the Anti-Wal' of him as a fellow human being the missionary group had grown League.-Christian Advocate.
whose help is needed in the to 37,000. In North Carolina, building of a Christian America. Baptists divided in 1840 on mis- More Light on Old Testament. It was reported that Negroes are receiving greater recognition in sions. There were then 1,200 Knowledge of ancient empires: the administrative agencies of anti-missionary Baptists, and and peoples is being enlarged so. twice as many committed to mis- rapidly that facts which confirm most denominations; that equal sions. Fifty years later the the truth of the Bible are being. treatment of racial minorities is anti-missionary group had not required by many denominations increased in number, while the brought to light constantly. In when they hold official gather- missionary group had in their Egypt, Palestine and Mesopo.., ings; but that all these advances tamia, patient archeologists are are only a small beginning to- churches 300,000 members. unearthing information which ward better racial relations. World Preaching Mission renders rationalistic interpreta..
tions untenable. Sir Charles Dr. Jesse M. Bader, Director Marston and Sir Henry Well- MISOELLANEOUS of the National Preaching Mis- come are among those who have sion, announces a World Preach- not only contributed generously Missions-an Information ing Mission, with participation to various archreological expedi.,. Bureau The 25,000 missionaries sta- by all evangelical churches in all tions; but have recorded the tioned all over the world know lands, in 1940. Arrangements findings in a series of books. intimately the facts about the are well under way in some The latest of these is Sir Charles people among whom they labor, countries. Marston's new volume, "The and possess a mass of informa- Widespread interest, as great Bible Comes Alive." One of his tion far greater than that col- as that during the 1936 missions, most striking refutations of lected by news agencies, or by and a marked benefit to the criticism is in regard to the lit- governments. If the League of churches of all communions have erary ability possessed by the Nations, for example, wants to been reported from the eleven Israelites from the time of know exactly what the situation cities visited by the National Moses. He proves that so far is in regard to a mandated por- Preaching Mission last autumn. from being illiterate, they were tion of Africa, it often has to At every center the city's largest far superior to the nations turn to the missionaries to ob- auditorium was used for the around them, and had at least tain accurate and unbiased in- mass meetings, and in most in- three alphabetical scripts. Thus formation. Newspaper corre- stances it was completely filled the theory of oral transmissioq is set aside. spondents covering assignment on one or more days. Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~-======~==~~~======~=======I~ China Through a College Window. have yet to discover a portrait Miss Carmichael has the eye By William G. Sewell. 183 pp. of Mohammed anywhere in of an artist, the soul of a poet, a $1.00. Friendship Press, New York. China. • heart of love, the vision of a 1937. We recommend this book as a spirit-filled missionary and the The author of this delightful readable account of the funda- mind of Christ. Her book is mental changes taking place in filled with facts and incidentsbook is a well-known chemist in some grave and some gay-that Clrinese educational circles. Al- the youth of China today. though he gives the fictitious stir the reader and lead to a dename of "Ren I" for his univer- C. L. PICKENS. sire to share in such a vital, lifesity, the book very well describes "West China Union University" Windows. By Amy Carmichael. Il- giving work. The 36 pictures at Chengtu, Szechuan. lustrated. 8vo. 247 pp. Paper, 38. 6d.; cloth, 58. 6d. May be or- are unique and fascinating; the Prof. Sewell, who has been dered from Hope Church Sunday quotations are striking, but the connected with the Friends' School, St. Louis, Mo. 1937. deep impression is made by the Service Council since 1924, says, Real stimulus to faith and de- vastness of the spiritual need of "The sole design of the book is votion comes from this very at- the people of India. When we to portray life as it is lived today tractive, beautifully illustrated, hear the words, "the voice of among Chinese students in the spiritually impressive Dohnavur thy brother's blood crieth unto city removed from the extremes book. In it Miss Carmichael- me from the ground," we realof coastal influences." However, now on a bed of pain-tells how ize that our answer to that cry the fascinating pen sketches of "windows in heaven" have been opened to supply the needs- must be the message of the lifethe Chinese character, both an- giving blood of Christ. cient and modern, as portrayed in actual experience, makes the temporal and spiritual- of the "Ask and It Shall Be Given You." understanding of the changes in family of 700 children and work- By Ida Goepp Pierson. 8vo. 140 new China easily understood. This book gives an excellent ers connected with the various pp. $1.50. Wm. B. Eerdman Pub. view of Chinese life, and is more phases of the work at Dohnavur Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. 1937. readable than Lin Yu-tang's "My Country and My People," and the neighboring villages. Mrs. George P. Pierson was Here we learn much about this for forty years a faithful and which is a little heavy for steady remarkable work of faith and efficient praying missionary in reading. labor of love and its fruitage. Japan. Her husband testified We see rare photographic and that she was a woman of prayer T.he author's summing up of pen pictures that visualize the and knew from experience the the Christian approach to the scenes. We hear why they fact that God answers prayer. needed electric lights-not only Here are her Bible studies on student is commended to others. for the hospital work but to the subject. The book is not a He says: "The spiritual help avoid snakes; thirteen cobras logical treatise on prayer but they need is not gained through caught one afternoon-and rats Mrs. Pierson has gone over Bible study groups and religious -one hundred invaded a single many of the 255 prayers of the bathroom in a few weeks! The Old Testament and the 209 New services alone. What really mat- electric lights were given in an- Testament petitions to discover ters is the quality of life of those swer to prayer. There are many the subjects, the laws, and the who profess themselves Chris- stories of the hospital – "Place power of prayer. She includes tians; for right living is really of Heavenly Healing"; the res- interesting and suggestive obinfectious." cue of the little boys and girls servations on the unanswered from lives of sin and shame; the prayers of the Bible and on the There is one statement which "angel's weekly finance meet- prayers of God and evil people. should be challenged. On page ing"; the gifts offered by chil- It is interesting to note that no 41, Mr. Sewell says, "In his dren; the life in the nursery; prayers are recorded in Leviti- experiences in a haunted house; cus, Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, simple bedroom he (the Chinese satanic attacks; fiery trials; Proverbs or Songs of Solomon. student) hangs pictures, not battles against ill-health; vic- Some books have even no referonly of Confucius and the Bud- tories. ence to prayer. Jesus' example dha, but also of Jesus Christ, Chwant Dze, Mohammed and the great ones of the world." We Any of the books noted In these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on. receipt of price.
[158 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
A Definite Experience of Faith and Consecration Is Our Heritage Every Christian owes more to the past than the fact of a Christ who is our divine Lord~ The experiences of redeemed men are our most pre- cious heritage. In their hearts and lives have been demonstrated the evidences of the saving grace of the Son of God.
On May 24th more than 10,000,000 Methodists throughout the world are commemorating the Aldersgate experience of John Wesley, in which he uttered those words cherished by evangelical believers the world around, HI felt my heart strangely warmed."
The April, May, June issue of THE UPPER ROOM is dedicated to the faith of millions of Christians in a definite experience of faith and consecration that warms the heart of the confessing believer.
Remember that THE UPPER ROOM, EL APOSENTO ALTO, is now avail- able in Spanish at the same price and on the same terms as the English edition.
Of course, all pastors will want a supply of this issue and we advise you to place your order early. It is now ready for you.
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and teachings on prayer are will be deeply interested in the brief chapters Dr. Huizenga re- most fruitful. wealth and variety of the facts lates some of the high lights in The book offers an excellent cited and in what was said by the career of this missionary basis for further study. It is delegates from the various counstrictly biblical. tries. It is true that "much leader, and gives some of the water has flowed under the The appearance and clearness bridge" since August, 1936, but tributes paid at the time of his of the volume would be improved if the many Scripture quotations most of the contents of this vol- death in 1936. had been printed in a different ume is of abiding value. Our retype. gret are that it deals with the Going out in 1900, Mr. Brink "problems of the Pacific" as if labored at three strategic points, Tohatchi, Toadlena and Farm- ington, all on the New Mexico side of the broad expanse of the An Ambassador in Bonds. The Story they were solely social, economic Navaho reservation. At Farm- of William Henry Jackson, the and political, and with no ap- parent recognition of the sig~ ington, "L.P." saw "several of Blind Priest of Burma. By May C. Purser. 64 pp. 6d. S. P. G. nificance of the moral and spir- his long-cherished missionary London. ambitions realized . . . his itual forces that are operating translations come from the press The story of a consecrated and and the contribution of the and distributed in the field; his remarkably talented blind young Christian missionary enterprise. first native Navaho evangelist, Englishman, who made his phys- Something more is involved in J. C. Morgan, set aside by the ical handicaps count in service these "problems" than trade and Board for the work of the Lord; for his Master. The story is politics. ARTHUR J. BROWN. saw his proposed chain of mis- written by one who knew him as sion stations to reach all the out- a sister and an associate in The Land of Umbrellas. Lessons on lying Navahos of the reservation work. A missionary of the the Church in Burma. By Ruth accepted by the Synod." Henrich. Is. S.P.G. London. 1937. S.P.G., he gave his life to the Someone has called Brink blind of Burma, created a Bur- A missionary study book for "the Cadmus of the Navaho mese Braille type and estab- Juniors, comprising t wei v e tribe," as he is said to be the lished the school for the blind. studies on the work of the first to put the Navaho tongue Deeply appreciative of Burmese Church of England in Burma. music, poetry and national cus- It includes maps, a picture sheet, into writing. He compiled a toms, he adopted the national leader's helps, much fine illus- grammar and dictionary and translated portions of the Bible dress. The Government of In- trative material, and practical into a language which the Amerdia awarded him the Kaiser-i- project suggestions. While defi- Hind medal. Though living in nitely concerned with the work ican Bible Society designates as perpetual darkness, "there was of the Church of England in "a very complex language, with verb forms that can express an zest and joy in his living, and in Burma, the material is excellent, almost infinite variety of shades his dying there was no room for clearly and attractively pre- of meaning, in sounds that do tears." RUTH WILDER BRAISTED. sented, and would be helpful as not lend themselves readily to source material to any Junior representation in our English Problems of the Pacific, 19'36. Edited group studying Burma. alphabet." His translations by W. L. Holland and Kate L. RUTH WILDER BRAISTED. also included Gospel hymns.
Mitchell. $5.00. University of Today the Navaho youth are Chicl'.go Press, Chicago. 1937. Leonard Peter Brink. By Lee S. learning to read and understand The problems of the Pacific Huizenga. 66 pp. Cloth, 75 cents; the English Bible but they love have become world problems. paper, 50 cents. Zondervan Pub- to sing the hymns in their na- lishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. They are increasingly difficult 1937. tive language. and ominous, and no solution is now in sight. This volume con- . Dr. Huizenga, himself a med- J. C. Morgan, a converted tains a large amount of informa- ical missionary and at one time Na-vaho and recognized leader tion upon certain phases of these in the Navaho field, tells the life among his people, who served problems. It is a summary of story of another missionary, under "L.P." for many years, the proceedings of the Sixth who spent thirty-five years as a gives a fitting tribute to this Conference of the Institute of pioneer among the Navahos, Gospel messenger to the Red Pacific Relations, held in Yosem- and was known to his friends Men: "The great success of his ite National Park, in August, and admirers by the familiar missionary work among the 1936. The sub-title, "Aims and sobriquet of "L.P." Dr. Henry Navahos can be summed up in a Results of Social and Economic Beets, a pioneer in Christian few words: Meekness, kindness, Policies in Pacific Countries," in- work of the Christian Reformed honesty and unselfishness. He dicates both the scope and the Church, writes an Introduction. was never too busy to sit down and talk with the Indians . . .
limitations of the volume. The "L.P." was a veteran of the by the hour, . . . about their "countries" referred to are the Cross, and a constant source of affairs in general, and finally.
United States, China, Japan and inspiration to young and old, to end up with some Gospel mes- Russia. The student of missions Indians and whites. In eight sage." G. E. E. LINDQUIST.
for the
The Federal Council offers this DOES YOUR MINISTER TAKE prayer for mercy, grace and peace: CHURCH Almighty God, our Father, from MANAGEMENT I whom every family in heaven and earth is named, hear our prayer for Thy children in other lands who live in the midst of conflict and death, who UFound in Pro.peroru Churcha" are wounded in spirit or in body by If not, have a subscription entered in his man's inhumanity to man. Have mercy upon them and sustain them in name or the name of the church. their dark hour of trial and tempta- It will pay big dividends. tion. Forgive us our 'indolence and faithlessness in not teaching nations $2.50 per year CHURCH MANAGEMENT a better way than strife. Purge our 2 years, $4.00 Auditorium Building Cleveland, Ohio .own hearts of racial and national an- tagoonGisomdso. f love, draw us all so close the present American Standard Edi- China Through a College Window. unto Thyself that we may be enabled tion of the Bible in the light of the Wm. G. Sewell. 183 pp. $1.00. by Thy Grace to pr'tl. for our enemies resUlts of modern scholarship, this re- Friendship Press. New York. as did Christ himse , to put away all 'vision to be designed for use in public malice, and to subdue the hateful and private worship, and to be in the Eclipse in Ethiopia. Esme Ritchie promptings of evil. So may our fel- direction of the simple, classic Eng- Rice. 124 pp. 40 cents. Marshall, lowship within Thy Church Universal lish style of the King James Version. Morgan & Scott. London. endure in spite of distance, falsehood and bloodshed. The work is :to begin at once, The Open Door in China. A Scrip- Gather us together with all our and will require about five years tural Interpretation of Missio'ns by Christian brothers of every tongue for completion. a Missionary. M. A. Hopkins. 189 and nation beneath the Cross of -Christian Observer. pp. 35 cents. R. C. Annan, 2813 Christ, that in humility we may learn Mary St., St. Joseph, Mo.
Problems of the Pacific. Edited by of Him how to serve Thee in healing W. L. Holland and Kate L. Mitchell. the wounds of a stricken world. En- $5.00. University of Chicago. Chilarge our hearts to respond to suffer- New Boole. cago, Ill. ing and need that we may give and Religion in Central America. 147 pp. not count the cost. "Ask and It Shall Be Given You." $2.00 or 58. World Dominion Press. Ida Goepp Pierson. 140 pp. $1.50. New York and London. May Thy wisdom guide us. May Wm. B. Eerdman. Grand Rapids, Thrilling Voices of the Past. T. Thy power sustain us. And may Thy Mich. Christie Innes. 150 pp. 28. 6d. love keep us ever. Amen.
New Version of Bible Planned Der Arbeitslohn in China (in Ger- Pickering & Inglis. London. The Interna.tional Council of man). Paul Arndt, Djini Shen and The Missionary Education of Adults. Chu-Fen Lo. Paper, -'1.50 RMi; Religious Education is an or- cloth, 9 RM. Hans Buske, Leipzig, John Leslie Lobingier. 182 pp. ganization of about forty Protes- Germany. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 80 cents. Mistant denominations which are sionary Education ~vement. New cooperating in matters affecting Arab and lew in Prophecy and His- York. tory. C. H. Titterton. 32 pp. 6d. Goforth of China. By Rosalind Go- Pickering & Inglis. London. forth. 364 pp. $2.00. Zondervau.
Christian religious education. Pub. House. Grand Rapids, Mich.
In 1929, this Council appointed ~n Unusual GJ'Xew <lIoolr on the Christ the Life. D. M. McIntyre. 93 a committee, composed of well- pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. Lonknown scholars, to explore the DistinctWe TTUth 0fClaristiani,.,t don. need of a further revision of the text of the American Standard The Resurred:ion of A Black Civilization: A Social Study version of the Bible. It agreed of an Australian Tribe. W. Lloyd that the last forty years has been the Human Body Warner. 612 pp. $5. Harper. New York. 168. Macmillan. Lon- don.
especially fruitful in the discov- by The Christian Approach It,o. I eW8. eryof manuscript materials of- Charles Singer. 30 pp. fering new resources for the NORMAN H. CAMP & Unwin. London. Allen better understanding of the New Testament. They reported: Author of Thinking With God, etc. The Wailing Wall. Olga Levertoss. 136 pp. 38. 6d. Mowbray. London. That we record the conviction that I s CHRIST now living in a human there is need for a version which em- body of flesh and bones? Where? Christian Faith and the Modern bodies the best results of modern Will the bodies of all dead men be State. Nils Ehrenstrom. Tra'ns. scholarship as to the meaning of the raised from the grave? When? Can by D. Patrick and O. Wyon. 2(1).- Scriptures, and expresses this mean- Christians distinguish between truth pp. 68. Student Christian Move- 'ing in English diction which is de- and error? How? These and other ment. London. signed for use in public and private vital questions considered in this timely worship, and preserves those qualities book on the outstanding message of World Peace and Christian Missions. which have given to the King James the early Church. Harold E. Fey. 64 pp. 25 cents. Version a supreme place in English Friendship Press. London. literature. We, therefore, define the Bound in blue cloth, stamped in gold; task of the American Standard Bible 127 pages; attractive two-color jacket; Race Attitudes in South Africa: Committee to be that of revision of 75 cents. Order Your Copy Now! Historical, Experimental and Psy- cholOgical Studies. I. D. MacCrone. The Bible Institute Colportage Association 328 pp. 128. 6d. Oxford Univer- 848 North Well. Street, Chic:ago sity Press. London.
LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF
By ROBERT E. SPEER This is the biography of a very remarkable Christian missionary to India and for twenty years the influential and able editor of the Bombay Guardian. Dr. J. Sumner Stone called him, "The White Yogi."
When George Bowen died in 1888 there was call for a worthy biography but its preparation was . delayed. Later all the biographical material-including his diaries, letters, reminiscences, and the books and pamphlets of which he was author-was turned over to Dr. Speer. This material has now been put into shape for publication and the result is a frank and stimulating picture of the man,-his experiences, unique character, forceful views and methods of work. Here is a life story that is of absorbing interest and will richly reward the thoughtful reader. The book is now ready for delivery.
CONTENTS I. Family of George Bowen. XI. A Decisive Year, 1849. II. Boyhood and Youth. XII. From 1850 to 1855. III. Three Years Abroad. XIII. Ten Years of Independent Work. IV. Life in New York, 1840·1844. XIV. The Bombay Guardian. V. Illumination of a Hopeless Love. XV. Relations with the American Board. VI. Conversion to Christianity. XVI. Association with the Methodist Church. VII. At Union Theological Seminary. XVII. Bowen as a Writer. VIII. His Missionary Appointment. XVIII. Correspondence with Henry W. Rankin. IX. The Voyage to India, 1847. XIX. Closing Testimony. X. Beginning Missionary Work.
This latest work by Dr. Speer may be ordered at $2.50 per copy from THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING COMPANY IS6 Fifth Avenue, New York 11fE MISSIONARY ~RID This illustrated evangelical missionary monthly will keep readers in touch with the need of men for Christ and His Gospel and relates graphically the story. of the progress of missionary work in all lands.
$2.50 a year; 25 cents a copy Among the coming articles are the following: How CAN WE IMPROVE MISSIONARY ADMINISTRATION? ………… William Paton THE MOVEMENT FOR WORLD CHRISTIANITY …………… '" ….. Julius Richter ENCOURAGEMENTS IN THE EVANGELIZATION OF MOSLEMS …………. George Swan BLACK AND WHITE IN SOUTH AFRICA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth G. Grubb SHOULD THE MISSIONS WITHDRAW FROM INSTITUTIONAL WORK? …. Baez Camargo THE MINISTER AND MISsiONARY EDUCATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. H. Arnup MISSIONS IN A REALISTIC WORLD ………………… , … '" ….. H. B. DAVIES MANSUR SANG-CHRISTIAN DERVISH …………………… J. CHRISTY WILSON PROSECUTING THE GoSPEL IN BRAZIL ……………………….. E. doAmarol LOOKING BACK ON OUR FURLOUGH …………………..•……. Roy Phillips TWO NEW TWELVE-MONTH SUBSCRIPTIO~S WILL BE SENT FOR $4.00 MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO., Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — 1937 Index
INDEX-1937 VOLUME
THE MISSIONARY EVlEW'
Founded in 1878 DELAVAN L. PIERSON Editor 1888 to 1911 By ROYAL G. WILDER Editor ARTHUR T. PIERSON Editorial A.ssociates MRS. ESTELLA. S. AITCHISON, "Effective Ways of Working" MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, "Home Mission Bulletin"
MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, "Our World-Wide Outlook" MISS MADELINE M. BECKMANN, Editorial Secretary REV. ENOCH F. BELL, D.D. Editorial Council REV. A. C. SNEAD REV. ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D. REV. JAY S. STOWELL FRANKLIN D. COGSWELL REV. S. G. INMAN, D.D. REV. MILLS J. TAYLOR, D.D. REV. PAUL DE SCHWEINITZ, D.D. REV. WILLIAM R. KING, D.D. MISS FLORENCE G. TYLER REV. JOHN McDOWELL, D.D.* REV. WILLIAM P. SCHELL, D.D. MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD REV. CHARLES H. SEARS, D.D. WM. B. LIPPHARI> ERIC M. NORTH ROBERT E. SPEER, President Board of Directors SAMUEL M. ZWEMER A. L. W ARNSHUIS, Vice-President WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary WM. I. CHAMBERLAIN* DAVID J. FANT * 'Deceased Copyrighted, 1937 Published by the Missionary Review Publishing Co., Inc.
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D. J. FANT, Advertising and Circulation Manager [ 621 J Page Index to Authors Page Abel, Russell W…………… 416 Page Price, Frank W. ………….. 563 Rea, Julian S…………….. 524 Anderson, J. Lowrie ………. 489 Hayne, Coe ……………. 308,592 Rich, Mark ………………. 302 Anderson, W. B. ………….. 140 Hewitt, Nina B. ………….. 300 Richardson, R. C. …………. 33 Axling, William …………… 139 Ives, Hilda L……………… 297 Richter, Julius ……………. 423 Azariah, V. S…………….. 131 Jones, E. Stanley …………. 237 Ridley, H. French …………. 145 Jordan, S. M. …………….. 523 Riggs, James F …………… 587 Bellingham, W. …………… 372 Keller, Adolf …………….. 579 Brown, Arthur J. . ………. 26, 179 Killian, John C……………. 312 Ritzman, M. E. …………… 594 Browning, Webster E ………. 341 King, Wm. R……………… 285 Rizzo, Jr., M'iguel …………. 576 Brumbaugh, T. T………….. 582 Koobyar, Stephen O. ………. 597 Rogers, William L…………. 251 Kurdistani, Sa'eed …………. 571 Rohrbaugh, James ………… 41 Burnett, J. S…………….. 345 Lambie, Tom …………….. 422 Royall, Geoffrey …………… 363 Burton, Marjorie A………… 193 Laubach, Fr,ank C. ………… 485 Salsbury, C. G. …………… 75 Butzin, Arthur F. …………. 149 Leynse, James P. . ……. 88, 191,409 Scofield, C. I. …………….. 65 Calverley, Eleanor T……….. 492 Lieshing, M. C. …………… 206 Cantine, James …………… 427 Lindquist, G. E. K ………… 533 Scotford, John R. …………. 45 MacKinnon, Murdoch ………. 378 Scott, William ……………. 187 Case, Brayton C. ………….. 245 MacMillan, J. A. ………….. 90 Shepherd, George W……….. 204 Cash, W. Wilson ………….. 467 Magary, Alvin E ………….. 343 Smith, Ellsworth M. ……….. 305 Chiang Kai-shek, Generalissimo. 357 Magee, John G……………. 207 Smith, Gertrude J …………. 377 Chiang Kai-shek, Madame … 361,540 McClenahan, W. L. ………… 69 McConkey, James H. ………. 35 Snead, Alfred C. . ………. 199,351 Cuthbertson, James ……….. 234 McConnell, Charles M. ……… 287 Somerndike, John M……….. 315 Davies, Howell D. …………. 202 McDonald, George …………. 92 Speer, Robert E. ……. . …. 7,119 Dawber, Mark A. …………. 279 McLaughlin, Henry W……… 294 Storm, W. Harold. . . . . . . .. . … 21 Dodd, Edward M. …………. 459 Mitchell, Ann …………….. 282 Donaldson, Dwight M. ……… 455 Moody, Thomas …………… 379 Taylor, H. Kerr …………… 253 Moore, Jr., L. Paul ………… 30 Tema, S. S. ………………. 195 Eastman, Elaine Goodale …… 128 Morrison, John …………… 197 Thomas, Winburn T….. 36, 231, 584 Edwards, J. F …………….. 183 Mull, Ruth C. ;……………. 318 Thompson, W. H………….. 347 Ekvall, Robert B. …………. 411 Orts-Gonzalez, Juan ……….. 86 Upson, A. T………………. 599 Erdman, Mabel H. ………… 482 Peabody, Lucy W………….. 144 Peet, H. W……………….. 153 Vance, Joseph A…………… 142 Fenn, Courtenay H. . …….. 95, 116 Pell, J. U………………… 236 Van Ess, John ……………. 476 Finney, Davida M…………. 461 Perpetuo, Antonio H. ………. 81 Warnshuis, A. L. …………. 67 Gaebelein, Frank E. ……….. 115 Pierson, Arthur T…………. 430 Gih, Andrew ……………… 190 Pierson, Delavan L., (Topics of Watts, J. R. ……………… 365 Wilson, J. Christy ………. 133,567 Goodale, Dora Read ……….. 578 the Times) Winn, Mrs. George H. ……… 527 Gould, Orpha B. ………….. 542 Platt, Charles A. ………….. 201 Wright, R. R., Jr…………. 589 Greenslade, W. G. …………. 252 Poling, Daniel A. . ………… 151 Wyker, Mrs. James D……… 425 Griffeth. Ross J …………… 290 Porteous, R. W ……………. 412 Young, Charlotte E ………… 519 Grubb, Kenneth G. ………… 529 Young, Herrick Black ……… 241 Haldane, James …………… 471 Zahir, Alfred …………….. 38 Hamner, Edward D………… 309 Harnish, Louis C. …………. 368 Zwemer, Samuel M. . … 181,464,573 Harrison, Paul ……………. 479 Page Contributed Articles Page Afghan Christian Martyr, An, Page China, Christians and the New Alfred Zahir ………… 38 Life Movement, Madame Arabia, Doctor's Tour in Neglect- Chiang Kai-shek ……… 540 Africa, African Bishop in, R. R. ed, W. Harold Storm….. 21 Wright, Jr…………… 589 Combating Communism with Australian Bush, Caravan in, Christian Service in Kiang- Daniel, Tshisunga – Congo Marjorie A. Burton …… 193 si, George W. Shepherd … 204 Apostle, John Morrison … 197 Bailey, Wellesley C.-Friend of Fruit from Seed-Sowing, Or- Christian Villages in Mozam- Lepers, ……………… 239 pha B. Gould ………… 542 bique, Julian S. Rea …..• 524 Board of Foreign Missions, Why Hope for the Renaissance of. African Evangelists in Training, I Like to Work for the. . .. 538 E. Stanley Jones ……… 71 L. Paul Moore, Jr. ……. 30 Brahman Christian – Nehemiah Hospital on the Yangtza. – Missions, New Moving Pic- Goreh ………………. 381 Opening a New, J. W. Pell 236 tures of, William L. Rogers 257 Brazil, Evangelical Work in, Mi- Pioneering for ChI' i s t in – View of Africa's Need, An, guel Rizzo, Jr. ………. 576 Kwangsi, Alfred C. Snead. 351 S. S. Tema ………….. 195 BulletIn of the Council of Women And the New Life Movement 356 Alaskan Eskimos-Old and New, for Home Missions, Edited Arthur F. Butzin …….. 149 by Edith E. Lowry … .Monthly Prison Shaken in, A, Andrew Gih ………………… 190 American Indian and His Reli- Burma, How Christ Changes Life g-ion, The, Elaine Goodale in, Brayton C. Case …… 245 Chinese Communist Finds Christ, Eastman ……………. 128 John G. Magee ………. 207 Carey's Covenant, William ….. 135 – Indians, Early Work Among, Chi'mg Kai-shek, Faith of ….. , 274 Concubine Tells Her Story. G. E. E. Lindquist ……. 533 – Moral Law. Gp'lprali'lsimo .. 278 James P. Leynse ……… l!Jl Children Love to Give, James F. Arab Consults a Missionary Doc- Gospel Posters, Use of, R. W. tor, James Cantine …. ,.. 427 Riggs ………………. 587 Porteous ……………. 412 China, Beaten but Unconquered in, James Leynse …….. 409 r 6221 Page Page Page Chinese Spend Sunday in Pei- Islam, Effect on Childhood, Char- New Life Movement, The, Gen- lotte E. Young ………. 519 el'allSSlmo ChIang Kai-shek 357 ping, How, James P. Leynse 88 ,- Turkestan, Through Unevan- – Facts Auout …………… 470 Nicholson, Sir Frederick, in Civil – Statistical Survey of ……. 458 Service, Lucy W. Peabody. 144 geliz~, H. French Ridley.. 145 – Testimonies of Converts from, Chosen (Korea), When a Magis- Papua, Away with Sorcery and Stephen O. Koobyar …… 597 Murder in …………… 349 trate Went to Church, Wil- Japan, ]<'acts About ~vangelism liam Scott …………… 187 Papuan Bush, Experiences in, Christ for the World We Sing, in, James Cuthbertson …. 234 Russell W. Abel ………. 416 Joseph A. Vance ……… 142 '- Faith Working by Love in, – The Church and Modern Persia (Iran), Growing Interest Youth, Daniel A. Poling .. 151 Winburn T. Thomas ….. 584 in, S. M. Jordan ……… 523 Christian and Missionary Alli- – Visit to the Ainu of North, Poem-Deaf Lady's Appeal to the ance, Golden Anniversary, Winburn T. 'l'homas …… 231 A. C. Snead …………. 199 Goddess of Mercy, Robert Christian and Moslem Homes, Japanese Buddhists Pray, When, B. Ekvall ……………. 411 Ponca Breaks Paths for Choctaw, Eleanor T. Calverley ….. 492 Winburn T. Thomas …… 36 Coe Hayne ………….. 592 Christians Unite, Why ahd How Christian Leader, Nagao, Wil- Power of the Printed Page, Ma- Should, E. Stanley Jones.. 237 liam Axling …………. 139 bel H. Erdman ……….. 482 Church in the Heart, The, Ruth Christians, Dilemma of, T. T. Presbyterian Foreign Missions, C. Mull …………….. 318 Brumbaugh ………….. 582 Centennial of, Herrick Black – of the Countryside, Coe Hayne 308 Keeping the Fountains Clean, Young ……………… 241 Congo BeIge, Sixty Years in the, – Highlights in a Century of, Henry W. McLaughlin …. 294 Arthur J. Brown ……… 26 Thomas Moody ……….. 379 Korean Millsionary Gives Thanks, Rural America – Case Workers Conquering Power of Christ, The, in Rural Areas, Hilda L. Mrs. George H. Winn …. 527 Ives ………………… 297 Julius Richter ………… 423 Kurdish ChristIan Prophet, J. Country Pastor's Job, A, Mark Neglected Fields in, Wm. Christy Wilson ………. 567 R. King ………….. 285 Rich ……………….. 302 Larger Parish, The, Ellsworth M. Doctor's Night at Fatehpur, – – Twenty-five Years Ago and Smith ………………. 305 (Poem), Gertrude J. Smith 377 Lull, Passion of Raymond, Ken- Today, Ross J. Griffeth. 290 Effective Ways 'Of Working, Ed- Church in Canada, Problems neth G. Grubb ……….. 529 ited by Estella S. Aitchi- Missionaries Through Colored 'Of, J. R. Watts ………. 365 son ……………… Monthly Churches Are Doing, What Egede, Han s, Missionary to Glasses, H. Kerr Taylor .. 253 Missionary Appraisal as of J anu- Some, W. H. Thompson … 347 Greenland …………… 375 – – Volunteer Service in, Louis Egypt, Pioneering in a Cairo ary 1, 1937, Robert E. Speer 7 Call, Unchanging, Arthur T. C. Harnish ……….. 368 Slum, M. C. Lieshing ….. 206 – Colporteur, Ministry of the, Erromanga, Martyrs of, Murdoch Pierson ……………… 430 For Today, The Ideal, D. S. John C. Killian ………. 312 MacKinnon ………….. 378 – Community, The Challenge 'Of Ethiopia and the Sudan, Work Hibbard ……….•…… 186 – Motives, Modern, W. B. An- the, Mark A. Dawber ….. 279 in, Tom Lambie ………. 422 – – Cooperation in, Edward D. Ethiopian Missions Under Italian derson ………………. 140 Obligation, my, M. E. Ritz- Hamner ………….. 309 Rule, James Rohrbaugh… 41 – – Saving a Whole ……… 370 European Revolution, In the Midst man ……………….. 594 Spain, Conflicting Issues in, Juan Stopped at the Ranch, When of. Adolf Keller ………. 579 Orts-Gonzalez ………… 86 Farm Tenants and Share-Crop- a, Antonio H. Perpetuo… 81 Statistics-Religious Bodies and Missions and the Critics, Howell pers, Charles M. McConnell 287 Groups in the United States 408 Farmer's Wife Sees It, As a, D. Davies ……………. 202 Students and Missions, British – Tomorrow, The Outlook for, Nina B. Hewitt ……… 300 Christian, H. W. Peet …. 153 First Five Centuries of Chris- Review by Courtenay H. Sunday Schools, Importance of Fenn ……………….. 95 tianity, Samuel M. Zwemer 573 Moslem Lands, New and Old in, Pioneer, John M. Sonwrn- Foreign Missions, Changing and A. T. Upson …………. 599 dike ………………… 315 Reactions to the Gospel, James Syria, Future of Antioch in, W. Unchanging Things in, Rob- Haldane ……………. 471 G. Greenslade ………… 252 ert E. Speer …………. 119 Sermon uy a Converted, Sa'- Thinking Yellow VB. Acting Yel- Forgotten Man of the Back Road, eed Kurdistani ……….. 571 lpw, Geoffrey W. Royall .. 363 Ann Mitchell ………… 282 Superstitions, Davida M. Fin- Gift Reveals the Giver-A Medi- United States, Forty Miles from ney ………………… 461 "a Hospital in the, Dora tation ………………. 380 – Views of "Those Nazarenes," Giving, Points to Remember in Read Goodale ………… 578 J. Lowrie Anderson …… 489 – South as a Mission Field, TM, Christian, The Late C. I. – World, Some Trends in the, Scofield ……………… 65 John R. Scotford ……… 45 Goforth of China, Jonathan, J. Edward M. Dodd …….. 459 Vail, Charles E., The Beloved – – Today, Dwight M. Donald- A. MacMillan ………… 93 Physician, R. C. Richardson 33 Hickey, Mike, An Ex-Convict son ……………… 455 Moslems, Christian Approach to, Waiting for You? Is God, James Who MlJde G"(ln .' ……. ' 44 H. McCnnkev ………… 35 India Advances in Politics and W. Wilson Cash ………. 467 – – Doctor Among, Paul Har- What Christ Said (Poem), George Religion, J. F. Edwards .. 183 McDonald …………… 92 Thou~hts. on Recent Evan- risQn …………….. 479 Educating for Christ, John Women's Work in a Country gelIsm III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Church, Mrs. James D. Wy- Untouchables, What Christ Van Ess …………….. 476 ker ………………… 425 Experience with. Frank C. Has Done for, V. S. Azar- Woods, the Outlaw, Jake, J. S. iah …………………. 131 Laubach …………….. 485 Burnett …………….. 345 Iran, Firebrand for Christ in, Why Preach Christ to, Sam- J. Christy Wilson …….. 133 Youth. Objectives and Principles Iraq, Medical Work Among Arabs uel M. Zwemer ……,…. 464 Murdoch Trail in Kentucky, The, for ……… Third Cover. July in, W. Bellingham ……. 372 Great American Mission Field, Is God Waiting For You?, James Alvin E. Magary …….. 343 Navajo, Christ Comes to the, C. Frank E. Gaebelein …… 115 H. McCQnkey ………… 35 On the Christian Frontier, G. Salsbury ………… " 75 New Life Movement, Madame Charles A. Platt ……… 201 Chiang Kai-shek ……… 361 Page Index to Authors Page Abel, Russell W. ………….. 416 Page Price, Frank W…………… 563 Rea, Julian S…………….. 524 Anderson, J. Lowrie ………. 489 Hayn~" Coe ……………. 308, 592 Rich, Mark ………………. 302 Anderson, W. B. : …………. 140 Hewitt, Nina B,. …. . . . . . . . . .. 300 Richardson, R. C………….. 33 Axling, William …………… 139 Ivesr'}iilda L. :,……………. 297 Richter, Julius ……………. 423 Azariah, V. S. ……………. 131 Jones, E. Stanley …………. 237 Ridley, H. French …………. 145 Jordan, S. M……………… 523 Riggs, James F …………… 587 Bellingham, W……………. 372 Keller, Adolf …………….. 579 Ritzman, M. E. …………… 594 Brown, Arthur J ………… 26,179 Killian, John C……………. 312 Rizzo, Jr., M'iguel …………. 576 Browning, Webster E ………. 341 King, Wm. R……………… 285 Brumbaugh, T. T………….. 582 Koobyar, Stephen O. ………. 597 Rogers, William L. ………… 251 Kurdistani, Sa'eed …………. 571 Rohrbaugh, James ………… 41 Burnett,J. S…………….. 345 Lambie, Tom …………….. 422 Burton, M.arjorie A. ……….. 193 Laubach, Frank C. ………… 485 Royall, Geoffrey …………… 363 Butzin, Arthur F ………….. 149 Leynse, James P……… 88,191,409 Salsbury, C. G… ,………… 75 Calverley, Eleanor T……….. 492 Lieshing, M. C……………. 206 Cantine, James …………… 427 Lindquist, G. E. E. ………… 533 Scofield, C. I. …………….. 65 Case, Brayton C. ………….. 245 MacKinnon, Murdoch ………. 378 Scotford, John R. …………. 45 MacMillan, J. A. ………….. 90 Scott, William ……………. 187 Cash, W. Wilson ………….. 467 Magary, Alvin E………….. 343 Shepherd, George W. ………. 204 Chiang Kai-shek, Generalissimo. 357 Magee, John G……………. 207 Chiang Kai-shek, Madame … 361,540 McClenahan, W. L. ………… 69 Smith, Ellsworth M. ……….. 305 Cuthbertson, James ……….. 234 McConkey, James H. ………. 35 Smith, Gertrude J. ………… 377 Davies, Howell D. …………. 202 McConnell, Charles M. ……… 287 Snead, Alfred C. . ………. 199,351 McDonald, George …………. 92 Somerndike, John M……….. 315 Dawber, Mark A………….. 279 McLaughlin, Henry W ……… 294 Speer, Robert E. ……. . …. 7,119 Dodd, Edward M. …………. 459 Mitchell, Ann …………….. 282 Storm, W. Harold… … . …… 21 Donalds'On, Dwight. M. ……… 455 Moody, Thomas …………… 379 Eastman, Elaine Goodale …… 128 Moore, Jr., L. Paul ………… 30 Taylor, H. Kerr '" . . . . . . . . . . .. 253 Edwards, J. F …………….. 183 Morrison, John …………… 197 Tema, S. S. ………………. 195 Ekvall, Robert B. …………. 411 Mull, Ruth C………….. ~ .. , 318 Thomas, Winburn T. . … 36,231,584 Orts-G<>nzalez, Juan ……….. 86 Thompson, W. H. . ………… 347 Erdman, Mabel H…………. 482 Pea·body, Lucy W………….. 144 Fenn, Courtenay H. . …….. 95, 116 Peet, H. W. ………………. 153 Upson, A. T………………. 599 Finney, Davida M…………. 461 Pell, J. U………………… 236 Vance, Joseph A…………… 142 Gaebelein, Frank E. ……….. 115 Perpetuo, Antonio H. ………. 81 Van Ess, John ……………. 476 Pierson, Arthur T. ………… 430 Warnshuis, A. L. …………. 67 Gih, Andrew ……………… 190 Pierson, Delavan L., (Topics of Watts, J. R………………. 365 Goodale, Dora Read ……….. 578 Gould, Orpha B. ………….. 542 the Times) Wilson, J. Christy ………. 133,567 Greenslade, W. G………….. 252 Platt, Charles A. ………….. 201 Winn, Mrs. George H. ……… 527 Poling, Daniel A. …………. 151 Wright, R. R., Jr. ………… 589 Griffeth. Ross J. . …………. 290 Porteous, R. W ……………. 412 Wyker, Mrs. James D. . ……. 425 Grubb, Kenneth G. ………… 529 Young, Charlotte E ………… 519 Haldane, James …………… 471 Young, Herrick Black ……… 241 Hamner, Edward D………… 309 Harnish, Louis C. …………. 368 Zahir, Alfred …………….. 38 Harrison, Paul ……………. 479 Zwemer, Samuel M. .., .181,464,573 Contributed Articles Page Page Page Afghan Christian Martyr, An, Arabia, Doctor's Tour in Neglect- China, Christians and the New Life Movement, Madame Alfred Zahir ………… 38 ed, W. Harold Storm ….. 21 Chiang Kai-shek ……… 540 Africa, African Bishop in, R. R. Australian Bush, Caravan in, – Combating Communism with Christian Service in Kiang- Wright, Jr…………… 589 Marjorie A. Burton …… 193 si, George W. Shepherd … 204 .__ Daniel, Tshisunga – Congo Bailey, Wellesley C.-Friend of – Fruit from Seed-Sowing, Or- pha B. Gould ………… 542 Apostle, John Morrison .. , 197 Lepers, ……………… 239 – Hope for the Renaissance of. _ Christian Villages in Mozam- Board of F'Oreign Missions, Why E. Stanley Jones ……… 71 bique, Julian S. Rea …… 524 I Like to Work for the …. 538 – Hospital on the Yangtze>. Opening a New, J. W. Pell 236 1;rican Evangelists in Training, Brahman Christian – Nehemiah – Pioneering for C h r i s t in L. Paul Moore, Jr. ……. 30 Goreh ………………. 381 Kwangsi, Alfred C. Snead. 351 Missions, New Moving Pic- Brazil, Evangelical Work in, Mi- • – And the New Life Movement 356 t ures 0f, W I'lll'am L . Rogers 257 guel Rizzo, Jr. . ……… 576 – Prison Shaken in, A, Andrew Bulletin of the Council of Women Gih ………………… 190 View of Africa's Need, An, for Home Missions, Edited Chinese Communist Finds Christ, S. S. sTk I·emm ao s.-.O.l.d. .a.n.d. .N. .e.w., 195 BurmbaY, HEodwI'thChEri.stLCowharyng. e. s..LMifoenth"' y Al a sk a n E John G. Mag-ee ………. 207 – Concubine Tells Her Story, Arthur F. Butzin …….. 149 in, Brayton C. Case …… 245 American Indian and His Reli-, ,"Q!L~Y~'s Coyenant, ~illiam ….. 135 James P. Leynse ……… 19] gion, The, Elaine G<>odale tlhang Kal-shek, FaIth of .. , … 274 Gospel Posters, Use of, R. W. Eastman ……………. 128 "_ Moral Law. Generalissimo .. ~78 Porteous ……………. 412 – Indians, Early Work Among, :.,. Children Love to Give, James F.
G. E. E. Lindquist ……. 533 Riggs ………………. 587 Arab Consults a Missionary Doc- China. Beaten but Unconquered tor, .Tames Cantine ……. 427' in. James Leynse …….. 409 r622 1 Page Page Page Chinese Spend Sunday in Pei- Islam, Effect on Childhood, Char- New Life Movement, The, Gen- ping, How, James P. Leynse 88 lotte E. Young ………. 519 eraUSSlmo L:hlang Kai-shek 357 – Turkestan, Through Unevan- – Facts Auout …….. " ….. 470 Nicholson, Sir Frederick, in Civil gelized, H. French Ridley.. 145 – Statistical i::iurvey of …. ;.. 458 Service, Lucy W. Peabody. 144 – Testimonies of Converts from, Chosen (Korea), When a Magis- Papua, Away with Sorcery and Stephen O. Koobyar …… 597 trate Went to Church, Wil- Japan, i"acts about ~vangelism Murder in …………… 349 liam Scott …………… 187 Papuan Bush, Experiences ~, Christ for the World We Sing, in, James Cuthbertson …. 234 Joseph A. Vance ……… 142 Faith working by Love in, Russell W. Abel …… " .. 416 Persia (Iran), Growing Interest – The Church and Modern Winburn T. Thomas ….. 584 Youth, Daniel A. Poling .. 151 Visit to the Ainu of North, in, S. M. Jordan ……… 523 Poem-Deaf Lady's Appeal to the Christian and Missionary Alli- Winburn T. 'J.nomas …… 231 ance, Golden Anniversary, Japanese Buddhists .Pray, When, Goddess of Mercy, Robert B. Ekvall ……………. 411 A. C. Snead …………. 199 Winburn T. 'J.homas …… 36 Ponca Breaks Paths for Choctaw, Christian and Moslem Homes, Christian Leader, Nagao, Wil- Coe Hayne ………….. 592 Power of the Printed Page, Ma- Eleanor T. Calverley ….. 492 liam Axling ………….. 139 bel H. Erdman ………. 482 Christians Unite, Why and How Christians, DIlemma of;. .T. T. Presbyterian Foreign Missions, Centennial of, Herrick Black Should, E. Stanley Jones .. 237 Brumbaugh ………• ; … 582 Young ……………… 241 Church in the Heart, The, Ruth Keeping the Fountains Clean, – Highlights in a Century of, Arthur J.Brown ……… 26 C. Mull …………….. 318 Henry W. McLaughlin …. 294 – of the Countryside, Coe Hayne 308 Korean Missionary Gives Thanks, Rural America – Case Workers Congo BeIge, Sixty Years in the, in Rural Areas, Hilda L. Mrs. George Ii. Winn …. 527 Ives ………………… 297 Thomas Moody ……….. 379 Kurdish CnrilSLian Propnet, J. Conquering Power of Christ, The, Neglected Fields in, Wm. Christy IV ilson ………. 567 R. King ………….. 285 Julius Richter ………… 423 Larger Parish, The, Ellsworth M. Country Pastor's Job, A, Mark – – Twenty-five Years Ago and Smith ………………. 305 Rich ………………… 302 Lull, Passion of Raymond, Ken- Today, Ross J. Griffeth. 290 Doctor's Night at Fatehpur, Church in Canada, Problems neth G. Grubb ……….. 529 (Poem), Gertrude J. Smith 377 Missiomiries Through Colored of, J. R. Watts ………. 365 Effective Ways of Working, Ed- Churches Are Doing, What Glasses, H. Kerr Taylor .. 253 ited by Estella S. Aitchi- Missionary Appraisal as of Janu- Some, W. H. Thompson… 347 – – Volunteer Service in, Louis son …………….. .Monthly ary 1, 1937, Robert E. Speer 7 Egede, Han s, Missionary to – Call, Unchanging, Arthur T. C. Harnish ……….. 368 – Colporteur, Ministry of the, Greenland …………… 375 Pierson ……………… 430 Egypt, Pioneering in a Cairo – For Today, The Ideal, D. S. John C. Killian ………. 312 – Community, The Challenge of Slum, M. C. Lieshing ….. 206 Hibbard …………….. 186 Erromanga, Martyrs of, Murdoch – Motives, Modern, W. B. An- the, Mark A. Dawber ….. 279 – – Cooperation in, Edward D. MacKinnon ………….. 378 derson ………………. 140 Ethiopia and the Sudan, Work – Obligation, my, M. E. Ritz- Hamner ………….. 309 – – Saving a Whole ……… 370 in, Tom Lambie ………. 422 man ……………….. 594 Spain, Conflicting Issues in, Juan Ethiopian Missions Under Italian – Stopped it the Ranch, When Orts-Gonzalez ………… 86 Rule, James Rohrbaugh. .. 41 a, Antonio H. Perpetuo… 81 Statistics-Religious Bodies and European Revolution, In the Midst Missions and the Critics, Howell Groups in the United States 408 of. Adolf Keller ………. 579 D. Davies ………… . . .. 202 Students and Missions, British Farm Tenants and Share-Crop- – Tomorrow, The Outlook for, Christian, H. W. Peet …. 153 pers, Charles M. McConnell 287 Review by Courtenay H. Sunday Schools, Importance of Farmer's Wife Sees It, As a, Fenn ………………. : 95 Moslem Lands, New and Old in, Pioneer, John M. Somern- Nina B. Hewitt ……… 300 A. T. Upson …………. 599 dike ………………… 315 First Five Centuries of Chris- – Reactions to the Gospel, James Syria, Future of Antioch in, W. G. Greenslade ………… 252 tianity, Samuel M. Zwemer 573 Haldane ……………. 471 Thinking Yellow vs. Acting Yel-; Foreign Missions, Changing' and Sermon oy a Converted, Sa'- low, Geoffrey W. Royall :" "363 Unchanging Things in, Rob- eed Kurdistani ……….. 571 United States, Forty Miles from Superstitions, Davida M. Fin- ert E. Speer …………. 119 a Hospital in the, Dora Forgotten Man of the Back Road, ney ………………… 461 Read Goodale ………… 578 – Views of "Those Nazarenes," – South as a Mission Field, The, Ann Mitchell ………… 282 John R. Scotford ……… 45 Gift Reveals the Giver-A Medi- J. Lowrie Anderson …… 489 Vail, Charles E., The Beloved – World, Some Trends in the, Physician, R. C. Richardson 33 tation ………………. 380 Waiting for You? Is God, James Giving, Points to Remember in Edward M. Dodd …….. 459 H. McConkey ………… 35 – – Today, Dwight M. Donald- What Christ Said (Poem), George Christian, The Late C. I. McDonald …………… 92 Scofield ……………… 65 son …………….. . 455 Women's Work in a Country Goforth of China, Jonathan, J. Moslems, Christian Approach to, Church, Mrs. James D. Wy- A. MacMillan ………… 93 ker ………………… 425 Hickey, Mike, An Ex-Convict W. Wilson Cash ……… . 467 – – Doctor Among, Paul Har- W'oods, the Outlaw, Jake, J. S. Who Made G'1od …….. .. 44 Burnett …………….. 345 India Advances in Politics and rison ……………. . 479 – Educating for Christ, John Youth, Objectives and Principles Religion, J. F. Edwards " 183 for ……… Third Cover, July Thou~hts. on Recent Evan- Van Ess ……………. . 476 Experience with, Frank C. – Great American Mission Field, gelIsm In ……………. 29 Frank E. Gaebelein …… 115 Untouchables, What Christ Laubach ……………. . 485 Why Preach Christ to, Sam- – On the Christian Frontier, ~as Done for, V. ~.Azar- Charles A. Platt ……… 201 lah …………………. 131 uel M:Zwemer ……… . 464 Iran, Firebrand for Christ in, Murdoch TraiJ in Kentucky, The, J. Christy Wilson …….. 133 Iraq, Medical Work Among Arabs Alvin E. Magary ……. . 343 in, W. Bellingham ……. 372 Navajo,Christ Comes to the, C. Is God Waiting For You?, James H.M!cConkey ………… 35 G. Salsbury …………. . 75 New Life Movement, Madame Chiang Kai-shek …….. . 361 90499 Page Editorial Topics of the Times Page Burma, New …………….. 278 Page Neutral, Can Christians Be, Ar- Challenges, Some Present-Day.. 454 thur J. Brown ……….. 179 Chamberlain, William I. ……. 517 Federal Council Biennial ……. 5 Chiang and China, Courtenay H. "First There Is God," A. L. Oxford Conference, Ecumenical Christianity at ………. 405 F~nn ……………….. 116 Warnshuis …………… 67 China, Hope of … . . . . . . . . . . . .. 277 Godless Propaganda, Militant .. 227 Palestine, Partition of ……… 404 – Japan Conflict, The …….. 406 "In Everything Give Thanks"… 515 – Religious Conflict in, W. L. – Tragedy in ……………. 452 India, Modern Challenge of …. 340 – War and Missions in, Frank Japanese Shrines and Emperor McClenahan …………. 69 Pierson Centenary, Arthur T… 230 W. Price ……………. 563 Worship ……………. 136 Rural America for Christ ….. 275 Chosen, Church Growth in ….. 118 Korea, Mission Schools Close in. 228 Russia Marching On-Whither? 68 Christian Internationale, Need Laymen Are on Fire, When … 67 Leaders or Followers ………. 403 Student Volunteers, Reviving the 516 for a, Samuel M. Zwemer.. 181 Mexico, Changing Situation in, Students, Evangelizing College.. 566 Egypt, New Independence for .. 6 Trail Blazing for 1937 …….. 3 Ethiopia, Closing Doors in ….. 276 Webster E. Browning …. 341 Unity, Basis for Christian ….. 453 Evangelism, What Next in Na- Missions, Coming Generation and 407 World Y. M. C. A. Conference in Moslems, Why this Interest in? 451 tional ………………. 5 National Preaching Mission, Suc- India ………………. 180 Youth-Whither? …………. 339 cess of ……………… 3 Page Book Reviews Page Advancing Church in L a tin Page Negro Year Book, 1937-8, Monroe America, An, Kenneth G. N. Work ……………. 618 Grubb ………………. 172 Handbook of the Christian Move- ment in China ……….. 224 New Day in Kenya (Africa), Africa and Christianity, Died- rich Westermann ……… 511 High Lights in the Near East, Horace R. Philp ……… 63 • Arthur T. Upson ……. . New Testament Principles and Alaskan Adventures, Loyal L. Wirt ……………….. 335 .- ………… 3rd Cover, March Modern Missions ……… 61 "None Other Gods," W. A. Vis- Ali Lives in Iran, Caroline Singer Hindu-Jajimani System, The, and Cyrus LeRoy Baldridge 619 Wm. H. Wiser .. 3rd Cover, May ser't Hooft ………….. 560 Oil Lamps Lifted (China), Pearl Apostle to the Chinese Commu- History of Jewish Christianity, nists, The, Daniel Nelson.. 62 Dorr Longley ………… 63 Hugh T. Schonfield …… 269 One Hundred Years of Presby- Bi0le Believing Church, A, Charles In the Jungles of New Guinea, Allen Clark …………. 616 terian Missions, Arthur H. R. Hanselmann ………. 399 Brotherhood Economics, Toyohiko India and the Christian Move- Brown ……………… 111 Kagawa …………….. 224 Pioneering in Kwangsi, W. H. ment, V. Z. Azariah ….. 61 Bush Aglow (D. L. Moody), Rich- Indians of Today, Edited By Oldfield …………….. 400 Pools on the Glowing Sand (Dr. ard E. Day ………….. 269 Marion E. Gridley ……. 270 But, Until Seventy Times Seven Japan in American Public Opin- Karl Kumm) , Irene V. Cleverdon …………… 272 (City Missions) , S. M.ay ion, Eleanor Tupper and Portuguese East Africa, Ed- George E. McReynolas …. 616 Wyburn …………….. 399 Japan Today, Edited by T. T. wardo Moreira ……….. 61 By Love Compelled (Volunteers), Brumbaugh ………….. 560 Rats, Plague and Religion (In- Marshall Broomhall …… 175 Jungle Friends, Bishop of Ran- dia), John Spencer Carman 268 Changing Russia, F. J. Miles .. 335 . goon ……………….. 336 Religion in the Republic of Children of Sunny Italy, Myrta Kolerat Pitsiulret,…………. 272 Spain, C. A. Garcia and H. Dodds……………. 64 Latin America, Samuel Guy In- Kenneth G. Grubb ……. 63 China Calling, Frank Houghton. 272 Religion on the American Fron- China Year Book-1936, H. G. W. man ………………… 560 tier, William Warren Sweet 512 Living Religions and Modern Restraining Hand (China), R. A. Woodhead …………… 112 Bosshardt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 270 Christ and the World Today, Thought, Alban G. Widgery 173 Stocking Tales, J. T. Stocking .. 511 C. T. Studd, Athlete and Pioneer, Wm. E. Doughty …….. 398 Mann of the Border, D. Emmett Norman P. Grubb …….. 560 Christendom and Islam, W. Wil- Alter ……………….. 618 Taylor of China, J. Hudson, J. J. Ellis …………….. 448 son Cash ……………. 559 Master of Money (A. A. Hyde), Then and Now in Kenya Colony, George Irving ………. . Willis R. Hotchkiss ……. 617 Christian Faith and the Science ………. 3rd Cover, February Theology for Christian Missions, Today, J. H. Morrison …. 617 A, Hugh Vernon White … 446 Meaning of Christ to Me, Robert Twice Born-And Then? An- Christian Faith in the Modern E. Speer ……………. 223 drew Gih …… 3rd Cover, May World, The, J. Graham Twelve Clever Girls Who Became Machen …………….. 62 Mecca and Beyond, Edward M. Famous Women, H. A. W. and Rose Wilson Dodd … 398 Hamilton ……………. 620 Christianity and the Malays, Two Missionary Voyages, Thomas Lawrence E. Browne ….. . Medieval Missionary,The, James Thompson …………… 446 ……….. 3rd Cover, January Thayer Addison ……… 112 Untouchable's Que s t (India), Godfrey Phillips ……… ~68 Christianity in Eastern Conflicts, Men of the Outposts, Herbert Way of the Witnesses, Edward William Paton ……….. 397 Welch ………………. 617 Shillito ……………… 223 Christmas in Other Lands, Doro- Mexico Today, Irving Speed Wal- What Is the Moslem World?, thy M. Horne ………… 64 lace ………………… 175 Charles R. Watson …… 398 Church and the Churches, The, Missionary Illustrations, Alva C. Why South America?, A. Stuart Karl Barth ………….. 174 Bowers ……………… 447 McNairn ……………. 172 Church Unity, F. H. Knubel … 447 Missionary Plays and Pageants, Young Moslem Looks at Life, East and West, Edited by Basil Fannie Smith Gray …… 271 The, Murray T. Titus …. 398 Mathews ……………. 112 Missionary Romance in Morocco, Evangelical Handbook of Latin J ames Haldane ………. 269 America …………….. 399 M'issionary Stories to Tell ….. 268 God in the Every Day, Hugh Red- Morocco in Mufti, James Haldane 336 Moslem Women Enter a New wood ……………….. 272 Gordon, General Charles, E. J. World, Ruth Frances W ood- small ………………. 173 Richter …………….. 176 My Beloved Armenia, Marie S. Banker ……………… 335
The Missionary Review of the World — November 1937
1937
The Effect of Islam on Childhood Charlotte E. Young Christian Villages in Mozambique Julian S. Rea A Korean Missionary Gives Thanks Mrs. George H. Winn The Passion of Raymund Lull Kenneth G. Grubb Early Work Among the Indians G. E. E. Lindquist Christians and the New Life Movement Madame Chiang Kai–shek Fruit from Seed–Sowing in China Orpha B. Gould 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
D.tes to Remember AKEEN PARENTS ••• That
possession is November 7-11-lnternational Good- In the Foreign Mission Field within YOUT Will Congress. Boston. Endorse Calvert: School November 19-American Sec t ion, Home Study Courses MEMORY reach! Follow Universal Christian Council for For Children the simple, sen~ Life and Work, New York. sible rules in Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- November 22-Annual M: e e tin g , tion Department, will give your child a United Stewardship Council, Phila- superior elementary education ••• by mail, delphia, Pa. . regardless of where you may live. Mod- "HOW TO MEMORIZE" ern, approved courses from this famous By Dr. William Evans November 22-23-United Stewardship school are being used by parents all over Council Meeting. Philadelphia, Pa. the world with outstanding success. The Possibilities of the Memory, December 12-Universal Bible Sun- Give your children the advantages of these Principles of Memory Training, and 'interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, day. and attractive materials. Instruction is step by step instruction on the fun~ under the personal guidance of teachers in NATIONAL PREACHING MIS- damentals of application. . SION Many gladly paid $5.00 for this October 31-November 3-Cincinnati, Calvert's prominent and successful private material in a correspondence course. Ohio. day school in Baltimore. Now compiled in a single volume bound in handsome cloth covers, November 4-7-Richmond, Va. Write today for booklet of complete in- gilt stamping, 95 pages, complete Novenl.ber 7-IO-Nashville, Tenn. formation. Costs are low. for 75c. and 6c. postage. November 11-I4–ShrevepQrt, La. CALVERT SCHOOL , BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N November 14-17-Tulsa, Okla. November 18-21-Wichita, -Kans. 180 E. Tuscany Road 848 N. Wells St. Chicago, Illinois November 21-24–Quincy, Ill. Baltimore oQo Maryland December 2-5–Jacksonville, Fla. Wooster College and Princeton Sem- inary, and has been a navy chaplain . since 1915. II If you use Personal Items *** PRINTING Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, one of the Rev. A. J. Muste, after several YOU will profit from an ac- Board of Directors of THE REVIEW, quaintanceship with us. We is the new president of the Woman's years as leader of radical social do the job complete in our own American Baptist Home Mission So- groups, has returned to the Presby- plant, whether it be large or ciety. From 1920 to 1921 she served terian ministry and has become Di- small. as treasurer of the Board and'for the rector of Labor Temple, New York past six years as 1st vice-president. City, succeeding Dr. Edmund B. Chaf- While our specialty is Books, Ten years ago Mrs. Judd wrote "Fifty fee who died in 1936. – Mr. Muste Mag~ines and Pamphlets, yet Golden Years," the history of the understands the labor movement and we have a vlilriety of modern Woman's Home Mission Society. She says that their materialistic objectives equipment to meet all the re.- would be unsatisfying, even if attain- able.
is a former president of the Council Obituary Notes of Women for Home Missions.
*** Hugh R. Monro, LL.D., of Mont- Dr. F. E. Dilley, medical mission- quirements of your particular clair, New Jersey, Vice-President of ary to China, died in Cleveland, Ohio, job. You will find our service the Niagara Lithograph Company, Aug. 9, 1937. He was in Peiping prompt, careful and courteous. has been elected President of the American Tract 'Society, to succeed from 1907 till 1920, where he served Will you allow us to estimate the late William Phillips Hall. on the staff of the An Ting Hospital for men and was a professor in the on your next printing ? We be- ••• Union Medical College. In 1921 he lieve you will be delighted with Rev. Dirk Lay, D.D., after twentyseven years of successful service as was transferred to Temple Hill Hos- our product, price and service. the "Apostle to the, Pimas," is to be- pital in Chefoo. come supervisor of' Presbyterian mis- *** sion work among the Dakatah Indians Dr. William Isaac Chamberlain, The EVANGELICAL PRESS on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The work of Dr. Lay Ph.D., who retired in 1935 as corre- Print…. of among the Pimas forms one of the most dramatic episodes in the annals sponding secretary of the Board of The Missionary Rewew of the World of missionary service among Indian tribes. He has succeeded in develop- Foreign Missions of the Reformed PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE ing strong congregations among them, Church in America, died in New York Third and Reily Str••ts Han'''''', P.. each with its own house of worship City on September 28th. He would and native pastor, trained to render have been seventy-five years old on efficient service. He has also been their successful advocate in their ap- October 10th. a native of Pittsburgh. He was gJ"adpeal to the Government for irrigation Dr. Chamberlain had been secretary uated frQm the University of Pittsfrom the Coolidge dam. burgh, in 1889, and from Union of the Reformed Church Board since Theological Seminary in 1892. Dur- *** 1909. He was also a member of some ing his service in Korea Mr. M:iller twenty other boards and societies. -organized Bible institutes, served Capt. Robert. D.! Workman has be- (See Editorial on page 517.) come Chief of Chaplains in the U. S. Navy, to succeed Edward A. Duff, *** churches as pastor and managed Roman Catholic. He is a graduate of The Rev. Frederick Sheibler Mil- evangelistic campaigns. He was au- ler, Presbyterian missionary in Cho- thor of several books on Korea pub- sen, Korea, from 1892 until his retire- lished in America.
ment last December, died in that city, His widow, Mrs. Mary Lillian Dean recently. Miller, also a missionary, survives Mr. Miller was 70 years old and him.
MISSIONARY A t left is one of the
REVIEW OF THE WORLD A.S.S.U. cotton camp Union Sunday Schools. Below is a DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor plank chapel in which numer- ous evangelistic meetings are VOL. LX Nov., 1937 No. 11 conducted and many cort~ versions have occurred. Our "Cotton Camp Evangelist" solicited the funds. and did nearly all the ·work himself.
Publication and Business Office– The Tallest Cotton- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. OF the United States-do you realize that The Arizona cotton camps are Editorial and Executive Office– it grows in arid Arizona? And do you know that the but one instance where wide- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. tallest men and women spiritually may grow from awake A.S.S.V. missionaries Entered as second-class matter at the boys and girls of the cotton camp section if we are entering opening doors. reach them soon with the Word of God? The youth of unreached rural Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under America is. our chosen field. Act of March 3, 1879. About eight years ago, Buckeye Valley was Evangelical in purpose. non- sectarian in method. and true 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. reclaimed by irrigation from a dry cactus desert and to the Word of God, for more Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. became one of the most fertile cotton-growing sections than a century we have car- Published monthly, except August. of the Southwest. Here hundreds of cotton picking ried on this aggressive and All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. families migrate from eastern cotton states, many of needed evangelism. Our or- British agentll- Marshall, Morgan them remaining the year round. They live in tents and ganization covers the nation. and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, shacks. At nearly every little cross-roads store liquor Heaven alone will reveal the London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, is sold and single men and women of immoral tenden- tremendous results in eternal 10 shillings a year. cies are a menace to the boys and girls of these camps. values.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Through its district superintendent, the Your church or Sunday School LISHING CO., INC. class could choose no nobler A.S.S.V. has established cotton camp evangelism. missionary project. $12.50 BOARD OF DIREC'l'ORS Tents and chapel buildings in some instances have . annually establishes a class, ROBERT E. SPEER, President been provided by the cotton growers. Many conver- $25.00 maintains a Sunday A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President sions have taken place among the young and some School, $50.00 annually sup- WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer needed relief work is going forward. ports work in an unreached DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary community, and $100.00 in a county. $1200.00 annually SAMUJIlL MCCREA CAVERT .supports an active A.S.S.U. D. J. FANT missionary. For full informa- Mas. ORRIN R. JUDD tion, address- WM. B. LIPPHARD AMERI DEPARTMENT OF MISSIONS, Dept. R1137 ERIC M. NORTH 1816 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia:, Pennsylvania. Sunday SAMUEL M. ZWEMER School I wish to sponsor the work of the A. S. S. U. with the Union unreached millions of Rura~ America. Editorial Chat 5 Enclosed find $ ___ to be used foc _______ _ The October number of the REVIEW ESTABLISHED 1817 -on Moslem lands-has had a very ) Send your quarterly Field Magazine – "The Sunenthusiastic reception. About 1,000 day School Missionary" special advance orders were received and many leaders are using them in ( ) Mail your Booklet on Annuities. their study classes. More valuable articles on the same subject appear in ( ) Send Sample Sunday School Literature. this issue-and more are to follow. Name ___________________ .___ _ *** Address _____________________ _ The Home Missions number on City ______________ State ______ _ "Rural America" (June) has had a large circulation-about two thou- CHRIST ALONG THE OLD BACK ROAD sand extra copies having been sold up PIONEER SUNDAY SCHOOL ORGANIZATION OF THE USA to September 1st. wrong one used as a frontispiece for versity of Nanking Hospital is the *** the September REVIEW. The picture only large hospital open in that city. intended for insertion was one of na- Cabled appeals for help to meet the Readers still continue to express tives in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan in situation come with the endorsement their high appreciation of the work the midst of picturesque rocks of the of the American Ambassador in China. the REVIEW is doing. Dr. William desert. The picture used was a plate At least $6,000 are needed for anti- Bancroft Hill, of Vassar College, in loaned for another purpose by the Re- tetanus and typhoid vaccines, as the ordering a quantity for distribution, view and Herald, of Washington, supply in Nanking is now exhauste·d. writes: D. C., and represents a camp meeting with 5,000 present in Iboland, Nigeria. There is also need for funds for an "Your October number on the Mos- These people are connected with the ambulance. Dr. Robert E. Speer, for lems is a most able and satisfactory Seventh Day Adventist Mission. twenty-five years President of the presentation of the subject." Board of Trustees of the University *** of Nanking, is now Honorary Presi- *** dent. The Presbyterian, Methodist, APPEAL FOR THE UNIVERSITY Baptist, Disciples, and Congregational Another reader says: OF NANKING HOSPITAL Churches cooperate in the work of "I wish to express my sincere ap- the University, the American office of preciation of this most companionable, Since the Chinese Government interesting and instructive mission- (Central) Hospital in Nanking has which is at 150 Fifth Avenue, New ary magazine, as well as for its in- been bombed and closed, the Uni- York City. spiration and encouragement. It is the only missionary magazine I am re- [ 513 ] ceiving here in the heart of Africa. The Articles concerning the "Bush" especially appeal to me as I am also working in the "Bush."
MRS. LILLIAN WASHER, French Equatorial Africa.
*** A CORRECTION-EGYPTIAN SUDAN By some unaccountable error, two plates were interchanged and the
A SCENE IN THE CHRISTIAN VILLAGE OF MALATE
NAZTALI MBANZI, A TEACHER, PLAYING AN VILLAGE EVANGELISTS IN PORTUGUESE AFRICAN PIANO EAST AFRICA (See article on page 524)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 11 NOVEMBER, 1937 Topics of the Times "IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS" here also great reasons for national and personal thanksgi ving. At times this seems to be difficult, if not impossible. In spite of many dark days, King Da- There is, first of all, the certainty that God, the vid took up praise for a life work, saying: "As Almighty and loving Heavenly Father, lives and long as I live I will praise thee." Again he said: rules; His will must be triumphant, even though "Thy praise shall continually be in my mouth." ignorant and self-seeking men rebel.
There is the encouraging fact that men are not In the midst of personal sorrow and troubles, satisfied with evil. Ninety percent of humanity in national distress and in world-wide conflicts, condemns selfish wars of aggression, such as there are still reasons to give thanks to God. The Japan is conducting in China and as Italy con- Prophet Habbakuk lived in a time of great trou- ducted in Ethiopia. There is encouragement in ble. There were material desolations, national the desire of many other leaders for peace and judgments, signs of devilish activity on every justice, as is revealed in the League of Nations side; wrong-doing was rampant in Judea-vio- and in the Hague Court, even though these bodies lence, perverseness, lawlessness, immorality, in- are too selfish, too weak, too fearful, or too much justice, strife, international warfare. divided to act together to promote peace.
God seemed strangely inactive and silent and Great trials are offset by God's mercies that yet the prophet could utter a wonderful prayer of offer reasons for thanksgiving. There are spiritpraise because God still ruled and His glory cov- ual compensations that come with suffering; the ered the heavens; even in wrath He remembered discipline of faith is promoted through trial; mercy; the earth also was full of His praise. He troubled souls are drawn into closer fellowship concluded with words that Daniel Webster pro- with God; disciples are weaned from love of the nounced among the most sublime in all literature, material world; the failure of temporal things to declaring, even in the midst of disasters and dis- give happiness often leads to the transfer of life's tress, "I will rejoice in Jehovah; I will joy in the affections from self to God. God of my salvation. Jehovah, the Lord is my strength" (Habbakuk 3: 17, 18). The coming Thanksgiving season does not offer any occasion for self-satisfaction or for rejoicing Stalin, and others who foolishly fight against in increase of material wealth; nor are there en- God in Russia, know nothing of the psalmist's, the couraging signs of a new reign of peace and goodprophet's and the Christian's secret of peace and will among men. But a knowledge of the signs of joy; the Japanese military leaders are ignorant God's working in the world will cause every Chrisof the God of Love; Hitler, in his determination tian heart to give thanks. There are multitudes to rule the Church and to obliterate God's de- of enterprises effectively carrying on the work of crees, overlooks the power of the omnipotent Christ-the churches, missions, hospitals, schools; Ruler; Mussolini thinks only of temporal progress the Christian homes, the work for youth; the puband material force; Spaniards, in their fratricidal lication and distribution of the Bible and other strife, have little conception of the mercy and Christian literature; the men and women who peace of God; at the same time millions in Amer- stand true to Christ in difficult and dangerous ica are seeking political control and economic im- places-as in Germany, Russia, Spain, China, provement for personal gain; and yet there are India, Korea and Moslem lands. We give thanks [ 515]
for little children, so ready to love and be loved; Braisted is a son-in-law of Dr. Robert P. Wilder, we praise God for earnest, forward looking youth one of the founders and first traveling secretary and for teachers who unselfishly give time to Sun- of the S. V. M.The new secretary was for some day school work; we give thanks for the conse- years a Baptist missionary in India and Burma crated money dedicated to God's service and for and has been especially active in evangelistic the hundreds of thousands of men, women and work and Bible teaching among students. At a children who are responding to the Gospel and are dinner, recently given in New York to welcome receiving eternal life through Christ in our city the secretary, Dr. Braisted showed his missionary streets, and in prisons and penitentiaries, in home vision and his grasp of the situation in a truly mission territory, in many of the dark places of statesmanlike address. He expressed the conthe earth. viction that the students of America today, as never before, are awake to the need of the world Every circumstance of life, where God is hon- for a radical change in ideals, and for new spiritored, not only teaches lessons in faith and fidelity, ual power. He said in part: but suggests new causes for thanksgiving and praise. "In everything give thanks." "(1) As we approach students we must find the way of leading them to experience the reality REVIVING THE STUDENT VOLUNTEERS of faith and fellowship with the living God. They need a vital experience of the power of Christ in Even a superficial glance at the present world their own lives. situation gives clear evidence that the missionary task of the Christian Church is very far from "(2) We must be stirred by the fact that, in completed. There are more non-Christians in the Christ, God is revealed and we must present a world than there were one hundred and fifty years fully rounded life as a challenge to students and ago; many more than when our Lord gave His to all mankind. disciples the commission to evangelize the world. While the attitude of men toward Jesus Himself, "(3) We must speak frankly of the rugged deas shown by millions in non-Christian lands, is mands that Christ makes of His followers for a much more sympathetic than it was even fifty life of rectitude, for temperance and self-denial years ago, at the same time the anti-Christian at- and for sacrificial service. titude of misguided leaders in what have been nominally Christian lands-such as Russia and "(4) We must seek to give students a truly Germany-has become vastly more aggressive. Christian world-vision and to enlist them in a world-wide fellowship. In spite of great advance in the Christian missionary enterprise on the mission fields, for vari- "(5) The immediate task of the Movement is ous reasons the coldness and indifference of very to find new, consecrated and qualified leaders in many professing Christians in America and Eu- the Church at home and in the foreign fields. rope has increased in the last fifteen years. Clearly there is great need to arouse the Christian "(6) We must interpret anew to students the Church to new enthusiasm and sacrifice, in order elementary and fundamental facts in regard to that we may push the campaign to win a sympa- Christian missions. thetic hearingand·an acceptance of the Gospel of Christ-with all its implications-both at home "(7) We must bring living, spirit-filled misand abroad. sionaries into touch with students so that they may understand the opportunities, the obligations, Fifty-one years ago the Student Volunteer the requirements and the rewards of missionary Movement was founded for this ideal-to evan- service. gelize the world in this generation. It has been signally blessed and wonderfully effective in en- "(8) We must look ahead and discover the new listing volunteers, in arousing the Church and in types of missionaries that will be needed to carry gaining friends and supporters for the cause. on the work under changing conditions ten years Recently the financial and spiritual depression at from now. home, and complications abroad, have caused the Movement to lose ground. There has been even "(9) We must associate in the Movement, able some talk of abandoning its active work or of Christian leaders of the churches on each field so changing its purpose and program. Lowering of that we at home may work with them for the ideals in some cases, changes in leadership and evangelization and education of their people. loss of support, have hindered progress. "(10) We must seek to win commercial, politi- Now, however, with the coming of a new sec- cal and other representatives in foreign lands to retary, Dr. Paul J. Braisted, there is promise of Christ so that they will have the conviction that new life and power in the Movement. Dr. every Christian should be a lay missionary and should enjoy fellowship with other disciples of Christ.
"In this and other ways we must layout a pro- gram and seek spiritual power to promote Chris-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
tian unity, harmony and cooperation throughout and Mental Philosophy in the college. For many the world." years he was a trustee of Rutgers-always active in its affairs. As an undergraduate he played on Dr. John R. Mott, one of the earliest Student the college football team, and every interest of Volunteers, and for many years chairman of the the college, especially all its religious interests, Movement, made a powerful appeal for new co- were of concern to him. operation, whole-hearted support and an adequate program to help evangelize unoccupied fields, to After his seminary course he returned to India study the great world problems, and to present in 1887 as a missionary of the Reformed Church Christ as the only One who can solve these prob- in America. His complete mastery of the verlems and meet the greatest needs of all mankind. naculars, which was one of his mother tongues, his extraordinary intellectual ability, his warmth The Student Volunteer Movement has a new of character and his personal charm made him an opportunity today. The secret of new life and ideal missionary. He found a mission almost effective service must be found in a clear vision of Christ's objectives, in new emphasis on the essence of the Gospel, in Spirit-filled leadership, and in devoted, sacrificial service, both at home and abroad. May God guide and bless Dr. Paul J. Braisted and his fellow workers.
WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN One of the most competent, trusted and beloved WILLIAM 1. CHAMBERLAIN missionary leaders of the generation passed away in the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, ideally organized for its work. The evangelistic on September 28th, in the death of the Rev. Wil- itinerating circuits were laid out with greatest liam I. Chamberlain, D.D., Secretary of the Board care and steady and conservative policies were of Foreign Missions of the Reformed Church in pursued with a view to the building up of living, America for twenty-four years, from 1909 until self-supporting churches. his retirement in 1935. In addition to his full share of direct evangelis- Dr. Chamberlain was born into missionary tic work he gave himself to the training of an leadership. His father was Dr. Jacob Chamber- educated, Christian leadership. He established lain, one of the early missionaries to India of the Voorhees College at Vellore in 1898 and served as Reformed Church and one of the most capable and its president until 1905. picturesque missionaries and missionary advocates of the last century. He was one of the He was recognized as a full member of the Inspeakers at the Student Conference at Mount dian community, enjoying the respect and con- Hermon, Mass., when the Student Volunteer fidence of all classes, serving by election on the Movement originated and his addresses and Municipal Council and as Mayor of Vellore. He power were among the inspiring influences which was a living refutation of the type of critic produced the Movement. Some of the missionary which regards missionaries as intruders, unwelstories became classics.
William Chamberlain was born in Madras on Oct. 10, 1862 and from his childhood absorbed the missionary spirit. The Arcot Mission, to which his father belonged and of which he was one of the greatest leaders, was an extraordinarily efficient and well organized mission, conservative and educational, but at the same time animated through and through with the spirit and purpose of rich and thorough evangelization.
William came back to America for his education and was graduated from Rutgers College in 1882 and from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary four years later. He was always a devoted Rutgers alumnus and his college gave him the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1912. In 1917-8 he was president of the New York Association of Rutgers Alumni. For three years after his return from India he occupied the Chair of Logic
come to the people and aloof from their common ciates. The dominant note of his character was the heroism of his faith. life. He concerned himself with all that affected To the missionaries William 1. Chamberlain the well-being and happiness of the people-sani- was not only a wise counselor, a statesman of broad vision and a friend in every hour of trial tation, taxation, honest government, education. or disappointment; he was a man whose deep reli- gious convictions, in an age of compromise and But above all and through all he was a minister doubt, were like a rock in a weary land. In one of his great missionary addresses on "The Fact of Christ, preaching the Gospel and building the of Christ" he made this memorable statement: "This greatest Master of religion was differen- Church. Under Lord Curzon's vice-royalty he tiated from all other teachers. Others claim to be the messengers of truth; He is the Message. was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind medal, first class, Others claim to be light-bearers; He is the Light. Others claim to point to the truth; He is the for his service to India. Truth. All the data for Christianity are found in the one phenomenon-the fact of Christ." He returned from India in 1905 and after his Dr. Chamberlain's philosophical mind found its service for three years at Rutgers, accepted the center and rest in the evangelical faith of which he was never ashamed and for which, on the platsecretaryship of the Board of Foreign Missions form and in missionary councils, he fought many a good fight. On the far-flung field of Christian of his church. Here for twenty-six years he ad- enterprise in India and the Far East, in the lonely places of the Moslem world many hearts have ministered the missions with wisdom and devo- been strengthened by his sturdy outspoken witness to the sufficiency of the Gospel. tion, combining careful and conservative views lie was one of the organizers of the American with faith and courage. He possessed the confi- Christian Literature Society for Moslems and was its president for many years. In his unceasing dence of hi$ Church, was president of the Gen- labors for the Arabian Mission of the Reformed Church, and the United Mission in Iraq, he knew eral Synod in 1908-09 and again and again carried the burden of Islam and the "patience of unan- swered prayer." The archers of criticism someprogressive policies with the trust of the Church. times sorely grieved him and shot at the enter- prise he loved, but his bow abode in strength and He was looked to as leader on all special occasions his arms and hands were made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. In his picture of the Alpine and .he gave his Church a position of honor in shepherds, as a type of the missionary at his task, he spoke words that are prophetic of the Alleluias the Christian world by the quality of his rl:!pre- in which he now has part: sentation of it. In 1923-24 he was president of When the sun is just setting and the peaks of the eternal snow become tinted by its dying beams, the shepherd who the Alliance of the Reformed Churches and in the is highest up the mountains takes his horn and sounds through it a few simple but melodious notes signifying, field of foreign missions he was Chairman of the "Glory be to God." Far and wide in the pure air floats the sound. The nearest shepherd hears and replies and Annual Conference of ,the Foreign Mission from man to man, over the illimitable deserts of a hun- dred hills, passes on the sound of the worship. Then there Boards of North America and of its Committee is a silence, a deep dead silence, during which every head is uncovered and every knee bowed while from the stillness of Reference and Council. In 1916 and 1920 he of the solitude rises the voice of supplication heard by God alone. visited the missions of his Board and his interest Again the highest shepherd sounds through his horn, took in them all. He had a very special interest in "Thanks be to God"; again is the sound taken up and passed on from man to man along the mountains until, the United Mission in Mesopotamia, a union mis- lost in the twilight, the shepherd betakes himself to his repose." sion of the Presbyterian in the U. S. A., the Re- So do we give thanks to God and glorify Him formed Church in ··A,:ijlerica and the Reformed for the inspiration that has come from this life of this true under-Shepherd of Christ's sheep. Church in the U. S.' When he visited Mesopo- s. M. Z. tamia he was deeply moved by the plight of the Assyrian refugees. He was president of the Board of Trustees of Fukien Christian University and a trustee of the American University at Cairo.
Dr. Chamqerlain was married to Mary Eleanor Anable of New Brunswick, N. J., in 1891. She died in 1929, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Alma Chamberlain Anderson.
Dr. Chamberlain was a Christian man through and through. There was in him no darkness at all.
Always courteous and careful, he was neverthe- less firm as a rock in all righteousness and clear as daylight in his convictions and their expres- sion. There was a singular purity of nature in him that stood out as a quality of childlikeness and simplicity. He was one who commanded al- ways and everywhere all men's trust, and who always and everywhere enlisted without effort their deepest affection. For years he was a di- rector of this REVIEW and those who were thus intimately associated with him place on record their testimony to an able, devoted, noble Chris- tian man. R. E. S.
*** This man of God was versatile in his talents, steadfast in his life and beloved of all his asso-
Effect of Islam on
By CHARLOTTE E. YOUNG, Teheran, Iran -.~ Missionary of the Presbyterian Church,. Teacher in Alborz College MILLIONS of chilren are born every year scholastic standards that have come from widen- into Moslem homes, within earshot of the ing contacts with the Christian world-where muezzin call. From babyhood, through such a large place is given to the child-they are the formative years of childhood, until early mar- still held back, imbedded and writhing in the mesh riage perpetuates the cycle of Moslem traditions, of superstition and the hampering effects of evil customs, and superstitions, Islam is part of their social customs that center in Islam itself. everyday life. The ideal character for those who are brought up in this atmosphere is Mohammed; Murray Titus in his book, "The Young Moslem Looks at Life," says: "Everyone of the undesir- the standards which he has put forth in the able elements in Islam is something that is rooted Koran, as God's revealed will for mankind, are in the religion. They are all lawful-polygamy, the guiding factors in their lives. child marriage, easy divorce, the keeping of con- cubines, slavery." Mohammed participated in One sees God-given spontaneous joy and the sunshine of childhood among the beggar young- each one. There is not one of these outstanding sters in the streets of Moslem cities. One recognizes the laughter and chatter of carefree hap- piness as the children skip and play in the walled harem gardens, or gayly trot along on their tiny donkeys to a garden picnic. And this same child- ish happiness is found in homes where the proud mother asks a manly little son or a demure daugh- ter to pass the sweets to her guests, or where the doting father calls on his sons to entertain the company by reciting poetry.
All this one recognizes as a child's natural response to those God-given human qualities of parental-love-that elemental passion for children that brings with it the desire to shelter, protect and give security to the limit of the parent's knowledge and ability. The response of the child is as elemental as the love of the parent.
Alonzo Bunker has a different explanation for bright faces among Moslem children but recog- YOUNG MOSLEM READING THE KORAN nizes that there are such. "The attractiveness of childhood among all races sometimes seems to be practices within the social system that does not accentuated among less intelligent peoples; so reflect sorrow upon the life of a child.
that, before the fogs of sin and ignorance have From so much in current literature, in maga- blurred the image of God in which they were zines, in novels, in psychological stUdies of childcreated, they show a strength and brightness more hood there comes to us the effect of unhappiness marked than in their more favored brothers and to children resulting from divorce, which seems sisters in enlightened lands . . . one remembers to us least of the above-mentioned evils. A conthat of these too it may be said, 'Trailing clouds crete example taken from modern life in Moslem of glory do they come.' " lands will serve to illustrate conditions all too But from their earliest years children of Mos- common resulting from these customs. lem countries enter into the inheritance of their S- comes to us with her story-a girl who religion, and their religion is their handicap. In had received the highest degree in education that spite of modern methods of Western education women of her country could acquire. She is an taken up by their governments, in spite of higher only daughter, devoted to her widowed mother [ 519 ]
who in turn gave much. Her years of schooling- but who longed to serve her sisters. In one letter freedom to come and go among school friends of she writes: her own choosing-is much in the life of a Moslem girl. But there were limits; on the day when The Mohammedan law allows a man to have four wives she and others of her classmates graduated un- at the same time. And though it be a thousand times over veiled before the large mixed audience and gave no sin according to Mohammedan law and doctrine, I shall their orations, S-, in deference to her mother's forever call it a sin. I call all things sin which bring wishes, delivered her oration from behind the misery to a fellow creature. . . . veil. Her subject was, "The Care and Education of Children." In the audience, a gentleman of There was a woman who became wife number two of a some standing in the educational world, was im- native official. The first wife, who was not quite right in pressed. He sought her hand in marriage- her mind, after a little went away from him, leaving bethrough the medium of the family as was the cus- hind a whole troop of children. Number two oecame his tom. But, protested S-, "he already has a wife official wife and was a painstaking, loving mother to her and children." Very well, divorce could be ar- stepchildren; she was very diligent and worked hard to ranged if that was an obj ection. The mother was save something from the income of her husband so that insistent-it was time that S- should marry. later they would be able to educate his children. And She had had many offers but none from so promi- it was thanks to her that the sons turned out so well. nent and respected a man. And so, much against Now I come to the thanks. Once when her husband had her own wishes, the union was effected. gone to the city he came home late at night and called his wife outside. A guest had come with him for whom she "And are you not happy," I enquired, "Is your must care and make ready a room. The guest was a husband not kind to you?" young woman, and when her husband told her that the guest was his wife and that she, his older wife, must "Oh, yes; it's not that, he is kind, I have a henceforth share everything with her, she was at first pleasant home; enough servants and all that, but stunned, for she did not understand. She only stood and he married me because he wanted me to bring up looked at him. But when the frightful truth penetrated his children. He didn't think their mother was to her brain, she sank without a single word to the ground. doing it well. The children all live with us." Ellsworth Huntington draws the contrast so "But," said I, "isn't that a wonderful opportu- clearly that we take the liberty of quoting from nity-you can put your theories into practice." his book, "The Pulse of Asia": "It is quite impossible," she replied, and there Mohammedanism, as everyone knows, inculcates the was bitterness in the girl's reply. "Apart from the seclusion of women, and makes of her nothing but a fact that their early training has been all wrong, stupid drudge to do man's work, or a light plaything for and a complete reconditioning of many habits is his pleasure. Wherever people of Moslem faith gather in necessary, they are allowed each week to visit towns and cities, as I have seen them in Turkey, India, their own mother, who lives with the grand- Persia, Asiatic Russia, and Chinese Turkestan, this ideal mother. There they are taught to despise me, prevails. In the crowded villages and cities women can quite naturally; when they come back, and for do their work behind high mud walls, and can be conseveral days after each visit, they call me names fined to certain unseen rooms when male guests visit the -not of course in their father's hearing. They house. The support of the family does not depend upon say it is not necessary to obey me, since I am not them, and their activities are almost wholly dependent on their mother. It becomes unbearable. My pa- the will of their husbands. It is rarely necessary that tience cannot endure it. My husband only half they should leave the house, and when they do, there is understands for he is away all day and cannot usually no work to be- done and it is easy to keep their know what I endure. I could love the children, faces covered. Even the peasant women, who must work I could help them; but there is no chance." in the fields, keep aloof, and come in contact with men but little. Only the very poor, or those who are confessedly Our sympathies are with this charming young immoral, go about in public with uncovered faces. The woman; but what of the effect on the lives of that evil effect of all this has been often described and needs boy and girl so patently not responsible for their no comment. conduct? Dr. Richter, in summing up the causes of decay Christian missions to Moslems have centered in Islam, puts the chief emphasis on the moral upon the uplift of the position of women even deterioration due to polygamy and the low ideals more than upon improving the condition of child- of home life. He says: "Sound family life is imhood; and with good reason for, with a higher possible. The children grow up in the poisonous standard of motherhood, many of the sad effects atmosphere of intrigue, fleshly lust, bad language, upon childhood can be eliminated. In "Mecca and and shameless licentiousness. They are polluted Beyond," by Dr. and Mrs. Edward M. Dodd, we from youth up." read of the Javanese Princess, Raden Adjung Kartini who grew up in obscurity and seclusion In "The Arab .at Home," by Dr. Paul W. Har- rison, we find the following: The boy grows up in an ntmosphere of intrigue and suspicion, the furtherest possible remove from any idea of cooperation and brotherly love. The whole environ- ment is charged with exaggerated sex desires, and at the age of twelve, he wants to get married. It is better that he should, for so worse evils are averted. He has no in-
THE EFFECT OF ISLAM ON CHILDHOOD
terest in education, nor have his parents any great in- the creed of Islam in this connection. Mr. Murray terest in it for him. He may learn to read the Koran Titus has outlined it for us in "The Young Mosand if he is especially fortunate he may go on to learn lem Looks at Life" : to write as well. But the home as we know it simply does not exist, and until it does, all hope for solid progress is I believe: futile. That there is no god but Allah; One must remember that Moslem childhood I believe: does not last long. As a matter of fact, according In his angels; to Moslem law, the child has no period of adoles- In his books; cence. B.oys and girls goO directly from infancy In his apostles, and that Mohammed is the last of into manhood and womanhood, and the age of them; childh.ood is limited only by physical development. In the Last Day; and There is no thought .of the immaturity .of the In the predestination by Allah of good and evil. mind. At the first signs of puberty childhood ceases and manhood and womanhood have be- There is no question about the majestic idea of gun. the unity of God found in Islam. Though he is often on the lips of the faithful as "The Merciful, Among educated M.oslems, and there are of The Kind," there is never any idea .of a nearness course an increasing number in every country where Islam is strong, it is gratifying to know CHILDREN NEAR DAMASCUS that child-marriage is one of the first of the social evils to be attacked. The illiteracy of the masses to his creatures, shown in the spirit of fatherhood, remains, and will remain for years, a challenge or in love and sacrifice for his children. Much is to the enlightened people of these lands, as well lost from the spiritual life .of childh.ood when we as to us who are their brothers in Christ. Even take from the idea of God that of a loving, heavenso, the illiterate children will be benefited in this ly Father who cares just as much for a little child respect because of the laws of their governments as for a king or queen. Our Christian children are concerning child-marriage-compulsory education made to realize this blessing as they are taught to and slavery. These laws have come not because come directly to their Father in simple prayer life. of a reinterpretati.on of the Koran or the life of Moslem children must memorize a ritual in a Mohammed-(though that has had to be done by language which, except for those in Arabia, is a few of the faithful in order to rationalize the quite unknown to them. There is reverence for present order), but because of the influence of the the ritual but never any reverence .or respect for spirit of Christ working through the social system the name of Allah. The effect upon the converof even nominal Christian governments. sation .of children, who have never considered the Third C.ommandment, is often shocking to those A New York State high school boy in reading who have been taught to revere the name .of God. some of the latest mission literature, written for the study of the Moslem World, recently remarked to his teacher: "Of course, I didn't know much about Islam before but it really isn't such a bad religion, is it?"
"Not such a bad one," replded the teacher, "but is there a better? Have you as a Christian child profited by being born a Christian? Are there things you would have missed had you been born in a Moslem country? I don't mean material things, but spiritual things that have contributed to your happiness, just because they are Christian .?"
"That goes without saying," said the boy, "and of course we have Christ for our standard-but the rules for a religious life that Mohammed gave his people were not so bad, were they?"
The teacher directed the lad's attention to the traditional Moslem creed and the Moslem ritual and asked him to study and compare the effect of that creed and ritual upon life and conduct with the effect of the Christian faith and standards.
Because of its very definite effect upon the child life of the Moslem world, it is well to consider
With the establishment of government schools pillar, held it under the old man's nose. At the the old "maktab" is disappearing. This "maktab" first whiff the old man threw his head back in years gone by was the only type of education. quickly and of course hit it against the pillar. It was run by the priest, with the Koran as the Being entirely unaware of the real cause of all textbook; but in the Moslem world today it no that happened, he believed to his dying day that longer is an influence upon youth. There is left he had been the victim of some jinn. nothing that is being done specifically for the child by way of religious education. Compare this with These jinn are said to inhabit wells, bath houses, the time, effort and funds spent throughout Chris- abandoned dwellings and certain secluded regions. tendom, not only for the religious education of The Koran says that the jinn were interested auchildren, but also for their joy and happiness and ditors of Mohammed's preaching, and that a comfellowship in the life of the church, and we real- pany of them was converted to Islam. When a ize the results of the love of Jesus for little chil- Moslem declares his belief in jinn, as real beings, dren. We believe in God, the Almighty, as does he means it literally. the Moslem; but our creed gives us also "The Father, and Jesus Christ, His only Son, our It is the rare Moslem child who does not wear a Lord"; because of Him, and the guidance of the talisman of some sort. Many of these are small Holy Spirit, we are led on to probe and to prove metal cases, bound to the arm or ankle, containing the length and breadth, the heights and the depths a sura from the Koran. It is common knowledge of the love of God for His children. that the chapters from the Koran which are most often selected for use as amulets, and put in small Ar,ound the Moslem statements, "I believe in cases, are Surahs 1, 6, 18, 36, 44, 55, 67, and 78. his angels" and "I believe in his books," has grown There are five verses in the Koran, called the up that great cult of magic against which every verses of protection, Ayat-el-Hifdh, which are Moslem child has to fight as he acquires a knowl- most powerful to defend from evil. They read edge of modern science and more civilized forms as follows: of living. The preservation of heaven and earth is no burden unto A modern child psychologist could write vol- Him. umes on the effect upon children of the everpresent talisman that is worn to keep off "the God is the .best protector. evil eye." One never forgets the fear in the eyes They guard him by the command of God. of children, and of educated parents too, as they We guard him from every stoned devil. tell tales of jinn and of the different kinds of A protection from every rebellious devil. devils and angels. Think of the effect on Moslem children who Jinn, the genii of "The Arabian Nights," are study physiology and chemistry in modern schools a sort of intermediate species between men and and at the same time are taught to believe in and angels. There are both good and bad jinn, and reverence amulets and charms. Ordinarily the they are created from fire. They assume various ink used for writing amulets is saffron water, rose shapes, grow large and small at will, attack un- water, orange water, the juice of onions, water suspecting human beings, and are the cause of from the sacred well of Zemzen, and sometimes unending fear in the hearts of multitudes of Mos- even human blood! The one who writes the amulems who believe in their power over men. The let must be a holy man, in the Moslem sense of average Moslem in Arabia, India, Iran or North that word. Arabic books on the subject (and Africa is amply prepared to verify the old tales these books are printed by the thousands) , explain· of the jinn with chapters out of his own expe- as follows: rience. The diet of the one who prepares charms depends on Murray Titus tells how, in Calcutta, an old the kind of names of God which he intends to write or Moslem servant threw up his job of pulling the recite. If they are the terrible attributes of Allah, then fan, or punkah, which was worked by hand be- he must refrain from the use of meat, fish, eggs, honey, fore the days of electricity. The reason he gave and musk. If they are His amiable attributes, he must was that on the previous night a jinn had hit him abstain from butter, curds, vinegar, salt, and ambergris. a terrible blow on the back of his head; he would stay there no longer. The truth was that as he By believing in the "Books," a Moslem also inwas sitting with his back against a brick pillar cludes the istikhara (the cutting of the Koran), he fell asleep, and the person for whom he was especially when it comes to matters of health and pulling the punkah awoke in a great perspiration, concerning medical treatment. This often is the for the night was terribly hot. Since this was means of deciding plans for business, or in connot the first time the old man had stopped pulling, sidering whether to accept employment, to form his master rose from his bed, took a bottle of partnerships, or make journeys. Mrs. Dwight smelling salts and, quietly stealing up behind the McDonaldson tells the following story which illus- trates this point.
A child is brought to a doctor and his case is diagnosed as one needing an operation. The
parent is so advised and arrangements are made of courtesy, of hospitality-beautiful and com- for the child to enter the hospital. However, ex- mendable characteristics that are attributable to cuses are made at the last minute; the doctor is the fact that they are Orientals, as well as that assured that the child will be brought the next they are Moslems. Islam has fostered reverence day. He does not return. Days, or maybe weeks, for an Almighty Holy God, a basis from which later the child is brought for the operation. The Christians may lead on to teach that larger con· story is that the istikhara repeatedly came out ception of the Father who desires all His children against the operation and that the child could not to live in peace, and to grow in grace and in the be brought until there was a favorable result. knowledge of their Lord and Master, Jesus This belief in istikhara is part of the belief in Christ.
the predestination by Allah of good and evil. This naturally breeds a spirit of fatalism and has per- GROWING INTEREST IN PERSIA haps, more than any other one thing, accounted By Dr. S. M. Jordan of Teheran for the stagnation and backwardness of Moslem countries. It accounts in large measure for the About thirty years ago a sermon by W. St. Clair high death rate among children. Eighty-five per Tisdall was printed in Persia and almost created cent of the children born in Iran die before the a riot. Today Christian literature is distributed age of twelve, according to mission doctors. If a and causes no disturbance. It is calculated to child becomes sick, it is God's will. If there is no appeal to the young men of Persia. doctor to be had, it is "Kismet"-a word constantly on the lips of Moslems. A former student of the American mission col- lege at Teheran, after serving six or eight months A common custom in Iran among the illiterate as an officer in the Army, was asked: "Was there is to take a child to the public bath as soon after any discrimination against you, because you are a its birth as the mother is able, a matter of from Christian ?" one to three days. If one remonstrates that the infant may catch cold the answer will be-"God "No," replied the young man. "In fact it gave us the child, He will take care of it." If the seemed the other way. My officers often invited child dies of exposure, they say: "God did not me to tea and, after we conversed on things, asked me: 'How do you come to think that any religion desire it to live." is necessary and why have you adopted Christian- An intelligent young Iranian teacher, only a ity?' That gives me a fine chance to explain how few months ago, was talking with a group of Boy I came to be a Christian. There are only a few of Scouts who had just won second honors for their my friends who seem to have real faith in Islam.
group in a competitive exhibition. Said he: Five or six are Christians."
"Now, you young gentlemen know that had all The first time that I suggested we have a Mos- of our troop' been here on time, we would have lem, who had become a Christian, preach in the won first place by a great margin. Is it not too church at Teheran, my associates said it would bad that the dilatoriness of some kept the group cause a riot. Finally Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani was from realizing its ambition?" asked to preach the next Sunday. "It will cause a "Oh, sir," came the reply, and it was imme- riot," he answered.
diate and characteristic: "but it would have made "You are a Christian ; why should you not no difference; God did not decree our winning cause a little excitement?" I asked.
first place, so why discuss it?" "I will consult the King," he answered, meaning This attitude of mind, bred in children from in- the heavenly King.
fancy, cannot fail to work against those interested Next morning he accepted the invitation, say- in real progress. It is a stumbling block in the ing, "If it is God's will that I should preach next pathway of youth and a weight upon their feet Sunday morning, I will do my best." He preached that tends to drag them down into century-old on Naaman, the Syrian, and the "leprosy of sin."
ruts. The sermon was printed and for years has been Those who have lived with children and youth giving a message of peace and conviction to the in Moslem countries are always unanimously sure multitudes of Persia. Since then eight different that, in the physical world, the law of the survival Christians who were Mohammedans have preach- of the fittest is outstandingly at work. It is true ed to congregations made up almost entirely of also in the psychological world. Christian leaders Moslems. Two or three years ago we elected a from the West must constantly bear this fact in converted Mohammedan as Moderator of the mind and be patient and sympathetic because Church. During Easter week eight evangelistic of it. services were held in Teheran. In the police de- The children of Islam learn from their environ- partment there is one baptized Christian and he ment deep and fundamental qualities of patience, was assigned to be present at our meetings.
Villages in Mozambique*
By the REV. JULIAN S. REA, Portuguese East Africa Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church EVEN among African missionaries we find that read the Testament and to study its meaning; the the term "Christian Village" needs explana- rest of the time he witnessed the sin and degrada- tion. Angola, in Portuguese West Africa, tion of a polygamous and spirit-ridden, drunken has Christian villages; also the other large Portu- home. He chose the Christian way. He had just guese colony of Mozambique. We will deal with been received as a probationer in the village such villages in the Inhambane country in Mozam- church when the Government called him for mili- bique, also known as Portuguese East Africa. tary service and sent him to faraway Portuguese Christian villages began to spring up about Macao in China. Through all the temptations of fifty· years ago and each year new ones appear. such a life he remained true to his Christian vows.
Some have dropped out and few remain in the I· first met Rafael when he returned to his fasame location for more than five or ten years. ther's house, married the girl they had arranged But there are now more than two hundred in the for him, and was trying to teach her and a small Methodist Episcopal Mission, besides a large num- group of friends and relatives. Each morning or ber of Free Methodist, Nazarene, Swiss Presby- evening they assembled under a tree or in Rafael's terian, Anglican, English Methodist and American house for prayer and on Sunday went to the Chris- Board villages and also some from Ethiopian tian village where he had first learned of Jesus.
movements. We were happy that Rafael and his friends should Look at some of these villages. There is Malate. be witnessing in that heathen kraal. Some meetit is Sunday morning, and classes are grouped ings were held with his old father and his father's outside for the lesson study period. The neat little wives. The missionary was satisfied, but Rafael church is just out of the picture, but the pastor's was not. He went to his village pastor-advisor home shows at the left. The houses of two other with his problem, saying, "We do not want to village families show in the background. In all move into any existing Christian village, for we there are ten families in this village and others like our own Ximangani country, bu.t our children come to the services from near-by kraals. This is are in constant danger in my father's village. a young, growing village. About January, 1933, .They see the vile dances and hear the teachings four of us, one a missionary, knelt in the shade of concerning witchcraft and spirits. Even our a tree about where that pastor's house is now, and wives are only nominal Christians. They obey us prayed for God's blessing on the spot chosen for a when we tell them to come to church, but if the new village. Two of the men were leaders of Government should call us away again or we near-by villages. The fourth was Elias who had should have to leave to find work how could they asked permission to start this new place. Within follow the Christian way here? Will you let us six months the village was well started and a go and build together in a new place away from church of mud, poles, and grass was built and all our heathen friends and relatives?" So pastor dedicated. James Manyiki went and set the matter before his Elias had lived in another village where the missionary. Now, there are six other families as- leader had fallen into sin and had been expelled. sociated with Rafael, and he is installed as the Often in such cases the people will stand by their evangelist of the village.
leader, but Elias asked to be permitted to move Simoni is a cripple who liv.ed in a well estabwith his family from the village which the other lished Christian village. One day the request was man's sin had destroyed and to start a new made to allow Simoni to go and help the people in village. a section south of Manjowu where he lived. A Portuguese farmer owned a huge strip of land in Rafael had quite a different experience. He that area, as much as an American county, but had never lived within a Christian group, but. as would not allow any Christians to assemble in his a boy had attended one of the schools in a Chris- domain. Simoni said that he had found a small tian village. Part of the day he was learning to • See Frontispiece Jor illustrations. section in the centre of this vast property which [524 ] was owned by a Moslem Indian. This man, al- own fields. So today a large village, to say noth- though a follower of Mohammed, said that he ing of a large Christian village, is unique; some of would be glad to allow Simoni to live on his land them have as many as sixty or seventy families.
and teach or preach Christianity. Our advice Naturally these compact, ideal units have been was: seized upon by the European mission leader with his bent for organization. The village of Chris- "Do not go with the idea of building a Christian tian families is the real unit of the church organvillage, but go and live as a witness; teach and ization, support, and government. Eight to thirty preach to all who will hear. Do not draw the at- villages make up a circuit traveled by an ordained tention of the Government to yourself by starting African elder. But the real spiritual nurture is a village, or incur the enmity of the white land- given by the evangelist of each village. If small, owner by drawing his people away to build in a a village is constituted a"class" in the true Wesley village with you." sense. If large, several clases will be organized. The regular class dues and special offerings of the But the fact is, Simoni has allowed families to villagers provide about half the church budget. build with him, and the place is called a new vil- Mission funds are now only given to supplement lage, although officially it is only a "class." these local funds, all to be administered by the finance committee of the circuit. Most matters of These are three of the smallest and newest of the 200 villages in our mission. The native Christian leaders have attempted to insist that all church members must live in one of these villages.
The missionary has not always stood for such a regulation but sometimes the Government has found it convenient to favor it. The thing which the missionary has done is to back the village elders in all attempts to discipline wayward vil- lagers. Usually the offence is a concrete sin, such as drinking, smoking, adultery, attendance on heathen ceremonies or calling in witch doctors.
Any act that the evangelist and his committee feels to be contrary to Christian behavior and the vows of a· Believer may end in a church trial.
Usually the governmental or tribal authority can be appealed to to support actual expulsion when necessary.
One cannot generalize on the attitude of the Government toward these Protestant villages. A HAT FACTORY IN MOZAMBIQUE There has been persecution and some seemingly impossible and unfair regulations as to the edu- discipline and regulations are settled by the vilcational qualifications of the evangelist. On the lage elders who are elected locally and are apother hand, some administrators have been proud proved by the quarterly Conference. A very of these better villages and have used them as serious matter goes to the circuit elders and may show places, fruits of their own good Government. eventually call for missionary judgment. Such officials aid the Christian village leaders and The evangelistic, educational, and even the medhave even helped them secure grants of land to ical program of the mission, has benefited greatly assure permanency. Often they have urged the by this Christian village set-up. Morning and most able evangelists to become voters as regular evening prayers, as a village gathering, have citizens. Still, there has always been a tendency proved a wonderfully effective way of bringing to limit the extension of Protestant villages, espe- people, slightly removed from heathenism, into cially in new areas. This may be because of out- an understanding of what Christianity is and can side pressure. There are a few Roman Catholic .be. There have been phenomenal conversions, but villages, but almost always a village of Believers the miracle of these African Christian vUIages is is made up of Protestants. the slow solid growth of men, women and children In most of the Inhambane country, when more in the Christ-way of life. We do not infer that than three or four families have built together, the villages always live up to their name, or are especially if the houses are white, neat, and laid as the villagers wish, but we are glad that the out in rows, it is a Church village. The old tribal early missionaries had vision enough to encour- system, with its habits and customs, was so com- age this unique African development.
pletely destroyed that the villages were dissolved A more ideal educational unit could hardly be and people scattered to live each family near its imagined. Even today the people of the Christian
villages are called "learners" more often than nurse, has actually been called to take maternity "Believers." If an old man wants to excuse him- cases in heathen kraals. Naturally he had to do self for not heeding the Gospel he will invariably and be something more than ordinary in the say, "I am too old to learn." Boys and girls by Xikokotsa village before such an unusual call the thousands have learned to read their Testa- could corne. ments in these village schools. Educators might scorn the methods and ridicule the equipment, yet Samson, trained leader in an Inharrime village, the great essential "something" is there which has been asked by the old chief to layout rice plots modern universities may lack. for all of his people along the river and to show them how to plant and care for the rice. Some Remarkable Happenings A big paramount chief looked to Danieli to Nothing gives better proof of the significance of teach him and his people to stack peanuts. these villages than the fact that most of the institutional work of the mission has fitted into that One government official asked the missionary mould. The village leaders and their families that about releasing several Kambini trained evanhave corne in for training at the Central Training gelists to work under him in a program of gen- School live in a village which is in itself both a eral and economic uplift. laboratory and experiment station. Even the boys chosen by the various village councils and sent to There are a few definite things we are trying the boarding school live in family groups organ- to do through and within these Christian villages. ized into a school village. The school girls also But it must be remembered that this is by no live and work under an excellent village system means a Utopian set-up or an ideal organization that delights teachers, girls, and visitQrs. The projected by the missionary or African leaders two leper camps, iFl which all the missions coop- onto native life. Better houses was one of the first erate, have house groups with the village set-up. things, and is still a marked characteristic of a They govern themselves and life goes on pretty Christian village. To make the place beautiful much as in a normal Christian village. has been slower, perhaps because of a difference in beauty concepts. One who has had no dealings with Christian villages can hardly realize the significance and To a missionary some of these Christian vilimportance of the "evangelist family." Often lages have had a barren cleanliness, less pleasing their only qualification was zeal and Christian con- to the eye than the picturesque clutter of the viction. They may have understood little of the- heathen kraal. But the problem which has caused ology or doctrine, and been able to read only halt- most concern is idleness among the Christians. ingly the New Testament, yet many have not only That is a kinder name than the white man usually ministered faithfully to their villages, but have uses for the break that comes in an African's acsent out spiritual sons and daughters to start new tivities when he switches over from the old to villages. some new way of life. Talk only seemed to pro- voke more talk. Lectures on industry might set In our training we attempt to preserve all the a hundred Africans to work producing similar lecold zeal and devotion, but to set it ablaze with a tures to their friends and neighbors on the need deeper understanding of the Christian faith and a of industry. Agricultural demonstratiorIJS, with knowledge of God's Word. And as these families teaching, have been much more successful. Gengo back into their villages this faith and knowl- erally the Christian villager has better gardens edge is bearing fruit in many ways. Most sig- than his heathen kraal neighbor. Some have livenificant is the better horne life. The old evan- stock, but that has been a serious problem; many gelist told his wife that she was to be a Christian; Africans have gone back to heathenism because she obeyed her lord and master. This new man of village quarrels over goats or chickens. In has a consecrated partner as eager and intelligent some parts of the country a new type of village as himself. His attitude toward his people is layout is helping and makes for improvement in changed; he is a good shepherd now, instead of sanitation and other lines. a petty chief. The New Type of Village The Christian village was often merely nonheathen, with only certain negative teachings to There are many arguments, especially from the distinguish it. The religious meetings and the evangelists, against spreading the villages out, school were the only positive contributions to the but the change is inevitable. The people want surrounding neighborhood. Recently some re- cattle for plowing and need space for goats and markable things have happened. Only three chickens. The majority of the men in that section samples follow. of Africa depend on work in the Johannesburg mines in order that they may get together any Tinoce, an evangelist with the training of a large sum of money such as is needed to pay for a bride, to buy European clothes, cattle or a plow.
A KOREAN MISSIONARY GIVES THANKS
The missionaries have long contended that this The stressing of better agriculture and hand- dependence on the gold mines is detrimental to work to bring economic security, music and play character. It has fostered the idleness that has to add to social enjoyment, village nurses and seemed to us to mark the Christian more than the clinics to improve health, do not mean that wor- heathen. But arguments seldom affect a change. ship is being given a minor place. The villages The little village exhibits of the past three years were mostly started to facilitate group prayer, have done more than talk to get the village people worship and religious instruction.
to pick up again their own arts and crafts. They A great deal of study has been given at Kam- are going back to the excellent African habit of bini to the problem of daily worship and adequate always having a little basket weaving or whittling religious instruction. Perhaps the most signifi- to do. The first sorry little collection of crooked cant help has come through the development of pots, rickety chairs, and a few wooden dishes, worship for special occasions. The "seed consecra- spoons, baskets, sewing and tools, might have de- tion service" at the beginning and the "harvest lighted an anthropologist, but did not speak well festival" at the end of the agricultura~ season for the results of fifty years of Christian influence have made worship a much more integral part of and missionary training. But each year the all village life and far more understandable to the Christian villagers understand better what the kraal people who flock in for these special meet- exhibits are for and a real pride in good work- ings. An act of worship at the time of a mother's manship and display is developing. "coming out" has come as a natural adaptation of It may hardly seem necessary to worry about something good in their old customs. Home and play in a community where you are trying to per- village dedications have been developed into sig- suade people to do more work. But, especially in nificant Christian ceremonies to replace older ones the larger villages, this is the case. Music and that hada good idea but included much evil asso- drama have been introduced to fill an evident gap. ciation with witchcraft, drinking, and licentious- The most progress has been made through en- ness.
couraging African action songs with the smaller Of all village events the most exciting and children. Story-telling is another African art pleasant are, perhaps, the "big meetings" when which is being revived. Hymn singing was about one village acts as host to all the other Christian all that was allowed at one time in the villages villages of that circuit. Then for two or three but now, with this new use of the old songs, musi- days no one lacks for work, social life, or enthu- '
cal instruments are again finding a place. The siastic, joyous worship. One of our villages is best is their xilophone, or African piano. seen at its best in one of these big meetings.
A Korean Missionary Gives Thanks By MRS. GEORGE H. WINN, Seoul, Chosen Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
T HANK the Lord for more intimate contacts when doing the washing they sing "What a Won- with non-Christians in Seoul City – in fac- derful Saviour Is Jesus, My Jesus"; when iron- tory, at wedding feasts, in homes of non- ing, "Wonderful Words of Life"; while patting a Christian friends, and in my own home. baby to sleep, "Moment by Moment"; when at Thank the Lord for his gift of faith to our chil- the interminable task of sorting and ripping the dren, that gift which we cannot bestow and which cotton-lined clothing for the laundry, "I Must Tell fits for any circumstance which may befall, and Jesus All of My Troubles."
gives us a freedom that we could not otherwise Thank the Lord for the various folk contacted have in giving strength to others. . on the ship as we returned from seeing our sons Thank the Lord for word received recently that and daughter off for America. There was the Mrs. Archibald Campbell, of Kankhai, though tied middle-aged man with a wife and five stairstep down by the care of an invalid father, and no for- children, the eldest twelve, on their way to Tibet, eign doctor in residence, went each evening to whither they felt called of the Lord. Whatever lead the women of a Bible class of a hundred then any narrow human opinion as to the probabilities in session in a song service. She suggested that of return at all commensurate with the investment
involved, thank the Lord for that man's hearty on furlough. While we were gone, on account of "We've got a great God and He is able" when on poor· food and doing too much (had she not had every side folks tried to turn him back. food and a good rest in the hospital!) she devel- oped a hump and she still dislikes going about by Thank the Lord for the existence in the world day in the streets because she is so apt to meet today of a couple willing to start out for a place some old acquaintances of hers or her family'S five weeks' slow journey overland even after go- who have not seen her as she now is. This time ing as far as they can up the Yangtse, a destina- her errand was to tell me with smiling delight of tion as far from Hongkong, to which place only the Lord's goodness in that her mother had been they had money to take them, as Hongkong was baptized the previous Sunday. from the Minnesota farm they had sold to help meet their expenses to Hongkong. The man was Thank the Lord for those who coming to our not impractical. Being a German he could speak door on business, assisting us in stores and other several languages and was skilled in handcraft of places in very different walks of life have acdifferent sorts and could play several instruments. cepted, with apparent pleasure, illustrated copies There is little doubt that he can obtain employ- of the Gospel of Mark in Japanese, and copies of ment in a port city should they be in difficulty. In the Gospel of John and simple books with pictures the depths of a life wrong in every way he had telling the Gospel stories, and many copies of the been converted in the streets of Chicago, after Japanese tracts, "How to Overcome Poverty" and that was married, and they are not without evan- "How to Overcome Failure," and Korean leaflets gelistic experience since for the last twelve years on the "Treatments of Colds" and on "How to traveling in a truck they have spent the larger "Pray." par.t of their time trying to go to places in the West where people have no opportunity for a Thank the Lord for much literature of very church service unless they travel many miles. many kinds gladly received in the Licensed Vice District, where we were much distressed to find Thank the Lord for seeing a hard..,boiled, plas- houses which had been for rent a few years ago tic-surgery faced World War veteran, who said rebuilt and reoccupied and new buildings being he did nothing but travel in the South Seas and erected and more building material being brought other places, going back to America to accumulate in. some more pension when his money was exhausted, his conversation a line that made us Thank the Lord for pleasure given to little chilwince, twice return from shore trips with toys for dren being brought up in such surroundings by those children, that poor face all transformed by the clean Christian picture cards sent us from the change in his eyes as he became a child with America. The children hold out their tiny hands them, and gave himself to making them happy. for something and we cannot bear to give out other literature, to be torn up perhaps if the child Thank the Lord for letting me see the table is too young. steward, an Oriental, and even the cook the other side of the window, stand at attention and the Thank the Lord for the words of one of the veteran bow his head as those children in their Korean guests at our Thanksgiving dinner which childish trebles sang twice through before each was followed by a little circle of testimony. He meal their thanks to Father, Son and Holy Spirit. expressed his gratitude not only for the unex- The redeemed of the Lord were saying so. pected opportunity of keeping Thanksgiving which he had observed for so many years in Thank the Lord for the sixteen callers who America, where he became a Christian, but for came that first day after our return to this empty the opportunity of meeting a whole roomful of home, even though some of them came with the people whom he had never before seen who were difficult question, "What do you do when all of trying to live for Christ. It was interesting to your grain is gone and you're going to have no hear him say, in reference to the five months' harvest this fall and over and above that the flood old son of the Severance Hospital Evangelist has obliterated the field you expected to plant in whom his parents had brought with them to dinthe spring." ner-"Nobody could beat that baby in disposition or appearance-his mother knows how." Thank the Lord that my disappointment in not getting to the November station meeting was His We thank God for the testimony at that same appointment because a young hunchback had time, so frank and humble, of another fine young taken that particular evening for walking the man as to God's goodness in restoring him to a· painful steps from her house to mine. Some years childlike faith, after philosophical questionings. ago she fell backward from a seesaw, knocking a vertebra out of place. After months in a cast Weare thankful for Field Day at the mission under Dr. Y. S. Lee's care her first real walk was school of 400 lads and for the marvelously better to attend the farewell service for us when we left physiques we see on all sides, than could be seen twenty-eight years ago when we came.
THE PASSION OF RAYMUND LULL
Weare grateful for the fine meeting of the dis- of a white-faced neighbor because, not having trict committee and their enjoyment of the dinner mountains to ascend like his grandfather, he had provided for them, and exceedingly grateful to climbed a long flight of outside steps in pursuit them and their families for a thousand kindnesses of a cat! shown Mr. Winn when he is in the country. There is perhaps a lesson in a poem written Man man kamsa hawita (literally ten thousand from the midst of the worst of Japan's slums by times ten thousand)-boundless thanks that, as one, whose severest critics rarely go where such I looked down the path for my husband nearly two things may be seen, as he dwells among them hours late for his committee meeting, my gaze with his family in one roomwas finally rewarded. In two inches of newly fallen snow the bus in which he was riding and Penniless another one from Seoul skidded just as they were A while passing each other, escaping a terrible compact with breathtaking narrowness. Another time it I can foodless· live; just missed crashing into a house in the endeavor But it breaks my heart to avoid a sli:ling truck. Next day as he went back he saw an auto which had skidded with 'To know disaster. I CANNOT GIVE.
What is worse than an itinerating husband? Penniless Recently our grandson who seems at 17 months I can wrap in rags to be manifesting his maternal grandfather's itinerating proclivities returned from the end of But Ithe block looking innocent and hugging a wet I cannot bear to hear paint sign, and next day was returned i~ the arms STARVED CHILDREN CRY.
Penniless And rain falls . But trust is true Helpless I wait to see WHAT GOD WILL DO.
The Passion of Raymund Lull By KENNETH G. GRUBB, London, England Joint author of "Religion in the Republic of Spain"
N EARLY seven centuries have passed since Seven centuries then have passed by since this Raymund Lull, the first Christian mission- Apostle to Islam was born in Palma, the capital ary to the Moslems, set out on his lonely quest. The world, as seen in the light of mission- of Majorca.* It is difficult for us to picture what ary endeavor, has greatly changed since then. Printing has been discovered; the Renaissance, life in the Middle Ages must have been. Since the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation that time a new continent has arisen out of the have followed one another in close succession. Western Seas and men have been lured to new The Roman Catholic empire of Spain has faded, adventure by the sound of breaking of Southern and the power of Protestant nations has arisen Seas. The boundaries of heaven, inlaid with to preeminence. Kingdoms have given place to stars, have sunk back into illimitable space; and republics and republics to dictatorships. No all forms of thought and ways of life have passed longer does the Moor hold the great cities of through lasting changes. In the aisles of dark southern Spain. The sea-route to India has churches, where silent knight and abbot sleep in linked east and west, and by canals, dug by men stone, and in the sound of medireval church bells with their machinery, the continents have been we catch something of those men of yesterday, brought together. Where Don John of Austria but they cannot come to us, nor can we go to them. gathered his fleet against the Turk, tourist steam- But we know, through the lives of such as Lull, ers ritle at anchor today. But still the challenge that the problems of the human heart were fundawhich Raymund Lull gave his life to face remains menta:lly the same, that the figure of Jesus evoked unsolved. The Moslem world is still in very large then as now the same response from consecrated part solidly resistant to the power of Christian hearts, and that, strangely enough, one of the love and the penetration of the Christian message. • There is some dispute about the exact date, but the Lullian Society of Majorca agreed t.o celebrat.e the Seventh Centenary In 1935.
great problems of world evangelization, the Is~ with the defence and exposition of the Christian lamic challenge, was essentially the same. faith, and current medireval knowledge. Between October 1313 and May 1314 he prepared over A few years before LuH's birth Majorca itself thirty treatises setting out his views. of Chrishad been reconquered from the Moors. His fa~ tianity. He wrote poetry, "contemplative" works, ther, in fact, was one of the knights that accom~ and "romances of Christian evidences." His panied James I of Aragon in the Reconquest. magnum opus is the vast "Book of Contempla- Palma was at that time one of the most active and tion," an encyclopredia of medireval philosophy, busiest ports of the Mediterranean, and shipping theology and natural science, as well as a lively from all the coasts of southern Europe and north~ description of Catalan society of his time. This ern Africa mingled in the harbor. The beautiful book of nearly a million words also contains an si'gnorial residences of the town today, its mag~ extended apologia for his choice of a missionary nificent cathedral, and its Lonja, or exchange, career. For centuries after his death his reputabear witness to its prosperity. Here, where Mos~ tion was supreme, and it even survived the lem and Christian mingled in the streets with the Renaissance. His followers credited him with betolerance that was characteristic of that age in ing the inventor of nitric acid, the discoverer of Spain before the Inquisition, Raymund spent his the Great Elixir, and the foreshadower of the disearly life. It was that of a profligate and sinful coveries of Columbus! young man who cared nothing for the restraint of his religion. The story of his conversion relates But the outstanding characteristic of Lull's long that he was in love with a beautiful lady of Palma, life, and one which will forever commend him to the memory of his fellow Christians, was his dewas and while he was composing verses to her there votion. Whatever the cause which engaged his granted to him a mystical vision of the suffer- attention, the pursuit of knowledge, the attainings of our Lord. "Suddenly," says the most ment of the mystic's union with God, the convermodern and the ablest of his Anglo-Saxon biog- sion of the Moslem, or the preparation of other raphers,t "when his whole understanding was en- missionaries, he pursued it with unceasing congaged and occupied in the composition of his vain secration. He had no time either for the careless song, he chanced to look up," and ther.e, at his or the learned trifler. He moved toward his goal, side, was "the figure of our Lord Jesus Christ whatever it was, without pause and without rehanging upon the Cross." He himself writes in gret. This is a characteristic devoutly to be deone of his poems- sired today, when a thousand conflicting interests are apt to distract the attention and divert the But Jesus Christ, by His great clemency judgment. Lull possessed devotion in a remark- Five times upon the Cross appeared to me, able degree, and for this reason his name will be That I might think upon Him lovingly, remembered when those of others of his age are And cause His Name proclaimed abroad to be, lost in the records of the past. Through all the world. Two aspects of Lull's life are of special interest: The undisputed fact is that while stiU compara- one is his labor for the conversion of Islam, and tively a young man, he abandoned the world and the other his pursuit of the mystical path of union took the habit of a Franciscan friar. with his Lord. In these are well illustrated the man's weakness and his· strength. For the con- From this time onwards Lull became a Knight- version of Moslems he relied particularly, and in errant both of faith and knowledge. In the course accord with the spirit of the age, on a process of of his journeys he visited France, Italy, Cyprus, intellectual conviction. His Ars Magna was a Armenia and Mrica in His Master's Service. He compendious guide to all truth, a restatement, made use of these travels to gather information, analysis and defence of the Christian faith, which, to enrich his writings and to deepen his own re- as he himself thought, set forth Christianity in so ligious life. But his real object was to make incontrovertible a manner as to serve as an inknown his Ars Magna, or method of converting fallible instrument for the conversion of the Moslems, either in disputations with Moslems world. From this Ars he compiled a vast numthemselves, or else among Christians whom he ber of simpler expositions for the use of the unsought to stir up to zeal in this holy cause. His learned. He expresses his confidence in this long life, passed in one of the romantic centuries method in his own naIve lines: of the Dark Ages, was spent in ceaseless activity until he met his death by martyrdom at Bougu A science I have found that's new, in North Africa, in 1314, at nearly eighty years Whereby comes knowledge of the true, of age. And falsehood's followers grow few. Infidels now their creeds will rue- Lull's energy was prodigious. He is said to Tartar and Saracen and J ewhave been the author of over 500 works, which For God therewith did me imbue. cover a vast number of subjects, but deal mainly t Mr. A11!son Peers.
The history of Christian missions to the Mos- tian disciple was brought inside a life of passion lem is sufficient to show the error of this mis- and enthusiasm, of suffering and glory, for the placed confidence. The will wears more impene- expression of which words did not suffice, but only tJ·able armor than the intellect, and cannot be a body broken and blood poured out. Love, to taken into captivity except by the use of more Lull, was life in its ultimate purpose; it possessed spiritual weapons, by much prayer, by sacrifice, the irresistible power of a physical force; it was by the way of humility and love. Lull did not by a sharing of the "cup" by which alone the triumph any means overlook the use of these hidden hut could be shared. It was natural that love should powerful weapons, but he regarded his Ars as the desire a reward, but to love-that was in itself special means through which the great end which the highest reward. So, through ecstasy in he sought, must be accomplished. After com- prayer, through trials in service, love passes on pleting this weighty compilation he reascended to the life union and the lover goes unto his Be- Mount Randa, where he had received his original loved. "divine illumination," to pray day and night for Lull's whole life, and the reverence in which his four months that it might be used "to the honor memory is held today, are a testimony to the treof God and to the profit of the Holy Catholic mendous moral force which is generated by com- plete self-surrender to God. He was not free to faith." More interesting and significant perhaps today choose whether he would confer the benefits of his was his attempt to train missionaries to carry on outstanding intellectual and spiritual powers upon his work. On the cliffs of his lovely island, at the other men; it was his duty, and necessity was laid spot known as Miramar, he founded a missionary upon him. His attributes of character were gifts college, where he gathered thirteen Franciscan from God, and anything which he had to give was friars. Day by day they gathered round to talk not in the nature of benevolence but atonement, with their teacher, or wandered with him through atonement for the bitternesses of the age, for the the pines and among the tortuous stony paths. hostility between Christian and Moor. His great Far below them, the lisping of the blue waves adventure of love began and ended in his sense of among the old grey rocks made pleasant music in the profound obligation to be among men as one their ears, and called them across the seas to those that serveth. lands which, like their own, had known both Cross The all-compelIing nature of this motive is eviand Crescent, but unlike theirs, had never been dent in all his thought on his great mission to the Moslem world about him. "I see many Knights," reconquered for the Cross. he says, "going to the Holy Land ,beyond the seas As a pioneer of the inner life Lull holds a unique and thinking that they can acquire it by force of place. This mystical quality in his thought and arms; but in the end all are destroyed before they devotion finds its highest expression in the little attain that which they think to have. Whence it "Book of the Lover and the Beloved," Lull's one undoubted masterpiece. Though nearly the small- seems to me that the conquest of the Holy Land ought not to be attempted except in the way in est it is undoubtedly the greatest of the author's which Thou and Thine apostles acquired it, many works, and it contains in comparatively few namely, by love and prayers, and the pouring out pages, the essence of his religious experience. It is the most widely known of all his writings and of blood and tears." can be read today in six languages. In general Many of Lull's deepest meditations were formed tone and depth of feeling it reminds the reader during his wanderings in his own native island of of the Gospel of St. John, and it must take rank Majorca. Indeed. it would have been difficult for among the more profound documents recording him to find, in the lands bordering the Mediterthe Christian view and practice of the mystic way. ranean, a spot which by history and environment On every page it is concerned with a truer under- was more suited to such a purpose. Islands, many standing of the ideal of union with God as the goal a time, have given to the world pioneers of of the spiritual life; its description of love as "the thought or action. Here in his native Majorca, desire for the Beloved as being the end of the with the tinkling of sheep-bells among the bushes will," is both comprehensive and satisfying. It and rocks, with the quiet splash of friendly waters stretches the use of language to the full in its in the little caves, with the pervasive odor of the boldness of expression, but its words are the southern pines, and the company of a boat or two words of one who himself put to the proof the fishing in the bay; here, when the afternoon sun power of love, and spurned the lower way of self- declined over the sea and lit the towering peaks above, bare in summer, snow-touched in the preservation and self-protection. This book shows clearly that the real motive winter, or when the light itself both molded stark that constrained Lull to a long life of service and outlines and created radiant backgrounds as it devotion was the love of Christ. By it the Chris- fell on the islets and stretching promontories, this
pioneer would walk, and meditate on those themes which realizes that it must maintain morale and which by his treatment have enriched the common build for the future. spiritual heritage of mankind. Behind all his dreams was the tireless beating of the waves, the Hospitals, especially, are urged to keep open. soft but eternal murmur calling him again to There are 297 foreign doctors and 207 foreign launch forth on the knightly quest for men and nurses in the 232 mission hospitals, half of whom God. And around him was a solemn silence, a are American. These hospitals cared last year sil~nce which could be felt, like the silence of for over 200,000 in-patients and about 3,000,000 Horeb or of Calvary, or of all places where God out-patients. The Seventh Day Adventist Medical is present and flesh is subdued. Center in Shanghai has been destroyed. St. Luke's in Hongkew has moved its staff and equipment THE WAR AND MISSIONS IN CHINA into the International Settlement. Margaret Wil- liamson Hospital had to be evacuated. Japanese The effect of the present armed conflict upon airplanes bombed the Mission Hospital of the Dismissions and Christian institutions in China has ciples' Mission at Nantungchow, 50 miles northbeen shattering, especially in some areas. Educa- west of Shanghai, killing two Chinese doctors, tional institutions have been the first to suffer. thr.ee nurses, eight other workers and five pa- Out of a total of 499 educational and cultural in- tients, and demolishing the hospital. All hospitals stitutions, research institutes, libraries, museums near the war areas are crowded with wounded and observatories, 84 per cent are in the coastal soldiers and civilians and the Chinese Medical Asprovinces, including 17 out of 21 American sup- sociation, which includes in its membership pracported colleges and universities. Seventy-eight of tically all western-trained doctors in China, is the 105 colleges and universities, with enrollment cooperating with the government in the supply of of over 50,000 students, are in war areas and 23 doctors. are in Japanese occupied territory. Seven of these have been wholly or partly destroyed by Japanese The work of the Church is naturally much afbombing, including Nankai University, Women's fected. Shanghai, the nerve center of Christian Normal School and Hopei Technical Institute in organizations in China, is now to a great extent Tientsin, National Central University in Nanking, cut off from the rest of the country and it is diffiand Chung Shan University in Canton. Che Chih, cult to send funds to the interior. Tung Chi and Fu Tan Universities in Shanghai are completely destroyed. The University of Thousands of churches not in areas of fighting Shanghai, founded by the Northern and Southern will be affected by troop movements and bomb- Baptist missions, with property value of $800,000 ings, by diminished sources of native support, by U. S., has suffered from large shell holes in the restrictions upon activities and by the general main buildings and from looting of faculty resi- strain of war. But reports indicate that most dences by Japanese troops. Chinese workers are facing the situation cour- ageously and that there is a revival of faith and In the Peiping and Tientsin area of north China of the spirit of prayer in many sections. In larger most schools are attempting to reopen under seri- cities interdenominational committees for relief ous difficulties because of Japanese restrictions work are being formed. Sian, Taiyuan, Chengtu, upon educational freedom and the arrests of cer- Changsha, Anking, Wuhu and Wenchow have retain teachers and students. ported that Christian work is being continued without interruption. The American Branch of In Shanghai, where fierce fighting still goes on, the China Inland Mission, which has the largest educators are doing their best to conserve the in- number of missionaries in interior provinces, restitutional work that is left. The University of ceived a cable (September 16) saying "Inland all Shanghai has found temporary quarters in the In- safe." Many churches in north China are caring ternational Settlement. Medhurst College of the for refugees from war zones. London Mission, schools of the Southern Baptist Mission, in addition to many government and pri- The general feeling in China among missionvate schools, are in the war area. St. John's aries is that this is not the time to desert their University, founded by the American Episcopal Chinese friends and fellow-workers. This atti- Mission, is near the fighting lines. The policy of tude is being supported by most missionary sociecontinuing educational work during the crisis has ties, in America and in England. Dr. E. E. Brown the strong support of the Chinese government of Wuhu General Hospital writes, "We share our work in peace times with Chinese colleagues; why' should we not share in time of danger?"
FRANK W. PRICE.
Work Among the
One Hundred and Fifty Years of Service Among Native Americans By G. E. E. LINDQUIST, Lawrence, Kansas – . For ten years Missionary-at-Large, Society for Propagating )J.- the Gospel Among the Indians and Others in North America O N NOVEMBER 19th this year the oldest school in the wilderness to the support of the col- incorporated missionary society in Amer- lege" (for example, Samson Occom and the found- ica celebrates its sesquicentennial. Or- ing of Dartmouth), were but a few of the activiganized in the days when no restrictions were ties promoted by this Puritan Society which had placed on long titles, it has been known through- its roots in Mother England. out its 150 years as "The Society for Propagating the Gospel Among the Indians and Others in The American Revolution naturally meant the North Amellica." Brought into being as a mis- virtual cessation of English effort in behalf of sionary unit within a few months after the Amer- aboriginees in the new republic. Nor had the ican Constitution was adopted, it seems to have distractions of war (French and Indian as well been imbued with something of the youthful vi- as the Revolution) tended toward the promotion tality and commendable daring of that memorable of Christian missions. Wars never do. True, as document. It has thus an honorable place among early as 1762, sporadic efforts had been made to the early undertakings in the newly established establish a missionary society on New England nation. The spirit of independence had been born among a people "no longer subjects in a Province, but citizens in a Nation."
A Pioneer Spirit A pioneer spirit antedated this organization in THREE CHEROKEE CHIEFS WHO VISITED LONDON IN 1762 sending the Gospel to "the heathen of New England," as is evidenced in the somewhat sporadic soil. A considerable fund was collected and a attempts of sundry individuals and societies charter obtained from the Colonial government; whose activities have come down to us in such but when "the act of their incorporation was sent quaint reports as those contained in "New Eng- to England for allowance, the Archbishop of land's First Fruits" (1643), and "The Day Break- Canterbury, jealous lest this should interfere with ing if not the Sun Rising of the Gospel with the the society established in Great Britain, or per- Indians (1647)." It must be remembered that in haps unwilling that persons not well affected to the 147th and the early part of the 18th centuries espiscopacy should obtain a new influence and missionary societies, supported by churches as we power by this means, obtained from the King a know them today, were not in existence. Mis- negative on the incorporating bill." sions were either sponsored by the Government, coincident with Colonial expansion, or by indi- The zeal of "the Christian gentlemen of 1762" viduals possessed of Christian and humanitarian was greatly abated at this rebuff, and the Revoluzeal for those "sitting in darkness and in the tion occupied their attention later, so it was not shadow of death." Thus "amid the stir in thought until 1787 that another attempt at organization and deed at the rise of the English Common- was made. The immediate occasion for this revival wealth" there came into being the corporation known as "The President and Society for Propagation of the Gospel in New England" (1649). History records the work of John Eliot, "the first apostle to the Indians," as well as other pioneers who were representatives of Puritan devotion and missionary zeal. "From physic for the body to medicine for the soul, from aid to the primary [533 ]
seems to have been due to Scottish influence. Dr. een in the District of Maine and two on the Isles Peter Thacher, historian for the Society in 1798, of Shoals. The original benefactor, Col. Alford, describes it in the following graphic manner: had been concerned with "the dark, benighted "In the year 1787, a commission from the society parts of the land," especially the destitute parts in Scotland, for propagating Christian knowledge, of Maine. Consequently, until 1836 the Society was received by a number of gentlemen in Boston helped to support missionaries and preachers in and its vicinity, to superintend the funds of the the frontier settlements of that state and on the society which were devoted to Christianizing the Isles of Shoals "where the inhabitants could not aboriginal natives of America. Ashamed that alone maintain the regular institutions of reli- more solicitude for this object should be discov- gion."
ered by foreigners than by themselves, these gen- Aside from "the free preaching of the Gospel tlemen revived the former plan, and associated to the poor and the destitute," the early missionfor the purpose of forming a society similar to aries were charged with the distribution of "usethat in Scotland. They petitioned the General ful, human literature." Accordingly, the chroni- Assembly for a charter, which was granted them, cler of 1804 was able to report: "In prosecution with the adequate powers, at the close of the same of these salutary purposes, the Society since the year, 1787." year 1787 have purchased and distributed (except A Colonel and a Governor a few remaining in hand for the same purpose) 607 Bibles, 1,151 Testaments, 1,649 Spelling Whether this new society would have survived Books, 801 Psalters, 2,310 Primers, 140 Watt's the financial depression of post-Revolution days Psalms and Hymns, 768 of Doddridge's Rise and without the substantial aid of an army colonel is Progress of Religion in the Soul and 9,898 other not easy to determine at this distance. However, books, mostly pamphlets, but many large and val- Col. John Alford of Charleston, who was desirous uable treatises, making in the whole (if .we in- that the "Aboriginals should be both civilized and clude what were given to the Indians) 17,324."
Christianized," had set aside a considerable part Schools in the Wilderness of his estate for this purpose. Richard Cary, his executor, writing to the members of the Society It has been well said that the early-day misin 1789, says: "Having honored me with his sionary advanced into the bounding wilderness power to act, I have often heard him speak with with the Bible in one hand and the textbook in the concern of the state of"the Indians; how gentle- .other. A task of immediate concern, therefore, men in England were at great expense in having was the establishment and support of schools, the Gospel propagated among them (the Indians), especially "in those towns where there were but while we, in this country, were inattentive to this few inhabitants, and those few not in circumimportanf concern." It developed that Col. AI- stances to support a teacher." The instructors ford's bequest amounted to $10,675.18 in "real were "men of piety, experience and other qualidollars." (rather than "nominal dollars").* fications, to lead in religious services on the Lord's Among other most generous early .contributors day; that so parents and children may derive to the funds of the Society was Hon. James Bow- benefit from their labours."
doin, "afterward Governor of the Commonwealth" All efforts in this direction were not eminently (whose name is perpetuated by Bowdoin College). successful, as is evident from the daily journal of Thus, sixteen years after its establishment, twelve the first missionary teacher (Mr. Little) s~nt to benefactors had given $17,514.51. By 1803 the Penobscot Bay in Maine. He speaks of opening total funds were $23,417.35, and its income $1,- "a free English school," near the borders of In- 145.83. That some "contract relationship" with dian Old Town, and after inviting the Indians· the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must have and getting in touch with the chief Sachem, a obtained in those early days is evident from the French priest arrived on the scene. This reprehistorian of that period who states that "for many sentative of religion, however, was evidently not years" an annual grant was received from the in favor of "free English schools" among his con- Legislature. It is not indicated what these grants stituents, for after conducting a council with involved in dollars and cents, nor when the grants them, the results were reported to Mr. Little as were discontinued. follows: "That ajlmall part of them were desirous to have their children taught the language and In the first Iieriod of its existence the Society manners of the English, but all of them were apsupported four missionaries among the Indians prehensive that their religion would be in danger; (Cape Cod region and Martha's Vineyard), eight- • It Is Interesting to note in this connection that Col. Alford also (they also) wished to know why their children endowed a new professorship at Harvard College of "Natural Re- could not be taught to read and write by a master ligion, Moral Philosophy and Civil Polity," called by the name of of their own religious persuasion." Mr. Little, "Alford's Professor."
EARLY WORK AMONG THE INDIANS
finding the object of his free school "clouded by these missionaries were not to go unrewarded is unforeseen occurrences and events," withdrew evident from a number of items in the annual re- "down the river" where his services were more ports. The truth of the old saying that where certain conditions are fulfilled certain inevitable acceptable. * results will follow, was repeatedly verified. Per- haps no better illustration need be cited than that These ambassadors and propagators of the of Rev. John Sargeant's work among the Oneidas Gospel were "rugged individualists" in an origi- where one-third of the tribe "were determined to nal sense and may aptly be called "prophets of join his congregation at the commencement of the the long road," the sobriquet attached to Francis year" (1805). In his report to the secretary he Asbury of Methodist pioneer fame. Perhaps we "expresses strong hope, by the blessing of God, may apply to them the words used to describe that the two parties (Pagan and Christian) may Methodism's first bishop: "They sat at the feet of some of life's greatest teachers, such as pain, hunger, cold, opportunity, a vast wilderness and a few great books. God, nature and solitude were among their instructors." Far and wide they traveled, often afoot, eager to bring the Good News to Red Men and White Men alike in the scattered settlements. Thus we read of Mr. Oliver (Report of 1805), who during six months spent in the service of the Society, "traveled about 1,200 miles, preached 133 sermons, visited 196 families, and baptized 7 children."
Instructions to Missionaries SAMSON OCCUM, KNOWN AS THE " PIOUS MOHEGAN"
Very specific were the instructions to mission- be united, both in civil and religious views. If ary candidates. Imbued with the urgency of their these prospects are realized, it will rejoice the mission as "propagators" of the Gospel, they were hearts of all, who wish well to the poor, benighted to spend as little time as possible among those heathen of our country." "already enjoying the ordinances of religion." There was to be no duplication or overlapping of The founders and directors of the Society were effort. They were not to abide in the cities but interested in ameliorating the "civil conditions of rather were to seek out the rural folk. Further- the Ind~ans" at a time when strong pressure was more, the Gospel was to be preached freely, with- being brought to bear on the Government for their out "any reward" from those to whom they min- western removal. Rev. Jedidiah Morse (Secreistered, excepting necessary support. They were tary 1802-1810) conceived a plan for "Education not to "attempt the purchase of lands" or engage Families" which were to constitute groups of Inin any secular business, lest the people should dians living under a community economy and unsuppose them to be governed by interested' mo- der the guidance of Christian leadership which tives. Many instances of "entangling alliances" might have been avoided in the mission field if similar counsel had been consistently followed from that day to this! No large salaries were received and none were expected. The laborer was to be worthy of his hire-nothing more, nothing less.
In the face of these practical suggestions the missionaries were not sent forth blindly on their tasks. Consequently, the secretary could with propriety incorporate in an annual report the following: "They may have erred in their judgments, but we know that their intentions have been pure." This is not an unworthy tribute and would not be out of place in a modern personnel report.
That the consecrated and untiring labors of • Indians still residing at Old Town, Maine, are taught by Roman Catholics who have no doubt continued In succession from the time of Mr, Little's first visit until the present, •
should gradually develop their capacity for indi- indirectly at least, as a result of the impetus fur- vidualism. nished for the conversion of the North American Indians. He stated that he used the term "Education Families," rather than "Mission" so as not to offend the opposers of While the primary concern of the Society was missions and because the phrase "Education Families" the evangelization of the Indians, notable efforts well described the purpose of these associations. He was were also directed to the "benighted dwellers in wise in his generation. Morse sought assistance from the the wilderness" of Anglo-Saxon and even Nordic Federal Government from the appropriation of $10,000, heritage. In 1840 when, according to the Annual first made available in 1819, for aid to private schools en- Report, the Society was already styled "ancient gaged in Indian education. Morse's project did not in- and venerable," missionary work was prosecuted volve removal on any extensive scale but did require that as far west as Chicago, Burlington and Quincy. Of Chicago it was thought necessary to describe INDIAN YOUTH-NURSERY SCHOOL, MONTANA the location as "in the north part of the State of Illinois." This might give present-day Chicago- individuals and families gather at certain points where ans something to think about. they could cultivate land· sufficiently fertile to afford a living for the groups in which the educational work was The membership of the Society was limited to to be carried out. A certain amount of segregation from fifty members, "who were to have perpetual suc- the whites was considered essential to the success of the cession," according to the charter and was made proposed educational program. Each community was to up of representatives from various denominations. have its own school and church and even a central school No sectarian restrictions have ever been placed on of higher education· comparable to a college was planned. the missionaries, save that they should be "men Morse even suggested in a report to the president the ulti- of the Protestant religion, of reputed piety, loy- mate foundation of an Indian state which should be self- alty, prudence, knowledge and literature, and of other Christian and necessary qualifications suited governing. * to their respective stations."
Contemporary records of the Society do not In the membership roll we find names familiar to stu- record what success attended Dr. Morse's efforts. dents of American, political and ecclesiastical history. . Perhaps the country was not ready for a consist- Among those who have served as presidents are: Han. ent carry-through of the experiment. Oliver Wendell (1787-93); His Excellency James Sulli- van (1800-06); Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw (1837-61); Rev. S. K. Lothrop (1878-85); Rev. A. P. Peabody, who served at the time of the Centennial year (1887). Those who have served as members and directors include Rev.
"Provoking Others to Love and Good Works" INDIAN WOOD CHOPPERS AT DWIGHT MISSION The Society may with apparent justice lay Nathaniel Emmons, Rev. Eliphalet Porter, Rev. Jedidiah claim to be a forerunner of missionary organiza- Morse, Rev. David Tappan, Samuel Parkman, Esq., Rev. tions, established in the early part of the 19th William E. Chamling, Han. Daniel Webster, Rev. Francis' century (several of which have celebrated their Parkman, Hon. Roger Wolcott, Hon. James P. Melledge, centennial in recent years). Rev. Eliphalet Porter, Rev. Phillips Brooks, Rev. Francis G. Peabody, and Rev. pastor of the First Church in Roxbury, mentions George A. Gordon. For many years Dr. Charles W. Eliot, this in his "Discourse," delivered November 5, former president of Harvard University, was the honored 1807: "We have been the probable occasion of head while his son, Rev. Samuel A. Eliot, has served for provoking others to love and good works, to the years as a member of the Board of Managers and is still charitable contribution of their worldly substance, an active member. and to the forming of associations for the purpose of promoting the common salvation." In fact, the modern missionary movement came into being, • Extract from "A Continent Lost-A Civi1!zation Won," by J. P. Kinney, p. 50.
Naturally the early efforts of the Society were may be moving around him in a vertiable whirlilargely restricted to New England; but as the gig. Whenever a group of Indians are rushed into Indians moved (or were moved) westward the a new course of action, or when something is put Society continued its activities among them. Thus over them in a hurry, there is invariably an unthe Cherokees (Dwight Mission in what is now favorable reaction. This is true of sudden legis- Oklahoma) were helped, the Oneidas in New lative action, of abrupt and sudden changes in York and later in Wisconsin, the Ojibways in their mode of living. Witness, for example, the building of commodious frame houses among the INDIAN LEADERS RETREAT AT LAKE TAHOE Apaches, to replace their crude wickiups. The casual traveler on a visit to the reservation finds Michigan, the Onondagas, Senecas and St. Regis a number of these houses boarded up and abanin New York, the Ottawas, Potawatomies, Dela- doned. He learns that a death has occurred and wares and other groups, loosely designated at that the "ghost fears" are at work. The house buildtime as "western Indians." Included in "the oth- ing program was well intentioned but premature ers" were struggling churches and pioneer insti- and did not take into consideration the superstitutions in "the regions beyond." The centennial tions still prevalent among those people. Numerhistorian mentions, for instance, the Wesleyan ous other examples could be given-the change Seminary and Albion Seminary, in Michigan, from the carefree camp life to the static condi- Lawrence University, Wisconsin, Scandinavian tions of reservation life, from buffalo hunters to Mission in the same state, the Canada Missionary agriculturists, from trapping to truck gardening, Society, Drury College, Missouri, and the Riggs from boarding schools to day schools, from no- madic life to community life. How can one ac- Institute, South Dakota* count for the present chaotic conditions among the Navajos and elsewhere except on the basis of "New Times, New Duties" sudden changes, promises lightly made under the influence of high pressure campaigns by neo- phytes, eager to put across "new deals" but ut- terly ignorant of Indian psychology, history and backgrounds?
A Cooperative Approach In the Indian missionary field, as well as in any other, the time for a narrow partisanship and bigoted sectarianism is past. The present day calls for a cooperative spirit and approach. This With the advent of other mission schools and the organization of denominational Home Mis- sionary societies, it soon became apparent that a shift in the main emphasis of the work might wisely be stressed. Intead, therefore, ·of sending'
itinerant missionaries to the outposts of civiliza- tion or using the Society's funds toward aiding already existing institutions, it was determined (beginning with the work of Rev. Arthur P.
Wedge in 1911) that one field representative be designated to cooperate actively with missionary and governmental agencies in promoting a better understanding of the Indian people, especially in INDIAN CHURCH ON ROSEBUD RESERVATION view of the period of adjustment and assimilation through which they are now passing. Society, in view of its long and continuous history, Anyone who knows the American Indian is its traditions and achievements, has an increas- well aware that he moves slowly, although things ingly unique opportunity to further every effort looking toward cooperative work among our In- • A limited work for Negroes was also promoted, principally car- dian brothers. ried on through aid to such institutions as: Wilberforce University, The task is not· an easy one. Any program, no Ohio, the African Methodist Episcopal Missionary Society, Howard Free School for Colored Persons, National Theological Institute for matter how constructive and enlightened· it may Colored, Washington, D. C.; Hampton Institute, Hampton, Va.; be, is bound to meet with opposition. A brief Lincoln Institute for Colored Persons, Missouri; Woodville Farm School, Georgia, and CIal'lin University. South Carolina.
quotation from the minutes prepared by Peter forward on a mission of service to share their Thacher, secretary of the Society (January, own best vision. 1198), will serve to emphasize that the original purpose and program must still be the spirit in On the seal of the Massachusetts Bay Colony which we address ourselves to the new and chal- there is engraved the figure of an Indian, standing lenging tasks of today. on the New England shore in an attitude of wait- ing, saying, "Come over and help us." His need Notwithstanding the discouragements which have at- was real and vital. On the seal of the Society for tended almost all the attempts to Christianize the Indians, Propagating the Gospel among the Indians and the Society feel it to be their duty still to continue them. others in North America there is engraved a cup Their funds will not admit of sending missionaries into which may very well represent "the cup of salvadistant parts of the continent, or to seek out those nations tion." Inscribed on that second seal are the imof Indians who are wholly unconnected with the white in- mortal words of Zechariah 4: 6, "Not by might, habitants. Their attempts are confined to those tribes nor power, but by my Spirit." In the providence of interspersed among the white inhabitants, or in their God, and through the medium of this Society, the neighborhood. The wish of the Society is to propagate cup of salvation has been offered to the American and cherish the spirit of Christianity in the minds of Indians. Today many of our Red brothers who those people~ and, as their means and opportunity will have tasted that cup rejoice in the life-giving admit, gradually to disseminate Christian knowledge Gospel. It is a most precious gift for it does not among more distant tribes. perish with the taking. They too have come to realize, and have so expressed it to the writer, What of the Future? that the greatest gift which their White brother has brought them is that of the Gospel of Jesus The Society's centennial historian, Henry F. Christ. It has not come "by might, nor by power." Hunnewell, records his impressions in the follow- Often frail human emissaries have been the visiing language: "Already the history of corpora- ble means. It is 'not merely accidental that Intions in this country is showing that age, even dians speak of God as "The Great Spirit." With of a century, not only does not impair usefulness, increasing understanding they follow the poet but can add strength and give promise of a future who speaks their language: with increased means and extended operations." This would seem to be the only justification for Speak to Him thou for He heareth, endowments and foundations-that they go "from And spirit with Spirit can meet; strength to strength," not being content to rest on their laurels but ever seeking new avenues of Closer is He than breathing, approach, accepting new and challenging situa- Nearer than hands and feet. tions, and with renewed youth and vitality going Why I Like to Work for the Board of Foreign Missions _~I.:.I====_B_Y_O_n_e=of=th_e=c_le_r_ic_a_l_S_ta_ff=at=1_56====~III~ PEOPLE in general seem to have a very currency, checks, stocks, bonds and real estate. – peculiar idea of what we do here in the offices Although not in the treasurer's department, in my of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Pres- own department I have an opportunity to learn byterian Church in the U. S. A. Frequently have how money is handled, since we must carefully I heard the remark, "Your work must be very in- account for these millions of dollars and show teresting. But you don't get much business ex- how they are expended. They must be budgeted, perience, do you?" not only in United States currency, but also in the currency of the sixteen different countries where One of the many reasons why I like the work our work is conducted. As the money is used for is because of the very varied experience. To be- salaries of missionaries, evangelists, teachers, docgin with, our work covers an annual business of tors, nurses, and native workers; for the buying $3,000,000. These millions are received from and repairing of properties; for the running exhundreds of thousands of people, individually or penses of churches, schools and hospitals, I learn in groups, by legacy or annuity, in the form of
WHY I LIKE TO WORK FOR THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS
about the many phases of our work. Besides this, ·history of that nation; the coming generation will office correspondence covers almost infinite details have a different outlook, as their moral, ethical relating to the welfare and work of 1,400 mission- and mental life is influenced through the stand- aries and their families, such as travel to and from ards of the greatest teacher of all, the Christ.
the fields, finding homes and schools for those on I do not need to read books written by travelers furlough, advising study courses for children and who skim over a country in a few weeks. Many adults, making purchases and shipping them to of our missionaries are famous writers, educators, various points throughout the world, arranging scientists. Their books and reports make fasci- for medical examinations and medical care. nating and authentic reading for, since our reli- What ordinary "business" office can offer such gion cannot be explained to a people without a an experience covering currency, budgeting, real knowledge of that people's own background, our estate, stocks and bonds, law, building construc- missionaries must thoroughly study that people's tion, agriculture, medicine, education, purchasing own religion, mode of living, customs and psy- and shipping, publicity, and their many coordi- chology. They must know their language, their nated lines of work? history, their thought processes, as well as the Besides this, I like to work for the Board be- physical land and its influence. At this end of cause I receive a liberal education through my the line, through their correspondence, reports, daily tasks, and by contacts with those who have and books, I get a cross-section of it all, a rapid traveled widely, studied deeply, and accomplished digest of their many years of intense labor and much. For example, through our regular routine, study.
I can get a broad vision of the political, social, I like to work for the Board because I not only economic, educational and religious life of many receive a wide business experience, and a liberal nations, not to mention their geography and phi- education, but even more because my employers losophy. This one Mission Board has work in help me to learn how to meet life in a finer way, sixteen different countries, and contacts with and in the last analysis, that is the most important practically every part of the globe. Anyone, by thing that can be done for us. Outside the office reading newspapers and magazines, can gain a my life is irrevocably bound up with that in the general idea of the situation in foreign countries office. I do not need to shut my desk at night as -provided the newspaper reporters are expert so many of my friends do, with the thought, historians and statesmen, writing with unbiased "Thank goodness, I can forget this until tomor- eye, and also provided that the foreign corre- row." I do not want to forget it, and I couldn't spondents are not hampered by government cen- if I would.
sorship! But how much more information, de- All business offices have their financial difficultailed and truthful, do we receive from our mis- ties, since the business of business is to bring in sionaries who are in the midst of events in those financial profit. We, too, need money to carryon countries, and in consultation with native leaders. our world enterprises. The depression did not These leaders know they can frankly discuss their pass by the churches nor the church members. affairs with no fear of political intervention and But during these past years, I have seen courage embroilment, but with the assurance that the ad- and faith that has made my heart sing. Disapvice given is in the best interests of their own pointment? Of course! Our leaders are human, people, sound, and free from ulterior motives. but their faith in the supreme Leader has made Where but in these offices could I have access to the attitude and atmosphere of our offices during the past and present histories of movements such these extremely difficult years a very different as the Japanese-Korean situation, the Spanish thing from that of the many business offices I have civil war, the status of the Camerouns, the evo- visited. lution of Iran, the new freedom for Turkish And the little things about the office-what of women, the changes in China and India, the Mex- them? After all, I spend the major part of my ican totalitarian state? And all this, not by doing life here. Why should not, therefore, the little library research, but simply through daily corre- things be as important here as in my home-the spondence and contacts with Americans and na- courtesy, the efforts for our comfort; the thoughttives who have been in the thick of these events. fulness, and the realization that our superior offi- In this same way I learn of the educational ad- cers consider us human. When salaries were cut, vance of other nations, the fight against illiteracy, I knew that it was not done, as in so many places, what the government is doing towards compulsory to take advantage of the economic crisis, and I education in rural sections and in cities. If those was confident that when conditions permitted, governments are using mission schools as models every effort would be made to restore them. If I for their own work, employing our teachers as make a mistake in my work, the air is not blue staff supervisors, there will be a change in the with profanity. Neither is it blue with smoke!
Into every office, death comes at some time,. system based on length of service and salary. Aleither to a worker or in a worker's family. In though there are only about 60 of us, we have a our office, where we are in personal touch not only Clerical Staff Organization which has charge of with the executive and clerical staffs and their all matters touching our welfare. Requests and families but with 1,400 missionaries living in haz- complaints go through a clerical staff committee, ardous places, news of death comes perhaps more which in turn brings them before a committee of frequently. The heartbreak of cables announcing the Board, where they are carefully and conscienthe loss of some loved one half way across the tiously discussed, and the answers are reported world, an accident to a child sent home to school, back to us. Salaries are scaled according to posiearthquake and famine and dread disease, as well tion and years of service. Vacations vary with as the perils by land and sea-all this we know. length of service, to a maximum of four weeks. But the way sorrow and tragedy are met, in the We have the privilege of consulting the Medical strength and comfort brought down from On High Secretary, and he helps us secure necessary aid -this is not seen in every office. And when it through private physicians or hospitals. We have comes our turn to face trials, can we fail to apply a pleasant lunch room with all necessary kitchen what we have seen and learned, to our own lives? equipment, a delightful rest room, the use of the missions library. We are not stinted on light or All have difficult problems to meet, but here heat. Almost every office has its growing plants, almost every letter brings with it a personal prob- and is as cheery as an office can possibly be. lem, a call for advice. Our leaders, through years of experience in the daily solving of such prob- We have an annual dinner for executives and lems, have gained great wisdom, sympathy and clerical staff, Christmas parties, department getunderstanding. When my own problems arise, togethers, special lectures and addresses, and the and they have been legion these past years, I fol- privilege of extended vacations for travel. low their methods as best I can; and if more mature advice is needed, I can always discuss my Our fifteen-minute noon-time prayer meeting is problem with them, in the certainty that thought- not taken out of our lunch hour, but it is our ful consideration will be given it, and all their privilege to attend. This is not only a pleasant experience placed at my disposal. break in the day, but a refreshing of soul and spirit that has its favorable reaction upon our Above all, I like the spirit of cooperation among physical bodies and on our work. the executives themselves, as well as between executives and clerical staff. Things are done in Summing all this up, I like to work for the committee, not individually. The minority knows Board of Foreign Missions because I am treated how to yield, and all are willing to be guided. as a co-worker and friend, because I receive not only a tangible salary but great value in intangible All these are intangible things. But I like to things, and because, since my employers command work for the Board because of their fair treat- my highest respect and the Cause for which we ment along tangible lines. Long before the New work has my deepest love, I can give to them and Deal and its Social Security Act, we had a pension it my unstinted loyalty.
Christians and the New Life Movement By MADAME CHIANG KAI-SHEK The Leading Woman in China A LETTER from the Church of Christ in morning as they arise. On the first day of issue China has reminded me how much respon- sibility we Christians should carry in two fathers bought cards for each member of the bringing New Life to the people around us. Let me quote: "The Bible Women's Association of family so that the children might form the habit Canton has issued a prayer card with the design of the New Life Movement and the Cross. Their of praying daily for China." . aim is to have a League of Prayer of at least a thousand who promise to pray for China each The cross in the background of the New Life Movement! It has always been there, and the subject fascinates me. Praying daily for China!
That is something that we can all do. One man in government service told me that he uses the
CHRISTIANS AND THE NEW LIFE MOVEMENT
three minutes of silence, observed in the regular conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by Monday morning Memorial Service, to pray for the renewing of your mind." I always want to the nation's leaders. add, and in so doing transform society until we mould it nearer to our heart's desire. Not long ago, in the Officers' Moral Endeavor *** Association at Nanking, a friend came face to face with a painting of Christ that vividly revealed George W. Shepherd writes: General Chiang the crown of thorns. Drops of blood could be seen Kai-shek has issued an official invitation to Chrison the forehead and chest, and the visitor threw tian churches to coqperate with the Movement, up his hands and said: "What a sad picture!" particularly in the field of social service. Some To my husband and myself the cross means not Christian groups have since expressed themselves sadness, but triumph. Without it there could not as feeling that these regulations might eventually possibly be New Life for any of us. If you read lead to some local New Life Movement Associacarefully through the public addresses that the tion assuming that it could exercise control over Generalissimo has delivered during the past three the life of the church.
years, you will notice that sacrifice, blood, and the Significant changes have been taking place. sweat of labor, are referred to frequently as the These changes may be summarized as follows: only way out for individuals and the nation. The 1. The New Life Movement shall not become a political cross is the centre of his life, hence his appeal to instrument in the hands of any party or clique. It the churches and the Christians throughout the belongs solely to the people.
nation to take responsibifity in living the New 2. The staff at New Life Movement Headquarters and in Life and passing it on to others. the local associations have no official rank. They After hI·S return from Sian, the Generalissimo have no authority to issue documents and regulations other than those which come from the President. decided to give more and more time to the de- 3. The chief emphasis of the Movement is to be upon the velopment of character through the New Life development of character through living the prin- Movement. It is with this in mind that he under- ciples of Li, I, Lien, Chih. "New Life is not sometook to organize the Headquarters at Nanking. thing to promote, but a life to be lived." There was a time when some thought they might make a political instrument out of the New Life 4. The New Life Movement is distinctly a Movement and not an organization primarily concerned with estab- Movement, but this can never be. It must for- lishing and perpetuating itself as a permanent instiever remain a movement within the hearts and tution. The Movement will cooperate with and assist lives of the people encouraging them toward fuller all agencies at work on improving the social life of the people.
cooperation in the tasks that face us as a nation, It should be very clear from the foregoing that and slowly but surely building character that will the New Life Movement is not a rival of the stand the test of time, and that will never again church and cannot do the spiritual work that only allow us to stoop to the evils that have afflicted the church is qualified to do. At one time, friends society so long. If we Christians should be busy of the Movement suggested that it solicit members about any task, surely it is this. who would pledge themselves to carry out its The mystical element.m religion must have principles, but the President replied that every value for some, otherwise so many great people citizen of China is automatically a member of the in history would not have followed its gleam. To Movement. The living of New Life principles is me, however, religion is just life as it must be hence the obligation of every citizen. It cannot lived by ordinary mortals, but with the humdrum draw circles of inclusion or exclusion unless it tasks of every day being performed with greater draws a circle around the whole of China. cheerfulness because of an inner faith in God. It There has been an awakening on the part of is the daily renewing of our faith, our courage, • Chinese Christians in their responsibilities towatd our vision, the better to grapple with what the the State. The development of a modern govern- day may bring forth. ment in which they can place their confidence has The organization of the Kiangsi Christian had much to do with it. The attitude of local officials in inviting the cooperation of the church Rural Service Union, slightly over three years in rural reconstruction and in health work has ago, appeared to some as a strange and new step also contributed toward good will and created an for the church. To the Generalissimo and to me atmosphere in which Christians are more at home. it seemed the natural thing for Christians to do. Prayer services for national leaders, and for the A very great responsibility rests upon us so long nation, in times of crisis, have also fostered the as the farmers and workers of many provinces interest of the rank and file of Christians in the have little opportunity to secure the bare essen- welfare of their country. Undoubtedly the New tials of life. Life Movement in its bold stand for righteousness, Christians throughout China should cooperate justice, and honesty, has greatly encouraged many in living and extending its principles. "Be not
a despondent Christian, and given him a distinct It has an odor of formality and external author- feeling of self-respect. Now thousands of Chris- ity. I do not say that they are not helpful, but tians are praying daily that God will deliver China they are not enough. New Life must come from out of all her troubles. the changing of hearts. That is not to be accom- Work by Christian groups in prisons, military plished by posters and addresses only.
hospitals, orphanages, and settlements, is all very As Christians, we must do our best to help the much appreciated by New Life Movement Head- cause of the New Life Movement. It has many in- quarters, and reports on progress and problems teresting and instructive points. Then when we will receive careful attention. Social service by realize the perspective, we ought to contribute to Christian groups everywhere is highly desirable, it the unique teaching and message of Chris- particularly where New Life may be born from tianity. The thing that the New Life Movement within. "Except a man be born again" he oannot lacks is spiritual force. It gives us a lot of plati- see New Life. After all the genius of the church tudes: but it has no technique for the attainment is to give men a spiritual rebirth and send them of spirituality.
out to fight life's battles equipped with the whole Then the Movement lacks a central personality.
armor of God. Others can do many of the obvious We worship Jesus Christ. The New Life Move- things that need to be done, only the church can ment has no concrete example to follow, it seems give spiritual life. The church must not become to be a collection of teachings. It is high time so busy about other things that it runs the danger for us Christians to preach Jesus Christ and his of neglecting its main business of remaking men. Gospel.
The New Life Movement gives the church a We must not merely preach the Gospel, we must large place in Chinese ,society, and a standing that live it out ourselves, especially those of us who has not been previously so frankly acknowledged, are supposed to be leaders in church or public life.
but it grants this status believing that the church If we do not shine for Christ, who will? God has and its institutions have spiritual vitality. The wonderfully used some of us, and has given us New Life Movement does not mistake the church power too. Why not demonstrate to the nation for 'a mere social service agency. It knows that that only a Christian Movement can really save within Christianity there is a life of both quality China? This seems to me the biggest challenge.
and quantity, for it can J?e passed on to the For some concrete suggestions, I mention the masses. following. We can help the cause of the New Life *** Movement by linking it to our Christian message Z. K. Zia, a Chinese Christian, writes: The in the Christian Broadcasting Station, or in our New Life Movement has made an impression on Christian magazines, or even in our churches. Do officialdom as well as on the people of China. all we can to make the New Life Movement a suc- How deep is the impression? cess. When it is properly broadcasted and linked The New Life Movement, as it is, comes from up with Christ, I believe that its moral and spir- the higher authority down to the rank and file. itual standard will be lifted.-Chinese Recorder.
Fruit from Seed–Sowing in China Extracts from a recent letter of ORPHA B. GOULD Missionary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, Paotingfu, North China Y OU should see the smile on the face of Miss family, her father being a provincial official. She Tso Shou Chen, the latest arrival in my was formerly_strongly anti-Christian and anti- home. She left a good position in Shanghai foreign. Now, like the Apostle Paul, she calls because she believed that God told her to come to herself the "chief of sinner," because she had Paotingfu. The superintendent of the Shanghai berated and even cursed the name of Jesus. At school wrote to tell me what a blessing she had one time she recalls saying to a friend, "You wor- . been, and how God had marvelously used her ship Jesus; you might better worship me." there. During her third year at Yenching University This young woman is from a wealthy Buddhist she was converted and left immediately for the
FRUIT FROM SEED-SOWING IN CHINA
Bible School in Nanking. She was graduated last and later several other believers were added to spring, and now has no other aim in life than to the Lord. While we were at this village, a mardo the will of Him who has called her to go forth ried daughter came home for a visit and heard with the glorious message of salvation. She is a about Jesus for the first time. She went back to beautiful, talented and refined young woman and her village, and the next day a man came earnestly her messages are tender, wooing, cutting, straight entreating us to come to their village. We went to the point. She turns down all offers ofa sal- there the following day and the people listened ary. Since her conversion, she has won most of earnestly to the Message, inviting us to come and her family to Christ. Her great aim is to reflect live in their village. We returned six weeks later the glory of the Lord and to be changed into His and found that five homes had torn down their i~age (2 Corinthians 3: 18). idols before we arrived, pledging themselves to believe in the true God. The day we arrived, al- *** though it was sleeping, no room was large enough to hold the crowd that came. They stood in a shed A Chinese evangelist, Mr. Pan,at our retreat all afternoon and evening and listened hungrily to last fall, led the main meetings, his face and his the Message. Several families decided to become message and his prayers all witnessed to his lov- Christians and have held services every Sunday ing, vital touch with his Lord and Master. He since. spoke of Life, with a capital L straight up and down with God, and then across to others,1 with At the next village we visited, the Christianspower that went straight home to the heart. all poor farmers – had built a. chapel with two rooms. Every detail of the chapel told of the time, We went to the Man Ch'eng district to hold a effort, and thought they had put into the work. three days' retreat for the Christian leaders from Fifteen to twenty were present at the early mornthe surrounding villages. Thirty to forty were ing prayer meeting and the evangelistic meeting present and all expenses of food and travel were was packed; many stayed over for the evening joyously cared for by the Christians in that dis- Bible class. One day, at a street meeting in Tsang trict. Not one cent came from the mission. Ts'un, a lady came up saying, "I want to believe in Jesus." She had been a sun worshiper and Later we started on our eleven weeks' evan- then had turned to idols, to the moon and stars, gelistic trip. We stopped at eleven centers and vis- but could find no peace and had come to the conited forty-nine different villages, where we gave clusion that they were not God. Eagerly she at least one Gospel message, handing out tracts listened to the Gospel, made her decision, and or posters to those who could read. On every side went away rejoicing in her new-found Saviour. we were met with the plea, "Come to our village; this is the truth. We want to understand!" In one district, one of our evangelists met an elderly man, and asked him if he had heard of the One morning, at the village of Lu Chia K'ou, true God and His Son, Jesus. The old man said, an old man of sixty came to tell us how the Lord "This doctrine is the truth. Two years ago, a had blessed him. He had gone home the evening man handed me a tract about Jesus and every day, before, called the family together, knelt on the before reading it, I was my hands." He asked us k'ang and had led them in prayer, confessing their how to pray and was very ready for instruction. sins. Then they tore down their idols. His heart was filled with the joy the Master had promised THE GOSPEL FOR JAPAN Takeshi Muto, formerly a professor in Aoyama Gakuin, and now pastor of an influential Methodist student church in Tokyo, express his views as to "The Christian Message in Relation to Japanese Thought" in the Japan Christian Quarterly. Both capitalism and communism have failed in Japan, he says, because of their lack of social justice and inability to bring economic improvement. Both have disregarded Japanese ideals and history. All Japanese thought has been greatly influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism and Christianity, for the Japanese are inclined to adopt and adapt any new ideas or inventions that they find helpful. They need the Christian message-especially in the following aspects: 1. Japan must learn the Christian idea of a living, loving God, the Father of all mankind -not merely a national God.
2. Christians must preach the ideal of universal peace. We must fight militarism. 3. The Christian message is Christ Himself. Japan needs, not theological dogma, but Christ Himself, incarnation of God's fatherly redemptive love. Christ gave Himself for us; that is the whole of our religion. Japan needs the living Christ. When we receive Him other benefits follow as a matter of course. II Effective Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=I= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = A Day in Scandinavia wegian and Danish baked goods, Wanted: Adventurous Mis- of which the proceeds went to sionary Material As one of a series of World Friendship projects, the Girls' the Scandinavian churches. A In view of the appetite for League for Service of Grove Re- stirring ideas, among children formed Church, North Bergen, Brooklyn importing firm sent N. J., recently sponsored a "Day from nine to fourteen years of in Scandinavia" at the church hundreds of samples of the thin, age, I have often deplored the house. Main reliance in getting up an authentic exhibit and pro- crisp Swedish rye bread, which fact that there is so little adgram was placed on near-by venturous missionary material Swedish Lutheran and Norwe- found ready takers. gian Lutheran churches. There available. In talking to this age had been no previous contacts The display of articles loaned group not long since I gave the between the Grove Church and the Swedish congregation, but by the Scandinavians was aug- story of a friend in India who the Norwegian and the Grove had a bowing acquaintance mented by some brought back had shot a tiger that attacked a through several Sunday evening girl in her school; when Miss union services. Part of the plan by teachers in the community Fales arrived on the scene, the was to cement new friendships. who had traveled in northern animal had the girl on the The Swedish friends furnished ground with his mouth at her the afternoon program and the Europe. throat. The missionary drove Norwegians the evening; the exhibit was open continuously At four o'clock, a group of him away with a huge stick but from three until eleven p. m. knew she would have to get him Ranged on counters, extending boys and girls of Swedish dethe length of the church hall and later or he would return and do draped over screens behind scent, in costume, sang several more damage. Laying part of them, were fine pieces of Hardanger needlework, homespun folk songs, closing with the na- a lamb as a decoy, Miss Fales woolens, color f u I tapestries which the Scandinavian owners tional anthem, as the whole au- sat outside the compound late at generously stripped from their night until the beast returned, beds, windows and walls when dience stood. At eight-thirty, whereupon she killed him with they caught the idea we were trying to convey-the artistic an octette of men from the Nor- one shot from her rifle. The and cultural contributions their children listened to this story peoples make at home and over wereagl iasonngcsonagrceagpapteiollna, sang sev- with the keenest interest, espehere. They loaned treasured and a soold gold and silver tableware, cially when they learned that the copper coffee sets and teakettles, prano gave solos by Grieg and brave missionary was alone with handturned candlesticks, a spin- 60 children in an area about the ning wheel over 200 years old, o the r Norwegian composers. etc. Each article was labelled with the name of the owner and Motion pictures, borrowed from its history. Wearing native costumes, several women stood be- the Norwegian and Swedish hind the counters explaining the different articles. There was a steamship lines, were shown, brisk sale of Swedish cookies and of several varieties of Nor- these being furnished without cost, as were a number of color- ful travel posters that decorated the hall.
About 300 people attended size of Indiana. during the day. A cafeteria This year we are studying sold coffee, tea, cocoa and home- Africa; and as the leader of a made cake at five cents an item. children's group knew of my Admission to program and ex- conviction that we should first hibit was 15 cents. About interest the pupils in the people $50.00 was cleared; the closer and country, bringing in mis- acquaintance with the Scandina- sionary ideas only casually, then vians in our towns and the fra- make the appeal in the name of ternal feeling generated be- the Gospel later, she asked me tween Christian congregations to give a map talk on Africa. I hitherto almost strangers could used the June, 1935, issue of not be bought for many times_ The National Geographic Maga- . that sum.-FLORENCE GORDON, zine, inclusive of its excellent Weehawken, N. J. map, telling stories gleaned from (In an early issue descriptions of a series reading two of the Martin J ohn- of public Nationality Nights in the Interests of World Friendship will be given. Note s.on books. The children were Miss Gordon's statement regarding the free so absorbed that they listened use of moving pictures from the various with open mouths.' I said a steamship lines. Some of the best pictures great deal about the animals, may be obtained by churches in this way, without expense.) [544 ]
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
such as that telegraph wires Is Not Easy," and "To Be Continued." belle Hirt-booklet interpreting to must be strung on very high l5c adolescents the meaning of sex in poles else giraffes will run into terms of plant and animal propagathem; why lions are thickest in "We Can Change the WorId" tion. l5c the tall grass; the diseases the (Swain), built on Mathews' "Shaping natives get from ticks and the the Future": "Can Crusaders Change "Lenten Week of Prayer Packets" tsetse fly, etc. That led up to the World?" "The World We Face," -five good daily program sheets and the need for missionary doctors "Revolts and Realignments," "Revo- one of suggestions for leaders, for use and the suggestion that some of lution for Christ" and "That's a in Week of Prayer meetings or my hearers might be called to Dream." l5c among shut-ins. 30c become medical missionaries. I have tried hard to find more of "Opening Windows on the Chris- "Friends in Everyland"-setof 12 this human interest material. tian World of Tomorrow" (Swain)- large pictures for juniors, with stories I am hoping THE REVIEW- six programs on "Missions Tomor- and activity suggestions on reverse from which I have learned so row," by Latourette: "Our World To- side. 25c much this past year-may be day," "Our World and Christian Misable to fill the void. *-MRS. sions" (two programs), "Why and *** GRACE W. BENHAM, 1308 La- How Is This New World?" "Does the fayette Ave., Columbus, Indiana. World Need Christ Today?" and Women's Board of Missions of the Re- "How to Meet the Challenge." l5c formed Church in America, 25 E. New "Tools in Type" 22nd St., N. Y. *** In view of many requests for "Spiritual Adventuring," a manual programs and devotional exer- The United Christian Missionary So- of worship for missionary societiescises, as well as auxiliary pro- ciety, 222 Downey Ave., Indian- six complete worship programs on gram material, the Department apolis, Ind. "Source of Power," "Spirit of Love," Editor has examined the new "Spirit of Service," "Stewardship of publications sent in from vari- "School Bells Ringing 'Round the Life," "Stewardship of Money," ous sources and can recommend World"-study and program packet "Prayer and Our Missionaries," with as available for general use the for young people and seniors in the series of choice prayers at close. 10c following, which either have no Young People's World Friendship denominational references or an Project: informational and story "Lamps of India" and "China's amount easily elided: leaflets, plays and other dramatiza- Gateways"-good dramatic exercises. tions and impersonations, problem 10c each Baptist Board of Missionary Educa- and panel discussions, original para- tion, 152 Madison Ave., N. Y. bles, poster suggestions, etc.-a wealth "Talking Pictures of Japan"-se- of ready-to-use material well adapted ries of word pictures concerning its "Four-Point Project Program based to the age interests. 50c history, the place of Japanese women on Missionary Heroes. Course No.1," in the development of Christianity, covering actual hand projects in Map- *** etc. 10c making (Livingstone), Life-saving (James Chalmers), Boating (Gren- Board of Foreign Missions of the *** fell), Handicraft (Mackaye) and Presbyterian Church in America, eight other hero-biography projects, 156 Fifth Ave., N. Y. Woman's Home Mission Society of the with full directions. Invaluable for M. E. Church, 420 Plum St., Cinboys. 25c "Friends Far Away," by Charlotte cinnati, O. C. Hudnut—outline for 10 sessions as "Six Worship Services Based on supplemental to graded S. S. courses, "The Book Beautiful," a year's wor- 'The Way of the Witnesses,'" pre- vacation Bible schools or as inde- ship services for young people, prepared by Margaret Holley Tuck. l5c pendent program material and includ- pared by Lillian Vogel and covering: ing studies of heroes, Mexicans, Jap- "Beauty and Strength," "Beauty and "Christian's Progress" (also on anese, Chinese, Siamese, Hindus, Sy- the Greatest Artists," "The Beauty of "The Way of the Witnesses")-five rians, Africans and a final Friendship Thankfulness," "The Beauty of programs by Anna Canada Swain and Ribbon Demonstration. Ex cell e n t Peace," "The Beauty of Silent Snow," adapted for women's societies and story and dramatic material for jun- "The Beauty of Wisdom," "The senior young people: "The Mission- iors. 10c Beauty of the Changed and Unary Pattern," "To All the World," changed," "The Beauty of the Lilies," "The Missionary Motive," "The Way Free catalogue of "Motion Pictures "The Beauty of May Day Hap- for Church Use," furnished by The piness," "Beauty in a Garden," and • The Department Editor happens to be Westminster Press, 925 Witherspoon "Beauty and Recreation." Well familiar with "The Missionary Heroes Bldg., Phila., Pa. adapted to the interests of youth. l5c Course" which is put out by the Baptist Board of Missionary Education and is in *** "Modern Missionary Journeys Prothree grades or sections. It is replete with gram Book," including not only the just the material Mrs. Benham wants. In- The United Lutheran Missionary So- studies on the home mission topic quire of that BDard at 152 Madison Ave., ciety, 1228 Spruce St., Phila., Pa. mentioned in September but also civ- New YDrk, and receive catalDgue list and in- ics and Christian citizenship, a peace structions as tD expense and where to send "Six Programs on Stewardship for program for Christmas, a Lenten orders. Several books are published by J. Boys and Girls," by Emma Gerberd- service, stories of youth, health B. LippincDtt, Philadelphia, such as: "Ro- ing Lipphard"-each complete in it- through mission hospitals and an exmance of Missionary Heroism"; "Heroes of self with talks and stories, activity cellent mite box program. 50c Missionary Adventure," etc. Tbe books by suggestions, poster outlines, projects, JacDb Chamberlain, "In the Tiger Jungle," list of stewardship stories, leaflets, "Early Missionary Journeys Woretc., and the lives of such African mission- playlets, hymns, responsive readings, ship Services," by Marie Wells Clapp aries as Hannington, Mackay, Livingstone, etc., but the six forming a construc- -a real study of the main events of and Mary Slessor, furnish abundant mate- tive series calculated to make the Paul's life. l5c rial. See alBo the lives of South Sea mission- child feel his responsibility to God. aries–John G. Paton, James Chalmers and Excellently adapted to the age inter- *** Charles W. Abel. ests. 20c "Ship East, Ship West" ($1.00 and Can anyone else tell the inquirer, by writ- "Where It Will Do the Most Good" 50c) and its guide book (lOc), both ing her direct, what further is available? -world-wide missionary playlet by by Elizabeth Miller Lobengier and in- Laura Scherer Copenhaver. 6 char- tended for primary and junior chil- acters. 10c dlen, cannot be too highly praised as a peace study, Subject matter, type, "To Live and Grow," dramatic In- illustrations all of the highest order. dian Lace Day presentation, with im- A number of denominations have sub- personations of Thread, Hook, Doi- mitted it as one of their outstanding lies, Vines, etc. 5c studies. Order through your denomi- national literature department or "The Story of Life," by Zoe Isa- from The Friendship Press, 156 Fifth Ave., N. Y.
A Live Project in "Rebuilding study. At the same time 400 families be served at end of D. V. B. S. were provided with garden seed pur- representation if desired. For Rural America" chased at cost, enabling them to sup- activation, pack box of crayons, ply themselves with fresh vetegables paper, pictures, scrapbooks, scis- One of the outstanding needs for several months. sors and such like to send to some denominational hospital or revealed in our current home The Dillonvale Project has spread country Sunday school. mission study is that of aban- beyond the campus and beyond Grandoned mining regions. Dr. Le- ville. Ohio Wesleyan and Miami Uni- For "Our Mountain Missions," versity students have joined in the draw on blackboard or poster land J. Gordon, Professor of work. A group of public school stu- some mountains and cut out Economics in Denison Univer- dents in Minneapolis sent clothing church, school, hospital, etc., etc., sity, Granville, Ohio, felt the and toys for the Christmas party and and arrange against the backneed of bringing home to his another group of Hi-Y boys in Co- ground, printing name under lumbus shared their contributions. each. Cut out overall boys and students the stark realities back The project is bigger and more vital sunbonnet girls, men and wom- en, some of latter with babies in of the statistics which meant so now than ever before. It has become arms, and arrange them as if little to upper – income – class . a Denison tradition. . . . Noone as- going to school or church. Sing young folk. So he conducted a "God Bless Our Native Land." sociated with the project is under any seri.es of trips to the coal mining illusion as to its importance. All Read selection from Sermon on reglOns of Southeastern Ohio realize too keenly that it is merely the Mount, or tell Annie Fellows where men were in utter de- scratching the surface. But having Johnston's beautiful story, "Joel, spair- seen the need, everyone returns with a Boy of Galilee." Tell stories a profound conviction that whatever of mountain work and pack box Unemployed men, unemployable can be done, no matter how small, for some mission with toys, must be done. At the same time clothes, crayons, etc. Little girls men maimed and mutilated while everybody associated with the work wearing sunbonnets made of sees the larger problems of organized bright crepe paper and little boys mining coal for us to warm our state relief and elimination of under- in overalls may give an attrac- lying causes. Increasing emphasis is tive exercise, "A Mountain homes; heartsick and weary mothers being placed on attempts to secure School," with older girl as struggling to keep the appearance of for these people the puolic relief to teacher. Spelling class learn a which they are entitled. And more few words appropriate to this a home; gaunt faces of sickly, under- effective study of the economic prob- subject; reading class have lems involved in seeking not only to simple selections about mountain nourished, barefoot children unac- remedy such conditions but to make missions; geography class locate them impossible, follows active par- some mountain mission stations customed to the taste of milk or meat ticipation in the work. on map; sewing class start -sights of utter misery and destitu- In the final analysis probably the squares of patchwork that may ones who gain the greatest benefit are be finished at home and made tion which the students could not not the ones who receive but those into a quilt for a mountain or- who give help. They catch a new phanage; and the singing class stand. What had been a crowd of meaning of Christian service and may give "There Is a Green Hill brotherhood in their field work in Far Away" or a hymn about carefree students in holiday spirit be- ec.onomics. Perhaps their generation mountains. Small baskets of wIll learn to meet these economic cookies may be served at "recame a silent group on the homeward problems with more wisdom and real cess." An exhibit of woven and journey, completely overwhelmed by Christianity than have the genera- patchwork quilts, baskets and tions preceding them. pottery is effective. the human tragedy they had seen. The foregoing excerpts, quoted ANNYE ALLISON. The trip had changed their whole out- from an article by Dr. Gordon Richmond, Va. look on life. . . . Upon their return appearing in The Denison Alumni Bulletin, indicate how that small group told their story and faulty is an economic system others caught their spirit. In answer with such sore spots as these, and how both students and comto an invitation, 70 men and womenten per cent of the student body-met munities may be led to take hold of temporary alleviation with a on the top floor of Doane Hall to or- view to study means for permaganize their plans. That was the beg~nning of the Dillonvale Project. nent cure. This is real home mission work which will enlist Since that time nearly 10t0owsntsupdeeonptls~ those who are indifferent to faculty members and have gone to Dillonvale, providing food, clothing, garden seed and enter- tainment, while many times that num- ber . have I?articipated indirectly, sending clothmg and cash contributions ranging from five to twenty- five dollars. The girls have voted to eliminate desserts at certain meals so that their dessert money could be used ts9oo..cbi~au.ly.shmearisvlkibcfeeoercnogmtrhomewi.itltneegaedciohnfigltdhgreernoY.u.pTwhine. InItIating and carrying out this plan.
They set up a workshop for the reno- vation .of clothing and toys. They *** have gIVen benefit dances and sold evangelistic work-or who think The Christian who begins to they are until they come up tithe will have at least five surdoughnuts at football games to raise against the basic needs. prises: At the amount of money funds. They have given the children he has for the Lord's work; at Rural Missions for Primary of Dillonvale Christmas and Hallow- een parties and shared in a Thanksgiving party which provided bread and meat to 500 families who other- Children – the deepening of his own spiritwise would have had little or nothing to eat. (Concluded from the October ual life; at the ease in meeting During the summer of 1933, Wilfred REVIEW.) his own obligations with the Eatough conducted a daily school for Dramatizations may be infor- nine-tenths; at the preparation seven weeks, supported by funds mal or have added charm of that tithing gives to be a wise raised largely by Denison students. Seventy boys and girls attended the simple costumes such as aprons, steward over the remainder of school, learning something about sunbonnets, overalls, straw hats, his income; at himself that he woodwork, needlecraft and nature etc. Lemonade and cookies may did not adopt the plan sooner. The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK We Give Thanks Prepared by CHARLOTTE MARY BURNHAM Prelude: With voices united our praises we and teach us to walk together in offer, the laws of Thy commandments "Praise to God and Thanks and in the ways of human We Bring." To Thee, great Jehovah, glad anthems friendship and true brotherhood. we raise. Can to Worship: Response: Teach us to give Thy -strong arm will guide us, our honor where honor is due, re- DAKOTA OR SIOUX HYMN God is beside us, gardless of race, color or creed, following what our inmost heart Many and great, 0 God, are Thy To Thee, our great Redeemer, forever tells us to be Thy will. Deepen things, be praise. Amen. our respect for unlikeness and Julia Bulkley Cady. our eagerness to understand one Maker of earth and sky. another, that we may transcend Thy hands have set the heavens with RESPONSIVE READING: our differences. May we gladly share the resources of Thy world stars, Leader: Thy beauty, 0 God, with all Thy children, working Thy fingers spread the mountains and is upon us; Autumn splendor together to build Thy City upon everywhere! Days lucid with earth. plains. vision, or dim with mist, haze Lo, at Thy word the waters were and smothered sunshine. Leader: We thank Thee most of all for Thy gift of the Holy formed; Response: We thank Thee for Spirit which makes men care Deep seas obey Thy voice. Thy gift of the Autumn, for the for one another, for the power beauty of the world and the joy of Thy love that drives out that Grant unto us communion with Thee, of the harvest. which is greedy and mean in hu- Thou star-abiding One; man hearts. We are grateful for Come unto us and dwell with us, Leader: Thou hast made our those who are working all over With Thee are found the gifts of life. life a summer sowing, an au- the world to bring peace and a Bless us with life that has no end, tumn harvest, too short for hate, more abundant life to Thy chil- Eternal life with Thee. and only long enough for the dren everywhere. Strengthen love that lifts the load we all our hearts and our hands to Paraphrased by Rev. Philip must bear. help them in their great task.
Frazier 0/ the Dakotas. Response: Yet we know that Response: Solo – When Thy there are men with hate in their Heart, with Joy O'erfiowing. HY1nn: "We Praise Thee, 0 hearts; there are armies that God, Our Redeemer." make men enemies instead of Tune-Bullinger 8, 5, 8, 8. brothers; there are nations that Tune-Kremser, 12, 11, 12, 11. in pride and arrogance defy Thy When my heart, with joy o'ertlowing, laws in the world. There are Sings a thankful prayer, We praise Thee, 0 God, our Redeemer, many in our own land that suffer Creator, from injustice, greed and pov- In thy joy, 0 let thy brother erty. With thee share. In grateful devotion our tribute we bring. Leader: Forgive us, 0 God, When the harvest sheaves in-gathered the envies, suspicion and misun- Fill thy barns with store We lay it before thee, we kneel and derstandings which have blinded adore thee, men and nations and thrust them asunder. Purify our hearts We bless Thy holy name, glad praises we sing. [547] We worship Thee, God of our fathers, we bless Thee; Through life's storm and tempest our .Guide hast Thou been.
When perils o'ertake us, escape Thou wilt make us, And with Thy help, 0 Lord, our battles we win. To thy God and to thy brother Christian leadership, but help- and girls. She knows the ministers Give the more. ing these young people, caught in the town near by and has good between two civilizations,to un- contacts. She has been to the district If thy soul with prayer uplifted derstand and work out new ad- Young People's Conference with a Yearn for glorious deed j ustments in every area of life. number of her Indian girls, had a number of church groups from .town Give thy strength to serve thy brother Indian youth presents a chal- at times on the campus. . . . com- In his need. lenge to us today. They have munion by town ministers, joint meet- potentialities and opportunities ings with town groups, clubs for girls Share with him thy bread of blessing, for good or for evil that are far and boys, and other activities. . . . Sorrow's burden share; greater than has been possible for other generations of Indian All directors are doing splen- When thy heart enfolds a brother, youth. They, too, will have a did work in carrying the Chris- God is there. part in Rebuilding Rural Amer- tian message and way of life to Theodore Chickering Williams. ica. these young Indian Americans.
The Prayer of an Indian Girl Just how are our interdenomi- Is it worth while? Let us national workers trying to meet read some other reports: Help us, 0 God, as people these problems in the schools in from all countries to live to- which they are stationed? Let Last fall our Indian Girl Reserves gether in this great world- us look through some of their Club and Arts and Crafts Club girls nation. May we forget differ- reports. From the Pacific Coast made paper caps and dressed pencils to ence in color and language, and comes this one: sell at our Benefit. Later on they made work for the ideals of freedom baby clothes, small children's dresses and brotherhood. School started yesterday with an and quilts for their Christmas boxes. increase of fifty in the student body, A few girls are working on curtains Thou art our Father, we are making about 450 in all, about a third for certain rooms in the chapel. The Thy children; show us that our of them trachoma patients and many Christmas boxes were sent to the hopes and fears and aspirations of them grade school youngsters. A Migrants in the cotton fields. The are one. Forgive the suspicions separate dormitory has been opened boys as well as the girls helped to and misunderstandings which for them. . . . There are many more make toys for these boxes. Another have blinded us; teach us to full-bloods than I have ever seen be- box was sent out to the Navajos, to walk together in Thy command- fore and quite a number of Alaskan one of their former schoolmates to ments, and in the ways of hu- students. . . . My program is to in- distribute. . . . The young people man friendship. Amen. clude a girl's and boy's club, a story have put on a program at the county hour for the youngest ones, and Sun- hospital about five times dUring the At Work in Government In- day School classes for all ages. We year. They have taken four old men dian Schools will use the older students in the at the hospital as their Sunshine Teacher Training Class which was Friends. Thousands of Indian Ameri- started last year, for teachers for the can young people are in govern- younger children. Then I have asked We have many reports like the ment boarding schools, many of for a choir practice evening, one for following, showing the fine work them far from home, friends Young People's Societies, one for many former students are doand pastor; several thousand Teacher Training, and a social eve- ing: are studying in secondary and ning once a month. I am looking forvocational schools to become the ward to a better year with the stu- Leadership Training Classes-I feel Indian leaders of tomorrow- dent Y. M. and Y. W. groups. We that it was the most successful activteachers, nurses, clerks, cattle- hope to have a cabinet retreat at the ity we conducted during the year…. men, agriculturists, tradesmen, Log Cabin this Friday evening to work Have just learned of two loyal memhousewives. Some will go on to out our programs for all the young bers of the class, who, dUring the college and become lawyers, doc- people's groups. . . . The superin- summer, helped to start and lead at tors, ministers, teachers, social tendent asked me if I would have the their reservation station among the workers, etc. Hundreds are ill trachoma patients for chapel Sunday Navajos, an Indian Young People's with trachoma and have been evenings and I said I would be glad Society, giving very able support and sent to boarding schools where to. You see we have a school chapel help to the missionaries in carrying they may receive medical care which is really a school assembly each on the work." and an education; others' are Sunday evening in the auditorium at orphans or from broken homes. seven o'clock. . . . He feels that the Another at his Pueblo home coop- little folks should not be out so late erated with the missionary in con- The Joint Indian Committee . . . and his plan is to have their ducting a "returned student's" proof the Council of Women for chapel at 5: 30. It will be both Ca- gram, being one of the speakers. Home Missions and Home Mis- tholic and Protestant children. sions Council ministers to thou- Still another, a Navajo who says he sands of these young people This young woman, a gradu- wants to be a missionary to his peothrough the interdenominational ate of one of the best schools of ple some day, got in touch with miswork carried on by trained Di- religious education, has worked sionaries at his home immediately and rectors of Religious Work who for three years in this governare placed in these schools to be- ment boarding school under the- has served a: part of the summer as come the friends, teachers and Joint Indian Committee. Of her guides of these children, not only work one member of the Com- interpreter and helper to two misgiving them a thorough religious mittee who visited her recently sionaries. . . . Am anxious to hear education and training for writes: from some of the others.
She has won the real respect of the Fifteen National Home Mis- superintendent, the faculty, and the sions Boards unite in program confidence and esteem of both boys and financial responsibility for this interdenominational Chris-' tian education and leadership. Through offerings on the annual World Day of Prayer, church people share in maintaining and increasing this home missions work.
i OUJM~~r~~:sp':~~:cu~t~~~ok
~~~~~~~~~~~~=E=D=I=T=ED~B=Y~M=R=S=.=H=EN~R=I=E=TT=A~H=.~F=ER=G=U=S=O=N=,=X~EN~IA=,=O~H=IO~~~~~~~~~==-~ LATIN AMERIOA but after hearing the Gospel, she tant villages and in crowded towns. The wonder is not that Fetishism in Haiti said through an interpreter, Mexico has fallen so far short of its hopes, but that considerable A Bible distributor in Haiti "This touches my heart. I feel gains have been won. The Mexwrites: ican treasury is poor-the total it is the truth, and I long to national budget is less than many Here we are always face to face a second-line American city. with devil worship, known as Voodoo, understand better." Trained teachers are few. There or Z'ange', and we praise God for is steady opposition from the many conversions from this evil cult. Among recent converts is a Catholic Church. Priests and laymen join in denouncing the One day, about six weeks ago, a strict Catholic, who wanted to public school as atheistic and man came to my home, his face deeply corrupting. lined with trouble. He had lost all know why she had been taught his .children but one, and said that the Mexico is also fighting child demons were after that one. He so many false doctrines, and who labor, and starvation wages. begged me to go to his home and destroy all his fetishes. asked the missionary to answer -Hubert C. Herring.
On my arrival I found the man him- many questions about the Word Opportunities in Ohile self busy with a hoe, trying to locate things that the Voodoo priest had of God. Another said, "This is William M. Strong, of the buried in his garden several years be- Soldiers' Gospel Mission of South fore. He had been working since be- the first time I have ever heard America, writes of what promfore dawn and had dug a large hole, ises to develop into a new relibut there was no sign of the objects. the Gospel. Could I be saved gious movement in the Chilean When he had worked until noon he army. gave up the search and together we now?" -Life of Faith. went to the little house that he had "Several soldiers in a 'Charabuilt for the demons. He had gath- House to House Bible Work buco' regiment in Concepcion ered together a pile of fetishes, in- have banded together to pray for cluding eight earthenware water jars, Bible distribution in Mexico their comrades' salvation in a three pairs of bowls used in worship, reports progress. One of the series of meetings that we prosix china covered mugs, and a small workers writes: pose holding next month in a black stone which was supposed to be little Gospel Hall near the regivery powerful. After singing a Chris- We have now covered the capital ment. The meetings will be only tian hymn, I took a hammer and com- of this state, Michoacan – which is for sodiers of the two regiments menced to smash the jars. It was a Morelia, a city of about 40,000 inhabi- in Concepcion. Our regular milisight to see the man's face clear as we tants. There was much praYer in ad- tary Gospel meetings are held broke the last of the fetishes and he vance, in which all our Fellowship inside the barracks, but this is realized that the "ower that had held Group joined, and we were overjoyed a new thing we are trying in him all his life in bondage was at last to see how God opened doors in that order to establish a more pershattered. fanatical city, torn between Romanism manent work among the soldiers and Radicalism. About 3,500 Gospels themselves during our absence, The Power of Testimony were placed in the homes, 300 New as we are only able to reach each Testaments were sold, and about 25 regiment once a year. The testimony of Christian persons manifested their desire to rewomen in Buenos Aires is prov- ceive Biblical literature. "Another opportunity has ing the most effective means of arisen in the same city among winning other women to Christ. One woman, when offered the Word the English business men who An Argentine who had seen her of God, said, "No. I don't want to have invited the writer to give a Christian neighbor under great have anything to do with that book. series of Bible talks in the Engstrain and provocation mar- It is not authorized by the Church." lish club. We have already given velled at her patience and calm; But as she listened to the worker tell the first of these talks and it has this awakened her to a realiza- how God had lifted him, tears began apparently aroused a good deal tion of her own lack of peace, to flow and finally she said: "Oh, if of interest." and she sought to know the Lord that book can do that for you, per- Jesus Christ. haps it can give my husband and me new life. Come on Sunday and talk Another Christian brought to us together." her neighbor to talk to the missionaries at the close of a meet- Another instance was that of an old ing. The woman was an Italian, woman in Santa Ana who said: "This who understood little Spanish, is the book I have needed. I never have heard such words, and I know for a fact that the Lord Himself is speaking by means of this little vol- ume."
Mexico and Her Ohildren For the first time in Mexican history, a sustained effort is be- iug made to provide schools for all the children. It is not easy to create a national educational system, to place schools in dis- [549 ]
Gift and Prayer "gossiped the good news of sal- problems of injustice, poverty, A young native Christian vation," bringing their families crime and war must be faced. worker of Central America had -Dnyanodaya. gone into an exceedingly needy and friends to hear the Word of A Belgian Centenary God. -The Christian.
district, without the slightest EUROPE A century ago there were only promise of support. A friend became burdened with a desire Among the Hop Pickers eight Protestant churches in Belto have a bit of financial fellow- gium. Four of these had a memship with this self-sacrificing England has a Hop Pickers' bership of for e i g n e r s only. young man. The idea seized Mission. From Kent, chief hop- Through the influence of an upon this friend to keep before growing county, comes the 68th himself a small bank in which he annual report of this mission agent of the British and Foreign would daily deposit ten cents containing many incidents con- Bible Society the Christian Misthrough denying himself some- nected with last year's work, sionary Church of Belgium was thing he otherwise would have which indicate that many conpurchased, and when putting in versions have resulted. The mis- formed, known as the Belgian the money, to send up a definite sion had six medical centers in Evangelical Society. This moveprayer for the recipient of it, use. These were visited by ment has grown until today there and for the work he is doing. nearly 2,000 patients, most of whom were children. are forty-six churches and mis- This little plan accumulates sion stations in the cities and $3.00 per month, and at the same The Church of England Tem- country districts. At the centime serves as a reminder for perance Soc i e t y commenced tenary celebration more than thirty times each month, lifting work among Kentish hop pickers the heart in prayer to God for more than half a century ago. 3,000 members of the church the phase of work in which the Seventy-five camps in East Kent gathered from all parts of Beldonor may be interested. are regularly visited by the gium. About thirty representa- tives of Protestant churches in other countries addressed the gathering. -Alliance Weekly.
South America's Three Classes workers; about twenty dispen- Children's Mission in France saries are in use, five of which Mr. Alexander Jardine divides travel about wherever they are France has a "Children's Spethe people to be evangelized in needed; Sunday schools and lan- cial Service Mission," with its South A mer i c a into three tern services are held, while so- center at Sumene. The work is classes: First, the forest In- cial work is carried on on sound, carried on in collaboration with dians, living on the banks of the practical lines. The committee churches of all denominations, rivers and in the vast and dense is anxious to develop its dispen- and organizations for young tropical forests, many of them sary work. people are increasing considerhostile to civilization. Second, ably. Five camps were held last are the educated residents of Other hop-picking areas have summer, and follow-up work in- Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, workers who visit the pickers at cludes the formation of Scripand other cities and villages. their work, and hold Gospel ture Union branches. Several For these, house-to-house visita- meetings among them in the eve- hundred boys and girls between tion and the printed page are nings. Their ministry is much ten and fifteen years of age have appreciated. -The Christian. found their Saviour.
used. British Colleges and Religion Similar groups have been or- The third class consists of In- ganized in India; m e m b e r s dians living in the highlands of Churches in Great Britain promise to endeavor to win South America, Peru, Ecuador have begun to feel more respon- others. Sikh, Moslem, Parsee and Bolivia. For years work sibility for the student world, and Hindu girls have been had been carried on among the and in addition to the "Group reached, and the student life of people with very meagre results. Movement" there are now in India is increasingly b e i n g It had been said they were too many universities and colleges, brought into touch with the ignorant, stupid, downtrodden denominational societies estab- claims of the Gospel. In one and poverty-stricken, after four lished with the idea of caring week-end camp, over 100 men centuries of oppression from the for their own church members and women students gathered to white man and the Church of who have come to study. Stu- discuss problems of the Christian Rome, to be reached by the Gos- dents themselves, such as have life. pel message. At the beginning church affiliation, are becoming In the Kikuyu country in Afof the work, missionaries had more conscious of their member– rica the Gospel message has been . been looked upon as mere white ship. conveyed to children by means people come to exploit and lead The gulf between those who of lantern lectures. -The Christian. the Indians astray. After a call themselves Christians, and time, however, little groups be- those who do not, seems to be Liberty Promised by Franco gan to spring up here and there, widening, and the position of the the Church became evangelistic, doubter to be becoming more and Word comes from London that a missionary church, and people more untenable in a world where complete toleration of religious
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
practice and education is prom- to save the world from the ene- Militant Godless Activity ised to Protestants in Spain, if mies of Christianity. In a re- General Franco can make this cent issue of Austria's leading Russia's League of Militant regime effective. It is also stated clerical daily, The Reichspast, Godless has recently been atthat the Protestant school and were two articles, one from a tacked by the Kremlin for negchurch in Salamanca, in Nation- Protestant pastor, the other from lecting its job. A recent decree alist territory, have been handed a Catholic priest, both pleading demands the "uncovering of back to Protestant hands, and for cooperation. The editor, an counter – revolutionary machinacomplete liberty of action ex- aggressive champion of Roman tions of priests and sectarians tended to the Protestants in carried on under cover of using charge. -The Living Church. Catholicism, after referring to their legal rights as guaranteed an appeal of Sir Henry Lunn for by the new constitution." It Crisis in German Missions the creation of a united Chris- further states that "only patient tian front against "the coercive explanation of the contradictions Such are the restrictions im- dechristianizing of E u r 0 p e," of science and religion, and the posed by the Nazi Government reactionary role of religion and on the export of money that the quoted a letter to the London the church, and daily political work of German Protestant Mis- Times in which Archbishop work among believers can oversions in India, Burma and Ceylon Hensley states that Pope Pius come religious faith." is seriously threatened. Only XI had already urged all besufficient support is allowed to The apparent imminence of a be sent from Germany to main- lievers to aid one another in de- genuine religious revival has tain German Nationals, with the fense against the storm of god- produced this counter-offensive. result that all grants from home for the support of native work- lessness. AFRICA ers have ceased. The Gossner The Protestant contributor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bible Society in Ethiopia Chota Nagpur, and the Jaypore Dr. Ernest Koch, says: "Respect Evangelical Lutheran Church in For more than a century, the Orissa, have had to close schools for each other and love toward British and Foreign Bible Soand cut drastically the already one another is the only possible ciety has been interested in the meagre salaries of Indian work- conduct for Christians. We are publication of the Scriptures in ers. responsible for one another and the various languages and dia- supplement each other, whether lects of Ethiopia. Although the The National Christian Coun- Bible House in Addis Ababa was cil is bringing the facts to the or not we are conscious of it. looted just before the Italian ocnotice of Protestant churches in We belong together. Therefore, cupation in May last year, the Europe and America. work has been carried on with clear-seeing men on both sides unusual success since that time. It appears that the Confes- are calling: 'Hands across the Seventeen thousand volumes of sional Church has r e c e n t I y trenches.' We owe that to each Scripture were circulated last handed Hitler a strongly worded year. The agent, Mr. Bevan, protest regarding the Nazi at- other for the sake of our nation was given to understand that he tacks on Christianity. It re- and especially for the sake of the might remain to continue the minds him that their solemn Church. Our enemies are trying work he has carried on for the warning of 1936 has gone un- to make the chasm between con- past sixteen years, but suddenly heeded, and demands the imme- he was ordered by Italian audiate rem 0 val of restraints fessions as deep as possible so as thorities to leave, and given only against the Christian youth to beat us, one at a time." three weeks in which to wind up work, lifting of the prohibitions his affairs. against gatherings such as the -The Christian Century. Evangelical Weeks, and release A Bible School had been esof the hundred pastors now in Anti-Semitism in Poland tablished in Ethiopia, to train prison. students in the Bible, and to The persecution of Jews in teach them to work with their As originally planned the pro- hands that they might be selftest was to contain an ultimatum Poland continues to be far worse supporting evangelists to their to the effect that the text of the own people. That work also is factual protest would be printed than that in Germany, though ended. in booklet form and distributed throughout Germany. It is not not as much publicized. In 1936, Before the expulsion of the known whether the ultimatum missionaries by the Italian Govwas actually sent, but as yet the more than 1,000 Jews were in- ernment, every member of the Church has had no reply. native missionary society and jured in riots and persecutions every student of the Bible School Seeking a Common Front had been arrested and thrown in Poland, the country which has into prison; many have since In Austria, Protestant and been shot, others deported, but Catholic forces are joining hands the largest percentage of Jewish not one had been set free, and population of any land in the world. In some towns there has been a wholesale destruction of property designed to make it im- possible for the Jews to live.
For the first time in the history of Poland, Jews have been branded officially as being ra- cially inferior. In Lithuania the press is claiming that the coun- try is too poor to support all its population. The remedy sug- gested is the expulsion of the Jews. -Revelation.
those who are in prison are ex- quite foreign to the native mind member of the other Christian pecting death at any moment. to be solicitous for the ulcers of body; there are no denomina- one's own family, let alone of tional differences. Where a Advance in the Sudan other people's. I honestly be- native convert sees different lieve that he does it as an ex- methods of administering the Last year the Sudan Interior pression of the change that Jesus sacraments, he learns that there Mission opened more stations has made in his life." are different modes, but one sigthan ever before; more converts nificance, and when he sees a were won than at any previous Lastly, there are three "pupil- body of missionaries from all time. A little group of workers nurses." Their keenness is over the Congo enjoying the felare still in Ethiopia, and have shown by the fact that whereas lowship of the Lord's Supper tonot given up hope of providing they only receive food and cloth- gether, he begins to understand that land with the Gospel. It is ing and a small "bonus" at the the universality of the body of said that native converts in end of each year they spend in Christ. Ethiopia are increasing more the hospital, they might have and more. Nigeria has opened been earning good wages else- The constant exchange of namore widely than ever; this will where. tive teachers and missionaries afford a field for many workers between the different missions expelled by the Italians. Quite unknown to Dr. Price, is of value in teaching that we the three of them have been are indivisible in Christ. War in Spanish Guinea gathering for family prayers at the end of their day's work, tak- -Christian Observer. Spanish Guinea has had an ing it in turn to lead in prayer. echo of the conflict in Spain and WESTERN ASIA the Christian workers, huddled -Life of Faith. in the interior, have heard the Turkey Needs God sound of flight and pursuit on Success Calls for Education the road at the base of the hill Turkey stands in great peril near where they were, have been Dr. Albert I. Good, Cameroun today. She does not see the threatened with the closing of pioneer, says: "No mission can relevance of God to life. In the their public assemblies, have be successful in such a country first flush of national revival she been watched for any sign of as Africa without education." thinks she has done and can do their taking sides, but they have The Presbyterian West Africa all that is necessary to maintain been kept from harm. This, the Mission today has approximately her own life. smallest colony in Africa, has a 35,000 boys and girls attending total area of 10,036 square miles 1,200 mission schools. Some She seems to be impressed where live about 90,000 people. have to walk five or more miles with the Western effort to dis- There are eight 0 r g ani zed to and from school daily. miss God and religion from life churches, 989 church members, and thought. Her official attitwo African pastors, forty out- There was a time when, be- tude toward religion is nonposts and twenty-five village cause of native fear of the white committal. schools. At present, only two man's medicine and trust in the missionaries and their wives are witch doctor, infant mortality "Islamic faith and culture at work there. claimed more than 50 per cent have failed. Let's try secular- of Africa's babies. ism," she is saying. -United Church Review. Since 1894 there has been The Turk's will to live and Pimu Hospital Nurses gradual transition, from the learn, and his drive toward de- binding fear of the witch doc- mocracy have stamped Turkish Work in a Baptist Mission tor's power to faith in Christian achievements of the last fifteen Hospital at Pimu, Belgian Congo, medicine; from hesitation about years with the mark of authentic would not be possible without the seeking help from the white doc- vitality. But democracy is not help of six "boys" of the same tor to the present crowding of enough. Self-respect is not tribe as most of the patients. hospitals and dispensaries with e n 0 ugh. Patriotism is not Two are trained nurses, de- those sick in body and soul; with enough. E d u cat ion is not scribed as "the mainstay of the nearly 45,000 coming annually enough. God alone is sufficient. tremendous amount of work that for treatment and to hear the has to be done day by day." In Gospel. Turkey is tempted by bitter addition to in-patients' work and experience to say that every naemergency operations, these two Unity in the Congo tion must fend for itself and let have given an average of 120 the devil take the hindmost. injections a day. Another at- Rev. 'John Morrison, of Luebo, tends to the ulcer dressings each worker of the Southern Presby- "Turkey faces West," as Haday. "This is a job which never terian Board, sees as one of the- lide Hanum says. It is not ceases to call forth my admira- fine things of Congo work the Western religion that she seeks" tion," writes Dr. Price, the hos- fact that a Christian Church, but Western science. Thereare pital head. "For one thing it is loyal to Christ alone, is being those within the Turkish nation built up. If a native leaves the who recognize the fact that a territory of one mission and goes thoroughgoing revival of Turk- to another, his membership card ish national life demands spir- is sufficient to admit him as a itual as well as political, eco- nomic, and social rebirth.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
The world community needs a The diocese of Dornakal has A few months ago while I was go- ing aJout in Jalna I met a Hindu strong and beneficent Turkey. a population of over two million, sadhu or holy man, belonging to the Her influence has already set a mostly Hindu. The Bishop's Mahar castle. He was from a village new tradition of peace in the Church people, coming into the about 18 miles from Jalna and was on Balkans. Her national rebirth Church in large numbers, are his way to a sacred place, Paithan, on the banks of the Godavari. This sadhu has helped to restore faith in simple villagers; his clergy, was a constant pilgrim to sacred our common humanity after the mostly Indian with a small for- places, such as Pandharpur in the years of harrowing war. eign staff, have thickly populated Sholapur district and to Paithan. When I met him, I had a long talk The very strategic geograph- fields to cover and are handi- with him on the merits of Christianity, ical position of Turkey makes capped not only by numbers but but he remained perfectly silent. her a potential bridge between by lack of education among the After some days he returned from the East and the West. village people, and lack of equip- Paithan and I again met him. He It is more suggestive to think ment for their lit tIe mud asked me to tell him about Jesus. I of her as the hub of the Near churches. told him about the life of our Lord East. An amazing number of beginning from His birth to the Resurnew ideas radiate from her in all With such humble circum- rection. He listened to it all most directions – to the B a I k a n s, stances as a realistic basis, the attentively and after I had ended ex- Bishop's interests and his in- claimed, "Now I have heard every- Egypt, Syria, P a I est i n e and fluence have grown church-wide thing and I feel satisfied." After that Arabia, Iran, Central Asia and in India, and world-wide. Pas- he visited me several times. Once he even Russia. said, "Really, my life has been spent toral care and training, the de- in vain. Now I know that Jesus. is the The Turk belongs to our hu- velopment of a truly Indian true Saviour." He then broke the man family; he has tested branch of the Anglican commun- rosary or string of beads round his capacity for leadership; he ion with native Indian forms of neck and purchased a copy of the worship, the betterment of vil- New Testament. Since then he has stands a dominant figure at one lage life, the constructive guid- ceased to attend Pandharpur, and is important crossroads of the now an earnest student of the New world; and he faces a great ing of Christian thought in India Testament and a seeker after Truth. crisis in his own inner life. How throughout the maze of politics can he be won for God and to and nationalism, church unity in Telugu Women to the Rescue the things that make a people truly great and strong? The India and in the world-for all Telugu Baptist women raised people of Turkey have never had this he is constantly laboring. Rs. 400 toward keeping the hosa clear vision of Christ. His pital at Sooriapet open and propreal face can be disclosed by lov- Keeping the Masses Ignorant erly staffed. Otherwise, it would ing kindness and sincerity and have been obliged to close its disinterestedness, to make God Political propaganda fills the doors. Dr. John S. Carman in Christ a reality. ignorant minds of India with the writes from the Hanumakonda belief that there are no poor peo- Hospital that this tragic possi- -Fred Field Goodsell. ple in England, since "all the bility was stopped by "one of the money is taken from India to most hopeful forward steps that INDIA feed them, leaving Indian people has been made by our Indian with no clothes on their backs." Christians during the first year Bishop Azariah of Dornakal Mr. Banks illustrates this by the of the new century of Kingdom following story in the United progress among the Telugus." Bishop Azariah, who sails for Church Review: England, November 3d, after -Watchman-Examiner. two months in the United States, As I was watching the fireworks in is the first native Indian bishop connection with the Coronation, a lad Third Moslem City of the Church of England. There of aoout sixteen dressed in the hand- woven cloth which Mr. Gandhi advoare now two others. Rt. Rev. cates, accosted me. "Why have you Hyderabad is the third Mos- not gone to England for the Corona- Vedanayakam Samuel Azariah tion?" he asked. When I said I could lem city in the world. It is equal was consecrated Bishop of Dor- not afford to do so, he replied, "You to Madras in size. With its can travel for nothing, so why did you great Osmania University it atnakal in 1912. He was a dele- not go?" He was convinced that peo- tracts students from every part gate to the World Missionary ple could travel in England without Conference of 1910 in Edin- paying railway fares, and would of India. burgh, out of which grew the scarcely believe me when I told him it Australian Anglicans have a World Conference on Faith and was only railway officials who have free passes. He was astonished to mission there; a part of this Order. Bishop Azariah visited work is St. George's Grammar Australia last year for the cen- learn that I had not seen King George School, where 300 boys and 200 tennial celebration of the first VI. "Why not? can't you go and see Anglican bishop's consecration him whenever you like?" girls are being trained for lead- ership. This school is a base there. He attended the two Truth-Seeking Sadhu from which the aristocracy,offichurch conferences of the past cials and students in the towns, summer in Oxford and Edin- Rev. C. G. Navalkar sends this who are all M 0 s Ie m s, are burgh. Cambridge University incident, reported by a colpor- reached. An Indian clergyman awarded him the LL.D. degree teur of the British and Foreign has been specially trained for in 1920. Bible Society: evangelistic work among Mos-
lems. A book room has been and Chinese to simple exhorta- from an inferiority complex; the opened where the educated Mos- tions to bear the trials and trib- lem can read Christian literature ulations of the war bravely. A Chinese have found themselves. and discuss it. few churches closest to war As to the Christian program, areas were closed. -C. M. S. Gleaner. Mr. Paul says that Christianity Missionary Possibilities Salvation Army Converts plays such a small part in the Rev. C. Darby Fulton, Execu- life of the country that it is diffi- The Government of India has tive Secretary of the Southern marked its appreciation of a re- Presbyterian Board of Foreign cult to say how much of a con- markable work of the Salvation Missions, in commenting on the tribution Christian ethics is Army in the Andaman Penal situation in the Far East says making to the uplift of China. Settlements, by the award of the that the present trouble there, However, many of the leaders in Kaiser-i-Hind medals in gold while accompanied by many ele- all walks of life have in some and silver to their officers, Ma- ments of danger, need not neces- way been touched by Christian jor and Mrs. Sheard. Six hun- sarily retard the progress of dred brutal outlaws, 120 of missionary work. It is conceiv- institutions, whether it be the whom were convicted of fifty able that in some ways the effect church, schools or hospitals. For murders and of robberies total- may be just the 0 p p 0 sit e. the most part, the church pro- ing £22,500 worth of goods have Through newspapers and other gram relates itself to the needs become a law abiding, thrifty sources it is reported that there of the community. Mr. Paul be- and prosperous community. is a vast turning of the people of Some of the more desperate Shanghai and other stricken dis- lieves that western materialism characters were the personal tricts to the consolation of Chris- is permeating China more rap- servants of the officers. Many tianity in this emergency. Then, idly than Christianity. former murderers have become again, missionaries are having a Sunday school teachers and Gos- superb opportunity to prove to -World Call. pel preachers. the Chinese people their genuine sympathy, friendship and devo- Christianity in China -World Dominion Press. tion. One of the field directors of the Literacy in Siam He points out that in Japan vast millions of the population China Inland Mission firmly be- Siam has a higher literacy are out of sympathy with the im- percentage than India, Burma perialistic policies of the mili- lieves that the Church of Christ or China. Compulsory education tary regime. This has been for the first six years is being proven two or three times by the has been so firmly established in made effective all over the king- overwhelming majority of anti- dom as rapidly as possible. A government representatives that China that even if all mission- system of vocational schools is have been returned to seats in projected, and there is a grow- the Imperial Diet. In this op- aries had to be withdrawn, the ing interest in physical edu- position to militarism and agcation. A national stadium is gression, the relatively small but work of evangelization would go being erected in Bangkok; and influential Christian constitu- .Siam, never before represented ency in Japan is a strong nu- forward. Missionary activity in the Olympic games, expects cleus. Letters from our misto send a strong contingent to sionaries reveal that despite the has been seriously handicapped Japan in 1940. national crisis Japan is facing, the spiritual hunger of the peo- during the past ten years by -Christian Century. ple is evident, and there are un- told opportunities for reaching Communist influence. There has CHINA men and women with the Gospel. been general lawlessness. War Brings Revival -Christian Observer. Another worker in China It is reported that foreign and No More Inferiority Complex Chinese C h r i s t ian s packed draws attention to the fact that churches of all denominations in Rev. Alexander Paul, Execuwar-wrecked Shanghai during tive Secretary for Oriental Mis, the past two or three years have the rain of shells, giving evidence sions, United Christian Misof unprecedented religious re- sionary Society, writes from been the most encouraging in the vival. Pastors shortened their mid-Pacific, bewildered at what services to minimize danger to he saw in China, although war China Inland Mission's history, parishioners fro m unexpected had not yet broken out when he bombardments. The peril of left. One of the transformations and suggested that the devil was ever-recurring air raids was con- he noted was the emergence sidered so great that preachers angry at the progress which had reduced their sermons in English been made. Thus behind the earthly conflict was the spiritual, and there was urgent need for prayer. Every great advance of the Kingdom of God in China, he said, had been born out of ap- parent tragedy, and the present setback may well be the prepara- tion for another great step for- ward. -The Christian.
Interdenominational Mission Society The Chinese Missionary So- ciety, organized in 1918, now has 15,000 subscribing members and has become nation-wide. Once in three years its General Conference meets which elects the Board of Directors of twen- ty-one members. The last meet-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ing of the General Conference Shanghai; Hackett Medical Col- has been made during the last five attended by sixty-six delegates, lege, Canton, and Woman's years. was in August, 1936, at which Christian M e d i c a I College, time the following three-year Shanghai. That there is a rapidly growing enplan was adopted: The number of trained Chi- thusiasm for modern medicine in Double the workers in the nese physicians and surgeons is field. less than 5,000. They are serv- China at present, both in the Govern- ing t~roughout every part of the Open a Bible school in Yun- Chinese Republic, and are ren- ment and among the people. During nan. dering an incalculable service to their people. They are manning the last twelve months the Govern- Open work in Tibet. Christian hospitals, entering Open more day schools. government medical service, go- ment has spent two million dollars in ing into private practice, and For the Bible school a princi- teaching in medical schools. But erecting new hospitals alone, and pal has been secured and a build- their number is far too small, ing is under construction. Three for China has only one physician many millions in subsidizing and pro- with modern training for every candidates have applied to be 95,000 people, whereas the Unit- moting medical work. ., sent to Tibet where work will ed States has one physician for That in some of the larger cltIes the soon be opened. every 785 people. inevitable competition between gov- From 1918 to 1931 work was -Presbyterian Survey. conducted in two missions, Yun- ernment and mission hospitals is benan and HeiIingkiang, Manchu- Hospital Inspection ria; but during the last five ginning to be felt. Nearly all mission years missions have been opened Recently a group of sixteen hospitals are handicapped by sm~ll in Szechwan and Mongolia, thus hospital administrators, from almaking three missions now un- most as many provinces, under- poorly-paid staffs and the necesslty der this society. During the took, under the auspices of the nineteen years of the society's Ministry of Education, a trip of being self-supporting, while govwork forty missionaries have t h r 0 ugh North and Central been sent out. At present there China to inspect outstanding ernment institutions at present are are thirty-seven missionaries of hospitals. The Commis-sion whom seventeen have gone out traveled for six weeks through coasting along on large subsidies. from Shanghai, twelve are local eight provinces, making a study paid workers and eight are of about 45 hospitals. The pur- No "Rice Ohristians" These workers without salary. Among poses were to make a start in the matter of setting up mini- The history of missions in these are five doctors and seven mum hospital standards for China has shown that it requires teachers working in their respec- China, and to offer individual more time to convert a Chinese tive fields. members of the Commission, to Christianity than some other some of whom were from iso- Asiatics, but that when he is con- -Chinese Recorder. lated centers, the stimulus of a verted he holds to his new faith fairly comprehensive view of th.e with a tenacity which persecu- Medical Education rapid advance of modern medI- tion seldom shakes. While it cine in China. was to be expected that some The general trend of medical would fall away, the behavior of The inspection included 15 Chinese Christians under the Protestant Mission Hospitals. baptism of blood and fire in th.e Government hospitals are all Boxer uprising eloquently testI- relatively new. Some impres- fied to the genuineness of their sions of a member of the group faith. The uneducated peasant are: was not behind his cultivated countrymen in devotion to duty. That there is a distinct and deliber- Of the hundreds of Christians ate trend in China toward state medi- who were taken inside the Brit- cine and government control of ap ish Legation in Peking, not one teaching and practice of both medl- proved false to their benefactors. cine and nursing. -Watchman-Examiner. That the government is facing the education thus far in the twen- problem of J:tealth f?r th,e people of China conscIOus of ltS dlfficulty and tieth century has been in the di- magnitude, but determined to assu,me JAPAN -OHOSEN responsibility for it and do somethmg rection of concentrating this about it. The broad lines of its na- University Religion tion-wide program, along lines of curawork in a smaller number of tive medicine, public health and med- ical education, have been laid down, centers, and giving greater and a surprising amount of progress Five thousand students at the strength to each of these. Medi- Imperial University in Tokyo, cal education in China, has re- one of the best equipped educa- ceived support from t h r e e tional institutions in the world, sources in addition to that from when questioned as to their r~li mission boards: (1) the Rocke- gfaioctn~ : revealed the followmg Confucianists, 6; Shinfeller Foundation; (2) philan- thropically – minded individuals toists, 8; Christians, 60; Bud- in North America and Great dhists, 300; Atheists, 1,500; Britain; (3) the Chinese people Agnostics, 3,000. Of 30,000. stu- and government. dents in the government UnIver- At the present time medical sities, 27,500 are reported as education is being carried on having no religion.
under Christian auspices at six -Japan Christian Quarterly.
centers in China. In addition to the Peiping Union Medical Col- Are the Japanese Peace- Minded? lCehgee~lothoesUeniavreersaitsy,foTlloswisn: At an; Sir Herbert Marler was for- merly Canadian envoy at Tokyo, West China University, Cheng- tu; St. J 0 h n 's University,
and is now Canada's representa- maintained by his Japanese col- often reaching 1,400. It is worth tive at Washington. In a recent league, Rev. M. Murao, under a going far to hear Korean Chrisinterview with Lady Marler her Board of Directors of the Jap- tians pray. They bow with their testimony to Japan's love for anese Church and the Church faces to the floor and pour out peace strikes a strange note, but Missionary Society. There are praise, confession and supplicashe asserted she found the ma- now three major dailies (and tion as those who know what it jority of the Japanese people several smaller papers) which is to have daily audience with "peace – minded." She c 0 m- publish daily religious articles. God. -Monday Morning. mended the marked influence of It is considered more eff'ective Christian missionaries in Japan, to publish news, rather than ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC stating that while many of the views. News about Christian ac- Japanese who attend Christian tivities has greater weight than Island Problems schools may not formally adopt essays upon Christianity. Christianity, they learn Chris- About 100 delegates, repretian principles and are regular -Life of Faith. senting major mission enterchurch attendants. Christian- prises (except Roman Catholic) ity to the Japanese is a definitely Scholarships at Chosen attended a Pacific Missionary living thing, with a message for Christian College Conference in Sydney, Australia. the individual, which is not Emphasis was placed upon the found in their native religions. Last April, Chosen Christian need for indigenous churches, Lady Marler also praised the College received 153 new stu- undivided by denominational difwork of the Women's Peace As- dents, 84 in the Commercial De- ferences. Said one speaker: sociation in Japan, with a mem- partment, 42 in the Literary De- "We are not concerned only with bership of about 250,000. partment, and 27 in the Science establishing small Christian com- Department. Of these, 60;/0 are munities here and there, linked -Presbyterian Tribune. Christians. Many of these, as with the Church of the West, well as students already in col- and retaining forms and worship "Forward-Day by Day" lege, are barely able to find the and Christian practice peculiar money necessary to get an edu- to the West. We must reorgan- While Japanese and Chinese cation. Many work, some few ize the Island Societies of the soldiers are killing each other, have had scholarships provided Pacific on a Christian basis, and Japanese and Chinese Christians by friends in America and by integrate them into one great are uniting in strengthening the Korean friends. A gift made by Christian fellowship." witness of the Church. Plans for Mr.. C. S. Kim of Seoul last winpublication of Forward-Day by ter will provide four scholar- With regard to education, it Day, the Forward Movement ships. On March 21, Mr. S. K. was agreed that it is the ultimate manual of Bible readings and Cho announced that he would responsibility of the governmeditations, in Chinese are give 20,000 yen each to Chosen ments concerned to educate their under way. Two students at Christian College, to the Sever- citizens. As governments take Central China College are help- ance Medical College and to the over this task, missions must ing in the task of translating the Korean Posung College. The fol- withdraw, but taking care that manuals from English to Chi- lowing day he paid half this sum religious teaching and influence nese. The Chinese are finding to each of the institutions con- are adequately safeguarded, es- Japanese translations of For- cerned, promising to pay the pecially by insuring the Chrisward Movement literature help- remainder in May. With addi- tian character of the teachers. ful in the work, as many of the tional help contributed, the col- Japanese characters are pure lege expects to be able to supply -Pacific Island's Monthly. Chinese characters. 36 scholarships. South Seas Martyrs The Rev. Charles F. Wiston, Mr. Cho's gift is the largest of Central China College, is in which the college has ever re- Lawe~ College takes its name communication with Prof. Paul ceived from Korean sources. from a great pioneer missionary Rusch of St. Paul's University, Coming from a young man who of the London Missionary So- Tokyo,who is aiding with the is not himself a Christian, it ciety in Papua. Here Papuans Japanese publications. More shows something of the esteem are trained as tea.chers, preachthan 55,000 copies of the Jap- in which this college and the ers and handworkers. They live anese Forward – Day by Day Severance Medical College are in neat cottages and raise their have been placed in the hands of held by the Korean people in own food. Their wive,' too, are Japanese families. For war d general. -H. H. Underwood. – preparing to preach as well as to Movement efforts to reach the teach. There is a beautiful little millions of rural inhabitants in One Thousand at Prayer college chapel in which are two Japan a're meeting with success. Meeting stained glass windows, memori- als to Dr. James Chalmers and -The Churchman. Midweek prayer meeting in Oliver Tomkins, who suffered Pyengyang has probably the death by martyrdom at the same News, Not Views world's largest at ten dan c e, time. Above the communion rarely falling below 1,000 and table is another memorial win- Newspaper evangelism, start- dow. It contains four tablets with ed by W. H. Murray Walton, is
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the names of eighty-two Samoan united Christian forces can bring "Farther With Ohrist" Mission and South Sea missionaries who to the local church in undertakdied in the service of Christ in ing its task. The Evangelical Church has Papua between 1871 and 1899. launched a "F art her With Some of these missionaries, Four basic areas of human re- C h r i s t" Mission. Beginning themselves not long removed lationships are recognized: September 19 a group of bishops from primitive savagery, were Christian Family Life; The began a tour of nearly thirty clubbed or speared to death, some Church and Its Program; Com- strategic Evangelical centers in died from fever or pestilence. munity Issues Calling for Chris- the United States and Canada. If this memorial were brought tian Action; and The Mission of The next step in the mission will up to date, the number would Christianity in the Mod ern be in the local churches. It will probably be twice as great. World. be an attempt to enrich the spir- itual life of the whole church Preaching Mission in the The necessity of a d.eep pe~ through ministers and lay lead- Philippines sonal religious experIence IS ers. The women of the church stressed. This is done through are asked to take part; and The Philippine Commission on common worship experiences, young people who have thought Evangelism is working on plans through addresses, and through clearly about life and its probfor a Preaching Mission to be a continuous recognition by all lems, and who earnestly desire conducted in a similar manner to leaders that personal religious to give themselves to making the the National Preaching Mission experience underlies effective world more Christian are asked in America. Included in the participation in Christian living to join in these meetings. plans is a visit from Dr. Stanley in social relationships. Jones in February, or earlier. -Evangelical-Messenger. His contribution to such an en- A Manual on the National deavor will be invaluable, espe- Teaching Mission explains the Unusual Oountry Parish cially since he was one of the details of a School in Christian outstanding leaders of the move- Living as conducted on either a Rev. and Mrs. L. A. Zimmerment in America. His visit to community or a local church man, graduates of Kansas Agrithe larger centers in the Islands basis. For information, write cultural College, twenty years will stimulate the four-year pro- the International Council of Re- ago, started a ministry of pulpit gram of evangelism, began last ligious Education, 203 N. Wa- and farm at Cedar Cliff, N. C., year. -N. C. C. Bulletin. bash Ave., Chicago. and the result has been start- lingly fruitful. They bought a Honolulu's Missionary Home Moody Institute Expands farm on credit, started living in a log cabin, with only muscle and Hundreds of missionaries pass It is fitting that in this year brain as equipment. Little by through Honolulu, and many of of international commemoration little the debt was lifted, a new them may be interested in know- of the birth of Dwight L. Moody, and attractive house was built. ing of the establiJshment of a founder of Moody Bible Insti- Bible Institute and Missionary tute, Chicago, that a new and During these years of hard Home. The Bible Institute is to more suitable building be erected work on the farm, the ministry be interdenominational and in- to house the Institute's activities. to the people has been in four terracial. The Missionary Home A number of old buildings on La centers, and in two of these four Staff desires to meet every Salle Street that served the In- new meeting houses have been steamer and "take all the mis- stitute in Chicago for twoscore built, erected by the efforts of sionaries and their restless chil- years as dormitories, have been the people and their minister. dren for the day, part of it to be torn down and a twelve-story Two services each Sunday and spent on the sands at Waikiki, Administration Building has three prayer meetings each week and a part in a drive to the Pali, been begun. The needs of an at distances of from four to six and for some a quiet rest in the enlarging student body have miles from the home are held. In Missionary Home." Those inter- made expansion necessary. the special services held, more ested may write to E. B. Turner, accessions have been received 2436 Oahu Avenue, Honolulu. Administrative activities,here- than is the average of the church tofore scattered among thirty- in general. A program of Vaca- NORTH AMERIOA eight buildings, will now be tion Bible Schools is maintained, gathered into a compact arrange- beside socials and entertain- Preaching Mission Follow-Up ment that will make for economy ments. Standards have been and efficiency. Besides numerous raised and the minister's home is . Schools in Christian Living business offices, and lecture and a much frequented center. are under way as a follow-up of reception halls, there will be a the National Preaching Mission. spacious library and reading The Tennessee Valley Author- They seek to provide, not a com- rooms. A completely equipped ity made an aerial survey of the munity substitute for the local printing plant will occupy a part mountains and a short time later church's program, but the most of the basement, which will also one of their agents from Norris competent assistance w hi c h provide additional dining room Dam drove up to the farm and space. Radio equipment has asked what those strips on the been modernized so as to double land meant. They had noticed its service area. it on the map. A new kind of
farming for the mountains had campaign are to make "enrolled" guidance, their success in represent- and "active" membership syn- ing the Lord Christ, even in what been tried – strip farming; a onymous by reenlisting lapsed seems impossible situations. members, and to achieve a great strip of corn twenty-five feet expansion of its program of serv- Let us pray for our fellow Chris- ice through increased support. tians in China and Japan. Many of and a strip of grass to avoid ero- Lutheran Church leaders char- them have been led to the Saviour by acterize this movement as "an the missionaries whom we have sent sion of the land. To terrace the answer to the challenge of that to them. They are the children of spirit of 'defeatism' which was the Church. They are confronted by land would be too costly, but born amid the depression." It possible suffering and by temptations is also an answer to widely pub- subtle and powerful. Let us pray these strips attained the same licized claims that the Church that they may be led and strengthened has ceased to be a potent factor by the Holy Spirit in bearing their result. So impressed was the in American life. In order to witness to Christ, in finding the right present the plan effectively a course for them as Christians to pur- Authority that it asked our schedule of regional meetmgs sue, and in being faithful to the end. has been arranged. preacher-farmer to visit the uni- Let us pray for the rulers, the lead- Current Periodical Trends ers and the people of Japan and China. versity and explain it to the If ever men needed to be taught of The Sunday Sch.ool Times has God what pathway to follow, it is now. classes. W. E. FINLEY. made an analysis of the attitude War, whatever its outcome, will not of this nation's popular maga- assure the peace and the progress of Georgia Buys Bibles zines toward religion, and finds the Orient. Only as China and Japan that the percentage of articles attain some common standing-ground The State of Georgia, through indicating an approving attitude of genuine good will, of mutual respect its board of education, will pur- towards Christianity has defi- and mutual helpfulness, will there be chase 800,000 Bibles for school nitely declined since 1900. It any solution of the problem of the Far children of Georgia as a means appears obvious that Christian- East. Let us pray in humility and of inculcating religious prin- ity has "dropped into a state of after self-examination, for these lands, ciples and offsetting commu- being severely criticised and op- that they may come, albeit through posed." This is especially true bitter experience, to that better undernistic tendencies. in the so-called intellectual type standing which will prepare the way . The motion for the purchase of magazine. for a glorious future-a golden age of freedom and justice and peace, which of the Bibles came from Gov- The magazines whose contents is none other than the kingdom of ernor Rivers, who stressed the reveal such a trend are ones God. need for Bibles in the schools of whose names are familiar to al- Georgia, saying: most every reading household, Also, a group of missionary and whose circulation totals executives in New York in con- "The growth of Communism many millions of copies. They sultation regarding problems reis a menace we of Georgia have are considered to be the best sulting from the Sino-Japanese got to watch, and the best available current periodical lit- struggle made the following weapon with which to combat it erature. It is inevitable that to recommendations: is the Bible. Com m u n ism some extent the nation's thinkteaches Godlessness. Our form ing will be molded by these We are united in our realization of of government contemplates the periodicals. Perhaps no more the need of prayer. We write, thereworship of God as a religion and effective antidote could be sug- fore, urging that through all the deas an act of citizenship." gested than to urge the placing nominational channels there go forth in every home a well-edited a call to prayer for China and Japan, It is reported that each mem- Christian paper. so that at this time of grave crisi.s a ber of the new 10-man board great volume of intercessory prayer arose and indorsed "1009'0" the MISCELLANEOUS may come before the throne of God suggestion and motion of the from the Christians of America. governor. Let Us Pray! Planning a World General It was the governor's sugges- Dr. Ralph E. Diffendorfer, of Assembly tion that the Bible be furnished the Methodist Board of Foreign to all school children in the state, Missions, has issued the follow- Arrangements for a conferfrom the first grade through ing call to prayer in view of the ence to be held in Holland were high school, and the Bible so bitter struggle in the Orient. initiated by a "Committee of furnished to become the prop- Fourteen," appointed by Oxford erty of the child and to remain Let us pray for our missionaries in and Edinburgh, at a meeting in in his possession throughout his Japan and China. Some are in im- Lon don, August 19, which school life. -Living Church. minent peril. Some are in isolation elected the Archbishop of York and bewilderment. All are faced by as chairman, and Dr. Samuel Lutheran Intensive Drive unexpected problems and difficulties. McCrea Cavert and Can 0 n Let us pray for their safety, their Leonard Hodgson as secretaries. A campaign for new members which leaders believe is more The World Council plan concomprehensive than any similar templates a General Assembly of· program ever undertaken by a church in the United States was about 200 representatives of initiated on September 7 by the cooperating churches meeting United Lutheran Church in every five years, and a General America. .Full responsibility for Assembly executive committee plans, which have required ten of about· 60 representatives months' intensive work, are in meeting every year. the hands of Dr. F. H. Knubel, of New York City.
The announced purposes of the Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~===========I~ Christendom and Islam. By W. Wil- Romanism usually fares better taught it with scholarship and son Cash. 205 pp. $2.00. Harper and Brothers, New York. 1937. at the hands of Protestant Lib- skill and sympathy to the new eralism than does Fundamental- generations. He has been a sin- Prebendary Cash was for- ism. It is refreshing to find a cere and devoted Christian man, merlya missionary in the Near tolerant Liberal who does not be- who practiced and taught the East and has studied Islam for lieve that all Fundamentalists reality of prayer. He has been over thirty years. He has writ- are bigots, who appreciates the no cloistered student but has ten several volumes on the sub- greatness of the conservative taken his full part and more in ject and these chapters were theology, and who does not cari- the practical work of the Church given as the Haskell Lectures at cature its noble features. in missions, in true evangelism, Oberlin School of Theology in The reading of the book left in cooperation, in national and 1936-7. He naturally writes of the distinct impression that the social service. These essays de- Islam from a Christian stand- weakest chapter is the last, in scribe the fields of Dr. Brown's point. It is one of the best books which the author presents the interest and work and tell a liton the subject in recent years Liberal view and therefore tle, but only a part, of his effecand gives a vast amount of in- speaks for his own faith. It is tive and fruitful service. In a formation about Mohammed, his plain that his opinions have been time of uncertainty and fear Dr. religion, his followers and the colored by a rather full accept- Brown has been a rich influence results of Christian missions. ance of radical Biblical criti- of stability and courage and Read especially the chapter on cism. His view of the Old Tes- hope. And now in his ripe age "The Christian Answer to the tament is naturalistic, while his he is one of the open-minded Moslem Quest." view of the Lord Jesus has defi- and forward-looking advocates Three Typical Beliefs. By Theo- nite unitarian and humanistic of the larger unity and' wider dore Gerald Soares. 111 pages and leanings. But he sets forth his index. $1.50. The University of opinions with tolerance, grace, service of the Christian Church, building on the past a yet great- Chicago Press, Chicago. 1937. and considerable balance. er future.
This little book is of consider- One's response to a discussion R. E. S.
able beauty, both in its format such as this is necessarily col- Dr. Bob Hockman, A Surgeon of the and in its style. The author, ored by the faith that he holds. Cross. By Kathleen Hockman who is Professor of Ethics at Friederichsen. 102 pp. 50 cents. To the conservative reader at Zondervan Publishing House, Grand the California Institute of Tech- least the presentation of Liber- Rapids. 1937. nology and minister of the alism will be far less convincing than that of either Roman Ca- As one who knew intimately Neighborhood Church in Pasa- Dr. Bob Hockman and who had tholicism or Fundamentalism. dena, is a member of the Board FRANK E. GAEBELEIN. much to do with him in the Red of Preachers of Harvard Uni- Cross during his last months on versity. The "Three Typical Be- The Church Through Half a Century. earth in Ethiopia, I heartily liefs" which he discusses are Essays in honor of William Adams Roman Catholicism, Fundamen- Brown by former students. $3.00. commend this life story to every talism, and Liberalism; and the 426 pp. Charles Scribner's Sons, young person seeking to follow book, therefore, has just three New York. Jesus Christ.
divisions, each dealing with the This composite volume was is- Mrs. Friederichsen brings out beliefs of the particular faith sued in Dr. Brown's honor on the interesting fact that in early the occasion of his retirement life he was not a good student under discussion.
This is the only treatise of from active service in Union but that the jolt he received by liberal authorship the reviewer Theological Seminary, New York failing in an e x ami nat ion has ever seen that discusses City. He well deserves every brought out his determination to :Fundamentalism with true tol- word of appreciation and praise succeed. He ended his course at erance and genuine respect. which it contains. He has been the head of his class in the medi- The same thing, to a lesser de- a theological teacher who held cal college. This is encouraging gree, is true for the treatment of fast the great catholic, evangeli- for those who are inclined to be Roman Catholicism, although cal faith of the Church and discouraged. A few months be- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[559 ] fore the invasion of Ethiopia by conditions and in foreign rela- Probably no one is better in- Italy, at a consultation of ten of tions. The Japanese military formed on "Latin America and the best known doctors in Addis aggressive program is strongly Its Place in World Life." Ababa over a puzzling case that criticized. The movements to- Dr. Inman has given us a resisted treatment and an oper- ward Church union and edu- monumental work as a result of ation, Bob gave a summing up cational trends are presented in his study, observation and exof the evidence and medical valuable surveys. perience. He first, in Book One, probabilities that was really The Japanese Christians are describes Latin Americans and following the flag of the empire briefly reviews their history; in masterful. Mrs. F r i e d e ric h sen has by taking the Gospel to the Books Two and Three he debrought out Dr. Hockman's es- South Seas (Caroline Islands), scribes the new forces at work sential manliness and sweet to South America, the Philip- in labor circles, among students, temper as well as his devotion to pines and Manchuria. The book Communists, and Evangelical duty. What a wonderful com- is not as valuable in the vitality missions. He looks into the fubination, and one that com- of topics treated as are many ture in an attempt to discover mends our Lord Jesus Christ to previous volumes. Several types the outcome of the revolution in young people who are so quick of work and organizations pre- Mexico and Uruguay. to see sham. The name of Bob sented are only indirectly mis- There is a list of important Hockman is entitled to stand sionary-such as the Mutual Aid historical dates, some explanaamongst the heroes of faith of and Fire Protection Association. tory notes and useful annotated all ages. His life reminds us of The obituaries and directories bibliographies on each section. Ralph Tidrick, another mission- occupy 77 pages-one fifth of the The index occupies eight pages. ary hero of the United Presby- volume. The statistics show that Probably to those interested terian Church, who was in many there are now working in Japan in Evangelical missions the least ways like Dr. Bob and who 54 societies, and 986 Protestant satisfactory portions of the book met death by being mauled by a missionaries (232 ordained and are those dealing directly with wounded lion. Heroic death en- 481 in evangelistic work). There this subject. Considerable space courages others to heroic life. are about 1,750 organized is devoted to Communism and There are a number of mis- churches of which 950 are self- its growing strength, less to spelled proper names and tech- supporting. Protestant Church Roman Catholicism and its nical terms in this book and members are rep 0 r ted at moral and spiritual weaknesses. some statistics that should be re- 230,000. It seems an over-statement to vised. The "poetry" is not of The story of work in Formosa, say that in "countries like Brazil, sufficieptly high quality to merit where there has been a revival Argentina, Uruguay and Mexico inclusion in such a noble record. movement, is of particular in- the churches begun by mission- TOM A. LAMBIE. terest. aries have now become independ- Japan Today. Edited by T. T. Brum- C. T. Studd, Athlete and Pioneer. By ent of foreign control, electing baugh. 500 pp. Kyo Bun Kwan. Norman P. Grubb. Illus. 8vo. Ginza, Tokyo. 1937. 266 pp. Zondervan Pub. House. their own bishops and other Grand Rapids, Mich. 1937. ecclesiastical authorities, and Here is the thirty-fifth issue working out their own proof the Japan and Formosa Chris- This stimulating biography of grams." This seems to give the tian Movement Year Book. It the famous British Cambridge has been published under the cricketer and missionary to Af- impression that this independauspices of the National Chris- rica has already been reviewed ence and self-support has been tian Council and is now issued in these pages (April, 1934). It attained in all these and other by the Fellowship of Christian is worth reading as a story of countries. Missionaries. This year book courage, faith and sacrificial deals with Christian missions service. For a general picture of the and religion in Japan and also present situation, for informawith the political and social prob- Latin America. By Samuel Guy In- tion on politics, economics and lems, economic conditions and man. 8vo. 462 pp. $3.75. Willet, the factors that influence the fuintellectual life and thought and Clark & Co. Chicago. 1937. ture of Latin American lands, education. There are statistics this volume by Dr. Inman will and lists of missionaries and Dr. Inman has been a student their stations. The authors of of Latin American affairs for prove most useful, but there is various sections include eight over thirty years. He has little direct information on Latin worked as a missionary of the America's spiritual need or mis- sionary work and the Evan- gelical outlook.
leading Japanese and thirteen Disciples Church in Mexico, has "None Other Gods." By W. A. Vismissionaries. Naturally the vol- been secretary of the Committee ser't Hooft. 185 pp. Harper Bros.
ume says little about Japan's on Cooperation in Latin America New York. 1937.
campaign against China but the for twenty years, has traveled This little but vel'v wortheditor deals' briefly with Man- frequently in Mexico, Central while book was writte"n by one churia and Japan's withdrawal America, the West Indies and of the clearest-minded leaders of from the League of Nations. South America and has written the younger student generation There is a crisis both in domestic many books on the subject. who is also a man of positive
faith. He writes for a in the new world
contemporary mood. There are perhaps far more young people efforts in the colonies prior to this time had been undertaken in America than he recognizes only by societies or congregawho hold fast to the historic tions in Europe. catholic faith of the Evangelical Bishop Levin Theodore Reich- ………"""~ churches without any great dis- eI, in his manuscript entitled, turbance of mind, and there are, "The Early His tor y of the alas, many at the other extreme Church of the United Brethren, commonly called Moravians, in with whom such a valid presen- North America, A. D. 1734- !!!!: COUISE 1M BIBLE EVIDEICES tation as this brief book contains 1748," in an enumeration of the will be in vain: Between these sources of revenue to meet the Ii. Scriptural Study Each Week–52 Lesson•• groups, however, there are many various expenses of the time, Part I. Internal Evidences of the Inspiration in our colleges and universities of the Bible. Part IL The Testimony of History, Science, and li.rchaeolojty.
Send 1& in stamps for eunen! issue.
who, e i the r thoughtfully or wrote: "A third source of in- HRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS. INC: thoughtlessly, are swayed by the come was the Society for the Furtherance of the G 0 s pel, 1502 N. 3d St., Harrisburg, Pa. mass tendency which Visser't Hooft describes, who need just founded by Bishop Spangenberg and consisting mostly of friends American Tract Society. New such a trenchant, penetrating of the Brethren. From August York. 13, 1745 to December 31, 1747, Stand Up and Preach. Ambrose message as is provided here.' this Society collected for mis- Moody Bailey. $1.50. 142 pp. One might appropriately call it sionarypurposes £454. 13s.5d., Round Table Press. New York. . a convincing argument, but the a not inconsiderable sum for White and Black in Australia. J. S. those times." Needham. 174 pp. S. P. C. K. author's conception of the Chris- London. tian mission is that it is a mission not of argument or of ~pology, but of witness and of The late Bishop Edmund de Mann of the Border. D. Emmet witness ,to great facts, the fact Schweinitz, in his "Historical Alter. 188 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Sketch of the Society for Propa- Eerdmans Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, of God's historic revelation in gating the Gospel Among the Mich. Christ and His present availabil- Heathen, 1787 to 1887," says: ity in grace. This book is such Yesteryears. Hallie Paxson Wins- borough. 224 pp. 50 cents paper, 75 cents cloth. Committee on a witness and one could wish "There existed a society founded W 0 man's Work, Presbyterian that it might be honestly pon- much earlier by Bishop Spang- Church in the U. S. Atlanta, Ga. dered by the present student enberg in August, 1754. It orig- Hadramaut-Its dhallenge. W. H. generation throughout the world. inally numbered thirty members Storm. 8 pp. 2d. World Domin- .. R. E. SPEER. ion Press. London and New York. but many more were added in the course of time, representing Golden Grain Diary. (Vest Pocket all, or nearly all, the American and Standard Editions.) 18 to 68 THE. FIRST MORAVIAN MIS- churches of the Brethren."–J. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. London. SiONARY SOCIETY IN M. Levering, in "The Mora- Glorious Living. Informal Sketches AMERICA vian." of Seven Women Missionaries of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. The Sesqui-Centennial celebration of the re-organization of Compiled by Hallie Paxson Winsthe Society for Propagating the borough and edited by Sarah Lee Gospel Among the Heathen New Books Vinson Timmons. 318 pp. Com- . (Moravian) is to be observed by a service in the Central Across Africa in a Lorry. W. B. mittee on Woman's Work, Presby- Church, Bethlehem, Pa., Novem- Redmayne. 128 pp. $1.40. Zon- terian Church, U. S. Atlanta, Ga. ber 7. The address will be de- dervan Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, livered by John R. Mott, LL.D., Mich. The Great Commission. Robert P. Chairman of the International Wilder. 116 pp. 28. Oliphants. Missionary Council. The self- Aflame for God. Story of Pioneer- London. sacrificing devotion of the early ing Amongst Cannibals. Eva Brethren "for the Saviour's Stuart Watt. 125 pp. 40 cents. An Ambassador in Bonds-The Story sake, and the salvation of poor Marshall, Morgan & Scott. Lon- of William Henry Jackson, the souls" has made possible "WorId don. Blind Priest of Burma. Mary C. Wide Moravian Missions." The Purser. 64 pp. 6d. S. P. G. Lonfirst missionary society of the Child's Bible in Bible Words. Nina don. Moravian Church in America Kayser. Illus. 266 pp. A. J. Holwas founded on August 19, 1745, man Co. Philadelphia. Japan Christian Year Book-1937. called "The Society for the Fur- 500 pp. Committee of Reference therance of the Gospel" and was Church Planting in Madagascar•. W. and Council. New York. fully organized November 28, Kendall Gale. 88 pp. 18. World 1754. No earlier record has Dominion Press. London and New The Two Ways. A Play for Any been produced of any such mis- York. Season of the Church's Year. A. L. sionary society formed elsewhere E. Williams. 53 pp. S. P. G. Keswick Convention Report. 1937. London. 28. 6d. paper, 48. cloth. 300 pp. Pickering & Inglis. London. The Nestorian'Churches. R. Aubrey Vine. 224 pp. 68. Independent Latin America, Its Place in World Press, London. Life.. Samuel Guy Inman. $3.75. Willett, Clark & Co. Chicago. Early Japanese History. 2 vols. R. K. Reischauer. $7.50. University A Mighty Winner of Souls-Life of Press, Princeton, N. J. Charles G. Finney. Frank Gren- ville Beardsley. 192 pp. $1.50. Lectures on Japan. Inazo Nitabe. 405 pp. 78. 6d. Benn, London.
~ (:bristmas ~ift ~uggtstion
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The Missionary Review of the World — June 1937
JUNE,1937
Rural America Number Challenge of the Rural Community Mark A. Dawber The Forgotten Man of the Back Road Ann Mitchell Neglected Fields in Rural America William R. King Farm Tenants and Sharecroppers Chas. M. McConnell Twenty"Five Years Ago and Now Ross J. Griffeth Keeping the Fountains Clean Henry W. McLaughlin Case Workers in Rural Areas Hilda L. Ives As a Farmer's Wife Sees It Nina B. Hewitt A Rural Pastor's Job Mark Rich One Solution-The Larger Parish Ellsworth M. Smith Cooperation in a Rural Community Edward D. Hamner A Church of the Countryside Coe Hayne Ministry of a Rural Colporter John C. Killian Importance of Pioneer Sunday Schools John M. Somerndike 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
MEETING OF SUMMER CONFERENCES AND .The
THE REVIEW SCHOOLS OF MISSIONS A weekly religious newspaper in The annual meeting of The Mission- Council of Women for Home Mis- its lo6th year of continuous pubary Review Publishing Company was sions and Affiliated with the lication under the same name. held at 156 Fifth Avenue, New York, Committee on Women's Work, on February 18, 1937. A financial re- Foreign Missions Conference It is conservative and evangelport for the calendar year, 1936, was ical, gets its news by telegraph presented by the Treasurer, Mr. Wal- June 19-26-Lake Geneva, Wis. Mrs. and keeps abreast of the times. ter McDougall, showing a deficit of T. A. Freeman, 427 Greenwood $1,394.88. The representative of the Blvd.; Evanston, Ill. It goes into every state of the Evangelical Press, Rev. David Fant, Union, the District of Columbia, stated that the renewal of subscrip- June 20-26-Boulder, Colo. President, and U. S. possessions. tions to THE REVIEW are over 80%, Mrs. Henry F. Hoffman, 741 Adams an unusually high proportion. The St., Denver, Colo. It goes to Asia and Africa, South Secretary, Mr. Delavan L. Pierson, America, Canada and New Zealand reported that the special numbers on June 21-27-Winona Lake, Ind. Miss and into twelve countries of Euthe American Negro and Missions in Minnie Rumsey, N. Mayflower Road, rope. Africa, published during the year had Lake Forest, Ill.. had a very gratifying sale and that Subscription Price, • • $2.50 special numbers on Rural America and June 26-July 3-Eagles Mere, Pa. Ministerial Rate, • $2.00 Moslem lands are planned for the Miss Muriel C. Post, 907 Lindlay coming year. Ave., Logan, Philadelphia, Pa~ 50c. extra—Canadian postage $1.00 extra—foreign postage The following members of the July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. Miss Board of Directors were elected to Amy O. Welcher, 796 Prospect Ave., THE PRESBYTERIAN succeed themselves: Hartford, Conn. 1217 Market: St:reet:, Philadelphia, Pa. Robert E. Speer, President; A. L. July 10-17 – Mountain Lake Park, Warnshuis, Vice-President; Walter Md. Chairman, Mrs. J. M. Knight, . . ceeded to his father's title in 1913 and McDougall, Treasurer; Delavan L. 207 Roane St., Charleston, W. Va. Pierson, Secretary; Wm. 1. Chamber- was president of the Friends of Arlain, D. J. Fant, Mrs. Orrin R. Judd, July 17-24-Mt. Hermon, Calif. Mrs. menia Society. Wm. B. Lipphard, Eric M. North, N. J. Forsberg, 1144 Eddy ~t., San Samuel M. Zwemer, Samuel M. Cavert. Francisco, Calif. …
A special committee was appointed, July 19-23 – Bethesda, Ohio. Miss Rev. Charles L. Goodell, D.D., Secwith Dr. John McDowell as chairman, Mary I. Scott, 310 Tomlinson St., retary Emeritus of the Commission to consider and report on the subject Moundsville, W. Va. on Evangelism of the Federal Council of the future of THE REVIEW. of Churches of Christ in America, August 15-22 – Chautauqua, N. Y. died on April 27 in New York City at Respectfully submitted, Chairman, Miss B. Louise W ood- the age of 82. Dr. Goodell was widely DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary. ford, Candor, N. Y. After August known as an evangelist of the air and 1, Chautauqua, N. Y. gave his Sabbath Reveries every Sun- Dates to Remember day morning for eight years. He was August 19-25 – Kerrville, T e x a s. a highly honored minister of the June 3-8 – T r i e n n i a 1 Convention, Chairman, Mrs. T. M. Cunning- Methodist Episcopal Church and World's W. C. T. U., Washington, ham, 618 West Sydamore, Denton, served several successful pastorates D. C. Texas. in New England and New York. He was born in Dudley, Mass., July 31, June 21-25 – Council on Christian Obituary Notes 1854, the son of Warren Goodell. He Evangelism for Our Day. East was graduated from Boston Univer- Northfield, Mass. w. J. W. Roome, the well-known sity in 1877 and came to New York State in 1896. Dr. Goodell was the June 23-30 – Alliance of Reformed African traveler, died in Tangier, author of m4ny devotional books and Churches Throughout the World Morocco, on March 31, in the 72d year Holding the Presbyterian System. of his age. Mr. Roome was for 30 served a nation.-..wi.d.. e p…arish. Montreal, Canada. years an architect in Belfast, Ireland, but retired at the age of 50 to devote Dr. Adolph Deissmann, well-known June 25-28-Conference of Missionary his remaining years to missionary Christian theologian of Germany, died Workers and the Annual Meeting service. He was secretary of the in Berlin on April 5 at seventy years of the National Fellowship of In- British and Foreign Bible Society for of age. He was born in Langenscheid dian Workers. University of Wis- East and Central Africa for 12 years in 1886 and after occupying chairs in consin College of Agriculture. Mad- and during that time crossed the con- several universities became Professor ison, Wis. tinent 13 times by various routes, of New Testament Theology in 1908 traveling more than one hundred thou- and was retired by government order July 5-16-New Jersey Summer sand miles, largely on foot or bicycle. in 1935 after he had signed a protest School of Christian Work, Blairs- He visited many parts of Africa never to Reichsbishop Mueller's policies and town, N. J. Write to the Mission- before visited by a white man, and interference with the Church. Dur- ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth made an ethnographic survey of many ing the World War, Dr. Deissmann Ave., New York. parts of the continent locating about sent some stirring messages to Amer- 3,000 tribal units. Accounts of his ica declaring that "the gangerous July 8-13 – International Christian journeys and impressions received ulcer of hate which poisons interna- Endeavor Convention, Grand Rap- were printed in a number of Yolumes, tional relations must be burned out." ids, Mich. including "Through Central Africa He was the author of several well- for the Bible," "Through the Land of known books, including one in Eng- July 11-16 – Anniversary, First Con- Nyanza," and "Tefaro Tales from lish on "The Religion of Jesus and ference of American Methodism. Africa." In recent years, Mr. Roome the Faith of Paul." Old St. George's Church. Phila- was chairman of the Unevangelized delphia. Fields Mission. He is survived by his (Concluded on ad c01Jer.) July 12-26 – World Conference on wife whom he ..m. a.r..rie..d. last January. Life and Work. Oxford, England. Lord Radstock, well known in mis- July 14-17-Nat.ional Council of Fed- sionary and evangelistic circles, died erated Church Women. Lake Ge- at Mayfield, Wooston, Hampshire, neva, Wis. England, on April 2 at 77 years of age. Grandville George Waldegrave, August 3-18 – World Conference on the eldest son of the third Lord Rad- Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Scot- stock, was born on September 1, 1859. land. He was graduated from Cambridge University and was associated in evan- Sept. 28-30 – Annual Interdenomina- gelistic work with his cousins, Rev. tional Missionary Institute, Wom- Sir Montagu Beaucham, M.P., and an's Interdenominational Union of Sir J. E. Kynaston Studd. He suc- Philadelphia and Vicinity. First Baptist Church, Philadelphia.
"The April REVIEW is a good num-
THE MISSIONARY ber all through. The REVIEW looks REVIEW OF THE WORLD well, reads well and is better than DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor ever." DR. A. E. ARMSTRONG, VOL. LX JUNE,1937 No.6 Secretary of the Board of For- Publication and Business Office– Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. eign Missi01l8, The United Editorial and Executive Office– Church of Canada. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at *** Post Omce, Harrisburg, Pa., under Personal Items Act of March 3, 1879. The Rev. Kenneth W. Moore, of When the good work 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Trenton, N. J., has been elected Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Treasurer of the Board of Foreign calls you East … sail Published monthly, except August. Missions of the Presbyterian Church, All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. U. S. A., to take the place of Mr. p&O British agents – Marshall, Morgan Russell Carter who retired on May 1, and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, having reached the age limit. Mr. This year marks a full century of P & 0 London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Carter has given 27 years to unselfish service to the lands beyond Suez! 10 shillings a year. and effective service. Mr. Moore is a Whenever you are called to the other Princeton Universityand Theological side of the world, choose this tradi- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Seminary graduate. He has been in tional route. Cross to England by LISHING CO., INC. the Statistical and Publication De- Cunard White Star •.. and there partment of the John A. Roebling's embark in a great liner of the P & 0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sons Company, and President of the and British India fleets, led by the ROBERT E. SPEER, President Kenneth W. Moore Company in the new 22,5oo-ton Strathnaver, Strath- A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-Pre8ident field of pUblicity. aird and Strathmore. Regular service WALTER MCDOUGALL, Trea8urer to Egypt, Sudan, Persian Gulf, India, DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary *** Burma, Ceylon, Straits Settlements, China, Japan, Australia, East and SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT The Rev. Paul Braisted, recently a South Africa, Mauritius. Low rates. missionary of the American Baptist WILLIAM I. CluMBBlILAIN Foreign Mission Society in India and Convenient through bookings can be arranged D. J. FANT Burma, has been elected the new sec- by your local travel agent or any office of retary of the Student Volunteer MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Movement. Mr. Braisfed married CUNARD WHITE STAR LINE Miss Ruth Wilder, daughter of Dr. WM. B. LIPPHARD Robert P. Wilder, and went to India GENERAL AGENTS ten years ago. For the past two ERIC M. NORTH years he has been teacher of Bible at 25 Broadway and638 Fifth Ave., NewYork SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Mt. Hermon School for Young Men. Both in India and America he has had Editorial Chat close contacts with students and is deeply evangelistic and missionary- We take pleasure in presenting our minded. special "Home Mission Study Number" on Christ and Rural America. *** It is an exceedingly rich and important theme. The changes in recent Dr. John R. Mott has recently reyears call for a fresh study of the turned from a six months visit to In- dia and the Near East. He addressed needs and opportunities in neglected the sixth biennial meeting of the Near areas. East Christian Council at Alexandria, Egypt, March 10-17. This council is The subject is so vast and so varied a coordinating agency for thirty-seven that we have not been able to cover missions working in nineteen countries all in one issue of THE REVIEW. Other in the Near East, extending from articles will appear in July and later, Morocco to Iran. including: *** The Murdock Trail, by Alvin E. Magary. Archie T. L. Tsen, President of the Board of Missions of the (Chi- Some Interesting Rural Churches, nese) Chung Hwa Sheng Kung Hwei, by W. H. Thompson. will visit the United States this sum- mer. Mr. Tsen retired from business Student Volunteer Service in Maine, several years ago to devote himself by Louis C. Harnish. entirely to volunteer work for mis- sions. Woman's Work in a C 0 u n try Church, by Mrs. James D. Wyker. *** Frederick Oberlin and His Rural W. E. Doughty, formerly a secre- Parish. tary of the Laymen's Missionary Movement, and later an official of the Problems of the Rural Church in Near East Foundation, has received Canada, J. R. Watt, and others. from King George II of Greece the Order of the Redeemer in recognition Pastors and mission study class of his twenty-five years of service to the Greek people. leaders will be wise to order their copies early, before the edition is ex- *** hausted. Dr. C. T. Wang, the new Chinese *** ambassador to the United States, was formerly secretary of the Y. M. C. A. Also, will you call the attention of in China and later was the Secretary friends to THE REVIEW. Speak of it of State under the Nanking Governto your pastor and in missionary ment. meetings. Here are some comments recently received: [273 ] "For several months I have been getting your magazine from our college library and reading it with great enthusiasm and deriving much inspira- tion. I find that I can hardly get along without subscribing and having the copies to keep and enjoy by re-reading." GRACE ROBINS.
Birmingham, Ala.
FAITH OF GENERALISSIMO CHIANG KAI-SHEK
An address of the Generalissimo, sent to the Central Conference of Eastern Asia of the Methodist Episcopal Church in session at Wesley Church, Nanking, Good Frida.y Evening, Miarch 26, 1937. Read in Chinese and in English translation to the Conference by Col. J. L. Huang, Director of the New Life Movement.
I have now been a Christian for nearly ten years and during that time I have been a constant reader of the Bible. Never before has this sacred Book been so interesting to me as during my two weeks' captivity in Sian. This unfortunate affair took place all of a sudden and I found myself placed under detention without having a single earthly belonging. From my captors.I asked but one thing, a copy of the Bible. In my solitude I had ample time for reading and meditation. The greatness and the love of Christ burst upon me with new inspiration, increasing my strength to struggle against evil, to overcome temptation and to uphold righteousness.
I am, indeed, grateful for all my fellow-Christians who continually offered prayers on my behalf. I was deeply conscious of a strong spiritual support for which I extend my hearty thanks to all Christians, and to which, before you all today, I testify that the name of God may be glorified.
The many virtues of Christ I cannot possibly enumerate. Today, being Good Friday, I merely wish to explain some of the lessons I have derived from the trials of Christ. His utterances from the Cross are our spiritual inheritance. Entreating forgiveness for His enemies, He cried: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Truly great is the love of Christ! In all my meditations I found these thoughts returning and providing me with rich spiritual sustenance.
To illustrate, I am going to recount some of my experiences in Sian. Before I went to Shansi on my second trip I was alreaqy conscious of perverted thoughts and unusual activities in the army there. I had previously received reports of intrigues and revolutionary rumblings that were threatening to undermine the unity of the State. My immediate associates tried to persuade me to abandon the journey, but I replied: "Now that our country is unified and the foundations of the State established, the commander-in-chief of the armies has responsibilities for direction and enlightenment from which he dare not withdraw. Furthermore, I have dedicated my soul and body to the service of the State, and there can never be any considerations of my personal safety.
According to the record of the New Testament, when Christ entered Jerusalem for the last time, He plainly knew that danger was ahead, but triumphantly, on an ass, rode into the city without anguish, without fears. What greatness! What courage! In comparison, how unimportant my hfe must be. So why should I hesitate?
My fondness for my troops has always been as great as the love between brothers and this love drew me into the heart of the rebellion. Such disregard of duty in the face of danger caused deep concern to the government, worried the people and, for this, numerous prayers were offered by Christian friends. In the mldst of it all my understanding increased and my love mUltiplied.
Following my detention my captors presented me with terms and demands, with tempting words of kindnesses, with threats of violence and torture and with a public trial by the "People's Front." On every hand I was beset by danger out I had no thought of yieldmg to pressure. My faith in Christ increased. In this strange predicament I distinctly recalled the forty days and mghts Christ passed in the wilderness withstanding temptation, His prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the indignities heaped upon Him at His trial. The prayers he offered for His enemles upon the cross were ever in my thoughts. I naturally remembered the prayers offered by Dr. Sun Yat-sen during the imprisonment in London. These scenes passed vividly before me again and again like so many pictures. My strength was redoubled to resist the recalcitrants and with the spirit of Christ on the Cross I was preparing to make the final sacrifice at the trial of the so-called "People's l<'ront." Having determined upon this course of action, 1 was comforted and at rest.
Following the settlement of the Sian affair, the rebels knowing their unwise and treasonable actions, were naturally afraid. Remembering that Christ enjoined us to forgive those who sin against us until seventy times seven, and upon their repentance, I felt that they should be allowed to start life anew! At the same time I was greatly humbled that my own faith had not been of such quality as to influence my followers and to restrain them.
Ever since training the cadets and launching the expedition, 1 have repeated to my followers these two principles: (1) On detecting the slightest selfishness on my part, or discovering plans contrary to the interest of the country and the people, anyone may accuse me of guilt and put me to death; (2) Should my words and actions betray lack of truth and good faith, or indicate departure from the revolution¥y cause and principles, any of my subordinates may take me for an enemy and put me to death. I honestly believe that these two sayings were prompted by sincerity and grew out of my religious faith. They are in line with the spirit of Christ, and the forbearance and magnanimity of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
The life of Christ reveals a long record of affliction and constant persecution. His spirit of forbearance, His love and His benevolence shine through it all. No more valuable lesson has yet come to me out of my Christian experiences.
Dr. Sun Yat-sen was a Christian, and the greatest thing he received from Christ was love-love for the emancipation of the weaker races, and for the welfare of the oppressed people. This spirit remains with us and reaches to the skies. I am an ardent follower of the revolution, and although my faith in Dr. Sun at the outset did not appear to have any religious significance, it was similar to a religious faith. For this reason I have become a follower of Dr. Sun and his revolution based on San Min ·Chu 1 (The Three Principles of the People).
Today, I find that I have taken a further step and have become a follower of Jesus Christ. This makes me realize more fully that the success of the revolution depends upon men of faith and that men of character, because of their faith, cannot sacrifice their principles for personal safety under circumstances of difficulty and crisis. In other words, a man's life may be sacrificed, his person held in bondage, but his faith and spirit can never be restrained. This is due to confidence brought about by faith. On this Good Friday these reflections are ours. For such is the importance of faith in the revolution, and in religion.
[274 ]
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 6 JUNE, 1937 Topics of the Times RURAL AMERICA FOR CHRIST ers and dairymen, and small town tradespeople, but the mountaineers, the miners, the lumbermen, Those who make the greatest noise often receive and the ranchmen. The races include not only the most attention, but this does not prove that descendents of the Pilgrims, Dutch and other importance is in proportion to commotion. Mark early settlers, but more recent immigrants from Twain used to tell of the Mississippi stern-wheel Italy, Greece, Poland, Russia and other European steamer with a very loud whistle; steam was so countries; also Negroes, Indians, Mexicans and low that every time the whistle blew the steamer's Orientals. Many religious beliefs are involved- engine had to stop. American cities with their Jewish, Protestant, Roman and Greek Catholic, hustle and noise, their rapid transit, their fac- Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, Islam and various tories and scare-line newspapers, usually receive philosophical cults, as well as atheism and rank more attention than the quiet rural districts but paganism. These present foreign mission peo- this does not prove that cities are more important pIes and problems at home.
to national life than are the country towns and Third: Rural America is important because the farming communities. farms and country districts form the basis of our For the coming year (1937-8) the Home Mis- material prosperity. From the earth come all sion study topic is to be "Rural America." Until things that sustain life and that are used in manu- recently the farmers and rural villages have been facture – the food, the cotton, the minerals and unorganized and without any powerful mouth- oils for physical needs and for great buildings and piece so that they have received little attention. industrial enterprises. The land is the great God- Today the Secretary of Agriculture, the Farmer's given source of wealth.
Unions and Cooperatives, such men as the late Fourth: Rural America is important because Kenyon L. Butterfield, and the Agricultural Mis- of the character and influence of rural peoples.
sions Foundation, have brought the rural prob- Here are the pioneering spirit of sacrificial toil; lems forcibly to public attention. the prophetic vision looking toward the future; The study of Rural America is of great im- here we find greater independence of thought and portance for many reasons: First, because of its action, rugged individualism and homespun phi- size. One-half of the people of North America losophy. Here too, in the past at least, have been live on farms, in rural districts or in towns and manifested true faith and sterling honesty. The villages of less than 2,500 population. Although rural districts have always been the great feeders the largest amount of taxes do not come from of the cities, not only in food supplies but in pop- rural districts, neither the Government nor the ulation. From the country come the ambitious Church can afford to overlook the importance of and stalwart youth to supply brain and brawn for the 50,000,000 people who live outside of our cities industrial, commercial, political and professional and their residential suburbs. It is estimated that activity. Abraham Lincoln and many other na- 25,000,000 American children and youth live in tional leaders came from the country; so did Sam- the country districts. These are bound to be a uel Colgate and countless other industrial giants.
great factor in the life of the nation. Three hun- D. L. Moody, America's greatest evangelist with dred years ago all American life was rural; there a world-wide influence, was a lad from the small was no truly urban population. town; so were the majority of metropolitan Second: Rural America is important because preachers and famous missionaries. It is not of the variety of its people, languages and prob- wealth and comfort, but character, hard work and lems. The occupations include not only the farm- opportunity that produce great leaders.
[275 ]
Fifth: Rural America is important because the religious liberty, and has refrained from saying future of the country is inseparably linked to that any missionaries have been or will be exrural life, for good or for evil. If the farmers' cluded on the ground of religion or nationality, families, and the small town and roadside popula- many missionaries-Swedish, British, French and tions, are neglected physically, intellectually and American-have already been asked to leave and spiritually they will starve or will poison the city others are being refused permission to return. and national life. Keep the sources pure and The Italian Government is also rendering some virile and the nation will feel the benefit; allow missions homeless by taking over their property. these sources to become corrupt and the nation It is even reported that Ethiopian Christians conwill decay. nected with Protestant societies are being ar- rested and exiled. Already the Vatican is send- Sixth: It is important to study Rural America, ing large numbers of Roman Catholic missionaries because this field has been grossly neglected. Peo- to bring the Coptic Church and the Ethiopians ple in many thinly populated areas have been al- under the sway of Rome. most or wholly without religious privileges – as among the mountains, mining settlements and It seems clear that Italy does not desire the scattered farm lands. In other cases villages and presence of alien and Protestant Christians in towns have been overchurched but undernour- Ethiopia. The reasons given by the Italiansished and have lived religiously at a poor dying charges of espionage, unfriendliness toward rate. There is great need for Christian readjust- Italian occupation and undue sympathy with ment and for cooperation between urban and Ethiopians – are evidently excuses to rid the suburban churches that have wealth in the midst country of non-Catholics and non-Italians. Natof plenty, and the rural parishes that are weak urally the Christian missionaries cannot view with and starving for leadership and material equip- complacency the wholesale killing of Ethiopians, ment. Let city churches assist rural parishes. without trial, but as ministers of Christ they do not engage in political activity. Italy does not Seventh: But the greatest reason for the study give the missionaries the right to defend themof Rural America is in order that the supreme selves against these charges before an impartial need of the rural peoples may be supplied – the tribunal. need for a clear knowledge of Christ and His Way of Life; the need for Christian training for chil- Full and correct information is difficult to obdren and youth; the need for effective leadership; tain on account of rigid government censorship the need for well-directed social life and Christian and because the few missionaries who- are still in activity. Addis Ababa believe that silence is "golden" at present. If any are permitted to remain it seems The careful and prayerful study of the needs that the privilege may be granted to a few of the and opportunities of rural America, and the ap- Protestant missionaries, including some United plication of these studies in practical lines of ac- Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventists and tivity, should mean great blessing to America in thirty-five of the Sudan Interior Mission. both civic and rural life. Jesus Christ himself was brought up in a small village and spent most The real reasons for the Government's objecof His earthly life ministering to rural people in tion to Protestant missionaries seems to be Galilee. As a rule His parables were drawn from (1) that they are subjects of countries unfriendly the fields. Most of His early disciples were from to Italian occupation; (2) that they are true the country, and when they were scattered by per- friends of the Ethiopians and desire for them edusecution they went forth to preach the Gospel in cation and freedom, rather than exploitation or the towns and villages and by the wayside. extermination; (3) that Italy wishes to have undisputed, autocratic sway of Ethiopia, with It is clearly important that we make an earnest control over all educational and medical work; study of Rural America, with especial reference (4) that the government prefers to have Italian to discovering the ways in which Christ may have subjects as religious and secular teachers. a larger and more controlling influence on the fifty million men and women and children in our The latest authentic letter to come out of rural areas. To this end the mission study books Ethiopia from a reliable missionary source (dated have been prepared, Rural Life Sunday is ob- April 5) reveals some of the hardships and disserved, and for this purpose we offer this special couragements encountered and the Christlike issue of THE REVIEW. spirit with which these are met. This personal letter is, in part, as follows: CLOSING DOORS IN ETHIOPIA These have been most difficult and trying days but God's Conflicting reports come as to the outlook for grace is ever sufficient and He overrules all. On March 8, Protestant missionary work in the new Italian we received word from natives that our station (in the incolony. While the Government officially promises terior) had been plundered, one building burned, others torn down and used for firewood, and that "everything
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
had been stolen, so that not even a scrap of paper was to Nanking. While Generalissimo Chiang could not be pres- be seen on the place." While the losing of some things ent in person, he sent Colonel J. L. Huang, Director of the especially seemed hard we have committed it all to God New Life Movement, with an address to be read both in and praise Him that our lives have been spared. While Chinese and in English translation. Col. Huang was the our earthly possessions have thus been reduced to a mini- first person to fly from Nanking to Generalissimo Chiang mum we know that "all things work together for good to in Sian after his detention. In some ways it is a more those that love God and that are called according to His remarkable document than the speech on leaving Sian, for purpose." in this the Generalissimo bears open testimony to his Christian faith and describes the spiritual experience While we have felt for some time that for us this might which came to him during the crisis. (See page 274.) be the end of the work here, we have had no definite word to that effect. Permission was at first given for workers Things have been happening with bewildering rapidity to return to their stations, where the Italian army was in this ancient land. The "strange interlude" at Sian in occupation, and we looked forward to getting back to tested the mettle of the government and people. It showed — even if only for a short stay, to strengthen the the growing strength of the Central Government and re- Believers, encourage earnest seekers, and commit the work vealed Chiang's great hold upon the loyalty and affections into their hands. But on Easter Sunday we received word of the masses. Both Chinese rebel factions and the Japto come on to Addis as soon as possible. It would have anese military party were surprised at the steadiness of been difficult to go back to our station and say good-bye to the Government through the crisis and at the popular those whom we have learned to love. support evoked for Chiang. The good coming out of the serious trouble is increasingly apparent. There is hope While our work in Ethiopia for the present seems to be that the Central Government will come to some kind of ended, we are as'Sured that God's work is not finished. an agreement with the communist army which will pre- Pray for the little native church in this land, that those vent further war between the people of the same nation. who have been "called out" may be kept by the power of Many civil leaders and some military leaders in Japan God. His Word has been sown and His promise stands seem to have a new respect for China. Much needed resure that it shall not return unto Him void. Although so organization of the central and provincial government many of the Believers are only babes in Christ, God has upon a broader and surer basis is being quietly carried promised the Holy Spirit to make real the things of Christ out. The Generalissimo has the nation behind him as to His own; Please join us in claiming the fulfilment of never before in the great task of hUilding a modern State. these promises for the glory of God. He is facing his great responsibility and opportunity with humble faith in God and with ever-greater appreciation It is distressing to think of the dark days ahead of the life and example of Jesus Christ, and of the meanfor the Evangelical Church in Ethiopia but it is ing of the Cross. Why should not China and America encouraging to hear that even now some of these work together to help build a Christian world, a world of young Christians are undertaking to carryon the justice and peace? evangelistic work. Hardships and suffering and the necessity of depending wholly on God may be Various explanations have been offered for counted on to strengthen faith in the faithful and Chiang Kai-shek's release from his abductors. to develop character in those who have the Word The chief human factor was his Christian wife, of God and have received spiritual life. Mayling Soong Chiang, a graduate of Wellesley College. Mrs. Hugh W. White, a missionary in THE HOPE OF CHINA Yencheng, wrote in the Sunday School Times: All who have read the accounts of the capture Much prayer had been made for him, and many Chinese, and release of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek by not Christians themselves, realize that this [release] was the Chinese rebel forces at Sian last December, an answer to prayer. We hope and pray that the incident have new hope for China and the Chinese. In the may be greatly used to the furtherance of the Gospel. face of foreign invasion and domestic strife, with complications from famine and flood and the usual The North China Daily News gives the followand unusual problems of a great unorganized na- ing interesting sidelight: tion, it is clear that character, courage and intelligent, unselfish patriotism are what Chinese must On Christmas morning, Dr. Kung was praying as on have if China is to be saved. These character- other days. When he opened his Bible he found chapter 16 istics are promoted by Christian faith, such as is of the Acts, which tells of the release of St. Paul, and read evident in the Generalissimo and his devoted wife. verse 35: "And when it was day, the magistrates sent the sergeants, saying, Let those men go." Dr. Kung continued A letter recently received from Rev. Frank W. reading verses 36 to 40. He marvelled at the appropriate- Price, of Nanking, tells the story in part. He ness of these verses and felt strangely comforted at their writes: message. He then told his friends of his conviction that the Generalissimo would be released. The same afternoon news of General Chiang's freedom reached the Finance Minister.
When the Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek was released Madame Chiang Kai-shek's own story of the from his captivity in Sian, on last Christmas Day, he gave Generalissimo's capture and release reveals clearly a parting message to General Chang Hsueh-liang and her courage and faith in God. It will be rememother officers which, many think, will go down in Chinese bered that her mother was a highly respected history as the great utterance of a noble and magnani- Christian and her brother, T. V. Soong, and her mous statesman. It is already being printed in many sisters, Madame H. H. Kung and Madame Sun school textbooks.
On Good Friday a special Christian service was held in
Yat-Sen, are also Christians and prominent in toward Christian work in the country remains to government affairs. be seen. Men must find the light their souls crave, and Christ is the answer to Burma's needs. When Madame Chiang reached her husband in his captivity, he said: "Although I urged you not "When a big mining company builds a new road to come to Sian, I felt that I could not prevent it. through the hills to take their tin ores to market," When I opened my Bible this morning my eyes writes Rev. H. T. Marshall of Rangoon, "along lit on the words in J·eremiah 31: 22, "Jehovah will that same new road follows not only the worst of now do a new thing; that is he will make a Western life, with the products of distilleries and woman protect a man" (Chinese rendering). breweries, but Christian messengers in modern autos with the Word of life." Today a fellowship Madame Chiang not only prayed, with assur- with Christ is exemplified by His followers in ance that her prayers to God would be answered, Burma. but she comforted her husband saying: "God is with us. I am here to share your fate and to die Through the new Life that has come to them, with you if God so wills, and if He wills it other- Karens are now taking charge of the work which wise to live and work with you for the sake of the before had been under foreign misilionaries; the nation." people take part in meetings where formerly only the clergy officiated. Jungle women, usually so Madame Chiang also impressed upon the cap- shy that they could not utter a word in public, tor, General Chang Hsueh-liang, that he must re- now stand up without self-consciousness and tell pent of his act and must seek the guidance of in a straightforward way what new life in Christ God on all occasions. means to them. The progress of the work, the spiritual outlook and the effects of the Gospel on China's hope is in the development of strong conduct are very encouraging. National leader- Christian leaders and citizens who put an intel- ship, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, gives ligent desire to know and do the Will of God above these people release from old strangling customs personal ambition, and the good of their country and develops them into forward-looking Christian above self. It will not be forgotten that Chinese workers. "One supposedly Christian village," Christians, without the use of force, were used to says Mr. Marshall, "that six months ago was full bring about the release of the Chinese Generalis- of carousing and superstitious demon worship, simo. now realizes that God wants to use them to help reach neighboring villages; a large delegation re- THE NEW BURMA cently spent a whole forenoon in prayer and then started out to bring the Gospel to those whom six On April first Burma ceased to be counted a months before they would not have tried to part of India and became a separate dominion of reach." the British Empire. This means a new Burmese government with a British Governor General, a Burma needs national leadership that is Godnew Burmese House of Representatives and Sen- controlled and directed; Christian natives must ate, new Burmese stamps and coins-though the be the real evangelists of the country. The rupee will continue to be the medium of exchange. Church must be guided and filled by the Holy It is expected also that these changes will bring a Spirit if Burma is to experience the moving power new spirit of independence and self-expression. of God to make aNew Burma. May there also be a new spirit of progress and a new desire for righteousness and peace. THE GENERALISSIMO'S MORAL LAW There is much, however, that has not changed, These rules, by General Chiang Kai-shek, for with Burma's altered political status. The pre- Chinese soldiers are printed on a little card and vailing religion is still Buddhist with a strong distributed under the auspices of the Officers' mixture of animism, and the priests have a Moral Endeavor Association: strong hold on the populace. There is still poverty and ignorance among the masses. There is 1. Thou shalt not covet riches. great need for education and economic improve- 2. Thou shalt not fear to die. ment, but particularly the Burmese must have 3. Thou shalt not advertise thyself for vain glory. Christian standards of life if they are to become 4. Thou sbalt not be proud. a strong people. 5. Thou shalt not be lazy. 6. Thou shalt not commit adultery nor gamble. In the new government, Christians are taking 7. Thou shalt not smoke. an active part. One of the six cabinet ministers 8. Thou shalt not drink wine. is a Karen, a fine Christian young man. Several 9. Thou shalt not borrow money. other Christians are in the House of Representa- 10. Thou shalt not lie. tives. Thra San Baw of Tharrawaddy and Dr. Ma Saw Sa, the leading Burmese lady doctor, are Christian senators. What attitude the new government, with its Buddhist slant, is going to take
Challenge of the Rural
By the REV. MARK A. DAWBER, Philadelphia, Pa.
_.<t!if Superintendent, Town and Country Work, Methodist Episcopal Jil.- Church; Author of "Rebuilding Rural America"
THE changing conditions of life everywhere lowed to degenerate, industry is itself in peril. It are making new and stern demands upon the would therefore seem wise to realize that the na- institutions of society. Government, busi- tion's economic life is all of the same piece. Our ness, agriculture, education-all are being called civilization has become so interlocked and inter- upon to meet the exigencies of a changed and con- dependent that all parts must work well if any of stantly changing world. Religion and the Chris- it is to work well. Therefore, the reconstruction tian Church are no exception to this rule; rather of agriculture and the stabilizing of the economic it would be a fair statement to say that perhaps life of rural people is of vast importance not only the Church is being tested today as no other in- to rural people, but to city people. Now the stitution. The conditions are widespread and church has much at stake in this consideration.
there is no avenue of life that has not been touched The church is always the first institution to suffer by these forces of change. No group of people or as the result of economic collapse. Much of its community anywhere is so remote that it has support comes out of the surplus and in times like been able to escape the impact of the changing those through which we are passing, the church conditions of our modern life. Rural communities has suffered out of all proportion. But it is not are tremendously involved. In fact, we make bold in the interest of its own selfish life that the to declare that in comparison the changes that church must be concerned, on the contrary. The have taken place during the past decade are such urge and the implication of the Gospel it preaches that rural America is now more seriously affected are the major reasons for its interest and the dy- than are the urban centers. What is the meaning namic for its activity to help obtain economic of this for the church? justice and social security for the farm families'
The changed rural community constitutes an in America. This is a challenge that now comes imperative challenge to the church today. We are out of rural life with the urgency of immediate conc~rned that the rural church shall face this need and with a sense of national importance that challenge. The obligation rests upon it to estab- the Church cannot afford to ignore or avoid.
lish the new rural civilization that is now emerg- The Challenge of the Enlarged Community ing, upon solid foundations of spiritual truth and to instill into it that quality of life, without which Anothli!r vast change that comes out of modern no worthy or enduring civilization can be estab- rural life is that of a new geographical area that lished. now constitutes the working community of rural America. Most of the present church buildings The Challenge of Economic Justice and their parish lines were the product of the old The first important challenge of rural America agricultural community life. The range was that is that of a very drastic change in its economic of horse and buggy on a mud road. Some eight life. The economic dislocation that has befallen to ten miles radius was the extent, and, in many urban America was inevitable. A short-sighted cases, less than that. Some fifty families was a industrial leadership, satisfied with the joyride of good basis of support. The school, the economic a false prosperity had concluded that it could last life, the social organization, and the total institu- forever. This leadership seemed oblivious to the tionallife including the church were the reflex of fact that these so-called values were mere paper a fifty to sixty family community. It was the day values; the moment these values were challenged of the self-sufficing agriculture, the little red they collapsed like a pack of cards. The deflation schoolhouse, a simple satisfying social life that has reacted of course, upon agriculture; but it was developed around the farm home. This has must be remembered that the plight of agricul- all been shattered. The economic range is now ture during the peak of our industrial prosperity unlimited, but at least it can be said, that it has is, in a very important way, the explanation of the been enlarged to include the county. Because of collapse of industry. Agriculture is the founda- the economic changes, farmers are county con- tion of industry, and whenever agriculture is al- scious. The schools for the most part are con- [279 ]
solidated and take in several of the old-time com- new Christian statesmanship if it is ever going munities making them one in educational purpose to arrive. and spirit. The social life is mostly expressed at the county seat town. The movie and the dance But with all our material progress, good roads hall dominate. This changed scale of rural life and rapid transportation, there has come accomis a real challenge to the church in rural Amer- panying problems of poverty and neglect. The ica to reconstruct itself to meet a new and en- automobile and the hard roads have been a boon larged community of interests and sometimes a to millions, but there is a sense in which they have confusion and conflict of purposes; to reorganize also proved a bane to others. They have put milthe parish boundaries so as to include the larger lions of people on the main highway and the geographical unit as a single parish; to find ways beaten track, but corresponding millions have and means among the several differing denomina- been removed from it. There is a new religious tions to adjust their differences and to unite in neglect in rural life. Those who are living on the some constructive forward looking, adventurous dirt road and in the marginal sections of rural program to make a single impact of religion in America are more isolated and neglected than the interests of a larger and more Christian king- ever, so far as religious privileges are concerned. dom building type. In the old days when all the people lived on dirt roads and the means of transportation was a horse In saying this we are not unmindful of the diffi- and buggy, all were in the range of parish visitaculties that this presents. To bring together town tion. The preacher also had his horse and all and country people in some common purpose for homes were almost equally accessible. Now few spiritual advancement is no easy task, but that it preachers have a horse and hence the people livmust be achieved is now clearly evident to all those ing on the side roads, that in the winter are deep who in recent years have been giving time and with mud, are seldom, if ever, reached with a thought to this matter. An intelligent engineered religious ministry. This is also true of the chilalignment is now necessary to any future rural dren and young people where the small schools progress. Good roads, automobiles, radios, tele- are still maintained off the hard roads. They are phones and other instruments that have conquered a most neglected group, and where these conditime and distance, require that some similar prog- tions obtain, there is a religious destitution and a ress shall take place in those forces and agencies growing paganism that should be a matter of deep that govern human relations. Some progress is concern for the church. The situation as here evidenced in the reorganization of the economic stated is not confined to anyone part of the coun- 'and the educational life, but much remains to be try. It is not a condition that is isolated to the done. But the religious life of town and country traditional backwoods' sections, but it exists in for the most part, is a standing rebuke to the the most highly developed eastern states. Maine church and a stern challenge to readjust itself to and Vermont are equally in need with Arkansas a more scientific demand and the enlarged com- and Georgia. This is a condition that calls for a munity that have come in the trail of recent social new missionary passion and a new consecration change in rural America. To revise and reor- on the part of the church and its rural ministry. ganize our systems of society, local government, political, educational and social institutions of The Challenge of the Rural Home rural life is a difficult task indeed; when we come to the institutions of religion the difficulty is in- The rural community is also presenting a new creased many times, and in this realm of read- challenge to the church at the point of the changjusting the church of rural America to these new ing farm home. Drastic changes in the methods demands of community life, will require the in- of agriculture are breaking down the family type sight and courage of a new and greater statesman- farming and hence destroying the farm home type ship than that of yesterday. In this, of course, we of community. The trend toward mass produc- are dealing with human nature, with all its weak- tion and single commodity farming is one of the ness and frailty, and we are fully conscious that danger spots in our present system. Capitalistic a thing is not always going to be achieved because large scale agriculture should be discouraged. It it is logical or right; the temptation is very great does not make for the larger prosperity of all, but to cling to the habits and ideas of yesterday, and it has resulted in the disintegration of the farm to huddle around vested interests the moment family and the destruction of the community there is a suggestion of change. Nowhere is this spirit. As a further result we now have the poor- temptation greater than in the institution of reli- est social order in rural America in those states gion and the rural church has some added diffi- where we have the richest soil. Here we find the culties at this point that are in a class by them- tenant farmer and the sharecropper or transient selves. But the fact remains that rural progress and migrant labor. Here we find our weak in the church and elsewhere must wait upon this churches, our poorest homes, and our most prolific sources of crime. The cure will be found in the 1937] THE CHALLENGE OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY discouragement of the capitalistic competitive man race. We are also slowly but surely learriing , profit-seeking agriculture and the encouragement that a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the family-type of farm ownership and opera- of things, but in seeking the satisfaction of his tion.· Observation would suggest that the best mind and spirit, without which things, in them- social order and the most satisfying rural com- selves, have little or no value. They become a munities are those in which dwell a large per- stumblingblock to the highest progress. Rural centage of family home farmers. Farm owners life is in particular peril at this point just now.
are the most reliable citizens. They support Farmers have been more naturally a religious peo- schools and churches, and elevate the moral and ple. But the emphasis upon material development spiritual standards of the community in which in recent years has gone far to create a materi- they live. Home ownership integrates and sta- alistic conception of life in rural America.
bilizes the moral and spiritual characteristics of We need a culture that will bring to rural life the people. It makes for a more reliable and a worthier sense of its rightful heritage, that will trustworthy citizen and nowhere is this so true create in the minds of rural people an apprecia- as on the farm. tion of those more permanent satisfactions that Other forces also are operating to break down can be achieved by a rural culture. But we :need the home life of rural America. The fact that also to decide as to what are the earmarks of such many rural communities have not organized to a culture. It must be distinctive and characterprotect themselves against the dumping of the istic of rural environment. It must be something road houses and dance halls into the country, that grows out of the soil and the people who have where they would not be permitted in the county their roots in the soil. We must refuse to accept seat towns, is a matter for serious consideration. a culture that is imposed from without. But this Other changes could also be cited that would go rural culture of which we have been writing must to illustrate and explain this tragic condition of also be part of a social and spiritual vitality that the rural home. These all constitute an unprece- will prevent the city from either dominating or dented challenge to the rural church. It must draining the countryside. Any true rural culture stake its life in its defence of the family farm must spring from life in the country. Therefore enterprise. Human values are the primary values. the social and spiritual development of any life The end in view is a satisfying life and not the must be closely related to the common task. Life quantity or even the quality of goods. The farmer in the country is simpler than life in the city is more important than the farm. To restore the and should be kept so as far as possible. It is family farmer to agriculture and to give dignity nearer to nature and to God. Life on the farm, and restore the sacred meaning to the farm home, under the open sky, the changing seasons as they would achieve not only an economic society that is come and go, the growing things, the soil, the now essential to permanent social stability, but trees, the stock, flowers, birds, grass, mountains spiritual gains would result that cannot obtain and running brooks – these surely have the posunder any other system. The rural church would sibilities of a great and worth-while culture that render the Kingdom a great service in giving voice has vast social and spiritual implications. But to this imperative need of reestablishing agricu1- this social expression and spiritual impetus must ture on a family farm basis and in conserving be rooted in the things of rural life. Too much of those home values that are basic to a Christian rural religion has been a thing apart. It has failed civilization. to build itself upon the foundations of these na- tive values in rural life. Now the time has come The Challenge of Spiritual Need when those who believe in rural America, who live There is another important challenge that comes on the farm and appreciate its possibilities for a out of these several considerations of the chang- full and satisfying life, must band themselves to- ing life of rural America. It is that of a vital cul- gether for a courageous forward movement to ture and a new social and spiritual vitality. Much achieve this social and spiritual vitalizing of rural attention has been given to the production side of life. Most of the satisfactions of rural life are rural life. Agriculture has been developed to a still to be achieved by this appreciation and culti- high point of efficiency. Science and invention vation of these simpler worthwhile things. Life have made possible a basis of economic produc- grows rich only in worthwhile friendships and in tion way beyond the wildest dreams of living man. those lasting values that are alone to be found in But science and invention, while able to satisfy human relations and in man's relation to God.
man's wants, offer no help in assisting man in de- The rural community is calling for a leadership ciding what he should want. We have made two that will go forward with such a program. It is blades of grass grow where only one grew before, the outstanding and urgent obligation of Ameri- but we have not found a way to make that extra can statesmanship, but it is above everything else blade of grass serve the best interests of the hu- a clear clarion call to the Christian Church.
Forgotten Man of the Back
-sf I By ANN MITCHELL, a Country Neighbor I Je- ~==========================~ W E HEAR much about "the forgotten will pay tuition for any boys and girls who wish man." I know him! He lives next door to attend the one in the town, nine miles away. to us, here on the back road. His farm It is twelve to the high school from our four was once one of the finest in the county. His corners, and there is no trolley or bus available. grandfather cleared the land, building literally What good is tuition without transportation for miles of neat stone wall, planting a maple grove a boy who cannot afford even a Model T and the and an apple orchard, and putting up buildings of gas to run it? The bright children are through which he could be justly proud. His father car- the grades at twelve or thirteen (the dull ones ried on successfully for a while, but lost his cour- have to go until they are sixteen!). When a boy age when the new "Black Road," instead of pass- has been out of school for four or five years he ing his place, followed the river, four miles to the feels quite like a man of the world and ready to south, and later the lake shore, five miles to the establish a home of his own. The critical years north. Electricity and other "advantages" fol- of adolescence spent in loafing about an idle farm, lowed the improved highway, while his dirt road hanging around lumber camps, spending on movies and dance halls the money earned by do- ing odd jobs here and there-what a poor prep- aration for successful living!
Jim married at nineteen, and Jimmie Junior was born just six months later, on Addie's seven- teenth birthday. Before Jim was thirty there were seven children, and he had seldom had steady work on which he could depend from month to month. He would have liked to bring the old farm back to its former prestige, but how could he? It takes so long to put any farm project on a paying basis, and some capital is absolutely THE CAMP THAT JIM BOUGHT necessary. There was no money for plowing and harrowing, for fertilizer and seed. There was no became more neglected each year. How could he money to buy really good stock, and if Jim had hope to compete with men to whom modern im- been able to secure a horse and cows and chickens, provements were easily available, and whose there was no money with which to buy feed for produce could reach the markets so much more them. So there was. nothing to do but take the quickly and safely? Better to put down the fields odd jobs by which he could earn enough to buy to grass, work his horses on the rapidly spread- bread for the family (often bread without butter, ing network of state roads in the spring, do odd to say nothing of jam!) and let the big barn stand jobs for the summer colony during July and empty and the fields run out. By the time he in- August, hoping to get a job in the woods in the herited the place all the buildings were in bad con- winter. He managed fairly comfortably, but his dition. There was no money for repairs!
son, our friend Jim, is not faring so well. And When we came to the corner six years ago the no one seems to care! Apparently everyone-Road paint was gone from the dignified old house-it Commissioners, Board of Education, Public Utility looked as bad as the abandoned one we had ac- Commissioners and, until recently, even the quired! Sills were rotting, kitchen floor wearing Church Board have forgotten Jim and his prob- through, walls shabby and soiled, furniture lems. broken, and everything dejected looking and down We boast of our "New England traditions"! at the heel. Even the pump had given out, and There are five colleges in our state, and several Addie was drawing water from the well with a fine academys, but Jim was through school when bucket on a worn rope. What wonder that she he was thirteen years old! Our village, like many used it sparingly, and that her clothes were al- another in this section, has no high school, but ways a "tattle-tale gray"! They used kerosene [282 ] lamps and wood fires. The children went to a friends along the back road – people of fine old one-room school with an old air-tight stove-all American stock, everyone. People with kind the (in) conveniences of grandmother's day, in hearts, most of them; men who mean well; New England in nineteen thirty-one! women who carryon bravely and cheerfully under almost unsurmountable difficulties. But they have Jim's home is typical of many in this regionback three or four miles from the state highways. THIS IS THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT Of course grandmother married young, lived on a dirt road and raised a large family with just such had no educational opportunities, no economic seprimitive equipment, but it does not matter so curity, no social standards (they are unmoral, not much where you are as the direction in which you immoral!) , no proper health care. And the chilare going! Our grandparents were pioneers in dren – many of them so neglected that they are the vanguard of progress, and were helping to growing up to be a menace to society! build a new world. Jim, and the many others like him, are bringing up the rear and are slipping When We Came to the Back Road farther and farther back as time marches on! When my family and I came to the Back Road They are living in old neglected homesteads, in six years ago, we had been driven from a suburban shacks covered with tar paper, in lumber camps. home by the "depression," and for some time were Always and everywhere there are the children! too deeply absorbed in our own problems to ap- preciate our neighbors. We thought that we were There's Jack; he inherited no farm, and lives poor, but when we gathered up the pieces after on waste land at the other end of nowhere with "the crash" we found that we had enough to make his gentle little wife and nine children. (The the old house comfortable and give it something tenth will arrive this summer, and I suppose the of its early charm. We were able to make over town will have to pay the doctor's bill, as usual!) the big barn into a hennery and to stock it with Jack has lost what pride he had and does not hesi- good birds. Going back to grandmother's day tate to "call on the town" – more often than is was for us a real adventure, and we are making a necessary, some folks think! They call him a success of things in spite of poor roads, lack of worthless fellow, but the shack he made out of electricity and other conveniences. When we betwo old henhouses, a pile of weathered, unplaned gan to look about we found ourselves faced as boards and rolls of black paper is somehow attrac- never before with the problem of stewardship. tive! The small rooms are neatly lined with cor- Of course we plunged with enthusiasm into the rugated pasteboard, and he has planted little ever- work of the newly formed Larger Parish which greens in the door yard. The children are bright was seeking to reach the back roads with its proand clean and mannerly, but the two oldest, thir- gram, but-that was not enough! It is one thing teen and fifteen, are "through school" and have to live in a neighborhood where everyone is more gotten in with a pretty rough crowd! than comfortable and to feel that you are truly Christian if, while enjoying your own pet lux- Bob is a clever workman, but "awful easy go- uries, you give (conveniently!) to the work of the ing" and his wife is just plain lazy, so folks say! local church. It is quite another thing to live next Their house, which started to be a nice little place door to a family like Jim's and feel truly Christian on the hill overlooking the lovely lake, is filled to while enjoying even pet comforts, to say nothing overflowing with children – his and hers and of luxuries, and we like to feel that we are doing theirs! Poor Sally! She certainly has had no our share in building a church program here that chance! Married at fifteen~because she had. to is adequate. The personal ways in which we have be! – divorced at seventeen, married again at been able to help are so small and so obvious that eighteen to a widower with three small children; it seems hardly worth while to tell of them, but I now, at twenty_six, she is herself the mother of sometimes wonder if it is not here, after all, that six and has the other three to care for, and abso- we are getting at the real heart of the problem! lutely nothing to do it with! Sharing, cooperating, working and playing to- gether-is not that the way out? Then there are Harry and Laura. They have a new camp of two rooms, each ten by twelve feet. He was seventeen and she sixteen when they were married six years ago; now they have four adorable children. Laura keeps the tiny home as neat as a pin and the children are well cared for, but her face is very sad! Harry likes a good time, and is tired of a wife who is always either carrying or nursing a baby and can never go with him to dance halls; so-he is "running around" with a girl from the Creek!
These are only a few of our neighbors – our
Of course it takes understanding and patience buy grain for Jim's stock-he has some nowand tact, and most of all appreciation and real and he takes care of our cows to pay for it. Addie affection. Addie and her friends initiated me into wanted a small flock of hens, so we let her pick the mysteries of old-fashioned housekeeping. I twenty pullets from among our birds; she is sortdid not know how to cook with a wood fire, to care ing our eggs to pay for them.' One year we gave for kerosene lamps, to rub clothes clean on a washboard, to make good country butter! In return I three of the neighbors seed and fertilizer; in rehave introduced them to the world of literature turn they helped with our garden and haying. and music, and the charm of afternoon tea! At Sara, down the road a piece, needed a bed that we first my cups had to travel up and down the coun- were not using and I needed help with housecleantryside, as no one else had enough to go round! ing. We have been able to keep a small fund in We have now our Woman's Club with four charter the savings bank for emergencies-a fund which members; our neighborhood suppers and parties, would have seemed absurdly inadequate in the our Sunday-night sings. At first standards dif- days before "the crash" but now it gives us a comfered so much that it was hard to find a common fortable feeling of security. Last year we found language; I have to remember always that we do that Ed was going to lose his farm, as a threenot try to reform our friends, we only love them! hundred-dollar mortgage was proving impossible. Sometimes it is hard not to feel discouraged. Two In the "good old days" we would have said that years ago when Jim Junior was only eighteen, it was "just too bad, but what could we do about and without a sign of a job, he married a slip of it?" As Back Road Christians with an emergency a girl of seventeen, and last year his sister, Emma, fund we felt that we had to do something about who is not bright, had a baby without being mar- it! We bought that mortgage and told Ed that ried at all! Though we lived right next door, we he could take his time to pay it. The amazing could not do anything about it, except to keep on part of it is that with the fear of foreclosure reloving and standing by! moved Ed has straightened his shoulders and tightened his belt and has gone to work with new Most of these country people are self-respecting will. This spring he has paid not only the interand proud. Many of them would starve before est but twenty-five dollars on the principal! they would accept "charity" but-they are glad to share. When we came up here we had many more Jim Junior and his Ruthy lived with the old things than we needed! What right had I to two folks, but she was not happy. When he had a coats, when the woman at the corner had none? chance to buy a "camp" for thirty dollars he came Extra curtains-why lay them away for future to talk it over. Such an edifice would not add to use when they would transform Abbie's shabby the beauty of the neighborhood, and the logical parlor? Garden surplus, cracked eggs, skimmed place to put it was almost in our door yard; but milk-it is so easy and happy to say "I find that building lives is certainly much more important I don't need this. Can you make use of it?" Our than architectural style! We advanced the money car-often in the early days-was the only one on and now the young people are making the tiny the hill that could be relied on for the trip to town. place into a real home. They are paying for it This presented more of a problem. But when I little by little, sometimes in cash and sometimes explained that it was God's car and I only had the in labor. privilege of driving it, folks smiled indulgently, but found it easy to accept its favors without Bob has an old car, but had not been able to pay "loss of face." We long ago lost count of the the tax and register it this year. When he had a neighborhood trips it has made-taking people to ch~nce to work in the woods beyond walking dischurch services and farm bureau meetings in the tance we let him have money to put the Ford on village, to clinics in the city thirty miles away, to the road, and he is reducing the debt a bit each and from the hospital, and out for supplies in pay day. emergencies. It is understood that our linen and sick-room equipment are available in time of These are a few of the "emergencies" in which illness. If there is something that we can borrow, our fund has helped out. It has also paid doctor's our friends are just delighted! bills, provided glasses for weak eyes, even bought tires for a Model T, and neighborhood needs have For a while, before a P. W. A. project started been met without injury to anyone's self-respect! near us we were the only family at the Corners who had any steady cash income. During that Understanding, sympathy, affection-only as period we bought groceries for all, and found some work on our place that the others could do to pay we have these, the qualities of true neighborliness, for their share. That was the beginning of a can we appreciate the problems, the handicaps and system of sharing resources which has been in the possibilities of others. When we do really apsuccessful operation for three or four years. We preciate what the other fellow is "up against" we feel that we must share our resources, material and spiritual. When all are willing to share there will be no "forgotten man" on the back roads, but everyone will have a fair chance to make good!
Fields in Rural
By the REV. Wm. R. KING, D.D., New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council I T IS difficult to answer directly and specifically building and then rested back comfortably upon inquiries about unchurched communities, neg- the illusion that the field was occupied, Gospel lected groups, and overlooked areas. There is privileges were provided and the field was no a lack of clear understanding as to what is meant longer neglected. That general notion has perby "neglected fields." Shifts and changes are sisted until the present day. Denominational constantly taking place in communities and among executives still claim that a field is not neglected groups, and there is a lack of accurate and up-to- if there is any semblance of church or religious date information, although we have been actively service no matter how occasional or how inadeengaged for the past ten years in making surveys quate the religious program and the church minand accumulating information along these lines. istry may be. This is one of the greatest diffi· A large amount of data has been gathered and culties in the way of comity adjustments today. published in articles, pamphlets, and books, as a Denominations will claim and hold on to a field, result of surveys which include about twenty-five even though there be only an occasional service states. Some studies have been intensive, reach- and no community ministry whatever. ing down into counties, communities and indi- As a matter of fact, any community that has not vidual parishes. an adequate, efficient and effective church min- What is a "neglected field"? There is quite a istry is "a neglected field." A district cannot be difference of opinion among church leaders upon classed as "occupied" without a proper evaluation this point. Some seem to think that if there is a of the character of the religious program that is church building with an occasional service by some being provided. By any adequate evaluation of itinerant missionary or circuit rider, that field is church ministry we must confess that there are not neglected. This is a general opinion among vast numbers of fields in rural America that are some denominational administrators. It is an in- being neglected by the Church. This fact has been herited attitude from the past. When the country abundantly established by the surveys and studies was new and home missions meant church ex- that have been made during the past decade. tension and the planting of churches in new communities, it was generally accepted that a field was It is not too much to say, speaking generally of occupied if it had an occasional ministry and par- the rural church of the present day, that most ticularly if it had a church building. The ques- rural communities in America are neglected by tion of program and efficiency did not enter the Church. By and large in America the rural largely into the consideration; it was a mere church is not functioning adequately and effecmatter of being on the ground. ,It was somewhat tively. It is distressing to ride through the coun- tryon the train, or especially by automobile, and like homesteading in the early days when the observe the little one-room, unpainted, unkept, pioneer went into the new section and drove down neglected churches which give every indication of his stake and entered his claim. He felt that the neglect, inadequacy, and decay. Many are actually farm was his. It mattered not how much or how dead or in a rapid decline. It is estimated that little improvement he had put on it or how well they are passing out at the rate of about 1,000 a he was occupying the land. He had preempted year. The "little church at the cross-roads" is it; he had established his claim; he was able to very largely a thing of the past. In these days say "This is mine." Therefore, it was "occupied" of new highways and automobiles, the rural farmland. In the same way, in the great West churches are, as a rule, no longer at the cross- especially, the churches were established in the roads. They are not on the new routes of traffic early days. Ambitious denominational superin- and are no longer located in strategic places. tendents and pioneer missionaries went into these Many of them are out of the way, inaccessible, new territories and drove down their ecclesiastical and no longer "by the side of the road." The stakes, preempted a corner lot, brought a few pea- very location makes it almost impossible for them pIe together and organized them into a church. to render an effective service. Possibly they erected a little one-room church The new day has brought improvement in rural [285 ]
homes.· It has brought electric lights and many First, there is the United Parish Plan or what other luxuries of our modern life. It has brought is generally called the Larger Parish Plan. The the new consolidated school. It has obliterated concensus of opinion of the best informed and distances and eliminated time but the little, dilap- wisest leaders of country church work is that the idated, country church still stands as a relic of a only hope, and the only possible way to provide past and as an indictment against the present an adequate ministry to these neglected rural statesmanship of the Church. fields, is through some form of interdenomina- Surveys made in recent years in New England, tional cooperation.
for example, show a rapid decline of country These places that are being over-looked and churches throughout the whole of that region, and neglected are not wanted by any denomination.
general inefficiency which is alarming. These They are not looked upon as worth while for they surveys divide the communities into three classes: are liabilities rather than assets. They are too those inadequately churched, the communities ade- expensive and too unprofitable. Even the new quately churched, and those that were over- sects that are springing up so rapidly, and are churched. In New Hampshire, for example, 33 making such remarkable headway in these hectic towns or townships were classified as inadequately days, are overlooking these rural communities and churched. These, for the most part, are towns are centering their efforts upon the towns and with small populations and open country commu- cities, rushing into communities that are already nities. In many of these communities it would not overchurched, watching for every possible oppor- be possible to support a church but, nevertheless, tunity of establishing themselves in the centers of the question of neglect and absence of religious population.
privilege exi&ts. In Maine, 131 towns were classi- If anything is to be done for the neglected rural fied as inadequately churched; in almost all cases fields, it must be done on a much more generous the populations were small. The total population and much more unselfish basis than heretofore.
of 131 towns was only 38,000, in no instance was They must no longer be exploited for denomina- any more than 1,000; the average was around tional interests. They must be served unselfishly 300. In all of these communities the churches in the interests of the neglected people and of the were weak and inadequate, and most of them Kingdom of God. There must be interdenomina- functioned only for part of the year. In the tional planning and strategy if there is to be any- other New England states the same general situa- thing like an equalization· of religious privileges tion obtains. Vermont perhaps presents the most throughout rural America. Everyone in every distressing exhibit of neglected rural churches in community, however small it may be, has a right New England. to the ministries of the Church, but these rights There are many sections in the mountain areas will never be secured so long as rural America is of the South and in the Ozarks and in the inter- regarded as a battlefield for warring Christian mountain region of the West, where rural com- denominations and rival sects. It is a question of munities are either without any church at all or Christian statesmanship and loyalty to Christ and have very weak and inadequate churches. There concern for the establishment of His Kingdom.
are also racial groups of people in the rural areas Will we be big enough and brave enough and un- who are neglected; for whom no ministry is be- selfish enough to build an adequate church in every ing provided. This is perhaps the most difficult rural community in America?
problem of all to meet. They are, as a rule, scat- A second solution 'for the rural church problem tered and few in number in anyone locality, thus is a trained rural church leadership. The greatest making it difficult to gather them into a church weakness of the Church in rural America is the organization, or to absorb them in any existing lamentable lack of an effective program, an edu- body. But they are neglected so far as any reli- cated ministry and a trained Christian leadership. gious privileges are concerned and are presenting This is not a pleasant thing to say. It sounds to the church one of its rural problems. harsh, critical and unappreciative. But it is one The results of these surveys and studies, made of those "stubborn facts" that cannot be ignored over wide areas of the country, present a very in any proper evaluation of the rural church.
discouraging picture of the rural church in Amer- There are, of course, many exceptions. There are ica. This is the biggest problem facing American some educated and successful rural pre3:chers. Christianity today. There are some outstanding, well-functioning Three Possible Solutions country churches. But they are like hens' teeth- not enough to be very 'effective. It must be said What can be done about it? This is not an easy also, in all fairness, that the great majority of question to answer. As I see it, there are three rural preachers are men of fine character and possible solutions of the rural church problem. commendable consecration; many of them have
FARM TENANTS AND SHARECROPPERS
useful natural gifts. This is true of many moun- specially-trained, high-grade pastoral leadership tain preachers in the Southern Highlands. They have a gift of oratory and leadership and enjoy if it is to survive. the respect and confidence of the people. They are devoted and consecrated. They love their The third sQlution Qf the rural church problem Lord and have a passion for souls. But they are uneducated and untrained; many of them cannot in neglected fields is a real-to-goodness interderead and write. Very few of them have ever had a high school course; still fewer have a college nominational comity. Overchurching in small training, and iewer still have ever attended a theological school. communities is a glaring disgrace to American Some of the denominations have tried to help Protestantism. Every denomination wants to these untrained men by means of summer schools, conferences, and short courses. The Home Mis- be in the most. promising communities. No one sions Council has sponsored about a score of summer schools for rural pastors for many years. wants the "byways and hedges." The selfish ag- Home mission boards have used circulating libraries, special scholarships and other devices to gression of denominations in crowding into almake up to their rural pastors what they need in special training. A few theological seminaries ready occupied fields and the willful tenacity with are beginning to give special courses for young men preparing for the rural ministry. But these which they cling to these overchurched communimethods are all inadequate; they do not meet the need. The rural church must have well-educated, ties is the "scandal of Christianity." Unless this can be overcome, I see no hope for the church in these little rural fields. Something has been done in comity and much is now being done to correct the evils of overchurching and competition, but much more must be dQne and done quickly if the neglected rural fields are to be given a worth while church ministry.
I submit these three things as the only possible ways of reaching the neglected fields in Rural America-the United Parish Plan, a trained lead- ership, and an effective comity.
J Farm Tenants and Sharecroppers By CHARLES M. McCONNELL, -.~ Boston, Massachusetts }at– Interseminary Commission for Training for the Rural Ministry FARM tenancy is one of the major issues be- A committee of forty members appointed by the fore the people of the United States. Sociol- President of the United States has just reported ogists refer to it as "our greatest social their findings on farm tenancy. humiliation." Another writer, with a theological bent, has called tenancy "the besetting sin of An issue which is rated with such importance American agriculture." A governor of Arkansas by national leaders cannot go unnoticed by the recently broke into The New York Times with Church. There are some moral issues involved in this statement about tenancy: this system which must not be ignored or allowed to go unchallenged by churchmen. No easy-going I recognize the seriousness of the tenant farmer or tolerance can stand in the way of drawing up an sharecropper problem. For decades it has been developed indictment by the Church against the evils of a and in recent years has grown to such proportions and system which has created widespread poverty, such serious condition that the problem must be settled if oppression and human wreckage. But along with Arkansas is to have peace among its citizenship. The any challenge to the evils of tenancy there must plight of the sharecropper may be exaggerated in some go a positive, constructive and statesmanlike reports but the thing itself-the system-is eating at the church program to solve such moral problems that vitals of the South's economic structure. tenancy creates. In this field the words of the Church must "become flesh and dwell among" the Strong words are these from one whose admin- farm tenants in the uttermost parts of America. istration was marked by bitter struggles between sharecroppers and planters, and who should know The nature and extent of farm tenancy must be "the system" thoroughly. Political leaders have understood before the Church can propose the begun to consider the problem of farm tenancy simplest remedies. A farm tenant is any person and two leaders of Congress have gone on record who hires the farm land which he operates as a by saying, "The tenancy problem is the paramount farm. Two million eight hundred and sixty thouchallenge before the 1937 session of Congress."
sand tenant farmers operate forty-two per cent of ants. Security of tenure is by no means guar- the farms in the United States. These tenants anteed by an uncertain title, for rent is some- are distributed over rich lands and poor lands times easier to raise than interest on a mortgage. with startling unevenness. Contrast the 4.5 % of Furthermore there is no relief from farm tenancy farm tenants in Maine with the 72.20/0 of farm in sight that will catapult the whole mass of farm tenants in Mississippi. Iowa, with the highest tenants into owners. A proposal was recently percentage of its land under cultivation, has 47.3 % made to set up a revolving fund of $50,000,000 by of farm tenants. The 6,288,648 farms of the the United States Government and the Secretary United States with their total population of 32,- of Agriculture quickly pointed out that such a 200,000 are operated by a tenant population fund for the use of tenants in the purchase of land slightly under one-half the total and a land own- would require two hundred and thirty years to ing population somewhat above the one-half mark. eliminate the tenants now on the land.
To get at the real problems of farm tenancy we The Church can recognize tenancy as a present must delve deeper into the system and unearth the necessity and go ahead ministering to tenant and meaning of sharecropping in rural America. The landlord alike without regard to their relation to sharecroppers work the land for a share of the the land. Ministers can well add the words, "both cash crop and need to have furnished for them to tenant and landlord," to St. Paul's list of those farm tools, work animals, fertilizer for the cash to whom he was indebted, found in the first chapcrop and generally the food they consume during ter of Romans. In the most extreme cases of the crop growing season. The South is the home strain between tenant and land owner, the minof this sharecropping system and cotton is the crop which is shared. None of the cotton grow- ister can at least recognize the fact that the sysing states fall below sixty per cent in farm ten- tem is in part responsible for the poverty of each. ancy. The Census Bureau of the United States But the land itself needs an advocate to plead its has defined a tenant plantation as a continuous cause. Tenancy has robbed the soil of its basic tract of land of considerable area under the gen- fertility to such an extent that erosion, impov- erishment and soil destruction have resulted over eral control or supervision of a single individual or one seventh of the once productive crop area of firm, all or a part of such tract being divided into the United States. {(The earth is the Lord's" and at least five smaller tracts which are leased to not the landlord's is an appropriate text for a tenants. This landless, debt-ridden and depend- sermon to farmers. ent tenant, white or Negro, operating a twentyfive or thirty acre plot of cotton land on a tenant Sharecropping in the South is the hot spot in plantation, is in a class of farm tenancy by him- this whole tenancy system. The Church, both self and is the central figure of farm tenancy in local and general, is involved in the system. The the United States. local congregation is in an area where three- fourths of the entire population live upon the The Church and the Sharecroppers land: No other section has such excessive over- Before considering the evils of this sharecrop- churching and at the same time so many comping system and making a wholesale criticism of munities (ten per cent) unchurched by Protestant farm tenancy we must separate the system from bodies. Nearly seventy per cent of the country its evils. Tenancy is often called the agricultural churches have nonresident ministers. Ninety per ladder on which an energetic young man might cent of the white rural Baptist and Methodist ascend from hired man to tenant and to land- churches have once-a-month services. The large tenant class-72.2% in Mississippi, 63 % in Arowner. Census data give ground for this ladder theory for 24 % of all farm owners were formerly kansas, 66.6 % in Louisiana, and so on through tenants, and 20 % had been both farm laborers the cotton belt-are largely not being reach~d by and tenants previous to their status as farm the churches. Although 59.5% of the farm own- owners. There are thousands of farm tenants ers are members of the church only 33.50/0 of the who are living on land which they do not own and tenant class are so counted. Nevertheless the are rendering a good account of their steward- Church is the most important institution in this ship. Tenancy offers the only opportunity for area for the South is greatly devoted to the countless farm families to have access to the land. Church. Much depends upon the leadership in Among the membership of rural churches there this crucial hour and no mission field offers such are many tenants who assume their share of the a challenge to the Christian churches of America.
church's maintenance and live on a high level of We have on our hands a situation which is not life. Nor can all the poverty of farm life be laid sectional nor secular. It strikes at the very roots to tenancy. There are farm owners whose stand- of the economic and social and religious structure ard of living is far below that of some tenants and of America. We will let Erskine Caldwell de- whose income is far less than that of many ten- scribe the poverty of his own people.
FARM TENANTS AND SHARECROPPERS '289
In parts of the South human existence has reached its cotton houses they came seeking refuge and a lowest depths. Children are seen deformed by nature and chance for "life, liberty and the pursuit of hapmalnutrition; women in rags beg for pennies; and men piness." They would have readily waived the last are so hungry that many of them eat snakes, cow dung, of these rights for the bare chance to live. In and clay. These are the unknown people of today, the brief this project, after one year, reports thirtytenant farmer of the South. These are the people who one families of white and Negro sharecroppers hide their nakedness behind trees when a stranger wanders living cooperatively, law abiding under the laws off the road. There is hunger in their eyes as well as in of Mississippi which forbids the teaching of racial their bellies. equality but says nothing about forbidding its practice. The income of the thirty-one families Missionary aid is not a big factor in the has been doubled and an equity in the farm churches of the South for the twelve leading Prot- earned, while the standard of living has been estant denominations in this area put aid into this higher than any of the families have hitherto field in about the same proportion as they extend known. it to the Colonial region. For more will have to be done along this line among people so poor that And the churches have had a part in this enterfood, clothing and shelter are denied them beyond prise which a few courageous and statesmanlike the mere existence line in some sections. The more prosperous areas of the Church should at least help support an adequate ministry. But one rural secretary of a home mission board is on record with this far-sighted policy, "The difficulties in trying to maintain a rural church under such conditions are almost beyond description. That a ministry to such a group is a primary missionary responsibility is evident. The point we would press is that the Church must do more than merely provide a ministry to these depressed, dispossessed and discouraged people. It must find a way to bore into the basic problems of this poverty and to deal with the causes of the conditions which make the abundant life impossible."
The Delta Cooperative Farm Photo by Rothstein A SHARECROPPER'S FAMILY IN TANGIPAHOA In this, as in other fields, an ounce of creative PARISH, LOUISIANA activity is worth pounds of speculation, exhortation, criticism or fervid theorizing. The trial and men have fostered and carried on in the face of error method will once more have to be invoked. odds too heavy for timid souls. Sam Franklin has Fortunately for the South, and for the churches been the spearhead of this advance into the north and south, there is an effort being made in strongholds of a system which is gnawing away Mississippi among the sharecroppers which bids at more than the vitals of the South. Over in fair to turn up something of a solution even after Arkansas, Sam Franklin went onto a plantation only one year of trial. "The Delta Cooperative to talk with the widow of a murdered union man Farm" came into existence in March 1936. It and was accused by the landlord of "interfering was almost forced into existence by the desperate with labor," which is some kind of a crime in needs of the sharecroppers who were being de- Arkansas. When F:ranklin remonstrated at benied not only the necessities of life but their rights ing ordered off under threat of death the landas American citizens guaranteed under the Con- owner ended the conversation with this choice bit stitution. A farm of 2,138 acres along the Mis- of language, "I'd shoot you if you was Jesus Christ sissippi River near Hillhouse was bought by funds himself." Sam Frankljn is a Presbyterian minprovided by Dr. Sherwood Eddy and his friends ister, a former missionary to Japan. As director and was put into the hands of a board of five of the Delta Cooperative Farm he is also the mintrustees for a cooperative farm for sharecroppers. ister of the church on the farm which ministers Evicted sharecroppers, whose only offence was to the sharecroppers. Church boards of home membership and activity in a labor union known missions, local churches, labor unions and a host as the Southern Tenant Farmer's Union, had of others who are concerned about the evils of brought upon them the wrath of landowners and sharecropping have aided and abetted this worthy riding bosses on tenant plantations. These were and most important enterprise. invited to live on the farm and join the cooperative enterprise. From roadside colonies of evicted sharecroppers, from hiding places in woods and
Twenty–Five Years Ago and
By PROFESSOR ROSS J. GRIFFETH, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana Secretary of the National Rural Church Commission, Disciples of Christ T ODAY, in Madison Township, Morgan ways; automobiles; Indianapolis less than thirty County, Indiana, there are three church minutes drive; Public Enemy Number One? buildings, all of brick, well built. Two stand This is the picture of one rural community in idle almost all the time, with only an occasional which are to be found a fairly stable population, feeble effort at holding Sunday school to break the many well educated people, above-the-average eco- silence of one. Sporadic emotional outbursts in nomic prosperity, several aggressive workers in the second are reminiscent ghosts of revival meet- cooperative enterprises, a small group of church ings from the long ago, but now the effects of re- leaders who have become increasingly conscious vival efforts are shadowy, swiftly gone. Two of the plight and the importance of the rural other church buildings which once served the church. Such a picture, with different highlights, countryside are only memories in the minds and is repeated in many hundreds of American rural hearts of the few remaining septuagenarians communities.
whose residence extends so far back. The one How did this condition come to be? Trace the church which has regular services-Sunday morn- broader outlines of American history that, during ing only – is served by a minister who lives in the last twenty-five years, have led to the present Indianapolis, drives out Sunday morning and back situation; then glance at some of the measured to the city in the afternoon. factors that have contributed to the development Madison township is strictly rural. It has no of present-day rural church problems; finally, restore, no industrial enterprise save a canning fac- lieve the gloom by considering the work of two tory that cares for the local tomato crop. One or three rural churches in which important strides blacksmith shop with the ubiquitous gasoline have been made toward solving local problems.
pump, and one other gasoline pump furnish the Rural Progress Since 1912 only strictly nonagricultural pursuits, and even these are operated by farmers. What picture do we have of the church and its Approximately one hundred and thirty families community twenty-five years ago? Turn back the with less than six hundred individuals, make up pages of memory, but do not trust memory too the population. Sunday school attendance aver- much. You may be romancing.
ages fifty-five, and church attendance is about the The last large area of cultivable land within same. The church roll has on it eighty-six resi- the boundaries of the United States had been dent members, about sixteen per cent of the pop- claimed twenty-five' years ago. Some of it was ulation but some one hundred fifty of the people well settled; some only partially. The pioneer are touched by the church in some way. In so far spirit that had driven men out to make new geo- as the other four hundred are concerned, except graphical conquests was beginning to turn them as a landmark, the church is nonexistent. toward subduing the last virgin prairies and for- A consolidated school across the highway from ests. Here and there a voice of warning was the active church provides education through the raised in protest against the careless exploitation first eight grades. Twenty-nine young people at- of loam and woodland, but these voices were gen- tend high school in a near-by town, the home of erally unheeded. What did professors in .agricul- the once Public Enemy Number One, John Dil- tural colleges know? Was not the wealth of the linger. Only one of the twenty-nine high'school continent inexhaustible!
youths attends church regularly; a half dozen Itinerant evangelists at irregular intervals others come at infrequent intervals. brought emotional revivals to hamlet and country- What is the relationship between these factors: side. Now and again greater evangelists sent the the open country; closed churches; a nonresident populace of metropolitan areas to their knees- minister; inadequate religious training for for a time. Preaching was generally doctrinal.
youths; a satisfactory school system; paved high- The Church was seldom conceived of as having a . [290] social program for the community, but worked expanded, overmechanized. Land speculation valiantly to meet, in its own way, the needs of the brought economic disaster to many thousands of people as they were then understood. farmers. Land prices, averaging $108 per acre in 1920, fell to $76 per acre in 1926. Thus the The earlier pioneers had built churches as well equity of many who dreamed of one day calling as homes. No landscape of the prairies was with- rich farms their own, vanished, and these found out its church steeple. "The church in the wild- themselves to be tenants on soil owned by the wood" was an ever-present fact and an inescap- mortgage holder, or else they sought employment able factor in the life of each community. in the great city.
TENANT'S HOUSES IN ARKANSAS (Near Dyess Colony) The church, in both rural and urban areas, faced new problems, new forms of vice, new so- Twenty-five years ago the United States seldom cial and economic problems. Young people went looked beyond its own borders. Weekly news- to college or to industrial centers. The rural papers, and less frequently issued farm papers, church was all but stripped of its maturing leadbrought news of the larger community to the rela- ership. Urban churches could not provide for all tively contented countryside. Woodrow Wilson, who were thus transplanted. On the basis of sevwhose primary interest was in domestic problems, eral local surveys, it has been estimated that in was elected President. The policies, which in 1913 moving into Indianapolis, more Disciples of Christ he characterized under the title, "The New Free- failed to identify themselves with an urban church dom," aimed to bring a larger measure of privi- than there were in all the Disciples churches withlege to the citizens of limited or average means. in that city. They did not take account of Europe, the Far East, or African rubber plantations. Rural Amer- Under these conditions, secularism grew apace. ica had its problems, to be sure, but Wall Street Economic problems in rural areas left the church appeared to many to be only the major expression helpless. The depression came to rural America of Satan; banking reform, antitrust legislation, nearly ten years before October 29, 1929. In and farm loans at four or five per cent interest, 1919, wheat sold at $2.14 per bushel; in 1921 the seemed adequate to meet all needs. price was $1.19. There was no corresponding change in taxes; no lowering of the farmers' ex- Automobiles were few and expensive. Prac- penses. The church shared in the economic distically impassable roads seemed an insurmount- aster. While in 1925 and 1926 the United States, able obstacle to their general use. Telephones, taken as a whole, reached its all""time high in givhowever, had reached out into the back country ing to the church and to missionary enterprises, and had broken down some of the rural isolation. Rural mail delivery was becoming significant. In FARMER'S HOME' IN DYESS COLONY, ARKANSAS many communities the kerosene lamp appeared to be the final achievement in rural lighting. Farm the rural church was, at that time, struggling to machinery operated by other than anImal or man live. Trained ministers had migrated to the city power was beyond the thoughts of most tillers of and few were being trained to meet the needs of the soil. rural fields; and, tragically, few seemed to care.
Then came the World War. Agriculture ex- Then came the industrial depression. Boys and panded to feed hungry armies. Farmer lads were girls who, in the previous decade, would have gone torn from the soil to taste of travel, the devasta- to the cities, remained on farms. But mechanized tion of international strife, vice such as always farming, farm surpluses, ruinous prices (wheat marches with armies seeking to kill, and to rub brought the farmer twenty-five or twenty-six shoulders with sophisticates from bright light dis- cents a bushel in Oklahoma in 1933) made these tricts or crowded slums. young people an economic liability rather than an With the war over, agriculture was over-
asset as in pioneer days. The rural church was million, who took with them youth, vigor, ambition, and almost powerless to help in the crisis. To farm- up to thirty-five billi'On dollars of wealth. ers, ministers seemed to be a luxury. Thousands of churches said, "We shall do without a minister These facts lead to certain conclusions: until times are better." The income of churches fell off, as did that of individuals, only the (1) Cities cannot live without additions to their churches suffered most. Communities that once populations from rural areas; maintained, even though with pitiful inadequacy, two, three, four, or five, church buildings, could (2) The future city church cannot grow unless scarcely keep one going. The church of the open the rural churches prosper; country, in numberless cases, closed up or ceased to do more than give feeble evidences of life. Vil- (3) The cities, which have received vast lage churches fared little better. amounts of wealth from farms, must help, in a financial way, the rural congregations so that they Today the picture begins to brighten. Is it twi. may again be effective; light or dawn? Vigorous Christian leaders are determined to rehabilitate the rural church; they (4) Both rural and urban churches must, in are determined to make it dawn. As we behold the future, cultivate their fields more intensively what seems to be the opening eyelids of the morn- and reap a larger harvest of souls from a stable ing, let us take note of certain facts that must be or declining population, or they must perish. considered in any program of reconstruction. Tenantry and the Rural Church Rural Churches and Changing Life The President's Committee on Farm Tenantry Our survey of the larger American scene has reported on February 16, 1937, that "Tenancy has barely hinted at epoch-making factors that have increased from 25 per cent of all farmers in 1880 dynamited the life of a people and made debris of to 42 per cent in 1935. Because of debt, the aconce well-ordered thoughts. With old thought tual equity of operating owners is far less than patterns shattered, it is necessary to form new these figures indicate" (p. 3). What does this ones. The past must be pondered if we are to mean to the church? erect rock-founded structures for the future. Robert E. Hanson, graduate student in Butler Professor E. C. Cameron, whose invigorating University, College of Religion, who has just compublished articles, inspiring teaching, and dy- pleted a study of rural Churches of Christ in Innamic deeds were arousing numberless Christians diana, found that 69 per cent of rural church to meet the challenge of needy rural fields, and members were farmers. The other 31 per cent whose early death last December brought sorrow was composed of business men, professional men, to all whose hearts beat in sympathy and with and persons in other occupations. Of the farmhope for rural Christians everywhere, has writ- ers, 67 per cent owned their farms, 29 per cent ten: were tenants, four per cent were hired hands. No definite figures are available for comparison, but Until the last few years we had assumed that the people it is certain that the percentage of farm owners of our nation would one day number two hundred million. who are church members is higher than the per- Upon the basis 'Of this continued expansion, our Chambers centage of tenants who belong to church. Furof Commerce envisioned growing cities, new and larger ther, the financial support of the church rests in public buildings, an ever-gr'Owing demand for industrial large measure upon the farmer who owns his products. Educational leaders prepared for larger enroll- land. The tenants, because of insecurity, find it ments in grades and colleges. Churches were built t'O care difficult to feel that any investments they make in for congregations expected to become large as a matter of the local church will be of continuing service to course. Our national life was permeated by.an optimistic them. and invigorating, if a little slap-dash in style, phil'Osophy of expansion. According to figures published in Wallaces' Farmer, on February 13, 1937, 34 per cent of all Since 1932 we have been brought up with a jerk. On Iowa farmers had been on their farms less than the basis of the 1930 census, and other data, Dr. O. E. two years and 25 per cent more had been on their Baker, Senior Agricultural Economist, Department of farms from' two to five years. Thus, 59 per cent Agriculture, figures that our p'Opulation will reach a top of Iowa tenant farmers had been on their Jarms of one hundred thirty-two million in 1945, and then dr'Op five years or less. It is difficult, if not impossible, to one hundred twenty-seven million in 1960, and under to build significant churches or important comone hundred million by 1990.· munity programs with such shifting populations. To bring stability in the church tomorrow, the There is ample evidence that all cities 'Of 2,500 popula- tenant farmers must be helped to purchase their tion and above are not having enough births to keep their farms today. population at present levels. The surplus births which feed our cities and continue our populati'On growth occur Indiana has often been used for surveys of one in rural districts and mainly bel'Ow the Mason-Dixon line. kind and another, especially church surveys. As- suming that Indiana is typical of rural America, Following Dr. Baker again, from 1920 to 1930, nineteen milli'On farm boys and girls went to the cities; thirteen million returned, leaving a net gain to the cities of six
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO AND NOW
and the Disciples of Christ are typical of Indiana, in the community. On June 6, 1937, Mr. Hugh here are miscellaneous facts discovered by Robert T. Miller, of Columbus, Indiana, son of John C. E. Hansen that tell the plight of the rural church Miller, himself a minister until conditions beyond in America. his control kept him from the work, will serve as representative of his family and formally give to Only 30 per cent of the rural churches have full-time the trustees of the Nineveh Church of Christ the ministers. family farm of eighty acres. The house is to serve as the parsonage. The present minister, G. F. Only 53 per cent of the members of rural churches are Powers, will share the rural life of his parishactive. ioners by planting a garden, keeping chickens and a cow, and living close to the soil. He will not do Forty-eight per cent of the rural Sunday schools make extensive farming so as to hinder his ministerial no provision for leadership training. One-third more have work but will further his worK by sharing the life had but a single leadership training course. of his people.
Only 48 per cent of the rural ministers live on the field The congregation at Stilesville, Indiana, decided they serve. that it needed something more than a one-room meeting house. With Albert Reitzel in charge, Eighty-seven per cent of the rural ministers have had seven men, with four teams, dug a basement in little or no training which especially fits them for work two and one-half days. Harvey McClellan arin the rural field. A RURAL CHURCH IN MORGAN CITY, INDIANA The Way Out ranged for the needed sand and gravel. Under Are the rural churches today capable of serv- the direction of Theodore Mullis and Robert Rhea, ing the communities in which they are located in the cement floor and walls of the basement were such a way that the moral and spiritual founda- completed in l~ss than four days. Bernard O'Rear tions of the communities will be made secure? and Chester Gregory, using volunteer groups of The answer, of course, varies from place to place. men and boys, built the structure over the base- Thousands of rural churches have closed their ment. Schuyler Arnold attended to the finishing doors. Economic necessity, loss of leadership, work. In one way or another, every member of population shifts, have all done their share to the church and Sunday school was used. The chilmake the abandoned rural church an all too fa- dren enjoyed sharing in the clean up. miliar sight. Fortunately there is an increasing number of communities where planned movements The formula for making the individual rural toward unity have eliminated wasteful competi" church effective is simple. The main elements tion between rival denominations and have made are: devotion to Christ; a vision; the willingfora finer community spirit. Here are the things ness to see it through. The church does not so some Indiana churches are doing to make the much need expert leaders as devoted leaders who church effective. will act as well as dream.
Rev. Lee Tinsley, fifty years a minister, chair- What will the rural church be twenty-five years man of the Indiana Rural Church Commission, from now? That depends upon what we now Disciples of Christ, has made the church a com- start to make it. munity center. Whenever the farmers think of holding any kind of meeting, they think of the Little Flat Rock church. When Sunday comes, their automobiles know how to stop at the church. Each year a Rural Church Week is observed, and each day of the week some group is stimulated to undertake a larger task within the church.
Nineveh, Indiana, has but one church now. Another passed out of existence many years ago. From this continuing church have gone out two Superintendents of Public Instruction for the State of Indiana, several ministers, missionaries, college professors, and many public school teachers, as well as to other callings. The church was founded in 1832. About thirty-five years ago, a beloved minister, John C. Miller, who lived on a farm a half-mile from the church, went to his eternal reward. The children held the farm and continued to make substantial contributions to the budget of the church although they no longer lived
the Fountains
By the REV. HENRY W. McLAUGHLIN, Richmond, Virginia Director of the Department of Country Church and Sunday School Extension, Presbyterian Church in the United States FROM over the hills of yesterday come the Ills and the Cure memories of a fountain by which stood great oak trees. Near this spring my grandfather There are many things in the world today which selected the location, and erected the two-story log are calculated to give us grave concern. The conhouse in which I was born. Here I used to play flicts between labor and capital, the constant inunder the watchful eye of my grandmother. As crease in the manufacture of implements of war, in Wordsworth's lines- the international jealousies and misunderstand- ings, the enlarging use of intoxicants, the increase We lay beneath a spreading oak, of crime, and the breakdown of family life-all Beside a mossy seat; are indications of modern trends which threaten the peace and happiness of the world. If we And from the turf a fountain broke should permit ourselves to dwell upon these mod- And gurgled at our feet. ern trends, we would all tend to become pessi- mists. Indeed, I would be a weeping Jeremiah if I One of the chores, when I was a lad on my fa- did not believe that there is a remedy for society. ther's farm, was to keep this spring clean. The good health of the family depended upon it. Never In the World War, President Woodrow Wilson was there a case of typhoid fever in our family, called our American youth to arms and across the save one, and that contracted away from home. seas four million strong. He called them with the That spring, the sole source of the family water slogan – "We must make the world safe for desupply was but one of many thousands of sources mocracy." What we need in our new emergency of the Ohio River and its tributaries. in America, where the dangers are from within rather than from without, is a democracy which In Psalm 104, the 10th verse, we read: "He is safe for the world. If we are to have such a sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run democracy, our citizens, the self-sovereigns, must among the hills." be intelligent and trustworthy. We are spending millions of money to make our citizens intelligent. We are beginning to appreciate our great rivers Never has the world seen such another adventure as means of transportation and sources of power. in education as is found in our great public school There is, however, a very vital relationship be- system-from the little one-room school houses to tween the springs that run among the hills and the great universities. We are discovering, howthe rivers. If the springs should dry up, our river ever, that crime grows apace, and that educated beds would become stagnant pools. criminals are a greater menace than those who are illiterate. Education alone will not guarantee A few months ago I visited Habersham and us a democracy which is safe for the world. All Hall Counties in North Georgia. There I saw our citizens might be as highly educated as Aaron those beautiful crystal springs that burst from the mountainside and form the source of the Chattahoochee, and I was reminded of the song of one of our Southern poets, Sidney Lanier- But oh, not the hills of Habersham, Burr, and yet democracy would fail. We might And oh, not the valleys of Hall have miraculous power to transform the machines Avail: I am fain for to water the plain. of war into implements of peace, or alcohol and Downward the voices of Duty call- narcotics into water and harmless drugs as a re- Downward, to toil and be mixed with the main; cent play by H. G. Wells shows, but unless there The dry fields burn, and the mills are to turn, were so-me power to change the charact~rs and And a myriad flowers mortally yearn, motivations of people and to make them trust- And the lorIdly main from beyond the plain worthy, their selfish civilization would prove a Calls o'er the hills of Habersham, failure. Calls through the valleys of Hall.
As the fountains among the hills are the sources We believe that the Gospel of the Lord Jesus of the rivers, so are the country communities to Christ is the one dynamic that can change men society as a whole. and can rightly motivate them. As the Apostle [294 ] Paul says, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel: for of today will have six times as many descendants as 1,000 it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone city people. The rural people, like the meek, seem very that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the likely to inherit the earth, or at least to acquire the use Greek." What the Gospel will do for the indi- of it. vidual, it will do for society. Our need in America, where we have so many ills and so many nos- It will be noted (see graph) that in the cities, trums offered as a cure, is that we as a people be- largely of American stock,there are only 225 chilcome Christian not merely in name but in reality. dren under five years of age for every 1,000 But no nation was ever made Christian by at- women 15 to 45 years of age; while in the rural tempting to make it Christian in the cities alone. The crying need of the hour is to make the people NUMBER OF FARMS of America Christian at the sources. We cannot have clear and beautiful rivers from muddy springs. We cannot have a Christian America unless the sources of society are Christian.
The Sources in Rural Life The country communities are the sources of so- nonfarm population, which consists of the dwellciety, because here a large number of children are ers in cotton mills, mining, lumber and other vilborn and reared. According to Kolb and Brunner lages, there are 471; while on the farms there are in their "Study of Rural Society," in the cities 545 children for every 1,000 women of child-bearthere are only four families out of every 100 ing age. In some of our Southern counties there which have four or more children. On our Amer- are almost as many children under five years as ican farms 40 out of every 100 families have four there are women from 15 to 45 years of age. Dr. or more children. Or to put it another way, in Baker calls attention to the fact that it requires our cities there are only 38 people out of every 370 children per 1,000 women to maintain a sta- 100 under 20 years of age. In our villages there are 48 out of every 100 persons under 20 years of ro tionary population. Roughly speaking,there are age; while on our farms there are 52 out of every 100 under 20 years of age. 25 less children born in our cities than are Dr. O. E. Baker, Senior Agricultural Economist ro necessary to keep the population stationary, while of the United States, in a recent address, said: on our American farms there are 50 more than In our large cities today ten adults are having about are necessary to keep the population stationary. seven children. If the birthrate remains stationary, these The rural communities are, therefore, the main sources of society. NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE PER 1.000 WOMEN 15 TO 45 YEARS OF AGE IN"UNITED STATES.APRIL 1.1930 The Rural Work Commission of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has issued a report CLASS OF POPULATION NUMBER OF CHILDREN PER 1.000 WOMEN showing that church membership and Sunday 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1 000 school enrollment run very much lower among the o rural people than in the urban districts. From their Report No. I, and other sources of infor- URBAN mation, we gleaned the facts tabulated below. Note that we are giving the urban and rural pop- All CITIES II ulations of the sixteen Southern states and the OVER 100.000 — — – – 293 District of Columbia; we also give the church POPULATION II membership, nonchurch population and the per- centage of church membership both in the urban ALL CITlES ABOUT 310 CHILDREN PER 1.000 WOMEN and rural areas; likewise totals in the sixteen WERE NECESSARY rONA/NTAIN POPULATION Southern states and the District of Columbia. 2.500 TO 100.000 – – – – 341 STATIONARY IN 10&0 Clean Fountains and Pure Rivers POPULATION IIII Our rather extensive studies reveal the fact that RURAL if you answer three questions about the people IIIII who live in the communities that lie within the RURAL NON-FARM (MOSTLY VILLAGE)— 47 t POPULATION LESLIE COUNTY IIIII EASTERN KENTUCKY – 91 5 (95% ON FARMS) • PORTLAND (ORECON). SAN FRANCISCO. LOS ANGELES. KANSAS CITY, ST LOUIS, NASHVILLE. AND ATLANTA seven in turn will have only five, and these five only three and one-half children. In three generations, or a century, these cities would decline to about one-third their present population, unless they received accessions from outside. A century is not a long span in the history of a nation. In the farm population, on the other hand, ten adults are now having thirteen children. If the birthrate remains stationary, these thirteen in turn will have seventeen children, and these seventeen would have twenty-two children. It appears likely that a century hence 1,000 farm people
trade area of a city, you can tell almost exactly the purpose of purifying the water supply alone. what will be the crime record of that city. Should they not be interested even more in purify- ing the fountains from which flow their popula- What proportion of the people dQ not own their homes? tions? Shall the new generation now being reared What proportion of the people are not members of any on our American farms, many of whom must church? inevitably flow to the cities, go there as Christians What proportion of the people are not enrolled in any or as potential criminals? That question must Sunday school? be answered by the churches of America in this generation. Where non-home ownership, and non-church membership, and non-Sunday school enrollment Christ not only shows the way of righteousness, run high, in the communities constituting the but furnishes the power by which men may walk sources of society, the cities which are fed by these in that Way. He offers the only dynamic that sources have a high crime' record. The annual can rightly motivate living and banish selfishness. cost of crime is a tax on our American people of Therefore, the only hope of society in America something like $120.00 per capita. But it is not and in the world is through the power of Christ. the cost of crime that is the worst feature. Crime Only when He has been enthroned in the hearts is but a symptom, as pain is a symptom of cancer. of men, only when we seek first the kingdom of Think of all the sorrow, suffering, wretchedness, God and His righteousness can we settle our diffidegradation, depravity, sin that lies back of this culties, and solve our economic, political and socost of crime. Think of the people who are at the cial problems. Only thus will crime be abolished; very sources of society, with lost souls because only thus will we learn war no more and make they have been neglected by the Church. Our pure and happy the home life of the people. cities are tremendously interested in keeping pure their sources of milk and water supplies. Some Keep the fountains clean! of our cities are spending millions of dollars for URBAN RURAL Percentage Percentage Nonchurch Church Church Population Members Church Nonchurch Church Members States Populations Population Members Population Members Alabama …………. 744,273 345,867 398,406 46.4 1,901,975 871,303 1,030,672 45.8 FAlrokraidnasas…………………….. 282,878 182,672 200,206 47.7 1,471,604 759,778 267,747 492.,031 35.2 438,435 1,033,169 29.7 Georgia ………….. 895,492 427,573 467,919 47.7 708,433 799,026 433,712, 365,314 54.2 2,013,014 260,633 447,800 36.7 ………… Kentucky •• 0 ••••••••• 833,532 1,815,563 974,869 1,268,061 922,611 1,090,413 43.8 Louisiana 338,850 1,859,119 656,657 617,792 1,197,771 34.0 MMMiiassrssyiosluasrinipdpi……………………………… 809,847 1,670,971 821,621 500,636 332,896 60.0 1,770,248 536,372 731,689 42.2 North Carolina ……. 371,080 523,270 451,599 53.6 2,326,429 896,538 1,574,359 235,096 421,561 35.8 OSToeknulanthheossmCeaaero..li..n..a……………………. 2,389,348 1,367,685 TWVeierxsgatisnVi.ai.r.g..i.n…ia………………………. 785,537 170,844 168,006 50.2 1,720,018 629,665 1,041,306 37.6 . District of Columbia . 491,514 967,323 891,796 52.0 3,435,367 486,869 1,636,314 613,955 1,156,293 34.6 1,237,701 392,321 417,526 48.6 1,014,684 1,345,745 42.9 282,264 539,417 34.8 … ….. 221,694 149,386 59.7 298,819 1,275,540 18.9 651,834 715,851 47.7 409,750 486,788 45.7 608,283 1,111,737 35.3 1,060,075 1,329,273 44.3 1,220,291 2,215,076 35.5 418,268 367,269 53.2 754,179 882,135 46.1 227,684 263,820 46.3 304,299 933,402 24.5 . ……. …….. 238,871 247,998 49.0 14,640,161 7,070,571 7,569,650 48.2 26,598,399 9,978,251 16,630,150 37.5 POPULATION, CHURCH MEMBERS AND NON-CHURCH MEMBERS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES Here it will be seen that while about 36% of the population of these states are in urban communities, and 64510 live in rural districts, only 37% of the rural population is included on the church rolls. There are over 16 million people in rural areas who are included in the non-church population, or nearly twice as many as in the cities.
Workers in Rural
By REV. HILDA L. IVES, Newton Center, Massachusetts Executive Secretary of the Associated Commissions for the Development of the Rural Churches in New England EVERYTHING has its good and its bad side. it will not be done in great areas of rural Amer- The sun can scorch and destroy, even as it ica. There is no one else to do it.
can invigorate and call forth life. A Christian ministerishould not prescribe treat- So the rulfal community, near to fields of slum- ment for the syphilitic man, but he should know bering seed, waiting the touch of the sun, close to the early and late symptoms of the disease. A forests vibrant with song, in the midst of flower- minister should not treat the mental case, but he ing and fragrant meadows, also contains homes should know the symptoms of a disordered mind of squalor, of stark unadornment and of menacing -the signals of danger in hypersensitive person- conditions of life. alities. A minister should not set bones but he The slums of a city rend the heart. People should be able to put on a tourniquet in times of underprivileged and poor, through little fault of accident and give first aid in the innumerable their own, are herded together in surroundings emergencies of farm life when no other help is that suggest no handiwork of God. There are at hand. The minister must 'Je the spiritual con- hot pavements, crowded tenements, cluttered tact man: one who will astablish contact between yards, many with no blade of grass! These are the person in his need and tIie social reliefs and man made-both the slums and the setting. Slums the scientific helps of the modern age. He must in a rural community are paradoxical. God and especially be a man who will establish contact with life and beauty abound everywhere; man alone the dynamic resources of the Living God through is degraded, unlovely and not free. Jesus Christ, for the renewal and the regeneration The meadow shack, the home of a rural squat- of body, mind and spirit. ter, the isolated cabin jammed with family life, After one hundred years and more of continued the temporary homes built around sawmills or work the rural church of the United States has logging operations in the woods, are not only an failed to reach four-fifths of its constituency. It insult to the sun, to bracing winds and to ov~r- must dare to face its failure and the reasons for shadowing mountains and hills, but are an insult it. May it not be true that the churches, with to God Himself. their emphasis on preaching and teaching, have As one thinks of "case work" among families opened the hearts of very limited numbers to real in the cities, families that must be rehabilitated religious experience of God? Jesus' approach to and restored, there comes to mind innumerable the hearts of men was constantly through the philanthropic agencies equipped with personnel alleviation of hunger, pain and acute mental and and means to meet human need. Witness the physical distress. He found people and went Community Chests of the cities with budgets that about doing good. The Samaritan woman by the reach into the millions and with concentrated well did not seek Him. He first spoke to her wealth to tap. But as one surveys the villages and as she drew water. He recognized and knew the hamlets, the available philanthropic resources her moral problem of having had five husbands are few and the trained social workers for the and of living with a man who was not her hus- most part are many miles away. band. The man of Gadara out of the tombs did These very facts create an unparalleled oppor- not seek Jesus. Jesus met him "whom no man tunity for the rural ministers of Christ. A King- could bind and who always day and. night was in dom of Service is waiting for them-a service to the mountains crying and cutting himself with rural folk in their deepest need. But this service stones." The multitude at the pool of the sheep is only possible for a ministry that is trained to market did not come to Jesus. He went where detect and understand these needs, with knowl- the blind, the halt and the withered were gathered edge of how to ameliorate existing conditions and and told an impotent man, who for thirty-eight with spiritual power to transform and restore life. years had been waiting for help, to arise and take If the minister of Christ cannot give physical, up his bed and walk.
moral and spiritual first aid, one thing is certain: A fair critic of the rural ministry must realize [297]
how inadequate is the preparation of the average tive hearts-a wedge that opens the heart with- minister for vital case work. Run over the cur- out its conscious knowledge and allows the warmth ricula of the theological seminaries if proof of and glow of friendly understanding and interest such a statement is needed. There is, however, to enter. It is true, probably, that the majority encouragement in an awakening to the need. A of people feel real hesitation in asking a minister bulletin of the Andover Newton Theological for practical and material assistance unless they Scho,ol at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, has this are loyal to the church which he serves. For the heading: "Supervised Clinical Experience for same reason they very often do not reveal to the Students of Pastoral Psychology" under Professor minister in his calls of friendship, their most per- Philip Guiles. The report of the Investigating sonal problems, or their most devastating de- Committee of the American Association of The- spairs, unless he tactfully shows that he knows of ological Schools as regards Clinical Training for their difficulty and desires their happiness and Theological students contains the following para- welfare. A minister who serves in life's emer- graph: gencies, when all human reliances are set aside The Council for Clinical Training and the Earhart by pain or poverty, can gain an entrance into a Foundation are the only two organizations offering a care- man's heart and inner life that can' come in no fully conceived plan of training on an interdenominational other way. He becomes associated with the whole basis. Therefore this study has been confined to them. healing plan that can be worked out in coopera- The Council for Clinical Training has taken as its aim, tion with other experts. It is one thing for a "To provide for students for the ministry opportunities minister to enter the ward of a hospital, and find to obtain clinical experience in dealing with the infirmities of mankind." Training is offered to a limited number of there a parishioner injured or ill and then work qualified students from theological seminaries of recog- out a way to sustain him by friendliness, counsel nized standing irrespective of denomination. It consists and prayer; it is another thing to be called as a of directed case work and study of the social resources of Man of God at the moment of dire need. the community; actual work with patients in the hospitals and clinics; participation in the medical ward rounds and I remember a call that came once from a young conferences with regard to these patients; and, finally, mother on an isolated farm. The message over seminars in which general physician, psychiatrist, psy- the telephone said, "Come at once please, Ma is chologist, and social worker discuss together with the theological students the patients with whom they are awful sick." I hurried to the farm home which working. was set far back on a rough country road. Rural Up to the present, the work has been confined electrification was too expensive for such areas of to patients in hospitals. The scope and influence the country. The little son had walked six miles of this work must be extended to many other types to reach a telephone to call me to his mother's aid. of institutions, and into the parishes of ministers I overtook him, as I drove along the road; he was that are eager for such education and help for a hot, distressed little figure knowing something their people. very bad was happening to his mother. To be a little boy and to have something wrong with one's Thousands and millions of suffering souls in the cities seek the clinics, hospitals, family welfare mother is like pending doom. societies and temporary shelter without the guid- As I entered the home I could see the high color ance or sympathetic friendliness of a minister of God. The deep and deserved loyalties of these of fever on the pallid face, the intense suffering people are given permanently to these social work- from pain. A doctor was on his way, but fifteen ers, these doctors and these nurses. The Church miles could not be covered in a very short time. should realize what its ministry has lost in not Here was my chance as a case worker to give being called upon as the helpful servant in the courage, tenderness, God-to prepare the way for emergencies of human life and the ministering possible hospital treatment; to tell of the friendfriend in time of greatest need. The rural min- liness and goodness of doctors and nurses so that ister need not be so handicapped. If he is worthy they might not seem to be strangers; to assure the of being a trained case worker for Christ, his mother that every care would be taken of her fields are already before him-white unto harvest. home during her absence; and to let her know that I would stand by her through thick and thin. Naturally I put my hand on her hot feverish head Someone may well ask, "Cannot the minister and prayed that the cooling healing touch of the gain the deep loyalties of the people on the spir- Master- might make her whole-that touch which itual plane apart from the other ministries of drew its life from an unswerving faith 'that no relief?" The answer is that a head-on, direct ap- permanent harm could ever come to a child of proach to the religious needs of people who do not God, the Father. .
feel, to any marked degree, the need of God, and There are several qualities that must belong to who do not want anyone's help to find Him, is not a Christian case worker. His parish must know the Christian touch on human hearts. The min- that all confidences are placed in a spiritual safe ister must find the entering wedge into unrecep- which holds them in'violate. The case worker
CASE WORKERS IN RURAL AREAS
must consider as sacred the disclosures of to forgive to the number of seventy times seven. wounded hearts. A Christian case worker has really to love the The Christian case worker must not be afraid unlovely. He must believe that every human soul to face facts frankly with a friend. I remember is precious in the sight of God. So the search to the case of a girl who had lost her position in a reach that soul of man becomes a spiritual advencommercial firm. Word came that she was dis- ture of trust and of love. A soul may be growing couraged so I went to seek her out. As she came by the grace of God; it may be struggling in the to the door to talk with me, I knew almost in- midst of sin; it may be buried deep; but to a stantly the truth about her condition. Her body Christian case worker, the soul of a man must be revealed definite disease in an advanced form. reached. One would never dare believe that a At my request we withdrew to a stone wall some soul could be awakened apart from God. Only distance from the farmhouse where her mother those case workers who by closest communion could not hear the conversation and I spoke sym- with Christ, and in closest contact with human pathetically of her loss of position and of the en- need have opened their lives to the creative life suing worry that had come to her. She gave no of God, can be used to permanently change human sign of telling the truth about herself. The time life. Social workers, uninspired by God, can be had come when I must tell her the truth so I said counted upon to achieve few real transformations quietly, of moral and spiritual life.
"You must be your own fine self. You must be A case worker must use the increasing wealth in the future strong and well. I know you are ill. of valuable publications prepared by national and You have an infection of syphilis. You haven't state social agencies. A pamphlet placed in the known, have you, how to get help? Of course you hands of a person in need can be read and reread. have been afraid. But you can be made well. In this way the quiet study of a problem can be Will you let me help you?" extremely helpful. * She burst into tears and said, "I haven't known what to do. I didn't dare to There is a question when and how prayer should tell anyone the truth." be used in pastoral visits. Only a sensitive case "Have you been close to your little sisters?" I worker can judge. One thing is sure, I believe, that prayers that throb with deep understanding of the asked. human heart, its aspirations, its denials and its "Yes, I have," she said, "I have been sharing the agonies, are life-giving to others. Prayers that share another's joy or ecstacy or pain in naturalsame bed with one of them." ness and sincerity are always welcomed and re- "Well, we'll now be sure that they are safe, too," membered. A Christian case worker should not ask if a person wants a prayer-that creates a I replied. "Have you seen a doctor?" self-conscious situation. He should never pray if "Yes," she answered. "I was better for a time he could easily be prevented from praying. He should only pray when he must. Then God speaks after my visit to him, so I didn't go back to him -not he himself. And when God whispers to man, as he suggested." man never forgets.
"Does the man in the case know of your con- The rural case worker will find that human lives will share dark secrets of sin, hidden fears and dition ?" baffiing problems of conduct if his service has "Yes, he told me that he was -ill and that I had been lowly and sacrificial. He will find that hu- man lives will be unwilling to receive suggestion better look out." of change in life's conduct or surroundings if "Is he standing by?" trust has not been established from heart to heart. "No, he left me some weeks ago, and is paying This analysis of the need of trained case workattention to a school-teacher in another town." ers for rural America applies equally to the rural "We will have to face facts with him too," I world. There are great mission fields in foreign lands whose social, health and religious needs said. "You must help me to help all who may should arouse the whole Christian Church to an have been hurt by your mistake." immediate sacrificial crusade for the alleviation of this human suffering. Out of this experience came a deep and abiding • The materials of such agencies as the Social W()rk Publicity friendship. C()uncil, the Child Welfare League of America, the National Recrea- A Christian social worker must have infinite tion ASSOCiation, the Nat()nal Probation ASSOCiation, the American Public Health ASSOCiation, the American S()cial Hygiene Associati()n, patience in dealing with cases that may need ad- the National Committee f()r Mental Hygiene, the Family Welfare justments and counsel, not only for years, but Association of America, the United States Children's Bureau and the, throughout life. The Apostle Peter's loyalty was Foreign Language Inf()rmati()n Service are heartily recommended,- not developed, even in his early intimate contact H, I. with Jesus, into a dependable, never-failing virtue. Life's strains and stresses often bring to the surface old weaknesses and sins that in hours of strength seem to have been conquered. Jesus Himself showed the need of continual patience and forgiveness when He said that one must be ready
a Farmer's Wife Sees
–tEtI~i ; ; ;v; ; ;e; ; ;fm; ; ;o; ; ;o; ; ;t= ; ; ;!JI ~- ==;;;;;B;;;;;Y;;;;;N=IN=A;;;;;B=.;;;;;HE=W;;;;;I;;;;;TT=,;;;;;R;;;;;i;;;;;ve;;;;;f;;;;;to;;;;;o;;;;;, C OMING from a farm home I have always greet the trees and plants by name, like old been farm-minded. After having lived in friends. Heaven bless the man who allows fruit- small villages, except for about three years bearing bushes and trees to grow that the birds in the capital, my home is now in the midst of may live. A fine sense of these blessings naturally farms with a magnificent Green Mountain view leads to the worship of God.
to west and north. There are few really pros- One little community that we know has "left perous farms in this area, and very few active their low-vaulted past" and has "built new temples Christians. Poverty, debts, privation and attend- nobler than the last" until they have become an ant miseries abound. earnest, organized, active Christian church with Throughout the country we are reaping the re- such an interest in serving others that their gifts for benevolences were higher per capita than any suIt of banishing religion from public schools. We other church in the district. They outgrew the have a crop of young folks whose ignorance of dance hall, remodeled an old store into a comforteverything concerning the Bible or religion is colossal. Social evils abound, such as could not able and commodious church, and' finally, to rid obtain were there a wholesome ~espect for the the place of drunken brawls and other wicked- Mosaic Law. nesses accompanying the dances, the church bought the dance hall and converted it into a par- Nine-year-old brides are not found in this vi- sonage and Community Hall supervised by the cinity, but far too many brides come to the Manse church. There was some grumbling, but the several months too late. One couple came to be community as a whole realizes the benefit. Some married bringing their baby! Incest, sodomy, of the dearest saints we know live there in that fornication, adultery are undisturbed by officers rural hamlet where now they practice cooperative of law. It is rumored that two families living in buying and selling. When Christ is given a a double house have swapped mates but not names. chance, life can be transformed and become "more Nothing is done about it. Would not a general abundant." respect for God's laws make a difference? Think of the lynchings, kidnapings, assaults and murder Farmers are peculiar creatures. They need the of young girls, one of the most recent having been influence of Jesus Christ. There is far too much perpetrated by boys of five and nine years! Why? of "each man for himself"; too little neighborly Why? How can little boys play that way? Why? helpfulness; too, much work; too little play.
Do not parents need to be educated for their re- Recreation is too far away. The whole family sponsibilities? will pile into the old Ford and drive to town to see the movies instead of helping to plan neigh- As though we could not produce enough trouble borhood good times. for ourselves, gangs of city criminals come and rob our banks, steal our chickens, our cars and Too many farm folks never know when Sunday our apples; , yes, and our beans, cucumbers and comes. They never hear a sermon, unless by sweet corn. Forgery frequently comes into our radio. They never accept the challenge of Malachi courts. Even counterfeiting has been discovered. 3: 10: "Bring ye all the tithes into the store- It is hard to catch these thieves, for in a night house, that there may be meat in mine house; and they can go so far in automobiles. Can anyone prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, estimate the moral ruin brought about in cars if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and parked in lonely spots with curtains drawn? pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be When tares are sown what shall the harvest be? room enough to receive it."
There is a pleasanter side of the picture. Some It seems sensible for farmers to provide a house country people see God's handiwork in the for hired help; to allow the "help" to raise a few smallest blade of grass, the tiniest blossom, the calves, pigs or chickens; to furnish land for his majestic mountains, the splashing brooks, fields garden. But comparatively few such homes are of waving grain. We can see the blue sky-more seen. I wonder that the Federal A-Z does not intensely blue beyond an expanse of green field or endeavor to place some of the unemployed this above a spreading elm. It is no small pleasure to way. Government money might well be used [300] among our farmers. Our farm daughters would center where no minister ever calls, each thinking be safer than they are now with the lusty, young, those people are in the other parish. There is a often unprincipled hired man living in the farm- wide field for the Home Department of the Church er's home. Neighbor-ownership of expensive School with a faithful visitor to operate. farm machinery like tractors, harvesters, silo fillers, spraying apparatus, would be a good thing. In one parish an interesting experiment was made last summer. A friendly, energetic, city Some farmers suffer from specializing on one minister wanted a vacation in the country, to live product such as milk or potatoes, or apples. When in the parsonage and preach each week. He and the crop fails or the market is uncertain, the his family went to this little village and had a family suffers real privation. He either borrows good time visiting the people. The sermons money to keep going or skimps along somehow. pleased them. He could lead the singing. The The old-time diversified farming produced a liv- church was lacking young people. A canvass was ing. If crops failed there were the pigs, calves made and nearly two hundred were found within and chickens to help out. This region depends the bounds of that parish! Spiritual life was upon the maple sugar crop for certain income quickened; interest in church affairs was reevery year, though it varies greatly. newed; financial support was promised, even by people who never before would help – all this What the Rural Church Needs during the vacation season of one preacher and his family! If Christ were lived by preachers and It is customary for people to look to the Church laymen, it would not take long to work a treto correct all sorts of errors. But the rural church mendous change in many a rural settlement. is rather helpless. Its members are farm people who have had no training in religious education Many a country church thinks it cannot do and social service. It is hard to find anyone will- things for lack of equipment, while probably right ing to try to teach in the Sunday school-and it is in the dooryard stands a vacant house whose worse to have some teachers than none at all. We owner would gladly allow it to be used for a social need farm girls and boys who can be trained for center or sell for small price. It woud be helpful social and religious work, and who will come back if church activities were reported in local newsto the home town and become leaders. We need papers. A church news reporter or publicity preachers who can live on next to nothing- agent should tell every week what is coming and preachers filled with the Holy Spirit like the early what has been done. A woman in a little village circuit riders, full of zeal and devotion, who can do church near me takes pains to send such items to pioneer work, unhampered by family cares. Many the daily paper. More such news and less of a rural hamlet will never more have preaching crime would tend to make newspapers better unless something of this sort be done. Fine old reading. New England Meeting Houses are going to ruin because the people think they cannot pay a min- Many a community does not realize its reister's salary. sources; does not utilize the talents of its people. We cry for leaders while perhaps people with We need Ambassadors of Christ who have the leadership ability are living near and wishing for skill to present the work of the Church in such a something to do. In these days of musical trainfascinating way that the congregation will know ing in public schools, it is to be regretted that that the larger work was in the mind of Christ rural churches suffer from inadequate choirs. when He said, "Go … preach … teach … heal." We work hard during the week and easily Strong advocates of righteousness and religious doze off to sleep in a church service. The education are found in many rural churches. The message must be vital, searching, deep, command- women's missionary societies, the Christian Teming attention. It need not be marked by flowery perance Unions, the Anti-Saloon League and other oratory, but must be delivered with sincerity that organizations do valiant service. Their meetings, can be felt. The average adult gets more good their study and social gatherings furnish a means from Bible truths when expressed in language a of real growth. Horizons are broadened, interest child can understand than from a dissertation in the less fortunate of the world is awakened. crammed with seven-syllable words. The average They learn the physical, religious, moral, mental rural congregation contains few college graduates. and spiritual needs of others and then do some- thing about it. It is astonishing how the small Rural communities suffer when they are served sums we give in local societies help to roll up by a preacher from a larger town, miles away. the millions that are used "For the love of Christ Things close to home loom larger than the rural and in His name" for His "brethren" all over the parish so far from sight. We need circuit riders to come around to such places in regular routine. world. Do not forget the no-man's-land surrounding Christian citizens often forget their civic reevery organized parish – sections far from the sponsibilities. Many never go to town meeting. The worst example of the result of such laxity is
the present burden of the liquor traffic. Having In towns the nearness of people makes a differrid the country of it once, the Church could have ence, and the constant presence of distracting kept it out if they had not become careless. Why things helps one over the critical period. But we must some terrible calamity occur before right country folks have to receive our comfort (if we action is taken? We have not yet become the have any) from communion with God and medi- Church Triumphant therefore we should continue tation upon His Holy Word. to be the Church Militant. Perhaps if we were more militant the nations would be less militant. Christ told his disciples to preach, teach and "Without vision the people perish." heal the Jews first, that is, among his own people. What a Christ-like thing it would be for young The rural community is handicapped because doctors from our S~ate universities to serve their the people are so far apart, and it is so hard to own first. Older physicians well established in hold meetings, yet telephones could be put to large towns, find it nearly impossible to drive out better use than they sometimes are. We fail to into the coufitry to attend the sick. The price of utilize the advantages we have at hand. The such service is almost prohibitive, quite so to many Grange, the Home Demonstration Groups, the families. This is one of my pet "visions": that Four-H Clubs, and Ladies' Aid ought to be more townships should vote in the next meeting a sum helpful in religious and civic matters than they large enough to secure the residence of a doctor are at present. and a nurse. With these two on call, the health and happiness of our country people would be There are many, many people suffering agony, greatly improved. hopeless and helpless, hidden away on isolated farms. Oh, how country people need Jesus Christ He hath showed thee, 0 man, what is good; and what to sustain and comfort when illness or tragedy doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love enters the home! Many a time my heart has been mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. wrung by the sorrows that rural neighbors have had to bear alone-alone so far as human help is *** concerned. Everybody has all he can do. No time to call on the sick. If death comes, funerals The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the are largely attended, but in the days following lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and while going about the routine of work, there is with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the little to lift the gloom from the mourner's heart. first commandment; and the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
The Country Pastor's Job By the REV. MARK RICH, Ithaca, New York I Field Representative of the Rural Institute fit- for Religious Workers D URING the past generation the country pas- The rural pastor has a tremendously significant torate has not been looked upon as a field job. His first task is that of a messenger of good for very fruitful service; country pulpits will. This follows the example of our Master as have often been used as a stepping stone to so- He walked in Galilee, teaching humble folk in called positions of wider influence in the cities. country places. The rural pastor is a herald of Neither seminary, training school, nor denomina- brotherhood and unity, not a promoter of divitional administrators have usually considered sions and discord. This needs to be emphasized town and country fields of first importance. City because it is possible that churches and pastors life has been exalted, rural life discounted, and may stir up a spirit of ill-will. Consider two inthe country church thought to be second rate in stances: comparison to the city pulpit. Not long ago two women from a struggling open As a result of this attitude surveys, field studies country church came asking help. Four miles and casual observations point to one appalling fact from their church lay a little village of seven hun- -the rapid decline of the country church. But dred inhabitants cradled in a lovely valley. There the situation is far from hopeless. There are are four churches there, each served by a minmany signs of awakening interest and of a new ister, three of whom are resident. appreciation of the task of the country minister. "Why do you not share pastors with the
THE COUNTRY PASTOR'S JOB
churches in this village?" I asked. "They can help the people of all faiths, especially during the you more than anyone else." terror of the Revolution when he was the only "Why," retorted one woman, "the churches in pastor to remain in the valley, that a new bond the village are so busy quarreling among them- of brotherhood was established. An English vis- selves that they have no time for us." itor noticed that on the communion plate in Ober- An outstanding agricultural leader, a layman lin's church were wafers, leavened and unleavened of staunch Christian character, one day spoke out bread which were taken by Catholics, Lutherans of deep conviction regarding two churches in a or Calvinists according to their conviction. Good- village. will in the enobled valley was one of the finest "It's all a man's reputation is worth," he said, among all the worthy contributions of this man.
"to become affiliated with one of the churches." So it is with every rural pastor, who draws men A cannon which stands on the village green sep- into a common brotherhood in Christ. This is the arating the churches is symbolic of the iII-will unique job of the rural minister.
they stir up in the hearts of some people. Merely to have one church in a village, instead Unfortunately these are not isolated instances. of four, does not insure spiritual vitality and right Such results come from too many competitive relationships among the people. But, it has been country churches. They are so involved in the proved that the active promotion of unity is a way things which keep them apart that they have no to keep right relationships.
time for the main business of reaching people with A country pastor has also the opportunity of the Gospel. That is the malady which is afflicting interpreting spiritual reality to people who live hundreds of American churches. In seeking to on the land. The church is an agency for the ex- save themselves they are not only losing their pression and transmission of spiritual truth. Jesus lives but failing to save the community. A pastor taught truth about God, about the right relation or a church which promotes discord is not of of man to man, and of man to God, in ways that Christ. were understandable to his hearers. Sometimes At its best the Christian church brings God's one wonders how people>ever came to think that message of goodwill and unity. A lover of rural preaching an involved theology is the way to build life and an ardent church worker recently bore a church. Theology ought not be removed from testimony to this fact when she said to a large life, but a large proportion of sermons, both con- gathering of her fellow church members: "This servative and progressive, are far removed from parish has made it possible for us to call one an- the interests and understanding of the hearers.
other friends." The country preacher, following his Master, Not many months ago I visited a saintly aged ought to explain the eternal truths in terms which minister in a tiny hamlet. Once two churches, are comprehensible. For this task, he will find decadent and hopeless, served the farmers of the much material in the everyday life of country narrow valley. His first entrance into the com- people. But to understand these things the min- munity was welcomed by members of one church ister himself must be rooted in the soil. A num- only. The others were indifferent, or hostile. One ber of prominent rural church leaders and mis- woman vowed that no minister of the other de- sionaries are saying that no missionary should go nomination would ever darken the doorstep of to the foreign field and no pastor to a rural church her house. Some would not even attend a funeral without an agricultural college background. How service held in the other church. far much of our preparation has missed the mark!
Later the woman repented and the minister was A rural minister should know something about invited into her home for Sunday dinner. Now the work in which his people are engaged. In a the two congregations are worshipping together dairy region he could at least know the difference in happy fellowship. Why this change? Simply between a Holstein and a Guernsey cow and be because the pastor has the spirit of Christ in his conversant with some of the basic problems facing heart. He would not stoop to littleness, to bicker- the dairy industry. He ought to thrill at the sight ings or ill-will. He represents the attitude and of an elm tree, appreciate flowers, the glories of task of the truly Christian minister. rural life. He must be one who understands.
An Ideal Country Pastor If the rural pastor finds spiritual reality in the country he can help interpret it to the people, and John Frederick Oberlin, perhaps more than any will find receptive hearts. Many a farmer finds a other represents the ideal country pastor. Trained deep abiding joy in his work. Of this he may be to a doctor's degree at the University of Strass- but half conscious and one of the jobs of the pastor burg, he gave himself for nigh 60 years to the is to help him develop this appreciation.
needy people of the Valley of Stone in the isolated Perhaps the least part of a country minister's Vosges mountains. Like his Master he went about task is the pulpit. The ministry of John Fred- doing good. Oberlin had so endeared himself to erick Oberlin did not consist in oracular announce-
ments. After his sermon he might implore his conventions. Some recognition is craved by every people to build a road, to clean up their houses or man, including the rural minister, but he will to plant a tree in the name of God, but he never probably have to do with less than do some others. ended with that. On Monday he took his pick and shovel and set the example in building roads or in But the rewards outnumber the disadvantages. planting trees. To get rid of disease or to build a An alert and consecrated rural minister can have the satisfaction of doing a creative piece of work. YOUNG PEOPLE'S RURAL WEEK-END CONFERENCE IN The rural church is today in a condition of flux. GROTON COMMUNITY PARISH-SIX CHURCHES OF THREE Old forms are being sloughed off and new forms are emerging. He who builds today is setting the DElNOMINATIONS ARE COOPERATING IN THIS patterns for the future and the pioneer does not LARGER PARISH ask for monetary rewards. He is happy to blaze the trail on which future generations will travel. school and provide a consecrated teacher was quite The rural minister can have that satisfaction as much a ministry in the name of Jesus Christ today. as was preaching. Another reward arises out of the fundamental There is much to make a man's heart bleed as importance of work in the country. The 1930 he observes the rural scene in America today. census reveals the fact that the rural population One finds much poverty, underprivileged children, is still the source of population supply for Amerhosts of families untouched by any church and no ica. The farm population is producing fifty per man's lands abandoned by one denomination after cent more children than are necessary to maintain another. And the sturdy farmers, whose families the population level in the country. Today's rural will inherit the prosperous fields, need a faith and minority is tomorrow's overwhelming majority. hope that will make the citizenship of the coun- Boys and girls trained in the country not only tryside spiritually clearsighted. make the country life of the next generation but exert a profound influence on city life for good or Dr. Kagawa of Japan says there are three prin- ill. The country pastor who is farsighted sees ciples to be observed by the farmer: (1) he should that he is moulding national life for good at its love the soil, (2) he should love his neighbor, and very source. Other men must build with the (3) he should love God. In these three principles timber he seasons. lie the secret of good living on the farm. Helping people to practice these things sums up the task The country minister also finds deep satisfacof the rural minister. The farmer who finds these tion in the relationships of rural life. He knows has found the abundant life. members of "his flock" by name. They belong to What can the pastor who gives his life to the him and he to them. When a man remains in a shepherding of his rural flock expect in the way community over a period of years he comes to have of reward? It is certain that he cannot expect a wide influence which compares with that of the large financial returns. A salary of two thousand larger city parishes. The rural minister can find dollars and parsonage is munificent in the coun- deep satisfaction in the rural way of life. The try, but even that is small compared with the head of a great farmer's cooperative recently said emoluments that the larger city churches shower that farming was about the only occupation in upon their ministers. No, the rural pastor cannot which a man can retain his spiritual freedom. If expect luxurious comfort. this be true, the conscientious rural minister is pursuing a calling in which he can find spiritual Nor is the rural pastor likely to win as much values. After all, a man's influence arises out of renown as do some of his urban brethren. He can- what he is rather than what he does. A rural not expect to have his voice speak from the pages pastor, in a particular way, can be a follower of of the metropolitan dailies nor to take prominent Jesus Christ who went about country ways revealpositions on the platform of his denominational ing the love of God by doing good.
Happily, there are some evidences that the tide is turning. Some are saying that if America is to be saved she must be saved through her rural people and if the city church of the future is to be strong she will gain her vigor through the li~e blood flowing from the country. Believing that, the country pastor has the opportunity of mold- ing the spiritual life of the nation.
Solution – The Larger
By ELLSWORTH M. SMITH, New York Field Representative of the Town and Country Department, American Baptist Home Mission Society RURAL churches in America are going out of limited to business, politics and recreation. Here business at a rate estimated by some as high we have most of the causes of death. as one thousand per year. When one real- Usually these churches represent two or more izes the importance of rural Christianity, not only denominations. The lines have been sharply to the people of the countryside but to the nation drawn and, though there is toleration and a cer- as a whole, when one remembers that usually half tain amount of polite gesturing, there is no help- the workers of a city church received their initial ful cooperation.
religious impulse in the church of the crossroads, At this juncture leaders of the denominations this statement of death rate is tragic. involved go to the area and meet their church peo- Of course, some of these dying churches are not ple. They hear their statements of resigned hopeneeded. Some have ministered to racial or na- lessness. The denominational executives have tional groups that have shifted to other localities. been putting into these churches all the money Others have failed to adapt themselves to modern they could afford and no more is available, but needs and have been replaced. Still others have they have a suggestion to offer. Larger Parishes been in competing situations. An illustration of have done seeming miracles elsewhere, so they this last statement is the recent death of two , talk to the people about this new plan and find a churches in a village of three hundred fifty peo- considerable though wary response. The people ple, leaving an active total of five churches still would be willing to have another meeting to concarrying on! sider it, though they do not believe that anything Many churches that die are, however, desper- can be done. ately needed. Of this large group are those in the One of the denominational leaders gets in touch remote open countryside, localities from which with the others involved and together they agree the people will not onen go to the town or village, that for the perpetuation of their various interests for religious privileges. These breakdowns are a Larger Parish is perhaps the only solution. A due to a variety of causes, not the least of which mass meeting of the people of all the churches is are the disappearing of neighborhood conscious- called and at this meeting several things happen. ness in the open country, and the increasing difficulty of carrying the financial burden, particularly People of ,each community meet friends whom they have not seen for a long time. They realize where agriculture is not prosperous. Others of that. they are all in the same difficulty and this these churches have failed to meet needs and have not been replaced, or adapted. Other causes for gives them comfort. They listen to the counsel of their denominational leaders and see real posthe disappearance of needed churches have been inadequate leadership and a spiritual hopelessness sibilities. The descriptions of the things accom- plished in Larger Parishes rekindles enthusiasms. due to lack of vision. And lastly, some have died because of sheer loneliness. , Pamphlets are distributed. Sample constitutions show that denominational connections are main- To each of these needed, but dying churches, the tained intact and that each church has equal Larger Parish offers a partial and often the only representation and fair treatment. The very sight solution. of the leaders of different denominations on the What Is a Larger Parish? same platform, earnestly recommending this bold Consider a situation in which the churches of cooperative venture, creates a new spirit. A date an area of six near-by communities are ready to is set for another meeting to organize and adopt close their doors. Finances are down, the separate a constitution. communities have exhausted themselves in "going it alone"; the last ministers they have had have Discussions are held in each community and in been inadequate to save the situation; the finan- each church. The term "Larger Parish" is on cial resources of the area are not what they have everyone's tongue. Correspondence flows between been; fellowship betwpen the communities is these localities and state offices. In preparation for the organization meeting each church elects [305 ]
two delegates who shall become their representa- isters are their pastors. Regular staff meetings tives on the proposed Larger Parish Council. for reporting and planning are held each week, Finally the great day arrives and the entertain- with regular Council meetings each month. The ing church is crowded by representatives of the Council holds an annual meeting of the Parish several churches besides a number of people who to report to the people. The churches hold an- have not shown any interest in religion. Each nual meetings for their regular business and to church announces that it is ready to go ahead, the elect Council delegates, no one of whom may serve constitution is voted on section by section, and more than two consecutive terms of two years adopted with modifications. The names of the each.
representatives of the churches are announced Each church draws up a budget to cover local and an early date is set for their first meeting in expenses and after all these, budgets have been the home of one of the delegates. accepted by the Council, they are included in the How the Plan Works total Parish budget. This total includes the sal- aries of staff workers, their transportation allow- At the first meeting of the Council there is much ances, office costs, and other general items decided to be done. Delegates-at-Iarge are elected, also a by the Council.
chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and Parish Building a Program treasurer. The amount of money that can reason- ably be expected to be raised is agreed upon and The program of the Larger Parish is detera tentative budget is drawn up. A canvass of mined by the needs and interests of the cooperevery family in the area is placed in charge of a ating churches, of which each has a committee committee and another committee is appointed to made up of Council delegates, and all of the active find a staff of two ministers. leaders in the church and community. This puts Since the churches of the Larger Parish include the church in a position to build itself solidly into all in the area, everyone is asked to contribute, the entire life of the community and demonstrates whether a church member or not. Pledges are a community purpose without which the organiza- paid through local churches. When the returns . tions may find themselves at odds with one an- are in and it is known how much the denomina- other. The general committee meets with the en- tions will contribute, the total working budget is tire staff at frequent intervals to talk of commu- adopted. nity and church needs and to plan a program.
The Council finally votes to call two young men, The genius of the Larger Parish is that it visions and often this action is ratified by all the member a complete program which will serve all the needs of the people. The Council, with the staff, seeks churches, the calls are extended. The new staff workers become ex-officio mem- to coordinate the many projected activities into a bers of the Council and one of them is elected complete Parish program. Director. The program is discussed and a line Individuals subscribe to the total Parish work of action is adopted with schedules for meetings, through the churches in their own communities, including church worship, church school and and these contributions are sent by the local treasyoung people's meetings, on a regular basis in urer to the Parish treasurer, who pays all bills each community, no community having more than on the O. K. of the Council chairman. Even the one set of services. The abilities and interests of missionary funds may be handled this way, keepthe two ministers are taken into consideration and ing all the records in' separate books but in one each minister accepts responsibility for certain office.
types of activities. The Director of the staff may The Larger Parish puts a strong emphasis on be responsible for planning the worship and young people's work to meet the local needs and preaching program, the pastoral calling and men's interests of separate groups. The program of work, while the second man may be director of each society may be distinct, but there is set up a young people's work, recreation and the Christian Young People's Senate which meets at regular in- education program. The Director of the staff is tervals with the director of young people's work.
held directly responsible for the general carrying The entire league of societies holds occasional out of the entire program. The two members of joint socials and inspirational programs.
the staff share in the particular work of each, Each church school has its own organization, though each man plans the program in his de- but the superintendents and active workers meet partment and endeavors to see it through to a together in a Central Committee on Christian satisfactory completion. Education, to discuss the administration of the The staff members live in the same community schools and to direct a program of leadership in order that they may confer daily and may avoid training for the entire parish.
the danger of sections feeling that particular min- The staff Director is the editor of the weekly
ONE SOLUTION – THE LARGER PARISH
Parish Calendar, which lists news of all the special financial arrangements with doctors, the churches and their announcements, and is distrib- hospital and for higher education for promising uted in the services. A monthly Parish news let- young people; a yearly survey of the area with ter is distributed by mail or through young people Christmas calls by the entire staff at every home to every home in the area, regardless of church (this usually requires a month!); AND THROUGH memberships. The young people's league edits ALL OF THIS PROGRAM-IN PREACHING, TEACHING, and publishes a mimeographed booklet at inter- CONVERSATION AND EXPRESSION – A CONSTANT vals to promote fellowship, and finances it through DEMONSTRATION OF THE MEANING OF THE SPIRIT small charges made at joint socials. There are OF CHRIST IN ALL OF LIFE!
contributing' editors from each society and young Now that this Parish has been organized and people serve as mimeograph stencil cutters, crank running for several years, what are the results?
turners, "printer's devils" and delivery boys. Not only has church membership doubled, mis- The program of the Larger Parish develops as sionary giving increased fourfold, church schools fast as local leaders can be found and trained. filled to capacity, nearly every young person a Over a period of years the projects worked out in- clude an amazing variety of things. A list of these activities will prove quite convincing: church worship and preaching, church schools, young people's meetings and week-day religious educa- tion every week; pastoral service reaching every- one in the area and with special attention to the aged, the shut-in, and those who are ill or have special problems; organized church school classes with outside activities for all ages; young peo- ple's socials, community socials, men's clubs, boys'
clubs, girls' clubs, 4-H clubs, Boy Scouts, Friendly Indians; basketball, baseball, volley-ball and bowling teams; banquets for classes, Mothers and Daughters, Fathers and Sons and the young peo- ple's league; book clubs, music clubs, dramatic clubs and many other kinds of hobby and special interest groups; camps, conferences and leader- The Trego Larger Parish-Wisconsin ship training schools; junior choirs singing weekly in their own churches and on special oc- This map, from "The Larger Parish Plan," by Malcolm Dana, casions as a joint junior choir; an adult choir, shows the district inclnded around Trego, Wisconsin. Five weak special musical programs and vespers; pageants churches united to. pool their resources and to join in a program to serve the whole community in the name and spirit of Jesus Ghrist. Kingdom interest took the place of denGminational interests of a religious nature and several plays; commu- nity clubs for the adults and young people; the church member, finances adequate and steady observance of special days, such as Thanksgiving, even during the depression, but the Christian Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, "Religious Edu- religion has become the big thing in the life of cation Days," Rural Life Sunday, etc.; outdoor the community and individual and social redemp- services for the churches and particularly for the tion has become a glowing reality. To bring young people's societies; an Easter Sunrise serv- all of this wholesome activity and spiritual direc- ice; missionary societies and church aid societies; tion in a steady continuing church program out of church suppers; a special Lenten program in- the desperation and hopelessness of the previous cluding a series of evangelistic meetings in each situation has been the accomplishment of a de- church, church membership classes for all ages, voted, courageous and kindly group of average and special calling for church members; Holy Christians working through a type of organiza- Week services; sex education and marriage coun- tion known as The Larger Parish. There are selling; vocational guidance and testing; coop- many variations of the plan, variations in name, eration with the schools, the public health service, in number of churches and in number of staff service clubs, Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., and workers, but the above description is in all essen- Grange; participation in all the denominational tialparticulars, the story of a particular Larger activities, materials and promotional programs; Parish, its life history to date.
A Church of the
By the REV. COE HAYNE, New York –tEl Department of Publicity, Literature and Research, American Baptist Home Mission Society T HE church at M-, New York, is in the open the paneling and the lady of the parsonage was country. Not more than ten houses are head varnisher. The cost totalled a sum far less within half a mile of the knoll upon which than the estimated cost of $600 had the job been stands the beautiful old edifice with its towering done by a contractor. spire and colonial fa~ade. From the hills and valleys beyond come the people to worship. Since Some of the men thought that a quick and effi- 1803 this Baptist church organization has had a cient way to improve the appearance of the woodcontinuous existence. During one hundred and work was to spread thereon a liberal coat of paint. thirty-four years the Gospel has had a witness in Not so thought the women. Beautifully grained this countryside by reason of the Christian loyal- wood, worth a fortune, to be smeared over with ties of successive generations of farmer folk. paint! The men today are glad they had not their way. The lady of the parsonage on scaffold and When Pastor Peterson came to Martindale De- stepladder worked day after day with a small pot ten years ago, one of his first activities was to brush and an oak stain to obliterate the scars on survey the field. He found ninety-one houses the woodwork before the varnish was applied. within the legitimate limits of his parish. In these All are pleased with the job.
houses lived 270 people. The next nearest church The countryside has beauty. Why not promote was located four miles away. An acquaintance beauty in the sanctuary of a church of the counwith every person, whether Jew, Catholic or Prot- tryside. Cleanliness, quiet tastefulness in decoraestant, or nonreligionist, living in these houses, tion, sunshine, good cheer-all these blessings are became the pastor's pleasant duty. His kindly, possible in the house of worship, all are especially neighborly attitude became proverbial in the desirable for people who enter the sanctuary dicountryside. The people looked to him as their rectly from a world of outdoor beauty. pastor and friend. True sympathy was the golden commodity this rural-minded minister had in his Something happened to the people when their possession to dispense to those who sought his church was made beautiful. It had been the fellowship. In their joys or sorrows he loved custom to hold all social activities, such as plays, them. During one year a couple, deprived of a dinners, festivals and sales in the sanctuary. This fourteen-year-old boy who had been killed by a one room was the only place for such gatherings. truck, received many messages from Pastor Peter- The pastor and the lady of the parsonage were son, and interviewed with him to help them recon- glad to find many in .the church who had a feeling struct life anew. that the sanctuary ought to be preserved for wor- There was much to be done to make the old ship services. church attractive. The shabby walls of the sanc- Any record of the doings in this parish during tuary did not at all assist in creating a worshipful attitude. The plaster had been falling from the the past ten years would be incomplete without ceiling and it was evident that the new pastor mention of the help that has been given to the stood in danger literally of being bombarded out pastor by his wife and daughter. During an illof his pUlpit unless something was done about it. ness of her husband she was constant in her visits Estimates for installing a metal ceiling were se- in homes and at the meetings of the women and as a teacher in the Sunday school. The "parish in cured and it was thought that the proposed cost automobile" owned by and maintained by the pas- was within reach of the people. The Ladies' Aid tor and constant use for parish work is driven Society assumed the responsibility of decorating by the lady of the parsonage. The daughter has the walls and revarnishing pews and woodwork, been a leader in the young people's movements in recovering the cushions and putting up new the county.
shades. The women used the scaffolding erected On September 29, 1930, Pastor Peterson felt by the workmen who put on the metal ceiling. impressed to pray as follows: "Dear Lord, I ask The president of the Ladies' Aid Society designed Thee for a building in connection with the church.
[308 ]
COOPERATION IN A RURAL COMMUNITY
equal to the need for such a building to take care telephone freely to send out messages. He has of the social life of this community for which this memorized hundreds of Bible verses which he church is responsible in Thy sight!" The pastor finds are a help at every turn in his work. Four claimed the promise of our Lord as recorded in years ago he expressed his Christian faith in the Mark 11: 24, "Therefore I say unto you, what following: things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall receive them." o Jesus Christ, my precious Lord, By the following spring the people were ready O'er all the earth be Thou adored. to build. The old sheds were taken down and a For Thy great love, so full and free, fine social hall erected at a cost of about $2,400. Is sweeter far than life to me.
All community gatherings of a helpful nature This verse was printed in a county weekly newsmay be held in this commodious building, but the paper and the next week a poem of three verses character of all gatherings is determined by the was accepted for publication. The editor asked church. Among the activities made possible are the pastor to furnish more of these Christian monthly community birthday socials. Those who poems and as a result they have appeared every have had or will have birthdays during any cur- week during the four years. At present eight rent month, sit at a special table. This draws other country newspapers print his poems. This people who are not connected with the church. service, "unto Him," has widened immeasurably his ministry and some of his verses have been set It has been the practice of the pastor to use the to music.
Cooperation in a Rural Community By the REV. EDWARD D. HAMNER, Oakwood, Texas Pastor of Blackfoot, Montalba, Oakwood, Slocum and Tennessee Colony Rural Christian Churches SMALL town boosters like to advertise the is not merely a theory, but a supreme necessity multiplicity of their institutions. Some think for rural America. it an honor to have many churches. Yet in most small towns and country communities, the The average rural community, capable of supfewer the churches the better for the community, porting one church with a vital Christian profor few rural communities are so populous that gram, is keeping up a skeleton existence for two one church would not be far better than two or or more churches, none of which are doing much more competing churches. A vast majority of except through a "weakly" Sunday school and rural churches are in communities where there part-time preaching. The cooperation between are other churches and few are without competi- these churches will depend in part upon their re- spective polities. Little is possible between tion. churches when each insists that it has the only An efficient rural church must operate with two true doctrine "once and for all delivered unto the saints." Between churches with broader views factors in its favor: a limited area, and adequate but loyal to Christ and recognizing their own numbers. The limited area is necessary because limitations and imperfections, a large measure of of the many who, at least under present condi- cooperation and ultimate unity is possible. The tions, have no way to go long distances to the nature of cooperation will depend upon why we church services. The factor of adequate numbers cooperate. is necessary in order that efficiency may be maintained and the program supported. Doctrines differ as to the form of baptism, the use of ritual and instrumental music, the rules of With a divided church – that is, where two or membership and form of government. Many and more denominations attempt to minister in the varied are our differences of faith and practice, same area, the result will be either limited num- yet, fundamentally, bers, when the constituency is divided among the competing groups; or, if sufficient numbers are Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one, maintained, the area will have to be so widened Our comforts and our cares. that inefficiency results. And so, Christian unity
It is because of "the tie that binds our hearts in pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not Christian love" that we seek "the fellowship of destroyed. " kindred minds." We cooperate because of common aims, and hopes, and despite those things Though it is because of a careless habit that we which divide. Some have assumed that coopera- often omit the third verse of many hymns, we tion is impossible between people who believe dif- ought to omit the third verse of "Onward Chrisferently; others have shown that even those with tian Soldiers" until the harmony of our efforts extremely different views of the Bible and of some makes it possible for us to sing honestly Christian doctrines may have happy and profitable fellowship. People with different tastes eat We are not divided; at the same table, those with varying ideas of All one body we, style buy from the same shops, and members of the same family like different types of cars – so One in hope and doctrine, there is no need for us to despair because of dif- One in charity. fering ideas and tastes as to worship, organization, and doctrines. Christians may love each What Unity Is Possible? other, and work and have fellowship together despite these differences. If all of life were cut to With this spirit and this goal, what cooperation the same pattern it would be drab indeed. Is not is possible, and what unity is desirable between this true of Christianity? churches in a rural community?
Not merely because of common interests and Some steps must be taken before others are loyalty do we cooperate; but because our ultimate possible. Efforts to unite the churches of a comaim is not mere cooperation, but unity. Our co- munity when no cooperative spirit has been deoperation is the first step toward a closer rela- veloped would be worse than useless. There tionship. It is to our shame that the Church must be simple beginnings-forward steps-first of Christ is so divided. The Apostle Paul wrote: achievements, before real unity is possible. "Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love." But we have made In communities where summer finds many peoarticles of faith so great that they have divided ple away on vacations and evening services slump, us, and have even caused some professed followers churches have found it advantageous to hold union of Christ to hate each other, and to contend one Sunday night services. In one village of less than with another, instead of loving each other. Why 1,000 population the pastors of the six -churches cannot faith, hope, and love operate together? (think of it!) worked out a plan whereby each A vigorous and healthy Christian love need not pastor preached two Sunday nights during the diminish faith. three summer months, each preacher in the pulpit of another church than his own. Attendance was Our Lord prayed ". . . that they all may be better than the combined attendance would have one . . . that the world may believe. . . ." If been if each church had held its own services, and our ultimate aim is to bring about the unity for there was the added advantage of fellowship towhich He prayed; our cooperation should be such gether, and the inspiration of numbers. Union as will contribute to this end. fifth Sunday night meetings, and the exchange of pulpits, have similar values. The rural church is less able to survive denominational competition than the urban church be- Union revival meetings prove helpful if propcause of the two factors-distances and numbers. erly conducted. Especially where money is scarce Moreover, competition is destructive; it breeds a home-force meeting, with the pastors of the coan ugly spirit among neighbors, and like scattered operating churches alternating in the pulpit, has fire it accomplishes far less than united effort. proved satisfactory. . When an outside preacher is brought in, he must be very carefully selected, Cooperation ought not to be the pseudo-friendly as an evidence of even slight sectarian bias will gestures of hostile groups, sparring for advan- react adversely. A charitable spirit shown by all tage, but should be marked by honest efforts to parties is essential to the success of such ventures. come closer together, and to accomplish together For example, in one village union meetings were what we cannot do, or cannot do well, apart. Nor abandoned after a near conflict between two local should we become discouraged if plans go awry, preachers when one of them insisted, perhaps in if others show a less cooperative spirit than we fun, in calling the other's church by a disliked desire, or if plans occasionally back-fire. In the nickname. A spirit of love is essential in Chriswar against the world, the flesh, and the devil, the tian coope_ration. church of Christ may lose some battles, but it is not defeated. "Weare pressed on every side, yet The churches of rural communities often coopnot straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; erate in "singings" and in taking a religious census. In one community three churches are working together on the "Lord's Acre" plan of finance. Each church has a committee of three members to operate for that church, and the three committees together form a community committee
to create wider interest in the plan. This com- churches represented have separate organizations munity, needing a community hall for social gath- which work as circles, and alternate in presenting erings, banquets, boys' and girls' work, and clubs, united programs. Each group supports its own hopes that its Lord's Acre projects will provide denominational work.
such a building. Nearly one hundred years ago, pioneers from Among the most practical Christian work which Tennessee settled in a rural area of Texas and can be done by the churches of a rural community built a school and church building. There have are cooperative efforts to rid the community of been organizations here from time to time of at liquor, campaigns against vice or corrupt govern- least five different denominations, but always the ment, and community-wide go-to-church cam- people have cooperated at least to the extent of paigns. Rural churches may also unite in local having a common church building. At present charity work, the doing of which is, after all, as there is a union church building, with union Sun- much a cardinal Christian virtue as a govern- day school, union young people's society, and fed- mental responsibility. erated woman's missionary society, but with two Benefits of Cooperation church organizations, each maintaining its own part-time pastor. The church property is main- Such cooperation as we have suggested will de- tained by a joint fund consisting of five per cent velop a spirit which will in time make possible of the income of each of the two churches. An- even closer relationship. Opposition to coopera- other union church cares for its building main- tive efforts will often come from people who are strongly sectarian and when actual union takes place there is almost sure to be some disagree- ment. Wisdom, tact, careful planning, and above all the spirit of Christian love under all circum- stances are needed to produce harmony. Opposi- tion should not be ruthlessly brushed aside, or disdainfully ignored, but should be melted with the warmth of Christian love. We "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."
Union Sunday schools can be maintained in many rural communities. In one community, the union Sunday school died when a narrow-minded minister set out to oust all teachers not of his A CROWDED COMMUNITY CH UR CH , ANDERSON particular sect. After several years another min- CITY, TEXAS ister of the same denomination, but with broader tenance through the treasury of the union Sunday sympathies, made progress by preaching Chris- school; and with special calls for funds for intian unity and inviting people of the other surance, paint, and other additional expenses. churches in the area to share in the teaching work. An agreement may be reached not to argue The ultimate goal of every rural community over points of doctrine on which the churches should be to have one church, adequately serving differ. all the community. Community churches of vari- ous types are proving a success. When any unity Young people, not having sectarian loyalities of seems possible, that type should be chosen which long standing, work well together. The union seems most appropriate for the particular comyoung people's society, whether strictly nonsec- munity such as the federated church, the denomtarian or a denominational society for aU the inational community church, or the nondenominayoung people of the community, has been a pioneer tional community church. Whatever the form of in Christian cooperation and unity. In one com- unity, the success of such united groups will demunity the older young people have a Christian pend much upon the wisdom and the Christian Endeavor Society in one church, while the young- spirit of its leadership. er ones have a B. Y. P. U. in another church. A fine spirit was evinced in the omission of a pro- Christianity is like a wheel. Christ is the hub; gram in the quarterly which the other churches the denominations are the spokes. The closer we did not accept. Another union young people's so- are to Christ, the closer we are to one another, and ciety uses the literature of one denomination for people who have the spirit of Christ can work tosix months, then changes to that of another for gether in harmony, even though many of their an equal period. ideas differ.
A federated woman's missionary society has "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for been organized in one rural community. The two brethren to dwell together in unity."
Ministry of the Rural
By JOHN C. KILLIAN, D.D., Philadelphia -.~ Secretary, Colporter Department, American Baptist Publication Society D URING the last twenty years stupendous filled with Bibles, books, and tracts. The story changes have come to rural life. Millions of Christ was shared with those he met by the of people have moved to the city; thou- roadside, and those he visited in the homes. The sands of farms have been abandoned. The farm Bible was a strong force in recognizing God on enterprise has become dependent upon world the frontier. Many strong Sunday schools and markets which in turn has introduced a new churches today date back to that early visit of the struggle in economic security for rural dwellers. colporter. Following this the Chapel Car was In areas which the colporter-missionary serves, launched, with a church and parsonage combined.
the problems have become greatly intensified. Thus the missionary and his wife were able to There is an austere poverty among many rural reach the people more effectively in the new and people, and because of the long years of independ- growing towns along the railroads.
ence this sturdy stock has greater hesitancy to ap- Horse and wagon were needed to extend the ply for welfare relief even when that is available. services to groups settling in areas far from the Year after year of crop failure and dust storms railroads. With the passing years this equipment have dimmed their hopes and left upon their faces has changed, to Chapel Autos and now to the the seared scars of dreams for better days. They latest model of automobiles, where the mission- have been driven backward in the vain attempt to ary can speed across the barriers of desert and mask a keen sense of inferiority. The barrier of sagebrush to some home or outstation seventy or isolation has been widened between them and the perhaps a hundred and fifty miles away from his people of the distant town with whom they base. This modern car can often be seen parked mingled previously. In these sections, off the by a small cabin, or perhaps in the midst of a beaten highway, one can see the old cars which cluster of homes squatted irregularly upon the have been jacked up and unused for three and dusty sands, or in front of a schoolhouse. The four years, waiting in hope that the next crop will latest venture in equipment is a modern all-steel enable them to secure the needed license. In one trailer.
section I saw seventeen cars owned by farmers, Today colporter work is varied, though it re- but fifteen of them had been upon blocks for sev- tains some of the earlier methods. The great need eral years. now is to give support and encouragement to The change in the rural church is pathetically those organizations and to develop native leader- parallel. The inability of a small, decreasing ship through preaching and Christian education.
rural group to maintain the church as formerly During the years of financial depression, nine- has meant, in many instances, a lower standard of teen churches in areas of need in one state alone leadership or closing the church altogether. The would have been closed, but for the work of these great vast area of western prairie and desert, as colporters. Because of the new comity policy of well as rural sections in some eastern states turn some larger denominations many of these to the mission boards for help. To our shame be churches now serve the entire community and the it said, that when this group of Americans need missionary ministers to all groups. In drought- encouragement, our response is so inadequate. stricken areas where more than two-thirds of the Yet, those who have ministered in these fields have church members are on relief, and they were un- labored heroically and have reaped a hundred fold able to keep a pastor the worker has been a great harvest. blessing. .
In the early days of colportage a hundred years In another field the missionary worked in the ago,* the missionary traveled about on foot carry- areas surrounding the town. Outstations were ing his handbags suspended around the neck, formed and members were lined up with the town church, which could not have kept their own pas- t or WI't ht the al'd f th ese newly 'Interested • The work of the Colporter-Missionary Department of the eAm1HeZr2- groups. OU ican Baptist publication Society was started in 1840. (Sinc 0 this work has been done In cooperation with the American Baptist Home Mission Society.) [312 ] THESE AMERICAN CHILDREN HAVEl NEVER BEEN REACHED BY CHURCH OR SUNDAY SCHOOL In one fine community strong factions had de- ing had dawned when the last of the revelers veloped, weakening the church almost to the point drove away noisily; then a strange stillness preof death. The last group holding the fort were vailed. A few hours later I met with a group of unable to support a pastor and the others were about fifty people who had gathered for worship. quite unwilling to cooperate. The State Secretary Repeatedly they expressed their gratitude for the offered to send a colporter-missionary acceptable missionary that had come to them, for now they to all when they agreed. The result reads like had new courage and felt that they would be able a miracle. Disaffected groups gradually returned, to contend against the forces of evil and to rear and in less than one year the fine church was their children in the fear of God. again self-supporting and reaching out into needy areas. The blessing of a live church is that it Picture another town nestling on the edge of a transforms the community. One of the business drab desert waste of sagebrush and cactus. But men of a town where the missionary served, the town is not drab. It is a blooming oasis. Here writes: the missionary's wife was a great lover of flowers. Her first attack against the unloveliness of the You have made {)ur community a better place in which town was made on an old dump heap on the corner to live, you have helped to make our neighbors and, in near the parsonage. A transformation followed fact, our customers, better people with whom to deal. and it became a veritable old English garden with tall delphinium, fox glove and Canterbury bells. In another town the Superintendent of Schools Then the town began to change. A new day has states: come to the church which has grown steadily in strength and membership. The story is well told I have observed a marked transition ·from the early in aletter: Western-town ideas of drinking, gambling, and unc{)uth society toward intellectual refinement and Christian ideals, How grateful we are to have had your colporter and and an outlawry of the former evils. his wife here these years! Their home and the church are the center of all that is worth while in the village and Recently I stopped on Saturday night in a for many miles around. Each summer when I have rewestern town on the edge of the desert where a turned to the valley and noted the steady change for the new man had been sent to reopen the church. better in people's personal appearance, and in their poor That night the town was all astir. Ranchers had little door-yards, I have been astounded. come miles to attend the opening of another saloon. The town was literally ablaze with gam- These phases of the colporter work give a bling dens and saloons, twenty of which could he glimpse of the well-rounded and effective procounted from the hotel window. Sabbath morn- gram. While the form of missionary service may
have changed through the years, and while the men to any religious approach made his work alservices needed now in a community more often most impossible. His efforts met with continued pertain more to the reviving and reorganization failure to win the men. One day he chanced to of Sunday schools and churches, the work of the enter the cookhouse, and noticed that the cook was colporter-missionary still remains a distinct effort very angry, and stormed out that his assistant had to reach the isolated and to carry the message of deserted. If the men did not have their hot-cakes Jesus Christ into the home through house-to-house they would be angry. The missionary said, "Give visitation. Isolation and poverty have built bar- me a start, plenty of batter, and two griddles, and riers to fellowship with other Christians. It is a I will help you out." When the men heard that great joy to ride over the dreary wastes and then the "Sky Pilot" was going to cook the breakfast, come unexpectedly upon a new cabin home and they chuckled, but they ate until it hurt. He kept discover that some folks are disciples of the Great them supplied and won the hearts of those men Galilean. so that the workwas made easy.
One worker tells of a place where a few homes Another worker, in ministering to the suffering, were clustered among the hills of Wyoming. In changed the front seat of his car so that it could the stillness of the evening he heard the sound of be turned back and made into an ambulance. He an organ, and a voice singing the old familiar writes: "I have carried the sick one hundred miles hymn, "Nearer My God to Thee." He discovered to a hospital, and have taken the dead to a a woman of about seventy years of age, seated at morgue. I have laid back the top, placing the an old organ. Over fifty years ago she had moved casket across the body of the car, and driven A MODE,RN ALL-STEEL TRAILER THAT CARRIES THE GOSHIDL TO OUT-OF-THE-WAY PLACES from Ohio to the far west and for years had driven many, many miles to the cemetery. In these days an old lumber wagon more than ten miles each of drought, depression, and grasshoppers, I have Sunday to play the organ for the Sunday school been able to serve in this way."
in the little log schoolhouse. During the last three In the rural sections the missionary comes to years the services in the schoolhouse had been dis- the people as the voice from the world outside.
continued, except when a visiting preacher passed One writes, "I called at a ranch where the people through, but this woman had kept up the Bible had lived for twenty-six years, but I was the first school. preacher who had ever entered their home. In To become identified with the people one must another ranch, they told me that I was the first truly become "all things to all men." One worker preacher who had called there, and they had lived found it helpful to study osteopathy and medicine, . on this large ranch for 16 years. They appre- so that he might relieve physical suffering. The ciated the visit so much that after dinner all the wide territory which he covered was without a men were called together and a service was held."
physician, and the people were generally too poor All the homes are neither along the back roads to go the long distance for medical aid. It was a nor cabins among the hills. Many ranches have joy to stop at some home where a severe headache dwellings that are models in every way. From had been working its ravages. upon an individual, one of the prosperous families a gift came to, the and with a slight adjustment, bring instant relief. worker with these words: "When we were poor He would often trek over the mountains to isolated and beginning life in the West, you were our cabins in the lone hours of the night when the call friend; now we are able, and we want to remem- came for help. ber your work."
One missionary who was sent to work in a log- In these days the missionaries are redoubling ging camp found that the cold indifference of the their efforts to identify themselves with the young
IMPORTANCE OF PIONEER SUNDAY SCHOOLS
people, great numbers of whom are in these rural stars they talked for another hour of the real areas. Many have missed the opportunity for verities of life, and there they yielded their hearts education. Others have gone off to a denomina- to Christ and resolved to follow His way. tional college for perhaps a year, and have been compelled to leave, with their dreams uncom- In one of my trips west, I visited a settlement pleted. Again, many have graduated from col- of Russian people, and attended a service with the lege, but have found no opportunity for work, and colporter, who mentioned the fact that during the have been compelled to return to the ranch home. last two years he had baptized twenty-one young To these young people, with their ideals in jeop- people. At the close of the service he asked those ardy, the colporter-missionary and his wife are a who had been baptized to come forward and stabilizing influence. twenty young people responded. A splendid group with great potentiality! In one of their homes, in One young missionary and his wife tell of a the absence of the mother, a child of twelve previsit to a home where there were three young peo- pared a most tempting meal for us, one that would ple who had great hopes. After they had dis- have been a credit to an experienced housewife. cussed things of common interest, the afternoon had worn away into evening, and the missionaries As objects on the western prairie are clearly started to leave. The young people followed them silhouetted against the sky, so the colporter-misand stood by the car, as though reluctant to sionary in his life of "ministering" seems to stand part with this voice which had awakened again a out in clear relief as a follower of Jesus Christ. great longing in their hearts. Under the prairie Like a golden thread running through all their work is their passion for the souls of men.
Importance of Pioneer Sunday Schools By JOHN M. SOMERNDIKE, New York Secretary for Sunday School Missions, Board of National Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
THE Sunday school has been characterized as their children should learn religion. More than they crave "the most flexible, adaptable and far-reach- the Gospel for themselves, they believe in it for their little ing institution ever designed for the conver- ones. It is frequently possible to enlist rough men who sion of the world." As an evangelizing agency its know no Scripture and profess no religion in the support effectiveness has been abundantly demonstrated of an active school for the children on Sunday, because of in the results achieved during the past fifty years the universal belief of all serious men in the necessity of by Sunday school missionaries. They have religious training for the young. adapted the Sunday school to the spiritual needs of unchurched rural communities and neighbor- One hundred and forty thousand children in hoods in a manner that has made it one of the nearly three thousand rural unchurched commumost potent factors in establishing Christian nities and villages are receiving Bible instruction standards of community and family life in new and training in Sunday schools which have been rural localities. They have also made the Sunday planted and fostered by Sunday school missionschool the pioneer of the church, and in hundreds aries. In almost every case, they represent the of places have blazed the way for the organized only Christian organization in the community, in church and the settled pastor. localities where churches cannot be maintained. They provide the means of character-training for A few years ago, the ·late Dr. Warren H. Wil- boys and girls who know no Christian minister son, whose leadership in matters pertaining to and who never have an opportunity to attend a rural church work was recognized by all evan- church service. But the great need is only pargelical denominations, paid this tribute to the ef- tially being met. More than four million children fectiveness of the rural Sunday school: of school age living in scattered villages and ham- lets on the western plains, who are receiving their The beginning of the reconstruction of a country place education in the "little red schoolhouse," are yet is often the founding of a Sunday school. The limitations unreached by any Christian teaching. Two and of Sunday school work are well known, and you will find one-half millions of Negro boys and girls living these limitations if you do Sunday school work; but it is on plantations or in sawmill and turpentine camps well to go ahead to the limit before you try another and children of the sharecroppers, poor and negmethod. Country people are religious. They ',believe that
lected, are similarly underprivileged so far as operation. Many community Sunday schools that spiritual advantages are concerned. In the "hol- are organized will never develop into churches, lows" of the southern mountains and in rude but the results of their work in shaping the lives cabins hidden away in the fastnesses of the "Great and characters of boys and girls after the pattern Smokies" tens of thousands of boys and girls are of Christ and preparing them for Christian citigrowing into manhood and womanhood without zenship more than justify the comparatively small any opportunity to come into an appreciation of expenditure of the missionary funds of the Church life at its best through the teaching of the Word for the support of this work. Out of these comof God and the principles of Christian living, munity Sunday schools have come young men and which is their rightful heritage. women who have dedicated their lives to service in the pastorate, in mission fields, and in other While the Christian forces of America are not forms of Christian activity both in our own and wholly to blame for these conditions, neither can in other lands. they disclaim the responsibility for their correction in an age that recognizes the importance and After three days of visiting homesteaders who significance of Christian child nurture. Science, were pioneering a new country in northern New education, and law are busily at work in formu- Mexico, the Sunday school missionary conducted lating ideals and programs, in creating public the first religious service ever held in that region. sentiment, and in promoting legislation for the Nearly one hundred people crowded into the little purpose of developing the children of this gen- log schoolhouse. The cold north wind whistled eration socially, morally, and physically. Shall through the cracks as the building had not been the Christian agencies of our nation be less zeal- "chinked"; neither was there a floor in it. About ous or less progressive than they in providing for half of the congregation sat on the ground as there the soul-culture of that portion of the nation's were not enough benches for all. There was not children who are denied their full heritage of an organized church within a hundred miles. He Christian knowledge and life through no fault of preached the first sermon that had ever been their own? preached in all of that country, At the close of the meeting, the group voted to organize a Sunday Recently a Sunday school missionary, report- schooL The work prospered, and the entire coming the development of a community Sunday munity cooperated in carrying forward its proschool in a pioneer settlement in Wyoming, wrote: gram. Several months later, responding to an in- vitation to conduct an all-day preaching service Someone wrote me recently and asked if this type of in this community, the Sunday school missionary pioneering work was as important now or as necessary as found himself at the close of the morning service it was in the earlier days of the settlement of the western surrounded by an earnest group of leaders in the plains. I answered by telling him the story of. our com- community pleading for the organization of a munity Sunday school at Poison Creek. These people are church. Within a few months they had the joy all homesteaders and most of the men work on the North- of being called together for the formal organizawestern Railroad in the summer but have no winter work. tion of their congregation and for the dedication They have from fifty to sixty in attendance every Sunday. of a little white frame church building which had Some of the children from eleven to thirteen years old had been erected through funds procured from indinever been inside of a Sunday school. The parents had viduals interested in developing this type of no Bibles and were ashamed to have me know it and we pioneer mISSIons. Arrangements were made to ordered ten to be used in the school. The men take part conduct regular preaching services in addition to and are as interested as the women. The women said in the Sunday school. Soon a minister was placed the beginning: "This will not bea school just for women in charge, and a comfortable manse erected beside and children, and if the men don't come there will be no the little frame church. The need of high school Sunday schooL" So the men do their part in teaching, training for the young people having developed, singing, and planning. Very soon I am going to have a the Sunday school missionary's advice was again communicants' class and I believe over half of the group will join our church . . . they wanta real training class a sought and through his influence with the county before they join, and I am glad to be able to give it to them. I am hoping in a year or so to organize a church educational authorities high school teacher was at this place. It will be the only one within seventy-five appointed. The little log school did not provide or one hundred miles and will give the pupils in my other sufficient facilities for high school work and under community schools a church to join. the leadership of the Sunday school missionary the community set to work to build a high school, Poison Creek Sunday School hauling the logs one by one from a distance of ten miles back in the mountains. The story of Poison Creek Sunday school illustrates the conditions of spiritual need that pre- "When I think of this community," writes the vail in thousands of communities and neighbor- Sunday school missionary, "I think of a dream hoods throughout our land and can be remedied realized; of a prayer answered; and a happy most economically and successfully through this type of pioneer missionary service. Its catholicity in not requiring any subscription to a denominational creed or form of government wins local co-
community of Christian people working and wor- work in the Southern states in planning for the shipping together for the building of the Kingdom organization of all our fields on a similar basis. of God." Parishes have already been established in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Creole work The planting of a Sunday school is only the be- has progressed with remarkable success under this ginning upon which a community consciousness missionary parish policy. In the southern mounof the necessity of maintaining and developing tains there are the Leslie County Parish and the Pikeville Parish in Kentucky, the newly estab- GOING TO SUNDAY SCHOOL THROUGH A SNOWSTORM lished parish organization in Rhea County, Ten- IN THE DEiSERT nessee, and the Hughes River Parish in West Vir- ginia. The parish program includes the following: This is one of the difficulties met by missionaries in min- istering to scattered populations Organization of Parish Council. Sunday school held regularly throughout the year. Christian influences is to be built up. It has al- Vacation Bible School. ways been the policy of Sunday school missions to Week Day Bible Instruction in cooperation with public put forth every possible effort to assure the growth of new Sunday schools and to integrate schools. them into the life of their respective communities. Young people's work and other age-group organizations. The churches that have grown from this work and Leadership training. the three thousand community Sunday schools Adult education. that are permanent organizations under the fos- Promotion of family religion. tering care of Sunday school missionaries bear Evangelistic services. impressive witness to the achievement of this pur- Parish institutes and rallies. pose. This effort toward permanency has found Financial cultivation for local support and benevolences. expression in the policy recently inaugurated of combining the community Sunday schools within Enlisting the Women given areas into missionary parishes. Under the leadership and supervision of the Sunday school One of the most significant developments of remissionary an intensive program of religious edu- cent years is the promotion of a movement to cation and evangelism is carried on. Even though enlist Christian young women who are teaching there is no church organization in the area, all the rural public schools in giving Bible instruction to elements that enter into an educational service for their pupils. No elaborate machinery or prothe Christian teaching and training of children cedure has been set up and no salaried officials or and youth, including adult education, are capable offices have been created for the purpose of superof successful adaptation. Practically all of pio- vising it. Growing out of our knowledge of the neer Sunday school missionary work in New Mex- fact that the children in thousands of "little red ico and Arizona is now organized according to schoolhouses" throughout the United States are this plan. In New Mexico the work is represented being taught by young women, many of whom in ten missionary parishes, comprising nearly one have received training in Christian families and hundred community Sunday schools. During the past year two new parish groups were organized A PRAIRIE CHURCH — THE RESULT OF SUNDAY in Arizona and one in Colorado. In each of these SCHOOL WORK parishes, one or more groups have been organized into congregations. Too weak to provide any sub- This church is forty-five miles from the railroad. The pastor stantiallocal support for a pastor, they are served lives fifty miles away. The nearest other church is 4·0' miles by Sunday school missionaries in the same manner as the communities which have a formal churches, it was proposed that wherever pracchurch organization. ticable, and as an expression of their own desire to render a service to Christ, they designate one A forward step has been taken in the Negro hour each week after school sessions during the school term for Bible instruction. To guide them in this work a series of six books under the title
of "Manual of Week-Day Bible Lessons" was pre- of two hundred thousand such children, taught by pared, containing material for Bible instruction more than nine thousand school teachers who used for children through the six years of their ele- these Bible lessons last year, to receive the knowlmentary school attendance. A book for pupil's edge thus imparted to them, in connection with handwork on each lesson for each of the "Man- their public school training? uals" is provided for their use. The Vacation Bible School likewise has been The response of rural school teachers and of adapted to the rural communities of our land as a county and state superintendents of education means of supplementing the instruction provided throughout the United States has encouraged be- by the community Sunday school. 'Upwards of lief in the possibilities of this movement. More two thousand communities were blessed by such than four millions of children are enrolled in rural schools last summer. More than one hundred and district public schools. Many of .these children thirty thousand children were enrolled in them. live in neighborhoods where there is not even a Sunday school. They do not, and many could not, Still there is need for the extension of Sunday attend the Sunday school in the nearest town, be- schools, supplemented by the Vacation Bible cause the I'nearest town" too often is from ten to School and by week-day Bible instruction in all fifty miles distant. Unimproved roads and lack parts of rural America. It is a great and pressing of suitable conveyance makes traveling difficult. need. The Church as well as the nation marches Can we fully realize what it has meant to upwards forward on the feet of the children and youth. They can and must be won for Christ.
The Church in the Heart -_.~.g~f~~B~Y~M~BRy~SM~.~RRS~.U~RT~UH~TCH~.~CM~.U~ML~ULL~'L~,A~AS~shh~llaan~dn~,dK~'a~nKs~aas~n_sa~s~I~JIie~- ~==========================~'
T HIRTY years ago it was a common thing, father said that if I wanted to we would postpone especially in Western Kansas farming dis- starting home until after church on Sunday morn- tricts, for a community to organize a Sunday ing. I've always had my books but I think I school to meet in the neighborhood schoolhouse. missed the music most of all." Some intelligent, Christian woman, usually with a family of children, who had some ability in Sunday school and preaching services in rural drawing together the neighborhood, would start schoolhouses are practically a thing of our pioneer the Sunday school. Occasionally a minister from past. Automobiles have made distance such an a neighboring town would come and preach after unimportant matter that those who can manage the Sunday school. drive into the town churches. But distance is still a problem to our people who live in the ranching A comparatively small number of rural districts and to our wheat farmers who, in passchurches were built in western Kansas outside of ing through the depression and drouth in the the towns. It has been said that Kansas people, "dust bowl" find gasoline money a real item. with their Puritan heritage, do not have the church habit that might have been expected. My husband and I live on a western cattle ranch where our nearest neighbor is four and one- When my grandmother came to a western cattle half miles away, with four gates in between. ranch, comprising some thirty-five sections, the They who refer to the west with its "wide open nearest neighbor was fifteen miles away and was spaces" have never taken into account the barbed reached only over a rough prairie country in a wire gates that a good cow man builds. For the buckboard or on horseback. Once when, as a first year, on Sunday mornings, I prepared breakchild, I was complaining because I couldn't go to fast for from two to five cowboys, attended to my Sunday school, she remarked: house work, drove twenty-two miles to Sunday school and church and returned home in time. to "My dear, you will have to learn to have Sun- prepare a late Sunday dinner for my men. It was day school in your heart. When your grandfather necessary for me to go alone to church for cattle and I first came to Kansas it was almost two years feeding and ranch work go on without considerabefore I was inside of a church. Grandfather and tion of Sunday. I soon felt that in the hurry I I drove to Dodge City, fifty-two miles, in a buck- was losing a measure of serenity. So like my board to buy lumber for a new barn. I felt grandmother I turned to church in my heart. 'home' again after a long absence when grand- II Effective 'Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'=I============================~I~ Building Your Program for Include among your program to-Use pamphlets are provided the Coming Year specifications these pointers, il- for the adult books, while an As stated last month the De- lustrated by such "effective ways abundance of concrete plans and partment Editor finds it impos- of working" as have been con- devices are included in the books sible in the nature of things to tributed lately to this Depart- for young children, which acobtain "Tested Methods" bear- ment: counts for the slightly higher ing on the new themes to include in her copy sent for publication 1. No appetite tickling condi- prices of the latter. A leaflet on ments, no blurbs of coloring, no "Mission Study – Aim sand previous to the appearance of mere entertaining features will Ideals," by Mrs. Charles P. the study books and their pres- build or maintain vitality for Wiles, says: entation at summer conferences; earnest missionary endeavor. One of the striking features of secand as her stated function is not ular education is the way in which to provide raw material but While variety and attractiveness education is being adapted to national in catering greatly increase the needs. Personal hygiene, domestic tried-and-proved-good blueprints effectiveness and are, therefore, science, industrial and agricultural desirable corollaries to solid sub- education and many other civic needs and specifications for its use, ject matter, it is fatal to major are being studied systematically inspecific helps for the home mis- on these or to make them para- stead of being left to the uncertain mount in importance. Using the and spasmodic influence of home and sion topic must be delayed until community. Short courses, part-time the September issue, while those current study books as adapted by qualified educators to the age work, etc., all indicate what the State on the foreign may appear on interests insures this worthful- is willing to do for the sake of effi- riess of subject matter, although ciency. These are a challenge to the schedule in October. You are Church to cultivate her own special invited to send in your own other themes may be substituted. fieId with equal diligence. . . . The plans for handling "Rural Amer- The advantages of falling into reason why many Christians are lukeica" and "The Moslem World," step with other Christian work- warm on the subject of missions is as well as any other subjects you ers simultaneously considering that they have never visualized the may desire to substitute. the same things, and also of world and its stupendous needs. . . . Regardless of the specific For the great work confronting us, availing oneself of leaflet and theme, c e r t a i n fundamentals mag a z i n e literature supple- every Christian needs convictions clear should be adhered to by the pro- mental to the current topics is and deep. Convictions such as these cannot be secured by an occasional gram builder. And while care- not to be disregarded. THE RE- missionary sermon or address or even ful adaptation to the age inter- VIEW and various denomina- a missionary m.eeting once a month. tional missionary pUblications ests of the various groups is im- keep these united study themes Secular education treats no subject perative, is there so much differ- that it takes seriously in this manner. ence between the gray matter, … "Every member of the Church of Christ a student of present-day needs the motivations and the reac- a,nd opportunities" sh01l,ld be our camtions of men and women that sex in the spotlight each year. In paign motto. corrals are necessary? If so, ensuing issues of this Depart- It is not always possible to semissions must be considered as ment fresh plans from outstand- cure formal study on the part of a thing apart in general educa- ing workers will be presented a group. Mrs. Katherine Brention and even in modern busi- for aiding pastors, Sun day ner says in Woman's Home Misness life, where the sex like the school leaders and directors of sions that at one meeting the color line is in process of era- other church groups in their task leader gave out questions on a sure. Of course there are cer- of "making the whole church chapter in the study book at the tain differences of function in missionary minded." beginning, telling the member- field activities that must persist 2. Handling worthful ma- ship to listen closely and they because of dyed in the wool hu- terial in sequential study rather would hear the answers before man physiology; but in local than disconnected programs they were through. The church mission study and endeavor and makes all the difference between bulletin announced that another in the authorship of plans, shall ephemeral and permanent ef- meeting would have a Mail we line up as "boys" and "girls," fect. This is not so difficult as Order Program. At the meet- "men" and "women" when a it seems. New recruits in this ing an improvised post office union of forces would make for endeavor may not know that contained a postmaster who re- greater efficiency? practical supplementary How- ceived from a uniformed mail [319 ] (not male) man a bag of letters National Motion Picture Service, Personal Growth Material included as and post cards, the former con- 723 Seventh Ave., New York, can a constituent in each of the above entaining parts of the chapter furnish a limited range of travel deavors. Every member receiving a under consideration addressed pictures free from rental fee. book is asked to outline for herself a to members who would share Various denominational m iss ion plan for growth by choosing from the them with the membership, the boards have also prepared good given list such things as she is willing postmaster himself adding a films on the current studies and to undertake for her development, touch of humor by stopping his other topics. Send for catalogues keeping tab on her work by marking distribution to read some of the and price lists. points on a "Check Your Progress" postals aloud. Other mail con- schedule. Among the possible choices sisted of copies of Woman's A great variety of visual and in building a plan of life are (1) Sug- Home Missions con t a i n i n g dramatic material is listed in gested Means, such as observance of marked passages, some of which every denominational catalogue. the daily quiet hour, reading books on were to be read at the meeting Next month we shall present religious thought and experience, and the rest taken home for con- this topic in further detail, also serious study of sections of Scripture, sideration. Mrs. Brenner says: deal with act i vat ion sand membership in a prayer group, mem- personalizations of missionary orizing Scripture passages, hymns and The leader had all mail listed and themes. devotional poetry, participation in a called for letters and various items in prayer retreat, etc.; (2) Reading for order. The enigmas and shorter clip- A Plan for Personal and pings were read first so that those Personal Growth, the books listed inreceiving letters had a chance to read Kingdom Growth cluding "Victorious Living," "Ways them over. Clippings were pasted on of Praying," "The Meaning of postcards, also enigmas, answers to In the "teaching mission" Prayer," "The Upper Room," "Pracwhich were to be read. Some of the which inaugurates the three- tising the Presence," "Skyward," mail was left unaddressed till the year campaign leading up to the "Paul's Secret of Power," "Disciplemeeting so that everyone received celebration of the Seventieth An- ship," "Challenge and Power," "The something. A parcel post boy brought niversary of the Woman's For- Transforming Friendship"; A Checka large package by special delivery, eign Mission Society of the ing List of Observed Results, such as which contained doughnuts, sugar and Methodist Episcopal Church, the increase of peace, joy, patience a package of coffee addressed to mem- mentioned last month, an initial with problems, absence of personal bers of the entertainment committee. plan is the issue of a personal resentment, willingness to do hard Special music also came to the ones notebook entitled "My Record," things without recognition, love of who were to sing. We hope that many with a seven-pointed star as a fellow men regardless of color, realnew subscribers will be added as a companion. These are to be ization of answered prayer, consciousresult of the meeting. (It should be placed in the hands of as many ness of God's presence, eagerness to stated that Woman's Home Missions women as possible, both within share His riches, commitment to His features the current study topics.) the organization and among the leadership in missionary endeavor at unenlisted in the church at large. Visualizations, and dramatiza- From the keynote of the Cross home and abroad. tions, if kept in subservience to on the front cover, the book elabthe subject matter, are not mere orates its contents as "Personal Means suggested for Membership trimmings and appetizers but Growth Material," calling upon Education (a choice to be made as adaptations to normal human the world-wide membership of before) include planning and presentneeds. Pastors and mission the Society to unite in a climb to ing a missionary program, reading study leaders who have not yet higher levels of personal reli- the mission study textbook for the learned the superior values of gious living, of understanding current year, regular reading of the moving pictures in presenting and intelligent service, and of in- missionary magazine and of current their messages, are missing a formed and effective leadership. international news, promotion for great opportunity. For the bene- participation in a forum on world fit of those who are not regular The objectives under each one are trends, reading from the membership readers of THE REVIEW, we will outlined as (1) Personal Growth education list of at least one item repeat addresses given once be- through prayer circles, use of spe- each on world peace and alcohol edufore. "Movies" in either 16mm. cific growth material, significant wor- cation, cooperation in the promotion or 33mm. sized films may be ob- ship services, devotional reading and of missionary education in the local tained from: meditation, retreats: (2) Education church. of Members through study of the Beacon Films, Inc., 25 West 45th St., "giving projects"; study of "Valorous "Leadership Development" suggests New York. Ventures"; reading of the mission- ary magazine, group study, etc.: as means: Reading and study of a Holbrook-Smith Production, 33 West (3) Development of Leaders through specific list of materials (which fol- 60th St., New York. ' enrollment in the leadership training lows as. a citation of outstanding courses, in which shall be enrolled books) and of training courses; at- Pilgrim Press, 14 Beacon St., Boston. every junior and young people's lea<!er tendance upon district and branch Division of Visual Aids, Presbyterian in 1937-38, plus at least one from each meetings; coaching conferences, re- woman's society auxiliary; enroll- treats and schools of missions; study Board of Christian Education, ment in Board of Education courses of psychology, public speaking, social Witherspoon Building, Philadel- for those having completed the W. F. trends and world affairs as opportu- phia, Pa. M. S. courses; emphasis on reading nity offers; attendance upon insti- Y. M. C. A. Motion Picture Bureau, for leadership development; attend- tutes for peace and alcohol education; 347 ;Madison Ave., New York, or ance upon training centers inclusive cooperative leadership in local church 19 South La Salle St. (Room 10), of coaching conferences, retreats, dis- Chicago. trict and branch meetings. affairs. The Religious Motion Picture Founda- Following each of the foregoing tion, 140 Nassau St., New York. Following these objectives is the The Japanese Tourist Bureau, 551 lists is a schedule for checking con- Fifth Ave., New York, and The scientiously the person's observed progress, as in the case of the first section on "Personal Growth"-and, a heart-searching list it is! "I am will- ing to follow as well as lead"; "I will accept minor responsibility as gladly as conspicuous leadership"; "I can work harmoniously with others"; "I have surrendered myself, my time, my talents, my means to the work of the Kingdom, subject to the guidance of God"; "I have become a tither";
EFFECTIVE W Ay,s OF WORKING
"I do not drink nor serve alcoholic by "Taro" and "Ume" – two orange and a little red crayola, beverages and I support efforts children dressled in kimonos- adding a suggestion of a foreagainst the liquor traffic"; "I have ground. We prayed for the chilbecome. thoroughly interested in mis- who invited us to a tea where we dren who worship idols because sionary work" -these and other met their mother. She let us go they do not know the true God queries, considered prayerfully in out to her garden and pick iris one's quiet hours, can hardly fail to (some I had made). Then we unless we send missionaries to be used of God in stirring up the learned how to make small paper teach them, and Taro and Ume Christian conscience and bringing out lanterns from the colored bor- taught us to sing "Jesus Loves one's increased endeavor. ders of wall paper, and these we Me" in Japanese just as they sing it in mission schools. The star contains on one side the strung all across the front of the seven points of emphasis for the three room. As we had no sand table we years, and on the other a suggestion worked out a Japanese scene in for membership development. One of We next decided to take a jin- a box standing on its side with the points on the star indicates the at- rickisha and climb Fujiyama, a the front open – grass, cherry tempt being made to tie up all the larger poster of which hung on and evergreen trees, pool, curvunits of work on the field – the or- the wall. Two broomsticks, run ganizations of women closely linked under one of the kindergarten ing bridge, iris" wistaria, sacred with the local auxiliaries in all of chairs simulated the jinrikisha, mountain, houses and people. their endeavors. We dressed the ladies in more of which was manipulated by two the flowered wall paper and Are not there points in this plan of the boys. Only one child could worth "borrowing"? go at once, but the children were made raincoats and hats for the good about taking turns, and we coolies out of fringed tan paper. Missions in Terms of the Child's World learned much about the sacred The jinrikisha was made out of mountain. heavy black paper. Then Taro By ANNYE ALLISON, and Ume taught us some of the Richmond, Vi.rginia Next day we again visited favorite flowers, and trees of Taro and Ume, going by a dif- Japan and explained flower ar- When my primary children, ferent path which led across one from six to nine years of age, of the curved bridges that are rangement. We covered oatwere going to study Japan I meal boxes with marbled wall planned the course in the form StO common in Japan – three of paper and arranged some of the of a trip, collecting pictures, the chairs placed side by side flowers in them. making posters, paper flowers, and their seats covered with models of houses, fans, lanterns, paper. Here we learned how to We made posters of Japanese etc., before the class began. make small folded fans with children under blooming cherry On the first day they were told more wall paper border. These trees and boys sailing kites. to go into an adjoining room and we decided to wear in our hair. Then we drew lanterns on 9×12 buy their tickets, then take their inch cream drawing paper, made seats, in the train for Se'attle, the The day following Taro and three-panel folding screens with seats being their own small Ume told us about the festival chairs arranged car-wise. One of kites and of dolls, showing us frames of heavy black paper and of the boys wearing a cap and a Japanese doll and a fish kite masks of Japanese men and armed with a conductor's punch women. We cut teapots, sugar came out and handled the tickets made to look like a carp–a'spe- -long strips of pink paper. cies having brave qualities which bowls and cream pitchers out of Japanese fathers want their flowered paper and mounted On arriving in Seattle we sons to possess. The children changed to the steamer, Empress them on black so as to have tea of Japan, so the chairs had to be drew pictures of both, then Taro sets to take home. Some of our rearranged as on a deck and and Ume served them with missionary money was sent to a newspapers spread over the chil- sweetened rice custard and worker in our own denomination dren's knees in lieu of rugs. taught them the way Japanese Soon the band, composed of chil- children bow – a pretty little and the rest to a Japanese leper dren, came out on the deck and exercise set to rhyme. mission. Some of the handwork began to playa collection of toy was taken home, soOme sent to instrumentsl I had made, and the We came upon a small Shinto schools and Sunday schools maklittle folks greatly enjoyed this shrine next day, covered with ing a study of Japan, and some "music." little lumps which looked like kept by our own school to use on Chairs placed alongside of rough cement but which Taro missionary occasions. tables gave the effect of upper and Ume explained were the and lower berths, with the news- prayers of Shinto worshipers The foregoing outline of a papers as covers. The trip was who had chewed up the papers surprislingly short and very soon on which they were written and Japanese study for young chilwe arrived in Japan. While the dren may well serve as a pattern children went out for a short re- tried to shoot them into a small of universal application, subject cess, some of the posters" pic- hole in the shrine – successful tures and artificial flowers were prayers being those which en- to such adaptations as any intelarranged to give a Japanese at- tered the mark. Many fell short. ligent leader will be able to mosphere. We were welcomed Then the children cut both make. The visualizations, acti- shrines and temples or pagodas vations and personalizations in from black paper and mounted its elements are so fundamental them against sunset skies drawn in a child's world that they apply on cream paper with yellow, equally well to a study of "Rural America" and "The Moslem World." The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK, ~L~I~~==~~~~~==~~~~=~ emphasis will be upon the South- ern Mountain situation, one phase of the rural problem. Mr. Edwin E. White has written a book which describes vividly the situation which has developed in the Appalachian Mountains since 1930. Mr. White is also pre- paring the leaders' helps for this book.
Another special emphasis in the rural situation will be the Migrant labor problem. A book is being prepared on this sub- ject for the use of study groups; paper, 35 cents. Many will wish to use this in connection with the study, "Rebuilding Rural America."
"FROM WHENCE COMETH MY HELP" – Barbara Green Schools for Rural Leaders The above picture has just been awarded an international medal For fellowship and educa- and Is on exhibit in the Art Ga lleries in Antwerp. Belgium. tional opportunities sum mer schools for rural leaders are to Thy Good Gifts Nation-Wide Study of Rural be held at agricultural colleges; America, 1937-1938 and theological seminaries. "Our Father in Heaven, Lord While great emphasis has been of Field and Forest, Hill and Throughout the country in placed on the importance of Stream, we thank Thee for the 1937-1938 mis~·;ion study groups rural pastors attending these manifestation of Thy power in will be concentrating on the schools the courses which are all growing things. Fruitful Church in rural America. Dr. offered in many instances would soil, quickening sunlight, favor- Mark A. Dawber, outstanding be very· helpful to the pastors' able rains are Thy good gifts to authority on the rural situation, wives and other women who are us. As Thou hast made us to is the author of the study book leaders in the rural community. have dominion over all the work for adults, "Rebuilding Rural of Thy hands, help us, by Thy America"; cloth, $1.00; paper, The cost of attending the spirit, to enter into our heritage, 60 cents. The supplementary schools ranges from $15.00 to esteeming it a high calling to be course which has been prepared $25.00 for the two weeks' ses- Thy husbandmen. Help us to for use in connection with the sion. Certain of the Home Misbe mindful of Thy partnership study of "Rebuilding Rural sion Boards offer a limited numin all the cultivation of our America" has been prepared by ber of scholarships to country gardens and the care of our Dr. Benson Y. Landis, secretary pastors and it is suggested that flocks and herds. And when the of the American Country Life any interested in attending these ground hath brought forth plen- Association. This course is en- schools inquire of their Mission tifully and earth hath yielded titled "The Church and Amer- Boards about the possibility of her increase may we know that ican Rural Life"; paper, 25 attending these sessions: Thou hast given us our daily cents. bread, and give Thee thanks." Wisconsin Rural Leadership Summer In Young People's groups the School, University Qf Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, June 28- [322 ] July 9.
Auburn Summer School of Theology and Religious Education, Auburn
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
Theological Seminary, Auburn, must be attained on the commu- as in sixty-three rural schools, three N. Y., June 28-July 15. nity level. If it fails there it institutions and two parochial schools." fails everywhere. That means Virginia Summer School for Rural that in the community we must From NEW YORK: Ministers, Virginia Polytechnic recognize neither East nor West, Institute, Blacksburg, Va., July North nor South, White nor One of the outstanding pieces of 12-21. Negro, city. nor country, owner civic education for women in New nor tenant. There must be York State is the Legislative Forum. The Ministers' Short Course in Com- rather that equality of opportu- It was started in New York State by munity Leadership, South Dakota nity for which de m 0 c r a c y a woman who had come from Wis- State College, Brookings, S. D., stands." consin where she was interested in a July 12-23. similar organization. This Forum is The reports of the activities of made up of a group of women-repre- Pastor's Summer School, Hollister, the rural women were evidence sentatives of women's organizations Mo., August 3-13. of this "idealism, sympathy and of the State. They met weekI" dur- spiritual insight." ing the session of the Legislature. Rural Leadership School, Purdue Uni- The Governor of the State gives them versity, Lafayette, Ind., June 21- From ILLINOIS: the use of the Assembly Parlor in the July 2. State Capitol for their meetings. Any Rural homemakers in Illinois have group or organization of women in- Seminar on "The Church and Agricul- set some minimum requirements for terested in varied legislation may be- ture," Garrett Biblical Institute, health toward which we are working. long, such as the State Federation of Evanston, Ill., June 14-July 16. . . . Clinics for tuberculosis, for tra- Women's Clubs, the Parent-Teacher choma and for crippled children; hos- Associations, the League of Women The Pastors' Institute, Divinity pitals for rural people for acute med- Voters, the New York State Federa- School, University of Chicago, ical cases; medical attention for the tion of Home Bureaus, and many Chicago Theological Seminary, expectant mother and her baby; for others. Disciples Divinity House, July immunization for smallpox, diphthe- 26-August 1. ria, and for typhoid and scarlet fever Each member of the Forum is at reasonable expense; for a safe appointed to one of five groups, com- The Rural Church Institute, Duke water supply and in this connection parable with Committees in the Legis- University, Durham, N. C., June have had a rural school water survey. lature, Finance, Judiciary, Welfare, 14-25. Weare one hundred per cent free Public Service and Internal Affairs. from tuberculosis among our cattle. North Dakota Summer School for We have been working to destroy flies At weekly meetings, bills introduced Ministers, Jamestown, N. D., July and insects, and to improve the sani- in the Legislature during the past 12-17. tary conditions of toilets in rural week are turned over to the commit- schools and churches which are so tee appointed to consider that par- Summer Institute for Rural Religious often neglected. We can get these ticular subject. The following week Leaders, Washington State Col- things through the cooperation of the committees report unon the bills lege, Pullman, Washington, June groups of women interested in health, assigned to them. No action is taken 28-July 9. and we are getting much help from on any bill. It is purely educational. our Extension Service. . . . In one Each week a report of the meeting is New England Rural Church Workers' year 3,934 individuals reported im- sent out to persons desiring it at a Conference, Ocean Park, Me., proved health habits, 1,334 reported small cost. In this way the informa- June 28-July 2. improved posture, 1,222 adopted im- tion is sent out to every County Home proved health practices and immuniza- Bureau in the State. and used as a Institute of Public Affairs, University tion, while 1,053 homes adopted bet- means of increasing the interest of of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va., ter nursing procedure. rural women in legislation and mak- July 4-17. ing them conscious of their civic re- From DELAWARE: sponsibility. Cornell Summer School for Town and Country Ministers, Cornell Uni- It was not until 1927 that county From OHIO: versity, Ithaca, N. Y., July 18-30. lii:Jrary service was given to the rural people of our county. Then, a woman In Ohio alone there are more tha'1 Women in Rural America in Wilmington, Delaware, much inter- 21,000 Grange community meetings, ested in rural boys and girls, felt that in which importance of the Bible and Life on the farm and in rural they should have the same opportunity religious ideals have constant emcommunities is richer today be- that city children had been having, phasis. Without question this incause women in the country had appropriated a certain amount of fluence alone touches thousands of vision and perseverance. In a money, and with that the county li- homes that would not come in contact recent conference of over 300 brary was started. For two years it with direct influence of the church. rural homemakers fro m 24 was carried on entirely through dem- Other community groups are recogstates there was evidence of this. onstrations. After that time, enough nizing the need of religious influence public opinion was aroused so that a and inspiration. A combined and sub- Realizing that "The home is bill was brought up and passed in our stantial program, coupled with indibasic as a factor in family and Legislature appropriating a certain vidual interest and initiative, should national security" the rural amount of money which is handled do more to improve the religious sithomemaker is a very vital per- through the Levy Court of our county uation in our rural Americ:on homes. son in the rural situation. In and thus our county library is addressing these women Dr. Ed- financed. We started off with one From NEW HAM?SHIRE: mund de S. Brunner said, "the librarian but library service has community is but the extension grown by leaps and bounds. Last In most of our rural communities of your home and as such of year's report showed a circulation of we do not have enough money to supyour housekeeping. It needs 194,769 books in such places as wom- port a pastor or church activities. If your attention. It needs the en's clubs, Grange halls, churches, we could increase our religious interidealism, sympathy and spiritual private homes, country stores, as well ests, if we could unite the various facinsight of women if social sta- tions in a community, and have fewer bility is to be maintained as a churches to support, then we could basis for social progress. And get the money. . . . Our boys and this is important for if real de- girls cannot carryon the ideals of a mocracy is to be achieved and Christian nation unless we give them made manifest in our nation it the background of Christian training.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper. of Current Events ~~~=-=-=-=-=-=-=E=D=I=TE=D==BY==M=R=S=.=H=EN==R=IE=T=T=A=H=.==F=ER=G=U=S=ON==,=X=E=N=IA=,=O=H=I=O=========-===-=-~~ NORTH AMERICA ships of life than to the vertical Churches and the Slums relationships; who are more Church in a Suitcase conversant with the world than The Fed era I Council of they are with the Church. Churches is appealing to church When Rev. Dudley S. McNeil, members "to support all sound young Elgin, Ill., Episcopal Thirty-eight District Commit- and effective measures for slum clergyman, went to his field in tees have been organized to push clearance and the re-housing of southwestern W yom i n g, he a three-fold program which will low-income wage-earners." found there were but three require several years to carry churches of his denomination in out. It is believed that two- As for the part the churches an area of 40,0{)0 square miles. thirds of the church members may take in a national movement As he saw it, it was not a prob- never do church work unless it for better housing, the Federal lem of how to get the people to is organized for them, and that Council Bulletin says: church, but how to get the the highly organized present-day church to the ranchers, oil dig- world is drawing many people The churches may not have the gers and miners scattered over away from the church. technical competence to determine the the countryside, or living in methods by which the appalling houshamlets which had no churches. An Investment that Paid ing conditions in our cities can best Accordingly he built an altar be overcome, but there is something that could be carried in a suit- In 1914, windows in South basic which they can do. They can case, a complete church, he calls Philadelphia's Baptist Commu- shake the public out of its callous it, in collapsible form. Mr. Mc- nity House were repeatedly complacency. They can awaken the Neil plans to cover his territory broken by stones and at times imagination to see the wreckage of by automobile. the missionaries were greeted life and personality that present con- with similar objects. Now, the ditions mean. They can arouse a We read, also, of a new trailer district police captain affirms, moral demand that ways of redresscathedral, which will go to the there is less crime there than ing this great social wrong can be people of the diocese of southern elsewhere in his "beat." A mis- found. The greatest need is for a Ohio, instead of waiting for sion worker writes: new conscience on the subject; that them to come to it, planned by conscience the churches by concerted Bishop Hobson of Cincinnati. "Sons and daughters of par- action can supply. It is to be called "St. Paul's ents who could neither read nor Wayside Cathedral," and will write have worked their way Moody Colportage Work enable the Bishop to minister di- through college. In these 23 rectly to all the parishes and years, 2,500 students have at- The Moody Centenary calls atmissions of the diocese with a tended our evening schools; tention to the fact that the Bible program of greater service. In many are now nurses, teachers, Institute Colportage Association addition to an altar, it will con- dentists, druggists and doctors; of Chicago, which the evangelist tain a library and motion pic- four are ministers of the Gospel. founded in 1894 for the publicature outfit. Again, 23 years ago there was tion and dissemination of Chris- so little responsibility assumed tian lit.erature, has had a larger "Unite the Youth" by the few attendants at the output than in any year of its church that 27 cents for current history. The Association's pub- Lutherans are rallying for a expenses and missions was the lications in this and foreign "Unite the Youth Endeavor." total offering taken at the first countries the past year totaled Its purpose is to bring present- Sunday morning service. Now 6,376,259 copies of evangelical day Christian youth face to face there are many tithers. Ten books: booklets, Gospels, Testawith the challenging task of the young people have become either ments, Pocket Treasuries and Church, and to lead them to missionaries or ministers of the salvation tracts. Much of this adopt in word and deed a Chris- gospel. Eight are on the field was sent free to prisons, hospitian philosophy of life. It and two are soon to enter mis- tals, CCC camps, mountain and reaches out especially for those sion work." pioneer schools, fire stations, young people who are on the lodging houses, lumber camps, fringes of the congregations, From this small beginning state institutions, and the peoand who are giving more atten- has grown an Italian Baptist ples of Alaska, Phi lip pin e tion to the horizontal relation- Church, with a Sunday school Islands, India, Mexico, Central of 400 members. -Missions. and South America, Spain and Africa, as well as those in [324 ] French Louisiana, and the flood and drought-stricken areas. Child Marriage in U. S. A. "Moving Pictures Today-Admission of building. As long as we are under One Fish." a roof we judge we are fulfilling the India, in raising the marriage- law of religious assembly. The little able age limit from 14 for girls Bethel's inhabitants, 20 whites and town of Quiche springs into life every and 18 for boys seems to be ap- 200 Eskimos, by this sign knew civ- Saturday morning as the market place proaching the level of the United ilization had reached the Kuskokwim begins to fill with Indian men, women States where newspapers tell of River country. and children bringing in the cattle, a Tennessee bride of nine years wares, vegetables, fruits, etc., to sell. and one of twelve in New York. The admission charge of one fish This led us to tackle the unevangelized The editor of Missions finds, as- leaves it optional with the Eskimo Indian masses that never darken the tonishingly enough, that the movie patrons whether they pay one doors of our institutions. marriage laws of nine states- dried salmon or one dried whitefish. Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Mary- We started innocently enough in a land, Mississippi, New Jersey, -New York Times. back storeroom to keep within the Rhode Island, Tennessee and law, but this storeroom housed the Washington – specify no mini- LATIN AMERICA supplies and the agricultural tools of mum age for either girl or boy. the owner. Fearing that the Indians In the 39 states which specify a The Velorio Deserted might stealthily relieve the owner of minimum age, it varies from 14 these necessities, we moved under the to 18 for girls and from 15 to 20 A velorio is an all-night vigil eaves to still comply with the law and for boys. in honor of a saint who has an- held forth the Word of God with zest. swered a prayer. While one was This type of services has now spread Mormons Lay New Plans being held in Placetas, Cuba, a to adjoining- villages, with heartening cottage prayer meeting was During the first week in April, under way next door, separated results. -Guatemala News. 12,000 delegates to the 108th an- only by a thin partition, full of nual conference of the Mormon holes. The saint's devotees in- A Rural Need in Colombia Church met in Salt Lake City, spected the prayer m e e tin g with one of tne most ambitious through the holes, deserted the "Twenty Thousand R u r a I programs ever undertaken. This velorio, and joined the prayer Schools Needed," "Three Hunincluded $1,350,000 in educa- meeting. Ten became candidates dred Teachers Suspended in tional projects (50 per cent in- for admission to the Presby- State of Antioquia," "Two Huncrease over 1936), purchase of terian Church, and the hostess dred Fed era 1 Scholarships a site in Los Angeles for a $350,- of the velorio offered her home Granted in Normals" : these 000 temple, another at Idaho for another prayer meeting. headlines in Colombia dailies Falls, Idaho, for a $250,000 mirror the changing educational temple, erection of a score or In another district, the inten- scene, and the articles that folmore chapels in the United sity of fervor at such prayer low give details of a country- States and abroad, and intensifi- meetings sent the hitherto un- wide interest in the struggle cation of their worldwide mis- rivaled priest to court with a de- against ignorance and disease. sionary work. The Mormon mand that these meetings cease. It is shown that 10,000 schools hierarchy, to obtain funds, en- "This is not Spain," the court re- are trying to do the work of forces the old-time tithing sys- minded him, and refused to in- 30,000. Many agencies are contem, collects from each member, terfere. Two hundred were in nected with these schools in their in addition, for the relief emer- attendance at each service, effort to raise existing standgency, the cost of two meals per seated on chairs lent by the mov- ards : Protestant missions, the month. ing picture house and two of the Catholic Church, state and fed- social clubs. eral government and individuals. The church borrows no money and mortgages none of its vast This is all part of a general Dr. Herrera, former presiproperties, which include sugar- evangelistic campaign under- dent, began the present educabeet and other factories, mines, taken by the Presbytery of Ha- tional advance, which is taking hotels, newspapers, buildings vana in the months of January, mighty strides despite great oband mercantile establishments. February and March. Each stacles, and mission schools are community was divided into dis- taking an important part in the The Movie in Alaska tricts; church members were as- awakening. They have done signed to visit the families of much to stimulate an interest in Here is an illustration of the each district, giving out tracts education, and to form charspread of picture show influence, and holding prayer meetings. acter in the process. so often a handicap to the mis- Many meetings resulted in cansionary's work. didates for church membership. -Colombian Clippings.
An Eskimo boy paraded the mile- -Monday Morning. Homes for Lepers' Children long two-plank sidewalk of Bethel, Alaska's "Main Street" recently, ring- The Indians of Guatemala A Brazilian woman, wife of ing a cowbell and turning himself Prof. Anderson Weaver, Methproudly so all could read the legend Open-air preaching is forbid- odist missionary to Brazil, is emblazoned on his sandwich boards, den by Guatemala law; religious leading a movement in her coun- services must be held in "tem- try to establish in every state a pIes.'" Rev. William Oughton of "refuge home" ~or the healthy Quiche writes: children of leprous parents, where they may be cared for, Where no Evangelical church build- trained and educated, and grow ing exists we must resort to any kind
up free from ,all taint of lepros~. founded charges of Communism their parish either drift into in- She has already raised large have given rise to terrorism, difference or are absorbed by the sums and homes have been built floggings and even murders, Roman Catholic mass in which in seven of Brazil's 22 states. leading to the removal of mis- they are embedded.
One home has been named in her guided officials. -World DominionPress. -World Dominion Press. honor. Mrs. Weaver, "Dona Eunice," has invitations from EUROPE Bible Distribution in Italy the governments. of ten other states to come and help them Communists' Catechism Circulation of the Bible is not with similar campaigns. easy in Italy; there are power- Dawn is authority for the ful forces to block the way. Re- If her husband were a Bra- statement that there are more cently a decree was issued that zilian he would probably not than 124 communist Sunday copies must bear on the title permit his wife to travel about schools in Great Britain in page the word "Protestant." It and conduct money-raising cam- which the communist faith is was charged that evangelicals paigns. But Prof. Weaver, who taught. Their catechism in- were duping Catholics by cir- cludes such questions as: culating the Bible without tellis superintendent of the People's ing them it was the Protestant Central Institute in Rio de Ja- "What is God?" "God is a word Bible. neiro, knows that this philan- used to designate an imaginary being thropic work is helping to put which people of themesleves have Difficult as the problem was, Protes;tantism on before the peo- devised." the evangelicals did not feel that ple in Brazil in a favorable light. they could print the word "Prot- "Who is Jesus Christ?" "Jesus – World Outlook. Christ is the son of a Jewish girl estant" on the Bible. It is not Protestant Progress in Brazil called Mary." exclusively a Protestant Book. "Is he the Son of God?" "There is It existed before the word "Prot- The latest biennial report of estant" was coined. Things the Evangelical Federation of no God, therefore there can be no were at' a deadlock; and the Brazil marks a definite advance God's Son." Vatican rejoiced at what it reof the churches. Spiritual life garded the success of its astute has been vitalized, literature for "Is Christianity desirable?" "Chris- move. the work of the churches in- tianity is not advantageous to us, but creased, and the training of Sun- harmful, it makes us spiritual crip- The evangelicals continued day school and other workers ples. By its teachings of bliss after quietly in prayer. The decree greatly improved. The Evan- death it deceives the people. Chrisgelical churches in Brazil show tianitv is the greatest obstacle to the could not be revoked without loss a development greater than that progress of mankind, therefore it is of prestige, but those responsible in any other Latin American the duty of every citizen to help wipe were made to see their position country, having a Christian com- out Christianity." was untenable; that it revealed munity of nearly 2,000,000. This an ignorance of history. Evenrecent effort to promote fellow- Church Union in France tually, a way was found for those ship and unity of effort is who had made the decree to fraught with brightest promise. Union of the Reformed modify it without sacrifice of Churches of France will prob- dignity. Would the evangelicals, The churches have a sense of ably be realized during 1937. while letting the words "Bibbia responsibility for the Indian The synods of the v a rio u s Sacra"-"Holy Bible"-stand on tribes in the forest. A union ex- churches are meeting earlier the title page, put clearly underperiment to reach the Cayua In- than usual to set forward the neath the title the name and dians is shared by three denom- proceedings. The Ref 0 r m e d style of the translator? That inations. The Baptist Church has Evangelical Churches prepared they readily agreed to do, and, been forward in this pioneer for the act of union by an appeal to the priests' chagrin, a comwork and for some time has last year for 3,000,000 francs to promise was effected. It is felt maintained a work among one set their finances on a firm basis. that what was intended as a or two tribes as part of its na- Despite hard times they received crippling hindrance has become tional missions' scheme. A 2,800,000 francs. Union will a furtherance. couple of years ago a mission strengthen the churches to face a difficult situation. The sub- -Beyond Alpine Snows. urbs of Paris increase their pop- ulation enormously, but Prot- estant pastors who are trying in working among the Indians pub- many cases to care for 100,000 News Out of Russia lished a paper in Portuguese to to 250,000 persons are hopelessly stir interest in the forest In- overworked. More pastors and Things are going on in Russia dians. It was very well received, evangelists are needed to turn-a which one does not get in the secured subscribers in practi- work of conservation into a cam- daily news. The Quarterly Jour- cally every state of Brazil, and paign of conquest. nal of the United Christian Lit- in 1936 reached a self-support- One of the most difficult tasks erature Society gives a few ing basis. of the French Protestant Church facts of significance.
Communism is rigorously sup- is the care of scattered members. During 1936 Moscow used 86 pressed by the government, but To an alarming extent, individ- different languages on its subin certain rural districts un- uals and groups who move from sidized printing presses. In
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
editions of vary'ing size, it pro- slow death from e con 0 m i c among Moslems in Khartum and duced some 10,000 publications, strangulation. Omdurman is regarded as in- and of these 37,000,000 copies It is reported that the Polish tolerable. There is a general went out. In "tracts" and Government plans the "evacua- opinion current that the Azhar brochures, the total for 1936 tion" of all the 3,150,000 Jews should send a mission to preach came to five thousand millions; in Poland, thereby confronting Islam in the Sudan, and it is refor boys and girls the books is- other nations with a migration ported that the Sudan Governsued totalled thirty-two millions. problem of unprecedented mag- ment would raise no objection. Furthermore, the cinema has nitude. The Society for the Defense of had its special bureau, of which the Moslem Religion is arrang- no figures are available. AFRICA ing public meetings to discuss However, there is actually The New Egypt the preparation of a mission.
talk of religious revival. Though -World Dominion Press.
there is persecution, priests re- Egypt's "New Deal" began on Tripoli Mission Closed main, living like hunted pariahs. August 26, 1936, when a treaty Some, having escaped the massacre in which many thousands was signed in London bringing The work of the North Africa of their brethren fell, furtively to Egypt a new framework Mission in Tripoli City has been celebrate religious rites in the within which her leaders pur- suppressed by Italian authoriconcentration camps, where they pose to work out Egypt's future •ties. This work had been mainendure the horrors of forced destiny as a free country. There tained for a half century as a labor; others wander in beg- can be no doubt that the treaty medical and evangelistic center, gary from place to place, keep- is popular. Plans are on foot to and has been a means of healing ing alive as they go the villagers' better the living conditions of and spiritual blessing to thoufaith; others minister to crowd- the people. It is proposed to ed congregations in the few choose certain villages in differ- sands of Jews and Arabs. churches still allowed to func- ent parts of the country as model tion. Blatant atheism is not so villages, to be improved in every At about the same time, the blatant; the circulation of its Vicar Apostolate, Msgr. Facchief organ has fallen from way and made fit habitations. 37,000 to 14,000; not only the Changes in the educational set- chinetti, consecrated a new old folks, but the young, includ- up are in prospect, and it is church to St. Francis de Assisi, ing young soldiers, are daring hoped that the rights of women in the center of Tripoli City. to attend religious services and may be recognized in a wider sing the old hymns – as only plan of education. Already Near by is a small monastery Russians can-where once stood for the Franciscan missionaries. beautiful churches. there have been proposed laws With this addition, the Catholic in parliament for the regulation It seems clear that when the of women's dress in public, and churches and chapels in the Vigreat revival comes, a new cariate Apostolic of Tripoli now church must emerge; no longer a law for the prohibition of ala caste, indifferent to the peo- coholic and intoxicating. bev- total forty. Thus, from the ple's need and chained to a erages. Italian possessions in Africa, dynasty. What part religion may take evangelical witness is being sys- Jewish Crisis in Five Countries tematically excluded.
Anti-Semitism, raised by Hit- -Alliance Weekly. ler in Germany to the status of a political religion, is rapidly in the new era is a question that Roman Catholic Propaganda spreading throughout Eastern cannot be answered. One looks Europe, and is approaching the in vain for political leadership in the Congo high water mark in Poland, the anywhere in the world today The Southern Presbyterian which is actuated by religious Board reports that their success in the Congo Beige have aroused motives in making decisions. the Catholics, who say that neither men nor money will be -Women's Missionary Magazine. spared in wresting these gains Demonstration Against from the Protestants. They are Missions making no idle boast, for every steamer from Europe is crowded country with the biggest Jewish Excitable El Azhar Univer- with priests and nuns, and the population outside the United sity students are responsible for Belgian Government is spending States, and the highest percent- a violent demonstration against millions in erecting schools, ca- age of Jews in proportion to its missionary work in the Sudan. thedrals, convents and hospitals total population, except for Pal- The Arabic press has espoused for these invading hosts. Last estine. Of the world's entire the cause with zeal. Al Misri, January, out of a total white Jewish population, 30 per cent Al Ahram and Al Mussawar population in Congo of 18,683, are facing the choice of repeat- publish long articles attacking the priests numbered 2,320- ing the Exodus on a bigger scale the Sudan administration for whereas all Protestant workers than that chronicled in the Bible, favoring the Christianization of of all nationalities numbered and somehow crashing through pagan tribes, and making educa- only 734. Whereas the Roman- immigration bars, or of dying a tional grants to missions. Work ists are increasing by scores and
hundreds, the Protestants are hymns. In Mt. Silinda, Rev. and INDIA AND BURMA actually decreasing. Apparently Mrs. John S. Marsh report tak- Another Open Door they have, as they claim, un- ing two Christian A f ric a n limited financial resources. women to a conference under an- Rev. Chandra Das of Benares other mission where 3,000 other cites instances to show that for Their line of attack is through native Christian women lived the Christian message Benares the schools, increased to include three days in conference on reli- offers a fair field. every tiny hamlet. They charge gious matters. They had planno tuition, provide equipment "Benares is famous for palmfree, and are using every legiti- ned and carried through the en- istry and astrology. Not far mate and illegitimate form of tire affair without the help of from our book room is the office propaganda against Protestant- missionaries. of one of these pseudo-scientists, ism. -Presbyterian Survey. in charge of a modern-minded -Overseas News.
Achievement in Central Africa In Tanganyika Outposts young man who has traveled in the West. One morning he A plan to establish a line of A worker for the Church Mis- called me into his house and conmission stations from Mombasa sionary Society in Tanganyika fessed to me a sense of painful to Lake Chad has been completed pays tribute to the work of Af- need. He asked me a direct after forty-two years' work. rican teachers in isolated out- question – 'What has C h r i s t The Africa Inland Mission, in. stations. "Their patience and done for you?' I spent over an association with two other so- love in carrying out their round hour with him and left a copy cieties in French Equatorial of duties week by week, and of St. John's Gospel. Since then Africa, has the chief honor of year by year, could only be main- he has come to our library many the achievement. Missionary in- tained in the power of God." times and bought a Hindi Bible. fluence now permeates some She continues: "A Moslem religious teacher 4,000,000 native peoples. The It always thrills me when I am one day discussed with me the Christian meanings of the Son Society has 230 missionaries asked to interview and examine for of God, perfection of Christ's laboring on 53 s tat ion s in baptism women and girls brought in character, etc., in a very humble Kenya, Tanganyika, West Nile, from the outstations. I hear them read God's Word, and answer ques- and teachable spirit. I was im- Uganda, Bel g ian Congo and tions on the life of our Lord that in French Equatorial Africa. would daunt some of the children at pressed by the absence of ego- home, and I realize that they have tism and argumentative spirit Church schools have been opened learned entirely from the Bible and common in Moslem inquirers. in 1,500 centers and are served from their fellow-Africans. by 2,000 evangelist – teachers. "A Tamil-speaking youth of -C. M. S. Outlook. Madras used his holiday leave in During 1936, 20,000 catechu- mens were under instruction and WESTERN ASIA going about to shrines and holy 6,900 were baptized. In order places in search of peace. 'What to consolidate the churches and Novel Attack on Illiteracy could Christ do for me?' he to plan for developments, the Society has sent its deputation sec- Of Turkey's 40,000 villages, asked. I had an opportunity for retary to confer with the mis- days together of explaining to sionaries. of which many hardly deserve that name, 32,000 have neither him the peace that Christ gives. -World Dominion Press. school nor teacher. It is cal- The case was unique in that young men are rarely troubled Singing African Christians culated that with the help of existing institutions it would re- about spiritual peace. I try to One dark night a missionary quire 96 years to train the neces- follow up these inquirers. Those was traveling on the outskirts of sary teachers. But the govern- who leaye Benares are kept in a territory untouched by Christian influence, so far as he knew, ment dcided to have this done in touch through correspondence although looked upon by the ten years, and devised a plan and literature sent to them by young Chilesso church as its re- which will not only yield the post, and for many of these con- stant prayer is offered in private necessary number of teachers in that short period, but will also and in our common worship."
sponsibility. He heard Christian train a type that psychologically Cow Worship hymn tunes. Investigating he will be much nearer the rural found a young man from one of population than is the ordinary The cow-worshiping cult has the few Christian villages near town-trained man. received new impetus from that section who had carried the Since the Turkish army is the Gandhi. A statement of his Gospel message in song, and a most efficient school in the na.- that the Depressed Classes "are goodly group had caught the tion, it has now been decided worse than cows in understand~ .contagion of the music. The that non-commissioned officers ing" called forth protests on the Chilesso church which now has shall be trained as village teach- part of some of his missionary some 2,600 members maintains ers, and also shall be prepared friends. As a reply to these prooften that it was first led to al- to disseminate elementary no- tests he issued the following legiance to "The Name" through tions of farming and hygiene. statement in The Rarijan of the influence of C h r i s t ian -The Christian Century. January 9:
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
In my conversations with Dr. Mott, New Madras Christian College He must have adult material. at one stage I said, "Would you preach With proper textbooks and the the Gospel to a cow? Well, some of On January 30, Lord Erskine, method of teaching and making the Untouchables are worse than cows in understanding. I mean they Governor of Madras, opened the volunteer teachers, it should be can no more distinguish between the new buildings at Tambaram, the possible to make India literate relative merits cif Islam and Hinduism new home of Madras Christian in 25 years. and Christianity than a cow." Some 9011ege, into which the College missionary friends have taken excep- IS to move in this, its centenary, -Baptist Missionary tion to the analogy. I have no re- Review. morse about the propriety of the year. The first sod had been cut analogy. There could be no offense meant to Harijans because the cow is on January 5, 1932. Five years Anti-Leprosy Work a sacr,ed animal. I worship her as I have passed, and much of what wors~Ip my mother. Both are givers was then a dream has been real- Many new leprosy treatment ?f mIlk. And so far as understanding ized. It has cost £174,000. The centers have been opened in the IS concerned I do maintain that there Government of Madras has do- Punjab, according to the latest are, be it said to the discredit of nated the spacious site of 400' report. With the organization superior class Hindus, thousands of acres and has contributed half of 18 new clinics, the total num- Harijans who can no more understand the cost of the buildings. On ber of treatment centers rose the merits and demerits of different the same condition of pound for from 34 to 52, apart from the religions than a cow. That after a pound, it is prepared to carryon five clinics at leper homes. The long course of training Harijans can and fulfil the dream completely. number of doctors trained in have their intelligence developed in a The College grew out of the anti-leprosy work went from 127 manner a cow's cannot, is irrelevant little school opened by John An- to 178. Besides, there were four to the present discussion. derson, the first missionary of sanitary inspectors and one dis- the Church of Scotland in South trict medical officer of health. -The Indian Witness. India, who arriv-ed in Madras Systematic propaganda w 0 r k April 3, 1837. The London Mis- was widely carried out and the National Christian Council sionary Society now shares in provincial leprosy officer ex- tended his survey work to vari- The seventh biennial meeting the enterprise. of the National Christian Coun- ous districts, thus visiting 664 cil, held in Nagpur from Decem- -L. M. S. Chronicle. villages in all, with a population ber 28, 1936, till January 1 1937, considered some urgent Causes of Illiteracy of 169,879. It is stated that in issues of the present ferment. 124 villages 326 cases were de- Seven practical proposals were Dr. Frank C. Laubach enumade: merates the causes of India's tected in different stages of the appalling illiteracy. One handi- disease.-The Indian Witness. Retreats, conferences and inter-visitation should be arranged cap is that if an illiterate desires The Acid Test in Ceylon for workers; large numbers of voluntary workers should be en- to read he must learn to read in Dr. Russell Maltby tells the listed and trained; readj ustment of available forces should be a foreign language, not in the following story: A high-caste made in some areas; every effort should be made to remove language he speaks, for the clas- Bra h min was converted to illiteracy in the Church; the help of the older churches should sical written vocabularies are so Ch~istianity. On the day on still be sought for enquirers and training young members of the different from the spoken collo- WhICh he was to be baptized he Church; the secretariat of the National C h r is t ian Council quial that they are really differ- came to the table where the misshould be strengthened in order that one member may be free to ent languages. sionary was seated, and pouring further this work; cooperation on the part of all branches of the A~other reason for slow prog- out a glass of water, he offered 9hl!rch sho1;lld be developed, as It IS essentIal for undertaking ress IS that when parents are il- it to the missionary. The l amttae~r the task adequately. hardly knowing what the literate the children are likely to The statement concludes: forget all they learned. If the wanted, took a drink, and The Council would specially ask for prayer on behalf of those who are adults were taught first, the chil- handed the glass back. Wheregroping after the light, sometimes hardly knowing what they seek. dren would never forget. It has upon the Brahmin took the glass Prayer is also asked for the Church in India, called to a work so full of been found that an adult can and drank from it himself! A difficulty and dangel, that, purified and strengthened and filled with wis- learn to read in about one-fifth strict Brahmin would rather dom, it may carry out God's purpose for this land. of the time required to teach a drink poison than do a thing like -I. M. C. Quarterly. child. This important discovery that. It was a severe test for a has tremendous bearing upon Brahmin to take for Christ. India. .
Again, the language of the A Modern Muezzin in Malaya books and newspapers is not the colloquial one of the people so In the great Masjid Sultan that there is nothing they can Mosque in Singapore the Muez- read when they have first zin, who calls Moslems to prayer learned to read. Apathy must is to be aided by loudspeakers: be overcome, and finally, appro- Instead of climbing the stairway priate lesson material must be of the minaret five times a day, provided. An adult does not en- to cup his hands to his lips and joy studying children's books. utter his weird cry, he will step
to a microphone and broadcast. East generally of a conscious- of its students are now at work Singapore Moslems opposed the ness of the world mission of in the villages and rural areas innovation at first, and there are Christianity. The larger meas- of the province. Recently, the some who have not yet become ure of responsibility which has governor of Fukien Province reconciled, but the traffic noises devolved upon the Christian has appropriated almost twentyoffered too great competition to churches in the East is every- two thousand dollars, Chinese the call from the minaret. A where apparent, notably in re- currency, to cover the full cost new machine was therefore spect to the Conference of the of extension of this rural procalled to the aid of an old cus- International Mis'sionary Coun- gram. Under the leadership of tom. -Christian Advocate. cil to be held in Hangchow in Dr. Francis Chen, the Univer- the Spring of 1938. The West- sity is now finding many new CHINA ern sense of world mission is avenues of service to every part broadening into a universal of the province. A New Man ·Christian fellowship, with a conscious world vocation in the Chinese Mission Control Here is a transformation that service of Christ. followed a reading of the prodi- On April 1, the American gal's return. A villager had Soochow University Methodist Episcopal Mis s ion been a lazy, worthless dope blazed a new trail with a profiend, had spent his life mis- President Y. C. Yang, of Soo- posal that mission property be treating his family and spend- chow University, lists some placed under Chinese ownership ing their substance on opium. achievements among the insti- and control. Now the people of the village tution's graduates to show the see him going to the fields every vital part it is taking in helping The sixth quadrennial East day with a hoe, have noticed that to Christianize the intellectual Asia Conference named a board his vocabulary has radically current in China. to study the project under which changed, and that even the tone church m iss ion properties, of his voice is different. He is Many of the University's former widely scattered in China and most thoughtful of his mother. students and graduates are now serv- having an estimated value of His neighbors know he must ing their country in positions of prom- $5,000,000, would be transhave been able to do an almost inence and leadership. In the field of ferred. The proposal is the first impossible thing to break off the law and governmnt, the new Constitu- of its kind advanced in any fordrug habit. tion of China, which is to be submitted eign mission in China. It will to the People's AssemJly for adoption, be submitted to the highest au- When asked how he did it he was drafted by the principal of our thorities of the mission in the says he sings hymns and reads Law School and one of our own grad- United States for final decision. over and over about Jesus. He uates. In the financial world, the says he wants to go to summer managers of the Bank of China in Soldiers Sweep Streets school where he can study the Shanghai, Nanking and Hongkong Bible and be able to explain it to are all former Soochow students. In The Rev. E. H. Forster, of the people of his village. His the field of social religious service, Yangchow, China, writes in The neighbors corroborate every- five of the largest and most important Churchman of some things obthing he says. What started Y. M. C. A. associations-Nanking, served during a visit to the city this revolution in him? He says Shanghai, Soochow, Hangchow and of Paoying, especially among the he heard an evangelist tell the Swatow-are all Soochow graduates. soldiers. The m.ayor was edustory of the father who had two In the field of education, three out of cated in England, representative sons, of how one went off into the eleven men now serving as presi- of the new type of officials with the far country, of how the fa- dents of Christian colleges and uni- which the government is trying ther watched and longed for his versities in China, and the first presi- to supplant the old. The city has return, and bf how finally the son dent of the Central Government Uni- an institution for the cure of saw his great folly and went versity are Soochow alumni. In the drug addicts, where the Chinese back home. -World, Outlook. field of religion, Dr. Z. T. Kaung, pas- physician in charge is a church- tor of our great Moore Memorial man, son of a clergyman in Will Missions Shift Emphasis? Church, Shanghai, and chairman of Ningpo. the Executive Council of the China The editor of the Chinese Re- Conference; Mr. Z. S. Zia, general He was also impressed with corder believes that the mission- secretary of our Board of Christian the bearing and personal appearary enterprise is shifting from Education; Dr. T. C. Chao, dean of ance of the soldiers. They were a world mission with its drive the School of Religion of Yen~Ching a well dressed, well set-up group centered in the West, to one University, and Mr. Z. K. Zia, Chinese of men, who showed in their world-wide in drive as well as editor of the China Christian Litera- manner that they were accusin scope. A corresponding weak- ture Society, are all graduates of Soo- tomed to discipline. "I was even ening in the West of the Chris- chow University. more impressed," he says, "when tian sense of world mission he I saw them sweeping the streets, considers is apparent, but is -World Outlook. leveling and paving roads, and compensated in a measure by the effecting many improvements in emergence in China and in the Rural Reconstruction the appearance of the city. I In response to requests of both people and government, Fukien Christian University is putting increased emphasis on rural reconstruction. This is not a new departure, for many
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
:found that many of the officers port, "to imagine a more pitiable Evangelistic Band during the were Christians, that they took crowd of men. They had only past three decades. This indegood care of their men, that they rags for clothing, supplemented pendent church, exercising all held regular religious services to by straw packing, or anything the functions of an indigenous which the men in the ranks were else, that would give them a society, such as self-support, invited. In view of this experi- modicum of warmth." Of sev- self-government, and self-exten- ence I could not help feeling that enteen admitted to the hospital, sion, will relieve the parent or- this sort of army discipline and seven died within a few days. ganization of the heavy respon- life could not but be a very val- Some of the men professed con- sibilities of caring for estab- uable training for thousands of version. Most of these men lished churches, and permit it men in China, provided they were suffering from typhus or to devote its energies directly to could always be used for con- tuberculosis, in addition to gun- the evangelization of unreached structive instead of destructive shot wounds. communities. service." Work among lepers has repre- A Nation of Readers sented the main activity of the Medicine by Trailer Hospital. At one time they had Japan Today and Tomorrow 76 inmates. The increase last says that of 30,347 books pub- The "trailer" has come to year was made up mainly of Ti- lished the past year in Japan, China! Dr. W. H. Dobson, of those concerned with education Yeungkong, whose 39 years in betans. Fifteen lepers were head the list, followed by books China have not dimmed his abil- baptized last summer, seven be- on politics, economics and the ity to recognize and seize every ing Tibetans. Christian lepers new idea that would aid him in have contributed toward the home. Books on religion are his medical work, is starting out work. -China's MiUions. also increasingly popular; there to spend several months in coun- Siushan Joins the World was an increase of 257 over the try districts with his trailer, previous year. It is not indi- holding clinics in villages where For the first time in history a cated how many dealt with there is still need for spreading motor bus came to the very gates Christianity, but it is probable knowledge of modern medicine. of the hoary city of Siushan, that these increased in propor- Despite many years of Christian Szechuan, West China, a Chris- tion with those on other relimedical missions, and the in- tian Alliance station. The news gions. creasing number of government of this great event spread rap- Magazines are increasingly hospitals, rural dis t ric t s in idly throughout the town, and popular. At the end of 1934, China are still sorely neglected. steady streams of people flowed Japan had 947 magazines; 25 After ancient Chinese medical to and from this curious new were devoted to religion, 102 practice has left them in a hope- object. The car came to the were concerned with education. less condition, too many patients edge of the city wall at the south Magazines having the largest are brought to the mission hos- gate; spectators lined the top of circulation were those on poppital in Yeungkong as a last re- the wall, while others crowded ular recreations, with women's sort. Dr. Dobson is now under- about the car to give it a thor- magazines second and children's taking preventive as well as ough "once over." third.
curative medicine. In a short time cars should be A Language Without -Monday Morning. able to get through to Lungtan Profanity and Yuyang, while within a few Borden Hospital in Kansu months they should get through The Japanese language is the to Pengshui and on to Chung- only language in the world, says Borden Memorial Hospital at king. This motor road heralds the Christian Union Herald, in Lanchow accepts disturbances a new day. In a most providen- which there is not a profane as a matter of course, and finds tial way it touches at three main word. Although thousands of many opportunities interwoven stations and will link us directly with them. The number of with Chungking in the west and expressions and phrases have Tibetan patients has been larger Changsha in the east. Time, been absorbed from other lanthan usual, there being at one money and missionaries' health guages, the native tongue retime an average of fifteen Ti- will be conserved. betans with them. Towards the mains clean and wholesome. To end of the year there were many -The Frontier. be profane is the worst thing hundreds of Communist prison- that any man, over there, can do. ers of war camped in a temple JAPAN-OHOSEN He realizes it, and knows that if not far away. The Chinese Gov- he indulges in profanity picked ernment asked our friends at the New Ohurch Formed hospital to give these men med- up from foreigners, he will be The Japan Church of Jesus ostracized by his friends, his Christ is a new organization, neighbors and his own family.
ical attention. The government formed by the merger of several "On the Air" in Yokohama hospital was filled and others groups of believers which have had refused them. "It would be grown up as a result of the evan- Recently Baptists in Japan difficult," says the Hospital Re- gelizing efforts of the Japan had their first opportunity to
broadcast a Sunday morning laboring under heavy burdens has been a direct result of the church service, and it came to and wish to hear Christ's loving new spiritual life received from the Kanagawa Church in Yoko- call come without hesitation to these times of study and fellowhama. The Sunday morning the Uchinomaki Church." He ship. Two of the girls who at- feature of the radio network is came, deeply convicted of his tended from Ronna returned usually Buddhist. sins, and joyfully accepted with the message: "Today is the The time allotted in this in- Christ as his Saviour. day of salvation." They went stance was 40 minutes, but pas- -The Dawn. from house to house and from tor Kawamata decided to use relative to relative, insisting only 30, in order to leave the Trials in Korea upon the claims of the Gospel final ten minutes for meditation Korea is not escaping certain message. As a result of their before somethins- else went on disruptive effects of material- efforts seven new members have the air. His sermon was on the been won during the past few subject, "Praise Be to God." ism, and the fine edge of spir- months. The plan of follow-up ituality is blunted in places by after the institute to be held in -Missions. politics and factious jealousies. October is to hold other insti- Nevertheless, the whole Prot- tutes in each of the districts, Better Understanding thus keeping up the interest and With China estant Church advanced last the impetus. Never before has year. The "shrine question" this field been so well manned An interesting exchange of with native pastors. amenities has been made be- has hindered the quiet growth of tween the National Christian the Church and continues to be -Philippine Presbyterian. Councils of Japan and China. perturbing. Missionary opinion The Japan Council voted to send Manila Union High School a statement to the Chinese is divided, some accepting the Christian b6dy calling attention Government General's assurance The Union High School of to the testimony of both history Manila has completed seventeen and topography "that the rela- that attendance of scholars at the years as a separate institution. tions of these two nations, each shrines is not a religious but It presents unrivalled opportuniwith the other, ought to be more ties for the development of intimate than with the other simply a patriotic act. The Christian ideals and character powers"; 'and urging "that larger number, however, main- among its students. Each stuthrough mutual conference a tain that the services are reli- dent is considered as a responsuitable place and time may be gious, notwithstanding the offi- sibility given to the school for chosen where we can kneel to- spiritual training. Each soul gether in the presence of our cial statement. The missions affords an opportunity for per- Lord, deepen the fellowship with these represent have decided to sonal interest on the part of the one another and seek for God's withdraw from secular educa- teachers. To meet this great fullest guidance to the end that opportunity three religious edua spiritual reapproachment and tional work, which will affect cation classes and two chapel unity may be brought about be- 25,000 pupils. The Government services are conducted each tween our two peoples." Ac- week. In addition, a week of cording to news dispatches, the educational provision is only for special evangelistic services fol- China Council has received the about twenty per cent of chil- lowed, when many students petition with sympathy and the dren of school age. Much will made new resolutions as to their depend upon the action of the Korean National Churches; but a concerted decision is not easy, as meetings to discuss the ques- tion are not permitted by the authorities.
-World Dominion Press.
Chinese have expressed willing- manner of living and personal ness to meet their Japanese ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC relationship to Christ.
brethren in any such conference On Cebu Island Three Siamese students are of mutual respect. enrolled. One was brought up In the Cebu field, P. I., 242 in the royal palace. Though a -The Christian Century. have been received into the Buddhist by birth, he is no churches on profession of faith Would-be Suicide during the past year, and eleven longer a Buddhist at heart. He places have been opened to the A pickle merchant of Omuta Gospel. This does not mean has said that he wants to worlost heart because of family places where occasional visits ship the true God. Recently, troubles, and decided to plunge are made, but places where reginto the crater of Mount Aso, a ular services have been estab- when told that he had passed in volcano. But face to face with lished, and a group of baptized all his subjects he said it was death he could find no peace. As God who had helped him, as he prayed to Him every day.
he lay on the ground near the believers is carrying on by Chinese Christians in Hawaii crater, he saw written on a post: themselves. Four ten-day Chris- "Come unto me, all ye that labor tian workers' institutes have Bishop Willis, of Hawaii, says and are heavy laden, and I will been conducted, with an average that Chinese Christians stand give you rest." Then the follow- attendance of 69 students. We out in two particulars. One is ing words: "Let any who are believe that much of the advance the friendly Christian fellowship
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
within their own congregation. to July 1, for the study of the understanding, social service, the movies, the radio, personality They are constantly giving so-, subjects: Christianity and the and religion.
cial entertainments, particularly totalitarian State, the conscien- -The Living Church.
Chinese dinners and chop suey tious objector, the League of "Dithering"
meals, which bring their mem- Nations, sanctions and interna- Some one has written an ar- ticle on "Diseases of the Mission bers together when there are tional police. In England, Scot- Field," the most serious being what he calls "dithering." A parish meetings, confirmations land and America cooperation writer in The Chronicle shows how serious this may be. and baptisms. with the Fellowship of Recon- You start o.ut determined to show The other particular is their ciliation in several countries has the carpenter how to set out a window sash. Before you have gone a dozen missionary interest which keeps been secured. The office of the steps you are pounced upon by a man with eggs fo.r sale. You inform him them in close touch with church International Union is at Am- that the cook buys the eggs; he then offers you chickens, and you tell him work in China. They have given merstol, Holland. that the cook buys these too. But an- other man has seen you, and bears largely toward the endowment -International Christian down with a request to. be sent somein the Shensi diocese, for famine Press. where to fetch a load of something. relief and other special needs in You answer him that you don't want a load of anything brought from any- China. When the day school Catholic World Missions where, whereupo.n he says he wants to children heard of the recent buy a Bible. Of course you have to martyrdom of the catechist, The Roman Catholic Church sell him that but you find he has only Huang Han-Tsang, killed by has 340 seminaries in its major half the necessary money. He says bandits near Hankow, they mission fields with 18,541 stu- he will bring the balance in beans, and dents for the priesthood. China so the transaction is temporarily in raised $100 for his family. abeyance. has 4,361; India, 1,801; Indo- -The Churchman. China, 2,237 ; Africa, 4,260 ; Fearing the .:arpenter may have made the window sash according to Missionaries Televised Japan and Korea, 669; the his o.wn ideas, you dash toward the islands of the Pacific, 47l. shop. But a bricklayer, building a The British Weekly recently There are 500 separate Roman cottage for a medical orderly, interhad an interesting account of Catholic missions in the foreign cepts to ask where exactly to put the missionaries on furlough being mission fields, so that the con- window frames. You realize with a televised in London. sickening feeling that you have not tention that this Church presents yet marked the exact position of these frames. They are pro.bably building In an hour's television program one front is not quite accurate, them all in on the windward wall, in last week there were two exceptionally which case the medical orderly will interesting missionary items. One especially as the cooperative never, never open the windows. You councils of Protestant missions dash off and find that your surmise was an interview with Bishop Flem- are banding themselves closer is absolutely correct. Directing labor ing of the Arctic, while on the other and closer together in a world- in Africa is largely a matter of go- ing to. see what So-and-so is doing, the interviewer talked with that amaz- and telling him not to. At last you may (or again you may not) arrive ing trio of women, Miss Mildred Cable wide organization already su- at the shop and find the carpenter' and the two Misses French, of the happily pegging together the window China Inland Mission. They had perior in many ways to the sash-an almost perfect rhombus. Topsy, their little Mongolian deaf and so-called "united front" of the WHAT WILL HELP YOU? dumb friend, with them. They looked Roman Catholic Church. on the experience of being televised Many readers have sent us reports as an adventure not unworthy o.f a -The World Today. of their Metho.ds for promoting mis- sionary interest; others have exparty of women who had recently Girls' Friendly Society pressed their gratitude for the help given in our "Ways of Working" Decrossed the Gobi Desert for the fifth partment. Is there some special way in which we can help you in planning time, and told their hearers very The Girls' Friendly Society is your work for the promotion of missportingly and vividly how they trav- sionary interest in yo.ur church, your society, the Sunday school or home, elled, what they carried with them, one of the most active and vig- or among other groups? What would why they went, and the sort of things orous organizations, of the Epis- you find most useful in the way of program material and suggestions, that happened to them on the way. copal Church. Founded 60 years literature, sermonic and illustrated They themselves were tremendously ago, it now has a membership of material, o.r methods of stimulating interested in all that went o.n in the missionary interest in children? Please forward your questions or requests to studio, and seemed quite unperturbed 29,000, with 900 branches in the Mrs. Estella S. Aitchison, Granville, when a camera, looking more like a United States, the Philippine Ohio. tank and manned by four men, would Islands, Puerto Rico, Panama, suddenly begin to bear down on them for a close up while they talked. The Japan and China. The Society first missionary to be televised was provides a varied and balanced the 83-year-old Archdeacon Batchelo.r of Hokkaido. program of worship, study, rec- reation, social service and serv- Antimilitarist Congress ice to the Church for girls and young women. Its twofold task The Executive Comittee of is the development of character the International Union of Anti- and friendship in loyalty to the militarist Ministers and Clergy- Church, and the arousing of an men, which has branches in Hol- intelligent interest in and underland, Switzerland, Eng I and, standing of the issues of the Scotland, France, Sweden, Nor- world today. Under the general way and Denmark has decided theme of Christian Citizenship, to hold the fourth international study is given to such vital probcongress in Edinburgh, June 29 lems as world peace, interracial Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information GOOD BOOKS ON RURAL AMERICA COMPILED AND ANNOTATED BY DR. BENSON Y. LANDIS, Associate Secretary of Department of Research and Education, Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America Rebuilding Rural America. By Mark plan of church work adapted to United Churches. By Elizabeth R. A. Dawber. New York, Missionary that culture. Hooker. New York, Harper & Education Movement. 215 pp. $1.00, Brothers. 1926. 306 pp. $1.75. cloth; paper, 60 cents. Industrial Village Churches. By Edmund deS. Brunner. New York, A most adequate study of A comprehensive discussion Harper & Brothers. 1930. 205 pp. types of community churches in dealing with our c han gin g $1.50. town and country areas. American rural life and the ways and means being used by Studies of representative com- The Rural Church and Cooperative the Church to rebuild rural munities and churches. Extension Work. By H. W. Hoch- America and to give it spiritual baum. Washington,Department of ideals. Religion in the Highlands. By E. R. Agriculture, Circular 57. 1929. Hooker. With a section on Mis- 25 pp. The Christ of the Countryside. By sionary and Philanthropic Schools Malcolm Dana. Nashville, Tenn., by Fannie W. Dunn. New York, Instances of cooperation. Cokesbury Press. $1.00. the Home Missions Council, 105 E. 22d St. 1933. 319 pp. $1.00. The Community Church. By David A popular treatment of well- Piper. Chicago, Willett, Clark & known portions of the Bible re- Native churches and mission- Co. 1928. 158 pp. $1.00. vealing the rural setting and the ary enterprises in the southern rural significance of its themes. Appalachian area. An interpretation of the com- munity church movement by a The Country Church As It Is. By Statesmanship and Religion. By participant. A. J. W. Myers and Edwin E. Sundt. New York, Fleming H. Revell Co. Henry A. Wallace. New York, Community Religion and the Denom- 1930. 189 pp. $1.50. inational Heritage. By J. R. Har- Round Table Press. 1934. 139 pp. greaves and others. New York, A unique book presenting case Harper & Brothers. 1930. 150 pp. histories of fifteen parishes. $2.00. – $1.00.
The Country Church and Public Af- The part of religion in bring- Treatise on the uniqueness of fairs. Edited by Henry W. Mc- ing about a social control that various religious bodies. Laughlin. New York, The Mac- will mean social justice. millan Company. 1930. 260 pp. Y. M. C. A. in Town and Country. $2.00. ****** By Henry Israel. New York, As- sociation Press. 1929. 116 pp. Comprehensive discussions at The Larger Parish-A Movement or $2.00. the Institute of Public Affairs, an Enthusiasm? By Edmund deS. Virginia. Brunner. New York, Harper & Proceedings of a national con- Brothers. 1934. 95 pp. 50 cents. ference on the rural Y. M. C. A. What's Right with the Rural Church. By Ralph A. Felton. Philadelphia, A study of over 100 larger ****** Presbyterian Board of Christian parishes. Education. 1930. 150 pp. Cloth, A Parish Program for Community $1.00; paper, 50 cents. The Larger Parish Plan. By Mal- Service and Family Religion. By Warren H. Wilson. New York, Popular treatment of the as- colm Dana. New York, Congrega- Board of National Missions of the sets of the rural church. tional Church Extension Boards. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. 1930. 63 pp. 25 cents. 32 pp. 10 cents. The Farmer's Church. By Warren H. Wilson. New York, D. Apple- How Can Local Churches Coine To- A brief guide, especially for ton-Century Co. 1925. 264 pp. gether? By Elizabeth R. Hooker. the pastor. $2.00. New York, Home Missions Council, 105 E. 22d St. 1928. 82 pp. 25 Tested Methods in Town and Coun- A statement of the peculiari- cents. try Churches. By Edmund deS. ties of rural culture and of a Brunner. New York, Harper & A practical han d boo k of Brothers. 1923. 173 pp. $1.00. methods. Summarizes the programs of forty churches of distinction; Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RIlvIIlW publishers on receipt of price.
[334 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
valuable as a text for general Financing the Country Church. By resentment against the Turks. reading. The author truly has a message R. T. Baker. Richmond, Va., The of God's love and of Christian Our Templed Hills. By. Ralph A. Department of Country Church and faith and devotion, which is Felton. New York, MissIOnary Sunday School Extension. P. O. worth reading. Education Movement. 1926. 241 Box 1176. 8 pp. pp. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 25 cents. The chapter on "Yeni Che- A study course in the chang- General Reviews riler" will give many new inforing rural life and in modern Changing Russia. By F. J. Miles, mation about the J anisaries but country church methods. D.S.O. Marshall, Morgan & Scott, should be understood as a his- J tory of the 18th century and does A New Day for the Country Church.. London. Paper. 144 pp. 1s. 1936, not indicate that modern Turks bring up their children as de- By Rolvix Harlan. Nashville, Tenn. The author of this small but scribed on page thirty-four.
The Cokesbury Press. 1925. 166 significant book is International The deep spiritual life of the pp. Cloth, 50 cents; paper, 20 cents. Secretary of the Russian Mis- author's father and mother will Brimming with practical sug- sionary Society in England. In be a revelation to many Amergestions; bound to give the connection with the British and ican Christians. This interest- ing bit of history and Christian reader a wide vision of the task Continental Touring Club, he autobiography leaves one with of the local church. has made many visits to Russia, having exceptional opportunities Steeples Among the Hills. By Arthur for observation. Mr. Miles an awed sense of the reality of Wentworth Hewitt. New York, God's present care of His chil- Abingdon Press. 1926. 260 pp. recognizes the good things that $1.50. the Soviet Government has done, dren. CLARENCE D. USSHER.
A narrative of experience by but he confirms the current im- Alaskan Adventures. By Loyal L. one of the best-known country pression that it is making re- Wirt. IlIus. 8vo. 124 pp.. $1.50. ministers. lentless war, not against any Fleming H. Revell Co. New York. particular church, but against 1937.
The Social Work of the Churches. all religion. "A determined at- Here are stirring, and at times Edited by F. Ernest Johnson. New tempt is being made to raise a exciting, tales of pioneer days in Alaska-of daring journeys by York, The Federal Council of nation of atheists." Apparently snowshoe and dogteam over the snow- and ice-covered mountains Churches. 1930. 238 pp. Cloth, he wrote his book before the and down dangerous rapids. $1.25; paper, $1.00. Dr. Wirt made his first trek with promulgation of the new consti- miners over the White Pass in 1899. Then he returned to civ- A handbook of information. tution, but its assurance of ilization to bring food, medicine, lumber and nurses to Anvil City "free-dom of religious worship" (Nome)-only to have the sup- plies lost in a storm at sea. Religious Education in the Rural means nothing, for a pastor can- Again Dr. Wirt started alone as Church. By Henry W. McLaughlin. the first white man to cross New York, Fleming H. Revell Com- not preach outside of his own Alaska by dogteam in the win- pany. 1931. 224 pp. $1.50. pulpit and cannot teach religion ter. This time he was success- to groups of young people under ful in getting help from the A compilation of the papers presented at the Virginia Insti- eighteen years of age. Most of United States Government. tute of Public Affairs. the normal activities of a church Boys will enjoy this tale of ad- are prohibited. School teachers venture, vividly described, and a thrilling story of the faithful The Episcopal Church in Town and are not permitted to attend any dog, "Whiskers." Sandwiched Country. By Goodrich R. .!'enner. church and the Bible cannot be in with the tale of adventure are slices of information about New York, National Council, Prot- printed or circulated. Many wolves, Eskimo dogs,' Eskimo estant Episcopal Church. 1935. churches have been closed and men and women, courtship, home 160 pp. Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 life, babies, tribal dances, supercents. those that remain open are be- stitions and gold seekers. Most of the incidents and facts might ing strangled by heavy taxes. have been woven into the story more skilfully but they add to Village Sermons by a Novelist. By Meantime, unrestricted anti- the wealth and interest of the Gustav Frenssen. New York, D. "Alaskan treasurehouse." Dr. Appleton-Century Co., 1924. 162 religious propoganda is openly Wirt makes us realize what pp. $1.50. sponsored by the Government. hardships men will endure for It is a tragic story that moves gold and that followers of Christ A noted Scandinavian novelist the reader to respond to the aupreaches a series of sermons, thor's plea for prayer. using rural materials. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
Services for the Open. By L. 1. Mat- My Beloved Armenia. By Marie S. Banker. 205 pp. $1.25. B.!. C. A. toon and H. D. Bragdon. New York, Chicago. 1936. D. Appleton-Century Co. 1923. 212 pp. $1.50.
Suitable religious services for While this book contains various occasions. stories of "Turkish atrocities," Manual for County and Local Coun- the authenticity of which I would cils of Religious Education. Chi- not dispute, it was refreshing to cago, The International Council of Religious Education, 203 N. Wa- find that the book has been writ- bash Ave. 1932. 64 pp. 25 cents. ten more to give a constructive Gospel message than to arouse
will endure as much or more in the evils from which we suffer, Jungle Friends. By the Bishop of the service of their Master-and not only in Japan but in Amer- Rangoon. 63 pp. 18. S. P. G. with no thought of material re- London. 1937. ward. ica. These thirteen true stories of Morocco in Mufti. By James Hal- North Pacific. By Edward Weber people and incidents in Burmese dane. 8vo. 231 pp. 68. Arthur Allen. 282 pp. Map and sixty-five villages form the second in a H. Stockwell, Ltd. London. 1937. illustrations. Professional and series of character sketches, the Technical Press, New York. 1936. first being "Jungle Folk." These are vivid pen pictures of life in Morocco, that quaint This is an unusually interest- H. H. F. land of mountains and markets, ing book of travel and observafanatical Moslems and strange tion in Alaska, western Canada, The Father and His Sons. By A. B. unconquered tribes. Japan and eastern Siberia, by a L. Karney. 68 pp. 18. S. P. G., man who sees intelligently and London. 1937. "Your European civilization, knows how to tell what he sees. like a pair of shears, is snipping As United States Commissioner The author states that he has away the glory we won by sword and Secretary of the Internaand book," said an intelligent tional Fisheries Commission he found so much help from the Moor of the old school. In this describes a tour from San Fran- descriptive volume we see the cisco to Alaska, the Aleutian story of the Prodigal Son, and old contrasted with the new-in Islands to Kamchatka, south- business, in culture and in reli- ward along the Kurile Islands to has returned to it so often that .gion. Mr. Haldane, a Christian Japan, and back to San Franmissionary, gives. us a brief but cisco – a complete circle of the he believes it worth while to very readable story of Morocco's lands bordering the northern history, with his views of the Pacific Ocean. His experiences share some interpretations found present conditions, Moslem be- were varied and he gives a liefs and strange customs, life wealth of information about in it. There is much to ponder among villagers, mountaineers fisheries, the resources of Alaska and city dwelle~s, and mission- and the numerous people that he over in his discussion of this ary work among them. Mr. met. References to mission- Haldane has used some unusual aries and missionary work are immortal parable as related to opportunities to understand Mos- warmly sympathetic, particulems and conducts an interesting larly in Alaska where he makes many modern problems-home work with Moorish boys. He is special mention of such notable a valuable guide to those who Christian workers as William life, dangers threatening the would visit Morocco and know Duncan, Sheldon Jackson, W. T. the Moors. Lapp, Bishop Peter Trimble church, the State, the lack of Rowe, Archdeacon H u d son Kagawa Pamphlets: Stuck, S. Hall Young, and missionary interest, the situa- others. A bibliography and a Kagawa in Australia and New Zea- tion in Germany, Italy, and other land copious index add to the value of this attractive volume. topics. H. H. F. Kagawa in Lincoln's Land (United States) ARTHUR J. BROWN. Frances Ridley HavergaI. By Esther E. Enock. 95 pp. 18. Pickering Kagawa Calendar (Printed in & Inglis, London. 1936. Japan) The development in the Chris- Kagawa on Christian Brotherhood tian life is traced in this biog- These pamphlets set forth Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa's Christian raphy of one of the world's bestphilosophy and economic plans. He believes that Christ, as the known hymn writers, together Son of God and Saviour of men through His death on the Cross, with incidents of the period in also teaches the way of brotherhood, peace and economic justice which she lived (1836-1879) and that His principles and teachings should be put into and her relationships with other practice in daily life, with Christlike self-sacrifice and love Christian leaders, among them of equal opportunity. Kagawa has himself led the way in what Dwight L. Moody and Ira D. he conceives to be Christ's way. This program, if put into opera- Sankey. H. H. F. tion by truly regenerated men, would doubtless correct many of Awake I An African Calling. 55 pp. Follow Me. By Una Roberts Law- 18. Church Missionary Society. rence. 95 pp. Baptist Home Mis- sion Board, Atlanta, Ga. 1936. London. 1937. This brief analysis of certain Blasio Kigozi, a young Afri- home mission problems in the can evangelist of Uganda, died South, in Cuba and Panama, is last year at the beginning of a a summary of tasks in unevan- promising career. Missionaries gelized areas; and an outline had counted on his help in a re- for the study of the situation in vival in the Church of Uganda the various departments of and Blasio had spent months Southern Baptist Home Mis- in preparing "three points": sions. H. H. F.
(1) The cause of deadness in the Church; (2) Attendance of Through Stormy Seas. By Capt. E. G. Carre. 96 pp. 18. Pickering open sinners at the communion; & Inglis. London. 1937.
(3) How bring a revival? He The personal experiences of a British sea captain have to do wanted to arouse the clergy to with the transforming power of prayer. spend less time in raising funds and more in searching their per- sonallives. H. H. F.
Book. Just Like You Stories. Lucy W. Pea- his 86th year. His father, the
body. 186 pp. Illus. $1.50. M. H. William Ashmore, a missionary in About the Old Faith. Henry W. Leavis. Boston. China for 53 years, died in 1909. To- Frost. 128pp. $1.25. Revell. gether, father and son gave over 100 New York. Mothers Union and S. P. G. Report. years to China. On the son's 75th 2d. 16 pp. S. P. G. London. birthday at Swatow, he finished the Bush Aglow-Life of D. L. Moody. third revision of the entire Bible, Richard E. Day. 331 pp. $2.00. The New Walk. Capt. Reginald translated from their original tongues Judson Press. Philadelphia. Wallis. 40 cents. A. B. C. Assn. into the Swatow colloquial. Philadelphia. Consider Him. Vance Havner. 100 Deaconess E'l"len'" La'"khshmi Goreh, pp. $1.50. American Bible Con- The Road to Victory. C. M. S. Re- ference Assn. Philadelphia. port for 1936-7. 6d. C. M. S. who died January 11 in Cawnpore, London. India, at the age of 83, had a remark- Church Militant. Popular Report, able career. Her father was a con- 170 pp., 6d.; Official Report, 240 The Romance of a Doctor's Visit. vert from Brahminism. Left mother- pp., 18. S. P. G. in F. P. London. Walter Lewis Wilson. ls. Pick- less in infancy, she was cared for by ering & Inglis. London. missionaries and later educated in Except Ye Repent. Harry A. Iron- sides. 191 pp. $1.50. American Unity in Diversity. Report of Friends Tract Society. New York. Service Council 1936. London.
Evangelical Handbook of Latin What Is This Moslem World. Charles England; became active in social America. 120 pp. 4s. World Do- R. Watson. 204 pp. $1.00. M. E. M. work and eventually returned to In- minion Press. London. New York. dia as a Zenana Mission worker. AS author of the poem, "In the Secret of Follow Me. Una Roberts Lawrence. The Young Moslem Looks at Life. His Presence," she was known far 96 pp. Home Mission Board. At- Murray T. Titus. 178 pp. $1.00, beyond India. lanta, Ga. cloth; 60 cents, paper. Friendship Press. New York. The Rev. H'"enr'"y C'" . Ostrom, for The Heart of the Christian Faith. Francis Shunk Downs. 209 pp. A Missionary Looks at His Job. W. twenty-five years a missionary of the $1.50. American Tract Society. J. Culshaw. 144 pp. 2s. Student Presbyterian Church (South) in Ja- New York. Christian Movement Press. London. pan, died in Kobe on January 20. He was a consecrated and gifted mission- Hadramaut – Its Challenge. W. H. Christ's Way and the World's in ary, being acquainted with nine lan- Storm. 8 pp. 2d. World Dominion Church, State and Society. Henry guages. He was born of Lutheran Press. London. Smith Leiper. 144 pp. 65 cents parents at Lockport, Illinois, on De- and 90 cents. Abingdon Press. cember 4, 1876, and after graduating Indians Today. Edited by Marion E. New York. Gridley. 128 pp. $2.50. Indian Council Fire. Chicago. from college at the age of 18 he went to Germany to study music. Later he Living Religion. Hornell Hart. 260 Obituary Not•• attended Princeton Theological Sem- pp. Abingdon Press. New York. (Concluded fro?n 2d cover.) inary and went to Japan as a mission- Missionary Romance in Morocco. ary in 1911. On his first furlough he J ames Haldane. 189 pp. 2s. 6d. Bishop W. F. McDowell, retired, was traveling secretary of the Stu- Pickering & Inglis. London. of the Methodist Episcopal Church, dent Volunteer Movement. died on April 26 at 79 years of a~e. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – Missionary Illustrations. Alva C. J!}pmn~ Bowers. 154 pp. $1.50. Revell. He was born in Millersburg, OhIO, New York. February 4, 1858, the son of David A. l.l McDowell; was educated at Ohio 0f tbt None Other Gods. W. A. Visser 't Wesleyan and Boston University, be- Hooft. 185 pp. Harpers Bros. ing ordained to the ministry in 1882. New York. After pastorates in Ohio, he was cvhear,nc1e8l9lo0r-9o9f, stheecreUtnarivyerosfitytheofMDeetnh– .ftr-'brt't'itt'an Poems of a Persian Sufi. Baba Tabis. ~ l.l Translated by Arthur J. Arberry. 7J4f. t'ft W. Heffer & Sons. London. odist Board of Education for five years and in 1904 elected bishop of The Triune God. C. Norman Bart- the Methodist Episcopal Church. lett. 191 pp. $1.50. American eA. Bishop McDowell was widely known Tract Society. New York. BOOK of worship in song, com- as a speaker, lecturer and author but Two Missionary Voyages. Thomas chiefly for his work in behalf of tem- bining a hymnal for general Thompson. 90 pp. lB. S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. London. perance and public morals. church use, and a song book for evan- Unity in Diversity. Report of Friends '" '" '" gelistic purposes. Only songs sound Service Council, 1936. London. in the faith and inspirational in char- The Rev. Dr. James Shepard Kit- With Christ in Africa. D. A. Mc- tell, for the past ten years secretary acter included—emphasizing Evangel- Donald. 158 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, of the Board of Domestic Missions of ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Morgan & Scott. London. $1.00. the Reformed Church in America, died Zondervan Pub. House, Grand in New York at 64 years of age. Dr. Many of the new—the best of the old. Rapids, Mich. Kittell was born at Hamilton, Ont., a 504 Songs Responsive Readings Mecca and Beyond. Edward M. and son of John and Jane Drysdale Kittell, Rose W. Dodd. 220 pp. 50 cents, Topical Index Gold Embossed paper; $1.00, cloth. Central Com- mittee on the United Study of For- and came to the United States when Published in round notes and Roxite cloth eign Missions. Boston. seven years old. He attended Alle- edition only at $65.00 per 100—an especially gheny College and the Western The- low price. Single copy, 85c postpaid. The Cross of Christ. George P. Pier- ological Seminary, was ordained in son. 173 pp. $1.50. American 1903, and after filling several charges Write today for returnable sample copy Tract Society. New York. CRUSADE SONqS in Congregational churches, he became The Christian Evangel. John Mc- Nicol. 91 pp. $1.50. American pastor of the First Reformed Church Tract Society. New York. of Albany, 1907-21. In 1913, Dr. Kit- C/l CHOICE selection of 105 hymns and tell was president of the General The Israel Promises and Their Ful- Synod of the Reformed Church in choruses for Revival Services, Bible Con- filment. Samuel Hinds Wilkinson. America. ferences, and Missionary Conventions. 196 pp. 88. 6d. John Bale, Sons and Danielson. London. '" '" '" Strong manila binding, 15c each; Dr. William Ashmore, for forty- $12.50 per 100. Carriage extra.
eight years a missionary of the Amer- ican Baptist Foreign Society in China, who retired in 1927, passed away on March 11 in Santa Ana, California, in
Partnerships and Hssured
During seventy-five years The American Baptist Home Mission Society has encouraged its friends to have a share in the development of Christian Missions in the United States and Latin America through Annuity Gifts to the Society.
These gifts have amounted to over Three Million Dollars, while in the same period the Society has paid over Two Million Dollars to annuitants and has used for its general work or added to its permanent funds over One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars released by deaths of beneficiaries. In no instance during three quarters of a century has the Society failed to make a payment to an Annuitant according to agreement.
Inquiries concerning ANNmTIES AND LEGACIES may be addressed to SAMUEL BRYANT, Treasurer THE AMERICAN BAPTIST HOME MISSION SOCIETY 23 East 26th Street New York City ORDER THE SPECIAL "MOSLEM NUMBER"
OF THE MISSIONARY ~~WORID This October Issue will contain articles on CHRIST AND THE MOSLEM WORLD Why Take Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Gospel for Mohammedans W. Wilson Cash Present-day Trends in Islam Edward C. Dodd Moslem Reactions to Christ My Experience with Moslems . James Haldane Christ and Moslem Homes . Frank C. Laubach What Christ Has Done for Me Eleanor Calverley A Sermon by a Former Moslem . S. Khoobyar Saee'd Kurdistani and others—with maps and illustrations ORDER COPIES IN ADVANCE FOR YOURSELF AND MISSION STUDY CLASSES 25 cents a copy $20 a hundred $2.50 a year THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD Third and Reily Streets, Harrisburg, Pa.
ROBERT E. SPEER, President DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor
The Missionary Review of the World — January 1937
1937
A Missionary Appraisal, January 1937 Robert E. Speer A Doctor's Tour in Neglected Arabia w. Harold Storm Some African Evangelists in Training L. Paul Moore, Jr.
Highlights of a Century of Presbyterian Missions Arthur J. Brown Story of an Afghan Christian Martyr Alfred Zahir When Japanese Buddhists Pray , Winburn T. Thomas Ethiopia Under Italian Rule James L. Rohrbaugh 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember WILL ROGERS
January 1 to Easter-Local Follow- ~~ I M MORTAL I TV" up Meetings of the National Preach- ing Mission. "A~(JARY ISS(JE OF January 4-10-The Nation Wide Week CHl1RCH MA~A6EME~T of Prayer. Subscriptions: Six months William H. Leach, Editor January 4-6-Committee on Women's $1.25; one year $2.50; two Order direct or- through Work of the Foreign Missions Con- years $4; single copy 25c. AUDITORIUM BLDG., CLEVELAND, O. your Religious Book Store ference of North America, Asbury Park, New Jersey. Missionary Council. He is an Amer- Mr. Homer Rodeheaver has re- ican citizen, a Gentile layman, who turned from a music mission trip to January 6-8-Foreign Missions Con- was graduated from the University of Africa, which covered over 16,000 ference of North America, Asbury Wisconsin and for a time served as miles by air. His special interest was Park, New Jersey. general secretary of the Y. M. C. A. the study of native music, and he is of Kansas University. more than ever convinced of the effec- January 11-14, 1937-Annual Meet- tiveness of music in spreading the ings, Home Missions Council and * '" * Gospel. His experiences in Africa The Council of Women for Home have been gathered into a little book Missions. Asbury Park, N. J. The Rev. Robert Lee McLeod, Jr., called "Singing Black." The Rode- has been elected to succeed Dr. John heaver Company offers to give a free February 7-13-Negro History Week. A. Rodgers who recently retired as copy to ministers and missionaries. February 8-13-International Council secretury for Annuities and Special Gifts under the Board of National Mr. Hugh Re*dw'o" od'", Religious Edi- of Religious Education, Executive Missions of the Presbyterian Church, Committee and Associated Meetings. U. S. A. Dr. McLeod is a graduate tor of The London Times-Ghronicle- Chicago, Ill. of Davidson College, North Carolina, a daily paper with 1,500,000 circula- February IS-Annual Meeting of The and of the Presbyterian Theological tion-and author of the best sellers, Missionary Review of the World, Seminary in Louisville, Ky. For the "God in the Slums" and other vol- 156 Fifth Ave., New York. last five years he has served as pastor umes, has recently been on a preach- of the Presbyterian Church at Winter ing tour in America under the au- FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- Haven, Florida. spices of the Salvation Army. ARY ASSEMBLIES * '" '" A WARNING January 16-19, 1937-Jacksonville. We regret to learn from a corre- January 19-Z0-Lake City. Miss Mildred Cable and her com- spondent in Venezuela that Mr. Elie- January ZO-ZZ-Daytona Beach. panions have been obliged to leave cer Fernandez, the converted priest in January ZO-ZZ-Deland. Suchow, Northwest China, in haste, Venezuela whose story was told in the January 23-Z7-Miami. owing to Red activity in that locality. November issue, has not proved January Z6-27-Ft. Lauderdale. They have reached Lanchow safely. worthy of confidence. He is reported January Z7-Z9-Palm Beaches. tv have turned against the mission- January 30-February 2-0rlando. Dr. Harry E'". W'" oo'"lever, until re- aries and to have led astray some February Z-4-Winter Haven. Venezuelan Christians because of his February 4-5-Ft. Myers. cently editor of the National Meth- eloquence. February 4-5-Sarasota. odist Press, has become executive sec- February 6-11-St. Petersburg. retary of the American Christian February 7-l0-Clearwater. Foundation, and editor of its publi- February 10-12-Tampa. cation, These Times. February 13-16-Tallahassee.
Personal Items The Shepherd.Prince 1'''~ M~tt~ Dr. L. P. Dame, of Arabia, has re- signed from the Arabian Mission of the Reformed Church to take charge of the Standard Oil Company of California hospital "hich the company A historical novel Qf love in Zion during the times of the Prophet Isaiah proposes to erect near the Katif Oasis By in eastern Arabia. ABRAHAM MAPU * '" '" Translated from the Hebrew by The Rev. Andrew T. Roy, a Presbyterian missionary in Nanking, B. A. M. SCHAPIRO China, now at home on furlough, is the interim general secretary of the Introduction by PROF. ROBERT DICK WILSON Student Volunteer Movement. The new secretary to succeed the Rev. Jesse R. Wilson has not yet been Phillip Whitwell Wilson, "N. Y. Times Book Review"
selected. '" '" '" "It is one of those spacious stories which have been written for all times."
Dr. Conrad Hoffman, Jr., Secretary William T. Manning, D.D., Bishop Diocese of New York of the International Missionary Council's Committee on the Christian Ap- "It is fortunate that Abraham Mapu's novel has found so scholarly and "iflcd a proach to the Jews, has accepted the translator as Mr. Schapiro, for the rendering of this masterpiece of mode,.;Jewish call of the Board of National Missions literature into English has peculiar value at this time." of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., Hundreds of othcr such tributes frOID eminent men.
to become Assistant Secretary in "Beautifully bound and superbly illustrated·-Limited De Luxe Edition, $.).25. Popular charge of Jewish work. He succeeds Edition, $2.75. 400 pages. Send for FREE 24-page prospectus. Dr. John S. Conning, who has filled this position with consecration and ORDER DIRECT FROM ability for the past eighteen years. Dr. Hoffman will also continue his BROOKSIDE PUBLISHING CO.
association with the International 676.678 Bible House Astor Place New York City
J. Hickey, an
THE MISSIONARY Tell Me About Moody who founded the "League of Another REVIEW OF THE WORLD Chance" and brought many exconvicts DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor to Christ, died in New York on De- VOL. LX JANUARY, 1937 No.1 An International Centenary Tribute cember 7. to the Publication and Business Office- *** Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. Foremost Evangelist of Modern Times The Rev. Charles H. Derr, a mis- Editorial and Executive Office- D. L. MOODY 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. sionary to Chenchow, China, under the Entered as second-class matter at By Board of Foreign Missions of the Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under WILL H. HOUGHTON Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., Act of March D, 1~7~. President of The Moody Bible Institute died on November 15 at the age of 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. of Chicago 'fifty-nine, in Chenchow. Mr. Derr Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. and was a graduate of Park College and All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan CHARLES T. COOK McCormick Theological Seminary and and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, went to China in 1904. London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Editor of The Christian, London 10 shillings a year. THE NATIONAL WEEK 128 pages in easy reading type, pictorial OF PRAYER MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- covers, full-page illustrations, LISHING CO., INC. sewed binding, net 40c. January 2-The Reality of God. John BOARD OF DIRECTORS 14 or ColOSSians 1. BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N ROBERT E. SPEER, Pre8ident January 5-The Wisdom of God. Job A. L. WARNSHUIB, Vice-President 848 North Wells St. Chicago, Illinois 28: 12-28 or 1 Corinthians 1: 18-31. WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary "We greatly aupreciate the REVIEW. January 6-The Love of God. 1 John You are rendering a magnificent serv- 3 or Roman.s 5: 1-11. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT ice in many ways." January 7~The S~fficiency of God. WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN H. KERR TAYLOR, 2 Corinthians 11: 18-12: 9 or Ephe- D. J. FANT Educational Secretary, Exe'cutive sions 8.
MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Committee of Foreign Mwsions, Januar; 8-TheS~viourhood of God. Presbyterian Church' in the WM. B. LIPPHARD U. S., Nashville. John 3: 1-21 or Romans 10.
ERIC M. NORTH January 9-The Comradeship of God. John 14.or John 15. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER January IO-The Kingdom of God. Editorial Chat Matthew 6 or Revelation 21.
A joyful New Year is our wish for Obituary Notes (Full programs may be secured every reader of The Review and from the Department of Evangelism Dr. E. S. Tipple, minister, educator of the Federal Council of Churches of every follower of Christ throughout and administrator, and from 1912 to Christ in America, 105 East 22nd 1928 president of Drew University at Street, New York.) the world. Madison, New Jersey, died on October 17 in New York City. Dr. Tipple II If you use *** was a member of the Methodist Board of Foreign Missions, the American PRINTING At least one regular reader of THE Bible Society and president of the Methodist Historical Society of New Y OU will profit from an ac- REVIEW u!les it as a daily prayer re- York. quaintanceship with us. We do the job complete in our own minder. He prays for the editor and *** plant, whether it be large or those associated with him; for the small. Sir Arthur Yapp, national secretary authors of articles and the work and of the British Y. M. C. A., died in While our specialty is Books, London, November 5, at the age of 67. Magazines and Pamphlets, yet needs they present; he prays for the He began his work with the Y. M. we have a variety of modern places and persons, the missionaries C. A. 46 years ago, and wrote several equipment to meet all the re- books on the movement, including quirements of your particular and converts in each field mentioned "Romance of the Red Triangle" and job. You will find our service in every department. If each reader "The Adventure of Youth." prompt, careful and courteous.
would do that it would not only mean *•• Will you allow us to estimate on your next printing? We benew vision and power to the editor Dr. John Hutchison, appointed to lieve you will be delighted with the Church of Scotland Mission in the our product, price and service. and authors, but would bring the Punjab in 1869, died JUly 26 in his blessing of God on Christian workers 89th year. He retired in 1929, but The EVANGELICAL PRESS continued to care for lepers in all over the world. Chamba, where he had spent the Printers of greater part of his life. The Missionary Review of the World *** *** PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE We call especial attention to the Third and Reily Strub HaITI,bur., Pa. paper in this number by Dr. Robert E. Mrs. Guy W. Hamilton, who, with Speer. It presents the subject of an her husband, Dr. Hamilton, spent 24 address given at a prayer conference years in missionary service at Shunof missionary executives meeting in tefu, North China, died in Cincinnati, Lakeville, Connecticut, last autumn. Ohio, November 17. Dr. and Mrs. Everyone interested in the problems Hamilton went first to Siam under and progress of the missionary enter- the Presbyterian Board in 1899, and prise should read it. a few years later were transferred to China to organize a' new station at *** Shuntefu.
THE REVIEW receives many com- [ 1] ments from readers, showing that the publication is widely read and highly valued as a world-wide survey of present-day conditions and activities, from a Christian viewpoint. Here are a few extracts from recent letters.
*** "Dr. Kagawa, and his circle of as- sociate and volunteer, missionaries en- joy the MISSIONARY REVIEW. It is a source of light, and of inspiration to us." HElNRY TOPPING.
Tokyo, Japan.
by the St. Louis Globe
AUDIENCE OF 10,O(JO AT THE NATIONAL PREACHING MISSION MASS MEETING IN THE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, OCTOBER 11, 1936 REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 1 JANUARY, 1937 Topics of the Times TRAIL BLAZING FOR 1937 Missionary trail-blazers have also an opportu- nity to try new sacrificial methods, or to follow old Everyone admires a trail-blazer but compara- but difficult paths-for evangelizing and training tively few have the courage or are ready to pay youth; in turning labor and capital to Christ; . by the price required to be the true pioneer. T?e a dedication of all talents and resources to HIm; price is usually high in endurance, da;nger and dl~ in converting politicians and governments to the comfort whether the trails blazed be III geographIc way of Peace, righteousness and Godliness; in feats in science in spiritual realms or in Chris- promoting Christlike race relations even at the tian 'missions. 'Many are ready and enjoy the sacrifice of pride and prejudice; and in selfless fruits that grow up where the few have led the love and unity that will emphasize only loyalty to way in breaking ground and planting new areas. the Head of the Church and true harmony in His service. When God directs His pioneers to go forward it is always in the face of difficulties, never on the To reach the ideals of Christ in each of these easy down-hill road. This was true when Abram directions requires courage, self-sacrifice and was called to go from Ur of the Chaldees into faith. The dangers and difficulties in the way are Canaan; when Moses was told to lead Israel out not easy to overcome, as they were not in the days of Egypt; when Joshua was commissioned to en- of Livingstone, Carey, Hudson Taylor, Florence ter the Promised Land. Jesus Christ set the Nightengale and Lord Shaftsbury. Most of these greatest example in sacrificial pioneering when difficulties are more subjective than objective and He temporarily laid aside His eternal robes of come from ignorance, selfishness and fear-all to deity and came from Heaven to earth in the garb be conquered by following the great trail-blazer, of a servant. When He commissioned His dis- Jesus Christ. ciples to "Go into all the world to preach the Gospel," and when Paul and Bar.nabas .were sent The rewards to pioneers are real and abiding. forth from Antioch it was to pIOneer III the face They are seldom found in wealth, not always in of hardship, difficuity and persecution, but with fame for great success achieved, but they are exthe promise of victory. perienced in the satisfaction of achievement, in the knowledge of blessing brought to mankind and Is there not great need today for the manifes- in the Master's "Well done." tation of this pioneering spirit-this readiness to blaze new trails-in missionary work? To be sure What trail-blazing will be undertaken and acthere are difficulties and adversaries in the way, complished in the face of the present-day colossal as there have always been. There are not only physical difficulties and the spiritual adversaries new and difficult mission fields to enter – as in that form the great opportunities of the year Tibet, Afghanistan, Arabia, Central Africa and 1937? New Guinea-but there are old fields to reconquer as in Soviet Russia, Siberia, North Africa and SUCCESS OF THE NATIONAL PREACHING Turkey. In other fields the Christian trail-blazer MISSION must face danger and some form of oppositior. from governments and anti-Christian leaders-as Enthusiastic reports come from all over the in Germany, Spain, Portuguese territo~y, Japar. United States as to the effectiveness of the Naand Chosen, China, Iran, India and MeXICO. tional Preaching Mission, the first phase of which closed in New York on December 9. It was a [3]
notable campaign, not to promote any special eco- power to cure present-day evils and to solve modnomic or political, denominational or theological ern problems. views, but to present Christ and His Gospel as the solution of all our personal, national and world Great mass meetings, such as that which filled problems. Under the auspices of the Federal Madison Square Garden, New York, with 18,000 Council of Churches of Christ in America, seventy people, were demonstrations to the public at large well-known Christian advocates, men and women, that the living Christ has not lost His drawing served the cause without remuneration. They in- power when He and His Gospel are stripped of the cluded Americans, a Chinese and Negroes, Brit- grave clothes with which many secretarians and ishers and a Frenchman who visited twenty-eight nominal Christians have sought to bind Him. But centers-North, East, South, Central and West- the most effective meetings of the campaign were to proclaim the "unsearchable riches of Christ." those for ministers and for high school students. The preachers, who came in large numbers, Preliminary preparations had been made by seemed to receive new encouragement, a fresh pastors and local communities, some churches understanding of the Christian message, and holding crowded daily meetings for prayer, for power to preach the unadulterated Gospel. Many dependence was on God and not on effective or- were challenged by the necessity for leading their ganization and wide publicity, good as these were. people in victorious living and in more sacrificial Then teams of varying numbers descended on service. In practically every city visited the high these twenty-eight cities for campaigns of two to schools were thrown open to the Missioners and four days each, extending over a period of nearly the pupils listened eagerly with alert minds and three months. The largest auditorium in each hungry hearts to the Good News, which few of city was secured for a mass meeting and was them had ever before heard so clearly and conusually packed to capacity with from 2,000 to vincingly presented. 18,000 eager listeners. There was also street preaching in many cities; other gatherings, and Dr. Stanley Jones, in summing up the results of usually the most fruitful, were held in high the campaign, says that it put new heart into schools, churches, at luncheons and clubs – for many churches and put evangelism again at the ministers, young people, women, businessmen and center. The essential unity of the Body of Christ teachers. In Philadelphia, 300 university profes- was manifested to the world by bringing together sors met to hear the Gospel. In every place min- members of practically all evangelical Christian isters came in large numbers – Chicago alone churches, North and South. They included Protbrought together 1,500. Many people traveled estant Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, hundreds of miles in hope of receiving new in- Presbyterian, Congregational, Friends, and Disspiration and to learn the secret of power. In ciples, and revealed their common fellowship and Portland, Oregon, it was found that 164 outside primary message, exalting Christ as the Son of towns and cities were represented. Uncounted God and the one Saviour and Lord of men. Such multitudes were also reached through the news- a fellowship and common loyalty, said Dr. Jones, paper reports and over the radio. In practically should be the means of bridging the gaps existing every place the Preaching Mission was front page between (1) the Church and youth, (2) the news, the press cooperating by giving wide pub- Church and labor, (3) the racial gap, (4) belicity and full reports, even in the midst of the tween the so-called personal and social Gospel, presidential election. (5) between the various denominations and va- ried theological concepts. All forces and factors, From other lands and races came some of the so far as they represent phases of truth, are one most effective speakers – E. Stanley Jones, the in Christ. missionary from India; Muriel Lester, the Chris- The success of the National Preaching Mission tian social worker of Kingsley Hall from London; was due, first of all, to the spirit of prayer that T. Z. Koo, the Chinese evangelist and Channing characterized leaders and other participants; sec- Tobias of the Negro Y. M. C. A. The whole com- ond, to the emphasis on the common need of all pany was knit together and ably organized and men for Christ and His Gospel; third, to the thorough organization and adequate publicity; directed by Dr. Wm. Hiram Foulkes, of Newark, and fourth,_to the unity and readiness of the Misthe chairman of the committee, and Jesse M. sioners to serve Christ and His Cause, without Bader, of New York, the dir.ector of the cam- thought of self. These should characterize every paign. The workers and the participants in every Christian and every church. city testify to the manifestation of the Spirit of Christ that actuated all the participants and to the This Preaching Mission has shown a new reaeagerness with which His message was received son for the existence of the Federal Council of by the audiences. There was evident a hunger for Churches. Such a united campaign could scarcely the Word of God and for the experience of His have been carried out successfully without such a
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
cooperative body to promote it. The campaign ters could be reached by the seventy Missioners also had and will have beneficial effects in home in a three months' campaign. Only the surface missions and in foreign missions. It has uncov- was scratched and in that in but few places. Most ered defects in national life, has revealed needs, of those who attended the meetings were Amerhas stimulated spiritual hunger, has sounded the ica's most earnest Christians. While all need spircall to serve, has united the Church and has proved itual awakening, the Gospel must also be preached anew the power of the Gospel to reach all classes to the unsaved multitudes. and conditions of men. The work of evangelizing, educating and enlist- WHAT NEXT IN NATIONAL ing Americans for Christ has scarcely begun. EVANGELISM? Therefore the campaign is to go on with renewed vigor. Already local eight-day preaching missions It is too early to report on the lasting effect of have followed the National Mission in many places the National Preaching Mission on the 2,000,000 and plans are under way for similar follow-up people who attended the meetings. These included work between January first and Easter. Small 25,000 or 30,000 pastors, beside the nearly two teams are to visit many new centers, with pastors million laymen, women, teachers and students. of local churches cooperating to evangelize their Much encouragement came from the responses to own districts. Then, following Easter, there will the platform and personal appeals – in decisions be seven weeks' campaigns and next autumn the for Christ and in rededication of life to Him. It Federal Council plans to continue the work on a was clear that many wanderers are eager to go national scale. Personal acceptance of the chalall the Way in consecration, if they know how. lenge of the Gospel is clearly needed to bring into At the same time the Missioners learned many practical operation national and inter:r:ational lessons in methods of approach, in emphasis and peace with good will and racial, economic and technique. Two weak points in the campaign are social justice. Only so far as pastors, with the felt to have been (1) the failure to reach, in any official boards and church members, are truly adequate way, the students and teachers in col- aroused and filled with the Spirit of God, can leges, universities and professional schools. These America be brought into harmony with the will present and future leaders in business, science and of God as revealed by Christ. philosophy must be brought face to face with the challenge of the Gospel. They were scarcely THE FEDERAL COUNCIL BIENNIAL touched in this campaign. Where they were, as with professors in Philadelphia and students in In a three-day session at Asbury Park, New Los Angeles, there was an encouraging response. Jersey, some two hundred and fifty delegates and friends gathered at the Biennial Meeting of the (2) There was a failure to reach the working Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in classes, most of whom seldom if ever attend America. Among many topics brought up for rechurch or hear the Gospel. Many of them are port and discussion the most vital was the recent hesitating between Fascism, with its dictatorial National Preaching Campaign. The reports, and state, and Communism with its godless philosophy the plans for a continuance of the work, are most of social revolution. They do not realize that enheartening. AmoLg other subjects, that are Christ, understood and followed, is the solution perennial, were evangelism, race relations, proof their problems. In Portland, where laboring motion of international good will and peace, work men as strikers were contacted by Stanley Jones, for economic justice, the remedying of social evils, they were quick to respond to the appeal to apply work for youth, and the development of Christian the teachings of Christ to settle their difficulties. unity and cooperation in the churches. Another campaign should give more attention to the spiritual needs of both capital and labor so The officers elected for the next two years were that these forces may be led to follow Christ and Dr. Edgar Dewitt Jones, pastor of the Central His Way of Life. Christian Church, Detroit, who succeeds Dr. Ivan Lee Holt, of St. Louis, as president. The new (3) There was a weakness in the program to vice-president is Dr. Joseph R. Sizoo, pastor of break down racial barriers. While Negro Mis- the Marble Collegiate Church of New York; Mr. sioners were included as members of the teams Frank H. Mann was reelected treasurer, and Dr. in almost every center, the 12,000,000 American Rivington D. Lord, recording secretary. The Negroes were not reached in any large number; executive secretary is Dr. Samuel McCrea Cavert. neither were the Jews, the Orientals or the vari- The twenty-eight denominations that are memous European language groups. Multitudes of bers of the Federal Council include about 24,000,- these are unchurched and form the mainstay of 000 Protestant church members which the Council antireligious radicalism. is eLdeavoring to bring into closer harmony and more effective action in righting the evils of pres- (4) The Preaching Mission was Lot truly national in scope. Not more than twenty-eight cen-
ent-day life and in promoting the Kingdom of God The effect of all this on the work of Christian on earth. missions cannot be foretold but the probability is that the work will go on as usual without increased NEW INDEPENDENCE FOR EGYPT difficulty. The aim of the missionaries is to turn Since the signing of the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty men's thoughts and allegiance to God as He is reon August 26, last year, Egypt has become an in- vealed in Jesus Christ. They work to build up dependent state; foreigners will be subject to Christian character and a high type of healthy, Egyptian laws, law courts and taxation. An in- intelligent citizen but they have no desire to mix ternational court will be continued for a short in local politics or international affairs. They detime during the period of transition. Egypt and sire religious freedom, including the right of Great Britain have formed a military alliance minorities to think and worship according to the which gives Great Britain the right to establish dictates of their individual consciences, no percamps along the Suez Canal and to move troops secution, discrimination or interference because in time of war, while Egypt agrees to build mili- of religious affiliations and the right of propatary roads. The control of the Sudan will be co- ganda by appealing to reason, without any atoperative and the country will be administered tempt to bribe or force anyone to conform to any "for the welfare of the Sudanese." sect or form of belief. Whether or not this ideal will be reached under Egyptian rule, it is im- The effect of this new treaty on foreigners, for- possible to say at present. Certain it is that the eign business and Christian missions is being spirit of tolerance has been growing under Chriscarefully studied-especially as regards discrim- tian influence. The seniors in the American Uniination, "minority" rights and the preservation versity in Cairo, composed of Armenians, Copts, of law and order. The Copts represent one in Greek Orthodox, Moslems and Protestants, refourteen of the population. Before the coming of cently expressed their common belief in God and the British, they were subjected to petty persecu- religion, but only one student assented to the tion and injustices and with the withdrawal of statement, "My religion is perfect." The majority the British many fear that certain elements will rated moral conduct above intellectual beliefs. renew the old religious rivalries. Others think that the State has become so secularized and so Egypt has entered upon a new day, with new unified by nationalism that religious persecution freedom for women, new opportunities for youth is no longer a great danger. and, it is hoped, a new spirit of liberty, tolerance, justice and goodwill.
With reference to law and order, in recent MARKS OF A GREAT TEACHER years, each political party has sought to reinforce its position by appealing to the student classes and Jesus Christ was the greatest teacher the world the youth movements, so that there has developed has ever known. Some of the marks of a great a far-reaching organization of the youth. The teacher have been noted by the president of one of dominating organization today is that of the Blue the great American universities: Shirts, said to number 15,000. At first unarmed, latterly they have begun to carry weapons. Their 1. The great teacher never ceases being a humorganization heads up under the leadership of ble learner. three students, assisted by three ex-army officers. Numerous clashes have occurred between them 2. He establishes a personal relation with his and the Green Shirts, a rival organization. Such students. an organization as the Blue Shirts is viewed with anxiety by all who hope that an independent Egypt 3. Whatever he may be teaching, is a window through which he looks out upon the whole uniwill move along lines of law observance. verse.
4. The merchandising of information will never seem to be his main purpose.
It is going to take wisdom and tact on the part 5. The great teacher will not think he has failed of all foreigners to avoid hurting the national feel- unless the students have not wanted to learn.
ings of a generation jealous for its rights ar:d for 6. He will not think it beneath his dignity to the full recognition of its new status of inde- pay attention to the art of presentation.
pendence. There will be manifestations of politi- 7. He will never speak of his work as routine cal excitement, agitations over trivial issues; some teaching. – will try to swing the Nation along antiforeign na- 8. He will ir:spire without sacrificing a rigid tionalistic tendencies; others will try to make realism of fact and idea.
Egypt a distinctly Moslem State with attendant 9. The great teacher has a gracious spirit and anti-Christian influences. Probably there will be is a tonic to his students.
a lowering of the standards of administrative effi- ;LO. The great teacher's aim is to bring his stu- ciency, due to the characteristic Oriental reluct- dents into harmony with the truth of God and into ance to assume responsibility for decisions. full obedience to His will.
A Missionary Appraisal as of January 1
By ROBERT E. SPEER, New York Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions 1""'… A MONG the glorious aphorisms with which the time. In this view, the old Student Volunteer Ignatian Epistles abound, there are many Movement watchword, "The evangelization of the as relevant to our day as they were to the World in this Generation," is both reasonable and days of Ignatius: necessary. There is no other way that the world can ever be evangelized. The world for us is the "Find time to pray without ceasing." world of our generatfon. The only agency that "Every wound is not healed with the same can evangelize it is the Church of that generation. remedy." "The times demand thee, as pilots the haven." I stand at the end of the past; where the future begins "The crown is immortality." I stand; "Stand like a beaten anvil." "It is part of a good athlete to be bruised and Emperors lie in the dust; men may live to command; to prevail." "Consider the times: look to Him who is above Over my head the stars, distant and pale and cold; Under my feet, the world, wrinkled and scarred and old; time." Back of me all that was, all the limitless past, "Slight not the workers." The future awaiting beyond, silent, untenanted, vast; "Let your stewardship define your work." I at the center of all that has been or that is to be- "A Christian is not his own master, but waits The task still unfinished and now God and man are de- upon God." pending on me!
"Consider the times" is essential counsel to the But though each time stands alone and needs foreign missionary enterprise as it enters this new to be considered by itself and in itself, it needs year. Such consideration involves two things. The first is our duty to see things as they are in to remember that what it is to itself, other times truth, with objective and dispassionate accuracy. No one is free from preconceptions and mental have been to themselves and that each time must bias in his approach to any subject and neither consider its own significance, not to itself alone, friends nor enemies, believers in, nor critics of but to and in the long movement of all the genforeign missions come to the consideration of the erations. How can we know until the end which present issues with empty minds. Those who were the most crucial and critical of all the times? have most at stake, however, are the men and We are both right and wrong in claiming the women who are putting their lives into the work. uniqueness and crisis-significance of our own We can least afford to be self-deceived. Of all time; right because it is our time and our one oppeople we are the ones who are most concerned to portunity, wrong because our strength and wisknow the truth and to see things in and about the dom for our own time require a calm and discernmissionary enterprise in themselves, as they really ing appraisal of other times. It is easy to fall are. into a panic and regard our own day of disorder and confusion as the supreme and critical day. It But it is not enough in considering the times is good to think this to the extent that we are to look at things as they are in themselves. We made earnest and resolute by the thought, but bad can see the present situation veraciously only as to the extent that we grow fe~erish and fearful we see it in its relations and perspective. No time and forfeit our sense of proportion and perspec- tive and lose our calmness of judgment and our confidence as to the future.
is isolated from its antecedents and its conse- We listen to "the challenge of the present quents. In one sense, to be sure, every time is crisis." We are told that "We are living, we are separate and unique and supreme to those who dwelling in a grand and awful time," that "Once live in it and in it alone. It is their one oppor- to every man and nation comes the moment to detunity to fulfil their task. It is indeed the past cide." But we forget that all these declarations which they are completing and the future which are quotations from another age. They are no they are preparing, but they were not here in the more real and true to us than they were to the past, and will not be here in the future, as they men of three generations ago. Is our time really are here now. Today is for them the accepted any more significant to us and its history than [7]
the fall of the Roman Empire was to the fifth cen- and in great outbreaks the mob of London or Birmingham tury and to all the centuries? Will some future .ournt houses, flung open prisons, and sacked and pillaged Chesterton say as much of our age as G. K. said at their will. . . . The introduction of gin gave a new of that one? impetus to drunkenness. In the streets of London gin- shops invited every passer-by to get drunk for a penny, or For the end of the world was long ago dead drunk for twopence. When the ends of the world waxed free, In no· field more than in the enterprise of for- When Rome was lost in a waste of slaves eign missions do we need to see things in true pro- And the sun was drowned in the sea. portion and relationship. Here, as elsewhere, men are filled with panicky fear or with the thought, When Caesar's sun fell out of the sky, whether reluctant or welcome, that the foreign And whoso hearkened right mission movement, as we have known it, is draw- ing to an end. Assuredly in foreign missions we Could only hear the plunging need to "consider the times." And it is proposed Of the nations in the night. here in the opening number of the REVIEW in 1937- And are we sure that even the upheaving ideas and discoveries of today are of any more signifi- (1) To suggest an historical review of the cance to us and to history than the great germinal, "crises" which the foreign missions movement has creative concepts and enlargements of the fif- already survived in the matter of its apologetics, teenth century, when the Reformation shattered its motives and methods; the bal~s of human liberty and new worlds, visible and invisible, opened to mankind? Or if we think (2) To suggest a diagnosis of features of the that this age is charged with unprecedented ex- present situation and its difficulties and problems; ter:r:al threats to the Christian faith, are we not forgetting the glacial movement of deism in the (3) To suggest an outline of missionary policy eighteenth century and the suicidal forces which for the immediate future. again and again, in the past and perhaps also today, are more dangerous to Christianity than any I. Crises Survived in the Past force from without? Of the religion of the clergy in England in the eighteenth century Bishop Ryle The idea that the foreign missions movement wrote: has in the past enjoyed the full support of the Christian Church but that today this interest and The vast majority of them were sunk in worldliness, support accorded by the Church in general has beand neither knew nor cared anything about their profes- gun to wane, is a fallacious idea. Foreign mission. They neither did good themselves nor liked anyone sions have never been the concern of any large else to do it for them. They hunted, they farmed; they part of the Church. At the beginning, in spite of swore, they drank, they gambled. When they assembled the fresh enthusiasm of the first Christians and it was generally to toast "Church and King," and to build the memory of the last commands of Christ, the one ano~her up in earthly-mindedness, prejudice, igno- foreign missions proposal met with determined rance, and formality. When they retired to their own opposition. It enlisted but a small minority suphomes, it was to do as little and preach as seldom as pos- port and there might have been no real foreign sible. And when they did preach, their sermons were so missions movement at all if it had not been for St. unspeakably bad, that it is comforting to reflect that they Paul pulling the Church out of Jerusalem and the were generally preached to empty benches. destruction of the city expelling it.
And J. R. Green wrote of that time: Medieval missions, from the early centuries until the Reformation, were not the enterprise of In the higher circles "everyone laughs," said Montesquieu the entire Church pressing out in a great and on his visit to England, "if one talks of religion." Of the united effort to evangelize the world. They were prominent statesmen of the time the greater part were the work of heroic individuals, some supported by unbelievers in any form of Christianity, and distinguished ecclesiastical or political influence, and some for the grossness and immorality of their lives. Drunken- single-handed – men like Patrick, Columba, Auness and foul talk were thought no discredit to Walpole. gustine, Boniface, Alexis, Anschar, Cyril, Metho- . . . Purity and fidelity to the marriage vows were sneered dius and Raymund Lull. The Church as a whole out of fashion. . . .. At the other end of the social scale had no missionary program and provided no suplay the masses of the poor. They were ignorant and brutal port for the devoted souls that went out to the to a degree which it is hard to conceive, for the vast in- non-Christian peoples. crease of population which followed on the growth of towns, and the development of manufactures had been met The Reformation was an upheaval within 'the by no effort for their religious and educational improve- Church and not an out-going missionary propulment. Not a parish had been created. Hardly a single sion. Neither under Luther nor under Calvin new church had been built. Schools there were none, save and Knox was any attempt made to launch forthe grammar schools of Edward and Elizabeth. The rural eign missions either in Asia or in Africa. The peasantry, who were fast being reduced to pauperism by Huguenot colony in Brazil in 1554-1558 was not the abuse of the poor-laws, were left without moral or religious training of any sort. "We saw but one Bible in the parish of Cheddar," said Hannah More at a far later time, "and that was used to prop a flower pot." Within the towns they were worse. There was no effective police;
a foreign mission nor were the colonial settlements seem to me alike founded in error; and, therefore, I must in North America, and when the latter turned to consider them both equally romantic and visionary. foreign mission work, as in John Eliot in 1646, and David Brainerd in 1743, and David Zeis- In America also foreign missions did not spring berger in 1739, it was only to reveal the more from or rest upon an awakened and devoted clearly that foreign missions were the concern Church which ardently supported the cause. Samonly of devoted individuals or small minority uel J. Mills and his four companions at Williams groups and not of the Church as a whole. And of College drew up the constitution of their Society the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation the for- of Brethren pledged to go as missionaries in eign missions were the work of the Jesuit mi- cipher, "public opinion then being opposed to us." nority. A small voluntary group undertook to send them and became the American Board. As similar When our modern foreign missions movement movements later developed in the various denombegan it was, as foreign missions have always inations it was always under the earnest advocacy been before William Carey and since, the interest of individuals or small groups who invariably met of the "Remnant," not of the body. The German with lethargy or opposition. Never in the history Pietists who founded the Danish-Halle Mission in of foreign missions has there been a time when 1705, and the Moravians whose foreign mission the work rested on the conscience, commanded the work began in 1732, were small minority groups, conviction, and enlisted the support of the whole illustrative, as foreign missions have always been, body of anyone of our denominations. It has been of St. Paul's principle in 1 Corinthians 1: 26-28: the burden of the "Remnant" in every case, often having a general official approval, but often meet- For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many ing direct or indirect opposition, and always for wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, real support by gifts and prayer and life, deare called; But God hath chosen the foolish things of the pendent upon a minority, often a small minority. world to confound the wise;. and God hath chosen the weak Let anyone read the biographies of men like Jerethings of the world to confound the things which are miah Evarts, Elisha P. Swift, William Taylor and mighty; And base things of the world, and things which Matthew Tyson Yates, and he will cease from conare despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are trasting the situation today with an inspired not, to bring to nought things that are. "golden age" when there was no lukewarmness or hostility and when everybody believed in for- William Carey and his supporters very dis- eign missions and gave liberally for their support. tinctly fall under Paul's characterization. Their movement was no enthusiastic general movement Again and again in the last hundred years forof the Christian Church. The respectable and eign missions have had to meet almost identical authoritative elements looked askance at this issues with those which we confront today. Since small company of "twelve obscure Northampton- 1819 the secretaries of the Foreign Mission Soshire ministers attempting the propagation of the cieties with headquarters in London have held gospel among the heathen." The London Mission- meetings regularly for counsel and fellowship. At ary Society began with three ministers – Bogue, the centennial of these meetings in 1919 it ap- Stephen and Hey.· The Church Missionary So- peared that there had been some 680 meetings ciety sprang from a small evangelical group of held and in a review of their history Dr; J. H. sixteen in the Church of England and could get Ritson, then one of the secretaries of the British none but German Lutheran missionaries for the and Foreign Bible Society, called attention to the first sixteen years of its history. Not one bishop problems discussed in the early years and their gave the group "the slightest recognition beyond resemblance to the problems of today. He is what he was officially obliged to give." In Scot- speaking of "Difficulties and Criticisms": land the very basic conceptions of foreign missions were at first rejected by the Moderatist ma- Missionary Societies have never been free from perjority. George Hamilton's well-known, and still plexities of finance, and these have not been their only familiar argument in the General Assembly of difficulties. The year 1823 was marked by terrible mor- 1796, was: tality at Sierre Leone, the C. M. S. and W. M. M. S. suf- fering heavily. The two best German missionaries of the To spread abroad the knowledge of the Gospel among C. M. S.-Johnson and During-were lost at sea. Twelve barbarous and heathen nations, seems to me highly pre- men and women went out, of whom six died within the posterous, in as far as it anticipates, nay, as it even re- year, and four more in the following six months. The verses, the order of nature. Men must be polished and C. M. S. report in May 1824 began, "The Committee have refined in their manners before they can be properly en- to display a chequered scene." No wonder the secretaries lightened in religious truths. Philosophy and learning of 1823 enquired, "What indications have been observed of must, in the nature of things, take precedence. Indeed, it the particular working of the great enemy against the should seem hardly less absurd to make revelation precede cause of missions, and how can such influence be best civilization in the order of time, than to pretend to unfold guarded against and counteracted?" to a child the "Principia" of Newton, ere he is made at all acquainted with the letters of the alphabet. These ideas At this period the whole outlook of missions changed from enthusiastic expectation of world-wide success to a
humble hope that a few elect might ;;e saved. A good deal its havoc, ignoring its implacable warfare on of hostile criticism was leveled against the Societies. In opium and idolatry, were charged to missions. It 1825 the Association was enquiring, "In what light are was held that Hung-su-tsuen, its founder and we to regard the opposition now so generally excited leader, had derived his ideas from Christianity against the diffusion of divine truth, and in what mode and that the wildness of the movement was an should it be met?" and then in 1826 they tried to profit illustration of what might happen anywhere if from the opposition – "What practical lessons may be Christian missions were free to let loose their relearned from the recent animadversions on benevolent in- actionary influences among unrestrained and stitutions?" Again a little later they discussed, "What ignorant races. "It is no chimera," wrote Alexare the causes of that distrust which has been excited re- ander Michie, "that the Chinese dread in Chrisspecting the management of religious societies, and what tianity, but a proved national peril, their vague is the best mode of removing it?" There is a tone of intuitions of which ripened suddenly into a terresignation in the title of a paper read in 1849, "The rible experience. . . . Much of the same evantrials of missions-the reason of these afflictive dispensa- gelizing proceedings, so far at least as the Chinese tions and the beneficial results of them." But they were Government can be expected to distinguish, which not allowed to work in peace, for within three years it was incited the Tai-ping rebels, are being carried on said, "A notion prevails to some extent that the mission- without intermission over a vastly wider field; ary enterprise is a comparative failure. Is there any truth and the missionaries today know perhaps as little in it, and what are the best methods of dealing with it?" of the ferments which they may have set up in The minutes of this meeting record the conviction that thousands of minds, as they did of the incubation "missions had been successful beyond expectation, and of Tai-pingdom." probably far surpassing the hopes of the fathers and founders of them." The unfavorable effect of the criticism of mis- sions, based on the Indian Mutiny and the Tai- The storm oroke out again in 1858 after the Indian ping Rebellion, was aggravated in the United Mutiny-the friends of missions urging a bolder Chris- States by the difficulties due to the Civil War. tian policy on the Government, and the critics declaring The war absorbed attention and resources. It dithat the Mutiny was caused by proselytism. In the same vided some of the largest denominations, diminyear the Secretaries were also driven to examine "Some of ishing their contributing constituencies and parthe principal objections made against the management of alyzing, by the blockade of the South, any foreign Religious Societies such as-the cost of deputation work, missionary effort of the separated churches of the publications and periodicals, etc." Criticism from without Southern States. Foreign exchange was disadlIas never ceased, but for half a century the Association vantageous. The American dollar was worth has not spent much time in discussing it. Of course it has only forty cents in China and one rupee in India. not always come from without. There have always been With mutinies and rebellions, the Civil War in critical and argumentative and candid friends in the inner America, the Crimean War in Russia, an old order circles. In 1825 Edward Irving's famous L. M. S. sermon and world-view dissolving and a new order with a declared that the current methods were all wrong, and a new idea of man's place in nature coming in, that few years after there was a topic of discussion which generation spoke of itself in the same terms in sounds peculiarly modern-"What line of conduct should which our generation speaks. One Board said in be adopted by Missionary Societies in order to obviate the its report: dangers, which may be apprehended from the agitation among their friends or agents, of those controversies Here is need of prayer; here is room for Christian libwhich have recently been moved in the Christian Church?" erality. Both are called for by the Word, the Providence, and the Spirit of God. The Committee cannot doubt that The Indian Mutiny brought with it an avalanche in both, the members of our Christian body, generally, of criticism of foreign missions. It was declared might make large advances on their past efforts. To refer that it was the fear and dislike of the Christian particularly to the pecuniary means required for increased propaganda of the missionaries that had brought labors, the Committee does not doubt that the churches on the Mutiny. Lord Ellenborough, "the vain and which now support these missions could really double their bombastic Governor-General who had preceded gifts, in a great number of instances; and the churche:, Lord Hardinge, and who was now the leading which have made no offering in aid of this cause, might advocate in Parliament of an anti..Christian policy surely do something for its support. Let this report with in India, on hearing of the Mutiny at once jumped its many and varied statements of what God is doing by to a conclusion as to the cause of it, and pro- his servants, be regarded as an earnest call to the considpounded it in the House of Lord. Lord Canning eration of Christian duty. This will also lead to greater (the Governor-General) had subscribed to mis- hopefulness in the missionary work of our beloved church. sions !" And Ellenborough's hostile voice was only one of many. The Committee are closing this Report in the midst of times that are filling the minds of men with apprehension. At the middle of the century and later the low Kingdoms are shaking. Our own country was never in tension of spiritual life, the weakened Christian such awful calamity. But the Church need not fear, her conviction, the indifference of students-and many members being found in their lot, at the post of duty. The other causes no doubt-brought missions to a low kingdom that shall never be moved is rising. He that has -ebb in Great Britain. For a decade the C. M. S. all power in heaven and in earth is now on its throne. ,could get an average of only two university men a year for foreign missionary service.
Paralleling the Sepoy Mutiny in India, came the 'Tai-ping Rebellion in China. This Rebellion and
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
His Almighty Spirit is now in the world, as the great who are the unfortunate victims of unemployment the agent of converting the souls of men. thousands of dollars which are expended annually in one And those who believed that they could interpret of the most foolish and needless institutions in this wise, prophecy and read the signs of the times, pre- up-to-date country-foreign missions. dicted our Lord's immediate coming, as some do today, while others talked of chaos and social rev- While millions of Christians in our own country are in olution in the language so familiar to us and, dire distress through no fault of their own, we (some of what is more, effected revolutions as truly as us at least) are sending straight out of our country thou- Lenin and Mussolini and Hitler have done since. sands of dollars to heathen who don't give a —. Oh, the bitter, bitter irony of it! Of course if we ever did abolish foreign missions and give the money we waste on missionaries to those who desperately need it, the poor Again and again, through the century since dear missionaries would be unemployed. And that is as it Carey died in 1834, waves of criticism have should be. broken forth on foreign missions, which anticipated essentially all the criticisms which we meet Oh, you self-satisfied church members who so ardently today. Some of these criticisms sprang from support the foreign missions, turn your simple eyes from ignorance but many came from full and intelli- the naked Indians who revel in their heathenism, and cast those eyes upon the wretched hungry folk in the slums of your prosperous country's cities! Does Christ, when such gent knowledge, such as Alexander Michie's books conditions as today exist, appreciate the dollars you deon "China and Christianity" and "Missionaries in liberately send away in His name, from the emaciated China," and R. N. Cust's "The Gospel Message," hands of your own fellow countrymen? No, a thousand "Notes on Missionary Subjects," "Essays on Re- times no! ligious Conceptions," and "Missionary Methods." Many of those so-called followers of God-ministers- also have it in their power, by taking their children out Michie was editor of the Tientsin Times and knew of some of the most expensive private schools in the East what he was talking about. Cust had been one of and sending them to public schools, to aid, with the sevthe Punjab school of British civil servants in In- eral hundred dollars "saved" thereby, their needy brethren. dia and had retired in England, where he became Scarsdale, September 30,1931. A. O. P.
a member of the C. M. S. Committee and a con- Only one other period may be s'poken of-the structive but relentlessly unsparing critic of missionary policies at home and abroad. These men Boxer Uprising in China and its aftermath in the were only representative of hundreds. The mis- Church at home. As in the case of the Indian sionary enterprise is today under far less criti- Mutiny the guilt of government and trade was cism-less in volume and less in harmfulness- shifted to foreign missionaries, and missions were than it has met again and again in the past. What blamed for the consequence of political and ecowe have heard in recent years is only very old and nomic invasion and of the imperialism of opium very tawdry stuff, such as that of Will Rogers and oil. Mr. Sidney Brooks was a good represenwho, in the New York Times of March 23, 1932, tative of the attitude of missionary antagonism at said: "Has your town or city investigated this the time. In his opinion missionaries were not great scheme called 'block-aid' that they have in well educated, were untactful, careless of local New York City? Each person with a job that prejudice, speaking a "bastard Chinese," guilty lives in that block is asked to contribute a dime, of "blundering provocation," ignorant of the phiquarter or not more than a dollar a week. Your losophy they were "intent on overthrowing, the block is so organized that each block helps itself. language which must be their chief weapon"; It's practical and it works. they were bigoted and sectarian, "enthusiastic girls who scamper up and down the country. Of "Every city, town and even country townships the needless causes of irritation the missionary is should organize and use it. You know absolutely easily the most prominent." Brooks began his where your money is going, it's helping your next article by discrediting the plea which the mission- door neighbor. That's one trouble with our chari- aries might make, that the political pressure of the ties, we are always saving somebody away off, West and the seizure of territory and "the endless when the fellow next to us ain't eating. Same demands for concessions are the real occasions of thing wrong with the missionaries. They will this semi-national uprising."
save anybody if he is far enough away and don't A new type of anti-missionary propaganda apspeak our language." peared in attacks by Westerners hiding behind Or as A. O. P., in the New York Sun of October Chinese nom-de-plumes – such as Lowes Dickin- 1, 1931, wrote: son's "Letters of a Chinese Official," and Simpson's A REMINDER THAT CHARITY BEGINS- "A Chinese Appeal concerning Christian Mis- AND IS NEEDED-AT HOME sions" which was a barefaced and deliberate fraud, appearing under the name of Lin Shao To THE EDITOR OF The Sun. SIR: Yang. The newspapers were full of such antag- I am presenting no solution of the unemployment prob- onism, some blase and some bitter. Sometimes the lem. I merely am trying to raise a cry to give to those papers would admit replies and sometimes they
would not. Even an American Secretary of State, study and (3) he found a deepening purpose Mr. John Sherman, shared in the derision. It was among the chosen few to exalt the missionary well that the Ecumenical Conference in New York enterprise to a place of supreme importance in in 1900 came when it did, with its unimpeachable church economy, "but unfortunately not many of witnesses from all over the world and with the ap- these men and women of faith are possessed of proving presence of President McKinley and Ex- large pecuniary means." President Benjamin Harrison, Governor Theodore Roosevelt of New York, Governor Beaver of Penn- If this diagnosis were not dated thirty-four sylvania, Lieut.-Governor Bates of Massachusetts, years ago it might be regarded as contempora- Governor Northen of Georgia, and some of the neous. There has no conflict or temptation or most trusted leaders of the Christian Church crisis befallen the foreign missions movement tothroughout the world. day essentially or fundamentally different from what it has had to meet, generation by generation, But how like our own condition that genera- since foreign missions began with St. Paul when tion's was may be seen from the careful analysis he concluded that it was the duty of Christianity of the missionary situation then by Dr. J. P. to turn to the Gentiles. Even depressions and J ones, one of the wisest and ablest missionaries curtailments and presidential elections are not in India, who wrote from America in 1903 to The new: Harvest Field in India. He had traveled on furlough 20,000 miles in twenty-one states and had I have read with much interest the pamphlet you sent, addressed 200 gatherings. The facts which "fre- which gives such encouraging reports from the field and quently obtruded themselves upon him and which reveals such aUuring opportunities to press forward in the he could not ignore," were: extension of the work. It must be hard, indeed, not to respond to these splendid opportunities, and instead of (1) The appalling fact that so few of the members of advancing, to have to order retrenchments, but that policy seems to be the order of the day in all business enterprises the churches have any knowledge whatever of, or slightest in these days, and I see no other course open to you. We have found it hard here to get people to give what they interest in, foreign missions. gave last year towards maintaining the fixed charges, to say nothing of new work. I think therefore it would be (2) That the old doctrines of the past, upon which the wise for you to defer any extension of the work until after election, when we confidently expect to see financial conmissionary movement of a century ago was constructed, ditions greatly improve.
have been entirely swept away or have lost their emphasis. This letter is dated July 28, 1908!
There is no gainsaying the fact that the missionary move- II. Factors in the Problem Today ment of a hundred years ago no longer obtains and is But in each generation the basic issues have to be grasped afresh, the conditioning environment being supplanted by another, or at least is yielding to it shifts its emphases and proportions, and new ele- ments of difficulty replace the old. What are the preeminence in its influence upon the Christian mind. main factors which constitute the problem today?
(3) Americans have become great travelers; as such 1. The general low spiritual tension due to many things-the great diversity, diffusion and their examination of missionary activity is superficial or superficiality of human interests, the heightened speed which dissolves continuity and promotes wanting altogether; and on returning home they hide their vacillation and change of concern, the excitement of new toys and tools, the mania for amusement, bold ignorance of what might have been seen and studied the spectator attitude to life, the diminished re- gard for fixed conviction and principle, the eninte11igently by cool assumption or bold assurance that the grossment of men's minds in economic and politi- cal issues regarded as the really significant things missions either do not exist or are practicaUy doing noth- -and much else.
ing. The blasting influence of these traveled people upon 2. An inadequate conception of the nature of Christianity, its finality and absoluteness, its true the missionary cause at home is much greater than many character as a revelation and not a religion. John MacMurray quotes a remark of Collingwood in of us think. . "Speculum Mentis" to the effect that when Chris- tianity becomes a religion, it ceases to be Chris- (4) Many who were indifferent to the missionary cause tianity. Even among Christians, and of course outside the Church, there is wide rejection of the a decade ago are now its pronounced enemies. They are Christian view of the uniqueness, the sole ade- quacy, the universal necessity of the Gospel of found in churches. the New Testament. There is avowed or uncon- (5) Anti-missionary spirit has been caused by the seeming ingratitude of alien peoples responsible for mas- sacres of missionaries sent to do them good; and more- over the growing prevalence of belief in the doctrine of evolution. carries in the mind of many an argument against missions to non-Christian peoples. These say, "Why do you not let peoples with ethnic religions graduallY evolve their own religious destiny rather than thrust upon them a foreign faith and introduce a revolution of religious life and conceptions among them?"
(6) A great deal of the commercialism of the age has entered into the Church of America, and this spirit is im- patient with the remote and not very articulate appeals of the missionary in foreign lands. : . . The apathy and indifference can in part be traced to the indifferent-and sometimes worse-advocacy by missionaries of their cause among the churches.
On the other hand Dr. Jones was encouraged (1) by the better attitude of the ministry which he attributed to the better attitude of the theological seminaries, (2) by the increase of mission
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
scious rejection of the position stated in the Mes- is a personal matter, and I am not going to ask another sage of the International Missionary Conference man to become a Hindu or Parsee. in Jerusalem in 1928: It does not matter, according to this view, The Gospel is the answer to the world's greatest need. whether men become Christians or not, and there- It is not our discovery or achievement; it rests on what fore it is superfluous if not impertinent to mainwe recognize as an act of God. It is first and foremost tain an enterprise which seeks to evangelize and "Good News." It announces glorious truth. Its very na- convert them. ture forbids us to say that it may be the right belief for some but not for others. Either it is true for all, or it is 4. There is the idea of a self-contained Amernot true at all. ica, living its own life aloof from the rest of the world. No one can really defend such a view, but We believe that men are made for Christ and cannot it is set forth by men who ignore its absurdity and really live apart from Him. Our fathers were impressed impossibility but who mean by it that we are to with the horror that men should die without Christ-we get what we can from the outside world but have share that horror; we are impressed also with the horror no duty to it. Let us suck up all the gain we can that men should live without Christ. from the nations, but we owe them nothing and our business is to let them alone! Let us go on Herein lies the Christian motive; it is simple. We can- our way and leave them to go theirs. We have not live without Christ and we cannot bear to think of men fallen on an age of an ingrown national soul. living without Him. We cannot be content to live in a Here indeed we have a new political mind, shrivworld that is unChristlike. We cannot be idle while the eled, selfish, afraid. What a contrast this is to yearning of His heart for His brethren is unsatisfied. the outspoken words of President Grant in his second inaugural: "As commerce, education and Since Christ is the motive, the end of Christian missions the rapid transit of thought and matter by telefits in with that motive. Its end is nothing less than the graph and steam have changed everything, I production of Christlike character in individuals and so- rather think that the Great Maker is preparing cieties and nations through faith in and fellowship with the world to become one nation, speaking one lan- Christ the living Saviour, and through corporate sharing guage-a consummation which will render armies of life in a divine society. and navies no longer necessary. I will encourage and support any recommendations of Congress Christ is our motive and Christ is our end. We must tending towards such ends." Well, General Grant give nothing less, and we can give nothing more. would get none from the last Congress or the next.
These truths are not adequately grasped. And, 5. The influence of the current political phialas, some foreign mission boards seem to have losophy of the State, as the organ of the social, adopted the view that their work is henceforth to educational, economic and cultural life of the nadwindle. tion, is revealed in their taking over the philan- thropic and cultural activity and responsibility 3. Therefore, and in consequence, the prevalent hitherto borne by society functioning nonpolitiidea of religious equalitarianism-that religion is cally. Already this philosophy has done far more a relative thing with no criterion or valid claim than is realized in breaking down the sense of reof absolutism anywhere, that if people have any sponsibility in individuals and in disintegrating religion it is best to let them alone in it and not some of the most precious functionings of a livdistuvb them, that "religion" in its general sense ing society. "Why," men ask, "should we try any is enough without allowing any specific religion longer to do what the State is now doing or proa place of exclusive preeminence, that there is a posing to do." The State does not propose to common stratum under all religions that is the carryon Christian missions, but its philosophy sufficient and essential thing, and that propaganda undercuts the human attitudes on which foreign and proselytism are inappropriate. Mr. Gandhi's missions must depend. untenable view, which would in reality disallow all religions except man's original and primitive 6. And furthermore, this expansion of the funcfaith, is too common. He said to a group of rep- tions of the State requires resources which must resentatives of the British missionary societies be provided by increased taxation on the very at the time of the Round Table Conference: people who had cared for these ministries. Even if they would continue them they cannot, because The idea of converting people to one's faith by speech income and inheritance taxes take away the caand writings, by appeal to reason and conviction, and by pacity to do so. The late Jesse Strauss, American suggesting that the faith of his forefathers is a bad faith, Ambassador to France, cancelled legacies of in my opinion, limits the possibilities of serving humanity. nearly a million dollars which his former will be- I believe that the great religions of the world are all more queathed to educational and philanthropic causes, or less true and that they have descended to us from God. and for these two reasons: the expansion of gov- . . . While I criticize part of the missionary work, I willingly admit that missionaries have done indirect good to India. There is no doubt about this. But for my having come under Christian influence, some of my social work would not have been done. My fierce hatred of child marriage and "untouchability" is due to Christian influence. I have come into contact with many splendid specimens of Christian missionaries. . . . Though my conviction i.s strong enough in me to die for that conviction, that force does not carry me to the goal of believing that the same thing should be believed by my fellowmen. . . . Religion
ernment functions, and the diminution of individ- again for our justification. The old idea was to ual resources due to taxation required for the ac- Christianize international and all other human tivities of the State. relations. The present idea is to internationalize and humanistically secularize our Christian con- 7. Just as the conception of the deep spiritual cepts. Collective and social ideas supplant the need of man for Christ has grown dim with many, personal and redemptive, not more so than in the so also there has been a discontinuance of the rep- past, but just as really, and just as resistantly to resentation of the moral and social need of the New Testament foreign missions as in the past. pagan world. The words "pagan" and "heathen" have fallen into disuse. Dr. Ambedkar, of India, 10. The home church has been confused and denounces the present generation of missionaries misled by the just emphasis that is laid in foreign for sparing so tenderly the abuses of Hinduism, missions on the native or national or indigenous and contrasts their timidity and overcharitable- church, as aimed at and in such glorious measure ness with the downright declarations of their already partly., achieved. "Why not let these predecessors of the horrors of idolatry and caste. churches now do the work?" it is asked, not real- It is not necessary to correct this present-day izing that they are still so unequal to the task that tendency by harsh denunciations of "heathenism." has to be done that they themselves are the strong- The true view is to comprehend all men in all est and clearest voice calling for the expansion of lands under one common condemnation and need. the missionary enterprise. On the other hand "All have sinned and come short of the glory of there are lands where excessive nationalism in the God." It is because so many people in the Church joins with these home critics in their queschurches themselves feel no deep need of Christ tion. But these very churches are quick to urge as the only Saviour that they feel no constraint to that it is not a cessation of foreign missions which send missionaries to save others. they want but the acceptance of a principle, which in reality is neither wise nor right, namely, the 8. Our missionary freedom is increasingly dissociation of authority and responsibility. The abridged by the nationalistic and secular move- very idea is proof that the work of foreign misments which are limiting religious liberty. We sions has not yet been perfectly done. are losing, in many lands, the freedom of worship and conscience and of religious expression which 11. There is also the situation in the home the last two generations won, and are returning churches. Many of these churches are suffering to the darker days of a century ago. In some from a regimentation of benevolences which sublands, as in Mexico, the limitation is chiefly on stitutes mathematical ratios for vital education foreigners, but in other lands, as in Russia and and living motives; which subordinates causes in Germany, it is on the nationals as well. In some common treasury pools, which increases overhead lands the limitation is only partial and is indeed charges, which removes the donor to a fatal disnot religious. In some countries, as in some of tance from the cause which he is asked to support, our own states, no foreigner can practice medi- and which weakens and threatens to destroy the cine. In some he can carryon schools only under power and persuasion of the appeal of the living special regulations. In a very few, as for ex- work. In many denominations there are conflictample, Russia and Turkey, all Christian propa- ing parties which sacrifice the missionary work of ganda is disallowed. Passport and vise regula- the church on the battlefield of their doctrinal contions are increasingly hampering. A missionary tentions. In all the churches foreign missions are, has just been forbidden admission to Japan be- as they have always been, the burden of the micause he was declared to be an extreme pacifist. nority and are too often sacrificed by the power Martyrdom is not the option of missionaries any of the majority to the interest of causes near at more. No vise thitherward can now be secured hand – the very right of the minority to direct and without a vise the martyr is not allowed to their gifts to foreign missions being sometimes sail from home. frustrated or abridged.
9. The missionary motive has thinned out in 12. The situation in the missions-is it worse many quarters. Humanitarian concepts, appeals than in the past? Are the missionaries really for world peace and international and interracial, "weary" or disheartened? They might well be if and even interreligious, good will have been sub- their reliance were upon the home church. In stituted for the evangelical ideas. Instead of the some denominations missions have suffered reconstraining love of Christ, which included the duction of from 30 to 60 per cent in their staffs. love of human brotherhood, human brotherhood Are missionaries today less effective than in' the is urged as sufficient without the hampering and past? The answer to these questions is NO! The separating addition of the love of Christ; or if average of foreign missionary character and cathe love of Christ is kept, it is only as an ethical pacity and devotion has not fallen. The relation symbol. Christ is no longer the Christ of the of missions and boards is better than in the past. New Testament, crucified for our sins and raised Most missions are functioning more effectively.
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
Their policies are clearer and more continuously III. Our Future Missionary Policy pursued. Right principles are more surely discerned. The forces of indigenous Christianity are Many of these elements in the contemporary immensely multiplied. There are indeed counter- missionary situation are beyond our control and vailing weaknesses, although they are less in for- perhaps even beyond our influence. Others are eign missions than in the home church. There is not, but lie wholly within our area of action and need of a spontaneous, sustained, evangelistic mo- responsibility. Roughly, there are four modes of mentum. Schools and hospitals should be still influence open to us: more dominantly evangelistic (instead of less, as has been recently advised) in purpose, character (1) Prayer. Perhaps with many of us prayer and influence. The furlough complex needs re- is in the same category as the weather, as Mark straint. The problem of mastering the language Twain characterized it. We talk of it but we has been made more difficult by short terms of don't do anything about it. There is probably no service or long and frequent furloughs, the prev- greater peril to the church than this theoretical alence of the use of English and the probationary acceptance of the reality of prayer as a force and and experimental conception of foreign mission our neglect to use it. service which has become too common. There is need for spiritual and intellectual leadership, tak- (2) Publicity, not in any narrow promotional ing the place of influence and authority based on or advertising sense, but as the ceaseless and effecfinancial and administrative control. There have tive proclamation of the essential nature and the been surveys enough to last for some time. fundamental principles of Christianity, and of the facts of human need and of the adequacy of the 13. This analysis is far from complete. Many Gospel. more aspects of the contemporary situation could be cited. One must suffice. The world is increas- (3) Wisely conceived and steadily executed ingly one world in the problem which it presents plans for presenting the cause at home and proseto the Christian apologist and evangelist. Wil- cuting it abroad. liam Hung, of Yenching University in Peiping, may be overestimating the declension and debility (4) Personalities. It is on personalities rather of the non-Christian religions, although what he than on programs or policies that this and all says is inevitably and rapidly verifying itself, but great work rests. When John Lawrence was he is describing accurately the main issues of the asked by what methods he had saved the Panjab present and coming days, when he says: and broken the Indian Mutiny, he replied, "It was not by my methods but by my men." Personali- It seems to me that we have arrived at a stage in the ties have been God's instrumentalities from the history of missions when it is no longer worth while for beginning. "The Word was made flesh and dwelt the missionary leaders to study the Christian approaches among us." "I am the Light of the World." "Ye to Buddhism, Confucianism, etc. The scientific study of are the lights of the world." Paul, at the outset, these non-Christian religions will have historical and aca- the long list of the medieval pioneers and the moddemic interest, but it has ceased to have the same practical ern company-Carey, Duff, Martyn, Livingstone, importance in missionary work as it used to have up to Anderson, Lowrie, Lambuth, and the men and twenty or even ten years ago. We must realize that the women we know today – these are God's living frontier of our missionary enterprise has changed, and forces. with it we must also change the old tactics. Too much praise cannot be given to the growth in the study of com- But there are specific endeavors and courses of parative religions in the missionary training centers of the action which suggest themselves in this appraisal West. Thus prepared, the missionary movement has been for our present scrutiny and care. enabled to deal with the non-Christian more effectively. It is partly due to the educational activities of the Christian 1. Every mission board and its officers must movement that the other religions are losing the grip they themselves discern and work with and by a true had in non-Christian lands. While Christianity is making conception of the real basis of missions in the inroads into these religions from one side, these religions New Testament Gospel. There should be fresh are suffering a great deal in the rear from a group of and definite statements of this basis made in new enemies, who have advanced so far into their terri- forms that will reach the intelligence and contory, that, for all practical purposes, Christianity must science of the Church. No such statements will ignore the incapacitated older religions and think of its reach and convince all. There are Christians and frontier work in terms of what it will have to do with Christians, but the true sheep will hear their Masthese same new forces; scientific agnosticism, material- ter's voice in the truth about Him and its mission istic determinism, political fascism, and moral iconoclasm. to the world. It will be disastrous if in any mis- sion board there is uncertainty or unbelief as to If we are not prepared to meet these issues on the evangelical supernaturalism of the Christianthe foreign mission field, where two-thirds of the ity of the New Testament and the missionary human race are involved in them, we may as well enterprise. abandon hope that we can meet them in the United States. 2. Every missionary secretary ought to satu- rate his mind and spirit in the literature and his-
tory of the foreign mission· enterprise from the istry depleted by the withdrawal of the inspira- apostolic days until today. He ought not to have tion of the foreign mission appeal. There are to remake discoveries already made long ago. He hundreds of men in the home ministry today who ought not to see the foreign mission enterprise in would not have turned from other work to full- any distorted or unrelated form, but should know time Christian service if it had not been for the enough of the history of the Church and of the influence of the foreign mission call upon their world, and enough of the contemporary life and lives. The national churches on the foreign field movement of the world, to understand the times are appealing more strenuously than ever for and the place of the missionary enterprise, neither more men and women from the Western churches.
exaggerating it nor undervaluing it, in the will of The voice of India was uttered by the Bishop of God. It would be well for him to read Rufus Dornakal in the appeal which he sent to the meet- Anderson's "History of the American Board"; ing of the British students in Edinburgh in J an- Eugene Stock's "History of the Church Mission- uary 1933: ary Society"; Dr. Arthur J. Brown's Centennial We cannot, therefore, at this time restrain ourselves "History of the Presbyterian Board"; Volume IV from sending you a call to "come over and help us" with of the Edinburgh Conference Report of 1910; all the earnestness and passion at our command.
Volume I of the Report of the Jerusalem Confer- 1. There are vast regions in many parts of India and ence of 1928 and the volume published some years Burma into which the message of God's revelation in ago by the Committee on the War and the Reli- Christ has not yet penetrated. gious Outlook, entitled, "The Missionary Outlook in the Light of the War." 2. There are still whole classes of people, even in already evangelized regions (like the middle class Hindus, Mus- lims, Buddhists and Untouchables), to whom Christ and 3. The promotion and cultivation of missionary his message have not yet been demonstrably put.
interest by the mission boards should not be less 3. The small church in India needs outside aid to train general and diffusive, but it should be more per- its manhood and its womanhood and its ministry for misonal and individual. There is need of far more tional Christian service and for effective witness to the specific, careful and continuous education of indi- regenerating power of Christ. vidual pastors, women and laymen, to raise up a new generation of intelligent and consecrated 4. The rural churches and those established among classes of people once despised and suppressed need guid- ance and help to enable them to play their part in service givers. for rural India.
4. The effort should be made, afresh or in repe- 5. Doctors and educationalists are needed for mission tition, to secure on the part of every pastor, at hospitals and colleges-to serve India towards stronger least once a year, a clear presentation of the es- and saner citizenship. sential missionary character of Christianity, its relation to the so-called world-religions with We fear that the strong national feelings exhibited in which it is not to be classified as though it be- recent years in India may estrange even the disciples of longed to their category, and the basic principles Christ from the call to serve Him in a land that is full of racial antipathies. We may assure you that, while that is true to a certain extent in the sphere of politics, it is of the Church's mission to evangelize the world. not true in the sphere of religion. At no time has there been a greater friendliness among the people towards 5. The literature of the missionary enterprise, Christians and Christian messengers than at the present already effective and appealing, needs to be still time. British missionaries of the true type-missionaries more qualitatively sharpened and empowered. who endeavor in the spirit of our Master to come to India The circulation of the MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE with sympathy and discernment and to serve her people WORLD, the only popular, interdenominational with that peculiar self-effacing love and power that issues missionary periodical left to the Church, should out of the Cross of Christ-such are in greater demand be multiplied tenfold. now than ever before.
Again we fear that some may be deterred by a con- 6. New missionaries should be called for and sciousness of personal inadequacy for the needs of India, sent out. The day for this is not past. It is true and by a procrastination that makes them wait for some that in the recent years of depression many boarels inward guidance and special call before they respond to have had to reduce their staffs. It is also true an appeal for service in India. But surely the crying needs of this great country and its peoples, and especially that this reduction has been lamentable. The at a time like this, and the possession of that life and good of it, in throwing responsibility upon the power which issued from Calvary and the Upper Room native churches, could have been secured without coupled with consciousness of ability with the help of God the appalling loss to the work in the withdrawal of to meet these needs, constitute a call the Divine source of thousands of qualified and experienced mission- which no one. can easily doubt. aries. Young men and women whom God has We therefore plead with you to consider whether Chris- tian students can now fail to give India what they alone manifestly called ought not to be hindered from can give, and whether they do not owe India this immeanswering that call. diate help at the present crisis of her history. We pray that the call to come over and help us may touch the hearts The home church will suffer in her own life of some of you, resulting in your surrender for missionary and will find the supply of men for the home min- service in India.
A MISSIONA:RY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
This is an authoritative voice, quite different which shall be self-propagating, self-supporting and self- from the irresponsible statements of non-Chris- governing; to cooperate, so long as necessary, with these tian students studying in Western universities. churches in the evangelizing of their countrymen, and in bringing to bear on all human life the spirit and principles In these appeals the National Churches deal of Christ.
very specifically with the idea that missionaries Missions and all their institutions and the naought not to go except where they are invited. tional churches with which they cooperate need, The National Christian Council of Japan at its all of them, in common with the Church at home meeting last December spoke these manly words: and all of its institutions, to be caught up in the The work which Foreign Mission Boards have started in momentum of a powerful and sustained evan- Japan has by no means reached a full-round goal. Much remains to be done to bring it to full completion. Weare gelism expressed, not in the living deeds of Chrisanxious that they shall finish it fully and happily. The tian service only, but also in a direct, persuasive, reason self-support and the spirit of independence lags convincing and unremitting proclamation of the among our churches is the tendency to lean on friends and truth and the truths of the Christian faith.
funds from abroad. The Japanese Church should cut loose S. The problem of the establishment and relaand launch out for itself. This has been done in every tionships of an independent national church has other sphere of life in the Empire; diplomacy, education, not been solved fully under any board. Each commerce, industry go forward through Japanese initia- system has its advantages and its disadvantages. tive and effort. Why not the church? Mission organiza- tions and missionaries should act from an irresistible sense Any approach to a satisfactory solution has lain of mission and not wait for an invitation. The missionary attitude of American Christians motivated by an impelling not in any program or scheme and has been forinner urge should be positive and aggressive. Regarding warded, not by conferences and compromise, but policies for evangelism in Japan, we believe that the Jap- has been achieved through persons and personal anese Church should in the main take the initiative. How- relationships. There are impersonal principles ever, we welcome assistance from abroad which is moti- involved; and no one has ever set this forth more vated by a positive urge. We fail because there is too clearly than Henry Venn, for thirty-one years much of a spirit of compromise with the "Japanese spirit." honorary secretary of the Church Missionary So- If Christianity were to become a Japanese religion it would ciety. But it has required persons of Christian cease to be Christianity. When this is put squarely to the student, for example, he is attracted by it. We need to mind and spirit to discern these principles and be more forthright in our presentation of the essential dif- how they could be applied, and these persons must ferences between Christianity and Japanism. arise in the native church, as well as in the mis- And these calls are for men and women like sion. Noone from without can make a native those who have gone in the past, not for the super- church living and free. Life and liberty are not men sometimes recommended, who are to go out qualities that can be donated by man to man. No and, without the language, accomplish in a few mission can give them to a church, and no mission months what other men, just as able as they, have can withhold them when a church wants them failed to accomplish in years. The great ones and will take them from God by whom alone they have gone again and again: Joseph Cook, J. H. can be given and who is more ready to give them Seelye, Henry Drummond, and others in our own than we are to take them. time. But the men who made the deepest impression on India, and the same thing is true of every 9. In almost every mission field new national or other land, were not visitors like these, but ultra-nationalistic regulations are affecting the Schwartz and Carey and Bowen, who went out to tenure or title or terms of mission property hold- India and never came back to learn the new phi- ings. In Mexico many clear titles have been losophies and psychologies of the West. Schwartz simply wiped out by the Government with no reserved forty-three years with never a furlough muneration or redress. Elsewhere increments of out of India; Carey forty-one years, and Bowen, value have been denied or imperilled. In many forty years. It is service like theirs, with or with- lands the national churches are disposed to argue out furlough, that leaves its mark. that all mission property is held in trust for them, even though it was wholly provided from the 7. The fundamental evangelistic aim of the for- West, or by people who gave it, not for the endoweign mission enterprise must be kept clear and ment of the church in some one land, but for use made even more dominant. In spite of advice to in the evangelization of the whole world. It would subordinate this aim, or to regard it as fulfilled seem to be wise for each boardin humanitarian service, the declaration which a number of boards have made in their Manuals (1) To examine all its property holdings to deshould stand unaltered in its letter and meaning: termine what should be held for the present and future needs of the work; The supreme and controlling aim of Foreign Missions is to make the Lord Jesus Christ known to all men as their (2) To have a clear and just understanding Divine Saviour and to persuade them to become his dis- with the national churches as to what, if any, is ciples; to gather these disciples into Christian Churches to be turned over to them and when and on what terms and to what title-holding body;
(3) To dispose of the rest while it is still pos- 12. We need to give, with real national leaders sible to do so. It must be realized that in some (such, for example, as the late Erasmo Braga in countries there is a difficult inheritance of pater- Brazil, and the late Masahisa Uemura in Japan), nalism and dependence to be overcome. Here is a careful study to the problems of training leaders fragment from a letter from Cawnpore, India, for the church. Are we simply duplicating Westdated June 25, 1936: ern modes and ideals? Can we do anything else? Are missions deciding questions which are church Ages ago the word of God was preached by the for- problems rather than mission problems and which eigners in India. As a matter of fact our Lord Jesus no illusory merging of church and mission can Christ was revealed to the inhabitants of the country by qualify us to solve for a really indigenous church? the most zealous Americans. They left their dear home Would we approve in America in the training of and came out to India convinced of the Holy Spirit-lived our ministry the duplication here of the former in a strange place, though so unfavorable. They faced schools of the Orthodox Church in Russia, or of great trouble in introducing the historical Christ as the the schools of any of the continental churches? real Saviour of the world. By and by through their efforts Or again, can we act otherwise in our mission many were brought to the blessed feet of Jesus Christ. training schools? Here once more we wait for the Thus missions were organized and worship places erected development of an adequate autonomous church at their own expense. such as is already foreshadowed in autonomy, and also in a measure in true indigenous originality, Next they took upon themselves to arrange for the in Japan and Brazil. boarding schools to be established in various cities of the land, and thus feed and give education to the children of 13. The problem of the relation of missions to the poor, altogether free of charge. They further solved government, which was one of the central probthe problem of the medical need of their native Christian lems two and three generations ago, is back again brethren, and opened hospitals and dispensaries, where with a vengeance. The meaning and limits of they considered it fit, for free treatment of the sick. They religious liberty must be restudied and the attidid all this and many other good deeds for the sake of the tude of missions to government limitations and One who opened their hearts to so do. They ran all such control. How many of the following rights may institutions with their own hard-earned money and greatly be justly demanded as included in the claim of benefited the countless people of the world especially our religious liberty? country. No doubt they sent out more than enough of money to India, whereby several were saved and educated. (1) Freedom of private opinion; (2) Freedpm of private worship; Then follows an appeal for continued free edu- (3) Freedom of assembly and public worship; cation and medical care and subsidy of the church (4) Freedom from requirement to participate in India. There have been many arguments in in objectionable worship; the Indian Christian papers to the effect that mis- (5) Freedom for propagation (the new Russion property should be regarded as the property sian constitution of 1936 allows only antireligious of the Indian Church. It is bad for the Indian propaganda) ; Church to take this view. And mission boards (6) Freedom in education, to be exempt from must do, in this matter as in all else, only what is state schools and to conduct our own schools; right and just in itself, and what is best for the (7) To hold property for use; Christian cause, whether doing this is easy or (8) To hold property for endowment; hard. (9) To sell property freely at what price can be obtained; 10. We should limit the quantity and improve (10) Freedom from all discrimination upon rethe educational quality and the Christian char- ligious grounds. acter and missionary influence, and should reexamine the type, of all our educational work, How far shall we go against a government? lower and higher. This is a different issue today from the earlier days, because now we cannot cross a national 11. We must evidently restudy the work of boundary line without government consent. We medical missions. Already they are discontinued can't die any more for rights for which our fain some fields, either through government hin- thers could die. What shall our course be ? Well, drance or through displacement by indigenous de- one thing is clear-we must exhaust every effort velopment. Elsewhere the economic problem to obey what we believe to be God's will and leave becomes increasingly difficult. The inadequate the consequence to Him, and we must use to the appropriations compel mission hospitals and dis- full and without delay all our still allowed liberty pensaries to achieve a measure of self-support of Christian witness. which diminishes their ability to give charitable service to the poor and increases their competition 14. The problem of cooperative and union work with native practitioners. Again the problem becomes increasingly difficult. Large sections of arises of diffusion or concentration; of quantity or quality, of competition or supplementation; the solution is to be found by asking "What will best serve the fundamental Christian missionary aim ?"
A MISSIONARY APPRAISAL AS OF JANUARY 1, 1937
some of the churches are moving in a doctrinal or mild. Some missions complain of too much direction that makes cooperation with them by home direction and control, and some of too little. others, in some forms of work, impossible. The What we all need is to hold fast to David Livingfundamentalist group in some churches demands stone's doctrine that judgment and responsibility withdrawal from cooperation that we believe go together and that whoever exercises the judgought to continue, and the opposite groups do the ment must bear the responsibility and whoever same, and also demand cooperation that is im- bears the responsibility must exercise the judgpracticable. The situation is tragically confused. ment. In reality the work is an integer and all The fundamentalist and independent groups are of us together must seek the wisdom which we divided among themselves. The modernistic can achieve collectively alone and all of us must group is inchoate and inarticulate. The great bear each his own burden and also the burden of evangelical body goes on its way but is harassed us alL from either side. It could be wished that we would all assemble on the platform laid down by 16. Probably every mission board has from Charles Hodge at the great meeting of the Evan- time to time surveyed its whole work, in the light gelical Alliance in New York City in 1873: of its situation in relation to its home church and the areas of the world where it is at work, and has Finally, there is the duty of cooperation. In union is sought to outline a comprehensive and continuous strength. All Christians and all churches are engaged in policy, asking itself where the emphasis should the same work. They are servants of the same Master, be laid, whether any of its work should be disconsoldiers of the same Great Captain of their salvation. If tinued, whether it should press out on new roads, the several corps of an army should refuse to cooperate whether any change in policy or program should against the common foe, defeat would be the inevitable be made. The archives of some boards are rich result. What then is to be expected if the great denom- in such surveys and appraisals. More than once inations into which Christians are divided keep contending in the Presbyterian Board we have tried to attain with each other instead of combining their efforts for the to the height of a grand missionary strategy and overthrow of 'the kingdom of darkness? . . . If all Chris- statesmanship. In 1896, Dr. Ellinwood made tians really believe that they constitute the mystical body such a careful and comprehensive study. In 1920 of Christ on earth, they would sympathize with each other another careful analysis and projection of work as readily as the hands sympathize with the feet, or the was made, based on a study of all the fields of the feet with the hands. If all churches, whether local or de- Board in regard to occupancy, responsiveness, nominational, believe that they too are one body in Christ strategic importance and human need. All such Jesus, then instead of conflict we should have concord; studies are useful but they need to be handled with instead of mutual criminations we should have mutual an easy touch and with an open and ready mind. respect and confidence; instead of rivalry and opposition Paul went to Europe against his previous plan, we should have cordial cooperation. The whole visible and not by his deliberated program. It is well for Church would then present an undivided front against us to heap up the wood symmetrically for the infidelity and every form of anti-Christian error, and the altar. But the fire! Lord, we wait for the fire. sacramental host of God, though divided into different corps, would constitute an army glorious and invincible. The aphorism of Ignatius was a double ad- juration: "Consider the times. Look to Him 15. The mission boards will do well to maintain Who is above time." in their relations to their missions and to the churches with which they are working on the field, the principle of a democratic equality, and not be led into an attitude of autocracy whether stringent SOME SEORETS OF POWER Before power can come into the lives of men and women, they have to become channels through which the power can work. To be that channel, one has to get rid of self. Self has to be crucified. The heart and life have to be cleansed. Then the clean vessel has to be presented in consecration for service. Paul had experienced something of this power, and appealed to the Romans to present their bodies upon the altar as holy, living sacrifices. The purpose of this consecration was to perform the Will of God. They could not be channels through which the power of God flowed until they were willing to lose their lives in His great cause.
God will not try to force Himself into the life of anyone. He stands at the door and knocks. He is seeking and wooing and loving, but does not use force. God created man and redeemed man when he transgressed. It is a twofold ownership which God has over man, but still He waits until the heart is opened before He comes in to cleanse and abide there.
Power is never given to be wasted.-Ralph Pfister, in Gems of Cheer. s Au D I ~ NEJ D ~ Hofu!d"it~~~_ _ _ _/fL-T'–':~—l ~ Ri.'a.'.d'.'hD-··················l 'A.'…~ … ····R R I A J~ . ~ ……………
liddah 1 Mecca ……… : …~ .0.······· Taif / 20°~~–~~·~ '~—-~~~~-SAN-DY–DES-ER-T ~~~:r/~ 200 AN/~_ m~~ ~ ~ / .'
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p II p.. ..'••/ …..
"~ 'r =. . .~–~,'————-~>=~~.~…~.. -~.-'.'.-….-.~ —–t———–~ 15° ARABIA Showing Route of Dr. Harold Storm Socotra~ o'===="5=0S=CA=1L0~0E=OF1=5M,0""I=L2E0=0S<==:2d50 Route of Or, Storm …………….
45° Longitude East of Greenwich 50° Prepared by C.S.HAMMOND & Co.,N. Y. [20 ]
A Doctor's Tour in Neglected Arabia*
By W. HAROLD STORM, M.D., Bahrain, Persian Gulf Missionary of the Reformed Church in America A MOST interesting and important journey On August 23 we left Taif for Jiddah and the across Arabia and around the western and sea. The more direct and easier route is spoken southern shores of this great unknown of as the Derb EI'Muslameen (road of the be- peninsula, has recently been made by Dr. W. lievers) and leads directly through the holy city Harold Storm of Bahrain. He was accompanied of Mecca. The other, which is longer and more by three Christian hospital helpers to make a sur- difficult, is called the Derb Elkafireen (road of the vey at the request of The World Dominion Move- unbelievers) and makes a circuitous detour ment of London and the International Leprosy around Mecca. We, of course, were taken by the Association. After spending Sunday, June 23, longer route.
1935, in Riatih, the capital of Saudia Arabia, the Jiddah has an estimated population of about party of four started out on this unusual tour of 30,000 and is the chief seaport and commercial territory, much of which had never before been center of the Arabian coast on the Red Sea. In visited by Christian mission- recent years it has become the aries. This survey is made after diplomatic capital of Saudia forty-five years of missionary Arabia. Its importance can be work in this difficult field where judged best when we realize that Moslem fanaticism combines all pilgrims coming to Mecca by with desert, mountains, a torrid sea pass through this city.
sun and primitive life to raise Here we were called upon to barriers against the progress of treat a young member of one of the Gospel of Christ. The jour- the most influential families in ney was the answer to many Hedj az. Their history is as earnest prayers for the opening dramatic as it is romantic. Four of Arabia and Arab hearts to or five generations ago they the Gospel. were slaves in the home of an in- The travelers came from Bah- fluential member of the Sheri- rain on the Persian Gulf to fian family, who was the local Riadh in central Arabia; from representative of the r u lin g thence they journeyed to Taif, house in Constantinople. One near the west coast, to Jiddah, member of this slave family the seaport of Mecca and then DOCTORS DAME AND STORM. WITH gained the favor of his master down the west coast and through MRS.STDOARMME, AATNDRIRAODBH ROY and was given his freedom and southern Arabia until they re- property. He combined a shrewd turned to Muscat, after many adventures and win- business mind with a likeable personality and ning many friends. Dr. Storm writes in Neg- finally amassed a great fortune. It was not long lected Arabia as follows: until those who formerly had been vassals became Our trip from Riadh to Taif was the same as feudal lords and gained more and more favor i~ that followed by Dr. Dame in 1932. Taif is sit- the Sherifian court.
uated about 6,000 feet above sea level and is a Political upheavals change the destinies of men.
haven of rest from the stifling heat of the coastal The Sherifian house fell as the great Wahabi King plain and especially from Mecca and Jiddah. It Ibn Saud entered Hedjaz and those who had be- is the summer capital of Hedjaz and would be an come equal to kings suddenly found themselves ideal location for permanent mission work. We with neither fame nor fortune. Shrewd diplo- spent six weeks in this delightful city and experi- macy, however, combined with unquestioned abil- enced a splendid reception from both Arab royalty ity, soon gained for them the confidence of the and the Bedouin. new Saudian authorities and today they are – *' Condensed from Neglected Arabia, 25 East 22nd St., New York. trusted counsellors and among the wealthiest and [ 21 ]
most respected families on the eastern coast of so placed as to give the greatest advantage to Arabia. prevailing winds. Never have I had such per- The influence and friendship of this particular family opened the way for a visit to Yenbo. They sonal satisfaction in carrying on medical work arranged all the details and sent us in their own car, one of the very few privately owned cars in for nowhere in Arabia have I met people who Saudia. Yenbo is a small but important center as it is the seaport for the holy city of Medina. No- are poorer or more needy. Their gratitude was where have I seen a cleaner Arab town. It is surprising almost to the point of a shock when, upon touching. . being awakened by the early morning prayer call of the Muezzin, you look out of the window and J eizan presented a new problem in missionary see a street cleaner diligently at work with his donkey cart and broom. This is obviously a re- touring. Various kinds of animal life frequently sult of Turkish and Western influence. trouble the traveler. Plagues of locust, in swarms Rumors of political instability in Sana, capital of Yemen, spread throughout Hedjaz, encouraging so thick that often the sun is hid from sight, deideas of the possibilities of an open rupture of relationships between Saudia and Ye- scend from the unknown upon the Arabian desert. men. If hostilities actually broke out our movements would all be stopped Every green thing is eaten. Here we were conand even the rumor might be ample excuse to check and frustrate our plar s. fronted with another plague – scorpions were Everybody became excited and na- everywhere. Literally dozens would be seen in tive Arab troops poured into Jiddah from Mecca. The chief Saudian rep- the streets if one strolled out of an evening. We resentative in Hedjaz proved to be a friend in need for he greatly appre- even found them in our beds. My hospital boys ciated what had been done for his family in Taif and gave an order that we frequently amused themselves after the day's be carried on the S. S. Fetak along with three hundred Saudian soldiers work was over by seeing how many they could who were going to the Nejran frontier. DR. STORM'S EYE CLINIC AT ASIR The time of departure from Jiddah was sunset. Soldiers and more soldiers catch and bring to me by use of a flashlight and a came aboard until they were packed pair of operating forceps. tighter than sardines in a tin. One inquisitive soul turned a winch valve and imme- Again wars and rumors of wars threatened to diately steam poured out. An alarm of fire spread. stay our progress. The !talo-Abyssinian contro- Pandemonium broke loose. Those nearest the versy was working itself up to fever heat and the railing literally dove into the waters or into sail- Red Sea was becoming a scene of intense acing dhows standing alongside the Fetak. Con- tivity. Kameran Island, four days by a sailboat, fusion reigned until a member of the crew re- is the International Quarantine Station for the vealed the source of trouble. The entire trip was southern end of the Red Sea and is administered both pathetic and amusing. One minute we were by the British as directed from Geneva. It was laughing at the absurd situations they managed to of special interest because of the leper problem. get into, and the next our pity and sympathy were Everything and everybody was in a state of aroused. They disembarked at Kunfida where anxiety, suspicion and fear. ~aravans awaited to take them on a long fifteenday trek far into the interior, across an unknown From Kameran we set out for Hodeidah by saildesert into an equally unknown future. boat, but a sudden inconsiderate thrust of a sword fish or mighty blow of a huge stinging ray &ank We continued on to J eizan, chief seaport of one of our boats off Ras Esa, Yemen. Everything Asir which has served as a buffer state between was lost excepting a very small part of the cargo Yemen and whatever power held sway in Hedjaz. and we were forced to go overland by camels. Our route took us over a portion of the Tahama, a We stayed in Asir three weeks living in a native wild desert country. The people are very illiterate hut. These are made hy loosely tying together and are only nominally Moslem. In one village we branches of trees in the shape of a cone, and then covering them with grass, which is in turn secured by a close network of rope. There are two doors
A DOCTOR'S TOUR IN NEGLECTED ARABIA
noticed a most unusual sight – an emissary of Yemen is to anything foreign and especially mis- Iman Yahia, ruler of Yemen, had been sent to sionary.
teach the natives how to pray. With a huge club The next stage of the journey found us aboard in one hand he marked out a line on the sand and the S. S. Africa, bound for Aden. Rihani gives a had the men and boys line up. Then using the most amusing description of this antiquated rat- club as reinforcement he taught them the positions tletrap in his book, "Around the Coasts of Ara- and words of the Moslem prayer. bia." In the early days of Arabian mission We were unwelcome guests and were ordered history, many of the missionaries traveled on this from the village. But suffering humanity cares same boat. Patience and a calm sea made pleasant not for caste nor creed and while deciding upon what might have been an unpleasant journey.
the best move to make we were asked to see a lad The formidable peaks of mountains surround- suffering from a bad leg ulcer. It had been treated ing Aden typify the obstacles encountered in Mos- by the application of grape leaves under which lem mission work, over which the Ion Keith Fal- was a mixture of dates and coner Mission of the Church powdered dog brains. We of Scotland and the Danish cleaned the ulcer and treated Mission, both located in Aden, him and through the patient's stood out as great beacon gratitude we won the friend- lights. Here we spent fifteen ship of the entire village. days and during that time When we reached Hodeidah saw their work in detail. Both in the early hours of the missions are ready to move at morning only Pariah dogs the first opportunity into the welcomed us. We could not unoccupied areas of Makella find our host's house and de- and Yemen. Pray that the cided it was best to wait out- doors to these unoccupied side of the city wall until sun- areas may be opened. These rise. Suddenly, as though two missions along with the coming out of nowhere, we Arabian Mission of the Amer- were surrounded by a group ican Reformed Church – are of agitated men. It was un- the only Protestant groups usual if not an unheard-of working among the 10,000,000 thing for a European to be people of the Arabian Penin- wandering about the city in sula.
the early hours of morning in While we were with the Ion a camel caravan. They be- Keith Falconer Mission, the came more excited and I oldest of these three, they talked and talked, stalling for celebrated their 50th anniver- time. We finally persuaded sary. Their Jubilee program them that we possessed bona calls for medical dispensaries fide letters from Ibn Abbas throughout the Aden Protec- and that we were to be the torate and for a reading room guests of a certain Hodeidah TWO BEDOUIN CHIEFS AT ASIR and church building in Sheikh merchant. One of the men Othman.
guided us to our host where Arab coffee and rest Our next goals were Makella and Hadramaut.
ushered in the dawn of another day. Twice has a representative of the Danish Missions The next few days in Hodeidah proved only too been in Makella but on each occasion he was al- short but we met the Governor several times and lowed to stay but a few days. Dr. Samuel M.
visited among the merchants. As everywhere the Zwemer stopped at Makella in 1891, in the early medical bag opens seemingly locked doors. Ye- days when a survey was being made to determine men is undoubtedly the most closed of all sections where the mission should begin its work. As far in Arabia to anything savoring of the Christian as available records show, the interior of Hadra- mIsSIOnary program. Neither the ruler nor his maut has never before been visited by a mis- prime minister has ever been away from the con- sionary.
fines of Sana and has never seen the sea, despite We traveled to Makella by a small native the fact that Yemen borders on the Red Sea, and steamer carrying a cargo of sheep. Makella many Yemenites are seafarers. Narrowed out- harbor is one of the most picturesque spots of look, plus strong religious fanaticism added to a Arabia, reminding one of the harbor of Naples.
deep rooted egotism, create a warped mentality. The city is one of the most cosmopolitan of all It is therefore not difficult to see how antagonistic Arabia. A babble of tongues, clashes of color and
smells of all kinds greet you as natives from all Women guard the trenches while their men-folk parts of India, Africa, Java and Netherlands care for the gardens.
India. The city is a beehive of activity, a great Religiously everything centers ahout either the trading center. How long-how long-before the tombs or the Sayyids (direct descendents of the Gospel of Christ can be preached here? prophet). Thousands gather from every part of The word Hadramaut means "place of death." Hadramaut, coming on pilgrimages made to the It takes six long tiresome days to travel by donkey tombs at appointed times when a four- to five-day or camel over the waste djol (barren plateau be- fair will be held in connection with religious ob- tween the coast and Wadi complex of Hadra- servances.
maut). A wonderful unique watering system A Weli or saint is buried in some spot desig- broke the monotony of the desolate path at fre- nated by himself before death and a shrine is quent intervals, placed by pious Mohammedans built and frequent pilgrimages made to it. All either just before death or ordered put there right property and money in Hadramaut are in the after death. Suddenly without any warning you hands of the Sayyid class. Thus a combination of stand on the edge of a precipice and below you lies a dead religion and foreign money have deadened a most amazing sight. It seems like a fairy para- progress in one of the great potential sections of dise. Fertile fields of dhurra (maize) and verdant the Peninsula. The obstacles and difficulties for patches of palm groves flank the sides of the white missionary work are tremendous but the challenge Wadi (valley bed). Along the sides of the cliffs are built the villages, the houses are gray or clay color with whitewashed frieze work.
In and around Wadi Doan we discovered lepers, but leprosy seems to be on the wane inasmuch as nearly all the cases are of an ad- vanced type. A method of isolation has been adopted for years and thus continued contact is thus pre- vented.
The Wadi complex of Hadramaut presents one great surprise after another; the majestic beauty of Wadi Doan is in such direct con- trast to the monotonous waste of A VIEW OF MAKELLA HARBOR, HADRAMAUT the Djol. Shibam, one of the three great cities of Hadramaut, reminds one of an is great in proportion to the difficulties. Need, American city with its five hundred seven-story ignorance, and false religion cause 100,000 people buildings. One is amazed to find that these are in one of the most interesting and picturesque built entirely of clay. Everywhere dotted among parts of Arabia to call out with clear clarion voice the date gardens are villas of modern European the fact that they know not the Christ nor have style, electrically lighted and equipped with inside they had any chance to know Him.
swimming baths. From Makella we set out in a sailing vessel on Many of the ancient mysteries of the southern a trip that may be done in three to four days with end of the Arabian Peninsula lie buried among persistent favorable winds. Thirty-three days the ruins of Meshed and other parts of Hadra- later we arrived in Dhufar intact yet rather maut. Here the secrets of the early history of weather beaten. We experienced every conceiv- Arabia as well as the truths about early trade able delay possible – terrible storms, absolute routes will some day be unearthed by arche- calms, loss of three anchors, deceptive captains, ologists. etc. I have never experienced such loneliness any- As one rides along in a modern automobile there where in Arabia as when I realized that I was is pointed out a villa where lives a man who re- alone and five hundred miles from the nearest ceives ten to twelve thousand rupees monthly from known Christian at Christmas time. Still the joy the East Indies. Near by are two families which that was mine because of this rare privilege over- are still carrying on a feud that has been going on shadowed all sense of loneliness.
for years. We heard a bullet shot being fired as Dhufar I had visited for two months in 1932-33.
we passed by. Trenches have been built from the Sayyid S-, Sultan of Muscat, had granted per- houses out to the gardens because it is unsafe for mission for my trip. Forces of opposition had the men-folk to appear in sight of the enemy. changed his attitude, but, true to an Arab trait,
he would not rescind a promise once given. My The general attitude completely changed and a hospital helper, M-, who recently took his stand new house (the finest in Dhufar) was ordered to for Christ, arrived some weeks before I did and be made ready for the doctor on his arrival. One was denied customary Arab hospitality. The Sul- morning when the Sultan came to greet his countan refused to see him. For three nights he had selors he noticed M- coming to care for his eye to sleep on the medical cases on the sea front. and he said to this hitherto hostile crowd, "See His greetings were not returned – a discourtesy M-! I don't want an unkind word said or an unthe greatest of which an Arab can be capable. kind act done to him." Here was a young Moslem They assigned him a house which was hardly fit ruler actually defending a Christian convert. It for animals. He was paying the price of having was an act of the Lord and truly marvelous. taken his stand for Christ but he stood firm, praying that they who were persecuting him might Two months spent in Dhufar helped to bind come to know the joy that was now his. more closely the friendships already made. The Sultan's attitude and the growing friendships re- Days passed. The Sultan was suffering from sulting from two medical tours opened wide the badly infected eyes. As there are no medical fa- doors. A clear clarion voice calls out, "Come cilities in a place like Dhufar, he called in M-. to Dhufar and help us.." This is a challenge to Although only a hospital helper the lad was able our faith. Are we ready? to relieve the intense pain and by his gentleness and care he completely won the Sultan's favor. After fifteen days on a sailboat we arrived at Later the Sultan said to me, "M- was so careful Bahrain on March 28, thus ending a 5,000 mile and so clean and so gentle, I can never thank him medical tour which took ten months to complete. enough." Our total treatments numbered 10,406; opera- tions, 224, and outcalls, 558.
THE CROWN PRINCE OF SAUDI ARABIA SON OF IBN SAUD OF RIADH Friendly to Dr. Storm and Dr. Dame, medical missionaries of the Arabian Mission of the Reformed Church in America.
ONE OF THE PALATIAL PRIVATE RESIDENCES in Hadramaut, the unevangelized field in Southern Arabia, recently visited by Dr. Harold Storm.
Lights in a Century of
Foreign Missions By the REV. ARTHUR J. BROWN, D.D., New York Author 0/ The Centenary Volume, "History of the Foreign ~. Mission Work 0/ the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A." * I I T IS easy to be deceived by temporary fluctua- legacies. Of all causes, hospitals are the closest tions in the interest and support of home to the hearts of the American people; but Mr. churches. They naturally bulk large to those Robert Jolly, retiring president of the American who are living at a given period. The course of Hospital Association, reported to the annual meet- Foreign Missions has been like that of the Mis- ing of the Clinical Congress of the American Col- sissippi River with its alternations of sluggish and lege of Surgeons, October 28, 1935, that donations rapid currents, its tortuous channels, and its many to the support of hospitals had fallen off seventy- bends, some of them so long that, in the old days, five per cent, gifts having dropped from $185,- a steamboat sometimes traveled a whole day only 000,000 to $49,000,000 between 1929 and 1934.
to find itself at evening within sight of the place There was no such slump as this in contributions from which it had started in the morning. But to the Presbyterian Board. Manifestly, whatever that the river would eventually reach the sea is the causes of the decline were, they were not due never in doubt. Contributions do not tell the to loss of confidence in the Board.
whole story, but the record is, nevertheless, sug- It is clear, however, that the main financial degestive. Beginning with $5,431 in 1833, total re- pendence of Foreign Missions must, to an increasceipts from all sources for the year ending March ing degree, be upon the rank and file of church 31, 1936, were $2,910,908.00, and the Presbyterial1 member,ship, people of average incomes who can total for the whole period is the huge sum of contribute comparatively small sums. Death has $131,276,70l. removed many of the wealthy men and women Misleading inferences have been drawn from who in the preceding generation gave generously the recent decline in receipts from living sources to Foreign Missions during their lives and left of $4,757,590 in the peak year of 1924. It should great sums in their wills-John S. Kennedy bebe noted, however, that the year 1924 was the queathing to the foreign missionary work of the culmination of a special campaign to cover a large Presbyterian Church $2,725,976; Mrs. Kennedy, deficit; that, if the exceptional contributions for $1,608,645; Mrs. Russell Sage, $1,613,672; Mrs. the deficit were left out of account, the receipts Anna M. Harkness, $2,639,285; and Mrs. A. F. from living donors in the following five years were SchaufHer, $229,481 – these five legacies aggrelarger than ever before; and that for the year before the business collapse in 1929, the receipts gating $8,817,059 in. twenty-one years (1909from living donors were actually greater than 1930) . Are there to be future legacies like these? they had been for the four preceding years. It Perhaps so. In 1934, the unexpected news came was during the depression that the Board suffered that the will of Mr. C. Sidney Shepard had bemost heavily; but even then, the Board suffered queathed to the Board one-third of his large residless than religious, philanthropic, educational and uary estate, the amount realized being $2,841,- secular enterprises in the United States. Gifts 617. But many of the living donors who gave liband legacies for religious and philanthropic pur- erally before the depression of 1929-1935 lost poses fell from $14,777,747 in 1932 to $6,411,311 most, and in some instance all, of their fortunes in 1933. Gifts for education fell from $59,498,828 during those disastrous years. Whereas special to $14,552,988, and most of the latter sum was in individual gifts to the Board averaged $372,773 a year for the fifteen years ending with 1929, they * One Hundred Years—<A History of the Fareign Missionary Wark shrunk to $142,881 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 1933. President Nicholas Murray Butler, in af the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A., With Same Account af a message to the alumni of Columbia University Countries, Pooples and the Palicies and Prablems of Modern Missions. in 1934, said: By Arthur Judsan Brown, Secretary Emeritus af the Board. 1,140 pages. $8.00. Flemiug H. Revell Campany, New York. The survey In the history of Columbia University we have arrived here given includes the rise and develapment of foreign missionary at the end of an era. That era was one during which most interest in the home churches, the history of the Board and the women's societies, and the founding and pragress of missionary work AamsioangandtheLatAinmeArimcaenricaIn. dians and in sixteen cauntrles In Africa, [26 ]
HIGH LIGHTS IN A CENTURY OF PRESBYTERIAN FOREIGN MISSIONS
generous and great gifts were received from many differ- of Guatemala and National Presbyterian Church ent individuals for the endowment and enrichment of the of Mexico. Each of these national churches is work of the University. . . . That era has come to an end. ecclesiastically independent of the Presbyterian The great fortunes which made these benefactions possible Church in the U. S. A., elects its own officers and are either dissipated or destroyed. The economic and controls its own work as a self-governing body. financial crisis which grips the whole world has made The missionaries help by counsel but not by autheir return quite impossible, certainly for a long time to come, if not forever. . . . Columbia University must, thority. therefore, depend for its prosperous continuance upon Of course this does not mean that missionary thousands of relatively small gifts. work in these countries is no longer needed. None It is equally true that in the support of Foreign of these autonomous churches are yet able to Missions the lessened number of large givers will maintain unaided the educational and medical inhave to be balanced by an increased number of stitutions that are essential parts of the Christian small givers. This class has from the beginning program, and all of them need the cooperation of furnished the bulk of the Board's income. Indeed, the missions in their evangelistic work. Even in Robert R. Doane, in his book on The Measure- Japan, where the national Church is strongest, its ment of American Wealth, shows that persons of leaders emphasize the fact that, while their moderate means are usually more liberal than the churches are relatively strong in the cities, there rich. He declares that in 1929 thirteen and a half are thousands of rural towns and villages that per cent of the total gifts to all religious and phi- are still untouched by Christian effort (Dr. Willanthropic objects was contributed by persons liam AxIing, of Tokyo, places the number at whose incomes exceeded $25,000, eighteen and a 9,976), and that more missionaries are urgently half per cent by persons whose incomes were be- desired to take the Gospel of Christ to them. tween 3,000 and 25,000, and sixty-eight per cent by those with incomes of 3,000 and less. The in- In my history of "The Foreign Mission Work come tax returns for 1935 showed that the total of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A." (just pubgifts for all religious, educational and philan- lished) I have not failed to stress the character of thropiccauses of the men and women who made the Christians in all the mission fields. They are the returns were only two per cent of their re- not perfect-neither are Christians in America. ported incomes, and that, with the exception of We of the West should be generously appreciative about half a dozen individuals, the wealthiest gave of our brethren in non-Christian lands. Their only a small fraction of their incomes and noth- leaders are not our "agents" or "helpers," but our ing from the principal of their large fortunes. coworkers in a common task. It is harder for People of moderate means suffered more griev- them to follow Christ than it is for us. Many of ously than the rich in the depression years, many them have had to endure social ostracism, loss of losing a considerable part of their incomes and business and disownment by their families. Some others losing their employment. In these circum- have borne stripes and imprisonment. If the stances, their contributions to all causes naturally eleventh chapter of the Epistle to the Hebrews shrunk, but tens of thousands of straightened were to be brought down to date, it would surely Christians continued to support the work of their add many names to the list of those who were churches. "afflicted, ill-treated, of whom the world was not worthy" and who have manifested a devotion be- Development of Churches in the Missions Field fore which we may well stand in humility. We would not exaggerate their good qualities. They Since the ultimate aim of the missionary enter- have imperfections. But one cannot fairly think prise is the establishment of the Church in each of them in a critical mood. They are so much non-Christian land, we should note as one of the better than we might have expected them to be, "high lights" of the present situation not only they are witnessing for Christ in such difficult that churches have been founded in every mission circumstances and with such patience and fortifield where Presbyterians are at work, but that tude that criticism is disarmed. They are doing, the Board and the missions under its care are now to say the least, quite as well as any of us would cooperating with thirteen autonomous national do in similar circumstances. If one wants to churches on the foreign field – Church of Christ know what their failings are, let him ask himself in China, Presbyterian Church in China, Presby- what his are. They are the same, and he can cataterian Church in Chosen (Korea), United Church logue them at his leisure. But surely God who of Northern India, South India United Church, tempers His judgments with kindly consideration Church of Christ in Japan, United Evangelical of circumstances, who "knoweth our frame and Church of the Philippines, National Christian remembereth that we are dust," will deal more Church of Siam, Syrian Evangelical Church, mercifully with the Christians in the mission field Presbyterian Church of Brazil, Presbyterian In- than He will with us. Some of them have come dependent Church of Brazil, Presbyterian Church "out of great tribulation," and they will surely be
among those who stand "before the throne of cooperative movement. Secretaries of the Board God." have been among its recognized leaders. Presby- terians gladly recognize their partnership with Cooperation and Union Work other Christians in world evangelization. They realize that they do not represent such an exclu- A marked feature of the century under review sive type of obedience to Christ that they should is the development of cooperative planning for a ignore the presence in any field of a sister evanmore effective use of men and money. Recent gelical church, and that it is no part of their misdecades have seen the International Missionary sionary duty to extend and perpetuate on the for- Conferences in London in 1888, New York, in eign field the sectarian divisions in America. 1900, Edinburgh in 1910 and Jerusalem in 1928; regional conferences in Shanghai, Panama and Loyalty to the Evangelical Standards Montevideo; the Foreign Missions Conference of North America, begun in 1893; the Student Vol- The Presbyterian Board and the missions under unteer Movement which, since its beginning at its care have steadfastly adhered to the declara- Mt. Hermon, Massachusetts, in 1886, has seen tion embodied in the Board's Manual: more than 16,000 students of American colleges go to the foreign field; the Laymen's Missionary The supreme and controlling aim of Foreign Missions Movement which followed the World Missionary is to make the Lord Jesus Christ known to all men as Conference in New York; the Missionary Educa- their Divine Saviour and to persuade them to become tion Movement which, starting in 1902, has en- His disciples; to' gather these disciples into Christian rolled over 50,000 persons in mission study churches which shall be self-propagating, self-supporting classes; and the Central Committee on the United and self-governing; to cooperate, so long as necessary, Study of Foreign Missions which, in the thirty with these churches in the evangelizing of their countryyears of its existence, has published 3,500,000 men and in bringing to bear on all human life the spirit volumes. The foreign missionary enterprise has and principles of Christ. led the modern movement toward closer cooperation of the people of God, nobly expressed in grow- This led the Board to emphatic disagreement ing comity and cooperation at home and abroad in with the basic principle of the report of the Apseveral organic unions, the Universal Christian praisal Commission of the Laymen's Foreign Mis- Conference on Life and Work in Stockholm in sions Inquiry. While the Board recognized what 1925 and the World Conference on Faith and was good in the volume, it declared with regard Order in Lausanne in 1927. The International to the chapters relating to the basis of the mis- Christian Press and Information Service in Ge- sionary enterprise, that "these chapters do not neva, June 17, 1935, listed forty-four international conform to the fundamental aim of Foreign Mis- Christian organizations.t The recent volumes on sions as expressed in the Manual of the Board." "Cooperation and the World Mission," by John R. In a further action, January 15, 1934, "the Board Mott, and "Conspectus of Cooperative Missionary definitely disavows those parts of the volume, 'Re- Enterprises," by Charles H. Fahs and Helen E. Thinking Missions,' which are not in harmony Davis, show that no less than 338 cooperative and with New Testament teachings and not in agreecoordinating enterprises are now functioning in ment with the doctrinal position of the Presbymissionary work, and that they are no longer re- terian Church." By the end of 1934, it was clear garded as tentative and experimental but as essen- that the effort of the "Modern Missions Movetial and permanent factors in missionary policy ment" to galvanize "Re-Thinking Missions" had and practice. In the educational field alone, there failed. In the Presbyterian Church, the Report are 153 union institutions in fifteen countries. is dead. There are indeed individuals who still Seventy missionary boards share in these unions. advocate it, but their number is relatively neg- The Presbyterian Board is in forty-eight, the ligible. An overwhelming majority of the minis- Methodist Episcopal Board in forty and the ters and members who have studied the book now American Board in twenty-four. In two of these know that its sound recommendations were the institutions, Cheeloo University in China and the policy of the Board long before the Appraisal Woman's College in Madras, twelve boards are Commission went to Asia, and that if the prinworking together. There are more (forty-five) ciples which determine its character and viewunion theological seminaries and Bible schools point had prevailed, there never would have been than any other class of union institutions. a missionary enterprise for modern appraisers to appraise. – Presbyterians hold no narrow inter- The policy of the Presbyterian Church, as rep- pretation of the Gospel. They gladly recognize resented by the General Assembly and its Board that it includes a wide variety of missio~ary work, of Foreign Missions, is in full harmony with this not only direct evangelism but educational, med- ical, literary, and social service activities. They t Figures given by Dr. A. L. Warnshuis in The Chr'istian Century, recognize, too, the wisdom of adapting their meth- May 13, 1936. ods to the changing conditions of the modern
world. But they insist that all must be done in deed, not only critics of foreign missions who asthe name and in the spirit of the risen Christ and sert but some anxious supporters who fear that it that their missionary enterprise shall not be per- is not a tide but a river that is flowing away not mitted to degenerate into a mere cultural and hu- to return. But the effort to give the Gospel to the manitarian effort. Non-Christian governments world will not be, cannot be, permanently arrested. can give secular education and non-Christian re- Many, and we believe an increasing number of deligions can promote reforms. Foreign Missions voted ministers and church members, realize both have no adequate justification unless they pro- the peril and the opportunity of the crisis. Theclaim the redemptive Gospel of Christ. ological seminaries are giving increased attention to missions. The purpose of God for men is not If the space limits of this article permitted, it to fail. The numerous changes in the political, would be easy to extend this short list of "high economic and intellectual life of the world, and in lights" of Presbyterian missions. I do not claim the attitude of "Christian" nations toward the that they are peculiar to Presbyterians. In my non-Christian do not impair in the slightest de- History, I have frequently referred to the splen- gree the impera,tive character of the missionary did missionary work of other evangelical denom- obligation. Rather do they increase it. There inations. Nor should we ignore the fact that may and should be changes in methods and emthere are not only "high lights" but deep shadows. phasis, but no present or prospective conditions Secularism, nationalism, totalitarian state policies, can modify the world's need of Christ or lessen denials of religious liberty, a denatured Chris- the duty of the Church to persuade men to accept tianity and skepticism regarding other peoples' Him. He is still the answer to the deepest human need of Christ are rife. To change the figure, the need, the goal of all true progress, the Lord and tide of missionary interest is apparently receding. But it will turn. Tides always do. There are in- Saviour of men.
THOUGHTS ON RECENT EVANGELISM IN INDIA Accounts from different parts of India regarding evangelistic efforts leads the National Christian Council to draw the following conclusions: 1. The Church is realizing afresh that the glorious Gospel of the blessed God has been com- mitted to her trust.
2. The lay forces of the Church are coming steadily into action.
3. Evangelism is accepted as the primary concern of every branch of the Christian enterprise. Some of the most striking illustrations of evangelistic effort come from schools and hospitals.
4. The "Week of Witness," preceded by serious preparation, has come to stay. It has made cooperation possible and indispensable. It has also been the means under God of re- storing many lapsed families to the fellowship of the Church – a most important service.
5. The need of good ,Christian literature is felt everywhere. Distribution must be expedited.
6. Significant as is the "Ambedkar revolt," of even greater significance is the movement among the Bhils, Ezhavas, Balahis and other communities. Systematic instruction of inquirers must be maintained.
7. There is a new spirit of expectancy abroad and a new zest for corporate prayer.
8. There can be but one adequate motive in Evangelism – "the love of Christ constraineth me" – but the methods may be many. For example, Bible Weeks, Book Weeks and Rela- tive Weeks have come hopefully into the scheme of things. So also has newspaper evangelism and evangelism by pictures. Intervisitation by carefully selected teams has proved a great success. Pledge cards have met with a surprisingly cordial reception. Personal witness is still the most effective method.
9. While spiritual unreadiness is a bar, it is not an insuperable bar to a Forward Movement. In going out to save others the Church herself is saved and finds the grace she needs.
10. The Gospel must be carried to all who are in need, irrespective of caste, creed or color. The time is ripe for a concerted Christian attack on illiteracy.
11. "We must not forget the enemy." The open door means that many adversaries are aroused. 12. Forward Movement is just beginning. The Holy Spirit is leading and as Christ's followers cooperate with Him the next step becomes clear. In this cooperation we discover afresh our essential unity.
African Evangelists in
By REV. L. PAUL MOORE, Jr., :1 -·"._'if,'–==E=de=a,=C=am=ero=un=, W=e=st=A=fri;ca;;;;;;j'I!JJ.- W HEN Herman Ntamak, one of the elders strong character from the days when the Leopard in the native congregation at Nkom, set Society, the sorcerers, and the tribal chieftains out one morning, long before it was light, had things pretty much their own way. He stood bearing a large burlap bag of cocoa beans on his . high in the reigning house of his tribe and had head, one would hardly have surmised it was he. every prospect of some day fulfilling a successful Ntamak was not making his departure from the career as an influential chieftain. But when Jesus village while it was still dark because he was Chris·t became not only the transforming but the proud. Even though he had been ordained as an all-consuming desire of his life, Hans Biyik re- elder, he did not chafe because he was carrying linquished all claims as successor to the seat of a load of produce to a European trading center, authority in his tribe. With the passing years he like any other ordinary native. But his early de- has manifested such a deep love and reverence parture was a matter of necessity; he wanted to for his Lord that he has indefatigably sought op- go and get back before the missionary and his portunity for testimony, not only and alone to the company of native elders, evangelists, preachers, people of his own tribe, but he has eagerly sought and others assembled at Nkom for the next Bible opportunity in tribes formerly despised and hated.
conference. When Ntamak met him that morning in the midst Of course the road he was following in the of the jungle Biyik was just returning from two darkness was nothing new to him. If it was in- weeks of self-sacrificing itinerary among what his terspersed with many hills and valleys, many people considered inferior and backward tribes, a crude log bridges to cross, much overhanging venture unattempted by any of his fellow elders.
forest, he would hardly feel conscious of any of "When are they going to arrive at Nkom 1"
these details. It was still dark, but this path was enquired Ntamak, hoping that he might get back so familiar that Ntamak could easily let his mind home in plenty of time for the final preparations.
wander where it would. "Oh, it will be at least three weeks, perhaps Soon after the first streaks of the dawn began four, because the missionary and his company to appear overhead, off in the jungle to the right have gone to the villages far to the north."
Ntamak thought he espied the light of a lantern With this the two men continued their journey swinging into view and out of view, as it passed through the forest together. Biyik extinguished through the heavy vegetation. When he arrived his lantern, for it was now light enough to see, at the place where a small bypath joined itself to and Ntamak was full of further interrogation. the main road, Ntamak waited until the lantern and its bearer came out to him. "They tell me that you have a new catechist in your village." "0 thou that bearest a lantern, I salute you," he called out, as the would-be stranger came with- "0 yes, he is a 'catechist homiletique,''' rein earshot. sponded Biyik.
"Is that Ntamak, a person of the Nkol tribe? "What do you mean by a 'catechist homi- The voice sounds like his." letique'1"
"Biyik I" cried Ntamak with undisguised joy, "Why," said Biyik, "he has just come from the Mission Bible Training School, and he has a black steadying the sack of cocoa beans lest it lose bal- notebook in which he prepares his sermons, and ance on his head. "Where are you coming from 1" to which he refers when he stands before us at "Oh, I have been traveling with the missionary service. That is what 'homiletique' means."
for almost two weeks 1 We have been holding "I heard it said that the missionary has brought Bible .conferences among the Makumak tribes. a new thing for us, a book which explains every People have been thronging all the meetings in verse in the Book of God." .
every place. But now I must get back to my wife "Well, it is not exactly that," explained Biyik, and children across the river. I just went to help "but the missionary has brought out a book which the missionary." explains the Book of Romans, and it is from this book our catechist prepares his sermons. It has Biyik is a strong character, and has been a [30 ] a good many new words in it, and new explana- hearts, so great our debt to God, that we have tions we never heard of before." nothing to give Him to pay for His gift of ex- ceeding generosity, complete and permanent for- "What do you mean?" interrupted Ntamak. giveness through the death of His Son. The Book "First of all, it cuts across all ideas of fetishes." of Romans tells us that God's gift comes first, "But we Christians don't believe any longer in giving us release from punishment, and a new fetishes," was Ntamak's quick reply. life, and a new nature. It is this new nature, the "Yes, but you and I as elders know how many very life of Jesus Himself within us, which gives of our people are even yet held by the hand of a us the power to live the Christian life. The memgreat fear, trembling in terror of witches and orizing of the catechism and of the verses from many other invisible enemies. And oh, how many God's Word gives this life strength, and causes it of our church people believe that the water of bap- to grow, and to conquer the old nature. tism is like a great river which carries away all their guilt. And many people look upon the bread "Our 'catechist homiletique,' " continued Biyik, and wine of the Lord's Table as though these had "has been at the mission station -in training for the same power as the 'soya' of our fathers, an about nine months and he has all sorts of books antidote which dispels guilt and repels disaster. to help him now. He has not only the translation God's Word itself says that the blood of Jesus on of Romans, and the book I told you about, but he the cross has once and for all exhausted the wrath has the same thing for 1 Corinthians, with teachof God against every sin we have ever committed, or still commit, or may in the future commit; that A PASTORS' TRAINING CLASS AT DONDI, ANGOLA we are saved and safe by His 'exceeding generosity.' " ing about the Lord's Supper, about the death and By now the two men had come to a large resurrection of believers, and many other things. stream, over which a gigantic tree had been felled He has, as well, books on Matthew and John. Then in order to give passage over the water. Without there is the new book of Bible verses which excomment, and as though this, too, were quite plains our catechism. You've seen it, haven't usual, one after the other the men planted their you?" bare feet upon the fallen tree, passed over the trunk, then followed one of the main branches "0 yes," replied Ntamak – "the one with all where the tree forked up and down, and were soon the Scripture verses, the one which has the 'Five walking again in the half light under the tall Steps to Salvation and Life' at the back of it?" trees of the jungle. "I tell you truly," added Biyik, "this teaching "What do you mean by His 'exceeding gener- in Romans and 1 Corinthians is revealing sin to osity'?" asked Ntamak, after the interval of the me in a new way. It is exposing the hypocrisy crossing. "Where did the missionary get that of lip worship, and makes me realize that Jesus combination of words?" Himself must dwell in the heart, for He longs for us to be holy as He is holy. And that just reminds "It means that through the exceeding gener- me. I wish I could find out who those fellows osity of God, a generosity to us who merit nothing were who stayed in my village while I have been but punishment for all our sins, we now can ob- away. They were from over on this side of the tain forgiveness and a new life, and shall never river. The catechist wrote me about them. He come into God's judgment for sin. That is a gift sent the letter to me while I was at Bodipo with of exceeding generosity, an unmerited favor from the missionary. Think of it! These fellows, four God to all who will reach out the hand of faith and accept it."
"But," interrupted Ntamak, "do we not have to do something to obtain this gift of exceeding generosity? I am an elder, even as you, and I know the steps into the church. One must know the catechism, the Lord's Prayer, the Apostle's Creed, the Ten Commandments. He must live for two years in the light of this teaching without a 'palaver.' He must present himself daily at prayers and church service and give regularly to the church. Then he is worthy to be baptized and to partake of the Lord's Supper."
"Even so," replied Biyik, "but this new book on Romans shows us that so great is our sin and so sinful our every thought and the desires of our
of them, were on their way to the trading center. through us. Why, if we could get that teaching, While under the sweat and exertion of carrying, that life, into the hearts of all our young people, they wore old, worn-out clothing, but when they our women, our men, our children, then sensual came to a town, they would hide their bags of sin would no longer hold its powerful attraction cocoa beans somewhere, dress up in new shoes, over our people, and they would be free from fear- trousers, sport shirts" and even hats, which they ing witches, ghosts, water sprites, and the rest of had carried wrapped up in a towel on top of their the invisible host.
loads, and then promenade around our villages, "Why, do you know, Ntamak," continued Biyik, enticing our young girls to sin. I wish I had been so grieved over present conditions, so fired with there. I wish I knew who they were." enthusiasm at the possibilities of the future since "That's not the worst I have heard," replied he had experienced the power of the new nature Ntamak. "These young fellows who are working in his own life, "unheard of things are happening as clerks in the stores at the trading centers keep to those who have fully accepted this teaching.
bread and cube sugar, small tins of sardines, and You know that our fathers used to say, 'No hu- even cigarettes in their rooms of the huts they man being ever goes anywhere unless he has occupy. Knowing that women and girls have something somewhere about his body, something come from great distances, are hungry, and have which can protect him and save him.' But today a hankering for the thrill of 'city life' as well, actually many are putting their confidence in these fellows very cordially direct our women to nothing but what they hold in their hearts, that make themselves at home out back of their shop invisible something which they believe. To many and rest until the work is finished. You know, this seems like unheard of foolhardiness, I know.
Biyik, many people think that when they are in a And others will not believe that we actually do large place where no one knows them, it doesn't not have something somewhere about our persons.
matter what they do. Who will report it to their And still others say that God does His part in sav- husbands or fathers, fifty or sixty miles back in ing the soul, but is not concerned with keeping the bush?" watch over our bodies. We must do that. But "Do you know," reflected Biyik, "there are to those who really know the Jesus way, who many things of trouble which we are called upon really talk to Him and trust Him for everything to face these days. Some of these troubles en- there is no need of amulet or charm, no need even courage us, some discourage us. For instance, of casting one's confidence on the Lord's Supper down where I come from there is a feeling-and as though in itself it had power to keep from it is daily becoming more evident-that many physical danger or calamity. I am not talking Christian people do not want to sell their daugh- about my own experience only. Talk to Abraham ters into marriage for so many goats, so much Telep, Mose Bikai, Martin Um, and many others money or gifts. They believe that if their chil- I could mention."
dren are gifts from God, and if they themselves "Is the missionary going to call another class are believers in Christ, their daughters· should not of catechists together in January for Bible train- be sold like so many slaves. But the trouble is- ing?" asked Ntamak, hoping that the catechist in the young people. All of them, perhaps, do not his village might take advantage of the training have as much light as their parents, and perhaps other catechists in other villages had had, and marriage without the dowry will not hold them that thereby he and his own people could get more to each other as it does now." light upon this new teaching of Romans and 1 "But," continued Ntamak, whose people were Corinthians.
one of the tribes further in the interior and hence "I don't know how he can," replied Biyik, "at somewhat more backward than those of Biyik, least not until another ordained missionary comes, "even among us· our young men are wanting to when either one or the other of them can be set marry girls who are chaste. Time was, you know, aside for this kind of work. You know there is that if a girl had had an illegitimate child, she no one now to take care of the 150 congregations had proved her worth as being able to have chil- in this field, and so the school has had to be closed dren, and therefore was the more desirable. Times indefinitely."
are changing." When these two native elders had reached the "I think a great deal is due to the catechists bank of the Sanaga River, which separates the among us," suggested Biyik. "These fellows who Babimbi tribes from the tribes to the south, they have been to the mission training school have separated. Ntamak turned to the right and shown our people a new teaching from the Bible wended his way to the European trading center which makes Jesus real. Think of it! His resur- not far distant, while Biyik crossing the river in a rection life in us ! We are no longer our own. large dug-out canoe, hastened along the road to He must not be hindered in living His life in and join his family in the village of Nkofia.
E. Vail, the Beloved
By REV. R. C. RICHARDSON, D.D., Miraj, West India Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
AMONG the Christian missionaries in India by obtaining high grades in his studies and in be- coming tennis champion and was a good baseball ~ who have completed their work during the player. He was a member of Clio Society and present year, perhaps none has been better Colonial Club. Graduating from Princeton in 1902, he entered the College of Physicians and known than Dr. Charles E. Vail, who went to his Surgeons the same year and was graduated in reward on March 21, 1936. His body was laid to 1906 after a strenuous four-year's work. At the rest in Miraj, where he had labored ir:cessantly conclusion of his course he received the much covand whole-heartedly since 1910, not only to relieve the bodily suffering of the people, but to lead them eted appointment of an to a knowledge of Christ, internship at St. Luke's the only Saviour of man- Hospital, New Y 0 r kkind. having won this honor in competitive examination. Dr. Vail was a devoted Christian as well as a most After two and a half skilful surgeon. When he years in this hospital in volunteered for mission- surgical work, .he spent ary work in India, his six months in Sloan Machief reason for going was ternity Hospital and anto lead the people of India other six months studying to a saving knowledge of the eye and ear. During Jesus Christ and he wish- his years of study in meded to use his medical ical school Dr. William J. knowledge and surgical Wanless (afterwards Sir skill to assist to the utter- William) came home on most to this end. Many furlough from India and an Indian Christian has when Dr. Vail heard him testified publicly to the speak of his work he was fact that Dr. Vail's com- so impressed that he deing to India was r:ot in cided to go to Miraj to vain. work with Dr. Wanless who had started the work On July 1l,1880,Charles there in 1889. It had E. Vail was born at Corn- grown to be one of the wall – on – Hudson, New best known medical mis- York, the son of Dr. and sions in Asia. Dr. Vail Mrs. William H. Vail. Charles Vail came of good stock. His grandfather on DR. CHARLES E. VAIL applied to the Presby- his father's side was also terian Board of Foreign a physician and his grandfather on his mother's Missions and was assigned to work in India in side was the great evangelistic and educational 1909. He sailed from Philadelphia in September missionary in Constantinople – Cyrus Hamlin. 1909 and stopped in England to study tropical dis- Charles Vail's early education was obtained at eases, medicines and for practice in cataract Blairstown Academy. While there he came under operations.
the influence of Miss Anna Scudder, one of a No medical missionary had arrived in the great and well-known missionary family of India. Western India Mission any better prepared for He took kindly to out-door sports, as well as to work than was Dr. Vail. Few have had as great his studies, and was well prepared for entrance a task set before them as he found ready to his to Princeton University in 1898. During his four hand when he arrived in 1910. Dr. Wanless and years in the university he distinguished himself his associates had built up a wonderful piece of [ 33]
work at Miraj-a work that was known through- ing back to Miraj, the doctor's car would be out India and neighboring countries. The equip- crowded with the poorest of the people needing ment included a hospital, dispensary, several out- operations, which could be performed only in the station dispensaries throughout the district, a hospital operating room. Reaching Miraj at one Nurses Training School and the only Christian or two or three o'clock in the morning, Dr. Vail Medical School for men in all India. Many a man would begin the regular work of the day as usual would have felt the work too great to attempt- a few hours afterwards. This included prayer for Dr. Wanless was leaving on furlough in six service for medical students at 7: 30 a. m., teachweeks and Dr. Vail was to be in charge of all this ing from eight o'clock to nine or sometimes until work, with the responsibility for raising the 10 o'clock; then hospital rounds until nearly noon, money in India for its support. Moreover, the seeing new patients until about one o'clock, then great majority of the patients knew no English the noon meal, after which operations would begin and Dr. Vail knew no Marathi. Yet, he took hold and continue until evening, oftentimes until ten of the task with such earnestness and prayer, that or eleven at night. he not only maintained the high standard of work, but also raised more money than had been raised On alternate days, there would be eye operain any previous year – a marvelous accomplish- tions and occasionally work would close about five ment. o'clock. Then it was really refreshing to see the great and gentle surgeon, relaxing on the tennis He soon established a great name as a Chris- court, showing that he excelled his fellows in tian surgeon. A few years after his arrival in tennis, as he did in surgery; or he might jump India, he held a record for cataract operations, into his car and rush out to a jungle, thirty or including those on members of the families of forty miles distant, in search of a panther or tiger many Maharajahs and princes of India and on that had been troubling the people of that district. chiefs of Arabia and on high English officials. Dr. Vail, while on his work in the outstations or But his greatest work has been for the many thou- villages, was always ready to share his meals with sands of the poor, who otherwise might have had his neighbors or share the meals of the Indians, no medical aid. whether rich or poor.
All who have come to Miraj Christian Hospital This beloved physician was taken away in the have received the same kindly Christian treat- midst of a wonderful work, when he was used of ment, whether they have been princes or paupers. God to bring much relief and comfort and joy to The spirit of Jesus Christ has dominated all his many thousands of people. This is one of those work and from early morning until far into the Divine mysteries we shall understand only when night for these twenty-five years and more, he we come into God's presence. has given the best that was in him to relieve bodily suffering and at the same time has sought to Dr. Vail was undoubtedly one of the greatest lead patients to a knowledge of the Great Phy- surgeons India has known. People came from all sician, who can heal both body and spirit. over India, from Africa, from Arabia, from Per- sia and other countries to be under his care. Most Outstation dispensary work has been of ines- of these have been helped, not only physically, but timable value to the people of India and Dr. Vail's spiritually. weekly visits to these places have been a great boon to many thousands. The writer well remembers one case especially -that of a cultured Parsee, an author who had Starting at noon in his car from Miraj, after written a life of Jesus Christ. After having been his morning's work in the hospital and Medical around the hospital the best part of two months, School, he reaches an outstation about two hours he said that he wished he had not written some of afterwards. There he finds a crowd of people the things in his book about Christ for now he waiting at the dispensary. (The medical assistant knew better, having seen true Christianity in the of the place having notified the people of the dis- lives of the doctor and his assistants. When this trict of the doctor's coming.) He commenced his Parsee family left the hospital they asked for and work by the reading of a passage of Scripture, received a picture of Christ to take to their home. usually from the Gospels telling of the wonderful Later Dr. Vail was called to their home to treat a work of the Lord Jesus Christ-and, after prayer member of the family although there are many for God's blessing on the people and the work, he Parsee doctors in the city in which they live. would treat the many people assembled faithfully, skilfully and lovingly. After prescribing, he The gentle Christian spirit of Dr. Vail was what would operate-oftentimes under great difficulty, impressed Christian and non-Christian alike. A not having the best equipment and sometimes with high caste Hindu young man who attended the light only from a kerosene lamp. This work would Medical School for four years, openly confessed often go on until nearly midnight and when start- his faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized at the close of his four years in Miraj. Dr. Vail always
CHARLES E. VAIL, THE BELOVED PHYSICIAN
gladly took his turn conducting the English Gos- been cured and one day while operating he acpel service conducted every Sabbath evening espe- knowledged that he was tired and went to his cially for medical students and nurses from other house. After a few days God took him "home." parts of India. This service was always assured of a good attendance, for he never failed to give a The deep love the people of India had for this message that was uplifting and made his audience man of God was clearly evidenced when he rerealize the presence of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. turned from Berlin. The railway station was crowded with people of Miraj-Hindus, Moham- The doctor never could have accomplished the medans, Parsees, and Christians – to welcome great work he did, had he not had the most loyal back the beloved physician. A great procession cooperation of all who worked with him and had escorted him to the Christian Church, where the not Mrs. Vail relieved him of much of the details multitudes filled the churchyard, as well as the of the work of administration. church to unite in thanksgiving to God for bring- ing the doctor-friend back to them. In January, 1935, there was noted the first sign of the disease that brought an end to this Christ- Again, when his work on earth was finished and like life. A prompt consultation with the mis- his body was waiting for burial, several thousand sion's physicians resulted in Dr. Vail's being sent people assembled to pay their respects and to show by airplane to Berlin, where he received special their deep love for one who had given his life in treatment for about two months. He returned to service for them, for he saw them as those for Miraj apparently cured and worked as before. whom Christ died. .AJbout nine months afterwards, however, a sign again appeared which caused him again to fly to The work in Miraj needs another such man. Berlin. On his return he entered on his work, as Who will come and continue this work that has if quite well again-but, the dread disease had not led so many to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ?
IS GOD WAITING FOR YOU? * By JAMES H. MCCONKEY Standing on the wall of a great lock of the Sault Sainte Marie ship canal, I saw a huge lake vessel about to enter. At my feet lay the empty lock – waiting. For what? Waiting to be filled. Beyond lay great Lake Superior with its almost limitless supply of water, also waiting. For what? Waiting for something to be done at the lock ere the great lake could pour in its fullness. In a moment the lock':'keeper reached out his hand and touched a steel lever. A little wicket gate sprang open under the magic touch and at once the water rushed into the lock and began to boil, and seethe, rapidly rising. In a few moments the lock was full. The great gates swung open and the huge ship floated into the basin now filled to the brim with the fullness from the waiting lake without.
Is not this a picture of a great truth about the Holy Spirit? God's children are like that empty lock, waiting to be filled. And, as that great inland sea outside the lock was willing and waiting to pour its abundance into the lock, so is God willing to pour His fullness of life into the lives of His children. But He is waiting. For what? Waiting, as the lake waited, for something to be done by us. Waiting for us to touch that tiny wicket gate of consecration through which His abundant life shall flow in. Is it hard to move? Does the rust of worldliness corrode it? Do the weeds and ivy-vines of selfishness cling about and choke it? Is the will stubborn, and slow to yield? God is waiting, and once it is done, He reveals Himself in fullness of life even as He has promised. He has been all the time willing and ready, for all the barriers and hindrances have been upon our side, not upon His. They are the barriers not of His unwillingness, but of our unyieldedness. You may say that you received all of Christ when you were saved, but did Christ get all of you?
* Adapted from "The Surrendered Life." which will be sent free to anyone addressing Silver Publishing Co., Bessemer Building, Pittsburgh, Pa., U. S. A.
MASAYUKI A JAPANESE HERO SHRINE AT KANAZAW A
A Statue of a Faithful Subject, in Tokyo, Venerating the Emperor This Is One of the Objects of Worship Daily Revered by Hundreds When Japanese Buddhists Pray -~ I By WINBURN T. THOMAS, Kyoto, Japan I }~o._ ~==========================~J A LL Japanese are not Buddhists, but the na- phasis upon national unity, faith healing, and .r-. tive religion, Shinto, has become so inter- other popular ideas, appeal to young Japanese woven with the Buddhism brought from who lack any great object to which they can give China and Korea in the seventh century, that the their loyalty. From 1925-32, Marxism was the two are today virtually indistinguishable. The "gospel" that challenged the courage of youth. non-Christian Chinese answers the question, Beginning with the efforts of the government to "What is your religion?" simply, "I worship suppress all "dangerous thought," nationalism has idols." He does not differentiate between Con- held the center of youth's affection until recently. fucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Due in part Capable observers now claim that this hold has to the efforts of the government to separate the been broken and that youth is again on the march, two, Japanese Shinto and Buddhism do have cer- seeking some great idea which can sweep it off tain distinctive characteristics; and while an of- its feet. Of the hundreds of students who fill out ficial statement has ,been issued, stating that the cards for my file, most write in the space for reformer is not a religion, Japanese subjects classify ligion: "Nothing." Excepting Buddhist priests, themselves religiously as Buddhist, Shinto, or perhaps half of those who do indicate any reli- Christian. Superficial observation leads the gious faith list Christianity as their religion, or as writer to believe that Buddhists are largely old the philosophy or social creed which most appeals persons and professional priests. Young people to them. – are scarcely ever seen worshiping at the Buddhist This sketchy introduction to the religious mind temples. They are attracted more by the various of Japanese youth is necessary if one is to undersects of Shinto that have been forming during the stand the answers recently given when a group of last few years at the rate of about four each week. students were questioned concerning prayer. We These semireligious organizations, with their em- had spent the evening in a study of Christ's ideas [36 ]
WHEN JAPANESE BUDDHISTS PRAY
on the subject. The group of Christian and non- addressed. These prayers do not voice praise for Christian Japanese students was then asked to the gods, nor are they petitions on behalf of the list points of similarity and difference between souls of the departed. They are prayers offered Christian and Buddhist prayers. While the an- in self-interest for money, proposerity, health, the swers are admittedly the ideas of a sophisticated nation, or even to satisfy lusts. Sometimes there is confession of sins, and a plea for forgiveness, THE TORI! LEADING TO THE HEIAN SHRINE IN KYOTO but this is rare. The prayers are seldom prompted by a sense of humility. In Japan the highest god group of college men, and thus are hardly repre- to whom a petition can be addressed is the Emsentative of the views of the masses, they do sug- peror. All deceased ancestors are looked upon as gest an objective valuation of the subject. There dead gods; as are Christ and Buddha. The Emwas little contradiction found in any of the pa- peror being alive is therefore considered superior pers; they rather tended to supplement each to all spiritual gods. other. The contrasting view of Christian prayer There are Japanese who feel, with Henley, that throws light on the common saying that Christhey are masters of their own fate and have no tians in Japan are different. The Christian stuneed of prayer. These are perhaps truer to the dents believe that God is aware of our needs bespirit of Buddha himself than are those who fore we ask Him but that we need to pray so that pray, for he did not find in the universe sufficient God will answer our petitions. The sense of sin evidence of a God to whom he could pray. There is much more real in Christians than in nonis a sect of young Buddhists who, reasoning from Christians. the atheism of Buddha, are offering Buddhism to the world as most compatible with the agnostic Some feel that in educated circles prayer habits point of view of science. and ethical standards have been vitally influenced by Christian concepts, and therefore Buddhists Multitudes of Buddhists do feel the need for and members of Shinto sects now address their prayer. It is offered before the shrine in the prayers to deity and ask for things no less worthy household, each morning and evening, by the than those found in the most petitions of Chriswoman of the family. There are few who do not tians. The filling of Buddhism and Shinto with at some time during the day pause in front of a Christian ideas, insofar as it is a reality, is one of shrine, temple, gravestone, or likeness of some the valuable secondary results of Christian mishero or ancestor, and offer a short prayer. At the sions in Japan. occasional services held in the temples, prayers are said by the priests. Usually "a prayer is not A BUDDHIST PLAQUE BEFORE WHICH JAPANESE WORSHIP offered save in front of some object." But since they "worship everything in nature" it is not difficult to find an object to which requests may be
Story of An Afghan Christian
-~I By ALFRED ZAHIR !Ja.- : ~==============================~ T HE pale, broad disc of a summer sun was hand in hers and pressed it with the tenderness sinking silently behind the dark line of ma- of wifely affection. jestic mountains that bounded the landscape "Yes! my dear," she said composedly, "the gloon all sides. Slate-colored hawks and eagles rious sun is hidden from our eyes, but its efful- floated peacefully through the motionless air and gent rays are now illuminating other parts of our the dismal wail of the screech-owl deepened the world. We are deprived of its light, but not for- gloom of the passing day. ever. It will be morning again, and the beautiful In the sequestered little village of Quetta in sun will rise once more in its grandeur and glory."
Baluchistan (the scene of the recent devastating The comforting words had such a ring of hope- earthquake), nestling picturesquely in the bosom fulness and cheer that her husband, turning to of the mountain fastnesses of North India, Dr. her, said: "Do you think then, that our discour- Summerhayes and his wife were sitting in the agement will one day change into hope, and that porch of their little bungalow, talking over a cup we may yet live to see some fruit of our labors?"
of tea, and recounting the events and adventures "Yes, indeed I do," answered Mrs. Summerhayes of the day. in a voice resonant with cheerfulness. "Haven't The evening wore quietly on. The soaring birds you seen how the people around have changed in gradually alighted silently on treetops and bare their attitude and are beginning to have confidence rocks. The screech-owl, having procured its eve- in us. More than once I have heard them say, ning meal, ceased its distracting plaint. As the 'We are convinced now that Christians are a truth- massive cliffs hid the glory of the setting sun, a telling and honorable people.' The people are deep yellow tint overspread the scene and brought visiting our hospital in larger numbers every day what the natives call a "false evening." The two and are willing-as they have never been before- missionaries sat entranced under the mystic spell to trust their lives to our care. Is it too much to of the dying day, and gazed spellbound at the vast say, then, that some day they will more fully ap- panorama illumined by the glory of the setting preciate this service of love, and in the end will sun. find Him in whose name we serve? My faith Suddenly, as though waking from a haunting leads me to believe that I shall yet see it with dream, Dr. Summerhayes moved restlessly in his these eyes of mine."
chair, learned forward and peered intently into After dinner the little family gathered round the gathering darkness. Presently he sank back, the fire for family prayers and Dr. Summerhayes and glancing at his wife, sighed heavily and said: poured out unrestrainedly the thoughts of his "Was not that a glorious sunset!" Without wait- heart before God. He begged for forgiveness of ing for an answer he added: "Yes, the beautiful his weak faith, and implored His Master for a new day has drawn to its close and so do our lives; and baptism of the Holy Spirit and for a spirit of yet in all these years we have not led one Moslem greater devotion and wholehearted fidelity to his to Christ. During the past few years that we Lord. On rising from his knees he felt that he have toiled amongst these people all our efforts had indeed received the divine anointing for which seem to have been in vain. Not one soul has re- he had prayed.
sponded to our message. This very day, as I sat The two missionaries sat down to read and dis- watching by the side of a dying patient, and saw cuss the different aspects of their work and to his soul go out, I realized that was the end of all consider plans for larger undertakings. They the efforts we had been making to bring him to were in the middle of an interesting discussion, Jesus Christ. Are we flinging our lives away, when the sound of footsteps was heard outside.
vainly attempting what we shall never accom- They were somewhat startled for the night 'was plish?" already far advanced and the whole city was This pathetic moan of distress deeply touched wrapped in silence. They had heard many stories Mrs. Summerhayes' tender heart. Anxious lest of ghastly murders and nightly ambuscades by the her husband should see her grief she quickly wiped fierce highwaymen and cut throats of Baluchistan.
away the tears and, turning to him, she took his But they soon regained equanimity and laughed [38 ] at their fears. Dr. Summerhayes unlatched the "He is the Saviour, Isa Masih (Jesus Christ) ," door and walked into the vestibule. What he saw replied the doctor, "who came to this world to excited his sympathy more than either his doubts suffer and to die for you and me, and for all sinor fear. Four men had borne a sick patient on a ners, that all of us might be saved and set free covered cot and set him on the verandah. On see- from sin." ing the doctor, the men saluted him respectfully, bowing to the ground. Then one came forward The uncultured Pathan had never heard of such and making another low salaam, humbly peti- a Saviour before. His heart was gripped and he tioned the doctor saying: kept the Sahib for a long time answering ques- tions and satisfying the curiosity that had begun "Sir, in the name of Allah, we beseech you to to burn in his heart. have mercy on us and on this sick man for he is in great agony." For many days after his discharge, the young man clung to his benevolent patron, visiting him Saying this, he lifted the cover and showed the at intervals and eagerly learning more and more sick man's face. After a close examination, Dr. of the life and work of Jesus Christ. Summerhayes ordered the patient to be removed to the hospital while he followed and there spent The young man's name was Nasar Ullah Khan, two or three hours trying to relieve his suffering. a full-blooded Afghan, tall and stalwart. He had When the patient had fallen asleep, the kind- once served in the ranks of the army of the Amir hearted doctor returned to his bungalow for a few of Afghanistan and had fought in many a battle. hours rest. He had abandoned the military profession and be- come a merchant, carrying on trade between Ka- Next morning while the stars were still shin- bul and Quetta. On one of his business tours, he ing, Dr. Summerhayes rose and went to see his had suddenly been taken ill and was brought to patient again. This early visit, the vigilant care the mission hospital at Quetta. and the touching love, won the patient's heart. Through the long days of his stay in the hospital, The message of the Gospel, which the life of the the unselfish devotion of the missionary filled him missionary physician had commended to his heart, with a sense of deep reverence for the good man. transformed Nasar Ullah into a new creature but there were many vital issues to be considered be- When the patient had nearly recovered from his fore he became a professed Christian. His zeal sickness, and the date of his discharge was an- was so great and his faith so strong that he put nounced, the patient began to be very sad. He all considerations aside and requested to be baphad become so deeply attached to the loving phy- tized immediately. When it was suggested that sician that he was grieved at the idea of having it was better to wait till he was more adequately to leave his care. One day the grateful patient instructed in. the faith, he clasped his hands in caught the lapel of Dr. Summerhayes' coat and despair, and naively declared, "Well! all right, said: just as you please, but if my Saviour comes in the meanwhile and says to me: 'Nasar Ullah, why art "Sahib, please sit down for a minute. I have thou not baptized?' remember the fault will be some things to ask you." yours."
When the doctor had seated himself on the bed After he had received baptism, Nasar Ullah the patient said: was filled with a new passion for souls and with a desire to preach the Gospel. He forsook his occu- "Tell me, Sahib, what makes you so kind and pation as a merchant and devoted his time to loving. We are all very poor and humble folk; working in the hospital, preaching to the patients, you charge no fees, nor do you accept any re- and becoming more thoroughly grounded in his wards, and yet you have been kinder to me than new faith. my own father and mother would have been. Tell me I adjure you by the great name of Allah, the A few months later, Dr. Summerhayes sent him reason of your wonderful love!" to Lahore to be trained as an hospital assistant. While at Lahore, young Nasar Ullah had a second The missionary's heart glowed with joy. Was attack of his old disease and became so ill that he God answering his prayers after all, and sending had to be admitted to the big government hospital. an encouragement to his faltering faith? With a Here he often felt very lonely and his young faith silent prayer for guidance, he glanced towards the went through a fiery trial. Not only was the physpatient and smilingly said: ical pain very great, but a whole group of mis- chief-making and unsympathetic Mohammedan "My friend, it is a joy to me to be of service to workers and ward coolies made sport of his faith you and your people. My life has been dedicated and jeered at his Christianity, causing him great to the service of a loving Saviour who gave His spiritual agony. They repeatedly asked him to life that you and I and all mankind may be saved." renounce his religion and to return to Islam. When he refused to listen to their entreaties, they "And what is his name ?~' questioned the patient in amazement, lifting himself on his elbow to get nearer the doctor. "Tell me, who is this Saviour who makes you work such miracles of love?"
neglected to attend him and did all they could to It so happened that on the very day they had hasten his death. But with the true fortitude of planned to start, Nasar Ullah had an unexpected an Afghan and the forbearance of a disciple of visit from a group of friends. In the early morn- Christ, Nasar weathered this storm of persecu- ing Nasar Ullah's nephew made his sudden ap- tion. In his trouble he often called the name of pearance in the courtyard and, after the usual his friend, Dr. Summerhayes, but more often on form of salutation which in Baluchistan involves the name of his Saviour, asking Him for strength embracing, kissing and touching the feet, the to continue faithful. nephew intimated the purpose of his unannounced Nasar Ullah's prayers were answered and to the arrival, as follows: surprise of his enemies, he recovered. After com- "I have come accompanied by four other pleting his medical training he returned to work friends, who are waiting outside, to carry you in the mission hospital at Quetta and spent many home with us. There is serious sickness in the a day of happy and close fellowship with his family and your people have desired your imme- friend, working in the love and spirit of their diate attendance."
great Master and touching many a heart by the Without waiting for any further explanation or apostolic zeal and tender affection with which they asking for any guarantee of good faith, Nasar ministered to the sick and suffering of Balu- Ullah immediately made arrangements to return chistan. with his nephew, and sent his family to his wife's Then came a call from the government, and home. It was a long and tedious journey, and Nasar Ullah was asked to fill a position in a re- most of the distance had to be covered on foot, but mote government hospital on the Afghan fron- the sturdy mountaineers were accustomed to tier. It was an unsafe position and the remu- such hardships.
neration was meagre. But Nasar Ullah was long- They journeyed along, cheerfully talking over ing for increased opportunity to penetrate further the events of the past few years, discussing the north and reach the hardest type of his country- numerous family and tribal feuds, and the man- men, to whom the Word of Life had never been ner in which some had been settled and others left carried. He was aware that murder and larceny unavenged. Despite the thought of sickness at was a regular profession among the frontier tribes home, Nasal' Ullah could scarcely help feeling and that to them, all who possessed any money peculiarly happy. His joy was largely the result were hated infidels and especially so were Chris- of the feeling that he was going home. After all tians whom every Afghan hated. "But," said these years of silence and hostility, his people Nasar, "God has called me and I have answered, were at last willing to open their door to him.
'Here am I, Lord, send me'; so I am going, come "This is a promise of great opportunities," he said what may." to himself in exultation. "Maybe this is the first He said "Good-bye" to his great friend and with step my people are taking towards opening their his wife and family went to the frontier village to hearts to the great Saviour." His joy was great.
take up the duties of his new position. In a few On the third day, as the travelers crossed the months he won the confidence of his hard-hearted frontier and entered the Amir's dominion, Nasar countrymen. The sincerity of his motives and the Ullah saw a sudden change come over his hitherto love and honesty with which he served amongst jolly companions. They became sullen andmo- them, made them his friends. His fame spread rose, and sparing of speech. Unwilling to allow to great distances, even across the frontier to any doubts against the love and honesty of his Afghanistan. People came in ever-increasing own nephew, Nasar ascribed the change to weari- numbers to be treated by his kindly hand and ness resulting from the toilsome march and did many were healed by the touch of his love. Many his part in trying to cheer them up. About mid- found the Lord Jesus through the ministry of this day, the men stopped beside a shady spring to humble Afghan, and were openly admitted to the partake of a hasty meal from the provisions they Christian fold. But while many of his country- carried with them. They had hardly set down men were impressed by his exemplary life, his their burdens when Nasar's nephew made a sud- popularity was a source of annoyance to others. den spring and planted himself in front of his They felt bitter jealousy against him because he uncle. Then holding his wrists tightly, and look- was an apostate Moslem and was engaged in ing into his face with eyes full of fire, he said spreading the Christian Gospel. harshly: – One day Nasar Ullah's wife persuaded him to "Chacha (uncle), you are now in our control, accompany her to her parents' home further in and we can do with you what we like. You have the interior and to spend a few days there in order become an accursed Kirani (literally a Christian that he might have a little rest. Nasal' Ullah con- dog) and have disgraced the entire household.
ceded to his wife's request, and the family made You have choice now, either recite the Kalima ready to go. (the Mohammedan creed) or prepare to die."
ETHIOPIAN MISSIONS UNDER ITALIAN RULE
Nasar Ullah was astonished by this treacherous I turn unfaithful to Him and forget His great assault by one of his own kindred. Several at- love. No! Never! I am willing, yes happy to tacks had been made on his life in previous years, lay down my life for His sake, for I know that but Nasar's devotion to his Master and his love thereafter I shall go to live with Him forever. for his countrymen had long effaced their memory But as for you, you can gain nothing by killing from his heart. Of all the trials that he had been me." through this last seemed to be the hardest. Was he to choose life, and turn a traitor to his Saviour, These words of Nasar Ullah did little to assuage or should he choose death and win His everlasting his nephew's anger, on the contrary they incited approbation. His expression of perplexity testi- him to greater brutality and confirmed him in his fied that he was debating this question and wait- murderous resolve. The last words were still on ing for guidance. Presently his expression Nasar's lips, when the nephew's eyes gleamed like changed into one of great serenity. liquid fire. He whipped out a deadly kirch (a large pointed knife) from under the folds of his "Do you wish to end my life, my son," he at last garment, thrust it ruthlessly into his uncle's body. answered with a smile of perfect happiness, "because I am a Christian? If so, I am only very After their deadly mission of hatred and malice sorry; because rest assured that one day you will had been fulfilled, the Afghans resumed their regret your action. Remember, that it is only my march to their home, while their brother and wellbody you can destroy, for you cannot touch my wisher went to His heavenly Home. A tablet to soul. My body is not my own. It has been bought the martyr's memory was erected in the little with a great price-the blood of my Saviour who church at Quetta, with the inscription: laid down His life for you and for me. How can "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."
Ethiopian Missions Under Italian Rule By REV. JAMES ROHRBAUGH, _J~'- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T REMENDOUS changes are being wrought in terian and thirty were with the Sudan Interior Ethiopia. The land in which the long-eared Mission. Before the war there were about one mule was the beast of burden and the slow, hundred and fifty, the SIM having grown to sevtedious trek the means of travel is undergoing enty and the Bible Churchmen's Missionary Sosome startling transformations. The Ethiopia, ciety and a number of independent groups having which continued the same for two milleniums, is entered. Today there are about sixty in the SIM, definitely no more. Modern roads are beginning five in the United Presbyterian Mission, the same to stretch over the rolling plateaus and up the number in the BCMS, three Pentecostal ladies winding valleys. Aeroplanes soar constantly over- and two under the Independent Presbyterian head. A system of schools and hospitals is being Board. There are also a few Germans and Adplanned which promises modern education and ventists. Independent workers and many others medical treatment to millions who have never have gone, so that about half the number here beknown it before. Sleepy Ethiopia, which produced fore the war remain. The United Presbyterians not a builder, scholar, artist, or scientist, is being withdrew two of their workers in obedience to the compelled to sit up and watch changes which, request of the American Government that Amerwhen completed, will have utterly transformed all icans leave, and later withdrew all of their workwhich she heretofore knew. ers in the west when danger threatened and the British Consul requested them to go. They plan "What part will Missions play in the new Ethi- to send these missionaries back into the country opia?" is a question often asked by those who have in the immediate future. Incidentally the United been watching the growth of missionary groups Presbyterians paid more attention to the requests and their work during the past decade. Six years of governments than did the other Missions and ago there were approximately seventy mission- by so doing, their workers were not in grave aries in the country of which about twenty were danger nor have any lives been lost other than Dr. Swedish, another twenty were United Presby-
Hockman of Chicago, killed in Red Cross service. countries, the Government is taking over the func- Of the SIM's nine stations in the south, seven tion of education and in addition the ministry to have had to be abandoned, the occupants of three the sick. In many primitive countries missions having fled for their lives and hidden in the moun- have undertaken these tasks. Heretofore many tains until rescued. Their two stations in the of the Ethiopian Government's trusted servants west are intact as is one of their two stations in came from mission schools and the care of the the north. Two of their workers have been killed. sick was entrusted almost wholly to mission so- The BCMS abandoned both their stations outside cieties. Within the first week of the Italian occu- of Addis Ababa. At present all but twenty-eight pancy of Addis, a Government school was opened of the missionaries in the country are in the cap- and rapidly grew to over a thousand pupils. Such ital, and the majority of those are concentrated at schools are planned for the whole country, yet Wolamo awaiting the coming of the Italians. here in Addis no religion is taught in the school.
It is apparent that Christian missions in this Pupils have perfect freedom to learn religion land are at their lowest ebb in some years and where they will. Similarly, hospitals have been very little in the way of missionary work is being opened; poor are treated free and an obstetrical carried on outside of Addis Ababa. Here three clinic has been established. Hospitals are to be mission schools and three hospitals are all oper- erected in the big cities and movable hospital ating as usual. The SIM has about thirty workers units are being devised to patrol the roads. Mis- here learning the language, preparing to reoccupy sion hospitals and schools have done a great work and rebuild outstations as soon as permission is in Ethiopia but it is plain that their day is passing.
given. The United Presbyterians are sending Mission schools and hospitals still operate in Ad- some of their workers back via Addis and they dis and have not been interfered with. Yet, if hope to reoccupy both of their stations in the west they cease to exist, children will learn and sick very soon. But all have been waiting a statement will be treated. Their main raison d'etre is gone.
of Government policy so that they may know what Established schools and hospitals may not be to expect. The Italian Viceregal government closed, but they must prepare to occupy an in- kindly gave a statement of general missionary creasingly small part in community life.
policy especially for this article in order that peo- Missions may still evangelize. That fact should ple both here and at home may know what to be enough to cause the downhearted to take expect. heart and cause missions to prepare to bring their Following is an English translation of their work back to normal and to look forward to ex- policies as given to the writer: pansion. The Roman Catholic Church has already Missions may carryon their work in Italian East Africa made it plain that she plans a vast missionary so long as they limit themselves to religion and do nothing enterprise for Ethiopia. There is no doubt that against the law of the state. many will prefer to be taught religion by the emis- Protestant missionaries will always have liberty to saries of the Church of Rome, Rome having con- quered. In the past Protestant and Catholic mispreach without special permission so long as they confine sionaries have worked without friction in this land themselves strictly to the sphere of religion. The official decree of religious liberty includes the right of missionaries to make converts among the pagans of the and we hope that it may continue so. Protestants country. have been permitted to work and evangelize. This is a vast country, with millions of people and no Missionaries who abandoned their stations due to the matter how many workers various societies send, war or riots will be permitted to return and occupy them if in the past they have spread no anti-Italian propaganda and if their former term of occupancy has not demon- it will be decades before all have heard the Gospel.
strated any unfitness to continue their work. The qualifications applying to those who hope The Italian Government will not forget the nations who to return to their stations are very interesting. Naturally the Italians do not want those who have maintained an attitude of good will toward Italy during spread propaganda against them. Very, very few the ltalo-Ethiopian conflict. If any distinction is ever made among the missionaries of different countries, cer- tainly those of the United States, will be favored within thought it their duty to do this and such cannot the limits of possibility. expect to work under the new regime. But – the It is clear that a policy of religious liberty will questions, What part should a missionary play be followed in Italian East Africa. The Italian when the country in which he is working is at Government has definite political and economic war? Should he go home and be considered plans for this country but has demonstrated cowardly1' Should he remain neutral when. pas- leniency in the sphere of religion. Inasmuch as sions run high and have no following? Should all missionaries are ambassadors of Christ and he help to keep up the morale of the people and Christ alone, the thing for which they came to face certain expulsion if the opposing country con- this country is granted to them. The idea, held quers? Should missionaries obey the advices of by some, that missionaries are the emissaries of their home governments during such time? etc., civilization, is out of order here. As in civilized would be worth a careful study treatise by some
experienced missionary leader. It is certain that Roads are being built, and in the most literal if the advice of governments had been heeded sense this country is being opened. Territories during this struggle, many lives would neither which saw few white men in the past millenium have been risked nor lost. will see thousands daily. It will mean mission- ary opportunity and the sphere of activity of each What the Italian Government means by "Unfit- missionary will be widened. The writer, who has ness to continue their work" will not be definitely a school in Addis will have no regrets if teaching known until decisions have been given to numerous is unnecessary and if he is privileged to go by applicants who wish to return to their stations. automobile from village to village preaching the I have been unofficially informed that a good Word of God. In the rainy season we can teach recommendation from one's consul will be one of the Bible in Addis and during the dry season we the things required. I have also heard that per- can tour. It is an entrancing possibility. sons wishing to come to this land will be required to secure a recommendation from their respective No one knows when this land will be safe for Departments of State. However, until we see ap- general travel and until then permits to travel will plications approved or rejected we will know little not be given. In the year that lies ahead probably of the Government's desires in this matter. little can be done. This is a perfect time for fur- loughs. But it behooves missionaries to learn the Finally it is clear that Americans will be in the languages of the regions in which they hope to favored nation class and that there will be no dis- work, and then when the rebels are cleared from crimination against us at any time. We owe a the country and travel is safe, once more the Way deep debt of gratitude to our American Govern- of Salvation can be proclaimed by those who are ment for its wise foreign policy in which they ready. The Italian Government is kind in giving have sought to live at peace with all men and take us these assurances. If missionaries seek to be a up the quarrels of none. Noone can appreciate help to those in authority and teach that subjecthis as well as the missionary. It is unfortunate tion to governments is the law of God, they may but true that persons residing in foreign lands as soon find their presence appreciated and their libguests of other governments either gain or lose erties extended. If they prove to be a disturbing by the foreign policy of their own nation. factor there is no doubt that their stay will be Obviously the future of institutional mission short. work in Ethiopia is not bright but we should be Missions are being given the opportunity to glad that the new government is willingly undertaking these functions. We have the privilege of prove their worth in this land. If societies at doing the greater work for which we came to this home give support and if missionaries loyally cocountry and should be grateful for being per- operate, the missionary future of Ethiopia may mitted to do so. be brighter than it has ever been.
THE MISSIONARY * Far from the lar:d that gave him life and name He only labors on and is content; He makes his home, amid an alien race. Happy to go the way the Saviour went.
He comes, not seeking worldly wealth or fame, Where sin and ignorance hold baleful sway, But by a mandate from the Throne of Grace- Or superstition grips men in its thrall, "Go forth to all the nations of the earth, He strives to guide their steps into the way Bearing glad tidings of the Saviour's birth." That leads to Him who lived and died for all.
A man like other men, not set apart "Come unto Him ye burdened and oppressed, As one above the common human plane; Come unto Him, and He will give you rest."
He too is subject to the tempter's art; And some there are who lend an eager ear He too is burdened by life's stress and strain- To catch the Message that new hope imparts; Yet feels himself preserved from worldly harms While others stand aloof or mock and jeer Supported by the Everlasting Arms. Because it finds no echo in their hearts; Day in, day out, he labors-oft in vain; Yet all alike are human souls in need, Stony the ground and thorny where he sows. The sheep that Jesus once bade Peter feed.
Perchance some other hand will reap the grain Nor is the spoken word the only art Sprung from the seed he diligently bestows. Wherein he seeks to carry out God's plan; • From Syria News Quarterly. The school and hospital both play their part In showing forth the Saviour's love for man.
Exconvict Who Made
EDITORIAL MICHAEL J. HICKEY, the converted pick- From the beginning Mike had his own ideas pocket who founded the "League of Anoth- concerning reform work. He fought hard against er Chance." "Mike" Hickey served over the practice of police in those days of hounding nineteen years behind prison bars before he "went exconvicts, even when they obtained jobs, and straight." So successful was he in his work with against the general attitude of most persons to- exconvicts that he was a welcome visitor at pris- ward any man who had served a prison term. He ons and jails throughout the East, and detectives thought that if it was possible to change a crim- occasionally told exconvicts, who complained that inal's viewpoint and his purposes into honest they were being persecuted, to "get an okay from lines, and if he could be led to surrender his life Mike Hickey and we'll let you alone." to Christ, then reform was assured.
Michael Hickey was born in New York City News of Hickey's work spread rapidly among sixty-four years ago, and started out on his career exconvicts, who saw in him a friendly combination of crime early. His first wrong step, he said, was of vocational guidance bureau, employment agency when he stole 25 cents from his sister and lied and relief bureau. Hickey, although himself an when she questioned him about it. He blamed that earnest Christian, never forced religion on those first theft and lie for his downfall. After his con- who came to him for aid. He suggested the need versions he would never lie concerning any mat- for God's guidance, but his primary interest was ter. By hard experience he learned the value of in reforming the exconvict.
strict honesty. After twelve years Hickey's following became Mike became a very clever pickpocket and could so large that it was necessary to move it out of the extract wallets and watches even from the most Y. M. C. A. and the "League for Another Chance"
wary. During the years prior to his conversion, was founded by him and Mr. Eldridge. Into the Hickey was in and out of prison and jail con- small office a steady stream of exconvicts poured, tinually. While serving a ten-year sentence in receiving advice, jobs, a little money or an over· Sing Sing, he had the cell next to the late Billy coat, but never being turned away empty if in McQuere, subsequently head of the McAuley Cre- real need. morne Mission. McQuere wrote poetry that In his spare time Hickey spoke in church and Hickey liked and this was the beginning of a long charity gatherings and in mission meetings. His friendship-. Sundays were devoted to jail meetings, and the On getting out of Sing Sing prison McQuere last time he visited Sing Sing, thirty-three con- was converted by the late Jerry McAuley, but victs stepped forward when he called for decisions Hickey went back to picking pockets and was sent to surrender to Christ and follow Him. Warden to Dannemora Prison. When released he returned Lewis E. Lawes, former Prison Commissioner to New York and a friend told him that McQuere, Mulrooney and the late Dr. Walter N. Thayer, by this time superintendent of the Cremorne Mis- State Commissioner of Correction, were among sion, wanted to see him. his many advocates.
"I'm not interested in going to that place," he With the depression, Hickey four.d it more dif- muttered. "I'm not looking for religion today. ficult to obtain jobs for his followers, but he kept I'm looking for money." trying. During the last few years a recent checkup But Hickey went to see Billy and walked out of showed that 700 exconvicts had stood by their the Mission a converted man. Fred 1. Eldridge, promise to Mike Hickey to go straight. He was a then connected with the Bowery Y. M. C. A., New shrewd judge of character and could spot a man York, got him a job as a watchman, and was so pretending penitence.
impressed by his work that he offered him a post "I can look through a stone wall," was a favorite as religious secretary at the Bowery "Y." This expression of his, "when it comes to faking. If was twenty-four years ago. you don't want to go straight don't come to me."
Hickey's job was to handle exconvicts and va- On November 12, Hickey was guest of honor at grants, and he tackled the job with enthusiasm. a meeting -celebrating the twenty-fourth anniver- His first step was to organize the "Make Good sary of his conversion. During his last illnes's he Club," with forty men with a prison record of was making plans for sending Christmas cards twenty and a half years each as charter members. and a "little money" to those behind the bars- Of that number only three went back to crime; "they like to be remembered and it means a lot the other thirty-seven found legitimate employ- when they get out."
ment and went straight. Mike Hickey died in New York on Dec. 7, 1936.
[44 ]
South as a Missions
-·-t6f11 By REV. JOHN R. SCOTFORD, New York il~'- THE religious needs of the South are rapidly situated as those in the northern states. The eclipsing the "call of the West" in their ap- South has come much closer to the lives of church peal to the interest of the people in our people than has Montana and Wyoming, which churches. This shift may ultimately produce a are commonly thought of as being "out west someradical change in home mission aims and methods. where."
From the American Revolution to the World The present administration at Washington has War our land of dreams lay towards the setting dramatized both the need and the possibilities of of the sun. The ambitious turned their backs the South through the TVA and the Norris Dam upon the East. But today the stream of venture- has been a magnet drawing an endless stream of some youth flows from West to East. Young men visitors into the mountains. Many have seen once demonstrated their pluck by staking out a something besides a gigantic wall of concrete. homestead and growing up with the country, now Recently the agitation concerning the plight of they exhibit their nerve by daring to seek a job the "share-croppers" has stirred the conscience of in some eastern city. The West lingered long on the nation. The socially minded have come to the movie screen and in the pages of magazines, think of the South as a region of dire need and as but even in these hectic regions it gives signs of a section of the country where many interesting flickering out. The rising generation seems to developments are on the way.
find gangsters more interesting than cowboys. The bane of large sections of both the West and Home missions were born of the frontier. South is poverty, but it is of a different sort in the two regions. The West seems to be in the plight Through them the churches of the East sought of a gambler who has played for large stakes and to meet the emergency created by the rapid ex- lost; much of the South is a pauper who has pansion of population across a continent. They began as the heroic effort to plant Christian been reared on hunger and who has never known churches and schools amidst the inevitable dis- the feel of a good warm coat on his back. In order of the frontier. In some instancs their am- terms of per capita wealth and per capita income bition developed into the effort to claim new em- the South is the poorest section of the United pires for particular denominations. Home mis- States. sions in the past have been commonly associated For years many home mission boards have car- with the meeting of the religious needs of the ried on work in the South, usually as a sideline West. to their western activities. The emphasis has been upon the Negro and the Southern Highlander Florida is now the mecca of many who are aged -a figure that has always stirred the imagination. and opulent. Drouth has followed drouth with Recently the vision of our people has expanded to such deadly monotony that the East has grown take in the rural white population and the multi. weary of the woes of the West. Many have con- tudes of country folk who have been herded into cluded that the best thing for the settlers to do the. mill villages during the past twenty years. in a land where grasshoppers thrive is to move Ultimately mission boards reflect the interests of out! Certain it is that the Eastern churches have their giving constituencies and the growing connot been as deeply stirred by the plight of the much plagued West as the facts of the case would cern of our churches for the South will lead to an seem to warrant. Part of the reason is that their increased interest and effort in this area. attention is turning in other directions. In two respects home mission work in the South Several circumstances are making our churches differs from that in the West. The South is not increasingly conscious of the needs of the South. a field for denominational expansion. She already In the wintertime Florida is a popular resort, possesses a superabundance of both local churches with the automobile as the most satisfactory way and denominational affiliations. In addition to getting there. Only a small fraction of the mil- most of the groups found in other portions of the lions who drive across Georgia get a clear con- country she has three great denominations of her ception of the poverty, illiteracy and human need own. She has nothing to offer the denomination- of that state, but all know where it is and most of alist who is yearning for new worlds to conquer them realize that its people are not as favorably for his church. From the point of view of home [45 ]
missions this may be fortunate. The bugaboo of Christian ministry? The northern ideal of one home mission promotion is the widespread suspi- minister serving one church is economically imcion on the part of some that home missions are possible. The prevailing practice in many secmerely a name for denominationalism. The tions of the South is for a minister to preach in a easiest way to dissipate this notion is for home different church on each Sunday of the month, missions to advance into an area where there is while he farms or follows some other pursuit no hope of denominational profit. through the week. Preaching is often almost the sole religious activity of a preacher; a church The problem of the West has been to awaken building is merely a place where people go to sit and organize religious interest; that of the South and listen. Both pastors and congregation need is to direct religious devotion into channels which to be trained into a larger conception of organized, are profitable to the whole community. In the practical Christianity. Ways must be found for South great faith and dire poverty live cheek by either training laymen to preach, or for training jowl. The Church has a prestige and power which preachers so that they can preach and make a it lacks in many other sections. Church member- living in an honorable way. ship is a form of respectability; the mores of the people are favorable to the Church. As the say- The mill village presents another problem. ing goes, "It is easy to do religious work in the With $12 a week as the prevailing wage it re- South." quires either a large membership or great sacri- fice for a church to support a pastor. One way of On the other hand, there is no section in which easing the difficulty is for the minister to be given the church faces more problems which have spir- free house rent and a financial grant from the itual implications. Most of the population is mill. But can he serve his people effectively when caught in a bog of hopeless poverty. This is not he is on the payroll of their overlords? Leaderthe passing "bad luck" of the frontier but a per- ship is a pervasive problem of both town and counmanent state which sears the soul of self-respect. try. Where education is scanty in quantity and deficient in quality how can the Church find teach- There is also the loss of individuality on the ers for its Sunday Schools and leaders for its part of those who take up their abode in "com- young people? Puzzling problems such as these pany houses" that they may serve as servants to the all-powerful machines which spin and weave abound in the South. our cloth. Something is likely to happen to the Because the South is the neediest section of our soul of a man when his fingers become a cheap supplement to a mechanical process. country today an increasing proportion of home missionary effort should be directed to the South. Over all the South there also hangs the pall of Such a change of emphasis may help to purge race prejudice-one of the most sinister phases home missions of charges of expansionist and secof American life today. These are some of the tarian ambitions of the past and lead them to an tangible problems with which the Church must attempt to solve in a Christian way the problems grapple in the South. of poverty and ignorance in the most needy sec- tion of our country. How shall a vast rural population living close to the poverty level be provided with an adequate HOW TO MAKE AMERIOA OHRISTIAN?
For the first time in all recorded history I should say, we are living in an almost completely secularized world. We have separated ourselves from the living past. The Bible is a neglected book, even as all the books of the past are neglected. Weare no more historically minded. The past, for this generation, is as dead as yesterday's daily press. We have broken not only with authority but with continuity. We are not only sep- arated from Jesus and the prophets – we are also separated from Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Their names are still in vogue, used by the preacher and by the politician, but they are not rooted in the minds and hearts of Christians today, nor in the minds and hearts of Americans. History is being taught, but it is purely secular history, used primarily to instill war patriotism.
As a result of our break with the past we have lost, in fifty years, everything which may be called a reli- gious culture. We have everything to make life comfortable, but in working we are quite empty. We know no other values except those of size, speed, and cost. So big – the biggest. So fast – can you break the record? It must be good because it costs so much!
The task for Christian workers will not be easier in the ten following years; it will be harder. The eco- nomic struggle will further separate man from God and, still more, pe~haps, men one from the other. We shall have to face more of prejudice as men become less religious, for prejudices grow among people who have no. Christian faith. To the degree that passions are inflamed in the struggle for living, the more we will have to face a narrow Americanism, or nationalism, at war with the spirit of Christ.
Our task is to keep alive the loving, tender, compelling spirit of the Christ; to stand in the midst of the war and take the nrount of the fight. Our work will be a success in the degree that Americans and all the rest of the races and creeds and nationalities become more and more one in Christ, and help people to find a one- ness in Him.-From an address by Dr. Edward A. Steiner.
Ways of
I 'rested Metlwds for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY Mas. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~'==-=================——I~ CONCERNING THAT church School of WorId Friend- mer conferences and in local ship. Attempting to equalize communities, the Editor has "NEW LEAF" leadership responsibility among asked clergymen and Sunday the cooperating denominations, school superintendents without Do we need to turn it over? here is a tabloid transcript of number for their organizational Assuredly, Yes! Missionary what she encountered among and promotional plans. In only interests in the local church are "the brethren" : a very few cases has she met not at flood tide. with a response indicating a defi- What should be inscribed No.1, university professor of nite plan or well attested meththereon after it goes over? such broad culture that it was ods. How can "Thy Kingdom Many things, among which are reported, "You cannot tap him come" by hit-or-miss kangaroo the following: on any subject on which he is activity? not thoroughly informed." He 1. Making missions a main said, "0" (with a slight laugh), In the past two years, a few proposition instead of an op- "mission study is entirely out of outstanding exceptions h a v e tional corollary in personal en- my line. I shouldn't care to at- been discovered and reported in listment under the standard of tempt that." this Department – Sun day the Author of the Great Com- schools with a systematic plan mISSIOn. This means that pas- No.2, university professor of of missionary cultivation, men's tor and church officials will have broad horizon: "You see my missionary leagues in the local a definite program for mission wife's leading one of the younger church, etc. To those will be study, informational and inspi- classes and one in the family is added in the February issue of rational culture and missionary enough." THE REVIEW the following disbenevolences instead of letting cussions, all prepared by "the things go hit or miss in pulpit No.3: "I'm missionary in brethren" : as well as departmental life. spirit but my present work is too "Check" ? arduous for me to undertake "Missionary Activities of a anything more." (Quite true to 2. Climbing out of the ruts of fact.) Men's Bible Class." "the usual missionary meeting," "Socratic Evenings – aNew banishing the Faithful Tradi- No.4: "I don't know a man tionalists or else converting in our church who is qualified to Venture in Adult Education." them, and lining up under the do that. We leave mission study "Making C h u r c h Members most efficient plans issued and entirely to our women. They do promoted by the missionary edu- plenty." Missionary." cational departments of your "How the World Came to own denomination as well as the No.5: "Our minister is teach- United Mission Study courses ing a class. That represents our Portland." which now are fully up with the van in approved pedagogical church." Please send me your own conprinciples and methods. Again, No.6: "I always think of that tribution of attested plans and "Check" ? programs for (1) making mis- as a woman's job!" sionary endeavor an essential in 3. Parsing "missions" in the church membership; (2) getting masculine as well as the fem- And so with one accord, they out of traditional ruts; (3) makinine gender – in fact common all said, "I pray thee, have me ing missions masculine as well gender is the ideal. Too long excused." Those six sessions as feminine. Departmental mathave "the sisters" shouldered the suffered in interest and attend- ter giving down-to-date suggesresponsibility for cultivation of ance because of lack of mascu- tions for young people's and chilthe home field. Hark ye: Your line cooperation, though it must dren's work is always welcome. Department Editor recently had be said to the credit of all the"'e The ensuing timely articles are occasion to organize the adult dissenters that they were giv- from outstanding leaders in foreign mission study depart- ing to missions personally or junior endeavor. ment in a community inter- through their families. Down to Date Junior Plans Pastors are not wholly blame- less in this state of affairs. In The children interested in her perpetual quest for "effec- missionary work today. will be tive ways of working" at sum- [47 ]
the young people who enjoy his people. We shall also make candle to indicate how short a serving others tomorrow and "Treasure Books" of poems, time the man had to serve; then the church workers of the day songs, names of paintings and he lights a large one to show how after tomorrow. So we must in- painters, books and articles we long a child giving his heart to terest the children today in order have received from Africa and Jesus may serve. All the chil- to have them carryon what we the American Negro. By cor- dren come forward singing, have started. Our best mission- respondence with Negro schools "Jesus Bids Us Shine," and ary workers should be their lead- we shall learn how they cele- kindle their candles at the Christ ers. When you have found a brate Christmas, Easter and light. Close with Mizpah bene..
leader who loves Christ and His other special days. We hope to diction. The children love this children, she will follow these learn direct of other young peo- service at rally day in the mis- ple who have gone from schools sionary society, at Christmas, missionary B's: helped by our boys and girls Easter or the last meeting of the Be prayerful. through their mite boxes, dues year. Be early. Be regular in attendance. and pledges. We shall make The United Brethren Women's Be well prepared. maps showing the schools in the Missionary Association, 1412 Be prompt in beginning and ending. U. S. and Africa where our mis- United Brethren Building, Day- sionaries have gone, then choose Be interested in each individual. ton, Ohio, publishes good Afri- Be faithful to other church activities.
This year we are studying the some school and write to it to can Primary Picture Stories for Negro child and working with find what we can do to help at 25 cents. "Gifts of Black Folk," him. There is a wealth of ma- Christmas time. We make beau- by DuBois, will furnish material terial at hand. As we start the tiful posters which tell the for treasure books. In "Junior work we may use an invitation Christmas and Easter stories. Talks for Special Days," by to gain attention. Make it in the Treasure books of pictures and Arnold Westphal, is an interestshape of Africa with a picture poems, made by the children, ing teaching program called of a Negro child on the front and will be sent to mission schools. "Missionary Quartette." I use the invitation giving date, place material wherever I can find it, of meeting and the words, "Come Children like to give chalk ordering through my own deand help make an African vil- talks. I have used C. O. Brown's nomination so they may receive lage," on the back. This village "Easy Chalk Talks," also his the profit. I should be very consists of a set of drawings to book on paper tearing, with grateful to know of material be cut out and assembled and Bible verses. "Eye~ate Ser- others have used in junior work, can be bought for 25 cents at mons," by Rev. H. Reed Shep- for use in my home church and The Department of Missionary pen, is also helpful. What chil- my classes at the Epworth Education, 740 Rush St., Chi- dren do or see will be remem- League Institute, Lakeside, Ohio. cago. The following stories may bered long after what we have be told (never read): "Camp- told them is forgotten. This is MRS. E. R. BROWN. fires in Congo," by Mrs. John further illustrated by candle- Akron, Ohio. Springer; "In the African lighting services, at least one of Bush," by Jewel H. Schwab; "I which will be held this year, More Junior Studies Would Sing America," by Ma- using Bible verses on Light. The and Projects rion Cuthbert. following plan may be used: An interesting course in For- Learn some Negro songs such Have children seated in half eign Missionary education was circle facing a cross with tall given the children of the junior as "I Want to Be a Christian in candle at one side, at back of department of the United Breth- My Heart" (book of "Southland stage. A picture of Christ is ren church in Westerville, Ohio, Spirituals," 25 cents) and have placed near at hand. Then the with Africa as the subject. The children tell Negro stories. children sing the first two children met for one and a half These may be purchased for a stanzas of "Jesus Loves Me," hours in a midweek session, for few cents each from the Meth- with added verses, eight weeks. Families gathered odist headquarters at 420 Plum Jesus loves the children dear, for dinner together, after which St., Cincinnati, Ohio. Use the Children far away or near. the children were dismissed for leaflet, "The Finding Out Box" They are safe when in His care, this instruction. (5 cents), and "The House of Every day and everywhere. A brief worship period was Their Hands" (2 cents), pub- Jesus loves me, this I know, And my love to Him I'll show, followed by the telling of an lished by the Lutheran Women's When my happiness I share African story-"In the African Missionary Society, 723 Muhlen- With His children everywhere. Bush," by Schwab. After the berg Building, 1228 Spruce St., story a three-reel film was Philadelphia, Pa. Collect poems Ten or more children then shown. In cooperation with our and stories written by Negroes. come forward with their Bibles, public schools we were able to One that I shall use is "Give a each reading his verse and light- secure educational films telling Thought to Africa," by Hosea K. ing his candle from the large the story of Africa, her people, Nyobongi, son of an African one. The leader tells of a man her climate and products. After king, at Clark University fitting who gave his life to Christ when this film, the children were given himself for larger work among 80 years old, and lights a short a rest period and taken to the
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
recreation room where African themselves, deserving respect as finale came when, on a Sunday folk games were played. Then well as interest and help. afternoon, the department held groups were formed around the MRS. ONA MOCLOY, open house and explained the work tables where an outline Supt. of Junior Department, exhibits, furnished music from map of the country was studied, First U. B. Church, Wes- India, Mexico and China, and terville' Ohio. served tea to the church memcolored, discussed, with outline bership who called in large numpictures (also colored) mounted bers. Surely missions were thus in the proper places thereon. An Elaborate Junior Project woven into the very warp and Larger pictures were mounted woof of the children's thinking, and other handcraft projects The specific details of the fol- and parents who had remained completed. One group had as lowing expressional work devel- aloof from the greatest Adventheir project the finding of the oped by Mrs. Helen Leach, of ture in the world gained some names of those in the denomina- Granville, Ohio, for her junior idea of its importance. tion who were entitled to places study last year, are not imporof honor on the map. tant as the method and prin- Inbringing Day ciples involved are universal and A trip to the museum of Otter- may be used equally well with The First Baptist church of bein College to see the Mrican our current topics. They consti- Dayton, Ohio, used a plan (decurios was made. A college stu- tute a de luxe attempt to make scribed in Missions,) to help dent who is a native of Africa the themes part and parcel of children understand the need for gave an interesting talk. We are the children's lives and to moti- systematic giving. At a meetfortunate in having a large num- vate future action. ing of junior and primary deber of returned missionaries partments, baskets filled with from Africa who are most gra- With South America as the the coins the children had cious in lending their curios, na- first theme, photos and objects brought during the year were tive costumes, pictures and were collected such as pictures displayed on a table. At one baskets. showing points of international interest, tissue paper flags of the A "browsing table" was kept nationalities, data about the side stood a shadow box containfilled with National Geographies, Columbus Memorial Lighthouse ing a picture on glass of the books of travel and pictures. to be erected by Pan-American church. Explaining the need of Two books the children enj oyed countries as a Friendship Me- the church for money, the leader were "Camp Fires in the morial, cacti, objects loaned by drew from a box a sheaf of bills Congo," by Mrs. J 0 h n M. friends and an elaborate poster incurred for heat, supplies, etc., Springer, and "Children of the of the products of Mexico, this and suggested that children Chief," by Mary Entwistle. "In latter project requiring weeks come up and drop money from the African Bush" was inval- of work. the basket into the box marked uable as it contains outlines for The foreign study following for light and heat. As they did teaching, stories, worship ma- this covered four countries in this, the light was switched on terial, hand work, drum calls Asia celebrating their centenaand folk and game songs. The ries in missionary work. One in the shadow box and lo! the children dramatized some of the church was illuminated! Next a stories they heard. That these class whose teacher was a mis- missionary map was displayed, tales of the intimate home life of sionary's daughter from Podili, African children and their ac- with electric bulbs marking mistivities made a vivid impression South India, made a beautiful sion stations. Little wooden on our group was very evident. reproduction of the mission com- chests in front of the map were Some of the boys whittled out pound where the girl had spent call drums, native canoes and her early youth. This proved a each marked with the name of paddles: the girls made gourd a station. Children took more and cucumber dolls, baby straps real work of art. A class of collection money and dropped it and modeled huts of clay with boys made a moving picture reel into any chest; whereupon the dried grass and leaves for roofs. corresponding bulb on the map which, worked back and forth, furnished the basis for two dif- flashed on, the coins making the ferent talks on China which connection with the metal bot- were later given by young lads. tom of the box. The children Certainly a closer bond was Stamps from many countries were "electrified"! When boxes drawn between our children and were collected, cut up and pasted were left empty, and correspondthe little ones in Africa by these on letters to form the te~t, "Go ing stations remained dark, the activities. When children por- ye into all the world." This leader explained that this is tray such scenes from the home handsome ten-foot frieze was what happens when gifts are not life of African children as the eventually taken to the Northern equal to needs of the field. way they travel, care for their Baptist Convention and exhibsick, work and play; the way ited before hundreds of inter- A Oorrection the women prepare the food and ested delegates. All the juniors In our December issue it was stated the songs they sing to their cooperated in making up White that Miss Elizabeth 1. Fensom would babies, an indelible impression furnish a year's subscription to her is made. They begin to realize Crossl supply boxes that were that these people are much like sent to Arizona, Puerto Rico, Program Pointers for 25 cents. She Assam and Africa. The grand states that the next five issues will be sent for 15 cents. The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK A PRAYER FOR THE This be our prayer as we face liminary conferences will be NEW YEAR the new year! Prayer that com- held. On Sunday afternoon, bines love of God with love of January 10, the Conference of By Mrs. Orrin R. Judd our fellow men! Prayer that the Committee on Young Peo- identifies ourselves with the ple's Work and Conference of "If Thy presence go not with wounds and suffering and sins Presidsnts and Executive Secme, carry us not up hence." of humanity! Prayer that knows retaries of Women's Home Mis- Exodus 33: 15. the Presence that avails for sal- sion Boards are scheduled, and vation, sustenance and guidance. are to be followed by a devo- For those who are charged tional service. Presidents of with responsibility of leader- It is not an easy prayer. The women's and young women's ship, this prayer uttered by way to the answer is long and missionary societies of Asbury Moses many centuries ago offers beset with obstacles. It is prayed Park and Ocean Grove will be a significant pattern. Shaken with few words, but with much by the events that followed his living, and with utter sincerity. the guests of the Council at this return from Mt. Sinai, he with- Like Moses, we shall have to be devotional service and the feldraws to solitude to find again stabbed wide awake by pain to lowship tea which follows. peace and direction for himself make it ours. May we be willand a wayward people. ing like him to bear the pain of In preparation for the Annual corporate delinquence, and in the Meeting a Service of Worship He is aware of God. The un- conscious, blissful companionseen is real to him. He knows ship of the Presence be led for- will be held Sunday evening. from frequent communions "the ward continually to triumph, for On Monday afternoon, while upward reach in the soul of the redemption of our country man." To talk with God is the and the world. Joint Committees are meeting, a habit of his life. He is therefore popular meeting is being set up quickly sensitive to any veil that "If we have found favor in comes between him and God. Thy sight, show us now Thy way for church women throughout that we may know Thee; but if that area of New Jersey. A He is conscious of one supreme Thy presence go not with us, graphic account of the World need. Nothing else matters. carry us not up hence. 0 Lord Day of Prayer observances, the Like the psalmist he cries out: Jehovah, show Thy servants Thy "Whom have I in heaven but greatness and Thy strong hand." challenge of the united Protes- Thee? And there is none on -A New Year's Eve Prayer, tant work in the United States earth beside Thee." His suffi- from" A Chain of Prayer Across Indian Schools, and motion picciency is to be realized only in the Ages." this Presence which is to him tures of the interdenominational friend, companion, counselor ANNUAL MEETING service in Migrant Labor Camps,. and guide. are all features of this program. January 11-14, 1937 His need is too great to be On Monday night, January 11, satisfied by personal well-being. Berkeley-Carteret Hotel, Why not be satisfied? He has Asbury Park, N. J. the Annual Meeting of the Counalready received the assurance: cil of Women for Home Missions "My presence shall go with thee, The Committee on Annual opens officially with the Fellowand I will give thee rest." It is Meeting of the Home Missions ship Supper. On that evening a gracious word, but promises Council and the Council of Womnot enough. He needs more. en for Home Missions is develop- the Home Missions Councils will The destiny of an entire people ing unique plans for this Annual meet in joint session and reports is his concern. He is their Meeting. Methods of presenting of Indian Work, and Young Peomediator with God. His life has reports are to be different and ple's Work and City and New no value save in and for them. ample time is to be allowed for Americans are on the agenda. "If Thy presence go not with interesting and encouraging de- Tuesday, January 12, is to be deme, carry us not up hence." The velopments on the field. Pre- voted entirely to the separate Presence that strengthens him, ceding the Annual Meeting pre- business sessions of the two must sustain all. Councils. Interesting plans are [50 ] under way for unique methods of presenting the work of the Council of Women for Home Missions for 1936. A panel dis- cussion will combine the presen- tation of the work of committees
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
on International Relations, Race church women of all denomina- schools in the South, in Cuba, Relations and Legislative Mat- tions, in both Canada and the Puerto Rico and Alaska; from ters, a graphic presentation of United States united in a Day of mission stations among Indians the World Day of Prayer, study Prayer for Missions both Home of the West, Christian Centers books and Schools of Missions is and Foreign. in the East and many of our being arranged. The Migrant In 1921 there were published great northern cities come the Committee is working on a dra- and distributed 62,425 pro- same heartening letters, some matic presentation. On that eve- grams. One offering of $25 was with tiny offerings, others with ning the Home Missions Councils sent to the Council of Women considerable sums but all carrymeet again in j oint business ses- for Home Missions. In 1927 the ing cheering messages of faith sion for dinner and the evening World Day of Prayer was ob- and love-love for God and love session. served and special objects were for His work.
National Conference on designated for the offerings. As The Call has gone out for the the City Church information concerning the 1937 Day of Prayer to be ob- needs for Christian Literature served February 12th. Over Wednesday, January 13, in- in Foreign Lands, C h r i s t ian 300,000 copies of the Program cludes the opening of the Na- Work Among Migrants, Union have been printed. The theme, tional Conference on the City Christian Colleges for Women "Thou Art the Christ, the Son Church, the part of the Annual and the Indian American Youth of the Living God," has been de- Meeting that is given over to a of Today, the response has been veloped in a program prepared detailed consideration of one more and more generous until by Miss Mabel Shaw of Northphase of home mission work last year the offerings for the ern Rhodesia, Africa. each year. A remarkable pro- work of the Council of Women In sending the program Miss gram has been planned with ex- for Home Missions amounted to Shaw writes, perts on various phases of the City Mission field scheduled to $12,291, a like amount going to The program is supremely an act of the Foreign Missions Confer- worship. I feel more and more that present the situations and lead the thinking of the group as the ence. There were reported ap- our hearts must be stirred to adoraissues are considered. proximately 2,200 observances. tion before prayer can be of real power. We must dimly see the un- There are four themes relative One cannot read the letters ac- bearable wonder of the greatness of to the City, those on Wednesday companying the offerings with- Him to whom we pray, the unutterincluding The Urban Process, out realizing the spiritual uplift able majesty of the Son of God, and The City-a Field for Social and of such union meetings. Often the shattering humility of the Son of Religious Adventure, and The a small offering carries the fra- Man. I have tried to reveal that. Social Ministry of the Urban grance of real sacrifice. A little There are two periods of meditation Church. The closing Session on town in Kansas sends 67 cents in the program which will need care- Thursday, January 14, will be with the remark, "We had one ful preparation if they are to serve devoted to The Interdenomina- of those terrible Kansas dust their purpose. The unity of the protional Approach to the Modern storms that day and there were gram depends upon them. I suggest City. not many out." each period to be seven to ten minutes long. I have had in my thought a WORLD DAY OF PRAYER From a city in Alabama comes background of praying women. a description of a "program with As we read of the growth of beautiful music, earnest prayers Twelfth Conference on the the World Day of Prayer which in a quiet atmosphere of faith Cause and Cure of War is sponsored jointly by the Wom- and trust," which, the writer en's Committee of the Foreign says, "grows dearer with each JANUARY 26-29, 1937 Missions Conference and the observance." Negro women in Council of Women for Home this city held their meeting at Plans for the Conference to be Missions, we are reminded of night in their own church and held at the Palmer House, Chithe parable of the "grain of sent an offering of $2.00. They cago, January 26-29, are promustard seed, which, when it is were working women, most of gressing. The program will whom have large families. center around the theme, "Today in Peace and War," and will in- clude discussions of the issues which have come to a head be- sown in the earth, is less than all From Manitoba, Can a d a, cause of the revolution in Spain the seeds that be in the earth. comes the word, "We held the and other critical situations in But when it is sown, it growetp first Day of Prayer in Flin Flon Europe and the Far East. up and becometh greater than last Friday" ; from Hartwell, Al- If you are interested in being all herbs and shooteth out great berta, "I am enclosing $1.00 as one of the 200 delegates reprebranches so that the fowls of the my offering for the World Day senting church women at this air may lodge under the shadow of Prayer. I am very isolated Conference, further information and unable to meet with other may be secured from the Forof it." Evidence of this appears if we women so had my meeting all by eign Missions Conference, 156 follow reports back to earlier myself. I am sure God will hear 5th Avenue, New York, or the days. Previous to 1920 mission- my prayer but now I miss the Council of Women for Home ary societies encouraged days of inspiration of church and con- Missions, 105 East 22d Street, prayer but during that year gregation." From m iss ion New York. jil Our World–wide Outlook A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~,,~======E=DIT=ED =BY=MR=S. H=EN~RIE=TTA=H=. F=ERG=USO=N, =XE=NIA=, O=HIO========,~"
MISCELLANEOUS Bible. Attention will be focussed Missions, Then and Now on the "Injunction of 1538," or- Six World Conferences dering that all must have free Dr. James Endicott, who has access to the Bible. Archdeacon just retired as Foreign Mission A chain of six Christian world Storr, of the Anglican Church, Secretary of the United Church conferences – three in Asia- says in reference to the celebra- of Canada, contrasts expendiwill be held during the next tion: tures on foreign missions today three years. Early in January, with those of forty-three years Dr. John R. Mott will preside at The Bible has made the English ago. The church is giving nearly the conference of the World's nation. This generation does not read seven times as much to mission- Alliance of the Y. M. C. A. at its Bible as our forefathers did, but I ary work in central India today Mysore, India. "The center of see signs of a return to the Bible. as it was 40 years ago, and 28 gravity in Christian world af- Local education authorities are ar- times as much to African misfairs is shifting from the mis- ranging courses of lectures on the sions. "Conditions now," he sionary societies in the West to Bible for teachers. Seventeen Uni- said, "are inexpressibly better in the younger churches and their versities in England and Wales have coordinating the work with other auxiliary agencies in the East," put the Bible on their lists of Uni- churches." World conditions says Dr. Mott. The plans for versity lectures. It would be an evil also are far better than they these conferences reveal the day if the Bible should be crowded were 40 years ago. world-wide sense that there is out by the rush of modern life. Thereneed for Christian organizations fore, as an act of thanksgiving for the -Presbyterian Banner. to get together – nationally, in- Reformation, we propose to set on ternationally, interracially, de- foot a back-to-the-Bible movement. ChTistian Literature Needs nominationally. Our problems are world-wide and we all need "Citadels of Darkness" A representative gathering of each other's help in solving them." J. Merle Davis, in the Inter- various missionary pre sse s, national Review of Missions, church publishing houses and The second of the six is ar- calls attention to difficulties persons interested in missionary ranged by the Universal Chris- which confront missionaries to- vernacular literature meeting in tian Council for Life and Work, day of which their predecessors Bloemfontein last June made on Church, Community and never dreamed. several practical suggestions: State at Oxford next July; the third on Faith and Order meets Since the first Protestant mission- 1. Churches should cooperate to at Edinburgh in August, 1937; aries sailed for non-Christian lands produce one good Christian newspaper a year later, in August, 1938, the more than one hundred years ago, the World Student Christian Fed- work of foreign missions has become within each vernacular area. eration is to meet in Japan; in an increasingly complex undertaking. 2. For religious purposes, more use the autumn of the same year the Then, broadly speaking, mission strat- International Missionary Coun- egy called for a frontal attack upon should be made of the African secular cil will meet at Hangchow, heathen citadels of darkness. Today press, which is, on the whole, very China. Finally, in 1939, there is the missionary's task is rendered far sympathetic. to be a great gathering of Chris- more intricate by a formidable array tian Youth Movements, when the of new factors that have come upon 3. Provision should be made for the Christian youth of aH nations the field-anthropology, the compara- production of (a) simple Bible picwill be able to "size up" the tive study of religions, the renaissance tures, and (b) pictorial helps for Day findings of the preceding gather- of indigenous cultures, nationalism, School work. ings. disillusionment with western civiliza- tion, secular idealistic cults and the It was also urged that ma- Back to the Bible Movement whole network of influences let loose by the investment of western capital terial be supplied on the follow- Preparations are under way in mission lands with the disorganiza- ing topics: for the celebration in 1938 of tion of society and traditional ways of the fourth centenary of the life that have resulted from them. Missionary Development and Biog- Reformation, and of the English The church in mission lands finds its position undermined and its claim raphy. upon the allegiance of society chal- lenged by citadels of darkness that Notable Deeds of Africans. exist behind the missionary lines in the homelands. These, through the Nature Studies for Children. moving picture, literature and a hun- dred other ways have a rapidly in- Family and Home Life. creasing influence throughout the world. Hygiene (within smaller areas).
[52 ] Christian Conduct, and other purely Religious Subjects. .
The need for introducing lit- erature to the attention of the people was seen to be as urgent as the need for greater produc- tion.-South African Outlook.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
NORTH AMERIOA bring the missionary enterprise Mormons Oall for Sabbath into the heart of the program Observance Million Unit Fellowship was warmly welcomed. It was said that student movements Has anything like this oc- The "Million Unit Fellowship" needed the cutting edge of the curred in any Protestant denomof the Methodist Episcopal missionary appeal to deepen and ination of America? Church was formally launched strengthen their work. at Scranton, Pa., in November. Six thousand Mormon youth Renewed devotion to the stand- The most significant outcome gathered in a Sabbath observards of Christ; a study of social of the Oberlin meeting was the ance assembly to launch a cruand economic problems; and strong and positive conception sade for the recovery of the Sabgreater interest in world mis- of Christianity to which it gave bath! The leaders of the Morsions are among the goals of the expression. New emphasis was mon church are shocked at the Fellowship. Financially these placed on the effort to know and widespread desecration of the are to be expressed through follow the will of God, in place Sabbath and the growing spirit the underwriting of 1,000,000 of centering student work in the of lawlessness in America. This "units" or subscriptions of $1 a carrying through of related pro- movement is the result. Fifteen month to Methodist missions and grams of many sorts. states were represented by delebenevolences. gates at the conference. The -Missionary Herald. Mormons expect to push the cru- -Christian Advocate. sade in all the states where they Southern Baptists Send have any considerable popula- The Bishops' Orusade 15 Missionaries tion. Their goal is – no sports on the Sabbath, no movies, no The I a r g est simultaneous Fifteen new missionaries have dancing, no feasting, no type of Methodist project in recent been appointed to serve in the self-indulgence, no work that is years will be the "Bishops' Cru- foreign field under the auspices not absolutely necessary. The sade" to awaken the churches to of the Foreign Mission Board of meeting was called the Aronic their responsibility of winnning the Southern Baptist Conven- Priesthood Sabbath Observance the unchurched masses in Amer- tion. Thirteen were assigned to Assembly, and was held in the ica. Plans for the evangelistic China, one to Africa, and one to Mormon tabernacle. movement, to include the entire Brazil. A reduction in the mis- South, will be drawn at New sion debt during the past four -Presbyterian Banner. Orleans, January 5 to 7. Rallies years from $1,115,000 to $400,- in key-centers from coast to 000 is also announced. America's New Heathenism coast will then be held in the interest of foreign missions and During the past four years Dr. Samuel L. Joshi, noted the forward movement in the eighty-three new missionaries educator and East Indian, said churches. have been appointed, twenty- recently in Chicago that a hea- eight others reappointed, mak- thenism, worse than any anti- E. Stanley Jones, B ish 0 p ing a total of 111 reinforce- Christian movements or faiths Oxenham and others are to be ments. in the Orient or Europe, is growpresent at New Orleans to plead ing up in Christian America. for more evangelistic fervor. A Thrilling Work for Indians This heathenism is manifest chiefly in the utter disregard for Student Ohristian Advance Sage Memorial Hospital at the spiritual, and an exaltation Ganado, Arizona, is the only In- of the material and of natural- Last September, 0 be r lin, dian hospital in the southwest ism. Dr. Joshi urged church Ohio, was the scene of a meet- fully accredited this year by the people to seek a balance between ing of student Christian leaders American College of Surgeons. these elements in society, with that is certain to have far-reach- Its School of Nursing, the only greater emphasis on the spiring effects. The delegates were training school in the United itual. -The Living Church. representative of the principal States for American Indian student Christian organizations nurses, enrolled this year 19 Metlakahtla Independent – the National Intercollegiate students from 12 different In- Mission Christian Council of the com- dian tribes scattered fro m bined Y M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. Alaska to Arizona. The execu- Rev. William Duncan founded and the General Council of the tive of this Presbyterian Mission the Metlakahtla Independent Student Volunteer Movement. writes: Christian Mission on Annette Overtures were made to the Na- Island, twelve miles from Ketchtional Intercollegiate Christian Can anyone imagine a greater ikan, Alaska, in 1891. The enter- Council, asking that the Y. M. pioneering thrill than gathering in prise prospered materially and C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. join these splendid girls from their hogans, spiritually, until its far-reaching with all other interested bodies "wickiups," igloos, and tepees, from significance was recognized and in an effort to evolve an ade- all over this western country, and acknowledged by Christian leadquate plan of work in the inter- after three years of intensive training ers in distant lands. At the time est of world Christianity. This sending them back to establish a new of his death in 1918, Duncan's was agreed upon, and the plan to outlook on modern medicine on the last will and testament be- part of their people, and to have an active part in setting up new stand- ards of health and hygiene among their tribes?
queathed his accumulated prop- The people had been advised to many of their workers have erty and financial assets in trust deny them even a glass of water. passed through extremely diffito three co-trustees, appointed The following morning the whole cult experiences owing to the by him, with power to choose town turned out to see the here- fanaticism which still reigns in their successors, who we r e tics. In spite of the fact that many of the less accessible parts charged with certain clearly de- they had to pay five times as of the country. It is reported fined administrative responsi- much as the food served them that work which the Franciscans bilities: perpetuation of the was worth, they were gladdened carried on in the region of the Metlakahtla Independent Chris- by the response of the crowds. UcayaIi in the eighteenth centian Mission, and the support of tury is to be reopened by misits religious, educational and The priest endeavored to draw sionary priests. charitable activities; also, the the people away by ringing the support of similar work for such church bells, but they turned a The Christian and Missionary other native people in Alaska as deaf ear to the bells and listened Alliance has devoted a number these trustees may deem wise to the message of the colpor- of years to an attempt to found and proper. teurs. In one house where the work among the Campa Indians, colporteurs spent the night, the one of the few groups of numer- For a number of years, follow- landlady and other visitors ical importance. ing the death of William Dun- bought Bibles. On leaving the can,' the Metlakahtla Mission next morning their hostess EUROPE was supervised by Dr. Henry J. treated them to a royal break- Minthorn, a well-qualified Chris- fast because she said she be- British Pronouncement on War tian physician, uncle and foster- lieved them to be real ministers father of Herbert Hoover, for- of God, and worthy of the best Evangelical Free Churches of mer president of the United she could give. In one large city Great Britain have issued the States. -Christian Advocate. they spent four days. Doors following statement: were opened everywhere, and LATIN AMERICA from the highest government The Federal Council of the Evan- officials and lawyers, down to the gelical Free Churches, believing that The Missionary Spirit in Cuba poor cholo on the street, all the ultimate sources of war lie in un- heard the Good News of Salva- regenerate human nature, appeals to Children at the Protestant tion. Christians everywhere to rededicate Episcopal Mission in Cardenas, themselves to win men and women for Cuba, received Christmas gifts "Good Neighbor Policy" the Lord Jesus Christ and the acceptfrom the children of Trinity and Missions ance of the full obligations of Chris- Church, Seattle, and in return tian discipleship as the final guarantee made up a scrapbook of photo- Charles E. Maddry, Executive of world peace. graphs and notes about their Secretary of the Southern Bapmission. They have a plain little tist Foreign Mission Board, says The council not only refuses to acchapel in a rented house in Car- that Uncle Sam's "good neigh- knowledge that war is inevitable, but denas, a city of 40,000. More bor policy" has done much to reaffirms its conviction that universal than 100 children are in the open doors of missionary oppor- peace is the mind and purpose of mission school. tunity in South America. Dr. Christ. It holds that Christians Maddry spent four and a half everywhere should not support any Without waiting until they months on a missionary journey war with regard to which the governhad a better church themselves, through the four countries of ment of their country has declined to in 1930 this Mission started a South America in which South- submit the dispute to impartial settlemission of its own at !tabo, a ern Baptists have work, namely: ment by judicial decision, conciliation, village of 1,500 about 35 miles Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and or arbitration. . . • away, holding services in a Chile. As a result of his messhabby old bakeshop. For the sages, 1,500 turned to God. Dr. It urges Christian people in our past five years they have been Maddry described Bahai, Brazil, own land actively to cultivate to their working to build a little brick the Catholic capital of South utmost power friendly relations with church at Itabo, to cost $1,700. America, as the most fanatical the people of other nations, especially city he had ever visited. There with those who share with them a Pioneering in Ecuador are 365 Catholic churches in this supreme loyalty to Jesus Christ, and city of 400,000 people. . to this end to support such work as is A Christian and Missionary carried on by the British Christian Alliance worker writes of a trip -Baptist Message. Council for International Friendship,. with two native colporteurs Life and Work. through southern E c u ado r, Peruvian Indians where there is great need for the -British Weekly. Gospel. In the first town where The Synod of the Iglesia the colporteurs passed the night Evangelica Peruana, which is Evangelicals in Spain the police authorities had to composed exclusively of nacompel a man to rent them a tionals, reports a year of con- Spain has only 22,000 Evanroom and give them their meals. siderable b I e s sin g, although gelical Christians. Before the' recent uprising there were less than fifty ordained Evangelical ministers and under a hundred full-time evangelists and colpor- teurs. There are 6,000 full members in the churches, and up till recently there were nearly 7,500 children in Evangelical schools.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Most of the foreign workers The Christlicher Volksfreund boys – Christians, Moslems and have now been expelled from the says that a Conference of the Jews-are grouped in four "Y" country. Meanwhile meetings Societies of the Godless has de- clubs, each with a university stu- continue in private h 0 use s. cided to award a prize of 25,000 dent as leader. One club of 25 Neither the Evangelical churches rubles for the best antireligious recently elected as president a of Spain nor the foreign organ- poem. Mohammedan; sec ret a r y, a izations interested in their work Copt; sports leader, a Jew, and have attempted to take political The Deutches Pfarrerblatt social leader, a Presbyterian. sides in the present tragic con- says the Soviet Government will flict. -The Life of Faith. permit entry into Russia of Bi- In Alexandria a group of 47 bles in non-Russian languages. came from 20 schools, 12 na- German Church Cause Lost? Bibles in French, English or tionalities and seven religions. Dutch would pay a tax of about Accommodations are needed in Pastor Niemoller expresses six rubles in foreign currency- Cairo for 300 boys to demoncomplete discouragement over a prohibitive impost. While strate the value of a Christian the Church and State situation 12,000 ecclesiastics are still at program on a large scale. in Germany. No religious paper their posts, over 40,000 have in Germany, he says, now dares dropped out of sight; many are Converts in Ethiopia to publish what it thinks. No in concentration camps. man dares to speak without first Mr. Allan Webb, of the Sudan looking anxiously around to see AFRICA Interior Mission, writes: who may be listening. "The stroke of a pen is now sufficient Moslem Expansion One amazing thing is the ready sale to dissolve synods and church for the Word of God in this country. councils, and no one can know An event of wide religious im- Comparatively few can read, but a what church buildings, in two portance is the movement for crowd quickly gathers to listen to any years, may not be turned into Moslem missionary expansion one who can read aloud. These people theaters." The neopagan move- which has its sou r c e and also love listening to a story well told ment, whose most outspoken ad- strength in the University of the around the fire,s at night. One story, vocate is Baldur von Schirach, Azhar at Cairo. Not only in of which they never tire, is that of the official leader of the Nazi youth Cairo, the intellectual center of Prodigal Son. It is wonderful to organizations, grows constantly the Moslem world, but in other watch the expressions flit over their bolder, and no one now dares to centers of Moslem influence it is faces and to hear the grunts, as each speak openly against it. The maintained that Islam has a point makes its appeal, and is clearly Buppression of Pro t est ant much needed message of peace, understood. This opens a mighty schools in Wiirttemberg and in brotherhood, sharing, sobriety sphere for a native evangelist, who Bavaria has been scarcely no- and a slowing down of the com- will move from place to place, telling ticed. petitive rush and heartless rival- the same story and returning peri- ries of the European people. odically to the mission station to learn The New York Herald-Trib- another Bible story. une contrasts the courage of One of the latest plans of the Evangelical Christians with the Moslem missionary movement is Mr. Harry Glover, of the same ,opposition groups. to send missions of students Mission, tells of helping to exam- from the Azhar to study in the ine six candidates for baptism, No group of men of science, no universities of Europe, in order five of whom were lepers. On :academy of teachers or of artists, no to gain knowledge and experi- the following Sunday these were bar association, has risked concentra- ence for European indoctrina- baptized, and with them Man- tion camp for scientific, academic or tion in the tenets of Islam. Mis- gasha, Dr. Tom Lambie's per- :artistic ideals. One group, and one sionary efficiency of a high order sonal servant. alone, inside Germany, has had the is a recognized necessity if th~ courage and the daring to attack European peoples are to be won. -Moody Institute Monthly. fundamental theses of the totalitarian state, and attack them openly, read -The Indian Witness. An African's Parable -them publicly, sign their names and give their addresses, in the face of the The "Y" in Egypt A letter from Kenya, East dictatorship and for Germany and all Africa, says that African Chris- the world to see . . . the pastors of There are many points of ten- tians frequently speak in par- the Confessional German Evangelical sion among Jews, Moslems and ables which have originated in Church. Christians, and this is felt keenly their own minds, and gives as an in Egypt. Anti-Semitic feeling illustration one -from a former Situation in Russia is growing there. A prominent herdboy. Egyptian Christian said recently The Reformed Constitution that even he is becoming con- It was this boy's custom to -for Russia promoted by Stalin, scious of this animosity-some- take the cattle and goats to the which grants a measure of re- thing he had never felt before. water to drink, about noon. One ligious freedom, recognizes the day the river had risen suddenly declaration of Lenin that "it A Y. M. C. A. secretary in after heavy rain, and a large was just to consider religion as Cairo, Wilbert B. Smith, says crocodile appeared. It ignored an idea and personal sentiment that hope in this realm lies with the goats, and deliberately seized -that could not be forbidden." the boys. A hundred Egyptian and tore to pieces a fine cow. "Satan is like a crocodile," said he. "He is very strong and is afraid of nothing. And he is
like a hunter; if he is out to kill A missionary Retreat and a have been driven to their knees an elephant, he won't bother native clergy Retreat are first under conviction of their lack of about small deer – he can get steps in preparation for the Dia- faith in the God of miracles. them any time. And just as that mond Jubilee. Further steps Revival always began in confes- crocodile did not want goats will be taken when missions will sion of sin–confession which is when he could get a cow, so be held in every district, cul- edifying, true scriptural confes- Satan does not mind about minating in a central service of sion. No revival would result if heathen if he can get a Chris- thanksgiving and renewal in the Christians would not humble tian. While we are still in dark- cathedral, probably in Septem- themselves before God. ness we are his already, and he ber. can have us any day; but when At the final meeting the mes- we come out and join Jesus Christian Council of sage was "The Cross of Christ." Christ, then Satan tries his hard- South Africa est to get us back. So don't WESTERN ASIA think that being a Christian Following upon the Edinburgh means an easy life." Conference of 1910, National One Hundred Years' Christian Councils have func- Bible Work -C. M. S. Outlook. tioned with increasing useful- ness. They act as a bond of fel- The mission school in Scutari, Dictionary for Umbundu lowship between the different Turkey, recently celebrated a Christians churches and missionary agen- century of service of the Amer- cies, and accomplish important ican Bible Society in the Near In compiling a dictionary, just results in the coordination of East. Most of the American off the press, Mr. R. L. Wilson, Christian work. In June, 1936, Board missionaries were pres- of the United Church of Canada the Christian Council of South ent, as well as native pastors and Mission, has rendered real serv- Africa was established, and al- colporteurs. Dr. F. W. Mac- ice to Umbundu Christians. This ready twenty – seven churches Callum, now engaged in com- will make it possible for them and missionary societies have pleting the new translation of to profit by the considerable beeome affiliated. Committees the Scriptures in Turkish, pre- amount of evangelical literature will deal with Education, Evan- sided. Selbi Aghassian, read the now published in the Portuguese gelism, Literature, M e d i c a I Scripture lesson, Luke 4: 16-37, language. Equally important is Work, Native Welfare, Women's from the old Armeno-Turkish the fact that a knowledge of Work and Youth Movements. translation of 1831. Pap e r s Portuguese will open to Um- were read on the work of the bundu Christians those parts of South Africa will now be offi- great translators, Riggs, Schauf- the Scriptures which have not cially represented for the first fler and Goodell. yet been translated into their na- time at a world meeting of the tive language. The new diction- International Missionary Coun- -Bible Society Record. ary has nearly five thousand cil, and the Christian Council of carefully selected Portuguese South Africa is entitled to send International College words, with Umbundu terms to nine delegates to the next world Transferred represent their equivalents in meeting in 1938 at Hangchow. that language. Plans are in hand for the com- International College, which pilation of a Direetory of South for many years has performed a -United Church Record. African Missions, through the valuable work as a Christian in- cooperation of the World Do- stitution in Smyrna, is being Sixty Years in Uganda minion Press. transferred to Beirut, Syria, and affiliated with the American Uni- It was in 1877 that Uganda's -South African Outlook. versity there. Due to govern- first missionaries walked up mental regulations relating to from the coast. This year is the Revival in South Africa all educational work, it was diamond jubilee of their arrival. found increasingly difficult to Could they have looked into the The South African campaigns continue the work in Symrna. future they would have seen in of Mr. J. Edwin Orr are still The new ararngement is to con- Uganda a flourishing church producing results and over 5,000 tinue on an experimental basis with some 7(J native clergy, people professed decision for for five years. 17,000 baptisms and 6,000 con- Christ in seven weeks. From firmations each year; and close every center comes news of spir- Giving Criminals a Chance . to the site where many of the itual quickening among Chris- early converts were done to tians, especially at Durban, Kok- Turkey is trying an experi- death stands a magnificent ca- stad and Bloemfontein, capital ment in the treatment of crim- thedral. Persecution now is of the Orange Free State. It is inals. The plan is being carried rare and a generation of Chris- reported that the results of his out, under the direction of the tians has arisen, many of whom preaching at Bloemfontein, a Minister of Justice, on Imrali have had no experience of con- difficult place for aggressive Island in the Sea of Marmora, version, nor of the stabilization work, are amazing, astounding about 20 miles from Istanbul. A of character through Christian even the most optimistic, who Turkish paper says: Every con- home training. vict is regarded as a pathological
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
case, with a tendency to moral are desperately poor the Bible is in men mISSIOnaries. This dedisease through birth or environ- in many cases given to them cline is a serious matter in view ment. When the sickness is es- without charge, though they pay of the unprecedented opportunitablished through legal channels in them, a little when able. They ties which exist in India today. it is necessary to confine him for greatly appreciate the Society's Literally tens of thousands of ina period in a psychological sana- interest in them, and often it is quirers are pressing for admistarium, where he is protected with tear-dimmed eyes that they sion and there are not enough from harmful elements in so- accept the gift. One of the spe- workers to deal with them. The ciety and where he can be made cial needs of the Iran field is a large mission boards have many into a useful member of society. motor car, that the work may be vacancies, but few candidates. Every convict will be given the more effectively supervised. opportunity to prove by his con- A Movable School duct that he is no longer a dan- -The Christian. gerous character. From this For over 20 years the Sangli point of view, prisons will be re- INDIA-BURMA Industrial and Agricultural garded as hospitals; the word School has been tackling the punishment will be discarded, The Indian Opium Trade problems of rural life. It has and the idea of cure will be sub- been offering courses in agriculstituted. As the stay of a pa- This year a notable step has ture, blacksmithing, carpentry, tient in an insane asylum is not been taken by the Government masonry, motor mechanics and a matter of a fixed period, so of British India to curtail ex- tailoring to boys of middle and must it be in the sanatarium ports of opium to limit its use high school age, chiefly of "unwhich is called the prison. First for medical and scientific pur- touchable" origin. For more offenders who pass the examina- poses. This will contribute much mature young men there are spetion of good conduct will be toward the solution of one of cial short courses in intensive treated leniently. Second of- the great social problems of the agriculture and motor mechanfenders will be looked upon as world. In 1900 the Government ics. Most of the students are natural enemies of society and of India decided to reduce opium either Christian, or from Chriswill be subject to the usual sys- exports to China by progressive tian background. For five years tem of punishment and expia- steps and to stop them alto- the school has been offering spetion. gether by 1917 if China give cial courses for Leadership clear evidence that she had Training in Rural Reconstruc- In about one year, this experi- ceased to cultivate the poppy. tion, lasting six weeks, a longer ment has netted some excellent In 1913 the exports were abol- period than that of any similar results. ished in spite of the continued course in India. manufacture of opium by China. Torchbearers for Iran The Indian Government, since In addition, the Sangli School 1915, has sought to limit opium has been carrying on extension It is among the youth of Iran exports to governments of im- work. Its outstanding agency that the new spirit is most evi- porting countries that agreed to for this work is the Sangli Movdent. Many a young man buys its use only for legitimate pur- able School. This consists of a a copy of the New Testament in poses. This is further than in- Ford 11f2-ton truck, in which is Persian and one in French for ternational conventions require carried almost every article usethe purpose of language study. and has reduced Indian revenue ful for village uplift work. Before long the message grips from opium from 81,000,000 There are numerous illustrated him, and he finds himself chal- Rupees in 1910-13 to 1,900,000 charts and posters, touching uplenged by the Truth. Rupees in 1934-5. The con- on various phases of village life; sumption per capita in India has a medicine chest or traveling The nomad tribes offer an es- also been reduced 16 per cent in dispensary for the more compecially needy field. Rev. A. three years.-British Informa- mon ailments; a circulating li- Nakhosteen, a colporteur for the tion Service. brary and books for sale; a British and Foreign Bible So- crate or two of chickens and a ciety, describes a visit to one of Decline in Missionary Force couple of good milk goats. the largest of these. Great was their delight upon receIvmg The new Directory of Chris- The truck, charts and posters Scriptures in their own tongue. tian Missions and Churches in are Sangli-made, and a great Ten expressed a desire to follow India, Burma and Ceylon, just deal of the equipment is pro- Christ and later asked for bap- published, shows that there are duced right there. There are tism. now 4,467 missionaries com- all kinds of seed samples for pared with 6,030 at the end of field and garden crops and speci- Then there are the lonely 1933. This decrease consists of mens of improved cotton, wool, islanders in the Persian Gulf. 324 men, 295 women and 944 sweet potatoes, bunch-type pea- So far as known, a colporteur is wives. This latter figure is nuts, etc. This Movable School the first Christian worker to go partly due to the enumeration has its own portable generating there. He has sold about 2,000 only of those who are engaged unit, stereopticon and movie books. in full work, but one-third is cer- projector. At night the sur- tainly due to the large decrease There are thousands of Russian refugees in Iran, and as they
roundings are lit up like fairy- much discussed scheme for a powerful one, but this year a land, and there have been as mass change of religion on the new one has been installed, and many as 3,500 people sitting out part of India's 57-70 million Un- for nine hours every day this in the open for the illustrated touchables to a new phase. station is sending out its pro- lectures. The aim is to touch -Christian Science Monitor. gram, which can be heard not only in China, but in Japan, the every phase of rural life, eco- Philippines, Australia, New Zeanomic, physical, mental, social From Pagoda to Clinic land and all over the Far East. and religious. Bible classes have in Burma been conducted for the men of Bricks of an old pagoda are While the chief aim of the stathe village as early as five a. m. being used to build a new clinic tion is "evangelizing China by The Indian crew consists of in Mong Yang, Shan States, radio," the programs are varied, three fine leaders, and the mis- Burma. Rev. Raymond Buker and comprise music, talks on sionary director is frequently writes that several evangelists homemaking, child problems, along. His first assistant is an in that area are clinically cured outstanding Christian, so valu- lepers, and their influence for health, nursing, biographical able that he has had many talks, Bible study and a daily tempting offers from elsewhere. Christ is strong. He believes children's period. At fixed times that a movement among the peo- talks are given in local dialects -Pre8byterian Tribune. ple of that great area is immi- nent. Translation of the Gospel for the benefit of those who do Indian Christian Witnessing of John in the Hkuin dialect is not understand Mandarin or "Shanghai."
Indian Christians take their being started, and other founda- Letters received indicate the religion seriously. Called upon tion work is being attempted in favorable response. A shopkeepto bear personal witness to their addition to station and medical er who had been listening while faith, about half the communi- work, and touring. at work wrote to ask how he cants of the diocese of Dornakal should proceed to become a responded by going from village – Watchman-Examiner. Christian. A department manto village in bands to carry the ager of a railway made his demessage of Christ to nearly a CHINA cision to become a Christian bequarter of a million men and cause of messages heard at his women. New Venture in Evangelism office. A home broken with dis- cord has found peace, and the The results were as follows: The Market Town Evangeliza- husband and wife have enrolled tion Campaign is a systematic, in the Bible Institute as a result Two thousand, four hundred and thorough, seed – sowing cam- of the radio. fifty-seven villages were visited by paign, designed to go to every bands of people telling of Christ. market town in China, of which -The Chronicle. there are said to be 40,000 and, Two hundred and fifty-nine thou- stopping in these market towns, Movies for Literacy sand (approximately) heard about reach out in house-to-house visi- Christ.
Three hundred and four new villages are asking for instruction as to tation, open-air and indoor Moving pictures have been enhow to become Christians. preaching until every home in listed by the Chinese Govern- ment in a fight to the finish with Four thousand and fifty-one have every village surrounding the handed in their names as being desirous of becoming Christians in the market towns have had the Gos- Kistna Area (about half the diocese). pel taken to them. These work- illiteracy. They will be used es- pecially to meet the problem of Fifty thousand pamphlets, etc., were ers not only distribute and ditributed. Of these, 18,415 were Gos- preach the Word by the wayside, educating adults, under the supel portions. pervision of the Chinese Min- Twenty thousand Gospels were in the fields and in the homes, istry of Education. A special either sold or given to people. but also constantly seek every committee has been organized to -The Living Church. opportunity of personal appeal. purchase production and proj- Each market town is said to ection equipment, and to super- Maharaja Leads Reform have an average of 25 villages vise the training of technical The Maharaja of Travancore, surrounding it, which makes a staffs for the educational picture celebrating his 25th birthday on studios. total of about 1,000,000 villages November 13, issued a proclama- Nanking's movies are to be tion wiping out caste distinction in this great field of 483,000,000 100 per cent educational. Suit- . in Hindu temples of his State. able topics for the educational souls. productions, according to prin- He gave the depressed castes- ciples laid down by the education the so-called "Untouchables"- Special courses of training are ministry, are chapters from his- the right to enter and worship tory, especially those with a pa- being given the workers in this in the temples on an equal foot- undertaking. _ -Oriental Missionary Standard.
ing. This marks a unique occa- Church of the Air triotic moral or lesson. sion in the history of India. Some authorities predict that The first transmitter of the The films are to teach also elesimilar measure~ will follow in Christian Broadcasting Associa- mentary scientific and sanitary tion, Shanghai, was not a very principles, modern methods of other states. This brings the farming and industrial methods.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Motion pictures thus produced even the strongest would do well in Milwaukee. The Brotherhood will form a major part of the to combine with others. China has set for itself the dbjective of curricula of the adult mass edu- has thirteen Christian colleges winning 100,000 converts to cation institutes which are to be and universities, and about 250 Christianity in the next ten opened throughout the country middle schools. years.
during the coming five years. Beyond this, "In the near fu- General Chang on Bible Study Bible Schools in Manchuria ture," Mr. Kaneko declared, "we have a vision of a Christian General Chang Chih-kiang, Two short-term Bible schools after an extended trip through were held recently in Manchuria Japan. Think what a step that the United States and Europe, by the Canadian Presbyterian Mission. Over fifty men, includ- will be toward a C h r i s t ian world." -The Living Church.
speaks with clarity and enthu- ing many evangelists, gathered Japanese Christian's View siasm of the place of Bible study at Cheng Chia Tjun for six in personal, family and national weeks' intensive Bible instruc- Rev. T. Takamatsu, in the progress. "The great message tion. The evangelists showed English preface to his book, of these Scriptures," he declares, progress in their knowledge of "Building the New World for "is summarized in the words, the Bible and in their spiritual God," published in Japanese, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbor as lives. For the women's Bible- says that in the era since 1860 thyself.' When this becomes the school, Bible-women and teach- too much emphasis has been laid universal rule international dis- ers a t ten d e d from over on science, with the result that cord will give way to world-wide seventeen centers, and entered the present generation is suffergoodwill." heartily into study of the Word. ing the loss of religious faith.
General Chang is chairman of The importance of the s e The whole nation is facing a the National Callisthenics' As- schools, in instructing and en- great spiritual crisis. The need sociation, and the primary pur- couraging native evangelists is for religious faith has suddenly pose of his journey was to in- apparent when it is realized that been expressed from various vestigate methods of physical at present the mission has only quarters, and many insist that training used in Western coun- two missionary families on the any sort of religious faith will tries. While in America and field, while throughout the same do. Even a fish head is thought England he accepted many invi- district the Roman Catholic worthy to be an object of wortations to address church and Church has over 100 priests and ship. Recent tragedies, howstudent gatherings, and was the nuns from Quebec. ever, have proved how important -Life of Faith. is the object of faith. Nothing guest of honor at numerous functions.-Chinese Recorder. is more harmful than a mistaken Religious Education belief. . . .
Christian School Fellowship Nobody is satisfied with the A writer in the Chinese Re- The Religious Education Fel- present condition of the world. We all want to have a better corder is not satisfied with the lowship in China now has a world to come. But in order to membership of nearly 700. The bring a better world everyone in present status of China's Chris- purpose of this fellowship is to the world must be filled with the seek to link together those who spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, tian schools. He summarizes the are at work in the various fields and determined to offer the situation as follows: . of religious education. It is open world to God.
1. The Christian schools as a whole to those who are nominated by a Progress Is Slow are making a large contribution. They member present. The duties of have considerable prestige, are well the members are (1) to pray for managed and are growing steadily.
2. A large minority are small and weak, with poor equinment, and are not able to meet the increasingly diffi- each other, (2) to share with Bishop Heaslett, of South cult problems of reduced mission sup- each other the problems and re- Tokyo, says: port and competition with government sults of their work, and (3) to schools. form local fellowships wherever Advance is slow everywhere in Japan. This is the experience of all 3. The Christian character of the schools has suffered owing to a de- possible. Dr. T. T. Lew is chair- Christian bodies. Statements that creasing proportion of Christian stu- hundreds or thousands have been condents and faculty. man. -Sunday School News. verted or won for Christ through a 4. Programs of religious activities campaign are easily misunderstood.
are disorganized as a result of JAPAN-CHOSEN The most that can be said of the rechanges in government relationships, sults of campaigns running into large and in administration. Test of a Ohristian numbers is that so many have ex- 5. It is possible by cooperative plan- pressed a desire to hear more. In no ning and mergers of weak schools to "In Japan we do not consider sense are these people converted, and maintain the present prestige and a man a practicing Christian position. until he has won his man to a percentage of five baptisms out of a hundred such inquiries is good gain. 6. It is possible by wise, vigorous Weare handicapped by the poverty measures to greatly enhance their Christ," was the challenge laid of our mission, by our lvck of sllffi- Christian contribution. cient personnel, by our shortcomings down by Tadao Kaneko, general in educational and literary activities, This writer believes there are s.ecretary of the Brotherhood of find by the smallness of our social ef- too many weak schools, and that St. Andrew in Japan, speaking forts. . . . The divine origin of Chris-
tianity is proved abundantly in the kuo. Money was given freely to ually to fall into disuse, and to fact that we see such good results from such feeille efforts. help in many different parts of replace it by regional colonies which, they believe, will be -C. M. S. Outlook. the land, and the various com- closer to the people and more mittees reported well-thought- The Ainu Race out plans for meeting the many easily managed. The Elders of The Ainu, despised class of needs of the native church. This the United Evangelical Church Assembly proved conclusively in Culion Colony have now sent Japan, seem destined to extinc- that the Korean Church has a memorandum to the General tion, unless something is done. come of age, and is seriously try- Moderator of the United Evan- They have been the victims of ing to care for her own needs. gelical Church in the Philippine compulsory servitude and com- Islands. After citing and appulsory tribute, under penalty of -Christian Observer. proving of the new law in regard death. Formerly, for many to the care of lepers, the Elders years, they were not even per- ISLANDS OF THE SEA beg the Moderator to help them see to it that there shall be Protmitted to cultivate the land, and Religious Awakening in estant workers in each of the to educate them was a criminal the Philippines new leprosaria. Such workers offense. They were regarded as would be chosen lepers within a blot upon Japan's escutcheon. Representatives of a number each colony whose living would of Evangelical churches in the be provided by the government. This is not the government's Philippines met last August to It is believed that $65 a year view, which now desires to af- pray and plan for an evan- will suffice for each worker. ford them opportunity to rise; gelistic campaign to last from but public opinion deems them November 2, 1936, to February -Without the Camp. unworthy of preservation. Al- 28, 1937. Preparation was coholism, largely due to the in- made by special prayer, group Concerning the Oollection troduction of sake, is a factor in study of a pamphlet on spiritual their poverty and disease, and revival and by sermons, during A recently appointed worker tuberculosis is making heavy in- the pre-Pentecostal per i 0 d- in the mountain area of the roads upon their numbers. fifty days preceding November Philippines says it would almost 2. A careful follow-up is to suc- make one weep to see Christians -Alliance Weekly. ceed the revival campaign. putting their gifts into the col- lection plate. Money is terribly New Life in Korea This pamphlet is rich in sug- scarce. An egg is a rare and gestion, challenge and spiritual choice possession to most of the There is renewed enthusiasm people, and eggs are their fain the younger generation of the stimulus. Among other things, vorite form of offering. Some- Korean Church, and Christian the forty-two page booklet, of times there is a piece of rope put Endeavorers have been espe- which thousands of copies have on the plate, signifying that cially active. The total member- been purchased, contains the fol- there is a fowl or animal of some ship of the Epworth Leagues is kind waiting outside the church reported to be more than six lowing: door as an offering. thousand. The primary duty of the Christian -Syirit of Missions. The fifth summer conference Church is to witness to Christ. . . . for religious instruction was If it fails to do this it will spiritually Pioneering in Canary Islands held at Union Christian College, decay and die. . . . All kinds of Pyengyang under the joint au- Christian work are only different spices of the College Y. M. C. A. ways by which we witness to the ade- quate Gospel of Christ.
Jesus is the Master Teacher and shows by His example how to work and the Christian Endeavorers with individuals and with groups. The Canary Islands (in the of that city in August. More North Atlantic Ocean), noted as than 600 members were enrolled Examples are given of the a source of cochineal dye, are and a devotional spirit was methods and fruits of personal also a needy mission field. Rodeeply manifest throughout the work and of cases in the Philip- man Catholicism has had undis- pines of witnessing by organ- turbed sway for centuries, until conference. -Korea Mission Field. ized Gospel teams composed of two years ago when William F. church members; of witnessing Sirag, a graduate of the Moody Korean General Assembly in homes and by Christian Bible Institute, answered the The General Assembly of homes; of the use of evangelistic call and settled in Santa Cruz de . Presbyterian Churches in Korea literature and through Christian Tenerife, a city with a populawas held in Kwangju last fall, schools. tion of 38,000. The whole island with 200 Koreans and 34 for- An interdenominational na- has more than 200,000 people. eigners. There were divisive tional convention will be held in Last July, special services forces that caused sharp debate Manila the second week in Feb- were held in the theater of Santa and threatened to disrupt the ruary. Cruz, where gatherings of na- Assembly, but the moderator's Leper Work in the P. I. tives, most of whom had :r:ever tact preserved the peace. The heard the preaching of the Gos- foreign mis~ion program was The new Philippine Govern- pel before, listened attentively to expanded to include a worker ment plans to allow the great the stirring messages. among the Chinese in Manchu- Leper Colony at Culion grad- -Moody Institute Monthly.
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. I,i Our Missionary Bookshelf 1_ l Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~,====~=–===-==-====""",-===—=—==–==–=~-=-,~ India and the Christian Movement. it be preached? What will be vation, sanctification, consecra- By V. Z. Azariah. 128 pp. Paper. the result? tion, but these are made clear 8 annas. Christian Literature So- by Mr. Goodman's simple, brief ciety for India, Madras. 1936. The ninety-six pages (in large definitions, wit h appropriate type) are divided into three Scripture references. Under the The Anglican Bishop of Dor- parts: The Gospel We Preach, head of "Accretions" the author nakal is an Indian Christian of The Beauty of the Christian deals plainly with ecclesiastical great ability and consecration. F'aith, and The Accretions. The formalities, ceremonies, and or- He notes the great changes that fifteen chapters are subdivided ganizations which obscure the have come over India and in par- under various topics, with nu- simplicity of the Gospel. ticular over the religious situa- merous supporting quotations tion and the shift of emphasis and cit a t ion s of Scripture. Taken as a whole, this is an from the mission to the church, These divisions and subdivisions excellent handbook for one who in the last quarter of a century. almost make the book appear like aspires to win souls, and also for Here the Bishop has given us a an analytical chart of the sub- the inquirer about the Way. brief but comprehensive and ject, were it not for the author's thoughtful study of the land and brief, pointed comments, ex- ROBERT M. KURTZ. peoples, the religions, the wom- planations, and exhortations. en, Christian progress in India, Short sentences are the rule, and New Testament Principles and Modthe Church, the problems of the they are forceful and to the ern Missions. By a Missionary future and the unevangelized point, as for example these, ad- Secretary. Pamphlet. 6d. World areas. Among the problems as dressed to preachers, upon the Dominion Press. London. 1936. he sees them are (1) spiritual subject of appealing for dequickening, (2) evangelism, (3) cision: The question of the ideal mischurch union, (4) Christians in sionary aims and methods is civil life, (5) the missionary and "There is nothing in which the still debated. The World Dothe Church, (6) Indian youth, young preacher errs more readily than minion MovemeI:t stands for (7) Rural reconstruction, (8) in this matter of appeals to his hear- what it conceives to be the New education, (9) literature, and ers. His earnestness and desire for Testament methods for extend- (10) unoccupied areas. The their salvation leads him to keep on ing the Gospel and planting inmost needy provinces are Cen- urging them to take the all-important digenous churches. The anonytral India, Punjab, Rajputana, step. But appeals fail of their pur- mous author of the present trea- Kashmir, Baluchistan, Sin d, pose when they are reiterated so often tise contends that we have failed Gwalior, and Bihar. as to become wearisome and to lose all to extend the realm of Christ in effect on the conscience; when they proportion as we have failed to "In many parts of India there are so mixed as to cause confusion; follow the methods of St. Paul, are still entire communities, when they follow an address in which the great apostolic missionary. classes and castes that are al- little or no instruction is given or His method was to plant living most untouched even in so-called Gospel preached." (P. 32.) Seed in great centers and then 'occupied areas.' " go forward to plant elsewhere. Or take this statement, sim- He proclaimed the living Gospel The Gospel We Preach, and the plifying things for the layman: of Life and soon his churches Beauty of the Christian Faith. By became self-supporting, s e I f- George Goodman. 96 pp. 1s. net. "Here is a threefold reason for com- governing and seU-propagating Pickering & Inglis. London. 1936. ing to Christ. For salvation, service, under the guidance and power and sanctification. To rest from guilt of the Holy Spirit. Most mod- In his introduction Mr. Good- and sin. To submit to Him in the obe- ern missionary societies have man tells us that this book was dience of faith; and to learn of Him, succeeded in building up foreign written in response to requests so as to become like Him. supported and controlled instifrom several persons who com- tutions. The pamphlet is worthy plained that "Our young men "For God has a threefold aim in of careful consideration. are not preaching the Gospel." our salvation. Our relief from guilt He has therefore given us here and sin; our obedience to His will; Portuguese East Africa. By Ed- our character, having predestinated wardo Moreira. Maps and Statisan outline of Christian truth, de- us to be conformed to the likeness of tics. 8 vo. 104 pp. 3s. 6d. World signed to answer the questions, His dear Son, from Whom we must Dominion Press. London. 1936. What is the Gospel? How must learn." (P. 34f.) Portugal is a small country, The layman often has a very comparatively weak and insig- vague idea of the meaning of the terms, repentance, conversion, justification, regeneration, sal- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[61 ]
nificant in Europe but with im- and the sufferings of those who cases, also, he spent so much of mense possessions in East and were its victims. his time in refuting what he West Africa. These territories deems erroneous opinions, that exercise great influence on the "On Sunday, February 22, he left himself little time to exfuture of the continent. This 1931, the bandits decided they plain what he wanted his hearsurvey deals only with East could wait no longer for the ran- ers to accept as the right view. Africa. Portugal has been in som, so they led Rev. Tvedt and For example, nearly ten of the control here for four hundred Rev. Nelson to an open space, fourteen pages of the chapter on years but until recently did little tied them with ropes, and made "The Triune God" are devoted to develop her colony. It has a them kneel on the ground. Us- to preliminary discussions becoastline 1,615 miles long on the ing bamboo poles the tormentors fore he comes to the Trinity. He Indian Ocean, and the country beat them across the shoulders effectively advocates the deity of consists of forested hills, high until they were so bruised and Christ in several chapters, but a mountains, plateau, lakes, rivers, sore that they could not sleep listener who heard only the radio fertile valleys, a temperate cli- for many nights. The bandits address on "What is the Deity mate and a total popUlation of claimed that if supplies or ran- of Christ?" must have been be- 4,028,946 in an area of 287,756 some money did not come soon wildered when all but the last square miles. Evangelical mis- they would do worse things." two minutes were given to exsion work began in 1823. Today plaining what it is not and only eighteen Protestant missions This was only a portion of a few assertions at the close have work there and four Ro- their measure of suffering. The show what it is. As usual, Dr. man Catholic organizations; be- six months of captivity dragged Machen interprets the Bible sides there are eight independent out into twenty-two months of from the viewpoint of sevennative bodies. The largest Prot- exile. His companion was re- teenth century theology and estant mission is the Swiss with leased, but Nelson paid the price philosophy. He discusses at 45 missionaries and the next is with his death. length other and later interprethe American Methodist with 19. tations, but he rejects them and The total number of Protestant A final chapter deals with regards all who differ with him communicants reported is 19,- Communism or Christianity as as "Modernists" who deny "the 696 with about the same number the alternative for China. The faith once for all delivered." He of probationers. Roman Cath- book is in every way attractive, is, however, less belligerent in olics work in 40 stations and 179 especially as it gives facsimile this book than in most of his outstations, with 132 mission- copies of the first and last notes writings. Indeed he is occaaries and 241 native helpers. sent out by Mr. Nelson during sionally genial and almost ironic. his captivity, The book contains much that is This survey gives a brief his- admirable, par-ticularly the chaptory of mission work in the col- We regret that the English ters on God, the resurrection and ony, describes the character of style of the book is so faulty, es- the testimony of Paul. Readers the work and the attitude of the pecially in the use of the abbre- who accept his basic assumpgovernment. The appendices viation "Rev." without personal tions will undoubtedly regard deal with statistics, Bible work, name or article. It jars the mind the whole as entirely convincing. and the legal status of missions. to read that the missionaries The northern part of the terri- spared no effort "trying to con- ARTHUR J. BROWN. tory, with over three millions, is tact the General . . . and they still largely unoccupied for did not forget to contact the The Only Hope of Church or World. Christ. Source of Power." What Is It? By W. B. Riley, A.M., D.D. 158 pp. 2/ net. Pickering The Apostle to the Chinese Commu- S. M. ZWEMER. & Inglis. London. 1936. nists. By Daniel Nelson. 139 pp. $1.00. Board of Foreign Missions The Christian Faith in the Modern The author, who is widely of the Norwegian Lutheran Church ·World. By J. Graham Machen. known as a Bible teacher and a of America. Minneanolis, Minn. 256 pp. $2.00. Macmillan. New writer upon evangelistic sub- York. 1936. jects, has published "The Peren- The Nelson family is well nial Revival," "Revival Serknown for their missionary ac- Dr. Machen's ability, firmness mons" and an extensive work tivities in Central China. The of conviction and facility of ex- called "The Bible of the Exfather came to Hupeh in 1890 pression are illustrated in this positor and the Evangelist." and died a martyr's death after series of addresses, given over Dr. Riley here gives a series of thirty-six years of service. Bert the radio. In a clear, persuasive sermons on the premillennial Nelson, the hero of this volume, and colloquial style he speaks of doctrine of our Lord's return. served as a missionary from God, the Bible, Christ, the Holy They cover the subject in a 1916 until he was killed by the Spirit, and related topics. He fairly logical order, as this list communists in 1932. The author admits that his limited radio of the seven chapters shows. is his brother. time did not permit him to deal Christ, the Church, and the adequately with these large sub- Kingdom; The Church and the The book presents in detail j ects and that others had to be Kingdom – a Distinction; The the development and present omitted. Still, it is odd that, in Gospel and "That B I e sse d state of communism in China a book which purports to present "the Christian faith," the atone- ment is left out. In several
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Hope"; Grace and "That Bless- tration of Kenya is told vividly and Spaniards are interesting ed Hope"; "That Blessed Hope" and the Moslem problem is clear- and important. In the past they and the Resurrection Bod y; ly set forth. Mr. Philp has played an important part in his- "That Blessed Hope" and our spent a large part of his life in tory, both secular and religious. Behaviour; The Apostasy and Kenya as a medical missionary The present political condition His Soon Appearance. of the Church of Scotland. He is greatly disturbed, the eco- enables the reader to see the nomic condition is low and the The layman to whom this sub- country and the people, the in- religious situation is weak and j ect is new will find the style fluence of the World War and uncertain. Form and superstisimple and direct and the mean- the progress of evangelization. tion still rule the massE:!s, and ing clear. As indicated by the The maps and statistics enable agnosticism or irreligion grips chapter titles, the author is at the student to picture the forces the upper classes. Here we some pains to distinguish be- at work and the land yet to be have a reliable picture of the tween the Kingdom and the possessed. Everyone interested situation and of the need for Church, about which the ideas in the study of Africa should evangelism. There are today of many laymen, and perhaps have this survey for reference. only 166 I 0 c a I Evangelical some ministers, are very hazy. churches with 6,259 communi- Sources of Power in Famous Lives. cants. The total Protestant The closing chapter laments By Walter C. Erdman. 12mo. 160 community, out of a popUlation the lack of faith today and urges pp. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. Nash- of 23,563,867, is only 22,000-or readiness for the return of our ville, Tenn. 1936. less than one in a thousand-as Lord, which the author believes the result of 64 years' work. will not be long delayed. Fifty-two brief sketches of Twenty-five societies are at work lives of famous characters of with 25 foreign and 123 national ROBERT M. KURTZ. history make up this stimulating workers. The maps and sta- series. They include a wide va- tistical tables in this survey are So Half Amerika. Die Auslandshilfe riety – Abraham, Bunyan, Co- valuable for students. der Vereinigten Staaten 1812-1930. lumbus, Robert Dollar, Glad- von Hermann Stohr. Stettin: Oku- stone, Robert E. Lee, Jenny Oil Lamps Lifted. By Pearl Dorr menischer Verlag. 1936. Price, Lind, Pasteur, Shackleton, Liv- Longley. 86 pp. $1.00. Fleming 5.60 marks. 327 pp. ingstone, Mary Slessor, John H. Revell Co. New York. 1935. Wanamaker and Charles Wes- This careful statistical study ley. In many walks of life these Mrs. Longley's more than of the relief and help given by men and women showed that twenty years of ministry to the America for the past one hun- they were believers in God and women and children of South Indred years to other nations, is all achieved by faith something dia have given her insight into based on government statistics definite for the benefit of man- the very heart of the race. Her and reports of the International kind. The sketches are chiefly poems are delicate word paint- Relief Committee, the American factual, not homiletical, and of- ings, descriptive of India's Red C r 0 s s, the Rockefeller fer excellent material for read- thought. Throughout this vol- Foundation, etc. There are spe- ing aloud or for brief ten-minute ume the earthen lamp and its cial chapters on the work of the talks in church, Sunday school need for oil, is made symbolic various Christian groups, Cath- or day school. They were orig- of the Indian woman's desire for olic and Protestant, and a con- inally given over the radio in light. The parable theme was cluding chapter on the Carnegie Cleveland at the request of the suggested by seeing a timid Foundation, the Millbank Fund, president of a large business outcaste child, on the night of the Commonwealth Fund, and firm. They are thoroughly the "Festival of Lights," carrythe Golden Rule Foundation. Christian and practical and re- ing a broken pot with a rag for America has been "a good neigh- cord facts that show the secret wick, but with no money to buy bor" for over a century. of power. oil. Impulsively a child of wealth shared her oil with the S. M. Z. Religion in the Republic of Spain. outcaste. C. A. Garcia and Kenneth G. Grubb. ANew Day in Kenya. By Horace R. 109 pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion H. H. F. Philp. Illus. Maps. 58. World Do- Press. London. 1935. minion Press, London and New Daily Devotions. By William Bren- York. 1936. This series of surveys is ex- ner. 8 vo. 337 pp. $1.75. Zon- ceedingly valuable. The re~ults dervan PuiJ. House. Grand Rapids, Kenya Colony, British East of careful research and expres- Mich. 1936. Africa, borders on Ethiopia, "ion of view by experts are of- Italian Somaliland, Uganda and fered to the general reader in an These prayers for each day in Tanganyika. It is made up of attractive form and at small ex- the year are spiritual and heartseven provinces, with forty- pense. Spain receives more at- searching. They will be a real eight tribes and over 3,000,000 tention from Roman Catholics, help to those who have difficulty population. Fifteen Protestant Communists, artists, historians in expressing to God their adoramissionary societies are at work and travelers than from Evan- tion and their deepest heart with 303 missionariec:; and Chris- gelical Christians. But Spain hunger for light, strength, putian adherents numbering 112,- rity and fellowship. 127. Roman Catholics also have a strong work almost as large. The story of the Christian pene-
New Testament Commentary. One ers, attractive pictures and de- Mackay and Aggrey of Africa; Volume Complete. Edited by Her- scriptive text to show how the Baedeker of Russia, Underwood bert C. Allerman. 8 yo. 720 IIp. Christian Church is observed in of Korea, Neve of Kashmir; $3.00. United Lutheran Publica- Brainerd, Grenfell and McCul- tion House. Philadelphia, Pa. 1936. mission lands. logh of America; and Hill, Pol- lard and Dr. Main of China. Many have desired a scholarly, Lesson Commentaries, 1937. They are short stories of misyet reverent and conservative sionary pioneers who lived heroione-volume commentary on the The International Sun day cally in the midst of many priva- New Testament. Here it is, pre- School Lessons (improved uni- tions and dangers. Boys and pared by twenty-eight Lutheran form series) are expounded in a girls will find them thrilling and scholars. There are also nine in- popular, illustrated commentary will find in these life histories an troductory essays on the New by Eugenia LeFils. They are excellent introduction to mis- Testament, the C h r i s t ian conservative, Biblical, practical sions and missionaries. Church, the Life of Jesus, the and illustrative helps for teach- Virgin Birth, the Life of Paul, ers. (Fleming H. Revell Co., George Miiller, The Man of Faith. Cardinal Doctrines, and intro- Frederick G. Warne. Illus. 8 vo. ductions to each book. Bible $1.00.) 239 pp. 28. Pickering & Inglis. students will find this a very il- "Points of Emphasis" is a Glasgow. 1935. luminating, handy volume. vestpocket commentary on the The remarkable story of Children of Sunny Syria. By Myrta International Sunday School George Milller, the founder of H. Dodds. Illustrated by Margaret Lessons for the coming year by the orphan homes at Ashley Ayer. 8 vo. 148 pp. $1.50. H. C. Morse, D.D. It contains Downs, Bristol, England, is all Thomas Y. Crowell, New York. maps, expositions and teaching ready well known to those of the 1936. points for each department. It older generation, but it is worth is wholly Biblical and has val- repeating. The story here told Children are interested in uable suggestions. (Southern is not so complete as the official other children the world over. Baptist Sunday School Board, biography written by Dr. Arthur The author of this story has Nashville, Tennessee, 35 cents.) T. Pierson, but it narrates the lived in the East as a missionary main facts about the man and and writes understandingly and Scripture Calendars and Almanacs his work, his method of supportattractively. It has not a definite and Diaries. Pickering & Inglis. ing the orphanages, his hints on missionary message but has a Glasgow, Scotland. 1937. Christian living and the con- Christian tone, and will interest tinuance of the enterprise. Many children in Syrian boys and These attractive annuals are have already been stimulated to girls. practical helps to keep engage- new faith and service by the story of the profligate young Christmas in Other Lands. Compiled ments with men and to keep the man who, after his conversion, by Dorothy M. Horne. Illus. 64 daily tryst with God through His determined to show by experi- pp. Paper. 18. 6d. S. P. G. Lon- Word. The calendars (1 shilling ence that God is a prayer-hear- don. 1936. each) include a "Daily Text ing and prayer-answering god. Young Folks Calendar"; "Words The book would be more valuable The celebration of the Birth of with an index. Christ has spread to all lands of Grace and Truth," a daily leaf and is observed in many ways. calendar; "A Choice Daily In Seven Nations. Twelve mission- Here we have pictures by 22 Text," a "Morning and Evening ary studies for use in church ordrawings, by verses and descrip- ganizations. Pamphlet prepared tive text the ways in which Text" calendar and a "Choice by the Literature Dep.artment of S. P. G. missions of the Church Text and Thought" (each Is. the United Lutheran Church in of England celebrate the event America. Baltimore. 1936. in Africa, Malaysia, I n d i a, 3d.) and a "Choice Text and Burma, China, Japan and else- Daily Meditation" (Is. 6d.). India, Liberia, Japan, China, where. Churches and Sunday Argentina, British Guiana and schools will find here unique and These latter have messages from the United States are the miseffective ways of celebrating such spiritual teachers as J. sion fields of the United Lu- Christmas in America and Great Stuart Holden, Andrew Bonar, theran Church. The secretary Britain. Alexander White, Arthur T. of literature has prepared these Pierson, J. H. Howett, D. L. brief, informing stUdies, with "Thine Is the Kingdom." By Ed- maps and photographs, which ward D. Sedding. Illus. 125 pp. Moody and Alexander Mac- leave no member of that church S. P. C. K. London. 1936. Laren. with any vestige of excuse for ignorance as to their mission Christian progress is thrilling The Golden Grain Diary is a work, the fields, workers, needs, to those who know the facts. opportunities and results. The This little booklet pictures the leather-bound vestpocket edition mission study questions at the ways in which the Church of end of each section will be a help Christ is being built up around with a pencil (Is. to 68. 6d.). to teachers. the world. The march of the months is followed, with pray- The various almanacs include Bible verses and religious poems by various authors. _ Heroes of the Cross. Series 5, 6, 7, 8. IlIus. 12 mo. 40 cents each. Mar- shall, Morgan & Scott. London, also Zondervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, Mich., 1935.
These four volumes tell briefly the s tor i e s of Hannington,
STUDIES mine the Christian faith." If Gordon. A Drama in Three Acts. E
he had lived up to the present he J. Richter. 50 cents. Capano Press. IN THE would have seen many more an- tagonistic forces at work in the God in the Everyday. Hugh Red- OLD TESTAMENT world today. wood. 28. 6d. 117 pp. Rich and Cowan. London. With a Hebrew·Christian Commentary Christianity and the Malays. By Containing Talmudical and Rabbinical In· Laurence E. Browne, D.D., London: The Hidden Treasure. Lucy E. terpretations on the Hebrew Words of the S.P.G. and S.P.C.K. 1936. 78 pp. Guernsey. 2s. 6d. 340 pp. Picker- Old Testament. Price, one shilling. ing & Inglis. London.
by Here is an illustration of the Kagawa in Lincoln's Land. Edited B. A. M. SCHAPIRO fact that the best type of mis- by E~erson O. Bradshaw, Charles sionary literature may be had E. Shike and Helen F. Topping. Each book contains 28 large pages. size for an English shilling – "good 121 pp. National Kagawa Cooperl1x87~ inches, art pa'per. Three 'Volumes measure, pressed down and run- ating Committee. Brooklyn, N. Y. now ready, 50 cents each. ning over." Dr. Browne paid one visit to Malaya, but he is Loaves and Fishes. (S. P. G. World PAMPHLETS thoroughly acquainted with the Wide Series.) 1 penny. 16 pp. literature of this part of the S. P. G. in Foreign Parts. London. "Love Begets l."ove"; "V'hat the Rabbis world. The Malays number Have to Say on the 53d of Isaiah"; "What 1,644,000 Moslems, and prac- My Beloved Armenia. Marie S. Ails My Peopler"; "The Sure Word of tically no effort is being made to Banker. 205 pp. $1.25. B. 1. C. A. Prophecy"; "Sacrifices, Their Origin and evangelize them. Chicago. Significance"-Prof. Robert Dick Wilson of Princeton said of this tract that it is the The author sketches the his- Points for Emphasis. H. C. Morse. best treatise he has seen on the atonement; tory of the peninsula, the char- Southern Baptist S. S. Board. HThe Higher Critic's Hebrew"; "Without acter of the inhabitants, their Nashville, Tenn. Him Ve Can Do Nothing"; "Jesus and primitive religion, Shamanism, His Kinsmen"; "The Faith of Noah"; which has left deep impress on The Rebirth of a Nation. Jacob "Saul the Pharisee, and Paul, the Chris· their present faith, Islam. The Gartenhaus. 75 cents, cloth; 40 tian"; "Jesus Christ, a Historical Character, present missionary situation is cents, paper. 132 pp. Broadman as Proved by the TalmudH ; "Gethsemane described in two illuminating Press. Nashville, Tenn. in OUf Lives," containing twenty-six por- chapters, and a plan for adtraits of "Eminent Christian Jews"; "Why vances proposed, which is both A Study in Gold. Grace Pettman. I, a Jew, Am a Christian"; "The Miracle practical and challenging. 320 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. of the Jew"; "Jesus, the Light of the London. World"; "Some Objections Raised to Jew~ S. M. Z. ish Evangelization"; "Must Christians Keep Thine Is the Kingdom. Edward D. the Jewish Sabbath ?"; "A Symposium Con· The Way of Partnership. With the Scdding. 125 pp. S. P. C. K. Lontaining America's Great Menace"; "The C. M. S. in Egypt and Palestine. don. Mission of Israel"; and "The Messiah Ac- By S. A. Morrison. 87 pp. One cording to the Old and New Testaments," shilling. Illustrated. Church Mis- With Christ into Tomorrow. Hunter and many others. sionary Society, London. 1936. B. Bla~ely. 50 cents. Presbyterian CommIttee of Publication. Rich- 16 pamphlets, $2.00 This brief account of the work mond, Va. of the Church Missionary So- DR. I. M. HALDEMAN ciety in Egypt and Palestine was The Way of the Witnesses. Edward written before the present crisis Shillito. 152 pp. $1.00, cloth; 50 "Under Mr. Schapiro's skilful pen, each in the Holy Land. Three chap- cents, paper. Friendship Press. word in Holy Writ blooms and blossoms ters tell of the ministry of recon- New York. out like a flower." ciliation carried on by this So- ciety in Palestine, and three Christian Giving. Clarence E. Ma- THE MISSIONARY REVIEW chapters deal with Egypt. The cartney. 16 pp. 15 cents. Zonder- emphasis is rightly placed upon van. Grand Rapids. OF THE WORLD the importance of the Oriental churches in winning Moslems. Christ's Seven Letters to His Third & Reily Streets Harrisburg, Pa. In Palestine the work has five Church. William McCarrell. 86 centers. In Egypt it is limited pp. $1.00 cloth, 50 cents paper. Miracles in a Doctor's Life. By to two, Cairo and Menouf. Zondervan. Grand Rapids. Walter L. Wilson, M.D. 120 pp. 20 cents. Paper. Bible Institute S. M.Z. Campfires in the Congo. Mrs. John Colportage Assn. Chicago. 1935. M. Springer. 128 pp. Central Com- New Books mittee on the United Study for For- These are stories of soul doc- eign Mission. Boston. toring by a medical man. They Are You Awake? Florence E. Marare stimUlating and offer good shall. 96 pp. 50 cents each or $30 Daily Devotions. William Brenner. incidents for sermons. a hundred. Lansing, Mich. 337 pp. $1.75. Zondervan. Grand The Silence of God. By Sir Robert Christian Brotherhood in Theory and . Rapids. Anderson. 8vo. 216 pp. Is. Pick- in Practice. Toyohiko Kagawa and ering & Inglis. Glasgow. 1935. E. R. Bowen. 36 pp. Tokyo, Japan. The Gospel and the African. Alex- ander Hetherwick. 48. 6d. 176 pp. The late Robert Anderson was T. & T. Clark. Edinburgh. for some years the head of "Scotland Yard," the famous India and the Christian Movement. British police force. He was an V. S. Azariah. 128 pp. Christian earnest Christian and a con- Literature Society for India. Madservative Bible student. This is ras. a ninth edition of his helpful consideration of what light the Livingstone Memorial Pic t u res. Bible throws on some mysteries Sepia, 9×13 inches, $1.00 per set. which are not yet fully explained Colored postcards, 50 cents per set. – the problems of oppression and evil in the world, unan- A set of nine pictures of outswered prayer, and human un- standing events in the life of the belief. Sir Robert brings out great explorer-missionary. many helpful truths on such subjects as miracles, Satan, Picture of David Livingstone. 12×14 temptation and prayer. When inches. 20 cents. he wrote this study over twentyfive years ago, he said: "The A lithograph suitable for tide has turned which in recent framing. years has threatened to under-
MOSLEM
SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor CONTENTS OF THE JANUARY NUMBER: The V aI1'dl' ty and N eCCss'lty 0 f MI' ss,lons to MosIems { DJowhIn.ghWt ,MB,ooDwnmaanldson Back to the Old Qibla Samuel M. Zwemer The Relics of the Prophet Mohammed David S. Margoliouth Has Westenl Culture a Debt to Islam? W. A. Zoerner A Survey of the Netherlands Indies Hendrik Kraemer Literature and Evangelism 'Villiam N. Wysham Islam in the Balkans G. H. Bousquet Christ in the Chinese Koran Rolf A. Syrdal The Hebrew Philosophical Genius Henry S. Gehman Book Reviews ••• Current Topics Survey of Periodicals Sue Molleson Foster . – -•• SUBSCRIBE NOW +(-…
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The Missionary Review of the World — December 1936
1936
A Young Church in Old Egypt E. E. Elder What Results in Central Africa?
Virginia M. Clarke The Evangelistic Value of Medical Work Rolla E. Hoffman Wanted, A Demonstration of Unity John J. Banninga Sen Lai Tsang, Missionary to Korea Mrs. C. S. Deming Home Missions in Modern America E. D. Kohlstedt Roman Activity in Pagan Africa Kenneth G. Grubb 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember CHl1Rc:H Here Is t:he
M"N"GEMENT> Christ:mas Present: for Your December 9-11 – Biennial meetiDg, Federal Council of Churches, As- Past:or and Missionary bury Park, N. J. '::~::."~: ,. ~~: :.W GIVE him a year's suhscription to Church Janu.ary 4-6–Committee on Women's Management. A hright, dynamic profes- Work of the Foreign Missions Con- ference of North America, Asbury sional magazine for clergymen which keeps Park, New Jersey. them in touch with the newest developments January 6-8-Foreign Missions Con- ference of North America, Asbury in the home field. Park, New Jersey. A recently added "Minister's Wife Department" brings in material January 11-14, 1937 – Annual Meet- on programs and methods for the women's activities in the church. ings, Home Missions Council and The Council of Women for Home $2.50 per year; $1.25 for six months Missions. Asbury Park, N. J. (We will send an attractive gift card to your heneficiary if you so request) February 8-13-International Council of Religious Education, Executive CHURCH MANAGEMENT Committee and Associated Meetings. Chicago, Ill. Auditorium Building :: Cleveland, Ohio NATIONAL PREACHING Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Mrs. A. L. Wiley, Presbyterian MISSION sions. For almost 60 years, Dr. Mc- missionary of Ratnagiri, India, on Afee has maintained some form of June 23, received the Kaiser-i-Hind Nov. 29-Dec. 2-Philadelphia. official connection with the foreign medal, third class, in recognition of Dec. 3-6–Boston. missionary enterprise of the Presby- her faithful work among the children Dec. 6-9-New York City. terian Church in the U. S. A.-first as in that area. Many tiny tots have Foreign Missions chairman of his grown to Christian manhood and FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- presbytery and then, in succession, ARY ASSEMBLIES synodical chairman, Board member, . womanhood under her care. October, and for the past six years, one of its January 16-19, 1937-Jacksonville. 1936, marked the end of 41 years of January 19-20–Lake City. • • • secretaries. service which she has given in India. January 20-22-Daytona Beach. Dr. John A. Rodgers, Secretary January 20-22-DeIand. for Annuities and Special Gifts on the … … January 23-27-Miami. Presbyterian Board of National Mis- January 26-27-Ft. Lauderdale. sions, retired on October 1. .T~e Rev. Charl~s Hodge Corbett, January 27-29-Palm Beaches. mInIster of educatlOn of Bay Ridge January 30-February 2-Orlando. ••• Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, N. Y., February 2-4-Winter Haven. has been elected to succeed the late February 4-5-Ft. Myers. Dr. Edmund B. Chaffee as editor of February 4-5-Sarasota. The Presbyteri4n Tribune'. He was a February 6-11-St. Petersburg. missionary in China for seventeen February 7-1o-Clearwater. years, teaching in the North China February 10-12-Tampa. Union College. He returned to Amer- February 13-16–Tallahassee. ica in 1925.
Dr. Charles E. Maddry, a secretary of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mis- Personal Itellls sion Board, is home after a tour of Rt. Rev. Frederick Rogers Graves, the Board's missions in South Amer- ica. of the American Episcopal Church, • •• has been asked to continue hiB service in China where he has been for fiftyfive years. He had submitted his Mrs. A. K. Reischauer, of the Pres- Obituary Notes resignation because of advancing age byterian Mission in Japan, has been (now 78) but the House of Bishops awarded a special diploma for distin- The Rt. Rev. HoefnrMy eDxaicmo,eredlieAdveis~ asked him to hold on until the general guished service to the deaf. She was retired Bishop the pioneer in introducing oral educa- Houston, Texas, September 20, in his • • convention. • tion for the deaf in Japan, and 83d year. He had retired in 1928 founded the deaf-oral school, "Nippon Working quietly and steadily for 20 Geo. Evangeline Booth left Lon- Rowa Gakko," in Tokyo. years, during a period of one revoludon in November to undertake a world campaign, calling first at Port Said .::sFREE FOT tionary ~risis after another, Bishop to inspect one of the newest Salvation Min;"eT. Aves guIded the struggling missions Army centers. She expects to spend of the Episcopal Church in Mexico more than a month, including Christ- Why God Used D. L. Moody isnatmoestoilmidearmitiyniasntedrinsgtretnogtthh~' at the mas, in India, and conduct no fewer By R. A. Torrey British than sixty-five public gatherings at and American colonies in the critical various centers. The General will The Shorter Life of D. L. Moody years when open warfare was an al- Itllend six days in Ceylon, thence to By Paul R. Moody and A. P. Fitt most constant threat. Java, Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai and Peiping. She will go on to Th_ two hooks will he given [0 the fint 1000 * … … Korea, reaching Japan on March 10, miniatere who will agree to conduct a "'Moody Day" and return to England across the lervice on Sunday, February 7, 1937, and win Dr. Bruce Kinney, recently retired preach an appropriate message in oheenance of the as on!! of the representatives of the United States. .> . . CeDtenary of D. L. Moody's birth. ~merIc~n ~aptist Home Mission So- CIety, dIed In Cleveland, Ohio, on Oc- Dr. Cleland Boyd McAfee reached W,.ite A. F. GaylorJ. Director tober 15. He was for 43 years a minhis 70th birthday on September 26, D. L. MooJy Centenary Celebration. ister .of Christ and 38 years ago was and on that date retired from the secretaryship for Japan, Siam, Chosen The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago w: appomted as a frontier missionary in and the Philippine Islands under the 153 INSTITUTE PLACE CHICAGO. ILL. the e~ whe!e he was superintendent of mISSIons In Utah and Wyoming (Concluded on 3d CO'IJer.) REVIEW OF THE WORLD High Speed DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor at Low Cost VOL.LIX DEC., 1936 No. 12 Speed is often so important when crossing to the Orient. That's-why Publication and Business Office– busy travellers go by Empress. You Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. go faster . . . in maximum comfort . . . and at surprisingly low cost. Editorial and Executive Office- 156 Firth Avenue, New York City. Only 10 days to Yokohama by Entered as second-class matter at Empress of Asia or Empress of Russia. Or via Honolulu in just 3 Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under days more by Empress of Japan Act of March 3, 1879. (largest, fastest liner on the Pa~ific) or Empress of Canada. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. low round-trip fares . . . First, Publlsbed monthly, except August. Tourist and Third Class. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. British agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, When your Call London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy. 10 shillings a year.
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by Willard
LISTENING TO THE GOSPEL ON THE BANKS OF THE NILE (REV. OSCAR BOYD PREACHING FROM THE IBIS) Photograph by Willard Price EAGER LIDARNERS IN THE BOYS' SCHOOL, ALEXANDRIA BUILDING MATERIAL FOR THE CHURCH IN EGYPT
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LIX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1936 Topics of the Times THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE OF PEACE sponsible for the war spirit. Russia, the commu- nistic Union of Soviet Republics, denies God's au- Thousands of sermons will be preached in thority and ideals and depends on armaments to Christian pulpits on Christmas Sunday, advocat- maintain peace with neighbors and within her own ing "Peace on earth, goodwill among men." But, borders.. Japan, the militaristic monarchy, seeks while God is the God of Peace, and the Gospel is to attain her ends by regimentation and force of the Gospel of Peace, Christ distinctly said, arms. Germany and Italy, the fascist totalitarian "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; states, declare for an "armed peace," with their I 'came not to send peace, but a sword." This armaments able to defy all antagonists. Even startling statement has been proved true, for England and America are joining in the race. strife has characterized national life during the There may be an armed truce, and a restraint whole Christian era-though war is contrary to from active warfare, but it is due to fear of force Christ's mission of peace. and not to the spirit of friendly harmony which Look over the world. Never were nations so fe- underlies all true peace.
verishly arming themselves and preparing for war What then is the Christmas message of peace?
as they are today; never was so much spent on It is that Christ came to proclaim God's love and armaments and war materials; never have there His desire that men should cease from rebellion been so many wars and rumors of wars-political, against His will and should be at peace with Him.
economic, social and religious. This is in spite of This is the only effective basis of "peace among the influence and ideals of Christ and the peace men." The sword of strife will be sheathed, or propaganda and pacifist movements. There can turned into a plowshare of peace, when men join be no doubt that Christ desires peace, but if He in allegiance to Christ and yield their wills and came to establish general peace among men and their lives and their possessions to the Will of nations, there does not seem to have been much God. There is no other way ; all peace movements progress toward reaching His objective. Never- promoted on any otlier basis are futile. As long theless God is the God of Peace; Christ preached as men fight against God they will naturally fight peace and bequeathed His peace to His disciples, against one another, if they can and dare. "There and they "preached peace by Jesus Christ" (Acts is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked." God 10: 36). and the State cannot both rule supreme over men's What, then, is the answer to the present prob- wills; neither can both God and self be supreme.
lem ·of disunity and strife in the world? The an- The most effective emissaries and promoters of swer is that there is only one basis of human peace on earth today are not "pacifists" who decry peace and that is "peace with God." The reason all conflict, or social workers who merely seek to for the "sword" that divided households as the bring about better living conditions. but they are result of Christ's coming to earth over nineteen the peacemakers who are recognized as "children hundred years ago-and that still divides families of God"; they are the Christian missionaries and and nations-is the fact that men are out of har- others who are seeking to win men to Christ and mony with God., We have neglected the one neces- to a life in harmony with God's will. Christ came sary basis of unity. As long as we-as individuals primarily to save men from sin-the sin of disoor as nations-are each seeking selfish ends, so bedience to the Will of God. He proclaimed for- long will we fear one another and put our trust giveness and peace by His sacrifice on the Cross in armaments. No one form of government is re- and so opened the Way of Life in God.
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Christmas is a time to preach peace, but only ity, must be taught in the home, the school, the the peace of God based on loving obedience to His church and the place of business. Law must be revealed will and manifested by love to our fellow shown to be not an enemy to liberty but a protec- men. It is love that brings peace because love tion and an ally to progress.
works no ill to one's neighbor. The Star of Beth- (7) Belief in God as a loving Heavenly Father, lehem and the Cross of Calvary are both the Chris- . and the just Ruler of human affairs, must be tian symbols of peace. taught to children from their earliest years. The movie and the streets often make crime seem easy, STILLING THE CRIME WAVE pleasant and profitable. Self-control and rever- ence for God must be shown by precept and ex- The government, social reformers, parents and ample as the Way of Life that brings happiness Christians everywhere are greatly disturbed be- and success. cause of the extent of crime and its spread in all Public libraries must be purged from unwholeparts of the world. The cost of crime in the some books and newsstands must be cleared of United States is estimated at thirteen billion dol- papers that present low ideals and lawless heroes. lars a year, seven times as much as we spend for Good reading is more influential than most forms education. The number of condemned criminals of good advice. It is a matter of record that only in penal institutions runs into hundreds of thou- two per cent of criminals!, when brought to trial, sands and lawbreakers out of jail are even more have been active members of any church. numerous. The worst feature of the situation is that youthful criminals are increasing. In Great As the basic cause of crime and lawlessness is Britain, a recent report states that forty per cent sin, so the only cure for these evils is a. turning of the crimes were committed by persons under to God and an intelligent regard for His laws. twenty-one years of age; and the situation is even The New Testament gives us three definitions of sinworse in America. The chief causes of crime and lawlessness are (1) "Sin is transgression of the law"-a posi- tive disobedience to the revealed Will of God. idleness, ignorance, lack of high moral standards, broken homes, a desire to obtain money for power (2) "Whosoever knoweth to do good and doeth and: self-indulgence, and· an antipathy to all re- it not to him it is sin" ;-it is failure to follow the straints. But the basic causes of lawlessness are light we have. selfishness and a disregard for God as the Heavenly Father and Lawgiver. (3) "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin"-it is doing what we believe to be wrong, and failure What then is the cure for the present-day law- to live in harmony with faith in God as He is relessness and crime? Prof. Robert H. Miller of vealed in Jesus Christ. Manchester College, Indiana, gives a seven-point program: It has been the experience, both of individuals and of communities, that when the Gospel of Christ is accepted, and men take Him as their (1) Increased appropriations for education. Saviour and Lord, crime and lawlessness disap- Chicago has established a special school for "in- pear and men become good neighbors and good corrigible" boys-a school that instructs and citizens. This is evidenced in the word that has keeps them busy with wholesome technical train- recently come of the transformation of a very ing and recreation. . primitive, lawless people of Papua (in the South (2) Keep young folks busy. Do not let them Seas) . These people were sorcerers and took a be idle and out of work. Six million between the pride in murder. Their women all refused to acages of sixteen and twenty-one are now out of cept a man as a husband until he had murdered school and out of work. someone. They were superstitious and ignorant (3) Vocational training-teach every child to in mind and filthy of body. They were shiftless use his or her hands and mind in some useful em- and poor, and filled with fear and enmity. The ployment-something creative in which he or she Australian Government attempted to control. to can find satisfaction. discipline, to cajole or to punish offenders but (4) The Church must increase her ministry to without success. All the men served jail sentences youth-in the home, school, church and business. and then returned to their old life. Then came Environment must be improved and leisure hours messenger§ of the Gospel of Christ-people of occupied to profit. their own race who had experienced Christ's (5) Punishment for wrongdoing must be made transforming nower. These messengers did not more sure. swift and fitted to the crime. Senti- begin by teaching the savages to build better ment must not interefere with justice. Youth houses and to make better gardens, nor did they must learn that crime does not pay but that crimi- begin by teaching them the evils of crime and adnals do. vantages of law observance. They simply told (6) Respect for law, and for those in author. them of their own experience of Christ, the Son
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
of God, who so loved them that He came to give 800,000 people in Travancore moving Christward. His life for them; they revealed the effect of His The leaders express a desire to see their whole love and His power in their own lives by their un- community embrace Christianity and a large selfish, joyful service. The pagans were astound- body of Indian Christians have offered to give ed at this new way of peace and power and they their services as volunteer evangelists and teachresponded to the teaching. Before long they de- ers for this ingathering. The difficulty is to care stroyed their paraphernalia of sorcery, gave up for their transportation and training. "Hundreds their evil ways and began a new life. Crimes of of villages are crying out for teachers and tens violence and theft and sins of impurity have now of thousands are seeking Christ." The awakening been discarded. Of their own accord whole vil- is reported also in the Punjab, the United Provlages now rise early in the morning, go for their inces and elsewhere. The Bishop of Dornakal bath and have their "quiet time" to learn God's estimates that in his district alone one million will. They have discarded fighting and send their people are moving Christward. children to school; some have built new, clean villages, with communal gardens, and live as one The opportunity and challenge is likely to grow great family. during the coming months as the disillusioned Untouchables seek some escape from the oppres- Here is an example of the natural fruit of Chris- sive bonds of Hinduism-already they are turntian teaching, without any attempt to coerce or ing to Christ and asking for baptism at the rate persuade the people to accept any specified rules of 15,000 every month. This is influencing the or regulations. These former savages are al- caste Hindus also as they see the new birth and ready an example to civilized America and the re- new life of those whom they have despised. sults have astounded government officials. Where are teachers to be found to train these "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is lib- open-minded seekers? The Indian churches are erty." He who stilled the stormy waves on the poor and the mission boards are still short of Sea of Galilee is the One who can still the crime needed funds. There is still money available for wave today, if men will but obey Him, as did the the things men want most. The boards at home winds and the sea. might unite in presenting the facts to Christian stewards at home and offer, if suitable teachers MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF INDIA are found who will volunteer to give their time, to finance one-half the expense for their board Because of its ancient culture, the number of and travel for a five year campaign if the Indian religions, the size of its population and the multi- churches will care for the other half. The mistude of its unevangelized villages, India presents sionary forces in these areas also need strengtha peculiar and powerful challenge to the Church ening- and new vernacular literature must be supof Christ. The first Christian testimony is re- plied for the growing churches. ported to have come to India nearly 1900 years ago and Christian missions have been carried on It would be unwise for American and British there for the last six hundred years. Protestant Christians to assume the whole financial responsiwork began in 1706 and the first British mission- bility and control but they can still act as true aries entered one hundred and forty years ago; partners of the Indian churches in the work of yet today not more than one in one hundred of winning and training these under-privileged the people are even nominal Christians and the classes for Christ. Prayer circles should also be number of non-Christians is at least double that started in churches at home and in India. The of 100 years ago. The encouraging fact is that National Christian Council and the National Misthe knowledge of Christ and His teachings has sionary Society of India might be the clearing permeated India and the general attitude of the house for a united campaign that will be cooperapeople has changed from one of bitter hostility tive and will avoid waste and overlapping effort. to one of respect and inquiry. "The task before the Church in India. is tremen- dous," says the Bishop of DornakaI. "It will tax Christian missions are largely responsible for all our available resources; but God is our partner the development of modern education in India, and will not fail. In the work of His Kingdom for the advance in modern medical service and nothing is impossible." for the elevation of women and children. The British Government has promoted peace, justice, DISAPPOINTED CANDIDATES education and economic betterment. Candidates for political office are not the only Great mass movements toward Christ have been ones who suffer disappointment when election reported in many places during the past fifty time passes. Missionary candidates are also too years, with whole villages of the Depressed often disappointed-sometimes even after their Classes ready to come under Christian instruc- election, but more often because of failure to be tion. Today the Rev. T. G. Stuart Smith reports selected and given a field of service.
Among the elect some are disappointed when mission field. One applied who had nursing qualithey reach their field, because they find that they fications, but not the spirit Of Christ. She was are not adapted to the work or field assigned. sent at large expense but within one year had In spite of carefully prepared candidate papers to be recalled after having done harm rather than and examinations, their physical, mental or spir- good. A lesson was learned. When a doctor apitual equipment may be inadequate. Others, who plied for the same field, a frank letter was sent have an ambition to devote their lives to preach- to him, setting forth plainly the difficulties of ing the Gospel to the unsaved, are sometimes pioneering without much modern equipment; he called upon to fill vacancies in schools or colleges was warned of the financial sacrifices necessary, to teach purely secular subjects-and little time the problems involved in living in a small intimate and strength is left for evangelism. One mission- circle, the need for vital prayer life and Bible ary in India bewailed the fact that an under- searching, and the fact that evangelism by word staffed teaching force in the mission college neces- and life is the primary work of the mission in sitated his being called to teach and to neglect which all were expected to take a part. That evangelistic work for which he had volunteered. doctor went prepared for what he was to face. Or the business or executive end of the mission may be so absorbing that there seems little or no Disappointments of candidates and in canditime for purely Gospel work. dates, and disappointments on the mission field and at home cannot always be avoided but they Disillusionment also sometimes comes because can be greatly lessened by greater care in the of false ideas of missionary life gained from ro- study of the fields, more frankness in dealing mantic authors and speakers who present the with candidates and more earnest prayer and cause at home. The needs, opportunities and sacrifice, with a determination to know and follow rewards, of field work are sometimes so attrac- the spirit and mind of Christ in the work to tively presented that young men and women vol- which He has called us. The missionary enterunteer who are not ready to endure the hardness prise is not a human undertaking but a divine of pioneering, who do not realize the difficulties calling to follow a divine Leader. No man or of the field to which they are going; they are woman, called of God to work for Jesus Christ in not prepared for the disappointments due to work- the salvation of men, need be idle or disappointed ing with and for uncongenial and unresponsive because of lack of support and opportunity. Even people, or to live without the comforts and cul- invalids may have a great part in the work tural opportunities of the homeland. through prayer and gifts and personal testimony wherever their lot is cast. "For if there be first Other disappointed candidates are those who a willing mind, it is accepted according to what never reach the field because no one will take the a man has, not according to what he has not." responsibility for sending and supporting them. But at times general appeals come from the field D. L. MOODY CENTENARY which arouse interest that cannot be harnessed to action. A recent article appeared in THE REVIEW The life of D. L. Moody, the famous Evangelist, which told of the religious destitution in many finds its lengthening influence in the Moody Bible districts, in Maine. Two missionary-minded Chris- Institute of Chicago, founded by him fifty years tian teachers wrote to the author of the article, ago. The year 1937 will witness a world-wide offering their services freely to conduct summer celebration of the centenary of the birth of the Daily Vacation Bible Schools. The reply failed great Christian evangelist and educator. His to mention any needy towns or any way of serv- ministries in Great Britain and America added ice. Disappointment and failure was the result. many thousands to the ranks of those accepting A similar experience is noted with regard to of- Christ as Saviour and awakened sleeping profers to help other churchless communities in the fessors of the Christian faith to vital action. United States. The Hartford Band has offered to go to any needy field but no one is ready to On February 2, 1936, nearly six hundred send them. churches in the United States and six other lands, celebrated "Moody Day" with heart-kindling serv- What is the remedy for these disappointments? ices that resulted in the winning of many to Christ Is it not first to be found in accurate information? and in aw!kening or deepening interest in the The fields must be studied in detail, as Robert study of the Word of God, and the winning of Arthington studied them, so that the facts will souls. Another "Moody Day," with a much wider be known; the candidates must be studied indi- observance, will be celebrated on the centenary vidually as to fitness and they must be fully in- of Mr. Moody's, birth, February 7, 1937. It is formed as to facts. There is no excuse for hoped that more than a thousand pastors and knowingly sending out unqualified candidates churches will join in prayer and action for the merely because a place needs to be filled. One spiritual good of all who participate. case in point-a nurse was sorely needed on a
A Young Church in Old Egypt*
By the REV. E. E. ELDER, Cairo Missionary of the United Presbyterian Church T HIS young Protestant Church in Egypt, the Christian church as the ultimate aim. The city cradle of one of the oldest civilizations, has of Assiut, 250 miles south of Cairo, and a strong passed its seventy-fifth birthday on April 13, Coptic center became his base of operation. A last year. The first American missionaries ar- number of vigorous churches sprang up in the rived in Cairo a little over eighty years. ago. In southland and by 1885, a year before his death, five years portions of Arabic Scripture and reli- there were in all Egypt nineteen organized con- gious books were dirstributed, a few mission gregations-six of them having pastors of their schools started and religious services organized. own. Most of these congregations were in the In September, 1859, the Lord's Supper was first immediate vicinity of Assiut, although there were administered by missionaries using the Arabic also mission workers in Alexandria and Cairo.
language and the first four converts were received The total membership was about 1,700.
into the evangelical fellowship. These included During the second quarter century many other a Coptic monk, an Armenian, a Syrian and an towns and villages further north in the neighbor- Egyptian. The first Evangelical congregation hood of Minya and al-Kom al-Akhdar, towns midwas organized in Cairo in 1863 and that- same way between Assiut and Cairo, were opened to year the Presbytery arranged for training classes evangelical preaching. The number of missionto prepare young men for Christian service. aries connected with the American Mission in- From these small beginnings, three-quarters of creased about threefold, some of them being loa century ago, there has de,veloped a church which cated in the great unevangelized centers of the numbers over 21,000 members, meeting in 143 Delta where more than half the population of organized congregations and 201 unorganized Egypt lives. Struggling churches, dependent circles. Of these congregations 114 have their largely on the encouragement and guidance of the own ministers; fifty-nine are self-supporting, and missionary, were organized in the provincial capcontribute to the general work of Synod. itals. A few months ago the editor of one of the prom- During this middle period the number of stuinent religious weeklies of America visited the dents in the Sunday Schools grew steadily until seminary for the training of pastors and was in- in 1910 there were almost 17,000 enrolled. At terested to learn that the building was erected al- the turn of the century the presbytery was dimost entirely from funds collected in Egypt by vided into four presbyteries and they in turn were the Egyptians. He was happily surprised to find organized into the Synod of the Nile. From the that the inscription over the building did not read, very early days of the American Mission's efforts, "The Seminary of United Presbyterian Church of Egyptian cooperation and leadershiJf had been the North America," but "The Theological Seminary longed for goal. By the close of these twenty-five of the Evangelical Church." years a plan had been formulated looking to finan- The seventy-five years of the Evangelical cial independence of the EgYl>tian Church. Church's history may be roughly divided into By 1910, seventy-two organized churches with three equal periods. During the first twenty-five many other centers could boast of more than years the dominant figure in the development of eleven thousand members. Twenty-two were self- Evangelical Christianity was Dr. John Hogg, a supporting.
Scotchman who believed that the method of win- The third quarter of the church's history conning the Moslem population to Christ was to evan- tinues the increase in organizations in the southgelize the Coptic Christians. Often a stumbling- land, but the remarkable growth again moved block to Moslems, they had long since lost under northward. At the opening of these last twentypersecution any incentive to preach the Gospel. To five years there was but one ordained Egyptian gain Egypt for his Lord, Dr. Hogg thought not pastor in Cairo. In March, 1912, just seventeen only of converting individual souls but of planting years after his ordination, another minister was an independent, self-sustaining, self-propagating called to become the pastor of a second congrega- • See Frontispiece. tion in the capital city. In March, 1929, the Prot- [567 ]
estant leaders of Cairo were gathered for the or- pose for His Kingdom knows no boundary of dination of another Evangelical pastor over a geography or race of social position or former church newly organized. One of the speakers re- religious loyalty. Facing the 13,000,000 Egyptian minded the audience that during the seventeen Moslems, we know that the work is far from be- years seven more congregations had been organ- ing completed. Just now the great problem of ized. If one is surprised at the remarkable our American economic life is the reemployment growth of these seventeen years, he may be of people without work. No one would consider amazed to learn that in the six years that have that the problem for 13,000,000 unemployed was since elapsed five other congregations have been solved by putting a meagre 50,000 to work. The formed, thus bringing the total of Evangelical present Evangelical Church in Egypt is only the congregations in Cairo and suburbs up to four- "seed corn" of an abundant harvest.
teen. All but four are financially independent. The young church, with all its strength and One of them, in addition to supporting the usual leadership, is still weak because of the conditions church work of a city congregation conducts a that surround it. Christians in America, although thriving day school for girls, and gave in 1934, largely outnumbering the Jews, have had little $850 to the mission work of the Nile Valley. success in persuading them to acknowledge and Many movements in the Church show that the follow as Lord One who was of their own race.
aim of the early missionaries for a self-govern- In Egypt the small Evangelical Church, drawn ing, self-propagating church was being realized. largely from the ancient Coptic race, is confronted A Laymen's and Elders' Society, organized in with an overwhelming Moslem majority whose 1918, contains the following paragraph in its first history is full of bigotry and persecution. How annual report: much more difficult is it to persuade members of The work in the cities and districts has steadily pro- a proud majority to accept teaching presented by gressed. There have been fruits of a spiritual awakening, a vigorous yet suspicioned minority of a despised the grace of giving, and"the spirit of brotherhood. May we not be able to prove to America that we are a worthy people. It is hard to find a strong enough analogy child able to carryon the plans of the church by the to picture the extreme difficulty of winning Mosstrength we have gained from her. Our Egyptian Church lem Egypt to Christ. Imagine what would be the now spends $75,000 annually on its work, why should it situation in America if the Negro population were still continue to beg $5,000 from the church in America commissioned to win the white people to a differfor the work of Synod when by fostering the Laymen'~ ent religion than that which they now profess. It and Elders' Movement we may be able to arrive at self- would be twenty times harder if only one in support and progress towards the greater work of reach- twenty of the Negroes had even a slight conceping the millions of unsaved in Egypt for the glory of the Lord. tion of the reality of their commission. Add to In 1926 the Synod assumed full responsibility that what would be the case if the convert must for the education of its ministry and the new not only change his religion but his social posi- Seminary building was occupied. One of the tion, his family relations and even his race. We missionaries has acted as chairman of the faculty might say, "We know the Negro has deeper reliand another serves on the Board. In Basil Mat- gious emotions than white men, but must we bethews' "Forerunners of a New Age," an inter- come Negroes in order to follow his religion?" pretative report of the 1934 Conference on Train- The thinking Moslem may admit the excellence of ing of the Ministry of the Younger Churches, he Christ's teaching, but very often he questions its expresses an fdeal that fits the situation in Egypt. application to him.
The real shaping of the life of a seminary-if it is to Missionary retrenchments and withdrawals of produce a life-giving ministry~must be in the hands of workers have led the young church in Egypt to the people of that lang. The control must be national. wonder how keenly America appreciates the crit- But to concentrate on control as such is not the Christian ical situation in Moslem lands. The attitude of way, for fellowship is the root of the ministry, and fellow- Americans seems often to be expressed: "In sevship transcends the chasms of East and West. enty-five years a church should reach maturity.
In spite of its seventy-five years the Evangelical 'It should now be left by itself to finish the work Church of Egypt is a young church. The task so well started." The ministers of the young of bringing the teeming population of the narrow church, almost to a man, believe that foreign mis- fertile valley of the Nile and its delta into fellow- sionary help is needed to complete the work so ship with Christ, the Saviour, has only begun. well begun. The Cairo Ministers' Association On the other hand a church with a community of gave to a missionary going home on furlough the 50,000 members and adherents, with an educated following message for the church at home: "Sup- ministry and its own church buildings, is well ad- port your work abroad; send out more mission- vanced towards the Christian ideal. Christ's pur- aries."
Results in Central Africa?
By VIRGINIA M. CLARKE, Bolenge, Africa Teacher in the Congo Christian Institute JOHN A. MACKAY has said that, "the evangel- brotherhood, a deepening of their characters and, istic task is, therefore, to make infinitely above all, a growing church which is rapidly be- meaningful and inescapable the heart of the coming more truly indigenous and has a real con- Gospel, God's revelation of Himself in Jesus viction of the need for a continued spread of the Christ in such a way that personality in its whole- Gospel by means of a more adequately trained ness shall respond to God." Innately religious, Christian leadership. the African has responded to the stimulus of God's love by becoming a Christian who is con- In the Mondombe field Bontamba Mark was scious that his whole life should be influenced by sent as an evangelist to a remote village. After Christ's principles. The Bible has become for only one year the things he had accomplished were him an inspired Book, guiding his thoughts and very evident. Seventeen new houses of better conactions through every hour of every day. This struction and with more adequate ventilation had consciousness of the impelling power of God's been built in the Christian village, sanitary con- Word has resulted in many changes in the Afri- ditions were improved and a clean water supply can's heart, character, attitudes and environment. was assured. A new church building had been erected, two schools were flourishing and fifty- The particular Africans whose progress we are three inquirers were ready for baptism. In the now considering belong principally to the Bank- Bolenge Christian village a number of wells have undo tribe dwelling in the Belgian Congo along been dug, many of them with good clear water. the equator where the Congo River crosses it for New little houses are being built of brick which the second time, in a territory which extends east each home builder has shaped and burned himfrom four to five hundred miles, and reaches self. An ingenious method of building is often north and south about two hundred miles. Living followed. While the family continues to live in grouped together in villages ranging from two the old mud house the brick walls are erected hundred to a thousand people, these Congolese are around the house. When the new roof is in place hearing the Gospel story from teacher evangelists the old home is torn down and the new house entrained in one of the six principal mission stations closes the family. Mark Njoji, the pastor of the which are seeking to serve this great field, Bo- Bolenge church, has just completed a fine brick lenge, Coquilhatville, Lotumbe, Monieka, Wema house, well pointed with cement on the outside and Mondombe. Although many of these evan- and the inside walls smoothly plastered with white gelists have received as yet only a quite limited clay. There he can shelter the many friends and education, their few months or years at the mis- relatives who seek his "house by the side of the sion station in close contact with the missionaries road." and other leaders have resulted in a zeal to win their people for Christ, a desire to improve their In Congo from time immemorial the birth of moral, physical and economic conditions, and a twins has necessitated a complicated ritual, but feeling of brotherhood with all rather than with one year twins were born to a. Christian couple just one closely affiliated group, such as the family attending the Congo Christian Institute at Boor clan. lenge. The parents were brave enough to disobey the heathen superstitions. The mother went to Because of the consecrated efforts of the mis- the mission hospital for the confinement. and sionaries and the native Christian workers rested quietly in bed for ten days instead of takthroughout more than thirty years of this mis- ing a twin on each hip and dancing the length of sion's existence some very definite results of the the village the day after their birth as custom dicimpact of the Gospel on the lives of these particu- tated. These twins were bathed and fed like reglar Congolese are now becoming evident. These ular babies and were not forced to fast at interresults encompass the whole life of the people, for vals. Each baby had a basket bed covered with a we are finding not only better homes, hygiene, piece of mosquito netting. The father actually sanitation, gardens, but also an increasing respect continued to go to school and to study as though for womanhood, a larger measure of charity for he were the father of only one. those outside the family, an expanding feeling of In addition to these exterior aspects of better [569 ]
hygiene and better homes there are more subtle "The women here are the rej oicing of this changes. There is a growing companionship be~ church!' That is very unusual praise for a tween husband and wife and a mutual respect for Congo man to give to women and so marks an each other's personality. One elder in the Lotumbe advance in the men's attitude. As a result of the church and his wife always begin and end the day continued spread of Christian ideals throughout by praying together. Numbers of young couples the Congo its womanhood is being gradually en- are learning through their association in the Sun~ nobled.
day school class, known as the Brave Hearts, to In a heathen society the Congolese feel no reeat together and to share their joys and problems sponsibility for those outside their own immediwith each other. No one who has not known ate families. But after they have heard the story Africa intimately can realize how radical is this of Jesus they learn to care for others. As a change in attitudes and customs. The establish- church or as a missionary society they share troument and development of the Christian home, as bles of their members and try to help them. The the parents learn to nurture their little ones in church at Lotumbe took up a collection for some the faith, is one very outstanding result of the of their members whose houses had burned down, Gospel in Central Africa. they paid for medical treatment and finally burial What About the Women? for a friendless old man who had wandered into town; they brought food and clothing for a sick Someone has said in substance, that no nation and crippled woman who was without a home, and can rise higher than its womanhood. In Congo they gave money each week to a former evangelthe woman's place has always been a degraded ist of the despised Batswa tribe who was ill with one. She is considered a piece of property, a tuberculosis. These are only a few of this housekeeper, a gardener, the bearer of children, church's charitable deeds, and they might be dubut never as a loved companion to be respected plicated in every church in Congo.
and cherished. A Congo proverb says, "To eat The Women's Missionary Society of the Bolenge with a woman is to eat with the devil himself." Church decided to give some gifts of food to one In spite of these traditional attitudes, Christ's of their members who had recently been left a love and principles are resulting in an increased widow with nine children. They brought live fish, respect for women, their personalities and abil- dried fish, manioc, onions, plantains, palm nuts, ities. Manners and little courtesies are often in- two kinds of cakes made of sweet manioc, corn dicative of an inner spirit or attitude, as in a and other food as well as a money gift of fifteen situation which occurred at Lotumbe two years francs (about fifty cents). On their regular meet- ago. A number of the young married couples had ing day the women gathered at the church with just finished a feast in the open air. The Sunday their gifts in large baskets and basins and went vesper service was soon to be held there. Before singing to her home. She had been warned in ad- the meeting the young men were sitting together vance so was wearing a clean dress for the first visiting while the women were putting things time since her husband's death. The house was away in a nearby house. When the women came freshly swept and the children were clean. One out of the house most of them took places some of the women made a little speech presenting the distance away, but the wives of the graduates of gifts and two others prayed. The widow was the Congo Christian Institute came over to where so moved by this expression of their Christian their husbands were sitting. There were not love that tears came to her eyes. The women had enough chairs so those husbands stood up cour- to explain to her that these were outright gifts teously and gave their chairs to their wives. Of and no one expected to receive anything from her, course that little incident doesn't sound a bit for in Congo a gift means that something must strange or unusual to the American woman who be given in return.
is accustomed to every courtesy, but for a heathen The Gospel has meant to the Congolese that in- Congo woman-well, it is simply unheard of. stead of being members of many unrelated tribes Some missionaries were going up the Ubangi with fierce jealousies, hatred and strife predom- River on the mission steamer, "The Oregon." They inating, they now belong to one fellowship with reached Bobolo, where there is an evangelist and love, loyalty and mutual helpfulness as their a good church. Captain John Inkima told them watchwords. This idea has been very aptly ex- about the church there and how the women had pressed by the students of the Congo Christian In- done most of the work of building it. He said stitute, a secondary school established seven years that at one time the men all went back to heathen- ago at Bolenge for the training of a higher type ism, but some of the women kept the church go- of Christian leadership. To that school come stu- ing. Later an evangelist was sent to them and dents of many tribes whose fathers and grand- the church reawakened. Then Captain John said, fathers were traditional enemies. In one gradu-
WHAT RESULTS IN CENTRAL AFRICA?
ating class of fourteen there were nine distinct ries on the affairs of the church with only occatribes represented. From the beginning of the sional counsel from the missionary. To attend the school they have marveled at the strong bond of Sunday morning service at this church is a real Christian love which bound them together and experience; for the pastor, the choir of ten male made them as one tribe. One student in writing voices and the audience join together to make a home to his parents said, "Here we do not belong truly inspiring and reverent period of worship, to different tribes, but to one tribe-the tribe of of which the celebration of the Lord's Supper is God." made the climax. Churches like this one are being duplicated by the score in many outstations This unity was put to the acid test when the throughout the Congo. very first Batswa students entered the school. The Batswa constitute the semi-pygmy slave tribe of Fortunately many government officials realize Congo which for generations has been despised the importance of the Christian evangelist and by the Bankundo and with whom no social inter- give him their support. One government official course was possible. But when these Batswa stu- after visiting with an outstanding evangelist of dents stepped off the boat they were greeted as the Lotumbe field aoout how best to stop some long lost brothers by those in the upper classes. objectionable heathen practices, said to him, Later when one of the Batswa wives was ill and "After all, one of you evangelists can accomplish could not go to the garden and prepare food for more than many soldiers because the people have her husband and four children one of the Bank- learned to respect and love you." Undoubtedly undo women volunteered to help her. She had a the lives and work of some of these earnest nabusy day, for there was water to carry from the tive evangelists, as well as the growth and despring, cassava to dig in the garden, bread to be velopment of the Christian Church in Congo, are made, and greens to be prepared. Having finished outstanding results of the Gospel in Central the household duties she sat down and visited Africa. with the sick mother, telling her all that had been done in school that day. What a revolutionary In the final analysis the very finest results of thing it was for her to have such close contact the Gospel are to be found in the changed lives with a woman of the Batswa tribe! The Gospel and characters of the people who have been message is being exemplified in these young folks' touched by its power. It is impossible to mention lives as they daily practice actual Christian all of the splendid Christians whose lives have brotherhood. been an inspiration to others, for their number is legion. Elima Salome is a deaconess in the Lo- A Phenomenal Growth tumbe Church. Her husband, Mbomba David, is an elder. For years they have kept their Chris- Thirty-one years ago an early missionary of the tian light shining before all people. Elima is a Disciples of Christ Mission, who was leaving leader among the women and was president for a Congo to go on furlough, left one mission station, long time of the Missionary Society, which sup- Bolenge, and about two hundred Christians. To- ported an evangelist in a distant village. She is day there are six stations and over forty-two thou- a Sunday school teacher as well, giving every Sunsand Christians. In the whole of the Congo the day of her radiant personality and Christian ex- Protestant Christians and adherents number more perience to the little ones of Lotumbe. Visiting than a million. All of these, of whatever mission, the sick, sharing with others her food and her belong to one church, L'Eglise du Christ au knowledge of Christ's love, Elima Salome exempli- Congo. This forward step has meant a great deal fies what a true Christian should become. to each individual Christian, for now each one feels more closely bound to his brothers in Christ Among the graduates of the boys' boarding throughout Congoland. This union has likewise school in Bolenge in the early days was Mpoku been a challenge to the Christians to continue Enoch. Early in 1908 he became a Christian and their efforts for a more truly indigenous Church has never once wavered in his faith since that in the Congo. day. A week after his baptism he went to a dis- tant village as a school-teacher. The next year At Coquilhatville, one of the provincial capitals he returned to the mission station and learned to of the Congo, there is a splendid Protestant set type and finally became foreman of the mission Church group which is an inspiration to all be- printing shop. Later Mpoku became enamored cause of the fine way these Congo Christians are of machinery and spent several years as an enconducting the work of their church. The board gineer on river steamers. When he returned to of elders, deacons and deaconesses called as their Bolenge in 1920 he was made a deacon of the pastor Bokomboji Pierre, a graduate of the Congo church. Then while acting as foreman of the Christian Institute, who is one of the five ordained sawmill he was chosen as assistant pastor of the ministers in the Bolenge field. This church is Bolenge Church and in 1927 was ordained to the now self-supporting, and the board of elders car- ministry. While continuing his pastoral duties
he attended the Congo Christian Institute and There are many more in this fine company of graduated in 1933. Since his graduation Mpoku's Congo Christians. There is Lokofe Moses and ministry has been continually blessed. He travels his wife, Weci Marie, who are both supervising for months at a time through the back country schools in Lotumbe; there is Imbanda Joseph villages, strenthening the churches, encouraging who, although holding a government position, is the evangelists, preaching the Gospel and building finding time to build a church in a village where churches. Everywhere Mpoku Enoch goes his there was none; there is Litele Samuel, who is winsome smile, his loving character and powerful the first traveling Sunday school secretary of this words bring many of his brothers to Christ. particular group of churches; there are innumer- able others, men and women, preachers, teachers, A young school-teacher, a graduate of the nurses, carpenters, brick masons, mechanics, Congo Christian Institute, went home and began hunters, fishers and clerks who are living changed his work. Perhaps he expected to find conditions and more abundant lives because of the redeeming very different, for he wrote the following to his power of Christ's Gospel. However, these Congo white teacher: "I am weary in spirit because I Christians and their missionary leaders have a wanted to begin teaching and preaching at once. certain worry deep down in their hearts as they see the present shortage of missionary funds with r find there is no house in which I may live, no its corresponding shortage of both missionary and native leaders to guide the ever increasing numchurch in which I may preach, and no school in ber of young Christians along Christ's difficult which I may teach. Now I must start right at the path. One of Congo's proverbs is, "Bambola very beginning. I have labored in the forest itswa, ioiya, wijima." (Light the lamp, put it bringing in poles for building, and I have cut out, darkness.) The Church of Christ has lighted boards for blackboards. I can't open my school the lamp of God's love in those hearts. Is the materials for there is no place to keep them, and Church in America going to let them drift into they would soon be spoiled. How much there is darkness again for the lack of sufficient guidance to do! We write the lessons on the sand of the and counsel? Or will the Church at home supply village path." What a strong spirit that young the lamps to enlighten Africa? teacher must have! Although he is disappointed in his situation, he is going to work to do and dare for Christ whom he serves.
Into the Forests of Central Africa* What a Pioneering Trip Means to a Missionary REV. A. G. MILL and his wife have lived in his wife have held this fort. Several times a year the Upper Congo for the last twenty-six he makes long trips into the dense forests back years as respresentatives of the English of the river. In a recent letter to his sister he de- Baptist Missionaty Society.. Fifty-five years ago scribes one of these journeys: ThOl:'):las J. Comber and George Grenfell started "As you know there is no summer and no winter in Africa in the generally accepted sense of these work'on the mighty Congo. In his little steamer terms. We made preparations for our tour in June when the intense heat is tempered by the the "Peace," Grenfell explored the Congo Basin heavy rains. We had no road maps to consult and wd~ the discoverer of the great Ubangi trib- since there were no roads. We lra-d no worries about taking dress-up clothes since we would have utary.N'o;wmission .stations, not only of the no social functions to attend-no grand churches in which to worship and no high-class hotels to English Baptist Society but the Disciples of patronize. All our baggage must be carried on the bare backs of the natives and our meals found Christ, the Atnerican Presbyterian Church South, as we went through the forests. We were going back from the great river highway-back into the the Methodist,(:Episcopal Church and the Congo hinterland tribes, some of whom had never seen a white man. Balolo Mission, are working harmoniously. "My wife and r went on bicycles and the na- Mr. Mill is Ideated at a small village situated at tives on foot. Back there tucked away in the the confluence of the Lomami and Congo Rivers. jungle are people with no civilization and with- About ten years ago he asked leave to push for- ward one hundred miles and plant an outstation at Yalikina, his preseJltstation, ,He realized that this was a sttategic lotation if the peoples on the banks of the great !Lomami were ever to be reached with th~ Gospel. Single ,handed he and . t! 1 '. '" .'.
• A letter seDLly, Aofrs. Cla,ra.' Anna Sinclair, of. Caldwell, Kansas.
INTO THE FORESTS OF CENTRAL AFRICA
out knowledge of the heavenly Father. Our faith- started out, the traveling adding to the pain of ful boys led the way, carrying packages. Soon the the injured wrist. road became narrower till only a path was left. Camping for the night under our mosquito net- "On our arrival at the appointed meeting place ting, we were up bright and early the next morn- we found the doctor had not come. We waited all ing. We traveled for several hours when the that afternoon and till the next morning. Our winding trail suddenly became a steep descent. supply of provisions was exhausted by this time Not only so but the ground under us turned into and we were obliged to eat the native roasted loose sand and before long my wife was going monkey and cassava. Suddenly the steamer headlong down the incline gaining momentum at rounded the curve of the river and our hearts every turn. She was thrown forcibly from the leaped for joy. The doctor advised that my wife machine at the foot of the hill, saving herself go back with him. At my wife's request I resomewhat by throwing out her arms as she was frained from going with her, but put her on board pitehed over the handlebars. As I picked her up in the care of our best boys, and with a prayer I could see that her wrist was limp and knew my left her to be taken down river to the mission fear of a fracture to be confirmed. The pain was hospital at Yakusu, 150 miles south, while I reconsiderable. I tried my best to knit the bones traced my steps. With a lonely feeling I ate supbut was not successful. Where should I turn for per and retired, giving instructions for the mornhelp? Behind us there was no doctor for the gov- ing's march. We were plunging into dark forest ernment doctor had left for the upper river some land and soon came to the first of the isolated vildays befoJj'e. Before us there was less hope. The lages. The sight of a white man terrified the only· thing I could think of to do was to send out natives and,· my wife not being with me, made it S.O. S. messages to the government doctor by a harder to reach them. Like frightened children few trusty native carriers. they had to be coaxed out of their grass huts. God's palaver was explained to them and the chief "Off they went while our caravan waited; my passed on the message as he alone knew the trade wife in great discomfort. After five long days language. the messengers returned with the news that the doctor would meet us at a certain point on the After three months Mr. Mill returned to his river in two days. Taking two boys with us we station to find his wife recovered but with a more or less crippled hand.
AN ADVANTAGE OF THE NATIVE PREACHER The color of the preacher weighs far more with the native than we realize. Even in the .. mind of the best natives, even in the hearts of those most warmly attached to us, there is a definite though perhaps often subconscious prejudice against our color; I know of many in- stances where a message full of urgency and power has produced very little effect from the lips of a missionary while that of a native has produced immediate results. A native listen- ing to a moving and powerful address from a white man can quiet his conscience and harden his heart simply by saying, "That's all very well, that's a white man's point of view. It may .0 impress you like that but it is not what we blacks need." But when he hears a black preach with conviction, he is driven from this refuge and has to face the message on its own merits.
Again and again I have come across instances where the final link in bringing a native to Christ has been supplied by a native. He has listened to the white man for years and seemed little affected but one simple remark from a fellow native has gone home like an arrow. I would not belittle the white man's influence but it is unquestional;>le that the native evangelists have advantages over us.
Native preachers are often greatly improved and their value added to by thorough train- ing. In my experience this has been under the three headings: Bible knowledge, general knowledge, the missionary's example.-Rev. W. Singleton Fisher, in Congo Mission News.
Evangelistic Value of Medical
By ROLLA E. HOFFMAN, M.D., Meshed, Persia, On the Staff of the American Christian Hospital DURING my first years on the mission field I they have been reached? "Medical missionary was expected to draw large crowds of pa- work," said Dr. Dugald Christie, of Mukden, "is tients and friends of patients to whom our no mere adjunct to the work of preaching, but is senior clergyman could sell Scriptures and preach an essential and integral part of the work of the the Gospel. This was in the most fanatical Mos- Church." Our Presbyterian Board Manual says, lem city of Persia. The best strategy seemed to "Medical work is not merely a key to open the door be to push forward the medical work and to ac- into non-Christian communities, but is an integral company it with as aggressive preaching as the part of the missionary enterprise." people would tolerate. I was expected to draw the crowds, and the evangelistic missionary was to We have been thinking of the medical work too preach to them. He was treasurer of our little much in its relation to outsiders. We must realize hospital and I occasionally preached and led daily that its usefulness to professing Christians should prayers so that our pioneering went on happily. be no less, especially in the midst of a non-Chris- tian society. Even after fanaticism is dead, and Later the clergyman died, the medical work in- the church has become popular and men flock into creased and a second doctor was sent out. One of it and want to be known as Christians, medical our clergymen expressed the hope that instead of work will still be needed as an integral part of the taking on more patients, the medical staff would work of the church, as a continuous expression of now do more evangelistic work. Instead of that the healing love of our Lord. The new church will we find that the medical work has more than be far stronger, more practical, truer to Christ, doubled, so that now a third doctor has come. The more useful to the nation, if it grows up in close clergymen have most faithfully carried on evan- cooperation with a genuine Christian medical gelistic work in the hospital; the church has been work, which becomes more and more a part of the born and other openings for evangelistic work work of the Church. Perhaps a medical man's have thrust themselves forward. Finally we are antipathy toward doing more "evangelistic work"
advised that "the entire work of healing, both arises from holding to the old idea that it is to conphysical and spiritual, should be carried on by the sist in spending an hour or more a day reading the doctors and their assistants." Scriptures to and haranguing men, pleading with them to "flee from the wrath to come," and, since While this view may not quite represent the our time is limited, neglecting medical treatment attitude of most of our clerical missionaries, it has rather depressed me to realize that our hos- to do it! pitals are looked upon as not such alluring places We might analyze the function of medical misto work. As one of the missionaries puts it, "Given one hundred well men as against one hun- sion work, as composed of its influence upon undred sick men to preach to, I would choose the evangelized outsiders, and its influence upon the well men every time." The preaching mission- members of the church; but after all these ex- press to man the love and spirit and healing of aries' task is to build up the church and more and our Lord, and so bring them to the knowledge of more of their attention is demanded by the prob- Christ. The medical work reaches people who are lems of the growing church and the instruction of not touched by our schools or "direct" evangelistic inquiries. For the rest, the Gospel can be preached workers. They come from conservative Moslem openly through the land; the day of pioneering families, driven by pain and despair; also from has past. Yet at the meeting of medical workers the ultramodern class, who have lost faith in all some years ago in Teheran, protest was made religion. – Men who would never darken the door against the failure of our clerical brethren to ap- of a Christian school, or of a clergyman's house, propriate the .fine opportunity for evangelistic lay aside their pride and come pleading and be- work in our hospitals. seeching for that which they believe Christian doc- What is the exact purpose of our medical work? tors are able to give. It is true that they are in Is it merely a means of attracting people within spiritual need also, and no doubt doctors often range of the Gospel message, or is it useful after miss the underlying spiritual disease, and give [574 ] cascara when what the patient really needs is a with a course in chemistry; an essential part of "mental cathartic." No doubt we often fail to the course, a place where the things explained in add to our medicines the skilful spiritual touch lectures are actually carried out in life. that would remove the real cause and bring a per~ manent cure. We are apt to think too closely merely of the evangelistic effect of our medical work upon pa- For some have more sin than fever, tients; it should be looked for rather in the com- And some have more grief than pain. munity. The great spiritual value of our Lord's healing did not come to those actually healed, but God help me make whole both body and soul to the healthy who beheld the Power and Spirit of Before they go out again. what was done. Men who come to us for physical healing are not often seeking spiritual healing. We must remember that a host of Christian For this reason the work seldom yields spiritual t~rms carry to the Moslem mind a far different results in proportion to the effort expended. The meaning from what we intend. If, as we are fact that our hospitals render a valuable physical sometimes urged, we "joyfully give to them the service in the spirit of love, which requires no mamessage of eternal Life in Christ, through whom terial reward, not even gratitude, shows the peoalone they can attain to perfect harmony and ple that this is Christianity in life, and that Christ health," we shall be merely casting our pearls be~ is not a dead prophet but a living force in the fore swine, with the usual result. How will they world today. This is a very important factor in understand our earnest evangelistic appeal? The the Christianization of the land. It furnishes a man whose disease has not been entirely cured good background for the preaching of the Gospel will put us down as charlatans, trying to cover up in reading room, chapel, school and private conour inability to cure him by introducing another ferences. It softens hearts, not so much the hearts subject! Many a one who has been healed will of the physically ill as the hearts of the commusay to his friends: "Bah! Sons of dogs! These nity's healthy, thinking men. They thus come to Christians treat the sick, but why? They first see the religion of Christ as something living, cure your disease to put you under obligation to vital, essential to their own welfare. Let us emthem, then they insult you by insisting that you phasize anew our real evangelistic task. ought to turn your back on Islam and the greatest of the Prophets and join them with their corrupted Indispensable Elements and altered gospel, with its talk of three Gods, the Son of God (Who begets not, neither is begotten, There are three definite and indispensable elepraise His Name!) and other notions as ignorant ments in a hospital as "an integral part of the and ridiculous. They want to foist on us their missionary enterprise" – efficient medical treatpig~eating and wine-drinking, their immorality of ment, including good nursing; the spirit of Christ women who go about half dressed and with shame- throughout; the simple verbal explanation that less open faces, their money-worship, and denial this is Christian, that He is our strength, and that of the oneness of God !" He is to be praised and thanked rather than the doctors. Is this out of date? Not at all. This is true of many who find their first Christian contact in our With the rapid advance of Persian standards of hospitals. Any attempt to force spiritual results medical work and the passing of the pioneer stage, here results often in the enmity of the patient and we need improved equipment, better laboratories, his friends. Seed sown upon hard, impermeable better assistants; and must limit ourselves to ground will not grow. One task of our hospitals fewer patients. The standard for the hospitals of is that of ploughing, breaking up hard clods, win- Syria has recently been suggested as thirty outning confidence by deserving it. Persistently urg- patients and twenty in-patients per doctor! ing men to become Christians carries to their minds the suggestion that we are getting paid so Our hospitals must be different from the govmuch per head by our government or supporting ernment hospitals, in the Christian love manisociety. Our definite contribution is to bring men fested among ourselves and our helpers. We to the knowledge of Christ; not to persuade them must be the fathers and mothers of our helpers, to become professing Christians. and must teach them Christian principles of life and work. They must learn to serve the poor as In our treatment of professing Christians, it is well as the rich, to be careful, thorough, truthful, our task to lead them to a better knowledge of the sympathetic, clean, patient, cheerful. We need to riches of love in Christ Jesus. We must do a lot develop helpers who are not only efficient in medof teaching and explaining; but we must avoid ical technique – a formidable task in itself – but mere "proselytizing." We need more faith: hav- who will enter into the Christian spirit of the ing ploughed, and sown a little seed, we must work. From the time when a patient enters our await the harvest, not trying to force it. The hospital until he is dismissed, we must make all medical work is like the laboratory in connection contacts with him courteous, patient, Christian.
To this end some form of daily "family" prayers individuals, and the nurses would do more and is essential, when all the hospital force come to- better religious talking with the patients. gether, preferably in the morning, for a few minutes of quiet thinking and worship. Most of our Copies of the Gospels should be available for the Presbyterian hospitals in Persia do not have daily patients to read in the language they know. Often prayers of the whole staff. one man will read to a room full which may be better than for an outsider to do much reading. This is not enough. While showing men the We have found a small cupboard useful as a de- Spirit of Christ, they must be told that this is pository for the books along with various other Christianity. Otherwise this fact, so obvious to books in charge of the senior ward nurses. If the us, will not occur to them at all! Obviously, their Christians are nurses and reasonably intelligent, preconceived ideas of Christianity are not very they will explain passages as patients ask quesfavorable, else many of them would already have tions. The doctor also may occasionally explain a been Christians. Here careful definition is neces- passage. sary. Our task is not to persuade them to become professing Christians, in order to "flee from the A certain amount of social service work is wrath to come," by the magical Name of Jesus, greatly needed, and it sometimes seems that spebut they must learn that it is He who has equipped cial workers ought to be available for it. Without and empowered us for this task. In all fairness this, the medical work often fails to do quite we must give Him the praise and glory for what enough. For example, a young, illiterate daywe are able to do, as much for the sake of our own laborer suffered from a broken leg when a wall integrity as Christians as that they may thank fell on it. He was in the hospital seven weeks, Him for their cure. making a satisfactory recovery. He was well fed and nursed and heard the Gospel explained daily; As to the technique of this, opinions will differ. but he seemed depressed and apathetic. Some- We must appear frankly and openly before our thing else was needed that the hospital was unable helpers and patients as Christians. We may lead to supply. The meagre family income was suda prayer service, preach occasionally, make it a denly cut off and his wife and two children were practice to have a word of prayer before each op- destitute. When he went home he found that one eration, or in other ways reveal our dependence on of the children had died, and his wife had wan- Christ. But in praying for patients we should dered away to another city with the other child. avoid praying before them that they become He was unable to work for a week after his dis- Christians. That will spoil things and lead them charge, as the leg was stilI weak. Had his family to think that after all we are not so much inter- been relieved during his illness and had he been ested in healing their diseases as in trying to given some hand work to do to earn a little money proselytize them for the sake of the bonus that while recovering, and had he been taught to read, our government gives us. This was reported in using the Gospel of John as a textbook, he might Meshed a few years ago to be $400 a head. We have been definitely enriched instead of embittered should pray for their recovery; that the blind eye toward life. Here is a problem that frequently may be made to see, the pain and disease removed, presents itself in a land where the wolf hovers too and the heart made perfectly happy by finding near the door. What a service the Persian Church real peace. might render the community by tiding such folks over their time of need! A clergyman should be connected with each hospital, for several reasons. The teaching possi- In every station where there is medical work bilities of our hospitals have been largely lost there should be a committee on evangelistic work sight of because too much time has been given to in the hospital, consisting of the medical staff and trying to "win" men to an open profession of a man and a lady evahgelist to plan the work and faith. This teaching work is properly the task of draw the general picture. The medical workers the clergyman who should plan it and carry out should be members and attendants of the local a schedule of addresses, lantern talks, etc. He church. A clergyman and a lady evangelistic could profitably make rounds with the doctors worker should be assigned to evening work in the once a week, thus appearing before patients as hospital on a more definite schedule. The evanone in real sympathy with them. He would thus gelistic work should consist in instruction rather keep in touch with the medical work, see any of than "proselytizing," and special care should be his friends who happened to be patients, see the exercizea. to avoid injuring the sensibilities ef even Christian members of the staff at work, and keep the most fanatieal patients or their friends. The the evangelistic side of the work regularly before whole missionary effort should be directed toward .the doctor's mind. He should also stand ready to making the medical work genuinely and wholly talk with any who ask for him. The doctor would Christian, in spirit and in fact, an "integral part have occasional suggestions to make about certain of the missionary enterprise," and a part of the coming Christian society in Persia.
Are Jews! *
The Challenge of American Jewry to the Church By the REV. JOHN STUART CONNING, Secretary of Jewish Evangelization, Board of National Missions "WHY, they're Jews!" was the astonished What America Means to the Jews exclamation of an urban pastor when re- America, however, has spelled more than oppor- tunity to the Jew; it has signified a new environ- minded that he had probably several ment and all the things that go with it-adapta- tion, modification, change. Things are not as they hundred members of the race of Jesus living in were among the Jews. The traditional Jewish life of Eastern Europe has gone beyond recall. Under his parish to whom he might be spiritually help- the constant pressure of American industrial and commercial life, traditional Jewish customs are ful. Another pastor,. in response to the same re- generally disregarded, while the acceptance of modern scientific and philosophical concepts has Tmhineydegr~ said: "We have no contact with Jews. robbed the ancient faith of its sanctions. The their way and we go ours." A third re- Saturday Sabbath no longer dominates Jewish communities. The dietary laws are less and less plied: "Really, I 'have never thought of that!" rigidly observed. Inter-marriage is on the in- crease. And what is giving Jewish leaders grave And this last reply is doubtless the reason so many concern is the disspiriting drift from the syna- gogue. Rabbi Goldenson, of Temple Emanu-el, pastors and churches are not Jew-conscious and New York City, recently expressed his disappoint- ment that in a city with two million Jews, not have not sought to share with their Jewish neigh- more than fifty thousand were in regular attend- ance at synagogue services. bors the spirit and faith of Jesus as Saviour and Side by side with these trends away from the Lord. And this is the reason also why there has ancient Jewish heritage and the decline of the old reverences there has been observable in many grown up in this country a Jewish situation that areas of Jewish life a real yearning and search for spiritual satisfaction. The Jew today is openchallenges the best thought and statesmanship minded as he has not been for generations. He will listen to anyone who offers surcease from perthat the Church can command. sonal or social ills. Christian Science has won so large a Jewish following that a movement within The situation has grown upon us so gradually. Judaism called "Jewish Science" has been devised to stay the drift. Socialism with its doctrine of The few thousand Jews in America at the middle human brotherhood and practice of social equality has enlisted in its ranks tens of thous'ands of of the last century have increased through immi- young Jewish working people. Every modern cult has a Jewish following. gration, mainly from Eastern Europe, until ~o~ay Christianity, too, has its chance. There is a we have in the United States nearly five mllhon spirit of inquiry among Jews which is leading them by thousands to read the New Testament, Jews, about one-third of all the Jews in the world. visit Christian churches, listen to sermons over the radio and give consideration to the claims of New York, with its two million Jews, is the larg- Christianity. There is an encouraging response of Jews to the Gospel when presented with symest center of Jewish life known to history, while pathy and understanding. The neighborhood house approach has been found particularly ef- Chicago has more Jews than Warsaw, and Phila- delphia than Vienna or Kiev. And here the Jews have prospered phenomenally. They have taken commercial and educational advantages to the full and have come to the fore in many de- partments of our American life. The clothing, jewelry, tobacco and other industries are largely in their hands. Their influence is felt in the pro- fessions, in law, medicine, education, journalism, art, literature, wherever the call of opportunity appeals to their eager, restless spirit. The amuse- ment business, as represented by the theater, mov- ing picture, and radio are largely controlled by Jews. And when we look at our public life and think of such names as Lehman, Morgenthau, Brandeis or Cordozo, we realize the high place occupied by Jews in national affairs. We have here not only the largest Jewry in the world, but the most influential. What happens to the Jews in America will effect every Jewry on the globe. Is not this a challenge to the Church?
• From The Presbyterian, Philadelphia. fective. When Jews are dealt with as friends and [577 ]
neighbors with whom it is a privilege to share the way of Pharaoh and Haman, of deTorquemada through the fellowship of daily association the and Pobyedonostev. But it is not the Christian Good News concerning God's love in Jesus Christ, way. His Son, there are spiritual results that gladden the hearts of all who are concerned for the re- The challenge to the Church is clear. Christians demption of Israel. Not only rabbis and orthodox must rebuke racial prejudice and create Christian Jews, but atheists, radical socialists, and commu- attitudes toward the Jewish people. We have in nists have come under the spell of Jesus Christ our hands the key for the solution of the Jewish and have yielded their lives to Him as Saviour problem. It fits every ward of the complicated and Lord. lock. We possess a Gospel, born of infinite love for all mankind, which can subdue prejudice and The First Hebrew Christian Church, of Chi- ill will and conquer all aversions and hatreds. To cago, organized last year, is a demonstration of apply that Gospel to the healing of the world's the fact that Jews can be reached with the Gospel sorrows is the task of the Church. It must be and that they are willing to share in the extension applied to the healing of the age-long sorrows of of the cause of Christ, not only among their own the Jew. The place to begin is in the Church itpeople, but throughout the world. The minister, self. Little progress can be made in commending officers and members of this church are all Jews, the faith of Christ to His own people if those who as are the officers and teachers of the Sunday are its witnesses deny its fundamental ethic. school. Each individual has come into the church through a definite religious experience and can This is a time of crisis for the Jew. It is a time bear personal testimony to the reality of the faith of testing for the Church. If the Church awakes he has confessed. to its unparalleled opportunity a work may be done here in America for Christ's own people far There are many pastors who have discovered transcending anything that has been attempted that Jews are not only approachable, but respon- since the days of the Apostles. sive to the claims of Christ when presented with a loving heart. More than two thousand mem- "BY HAND PICKING" bers of the Hebrew race are now connected with the Presbyterian Church as ministers, mission- There is much significance in these sentences aries, church officers, and members, loyal in her from Bishop John M. Springer's account, in The service and generous in the support of her work Christian Advocate, of recent widespread converat home and abroad. The fact that there are sions in Africa: over 3,300 Presbyterian churches alone that are located in places where there are Jews, and have "All we students at the theological seminary the opportunity to render them service, calls us recently went to Maranke for ten days, and there to accept this God-given opportunity to share we had a wonderful time in our camp meeting," with our Jewish neighbors, as with other unevan- Demas Chama, of the Congo, student at Old Umgelized people, the Gospel of divine love, God's tali, Rhodesia, wrote me recently. answer to the cry of every human heart. Demas continues: "Then we went to Gandan- Not the least part of the challenge that comes zara, where we had another chance, and spent ten to the Church in relation to the Jewish people is days preaching to them the word of life and the the rising tide of anti-semitism in America. Hith- everlasting Kingdom. . . . We all came closely to erto, this country has been singularly free from Jesus, our Saviour; the people numbered 2,500. organized anti-Jewish movements. What little we have had has been short-lived. Prejudice has ex- r saw an old woman stand up and begin to preach, isted, but has found little expression beyond the utterances of individuals. Now, however, anti- and another old man did the same, till all the semitism has become a menace, not only to Jews, camp meeting became on fire for God the Father but to American ideals and the peace and harmony of all nations. There were three great chiefs, of our people. Jew hatred that has spread its Gandanzara, Mukahanana, and Chikuruwo. These blight over Germany, Poland, and other Euro- Christian chiefs stood and said that their feelings pean countries has made its appearance in our were no more as great men we call chiefs, but as own land. Nazi propaganda has planted its cells the servants of Jesus Christ." … in many American cities. Other anti-semitic movements bear the brand, "Made in America." It is During the past five years, in spite of the wholesaid that no fewer than six hundred centers of sale depression which the French more aptly call .anti-Jewish, propaganda exist to foster prejudice :;tgainst the Jews and impose upon them racial a La Crise, there has been what might· well be 'disabilities. It is the old, old way of meeting the Jewish problem, the way of hatred and oppression, termed "mass movement" of converts to ·Christ in all of our African Conferences. But it has come about in the natural way prescribed by our Lord: the going out by the converts to tell the good news to others. This great harvest has not been brought about by a windfall but by hand picking.
Catholic Activity I•n Pagan
I By KENNETH G. GRUBB, Survey Department, The World Dominion Press, London -··~t I ~========================~ THE Roman Catholic Church has been giving in the Belgian Congo, speaking reeently at Leo- constantly increasing attention to missionary poldville, said: expansion. The Church is no longer content to remain within traditional bounds, if she has The Catholic Church is not Belgian, or French, Eng- lish, Italian or American; it is Catholic; Belgian in Bel- ever been. The passing of centuries has witnessed gium, French in France, Italian in Italy…. In the Congo the stay of the advance of Islam in Europe. The it must be Congolese; in the construction of sacred ediweakness of the (Greek) Orthodox Church has fices, in the manufacture of objects for use in liturgical long been apparent. The Protestant churches functions, lines and colors and all the elements of Congo- lese art must be scrupulously observed. . . . When the have been hampered by the catastrophe of the natives are in church they must not feel that they are in World War and the limitation imposed upon Ger- a strange house; they must feel that they are in their own man missions for economic and political reasons. church.
The chaos of the times has thrown into strong The year 1936 marks the tenth anniversary of relief those advantages which accrue to central- the publication of the encyclical Rerum Ecclesiae,: ized control, while concealing the disadvantages. in which world-wide evangelization was stressed, Under these circumstances the Roman Catholic with special emphasis on the training of native· Church in recent years has rightly seen an un- clergy and a general "indigenous" policy.
precedented opportunity for expansion. The The Propaganda controls considerable financial whole administrative machinery of the Vatican, resources. The financial settlement which was a headed by the Pope, is known as the curia, the part of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 between the highest body of which is the College of Cardinals. Italian State and the Vatican involved the pay- The political affairs of the curia are handled by a ment to the latter of about $87,000,000, and it is Cardinal Seeretary of State, and the spiritual af- understood that the greater part of this is to be fairs by eleven congregations or councils. One of devoted to missions. As Catholic clergy areceli- the latter is the Congregation de Propaganda bate the expense on personnel is relatively light.
Fide, known as the Propaganda. It was organ- Extraordinary efforts have been made to arouse ized in the seventeenth century, reorganized in the interest of the faithful in the cause and thus 1908, and is the missionary arm of the Church. to gain their support. The union of clergy on It meets twice a month and has charge of those behalf of missions has been recommended in the regions where the hierarchy is not established. most authoritative quarters, and regional con- Its auxiliaries, or mobile forces, are the various gresses are held to concentrate attention on the religious orders, and it has its own funds. appeal and the opportunity. Along with "Catholic The first advantage possessed by Roman Cath- Action," the mission field has been the cause olic missions is unity of control or direction, in- which has most often been kept before the troducing co-ordination into the work of the re- Church.
ligious orders which otherwise would consume These considerations naturally constitute a their energies in mutual jealousies. It is quite background to all Roman Catholic expansion in possible that a certain amount of flexibility and the mission fields of the world. In reeent years spontaneous spiritual impulse is lost through this especial attention has been given to Central unity of direction, but its advantages must be ad- Africa. Of the funds which the Propaganda con- mitted. Not the least of these has been that the troIs about one-quarter has been devoted to Africa well-known missionary interest of the present -equal to the amount allocated to China, and Pope has been reflected in an increase of activity. twice that given to India.
The Roman Catholic Church is also following The expansion of Roman Catholicism in Cen- a policy of "nationalization" designed to harmo- tral Africa has been great, although it would be a nize the development of the Church with the cul- mistake to exaggerate it. It is helped by certain ture and outlook of each land. A number of in- powerful factors in the political situation. In digenous bishops have been consecrated, although British Africa the Roman Catholic missions are not, as yet, an African. The Apostolic Delegate on the same footing as other religious bodies; [579 ]
they receive, for example, educational grants-in- frequent. But Protestanism rarely benefits to aid, provided their schools reach the requisite any great extent from a political hostility which standard of efficiency. Their standing before the is directed primarily against the Catholic Church.
law is the same as that of Protestant missions; Governments should treat all churches alike under they are treated with s.crupulous fairness and a legislation which is really intended only to re- impartiality by administrative officers; and it strain offenders. If, therefore, Protestants do not should also be added that the fact of the Anglican suffer from political pressure on the accusation of Church being an established Church in England "denationalization," they are apt to be ground brings no appreciable advantage to Protestant between the nationalist policy of governments and missions. No discrimination is made against mis- the interests of the dominant Church which are sionaries of any religion on the ground of their opposed to it.
nationality, now that the postwar restrictions Italian Africa against German missionaries have been removed. In January, 1936, the departure of the last of the Swedish missionaries from Eritrea was an- It is unfortunate that, in the colonies of powers nounced. Their home going was undoubtedly acwhose religious traditions have been molded by celerated by the international situation; but for the Papacy, the same fair treatment has not al- many years it had been clear that, unless the sitways been given to Protestant missions. Roman uation changed, the work would be closed. The Catholic spokesmen have sedulously inculcated the Swedish Mission was founded in 1865, before idea, in season and out of season, that Catholicism Eritrea had come under Italian control. The early is the hallmark of good citizenship; and that, as Italian governors viewed the mission with favor a consequence, not to be a Catholic is to fail in and benevolence. A church with a Christian comloyalty to the State. Telling examples of this in- munity of some ten thousand souls was built up; sidious propaganda are given below. Thus Prot- a notable literary activity was developed, to which estant missions are attacked on the grounds that the native Christians made a solid spiritual and they "denationalize" the native, and pressure is intellectual contribution; and a chain of schools exerted to compel local administrations to impose was established. But these very activities, linhampering conditions on their activities.
Moreover, the colonial policies of Great Britain guistic and educational, provoked official hostility.
and of the Latin nations are different in their gen- They were precisely the activities which, from eral outlook. The "Dual Mandate" fostered by one point of view, hindered national assimilation, Britain in Africa, and so successfully tried out in placing membership in the Kingdom of God above Nigeria, provides for a proper recognition of the' that in the Kingdom of Italy. About 1917 the constructive ideas in native social customs, and Italian attitude to Protestant missions changed; encourages the use of native languages when they missionaries on furlough could not return and are widespread and obviously of general utility. new recruits were not admitted. The Italian The policy of assimilation followed by most Latin Franciscans were able to strengthen their staff, governments, notably the French, Italian and and Roman Catholic propaganda increased.
Portuguese, is inimical to the perpetuation of Portuguese Africa tribal identity, and seeks to supplant native cus- toms and languages by those of the colonizing For a long time a systematic attempt has been power. Protestantism, with its emphasis on the made in both Portugal and its African colonies Word of God, has tended in its mission work to to discredit Protestant missions. The Angola make much use of the presentation of Christian press, especially in Luanda, is constantly publish- truth in the natural language of the people. The ing articles setting forth the necessity of Catholi- result is that Protestant missions in the colonies cizing the colony. Statements, manifestly devoid of "Latin" nations are open to a double attack. of foundation, are continually made in Portugal The Roman Church attacks them on the ground to the detriment of Protestant missions, and the that Catholicism best ministers to the religious widespread medical, educational, social and evan- and cultural traditions of the State; political gelistic work done by the Protestant missions is pressure is apt also to bear adversely on them on completely ignored. Here is a recent example.
the ground that they are instruments of "dena- At a pub.Iic meeting on colonial questions, on Feb- tionalization." When, therefore, the interests of ruary 20 of this year at the Geographical Society Catholicism can be made to agree, if only tempo- of Lisbon, which was reported at length in the rarily, with those of nationalism, as in Portugal papers; the lecturer opened by quoting the Min- today, Protestant missions are faced with a grave ister of Colonies in 1935 to the effect that Prot- issue. Nationalism, however, is fundamentally in- estant missions were working against Portugal, compatible with the ideals of Roman Catholicism, whereas the pupils of the Catholic schools of Ben- and clashes between the Church and State are guela were proud to repeat, "Weare Catholics and
ROMAN CATHOLIC ACTIVITY IN PAGAN AFRICA
'Catholic' is synonymous with 'Portuguese.'''* Christ. On the outcome of this struggle will de- This kind of thing could be multiplied indefinitely, pend the type of Christianity which is to prevail with examples from both the East and West Afri- in this great area of Central Africa.
can possessions of Portugal. In 1934 121,109 adults were reported baptized Roman Catholic baptisms in Angola numbered in Catholic missions. There are 805 foreign and 43,000 in 1934, and the number of adherents is 37 native priests, in addition to numbers of lay put at 425,000. The figure of 291,000 was given brethren and sisters. The total missionary force in 1931. If these figures are accurate, it is evi- already numbers over 2,000. From one boat dent that a notable increase has taken place. The which arrived at Matadi in November, 1935, 80 prelature of Mozambique, which owing to special disembarked, representing 19 orders. Over 1,200 circumstances does not depend on the Propa- young native men are in training for the priest- ganda, but on the Congregation of Extraordinary hood. Pupils in Catholic schools number 454,969.
Foreign Affairs, reports only 9,250 Catholics in Ruanda Urundi is mandated territory, where 1932. The subsidy of approximately £40,000 is conditions are somewhat different. Article 8 of given to Roman Catholic missions in Angola, with the Mandate binds the mandatary to ensure "comprivileges, such as workers' exemption from cus- plete freedom of conscience and the free exercise toms dues and hut taxes. No subsidies are given of all forms of worship which are consonant with Protestant bodies. public order and morality." There has been some Belgian Africa controversy over the nature of the rights thus guaranteed, and the question was recently raised The difficulties of the last few years in the at the Permanent Mandates Commission in Ge- Congo have received much attention, but the pres- neva. The Governor-general of the Congo has ent Governor has shown himself well disposed to decided on a policy which should insure to Prot- maintain the provisions of the Colonial Charter estants the liberty to which they have a clear title.
and the Convention of St. Germain-en-Laye, guar- Spanish and French Africa anteeing freedom of conscience and the free exer- cise of all forms of religion. In recent years The trend of events "in this limited sphere illusgrave cases of abuse have occurred, whereby trates the other tendency, namely, the determina- Protestant natives have been subjected to unfair treatment, and even physical violence. But the tion of the government to limit some of the pre- tensions of Roman Catholic missions. A o.ecree real question has been educational. The situation was issued in 1935 in Madrid which has also limis peculiar in the Congo inasmuch as all education ited the activities of some of the Protestant misis left in the hands of missions. There has been sionaries. But as some of these questions are now no legislation against Protestant schools, but no being considered, it is not wise to discuss them government grants have been available for them, and few, if any, government posts have been open in print. to their graduates. The educational system set up in 1927 recognizes. only "national," which in There is evidence to show that, although in cerpractice means Roman Catholic, schools, and con- tain regions of French Africa the Roman Catholic fines all government eoucation to Roman Catholic Church is making great efforts, its success will teaching orders. Any capitulation to the threat depend on the legitimate use of its own energies contained in this situation on the part of Prot- and resources. If local authorities show bias, or estants would have the effect of leaving all educa- favoritism, this is generally due to local circumtion in the hands of the Roman Catholic missions. stances, and receives censure rather than en- dorsement from higher officials and from the colonial ministry when the circumstances are ex- The Annuaire des Missions Catholiques au plained. Nevertheless, perhaps in. no part of Congo Belge states that Catholics in the Belgian Africa is it so necessary that missionaries should Congo and Ruanda Urundi now number 1,232,018, have an adequate knowledge of the language of and catechumens 1,032,660, making a total of over the governing power, and a proper acquaintance two and a quarter millions. In another article in with the colonial traditions which have molded this report it is shown that there are about a mil- French policy in Africa. For this reason all mislion Protestants in the Congo; three and a quar- sionaries are advised to study in Paris, if possible ter million Christians therefore exist in the region for two years, and certainly not for less than six today, among a population of some fourteen mil- months. A more detailed discussion of consideralions. Ten and three-quarter millions are still tions which affect all intending missionaries and in paganism, and the struggle which lies ahead all secretaries and board members of missions will be an effort to bring to these spiritual life in which carry responsibilities in French territory • As reported in the Diario de Noticias. Lisbon, February 21, may be found in a paper by M. Leenhardt, of 1'936. Paris, Initiation des Missions Etrangeres en
Colonie Fran~aises. The essential points raised ture will lie in one or other of these directions. by M. Leenhardt are being set out in the review, This article should not be construed as a po- World Dominion. lemic against the Roman Church. That Church Although we may consider that Catholicization has every right to use all the legitimate means is a superficial form of evangelization, and is, within her power to advance her cause and the therefore, of little importance to us, its impor- Christianization of pagan peoples. But it is evitance arises precisely from its superficiality. The dent that the Protestant and Catholic communions point at issue is, whether we shall regard the hold ideas of liberty and tolerance which differ in evangelization of Central Africa as that of a theory and clash in practice. Further, to the expagan people whose grosser superstitions are tent to which modern governments are influenced bound in any case to disappear; or must we, in by these ideas, to that extent do they embody a years to come, contemplate a Catholic-pagan pop- broad-minded or a narrow policy in colonial legulation and expect either a Reformation such as islation. It may yet prove possible to resolve Europe experienced in the sixteenth century, or some of these differences in a spirit of Christian the type of evangelization that now characterizes charity. In the long run, however, it is as well Latin America or southern Europe. If we con- to remember that Christian love alone can claim sent to the present rapid spread of Roman irresistible power; without it the attempt to move Catholicism in Africa the prospects of the fu- mountains by faith is but wasted labor.
What Christ Has Done for Banyankole ANKOLE is only a small district of the Uganda who still follow that custom, but there are many .r. Protectorate, and the writer belongs to this Christian men having each but one wife who are living pure lives. Children who used to grow up country. The Banyankole, the inhabitants in their heathen homes and so learned all the evil of this district, are divided into two tribes: Aba- of such homes are now taken to school and are hima, the cattle-people, and Abairn, agricultur- taught about Christ and His love. ists. The former is the ruling tribe. To estimate what.Christ has done and is doing for my people, As already stated, Ankole is only a small dis- I must touch nearly every department of their trict of Uganda Protectorate, and there are many lives, and compare it with the pre-Christian state such districts in Uganda. There used to be conof things. The government used to be despotic. tinual wars and disputes between the various dis- The king had all power in his hands, and had some tricts, and even among the people of the same chiefs under him. Most of the kings were cruel district. The Abahima despised the Abairn and tyrants, and the chiefs who ruled under them were could not even eat with them. Now the love of very much influenced by their king in the way Christ has been shed in their hearts and the wars, they treated their people. One is likely to at- disputes and all other things which separated peotribute the good government of the country, since ple are ceasing. I am writing this article while Christianity came, and the peace and satisfaction on a mission of preaching the Gospel with a team in the people's hearts only to the British govern- of friends, some of whom have traveled over three ment. There is much truth in that view, but it is hundred miles, and the team is made up from difnot the whole truth. I know that the rulers have ferent tribes, a thing which my father some forty feelings of their own, influenced by their belief in years ago would not have dreamed of. Christ. Now there is still a king who rules the country, but not despotically, and he and the chiefs Several things are greatly needed for winning are quite different from their predecessors. There Africa for Christ. We need keen missionaries, are many chiefs who are honest, truthful and just, men and women who are out and out for Christ and who sympathize with their poor people. and the Africans. We need money to help with the work. People have not yet learned to give as The next thing to consider is the religion of the they ought, and in many of the districts of people. In olden days they worshiped the evil Uganda- people are very poor. But I think the spirits and the spirits of their ancestors, and were greatest need is to get Africans who are really very superstitious. Today there are thousands who converted and on fire for winning their brother have become Christians, and to these the time of and sister Africans to Christ. These would know spirit worship and superstition has passed. the difficulties of their' people, and they could deal with them and show them how they themselves In home life Christ has done and is doing much have been helped to conquer those same difficulties. for the people. Men used to have several wives, and even today there are many of the Christians REV. ERICA SABITI, Ankole, Uganda.
I Am a
By FLORENCE WALNE, Shimonoseki, Japan T o STAND at a crossing where all the road- full measure of the skepticism which has this peo- ways of the world come together to follow ple in its grip; a meeting of mothers who have them with the mind to those far corners to no conception of the meaning of a home with God which they lead-across the shining waterways in it (though gods they may have a-plenty!); an of the earth-to lands unseen and peoples unmet: organization of young girls so apt to go adrift to know, somehow, that one of those roads is with nothing by which to steer their course. I yours; to definitely set your face in the direction stand before them with the Bible in my hand- in which it goes; to companion by the way with mine the privilege, mine the sacred duty, mine Him who said, "Let us cross to the other side," the high honor of interpreting the Message of all and to find at the end that one service you were men's Father to these His children who know Him put here to find I-Who but a foreign missionary not. Mine the Bread of Life to give, mine the Liv- can know what it is like and what foreign mis- ing Water, mine the Abundant Life which comes sionary can really tell anyone about it? with the possession of Christ. Like Frederic My- "Why do you do it?" an English neighbor in ers' Paul, Shimonoseki (Japan) used frequently to ask me. Then, with a rush, the intolerable craving The question was accompanied by a deeply puz- Shivers throughout me like a trumpet call, zled look which indicated the sincerity of the ques- and the desire to give them something, something, tioner's desire to know. She was a former actress before they go away-some of them never to reon the London stage, whose life had held no place turn-amounts to a passion terrific and exhaustfor religion in any form, and in Japan only be- ing. cause her husband was in business here, chafing constantly at the necessity which kept her in this And how could I tell of that joy,-surpassing part of the world. My being here as a matter of other joys in depth and solemnity-which comes deliberate choice was something utterly beyond with the knowledge that God has let me lead one her grasp; how could I tell her so that she could of His seeking children to where He might be understand? That understanding in some meas- found. The illuminating effect, in one's own spirure, did come to her, as she told me in a letter after itual life, of such an expe~ience is beyond the moving to another town. "I went to a reception power of words to convey. I never felt this more recently," she wrote, "and met only one woman strongly than when one of our loveliest girls died, whose face attracted me. I was not surprised a little over a year ago, very soon after she had when I learned that she was the only missionary found Christ.
present that night. I think that before I left Until a few short months before she died, Shimonoseki I got a glimmer of why you are over The Christ to her was all unknown. here and why you are happy to be here and no But she made such haste to open wide where else." How that glimmer reached her I do Her heart, and sweep it clean of faiths outgrownnot know, for truly one does not, cannot, speak Legacies of a pagan age, far past and dim, of the great forces which wrestle with one's soul Of quests for the truth her forbears sought to knowwhen once the hand of God has fallen upon it. And give all its generous room to Him, Whose beauty in that first hour filled her so. There is the silence of a spiritual crisis, That when (so soon it seemed to us) there came Through which your soul, exquisitely tortured, That last great call from Him-to leave all on earth Comes with visions not to be uttered And earth itself-it was with just that same Sweet readiness, that quick response to worth Into a realm of higher life. Revealed in Him-the Bridgegroom of the soul- That she obeyed. And tired young body all forgot, How could I, for instance, ever communicate Pain all forgot, in garments, shining, whole, that feeling which comes over me with a rush Bride-like, her spirit went to Him, tarrying not.
some ntiomnebse1wl· ehveenrsI -satacn1dasbsefoofreyoaugnrgoumpeno,f Japa- While I, who on a darkened way nese eager Sought to give a fellow-traveler light, and thoughtful regarding life, but endowed with a Sharing the strength of my own dim ray, [583 ]
Find the road grown luminous and bright ,happy, beyond words, that it led me to Japan. I With a radiancy which far outshone have found, I know beyond all doubt, my service My own! here. The sense of belonging is so complete and satisfying. There is no question of sacrifice. That Not that a missionary is a constant dweller on would come in having to go away, leaving my task unfinished. To retrace one's steps over one's road, rarified spiritual heights! I wonder if it is possi- away from "that one service" in which one found so much joy-that would be a sacrifice which I ble to imagine blacker des-pair than I have known pray may not be asked of me.
in hours of questioning my fitness for the task to When Time's little day has slipped away into the shadows of a forever-closed past-when the which I am committed? I heard Dr. Speer say, endless Tomorrow has dawned for souls at home with the Father, I fancy that a large company at a Student Volunteer Convention many years will gather about the Master, and, just as the dis- ciples did on their return from missions upon ago, that a missionary's preparation for his work which He had sent them, they will tell Him, each one, of what happened on the one road each had consists in getting possession of the Gospel Mes- taken, of what each had seen, and felt, and said, and done! How free then will be the talk-of forsage. (1) In his mind, "he must know what he is est trails and lonely huts in Africa, and of black men joining the "Tribe of God"; of how India's to say and be clear that he believes it, for the day many faiths and creeds gave way before "The Christ of the Indian Road"; of how China broke will come when he will stand with it,all alone, through a fog of bewilderment and uncertainty, superstition and strife, to the light shed by the speaking to men who are absolutely secure in their personality of the Prince of Peace; of how all the many "systems" in Japan-the social and indusposition of challenge and of doubt." (2) In his trial, educational and religious, bec'ame permeated with the spirit and thought of Jesus; of how He life, ". . . for the people to whom he goes can- was made to walk again in Bible lands, under- stood, received and adored; and so on around the not see a Christ who is not incarnated for them." world which God so loved that He gave His Son to save. How easy it will be then to break the Doubt as to whether one has the first of these silence of years and how sweet the understanding and fellowship! I would rather have a seat in two qualifications may, perchance, never trouble that gathering of "returned missionaries" than a throne in the greatest kingdom on earth! one, but how often the doubt as to whether one "PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER" can lay claim to the second requirement brings JAMES 5: 16 on sleepless nights and hours of agony! If we I cannot tell why there should come to me missionaries were only more completely in pos- A thought of someone miles and miles away, session of the Message in our lives, the peoples of In swift insistence on the memory- Unless there be a need that I should pray. these lands to which we have come would not be Too hurried oft are we to spare a thought, so long in opening their hearts to receive the For days together, of some friend away, Christ whom we preach and then deny! Perhaps God does it for us, and we ought To read His signal as a call to pray. Another difficult but, to my mind, very essen- Perhaps, just then, my friend has fiercer fight, tial thing in a missionary is the ability to give his Some overwhelming sorrow or decay life to the people and to the particular task to Of courage; darkness, some lost sense of right; And so, in case he needs my help, I pray. whom and to which it has been dedicated and, at Friend, do the same for me! If I, unsought, the same time, keep a place in his heart for fields Intrude upon you, on some crowded day, and phases of missionary endeavor other than his Give me a moment's prayer, in passing thought, Be very sure I need .it: therefore, pray. own. A missionary should be the most broad- MARIANNE F ARNINGHAM. minded, the biggest-hearted, the most widely and deeply sympathetic man on God's earth. How can a true missionary be otherwise? The missionary vision must necessarily include a world won for Christ. The Master's thoughts were never only for those to whom He happened to be ministering at any particular time, but "other sheep have I which are not of this cfaorled,"trHemeesnadi~dusalnYd embraced all in His love. To about the world, even as P·aul, and Livingstone, and other great missionary souls have done! "Read your home letters first," said Stanley. "You must be impatien.t for them." "Oh," said Livingstone, "I have waIted for years for letters. I can wait a few hours longer. No, tell me first, how's the world getting on?"
Forbes Robinson, in his Letters, s'ays that his father on his death bed cried, "If I had a thousand lives to give I would give them all all to the min- istry!" If I had a thousand lives to give I believe I would want to give them all to missionary work for Christ. But since I have only the one, and so could follow only one of the many roads, I am
Christ Found Me in
The Story of Ajitadass, Translated by MASON OLCOTT, Vellore I WAS born a Jain in Banyan Village, six miles shady place where with great joy I prayed, was from Tindivanam, South Arcot District. My quiet and read my Bible. I carried my school family are the strictest of vegetarians, eating textbooks outside of my Bible and used to read no meat, eggs, onions or radishes. They never eat them when anyone came near. During the year I after dark and strain all they drink, so as not to used to walk every Sunday to attend the mission kill any animal life, however small. They gave church, six miles each way. I made no distinction me the name Ajitadass, Servant of Ajita, the Un- in my treatment of Untouchables and was deconquerable, the second of the great Jain saints. spised for doing this.
I was scrupulous in performing all my religious The following June I was allowed by my family duties. to return to Tindivanam and went regularly to Up to the third class I studied in the Banyan church. One Sunday I decided to remove my Village school. Then I was sent to live in the Jain caste mark and sacred thread; even when the Dis- Hostel at Tindivanam where we learned Sanskrit trict Educational Officer came to our hostel, I reand studied the sacred books of my religion. At fused to wear a caste mark. For this the J ains that time I joined the Arcot Mission High School. troubled me. Once I returned late from a Chris- I now rejoice that I had this chance to study Eng- tian meeting and ate food after dark, for which lish and hear of Christ. But for years it was only I was severely reprimanded by the hostel superin.. out of compulsion that I studied the Bible. One tendent. Cast out by my own people, I went to day when I made up my own verses and pretended live with a Christian teacher. The Jains tried to they were from the Bible, I was severely punished put me to shame but I took courage to read the because I had failed to study Christ's words. Bible in their presence. I failed in my college entrance examination partly because of severe iB- When I was in fifth form, my Bible teacher was ness from typhoid fever two months earlier. I Mr. Sundaram, the Headmaster. At 11 o'clock on went to Madras where I completed my eighteenth the morning of September 24, 1932-1 was fifteen year and the next few months were spent at Katyears old, and I remember the time since it was padi and Chittoor. Then I wrote a long letter to the turning point of my life-he told us how Jesus my family explaining why I had confessed faith was scourged 39 times, was spat upon, tortured with· a crown of thorns and nailed to the cross. in Christ. He also read Isaiah 53: 4-7; "He was wounded In September, 1935, Mr. Archibald's Gospel adfor our transgressions. . . . By His stripes we are healed. . . . When he was afflicted, He opened dresses in Vellore made me want to hear further, not his mouth." so I went to Trichinopoly. Missing the train and being delayed, for two days I went without food; When I heard this, tears came to my eyes and but Christ sustained me and gave me peace. On my heart was deeply stirred. Without speaking to hearing Mr. Archibald speak on Jesus shedding anyone, I returned to the Hostel stunned, not his blood to give us the Water of Life, my heart knowing what to do. As I read frOom the Bible, was broken and I found fuller peace and joy. This peace came to my mind. I spent so much time on was the second great change in my life.
the Bible that I neglected my other lessons, about Later, going to Madl'as, I preached Christ to the which the Headmaster warned me. Two mOonths despised and neglected, going to the Outcaste later I went secretly to him and said that I wanted quarter with Christian friends. Hindus started to become a Christian. He replied, "You are only to insult and stone us, and I underwent other per- 15. Wait for three years until legally yOou can secutions, having my box, some books and my make your own decision. Then we shall see. In Bible fOorcibly taken from me. A preacher sent the meantime, don't tell anyone." Before I was me to Chittoor by a roundabout way and there I 18, Mr. Sundaram had died. Gradually the Jain coached some Christian young men in the songs religion lost its hold Oon me. Many noticed this for a Christmas drama at Katpadi, and gave a but of the inner change of faith they did not know. kalatchebam (songs and explanation) on "The . The next school year, my uncle took me from Other Wise Man." Thank God for giving me His Tindivanam High School to shield me from Chris- joy, courage and power of speech.
tian influence. But every day I used to go to a In January, 1936, false charges were brought [ 5851
against me but I opened my Bible and read the to identify the guilty person and their description words, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, did not at all fit me. Because of the delay in my whom shall I fear?" Several police officials came reaching Trichy the end of October, I had not to the house to take me in a car to the police sta- been there when the forgery was committed. tion. Before leaving, I prayed in their presence. Thus God guided me and delivered me from these They accused me of having obtained Ros. 250 on false charges. false pretenses from a Jain abbot and of having forged a police inspector's signature. They asked Going to the Bible Training Centre of the Interme to admit this crime and promised that, if I did Varsity Fellowship in Madras, I awoke at 4: 30 so, my uncle would come to my rescue and pay the one morning for my devotions, and was in the money. I asserted my innocence and when they courtyard when two rowdies broke in and put a asked me to go back to the Jain religion, I an- cloth round my neck. I said, "If you do me no swered that I had come to Christ trusting Him, further harm, I shall go with you." They covered and would not leave Him, even at the risk of my face and' put me in a jutka and took me death. They kept me locked up from 4 p. m. on through the streets for two hours. When day beone day until 10 p. m. of the next, asking me many gan to dawn they took me out and walked by my questions, mostly about my personal life, to which side. When two motors passed, the men crossed I answered nothing. I spent my time reading the the road, and I was able to escape from them. I Bible and praying. There were no bounds to my stayed in a mango orchard until noon and finally joy, for like Paul I was considered worthy to suf- was sent back to the Training Centre. Next year fer for Christ. Men came later from Trichinopoly my hope is to study the Word of God, for I have learned that He alone is the Unconquerable.
Wanted, a Demonstration of Unity By REV. JOHN J. BANNINGA, D.D.
M.issionary of the American Board, Pasumalai, South India T HE Church of Christ throughout the world should have churches expressing their faith in desperately needs an actual demonstration of Chr,ist in their own national ways. what union in spirit and service can do for the extension of the Kingdom of God. In a mul- Especially since the Great War, these Christitude of ways the Church seems to have reached tians have realized that Christianity is not. the a deadlock in spiritual power, in social activity, product of western civilization, but that Jesus and in world fellowship. Something desperate Himself was born in Asia and that therefore the needs to be done to break this deadlock, or correct people of Asia need not go to Europe for their this atrophy. On the foreign mission fields the Christianity but that they can go straight to the work has largely been carried out by division of New Testament for it. Perhaps a new, direct apthe territory into mission areas so that each proach to Christ, by those who have not been Church has practically had a field to itself. bound by all the graveclothes of European tradi- tion, may enable them to follow Him better than Bishop Azariah, of South India, saId at the they would if they followed European churches Lausanne Conference in 1927, that most Indians first and Christ second. are members of one Church or another, not because of theological opinions, but because of geo- India has been cut up into innumerable divigraphical location. He said, "I am an Episco- sions by all the forces that have entered that counpalian in the first instance because my father and try. Not only has the caste system divided India mother lived in a district where the Church of into very throughly segregated groups, but her England took up work. Had they lived one hun- religiol!s differences, even within Hinduism, have dred miles further north I would have been a made them go further in those separations. In member of the American Congregational Mis- South India the division of the followers of Vishnu sion.'" Since that is true the Indians, as well as into the Cat-doctrine and the Monkey-doctrine the Chinese, Japanese and other national Chris- schools has brought great bitterness. Even at the tians, feel that they should not take the denom- annual festivals at Conjeeveram the followers of inationalism of western countries but that they the one doctrine are ready to fight those who hold the other for the honor of certain positions near
WA.NTED, A DEMONSTRATION OF UNITY
the temple car as it is dragged around the city. others see it. We are wrong in our differences Denominationalism is known within Hinduism and separations. We will find ourselves more and this gives all the more surprise to the Hindu nearly right in our agreements and in our unities. when he finds the same in Christianity where he expects to find unity and peace because of the his- For some fifteen years the churches in South toric character of its Founder. Not a few Chris- India have been working on this problem and tian converts today are hesitating to join any they have evolved a scheme which seems pracchurch because they say that by joining one ticable to the representative Committee. Each church they cut themselves off from communion group have given to the Scheme what they thought in another. They feel that the followers of Jesus best in their experience. The Methodists (for- Christ should all belong to one great fellowship, merly English Wesleyans) have insisted that in and that a Christian in one place should be wel- all parts of the Scheme and in the duties of all its officers and church bodies the spirit of winning comed as a: Christian in another. When one really men to Christ (Evangelism) must be dominant. The Presbyterians have said that, in their expericomes to look at it, how terrible it is that we fol- ence, the position and work of the Presbyter (or lowers of Christ have such exalted opinions of Elder) and that of the Presbytery have been of ourselves and our ancestors that we think we great value to the Church. The Episcopalian says have the real truth in Christ while all others have that throughout their history the position of the at most only partial truth. Would it not be much Bishop, as the Father in God of the Flock and the better if we all would unite into one great body leader in spiritual and administrative work, has and recognize each other as fellow-Christians, fol- brought unity within and effective work without lowers of the one Lord, and sharing with each the Church. While the Congregationalis:ts have other the gifts that God has given each of us. felt that Christian forces can best work when each What a rich body the followers of Christ would local group find themselves free from all outside be if they would share their visions and their ac- authority and carry the full responsibility and encomplishments with each other. The prayer of thusiasm for founding the Church in that locality Christ would then be answered soon, "that they and there setting forth Christ as the Saviour of all may be one – that the world may know that men. In this South India Scheme these various Thou didst send me." elements 'have been brought together in a plan that the Committee believes to be harmonious and And why does each denomination assume that well-balanced. No one of the elements of the it is right and all others wrong? I recognize that uniting churches has been taken over in its origithat feeling is slowly dying out, but there are still nal form, but each gift from the churches has many who essentially hold that they are right and been so modified that it fits into the whole Scheme. that, therefore, all others are wrong. What is the basis for such a feeling? It seems to me axio- There are still many minor details that must be matic that worked out and time and again the Scheme has been submitted to the governing bodies of the 1. All denominations are essentially equal in intellectual churches concerned; then it has been brought back to the Committee for rewording or rewritability. ing, It is hoped that no Council will repudiate the Scheme or vote to stop negotiations. It is 2. There is no essential difference in the denominations in recognized in South India, as well as in other parts of the world, that there must be a definite setting their loyalty to Christ. . forth in actual practice of what can be done to bring the separated branches of the Church of 3. All are practically equal in their spiritual insight and Christ closer together.
their resultant devotion to God through Christ. The Next Step 4. All denominations try to work out practically in their What then should be the next step in the Church Union movement? It seems to me that the thing daily lives what they have seen in Christ. we all want is some actual demonstration which will reveal to us what is possible in this great There is no great difference between the Evan- movement. We have so long lived in our separagelical denominations in intellectual, moral, so- tions that we scarcely believe that union is poscial, or practical understanding and application sible. In the San Francisco Bay, engineers are of the principles of Christ. Why then should any building two great bridges across the waters. denomination assert that their interpretation of After the engineers had prepared their plans and a particular doctrine is the only one that is cor- estimates, after all their scientific research work rect. The very fact that other intelligent, devoted had been done, neither they nor the general public Christians can interpret some doctrine differently from the way I interpret them gives me pause in asserting my interpretation. Perhaps there is something that I have not yet fully understood and perhaps I ought to fellowship more with those who differ from me in order that I may learn from them. The trouble is we have all built fences around ourselves and have carefully protected ourselves and our followers from seeing truth as
were willing to go forward with this work until perfect the Scheme are satisfied that they have models had been made to show how the bridges found a way in which this work can be begun. would look and how they would be able to stand They all agree that great improvements are still up against the weather, and the traffic that would possible in that experiment, but they also realoperate on them. When these models and experi- ize that something must be done besides Wk. ments had been completed, then construction on There has been plenty of consultation and discusthe bridges themselves began, with the absolute sion. What we want now is something that we assurance that the bridges would accomplish the can see with our eyes and handle with our hands purposes for which they were built. -something that will be really a working model. If that proves successful, well and good, others In the same way we need an experiment in can follow its example. If it proves faulty then Church Union. We need to have a model set up, changes can be made and failure prevented. so that we can see what it would look like, how it While unions have succeeded where there were would work, and what may be wrong with it. similarities in polity and doctrine, we must now Then larger and better models can be built until go further and unite those that differ in these the fundamental laws of such union are discov- things, and by actual union we will learn how to ered and we can go ahead and complete the great unite, until all Christians can again live together work. in one family. Yes, that is a hard task. That is an impossible thing for men. But it is not im- South India seems nearest ready to adopt such possible when the· Spirit of the Almighty finds a model. Both the Christians who are directly concerned in that union in South India and all men and women that are willing to be led into the those in authority in the home churches of which fulness of His truth. He cannot have two truths these mission churches are offspring, should feel or two interpretations of truth. But He can show the great responsibility that rests on them and forth a great spirit of love that will level all should endeavor to consummate the present move- roughness, and straighten all crooked ways. ment. Those who have spent years in trying to Missionaries as Seen by a Zulu By JOHN L. DUBE, Founder of Ohlange Institute, Natal U P TO the present time the missionary in nomic resources of a State. It provides larger this country has taken upon himself the markets and greater skilled labor. task of educating, civilizing and Christianizing the Bantu. This race looks upon the mis- Some races are inferior, but their inferiority sionary as Christ's messenger, and not only the is a matter of comparison. Missionaries are not teacher of the people but as a father in whose frightened by theories of inferiority, for their steps they walk to the enlightenment which is his work among primitive races has borne good fruit. through Christ. Missionaries educate and Christianize all races, for they have been charged to "go and teach all Although missionaries work under different nations." To them primitive races and those comgovernments they have a brotherhood which is paratively in a lower state of civilization receive not subject to the State government. The law greater sympathy because they deal with all men and example of Christ are theirs, and this is the not according to nationality, but as followers of basis of the stability of their policy. They are Christ. not obsessed with a fear complex, for they know that even primitive people, under good intl.uence The hardships missionary work has to encounand guidance, can reach a state of responsibility ter, with the meager support it gets, are well and peace to all men. known, but undaunted the missionaries have pressed forward, opening schools and churches Christianity raises the status of a man, and in and repdering sacrificial service to the people. this manner increases his needs with regard to There is a great need of this spirit among our health, food, occupation and recreation. It, there- own people, for the time is ripe when the Bantu fore, cannot be regarded as endangering existing should shoulder greater responsibility in Chrisgovernments by inj uring their economic resources tianizing and educating their own people. The by raising an inferior race to the plane of a need for the extension of missionary work within higher; but it increases and stabilizes the eco- the Union of South Africa and the Protectorates is great.
Memories of Jean
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T HERE was great rejoicing in our West into practice. Meeting a native boy she innocently Africa Mission when in 1904 we learned of said, in a friendly way, "I am going to hell, will the appointment of a new young woman mis- you walk with me?" The affrighted boy said, "No. sionary to our field. One of the senior workers, I refuse to go with you." Somewhat puzzled at having just returned from furlough, recalled this attitude, she reviewed her words and found meeting her in the United States. She had ap- the mistaken name of the place she intended to proached him with questions about the work and visit. When this was corrected the boy gladly had expressed a desire to join us. In time Jean joined her and they journeyed together to the town.
Mackenzie came and began her Adj ustment to the food of a work for Africa. Since then new country is always difficult she has been a blessing to two and the new missionary missed whole continents. Trials as her American favorites. Coffee well as her joys began imme- was felt to be a necessity and diately upon her arrival on on a long "bush" trip, when shore. Her trunk was wet with very hungry, she espied a sea water and we all knew the trader's house and shop on the results that would follow. The top of a high hill. We remem- colors of a little silk American ber how she wondered audibly flag that a friend had given her whether he might have some ran through her wardrobe, coffee. The house cook was with the result that African wont to tell us how fond she women received gifts of the was of his cookies. I remember variegated cloth. Jean took her a time when we were rooming disappointment as a part of together that I was awaked by African mission life. Jean one night asking if I sup- Being assigned to the first posed we could find something inland station, she made the to eat. A midnight prowl re- jungle-trip by hammock and sulted in a "find" in the host- afoot, and then settled down in ess' cookie jar.
one of the tiny rooms of a bark- Jean once told of a long, walled cottage. Here she be- weary day in the jungle, when came intimately acquainted Bachrach physical strength was over- with the family and loved them JEAN KENYON MAOKENZIE taxed. Upon reaching her desdearly. When some sympa- tination she called for a pan of thizing friends in America offered to sponsor the water, removed her shoes and stockings and building of a little house for her to occupy alone plunged her poor, aching feet into the water, and she realized that this sacrifice would involve a in her own words "wept into it too."
sac:dfice of time needed for the evangelistic work At one time she was assigned to one of the coast and she dismissed it with the same fortitude that stations where the contact .with the white man she had shown in the loss of her clothing. had changed the people from the ignorant type of Jean Mackenzie began immediately to adapt bushmen. She spent long hours with the old herself to the place, the customs, and language of pioneers gaining folklore and many reminiscences.
the people and spent many hours in visiting huts She had remarkable ability to construct most in- and villages where she acquired the language teresting stories from a little material. She con- firsthand. How the people learned to love her! fided to us one day that sometime she would write One day, after having spent hours in language a book. Faithfully and well she has used her won- study, she sallied forth to put her new knowledge derful talent as the Church at home well knows.
[589 ]
Her story about writing her father's biography to see her "walk and not faint." Surely the words is unique. She quietly questioned him at inter- of her Saviour to Mary of Bethany may be said vals about his early life, he never suspicioned her of our Jean, "She hath done what she could."
motive. One day when the Atlantic Monthly came Jean Kenyon Mackenzie – Interpreter* to her father's home she saw him don his glasses to read it. Covertly she watched him from behind Jean Kenyon Mackenzie was for eleven years a her book, saw his gaze at the title-"The Story of missionary in Africa. a Fortunate Youth"-scan it a minute and then She was born in Elgin, Ill., the daughter of began to read. With riveted and dilating eyes he Scottish parents, Rev. and Mrs. Robert Macread and then began to frown, smile, chuckle, and kenzie. Her school years were spent in San Franfinally he called her a rather uncompli.mentary cisco, and later she studied at the Sorbonne, in name. Their love and mutual understandmg were Paris. Her father, who came to America when he great, and finally they had a good laugh together. was nineteen years of age, became pastor of Rut- When the monthly mail steamer arrived in West gers Presbyterian Church in New York, and dur- Africa everything else gave way to the reading of ing his pastorate his daughter volunteered for home letters. How she did enjoy them and the service as a missionary in West Africa under the magazines! Some will recall Jean's style of pen- Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. . manship, with her broad pen and lines written at In 1904 she went to what was then the German wide intervals on thin stationary. Once when colony of Kamerun (Cameroun), where she saw visiting a neighboring station, she sat by a co- service for the next ten years in four different worker and both were busily engaged in writing for the outgoing mail. Suddenly Jean paused and stations, all but one "bush" towns in the interior. Thirty years ago this equatorial section was still asked, "When your letters arrive home,. do .y.our "darkest Africa." Gorillas and elephants were people send them over the country to mqmrmg friends?" Upon being answered in the negative, common, travel was on foot or by canoe, or at best in the one-wheeled chair called a "push-push," or she said: "Well, mine do but they will not do so with this one." Then taking her blunt pen she in a hammock swung from a pole borne by porters. printed across the page in a horizontal line, in In 1914, because of ill health, Miss Mackenzie large letters, a slang word sufficiently prohibitive retired from service in Africa and devoted herself to writing about that part of ,the continent which to prevent broadcasting. . is still so little known. After the outbreak of the World War, however, and with the capture of We ever marveled at her self-control; but once, Kamerun by French forces, her return was asked by the mission staff. In the transfer of property when overexasperated at a coworker of the sterner and the establishment of missionary work under a new regime, Miss Mackenzie's fluent French sex she shook her little fist at him and said, "I and her experience on three continents would be of value. The submarine danger was at its height, am'very angry at you." The argument closed im- but by going via Spain and the Canary Islands she made her way eventually to the African coast. mediately. Perhaps the brightest spot in her fir~t This emergency year of service ended, Miss term was the visit of Dr. A. W. Halsey and hIS Mackenzie returned to New York, settling down to a career of writing. The vivid recollections of wife to our field. This was our first secretarial her experiences in Africa resulted in a series of articles and essays in the Atlantic Monthly. She visit and we all greatly enjoyed his season with also wrote several books: "Black Sheep," "An African Trail," "African Adventures," "African us, but no one so much as Jean. Clearings," "The Story of a Fortunate Youth" (an account of the early life of her father), "The . Great was our sorrow when she returned home. Venture" (poems.), "Friends of Africa," "The Trader's Wife." Later how deeply we appreciated her heroic and In 1923 Miss Mackenzie was elected a member brave service as she again heard the call to Africa of the Board of Foreign Missions, and three years later was appointed as its speci.al representative and answered it during the World War. She told Le to the international and interdenominational conus of being alone in the lower part of that big ference held in Zoute, Belgium, which discussed ship, in the submarine zone, and we knew that the future of mission work in Africa in view of only He whom she served had kept her for us.
The results of her services are written in our Mission's war history. When she again left us, she explained that she had promised her father that when he called her she would return, and the time had come. But orice when I was on furlough she confided to me her great desire to return to the field. Each time she followed a company of coworkers to the steamer to say "Good-bye" her streaming eyes followed the boat, as it wended its way Africaward.
. The home Church and literary world knew how, in the words of the Prophet, she "mounted upon wings" but to us who knew her there, it was given • Condensed from Women and Missions, October, 1936.
INTIMATE MEMORIES OF JEAN KENYON MACKENZIE
rapidly changing economic and social conditions realm of human nature. We often saw through over the continent. Here her gift of understandingall sorts and conditions of people came into a her eyes and felt drawn with her nearer to tpe full play. Out of this conference grew many of the most valuable modern developments in African mind and heart. No one else served Christian work in Africa, including the founding country or people more wholeheartedly, or re~ of a committee to provide Christian literature. Miss Mackenzie died in New York City on Sep- dered more acceptable service to her Lord and tember 2d of this year. Master, than did our coworker, Jean Kenyon Mac- Recollections of a Fellow Missionary kenzie. (MRS. W. S.) ANNA M. LEHMAN. Of the many high recommendations proffered at the time of Jean Mackenzie's 'appointment to A Tribute from a Friend the West Africa Mission, one given by her own father spoke of Jean's "adaptability." Jean Mackenzie was the gifted daughter of a gifted Scotch "domsie," a real child of the manse. Traveling with her down the West Coast, trek- She was as Scotch as if she had been born in king through the bush for days in the rain, living Thrums. Her father never outgrew the traits with her under the same leaky roof, experiencing which made him so definitely a Scot, and Jean intogether a smallpox epidemic, only served to illu- herited from him his rare and delicate humor, his minate her many choice characteristics and to keen insight and lofty imagination, his deeply make us value more and more our new friend and spiritual nature. They looked alike and thought fellow worker. Sympathetic and understanding alike, and in her later years, as she grew older, she was, practical and efficient, ready to share she had so perfectly his ruddy color, his round with black or white not just things alone but her face crowned with soft white hair, and his serene philosophy and attitude toward life, her friends blue eyes, that the resemblance was very striking. and family, and her findings in the African heart Her "Story of a Fortunate Youth" is a beautiful and forest. All who have read her writings know tribute to him. how keenly observant she was, and how much she got as well as gave during her sojourn in Africa. When she came back from Africa on her first furlough, in the fall of 1906, she, who was never Arriving at her station, she gave herself scant very strong, during that winter in New York she three days to unpack her small iron trunks, to establish herself at a rough homemade desk and JEAN MACKENZIE TOURING IN AFRICA arrange her belongings in a third-hand chest of drawers. In the cramped space of a 10 by 14 did a good deal of work and speaking. Among room, she allowed herself but one or two at a time of her treasures and bits of art, living through other duties, she taught a class of girls in the Sabthe calendar with now a brass bowl, next a "Boy and Violin," or some hand-catved panels. bath school of Rutgers Church. It was a rare Self-discipline ranked high in her catalog of privilege for those girls to have such a teacher! virtues. She disciplined herself to a routine of hours and days, sometimes stepping out and fac- One can easily believe that the fascination, the ing "right about" in an opposite direction from that in which the precious monthly foreign mail charm, the devotion of that frail, earnest young was expected. What a wealth of love and friendship, of warming one's self at ,the home hearth woman lent a compelling force and an unforgetthere would be in store for her, with the opening of that tin hamper of mail from across the sea! table impression to the message she taught, which One has only to read her "Exile and the Postman" to know what it meant to her. Yet we saw her has had an influence beyond computation in that deliberately walking away from it, to return only after her self-appointed task of the day was done. mission in Africa. She always schooled herself to the more difficult way. If perchance there was some individual We of Rutgers Presbyterian Church had the who just naturally "rubbed the wrong way," then it was her practice to make an especial effort to rare pleasure of seeing her frequently as she came be friendly or do a favor for that one. to the meetings of the Women's Guild, and other She was a sharer of good things-as much as one can share of family, privilege, appreciation of church services during her first, second, and third beauty, and happy discoveries one makes in the furloughs. She brought the story of God's love to eager listeners, and through her the Sun of Righteousness began to shine in many darkened hearts and home1l ' ..
Of all the missionary speakers I have ever His love, gentle in her own indescribable way, cheerful as she made her efforts for the happiness heard, no one has ever so moved me with the feel- of others, but above all, as a creative mind at work, enriching and interpreting human life. ing of the world's need and the power of God's "The Word of God is a real word," she would love. With such extraordinary gifts of mind and often say. She heard it in the creative process of the natural world, for her it was hidden in the heart and tongue, it has been hard to understand course of things. She heard it in her girlhood, in the African forest, in her home in Riverdale. She why she was not given commensurable bodily recognized the word of God in the Bible. "I found in the Biblical stories, while at work in Mrica, the strength to use her powers to the utmost. She actual word of God to those people,"· she said.
always worked to the limit of her strength, and She shared the sufferings of the Master. When she was writing the devotional studies for Women when she found herself unable to do much speak- and Missions, she worked in great weakness and almost continuous physical discomfort. She ing she gave herself to writing as long as she would come down the stair, obviously pale and worn with her wrestling in prayer. There was in could. A large audience, in secular and religious her studies, in consequence, an almost angelic tenderness and heroism. There was in them the magazines and in her books, have felt the spell adoration of one who had met the Lord in the flame, and been marked with the secret fire. of her pen. GEORGE M. DUFF. In her the natural body could change to the spiritual body with less change than for most of us. (MRS. JOHN H.) MARTHA B. FINLEY.
A Word from Her Pastor Jean Mackenzie meant to the Church what high talent dedicated to a high task can mean. During the more than twenty years that she lived in Riverdale after her return from Africa, she appeared as a shining being amid the daily round of duties-reticent as one truly absorbed in God and Signs of Progress in West Africa By REV. R. S. ROSEBERRY, Kankan, French West Africa "CUT her throat! Cut her throat!" was the ered by this account, namely, Senegal, Guinea, command of the slave driver more than a Sudan and Ivory Coast. These colonies have a hundred years ago, as the long caravan of population of approximately ten million people.
slaves wended its way across the Sudan to Prior to the forward movement of missions, Gambia. The little slave girl could no longer keep Mohammedanism had captured the territory along up with the caravan that Mungo Park was ac- the banks of the Niger westward to the Atlantic.
companying on his return trip from his first visit Entering this region from the north about the to the Niger. The slave girl's throat was cut, and eighth century, they had hundreds of years to the scanty clothing that covered her body sal- press their conquest before the advent of the mis- vaged. It might be said that Mungo Park's first sionary of Christ. Rome had also followed closely trip to the Niger was the beginning of the over- the French conquest and was installed in a num- throw of the slave traffic in West Africa. The ber of pagan centers.
advent of civilized government accomplished it. The great Harris mass movement had stirred The hinterland was held by powerful Mohamme- the southern part of the Ivory Coast, carrying dan war lords who did not yield without many a everything before it like a hurricane. Pushing battle. The closing years of the nineteenth cen- back from the coast about three hundred miles, it tury saw these conquered and the land opened to had turned many people from their fetish wor- commerce. ship, leaving them, however, with very little con- French West Africa, a colonial empire of vast ception of real Christianity. In many places extent, borders the Atlantic Ocean on the west where instruction failed to arrive in time they and stretches east to the Egyptian Sudan, reach- drifted into other forms of paganism.
ing from the Mediterranean on the north to the In 1918, at the close of the World War, the Gulf of Guinea on the south. Only four of the evangelical advance into the interior was begun.
colonies comprising French West Africa are cov- A line of stations was opened from Faranah, near
SIGNS OF PROGRESS IN WEST AFRICA
the source of the Niger River, down to Timbuctoo books which mean to them a new life. They in and across the buckle of the Niger to Gao. This turn become teachers to help others. The call move placed us in strategic centers, giving us a comes from far and near for help to reap the har- working base in at least twenty-five of the more vest. In order to meet the emergency workers than one hundred tribes in this territory. The have been shifted from less responsive Mohamme- number of tribes, increased the usual language dan tribes to the awakened areas. This has some- barrier. Here were many distinct languages, times meant leaving good buildings vacant, but some of them subdivided into dialects, a decided what is a building in comparison with an oppor- obstacle to rapid evangelization. By evangelizing tunity? The missionaries are willing to live in we do not mean proclaiming the message in a ter- grass hut training camps that they may teach the ritory once or twice and then passing on to the needy ones. What a pleasure it is to visit these next district. True evangelization raises up and same sections where the devil reigned so long, and establishes groups of believers who can carryon meet earnest followers of Christ who sit by the for themselves. This was the New Testament hour and listen to the Word! Oftentimes many method. It is not the drilling of men and women tribes are represented in these gatherings, all in a creed with the hope that they will gradually meeting at a common mercy seat.
develop into a Christian community. Evangeliza- Pagans and Ohristians tion means the transformation of men and women by the direct power of God. Anything short of The way has not been easy. Persecution has this is a waste of time and money. broken out which has shown the intense hatred Fortunately the major part of the societies that that always follows a real work of God. The entered this territory belong to strong funda- pagan forces have rallied in some sections to drive medal groups, with a resulting unity of program out the native workers. In one town especially which greatly aids in the evangelization of the their hatred became so intense that they not only territory. Beginning with two workers in 1918, drove the native teacher away, tearing down his the Christian and Missionary Alliance, before the house, but even threatened the missionary with close of 1928, had placed a force of sixty on the violence. The native teacher was not to be so field. Other societies soon entered, so that now easily set aside and returned again and again more than one hundred and thirty missionaries until they beat him severely. He told them that are at work, representing at least eight societies. a beating on the left side was silver money, on The larger language groups have been entered, the other side, gold. He became rich in that kind and much has been accomplished toward giving of money before they grew tired and let him go. them the Word of God in their own tongue. His face shines with an inner light as he tells of Translating has been, for the most part, pioneer his experience. work and consequently has required much time and persistent effort. Into at least four of these In order to encourage these tried ones, conferlanguages the entire New Testament and a part ences have been convened in different districts of the Old Testament have been translated. Other with profit. This affords them an opportunity to pagan tribes have one or two Gospels and the get together and talk over their difficulties and story of some of the Old Testament portions. recite their victories over sin. It shows their strength as a body of believers and encourages After ten years of plodding and sowing the them to press forward through trials and suffergood seed the awakening came. It swept almost ing. It also provides an opportunity for Bible inlike a wave over the entire field. Section after struction and prayer for the isolated ones who section reported a turning to God from dumb do not have the privilege of a great center where idols. Paganism began to break and crumble on continual instruction is carried on. In a recent a wide front until it became exceedingly difficult conference the Spirit came upon those gathered to care for the instruction of inquirers, and many in prayer until strong men called aloud upon God fine opportunities were lost for the lack of to have mercy upon them. It is in hours of this reapers. kind that a new vision is imparted that gives the In order to take advantage of the movement, work new vigor and strength. Many of these training camps have been opened in many parts simple-hearted folk travel miles to attend such of the field to teach the people to read the Word gatherings. The Christians are encouraged to of God. It has been no small task to teach grown bring a love offering, which provides for those men and women from illiterate, pagan tribes. who are called of the Lord to go as evangelists After a busy day on the farm they come from and teachers into the district. The offering con- their fields to study the simple primers printed sists of grain, peanuts, and cowerie shells, which for their benefit. Their goal is a New Testament take the place of money in the more backward all their very own. How they treasure these districts. Many of the Christians are very poor,
and consequently their offerings are not large j did not grasp the message until I heard the Evan- gelist Bokari." This fiery evangelist makes Christ but they are a great help to their spiritual life. real and causes them to fear the wrath of God that will come upon them if they do not repent. No man can make progress in his spiritual ex- In order to get a sick man to a recent native con- ference he loaded him on his horse while he perience who does not bring an offering to the walked beside him, footsore and weary, over the hot, sandy trail. To hear him pray, "Lord, call Lord. forth shepherds to feed the sheep; call them, Lord, black or white! the sheep are many, but the Our hope for every town is to get at least one shepherds are few," is an inspiration indeed. One can well understand the burden that rests on his man to stand true to his faith. He becomes a heart.
rallying ground for others who perhaps are weak- While the results among the Mohammedans have not been as great as those among the pagan er in faith and not so courageous. The great work tribes, yet, strange to say, our foremost evangel- ists, men who have been trail blazers among the of the missionary at the present time is the train- pagans, were formerly bigoted followers of the false prophet. Is there not a lesson in that fact ing of native men and women as leaders. A cen- for us? The strongest fortifications once won in turn make the best strongholds. The Touaregs tral Bible school is being erected in the Sudan for and Arabs on the borders of the great Sahara, the pagan cliff dwellers of HabM land, the Bambaras this purpose. This will not replace the short term and Miankas with the Black and Red Bobos, the great Mossi tribe of the central Sudan, with the Bible training camps already established, but will Kissien, Toma, Gberese, Baouli and other tribes of the forest country, are forming to raise a supplement them. It is not proposed to give them chorus of praise to the Lamb of God who has re- deemed them. These delegations will hail the a higher education, which often seems to unfit King's arrival. Faithful God-ealled men and women are on the march over the burning sands men and women for real village work. Rather we of the desert, on the great open plains of the Sudan, in the somber forests, ever going forward would that they have a thorough knowledge of the to reach the last tribe with the message. Toiling on translation work at night, teaching men and Word of God, with a heart set on fire by the women to read, helping to build houses and chapels, bridging streams, opening new roads, Spirit. . slowly and oftentimes with breaking hearts, the Gospel army presses on to a sure success. The second session of one of these Bible train- ing institutes in HabM land was convened from March 24 to April 19 in 1936, with an enroll- ment of thirty-five regular and eight special stu- dents. Thirty-two of this number took the ex- amination at the close of the session. The course was not conducted without opposition from Satan which threatened at times to disrupt it altogether j but prayer prevailed, and not one left until the close. One can understand the urge that seizes the native to go back to his farm when a heavy rain falls and prepares the soil for sowing the seed.
Only the Lord can impart faith on these occasions and cause them to wait a little longer at the Mas- ter's feet and learn more of His Word.
A true and loyal native worker is a priceless boon to the missionary. The only hope of West Africa is men and women of this type. Again and again we hear the testimony of the natives: "I A TRIBE OF GOD In his letter to the Romans Paul writes, "And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my children; there shall they be called the children of the living God" (Romans 9: 26).
This prophecy is surely coming to pass in Africa. For many generations her people have been abused by all other nations. They have been harassed by merciless slave traders, ex- ploited by ruthless traders and industrial organizations, and divided up among the various nations of Europe. With the downfall of Ethiopia, Liberia is the only bit of independent ter- ritory in all that great continent. But God has blessed the Africans with a spirit of hope and optimism so that they have endured persecution and oppression, patiently awaiting the day of deliverance. That day is dawning now, for out of every tribe in Africa God is calling forth a people for Himself and through these people Africa will be delivered out of her age-old bondage. One old woman made the remark, "A new tribe is arising in Africa in our day- the tribe of God."-Clarence E. Carlson, in Gems of Cheer.
Lai Tsang, Missionary to
I _oo-lflf By MRS. C. S. DEMING, Seoul, Korea I fB.- ~==========================~ SOME years ago we first made Mr. Sen's ac- I thanked God, and took courage. Then it quaintance. Our little mission to the Chinese seemed not right to send a young man like that in Seoul had been opened only two Sundays alone into a hard place, for the Lord sent out the and, when passing through town on his way to disciples two by two. I prayed that some Chris- the steamer at Chemulpo, he came to morning tian might be found at Chemulpo, who would be a service. He was a member of Dr. Mateer's church help to him. The very next prayer meeting night, in Shantung, and had been engaged in a little a young man appeared in foreign clothes who said bakery, but as business was bad he was returning that he had served his apprenticeship at Chemulpo home. Just a young lad, insignificant looking, we as a tailor, and then returned home to Shanghai.
did not expect to see him again. His family were all Christians, and he became a Years passed. Our hearts became heavily Christian also, and had been baptized. Hearing burdened for Chemulpo, the nearest port to Che- that we had started a church in Seoul, he had foo, China, with its large Chinese settlement, for come to join us, having returned to Chemulpo nothing was being done for them. We had to start in business for himself. He told us that neither man nor funds to start this new work, but the other half of the house he occupied was vawe had God who hears and answers prayer. It cant, and that we could probably get it for our was not long before I saw Mr. Sen at one of our work. We went to Chemulpo the next day, had a evening prayer meetings in Seoul. He had just re- time of prayer in the tailor's shop, then rented the turned from China to try his hand at the bakery next door place for a little church. business once more and he was asked to bring a It was wonderful to see how the children flocked around Mr. Sen. He taught them to pray word of greeting from the home church. sentence by sentence, and got them to pray at It was a remarkable story he told. On going to home morning ar..d evening and at their meals, out China, he had met with a certain evangelist who loud so as to influence their parents. The children had been in an important position in a consulate spent so much time at the mission that the schoolbut reading the war news in the papers, felt con- teachers complained that they were neglecting vinced that it was one of the signs of the Lord's their lessons. Mr. Sen told them to come to the speedy return. He gave up his post, and set him- church after school and he would help them preself to do the work of an evangelist, trusting en- pare their home work, after which they had their tirely to the Lord to supply his wants and those daily Christian Endeavor service. He taught them of his large family. Mr. Sen joined him and in to pray over their lessons, so that one boy who preparation for his work, spent hours studying was bad in arithmetic, got 100 in his examination. God's Word and praying for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Before long the answer came and When the influenza epidemic was about, Mr. the evangelist went out to do a great work for Sen was taken sick. His friend the tailor was God. away at the time and there was no coal. The weather was bitter and he was too ill to move. After speaking, Mr. Sen led in prayer, the most The children came and found the doors locked. wonderful prayer I ever heard. As he was pray- Mr. Sen called to them that there was no coal, so ing, the Lord said to me, "He is the man I have they would not have their r.egular meeting. When sent you for Chemulpo." they came the next day, and heard the same thing After the service, I asked him, "Are you will- they knew that something was wrong, and asked ing to go and start work for God in Chemulpo?" him why he was not up. When he told them that It was a hard task. He said, "I will pray about it, he was too sick and could not move, one of the and see if it is the Lord's will." The next week boys climbed to a second-story window and man- he told me that the Lord had appeared to him in aged to get in. Some of them went to their homes the night, telling him to be strong and of a good and brought wood and coal while others brought courage,' that He would stand by him and food. Others carried water, as he had had noth- strengthen him, and that he had called him to this ing to drink. Some mothers came around also work at Chemulpo. and cared for him.
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Mr. Sen spent his mornings visiting in the Korea to our knowledge, when marriage brought homes and places of business, preaching Christ a China missionary to Korea. His prayers that everywhere. There was no place in Chemulpo someone might come and start work among his where the name of Mr. Sen was not known and people in Korea were answered by our coming, loved. The girls and boys would go out with him, and I believe were the cause of it.
preaching after school hours or on Sunday after- Through the years, Elder Chee, and Mr. Sen are noons. They became splendid little workers and the two men who have felt the burden and re- then the parents began to get interested. One sponsibility for the whole Chinese work. Every whole family was won through him and many week the officers of the church would meet with others. them. Down on our knees, we would each one Mr. Sen had great power in prayer, and a pray in turn over the matters coming up for de- simple childlike faith in the power of God. There cision, so in an unusual way felt we had the mind was a young man in town who had terrible pain of the Spirit,because of our unity. Shoulder to in his ear for a fortnight and could neither eat shoulder we have carried the burdens and re- nor sleep for the pain. He went to the hospital sponsibilities in a fellowship that has been most but could get no relief. A church member, a young precious. We have sorrowed together, and re- blacksmith, said, "I will take you to Mr. Sen and joiced together. In time it was felt that Mr. Sen he will pray for you and you will be healed." He should be ordained, and at the request of the went to the evening service with the man, but Union Chinese Churches in Korea, now grown to found that the tailor was about to conduct the five in number, the Synod of the Union Chinese service. He had come in and found Mr. Sen over- Christian Church of China ordained him in Mouk- come by the fumes of the charcoal stove he was den. Having started the work in Chemulpo, he using to cook his food. He was lying unconscious became its pastor, but was later called to the pas- on the floor. The tailor put him in bed, with torate of the Seoul Chinese Church, where he is plenty of fresh air in the room, but Mr. Sen was now carrying full res.ponsibility together with El- too sick and weak to move when it came time for der Wang.
meeting. The blacksmith came and said, "I have In the fall of 1929 we were transferred to North brought you a man who is sick; we want you to Manchuria, the mission field of the Korean Meth- pray for him to be healed." Mr. Sen replied, "I odist Church. It was hard to leave the fellowship am too sick to get up." Then it occurred to him of the churches in Korea, but Miss Quinn who how foolish he was not to trust God for his own retired from work in China had been asked to healing also. He asked God to heal him, so that help with the work up the east coast, and was he might go upstairs and pray for the sick man. asked to reside in Seoul, and help all the Chinese Immediately the sickness left him and he went up churches. Pastor Sen worked with her loyally for and knelt beside the sick young man in prayer. five years, during much of which time her work When the young man went home, the pain had had to be done from her bed.
gone. He had a good night's sleep and in the The young Chinese carpenter has developed morning a great abscess burst in his ear and he into Manager Wang of the Gospel Building Com- had no further trouble with it. pany, started to help support the church. Ten Mr. Sen used to get up at five in the morning per cent of all profits go to the church. He is now to study the Bible. While we were on furlough Elder Wang. Recently in building the Music he studied for a time in the Korean classes at the Building of Ewha College, he found he had over.
Pierson Memorial Bible School. A letter from estimated the cost of the building. An improved Mother who visited him, reported that he had price of building material had reduced the cost.
started a Bible class with his classmates, a per- Without being asked, he returned several thou- sonal work prayer group, and an evangelistic sand dollars, which were more than legitimate band. A man who was won by him was a young profits.
carpenter named, Wang Kong En, who suddenly Miss Quinn died on August 31, 1934. That day came under convicti6n of sin as Mr. Sen was ill health necessitated my starting for America.
praying, and gave himself to God. Standing on the platform at the station among Later Mr. Sen went to Nanking, and after Chinese, Korean, and foreign friends, Pastor Sen graduating at the Theological Seminary, returned and Elder Wang stood as the two pillars of the to be the Chinese evangelist for the whole of Chinese Church, clergy and laity. The two moth- Korea. He opened the work in Pyengyang, and ers of the church had been removed by God. The in Fusan also. churches could walk alone, under the direct guid- Thirteen years. have passed since the above ance of the Spirit. Thank God for both these men.
story was written. Sen Lai Tsang has proved Dr. Chee retired to Peiping. Pray for them as himself indeed called of God. Dr. Chee, a Chinese they carryon, and send them help for entering herb doctor, was the only Chinese Christian in new areas when God so guides.
HOIl1:e Missions' in Modern America*
_.46t Ii By the REV. E. D. KOHLSTEDT, D.D., Philadelphia I Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, Methodist JB- Episcopal Church I~==~======================~'
T HE United States of America is an excep- sions, than to develop constructive citizens. tional field for Home Missions. No other Specialists sustain our contention that, without nation can duplicate the intricate, exacting discounting the effectiveness of what Government task that confronts organized Christianity in this men were doing toward the suppression of crime country, with its unique historical heritage, reli- and criminals, the cause and cure of crime in the gious background, territorial expansion, govern- United States is a matter of more immediacy; mental development, racial mixtures, cosmopolitan that preventive rather than punitive phases of sopopulation, changing economic and social situ- cial service demand major emphasis; that Chrisations. Constructive statesmen remind us that no tianity has no more imperative obligation than a nation can hope to withstand the test of time that faithful ministry to child life. lacks at least three fundamentals to perpetuity: The late Senator Long said, concerning the solu- A capable foundation of race; tion of criminal problems: A high standard of private and public morals; A spirit of fidelity to tried and long-established institu- "I understand that crime is costing our country $12,000,000,000 annually. We spend about $40,- tions. 000,000 a year on the prosecution of federal crimes alone. The approach to this problem of Despite gratifying gains, Christian constitu- reducing crime should begin with childhood, in our encies record a disproportionate ratio of our total public and private schools, where children should population. Mindful of the variable value of sta- be taught a greater respect for law. There should tistical summaries, we marshal the most depend- be a revival of religious training in the home, a able data available, as a reasonably reliable yard- reorganization of our correctional institutions, stick with which to measure religious progress, with a revision of our judicial methods. We want and to determine the validity of missionary re- to punish, rather than to correct conditions by sponsibilities. using common sense in administering justice."
Missionary Review of the World (June Issue) Home Missions and National Life 1935: Present population of the United States …. 134,000,000 Secretaries of American missionary agencies Pre-High School Group, no Church Contacts 13,400,000 record seven facts that magnify Home Missions: Non-Church Members, including children … 75,000,000 1. Democracy may be a promise or a peril: without reli- The International Council of Religious Educa- gion, a peril.
tion estimates our United States youth population 2. The utter failure of substitutes for religion. (ages 5-17) to be 30,034,308, and the number in 3. Applied Christianity solves social problems. that classification unreached by the Christian 4. Increasing recognition of the Christian Church. church, 15,000,000-a tremendous challenge to 5. The national significance of Home Missions. 6. The challenge of unmet missionary needs in America.
Home Missions! If the Federal Government 7. Christianity's ability to survive depressions.
deems it advisable to spend millions of dollars on Home Missions and Social Safety emergency education and student aid, the Chris- tian Church must undergird that program with an Economic security and social safety are the adequate religious ministry. rightful heritage of humanity. The supreme pur- Social education and crime prevention was the pose of our Master's ministry to mankind was "A theme for a series of discussions in the White more abundant life." A progressive realization House at Washington, May 17-18, 'participated in of that objective is one of the major responsibiliby 75 mission and social agency representatives. ties of Home Missions. Methodism's ministry to Juvenile delinquency is a social problem that can- the masses has always been characterized by a not be solved by punitive methods; such a pro- tender solicitude for their physical, social and cedure is more likely to engender antisocial obses- spiritual welfare. Her concern for the totality of life is convincingly stated in a challenging docu- • Condensed from The Pastor's Journal, January. 1936. ment: The Social Creed of the Church!
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Sincerely appreciative of Federal Administra- relief work, care of the handicapped and unfortunate, will tion efforts to stabilize chaotic conditions in this be greatly expedited by sympathetic encouragement on the country, and with absolutely no thought of any part of the great body of the church who, I believe, are political emphases, the results fro~ several.years for the social gospel, if they can see that its feet are on of experimentation ought to convmce well-mten- practical ground. tioned economic experts of the futility of a philosophy of scarcity that involves: the destruction The Consumers' Cooperative movement, conof food stuffs and supplies in certain sections, for cerning which much has been written, is based want of which humans are suffering in other parts upon these principles: a democratic organization of our fair land; substantial subsidies to a selec- of economic processes; an unrestricted membertive list of actual and absentee agriculturists as a ship; a limited rate of return on caI;>i~al inve~t reward for nonproduction, while grain, meat and ments; one vote for each member; dIVIdend dISmilk-product imports show percentage increases; tributions, determined by patronage. The Coopthe twofold delusion of drinking and spending erative League.of the U. S. A. claims to have 6,600 ourselves into prosperity, regardless of social lia- societies; 1,800,000 members, and an annual bilities. Our Government's main problem is not business of $365,000,000; to reverse our economic the disposition of a bugbear surplus, but a justifi- order by paying profits to the buyer, producing able allotment of the available necessities of life. goods in the interest of the consumer, instead of the promoter, taking out of business the elements Federal Social Security legislation embodies of speculation, in the hope of eliminating peaks several humanitarian proposals, which merit sym- and depressions, the despair of our present syspathetic consideration. tem.
The Social Security Bill is the first law of such scope to Every major Home Missionary project in our be enacted in this country, although Great Britain, Ger- program is an attempt to meet urgent needs in many, France, Austria, Bulgaria, Irish Free State, Italy, some actual area of human life: ministries to neg- Poland, Russia and Switzerland have long had some such lected or underprivileged communities throughform of protection. out Continental United States; in allocated sec- tions of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the The bill includes these items: Dominican Republic; specialized evangelistic and social services to bilinguals, Indians, Latin Amer- Old-age Pensions, Unemployment Insurance, Dependent icans, Migrants, Mormons, Mountaineers, Ne- Children, Health, Clearance of Slum Residence Areas, and groes, Orientals, Polyglots. Share-Croppers Rehabilitation. Methodist social service proposals must, of The Exaltation of governing principles is a mat- course, accord a primary place to that outstanding ter of moment to the Christian ministry; the busi- humanitarian enterprise initiated thirty years ago ness of blueprinting procedures belongs to special- by Dr. E. J. Helms, founder and director of the ists, who have earned the right to be heard and heeded in this phase of civic responsibility. That Goodwill Industries fact stresses the significance of services that ought to be rendered in the field of statesmanship by which furnish a fine foundation for the developthoroughly equipped churchmen. But direct hu- ment of cooperative economic and social life, man contacts in the realm of religious activity particularly among groups that have much in comought to enable discriminating ministers to say something tangible about the application of Chris- mon, whose interests readily respond .to constr.uctian principles to the business of life. United annual conference sessions afford a real opportunity tive efforts toward economic and soclal securIty. for joint appraisals of economic and social situa- This Christlike project is a convincing, composite tions. expression of practical Christianity.
The Gospel of Christ proclaims a complete sal- The Quadrennial report: vation: enrichment of life in all of its essential relationships-physical, social, spiritual. Scores For opportunity wages to handicapped people, of sincere lay leaders are as anxious as any of us Goodwill Industries paid $1,628,486.11; for servto find a satisfactory solution to this intricate ice wages, $392,920.97. The following service has problem, but cannot see the advantage of tearing been provided: down the superstructure in order to make needed repairs. Different persons employed ……………. . 46,510 Hours of employment ………………… . 6,580,495 Senator C. O. Holmes of Gary, Indiana, says: Sales in Goodwill Stores ………………. . 3,315,376 Goodwill bags filled ………………….. . 2,733,709 The church must make greater social contributions than Homes from which bags and furniture came .. 1,333,642 ever. Some of the success that ought to be made possible Aggregate attendance daily Chapel service … for social security measures in State Legislatures, for in- Adults enrolled in community service activities 545,596 telligent use of employment exchanges in coordination with Children enrolled in community service activities 5,862 12,306 Superintendent R. E. Scully says: "Everybody knows that only by the help of the Board of Home
THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL IN JAPAN
Missions would we have been able t'O continue the were effected between the colonial settlements of religi'Ous work in the Cincinnati Goodwill Indus- Salem and Plymouth, characterized by divergent tries." creedal concepts, local leaders discovered the real- ity of a practical basis for Christian fell'Owship. Social situations in America threaten the de- Puritan Governor John Endicott wrote to Pilgrim struction of fundamentals to the perpetuity of our Governor William Bradford: national life. Christianity is challenged by: a slump in ethical ideals; an indifference to cardinal God's people are all marked with the same mark; they virtues; the propagation 'Of pagan phil'Os'Ophies have the same heart, guided by the same spirit of truth; 'Of life; the ravages of an uncontrolled, federally where this is, there can be no discord, but sweet harmony. fostered liquor traffic; the menace 'Of m'Ovies that May we, as Christian brethren, be united by unfeignetl persist in the unpatriotic pastime of disc'Ounting love, bending all our hearts and forces in furthering a their country in the eyes of the world by mag- work beyond our strength. nifying the worst features 'Of American life, idealizing crime and criminals, caricaturing Christian Federal Church and Home Missions Councils leadership, c'Onfusing the ethical ideals 'Of impres- were organized in 1908, when a new spirit 'Of cosi'Onable children; the divorce evil, with its tragic operation among our evangelical communions and trail from Reno to Hollywood and Washington. their respective missionary agencies began to reg- ister. We have witnessed practical applications Cooperation and Church Comity of the principle of cooperati'On until office files are cluttered with c'Onvincing cases 'Of progress. More Christian cooperative movements in America has been accomplished during the past twenty are a fulfilment of early ideals. When contacts years than in all the earlier years of American church history.
The Handwriting on the Wall in Japan A Story Told by A. E. AURELL, Tokyo Agent of the American Bible Society T HE following story is told by a Japanese "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavily young man who was discouraged and planned laden and I will give you rest."
to commit suicide. Those gr·acious words of Christ made me recon- N'Ot being able to see eye t'O eye with my father sider indeed and almost unbeknowingly my feet there was often strife leading to divisions in my began to take me to the Christian church, the home. In moments of quiet reflecti'Ons it did seem address of which als'O was given on that wall. awfully regrettable that a son should be so obstinate.. It was ruinous not 'Only to me but to the Upon arrival at the church I was kindly welwhole family and an annoyance to the neighbor- comed by a man 'Of G'Od, and, to make the story h'O'Od. One day in desperation I decided to run short, I was born again! What an experience! away from home and day after day without rest It seemed to me I had awakened from a bad and sleep I traveled afoot till I reached Atami, dream! By the P'Ower of the Holy Spirit obstinacy the place widely known for "casting away 'Of life." and wickedness were removed from my heart. For a few moments bef'Ore taking the fatal jump Bitterly crying over the good-for-nothing past into the deep water at the f'O'Ot of the famous cliff life I repented fr'Om my innermost being, and the s'Omehow I was able t'O control the terrible feel- bright star of hope shined forth on the pathway 'Of ings of excitement of my heart while I took paper life. and pen out of my pocket to write a farewell note. In anguish I flung my head back and what should I was awfully ashamed 'Of the way I had treated happen but that my eyes fell on the words written my parents, and at once I set out 'On the way home on the smoothly cut mountain wall to the very detouring a bit to see an uncle in Tokyo. Finally, right 'Of me: in true humility and shame, in torn bodily garb, I "Wait a m'Oment! Reconsider!" returned t'O the presence of my longed-for parents. Reading those words again I read what followed I had run away hoping to wash out sin and un- righteousness in the ocean waters at Atami but them. instead of that mistaken attempt I met J €Sus Christ who renewed and clothed me with the robe
of His salvation. What a joy has come into my Word of God, written on the above mentioned heart! wall about twelve years ago–rewritten many times since-by an elderly Japanese man of God. "Next I called on the pastor of the church in His implicit confidence in the saving power of the our community and met with wonderful kindness. pure Word of God has been abundantly honored Now I am praising God for the power of the Gos- and he and his wife have had all they could do pel of Jesus Christ which was first brought to in dealing with the lost who have come to them my attention on the mountain wall at Atami." for instruction and guidance into the restful peace of Christ which He promised in Matthew 11: 38. This is one of hundreds of similar stories of lives that have been saved by the reading of the Korean Christian Te'stimony By F. S. MILLER, Chungju, Korea W HEN one of the Korean evangelists was interest in the Bible, their Sabbath observance working among Chinese across the border and their zeal for souls. in Manchuria, a Chinese woman asked: The Korean Presbyterian Mission in Shantung "Are you preaching what these Koreans be- Province, China, has helped to change the neighlieve?" borhood and has proved that self-support will work in China as in Korea. Reports come also "Yes, the same Jesus." that Korean Christians who migrated to Mexico have wielded the same helpful influence there and "Then I want you to tell me more about it. I a missionary in India recently translated and have been to their church to find the secret of their printed stories of Korean experience to stimulate happiness and peace but I cannot understand the Christians of his own province. what they say."
After listening to the Gospel she started home- A former Jewish rabbi writes in a recent book ward. The evangelist visited her on the following that one day he entered a store in Philadelphia and day when the woman gathered all the family to saw two Koreans in very earnest conversation.
listen to the Christian message. He asked what the trouble was and was told of In the early colonial days in America, the the struggle of the Koreans for freedom. The story won his sympathy and he invited the Ko- Scotch-Irish scattered through the forests of the reans to his home to talk further over the matter. new territory built churches and schoolhouses When they met, one of the Koreans said, "Let us everywhere. In the same way the Koreans are pray first." As the rabbi listened to that prayer scattering their churches and schools over Man- he became convinced of the power of Christ even churia and East Mongolia. As in America, many in the non-Christian world and eventually gave leading men in business, politics and the profes- himself to the Master. sions came from those little log churches and schools so we confidently expect that the young The Korean Christians take their new faith now being trained in the Christian churches and seriously and simply. Prayer is a real and regschools of Manchuria will take a leading part in ular part of their lives. They have their faults, the development of Eastern Asia. Some years ago and we missionaries, with thirty generations of a young Korean who moved to Manchuria from a Christianity behind us, may expect too much from Choong Chung church became a magistrate and first generation Christians, but we thank God for boys reared in the first Christian schools of Korea their genuine qualities and for their widening inhave become physicians in Manchuria. fluence. The story of what Christ has done in Korea has given new faith, courage and hope to As God chose little Judea, set in the midst of Christians scattered all over the world. what were then the world's largest nations, to be The results of Christian missions in Korea are His seedbed from which He sent evangelists to all the fruit of conservative, spiritual Christianity the known world, may He not have chosen Chosen which accepts the Bible as the Word of God, beto be His seedbed for the Far East? Japan has lieves in the miracles as the workings of an everalready felt the influence of Korean Christians and present and active Creator, and is convinced that Japanese Christians say that they have something there is "no other name under heaven, that is to learn from the Korean Church – from their given among men, wherein we must be saved" prayerfulness, their liberality, self-support, their than the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Missionary and His Native
FIFTY or more years ago it was comparatively His own people are beginning to attain to easy to lead and guide a people newly con- heights in education and scholarship which were quered, not only in warfare and material regarded by his forefathers as only the rights of things, but also in those deeper spiritual beliefs the white man. He is therefore becoming very which had been there since time began. The white conscious of these achievements and is beginning man and his science had brought doubt to the to wonder if he really needs the white man to minds of even the most conservative as to the work out his salvation, whether the trust he has reality and truth of his own magic, his religion, placed in him so long has not been in vain, in the and his ancestor worship. The white settler be- real things of his everyday life. He is beginning side him was uninfluenced by his superstitions; to look to his own black fellow men for guidance he prospered in spite of his unbelief and his jeer- and help, and the white man at the head becomes ing at the much feared witch doctor; his cattle a mere figurehead to whom only certain things increased; his fields were fertile; his children can be told and the rest left untouched. He is lived and were healthy, without his depending in literally becoming "difficult." He is learning every any way on those things on which his black neigh- day to be like his white fellow worker, outwardly bor depended. This was bound to affect the Bantu polite and civil, hiding a great deal of what he adversely and make him doubt very seriously his thinks of him, but nevertheless seeing through a own background and his ways of living and think- great deal and despising much, thus creating a ing, and an almost complete lack of confidence in state of affairs in which real harmonious and cohimself and his fellows was sure to take place. operative effort is an impossible task. He and his fellows discuss fully what they think of their The missionary, in his most admirable zeal and white colleagues, their work amongst them and ardor to civilize and Christianize, helped to in- their influence, but it is in very rare cases that crease this doubt, and in breaking down as savage the Bantu worker will be frank enough to tell his and barbaric all native institutions and customs, white fellow workers what he and others of his helped to increase this ever growing lack of con- race really think. They have found to their sorfidence in what belonged to the people and was row that such frank declarations on their part are part of their life. This process has gone on for greatly resented. They are considered inferior, over a hundred years in some parts of South and any suggestion of criticism of their superiors Africa. But now the Bantu has got used to the is considered altogether presumptuous. The relanew ways. Many of the young people of today tions between the two parties are therefore so have grown up knowing no other life but that strained and stiff that very seldom do you find which the missionary preached so well to their real intimate friendship existing between white great-grandfathers and their sons. He has grown and black in our native missionary schools and up with a clearer vision of what life really is and churches. If this state of affairs is as I have has been able to view his white neighbor, not as pictured it and as m~ny others know it to be, the some wonderful god who knows all, but as a inevitable question amongst Bantu youth workhuman being with faults and misdeeds like his ing under such conditions is, UApart from his own. Hence the old state of worship of the white man because he is white is fast dying off, and the academic qualifications, which he uses within the Bantu is becoming more critical and ever so much precincts of his classroom and therefore to a very more "difficult to manage." He is becoming mis- limited group, what is the gain in having white trustful of even the best .amongst his white friends teachers in our native schools? Is it not far betbecause he has so often trusted and been disap- ter to have men of our own race, perhaps not so pointed. He is suspicious, and is more confident well equipped academically, but yet giving of their in himself and in gui'ding his own life. His secrets all, being one with their fellow workers and with are now his own and not to be shared with the the students and making life much more natural missionary who used to be his father's trusted and easy, as the Bantu like it to be." This quesguide and helper. He is becoming race conscious tion will have to be faced more and more in fuand nationalistic, nor does he now hide his head ture and resentment on the part of either white in shame when the "immoral customs and habits" or black over frank discussions of some of these of his race are mentioned, because he has learned topics will only help make the situation more that such customs and habits are to a greater or lesser degree the heritage of all people, his white acute. neighbors included. MRS. F. Z. MATTHEWS, a member of the Xosa race, wife of a native professor, and her- self a teacher.
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Ways of
'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO World Peace and Evangelism results, this statement is ac- feres with missionary endeavors. cepted by many as even more Thinking Christians are aware Never before was the subject true than it was fifteen years of Peace and War so integral a ago. If there ever was a time that the last war dealt a severe part of the Christian program when warfare was necessary or blow to the churches and mission for World Redemption as now. desirable, that time is now past. work. How can we, as disciples The testimony of missionaries is The peoples of the world are of Christ, send the Gospel of love universally to the effect that ov- waking up to the fact that twen- to other peoples and at the same ergrown nationalism and its off- time condone and support the spring – the war spirit – are tieth century warfare no longer destruction of our neighbors and well-nigh insuperable obstacles exemplifies the spirit of glory, of ourselves by prejudices, lies, to progress in spreading the Gos- discriminations and violence? It pel of Christ, the Prince of patriotism and supreme sacrifice is difficult to conceive of a more Pe'ace. Without exception the that has characterized past wars insincere or two-faced situation. missionary plans and literature of humankind. War today is a of the denominations that have "racket"; and the sins of greed, It was proclaimed that the sent material for use in this de- falsehood and suspicion, hatred World War was going to make partment give a prominent place and murder are its very lifeto endeavors for shaping up the blood. If wars are still inevita- the world more "safe for democ- Peace Mind. It is especially fit- ble it is because people are unting that in this month which racy," but the opposite has been commemorates the birth of Je- willing to abandon selfishness, or proved more nearly true. Not sus Christ and echoes the An- are blinded by greed and profit, gels' Song of "Peace on earth: or crazed by racial prejudice and only have dictatorships flourgood will to men" we should pre- false propaganda, all of which ished since the conflict but relisent materials majoring upon gion itself has been jeopardized. that great theme. Your Depart- are at variance with Christian In addition, nationalism with its ment Editor's earnest injunction teachings. The time has come is that every reader should do deification of the State is becomsomething to stimulate the pur- when the Church must choose ing so nearly a substitute for repose and forward the plans of between Christ and Mars, for the Mind for Peace. We are glad war is everything that Chris- ligion that, if it continues, govto present herewith an article ernments will take precedence written especially for the depart- tianity is not. over the claims of conscience and ment by an outstanding leader in The deep abiding spirit of this line. of faith in God. Christians must Christ and His way of life is ex- not allow patriotism to degener- CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY FOR pressed in the word "love." It includes not only love for God ate into selfish, un-Christlike na- PEACE and love of neighbor but love for tionalism.
Fifteen years ago the former one's enemies. Out of this fun- We should be reminded of the American Chief of Staff, Gener- damental spirit of IQve spring existence of a peace movement al Tasker H. Bliss, said: "The within the Church. Three deresponsibility is entirely on the two Christian concepts: first, professing Christians of the belief in the supreme worth of nominations-the Church of the United States. If another war every human being; and, second, B ret h r e n (or Dunkards) , like the last one should come faith in the brotherhood of man they will be responsible for without regard to race, color or Friends and Mennonites are every drop of blood that will be known as the historic "peace shed." Now that we know more political state. In contrast war churches" because from their beabout how wars are made and ginnings they have opposed" war, understand their far-reaching thrives on hate. It violates hu- man personality and regjments upheld freedom of conscience and have placed allegiance to human beings. Because of the new hatreds and new problems God above allegiance to ea.rthly it creates, war is the relentless rulers. Members of the s e foe of human brotherhood. churches who refuse to partici- pate in war are called "consci- Not only must followers of entious objectors." Very reluc- Christ oppose war because of its repudiation of His teachings, tantly other denominations, in- cluding the Methodists, Congre- but because it seriously inter- gationalists and Christians and [ 602] the Unitarians have asked that
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
the same exemption from com- tion, not a decision, and often that several were on their feet to batant service be accorded their achieves its results better by be- speak simultaneously until time conscientious objectors. The ing an indirect appeal, in the had to be called and the meeting spirit of the early Church, up- form of a discussion among a closed. The participating panel- held by the small historic peace platform group, talking as if ists then took their places at a churches during centuries of spontaneously a m 0 n g them- peace literature table and dis- strife and persecutions, bids fair selves. Sending for an abund- pensed free leaflets and pamph- to become the prevailing force ance of varied peace literature, lets and recommended pay ma- of modern Christendom in its organizing and assigning it to terials to an eager throng. In turn toward the nonviolent way several good woman speakers at the foregoing, the speakers had of Christ. the Lakeside, Ohio, chautauqua, notes (but no manuscript) con- With the coming Christmas last August, the Editor led such cealed beneath the fancy work season it is incumbent upon a panel after this fashion: in their laps. Comments and re- churches and missionary organ- Everything was carefully pre- marks were made all through izations everywhere to make pared but not memorized or redefinite provision in their pro- cited as in a dialogue. Five the talks but not in such a way grams for the proclaiming of women entered and sat down in as to throw the speakers off their a living room scene to do fancy line of thought, as, "I believe Christ as the Prince of Peace. work under soft shaded lamps that too"; "I don't quite agree Every church should have a with you"; "That looks feas- peace committee headed by a while they talked as if sponta- ible," etc. wide-awake, interested chair- neously. The leader explained man. Encourage your paster to her motive in calling these The following literature is preach peace on Armistice Day friends together to counsel with recommended: Sunday, Christmas, Goodwill her on the peace-and-war situa- Day and other appropriate tion, expressing her own trou- The W. I. L. discussion group out- bled confusion of mind. She line, "World Peace the Responsibility dates. First there must be the called on Mrs. A- to give the of the Church," with study packet, will for peace. If your church gist of a private conversation 35 cents. they had had the other day, and has been slow in teaching peace, the latter responded in an eight- "Publication List with Prices," free. minute talk covering the peace "World Citizenship and the Relistrive for an impressive Christ- educational plans mnd methods. gious Program," free. mas program on international "Women's International League for goodwill and for at least one Mrs. B- breaks in at a pre- Peace and Freedom – Programs and program on peace each quarter arranged point and says that is Policies," free. all very well but something more The foregoing may be ordered from during the coming year in the p r act i c a I – something with The Women's International League, 1924 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. church school. The young people "teeth" in it-must be done. She "What Can Christians Do for talks for another brief period on Peace?" by Theodore A. Greene; a will enjoy giving one of the many auxiliary political, legislative sylla.JUs prepared for use by church and organizational methods. discussion groups. 25 cents. excellent peace plays now avail- "Is War the Way?" by John L. Mrs. C-is so full of enthusi- Lobingier; a six-session course for inable. If the will for peace is well asm she can hardly wait to tell dividual reading and church study established in your congregation, of ways for attacking the subject groups. 25 cents. from the purely religious side. then embark upon a plan of ac- "Proposed Roads for Peace," by tion. Study groups are recom- The leader then asks Mrs'. Richard M. Fagley; adult education mended among young people and D-, who has been listening in- series. 35 cents. tently and taking notes from adults to make clear the social time to time, to give the group Order the above three from The Piland economic causes of war- the benefit of her tabulative, sys- grim Press, Boston, Mass. fare and suggest peace action tematic mind; whereupon Mrs. programs and projects. The D- partly talks and partly "The Price of Peace," by E. Guy reads a well organized outline Talbott; a handbook on America's need is great for intelligent international relations. 25 cents. Na- Christians to pioneer in this vi- tional Council for Prevention of War, tal and urgent field of goodwill 532 17th St., N. W., Washington, D. C. among nations and help the idealistic lovers of peace to keep "Thinking It Through," by Evelyn R. their feet on the gI'ound through Nicholson; a discussion on World practical achievements. Peace. 10 cents. Methodist Book Concern, New York. MRS. OLIVE SMITH BOWMAN, of the things churches, young people's groups, Sunday schools, "Youth Action in Building a War- Pennsylvania State Chairman of women's missionary organiza- less World." 15 cents. International Religious Contacts Committee, Council of Religious Education, 203 Women's International League tions, clubs and community citi- N. Wabash Ave., Chicago, Ill. for Peace and Freedom. "What Shall We Do About War,"
zens in general can do. by Sherwood Eddy and Kirby Page.
The leader then rises and ad- 15 cents. Eddy and Page, 347 Madi- son Ave., New York. dresses the audience for the first PLANS AND MATERIALS time, asking them f,or their re- List of Material and Suggestions The Department Editor has for Exhibits, free. found the panel discussion one "Peace Action" – a monthly paper of the best ways of arousing in- action upon the subject. giving news and suggestions for prac- tical action. 5 cents per copy. Order the above two, also a variety terest and spreading informa- The Lakeside audience as rep- of plays and pageants, from The Na- tion. This form of discussion resented in the women's club, tional Council for the Prevention of aims at education and inspira- was so enthusiastic and eager War, 532 17th St., N. W., Washington, D. C.
"Suggested Selections for Programs Prevention of War (address as pre- God's great gift to us. (The use of a for Armistice Day, Good Will Day viously given). Christmas tree on which each story- and Other Peace Days," for Sunday "Christ Is Born in Bethlehem"- teller places a large gold star to repschools, elementary schools and high beautiful nativity play introducing resent her field adds to the interest.) schools, free. American Interracial prophets, shepherds, kings, angels and For a woman's missionary meeting. Peace Committee, 20 S. 12th St., Phil- a chorus singing familiar carols. Open meeting by singing "Hark, the adelphia, Pa. Three scenes, 16 or more characters. Herald Angels Sing," followed with 50 cents. Woman's Press, 600 Lex- prayer. Christmas carols played on Much is being attempted by ington Ave., New York. "Eagerheart"-Christmas play suit- the Qrgan are echoed to adjoining lec- able for use on Sunday evening. Fifthe Youth Division of the Emer- teen or more characters. 1% hours. ture room where audience is seated. gency Peace Compaign, in which Chappel and Co., 41 E. 34th St., New Devotional period culminates in cornet solo, "Silent Night." Van Dyke's more than 225 college men and Christmas story, "Let Us Go Even women spent two months last York. unto Bethlehem," is told or read; summer organizing, instructing "Long Ago in Judea" -unusual then a mother holding her baby reads working over of the Christmas nar- a Christmas poem. At this time the and stimulating people all over rative. Two scenes. Seventeen char- room is darkened and a star shines the U. S. to work for peace. acters. 30 cents. Samuel French, 25 out revealing the spirits of Christ, They tried to "strengthen the W. 45th St., New York. Love and Service bringing gifts. A pacific alternatives to war, make Similar list of 60 good Christmas lighted cross brings to view a small political and eoonomic changes dramatizations, also lists of Easter, Christmas tree covered with tinsel but Children's Day, Thanksgiving, tem- no ornaments. During singing the necessary for a just and peace- three spirits distribute to audience ful world order, and unite in one perance, stewardship, Mothers' Diy, tiny white stockings. Place offerings dynamic movement all those in- Home and Foreign mission and gen- in these and marching to the tree, dividuals and organization.s will- eral plays and pageants in a pamph- hang stockings on it, thus decorating ing to work against war . . . tree and receiving the offering. A SQ- let entitled "Catalog of Plays and cial hour mav follow. They plan to work on 1,000 col- Pageants," a veritable treasure house lege campuses in the U. S. Twen- of usable material. 10 cents. Send "Christmas Around the World." to The Baptist Board of Education, This program consisted of tableaux Department of Missionary Education, behind a large veiled frame, giving the ty-five field secretaries covering 152 Madison Avenue, New York. appearance of a picture. A chorus of every state in the union will re- women sang the accompanying carol . cruit volunteers for next sum- Program Suggestions: while tableau was being shown and mer's program – peace patrol between tableaux. (1) Carol, "God "The Life of Christ in Song." teams to do work in the commu- Hymns and songs given by young Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen." Tableau, nities surrounding the colleges." people, with appropriate Christmas (Woman's Home Missions.) Try readings between each two numbers. six carollers grouped around tall Eng- lish lamp post, holding books and ap- "Tuning in on Christmas." Plat- pearing to sing. (2) Carol, "Tannento have your church young peo- form arranged to represent broadcast- baum." Tableau, The Home of the ple link themselves up with this ing studio with microphone, etc. Christmas Tree. A little German boy Leader taking part of announcer and girl, each with a toy, stand near promising movement. stands at microphone as program be- lighted tree, a table, chair, etc., add- PLAYS AND PAGEANTS gins, her opening announcement in- ing home touch. Joy is the theme. cluding call letters suitable for the (3) Carol, "Silent Night." Tableau, particular group and statement that a Among suitable plays and pa- Christmas program is about to be A Christmas Eve Midnight Service in geants for Christmas meetings broadcast from the studio (place of France. An altar with cross and are the following: lighted candles in center of picture meeting) . As each number is an- suggests cathedral interior. Worship- nounced the person taking the part pers kneel in prayer. (4) Carol, "A Christmas Car 0 1" – original should be ready to step to the micro- "While Shepherds Watched Their dramatization of Dickens' charming phone that there may be no awkward Flocks by Night." Tableau, Christstory portraying the true Christmas pauses. Announcer reminds audience mas in a Chinese Mission. American spirit. 20 characters. 1112 hours. 35 at the start that there can be no missionary seated holding open Christcents. Christmas obt':ervation where the mas box from which she is handing Christ story is unknown and that the out gifts to Chinese girls grouped "Christmas for All Nations"-intro- program will bring messages from around. Use Chinese costumes, furducing children of all nationalities our representatives who are telling nishings, curios. Fine for stressing who describe their customs and be- the Story around the world. (This White Cross gifts. liefs. 15 or more young folks. 40 plan fine for incorporating material minutes. 25 cents. (5) Carol, "Up on the Housetop."
Order these two from March from THE REVIEW and denominational Tableau, Christmas in the U. S. Little Brothers, 208 Wright Ave., Lebanon, missionary magazines.) boy and girl in night clothes peek Ohio. "The Real Christmas Tree" (Tree through door watching Santa Claus "A Christmas Mystery"-finest of of Life). Its branches spread over empty his pack in front of fireplace. Christmas songs and carols sung by all lands and its leaves are "for the Lighted tree at side. (6) Carol, "The audience while Christmas story is healing of the nations." After song First Noel." Tableau, Unity in presented in pantomime culminating service of the familiar music, read Adoration. Manger scene. Carol is in final tableau. 15 cents. Isaiah 9: 6 and the Christmas story sung as introduction preceding show- as told by Luke, followed by the sing- ing of picture. When curtains are "At the Door of the Inn" – good reader and 30 or more characters. ing of "Hark, the Herald. Angels drawn at close of scene, audience joins 1 % hours. 20 cents. Sing." Leader points out that as our in singing "In Him There Is No East Order these from The Pilgrim missionaries tell the Christmas story Nor West." Press, Boston, Mass. . they see the fulfilment of the promise, All the foregoing suggestions are "Around the World with Santa "light and life to all He brings." Sev- taken from "Progr~m Pointers," a Claus"-American boy and girl per- eral members then tell (not read) mimeographed sheet issued monthly suade Santa to take them on his jour- stories of the work at home and by Miss Elizabeth I. Fensom, Program ney around the world, a typical scene abroad (see THE REVIEW and denom- Secretary, Baptist Council on Finance in each country thus visited being inational leaflets). Close with hymn, and Promotion, 152 Madison Ave., shown. Four adults, 10 or more chil- "In Christ There Is No East nor New York City. Subscription price, dren. 10 cents. National Council for West" and prayer of gratitude for 25 cents per year.
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BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK Bring an Old and Crippled Prayer home life, why Mary and the Child '!When wilt Thou save thy peo- angels sang, why the Shepherds ple, Lord?" When we behold and wise men came bringing Alfred Noyes in "A Spell (An gifts. May no Christmas gift of Excellent Way to Get a F'airy)" the wonder of the Christ-child, ours to the children be unworthy leads one through man's various born among good, poor folk and of thee, the gift from God. For attempts to capture the quality the sake of the little children of in life often symbolized by "a outside an inn, and consider the world, help us to consecrate fairy." Each unsuccessful trial, what the life of our Lord Jesus ourselves to Thee and thy Way he concludes with the words, Christ has meant to us and of Life. Amen. myriads like us, and then re- If this fail, at break of day, member before thee, our sin Call to the Twelfth Conference There remains a better way. against thy love and sin against on the Cause and Cure of War our fellowmen – yea, neglecting The "Spell" is concluded by The Twelfth Annual Conferwords, the wisdom of which even the little ones of our own neighborhood, we cry for thy cannot be escaped, and the coun- loving kindness! "Be merciful ence on the Cause and Cure of sel of which few persons accept unto us, and bless us." War will take place in Chicago, lest someone call them "foolish!" Cause us to see and serve the at the Palmer House, January But during the "Christ-child" children, Lord, not only those of 26-29, 1937. The theme will be festival, we seem more free than our own household but even "Today in Peace and War" and at other times. Our hearts are these little old ones who are crip- delegates from the eleven namore gentle and our wills are pled and wizened at seven. Keep tional organizations of American more swift to perform lovely us from shirking our responsi- women participating in the Conacts. The poet in his "Excellent bility for these hurt children. ference will consider the barriway to get a fairy" suggests that Make us see the futility of bring- ers to international cooperation, we act so- ing children into the world only and the building up of effective Bring an old and crippled child to spoil and despoil them. Help peace machinery. Some of the Ah, tread softly, on tiptoe!- us to do what we can to feed highlights will be the "Interro- them-clothe them-leave them gation Luncheons," the Univer- Tattered, tearless, wonder-wild, "for an hour alone." Teach us sity of Chicago Round Table, and From that underworld below, how to tell them aright the the Marathon Round Tables Bring a wizened child .of seven meaning of this saying, We will luncheon. The number of dele- Reeking from the City slime, Out of hell into your heaven, Set her knee-deep in the thyme. listen, Lord. Thou art the Way gates allocated to the church Feed her-clothe her-even so! -the Truth-the Life! Thou groups, is only two hundred. Set her on a fairy throne. hast said we all must be more Register early. The fee is $5.00 When her eyes begin to glow childlike in order to enter payable at the Conference. For Leave her for an hour-alone. Heaven. Teach us the stories of the first time the Conference is And then Noyes concludes "A the Christ-child, of his early to be held in the Middle. West thus enabling many Spell" with the assur- ance that women to attend who Though her head have been unable to be old and wise, got 0 Washington.
You shall know Please write immedi- that she has ately either to the For- seen them eign Missions Confer- By the glory in ence, 156 Fifth her eyes. Ave., New and that ….. ———– York, N. Y., or When she lifts her THE ONLY CHIUSTMAS THIS MIGRANT FAMILY WILL HAVE The Council of head and sings, ., Women for Home Mi s- You shall h ear sions, 105 East and un der- 22d St., N. Y. stand.
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Introducing Miss Lowry old friendships strengthened. remedied the difficulty or made And I thank you one and all. On October 15, your editor the matter understandable as a "The work lies in what I call closed gently the doors on the the religious-social area, diverse part of the process of growth last five years of "life and work," enough in factors and flexible and turned toward the new paths enough in form (although thirty and change. True, there has not ahead. Of first importance is years old) to be considered a the remarkable fact that on the genuine 'laboratory' for effective been eough financial resources to same day Miss Edith E. Lowry, Christian service. In this area my associate in the work of the of service are definitely new care for advance in work which forms of cooperation among Council of Women for Home quite different church groups; seemed essential. That has MissioLs, became Executive Sec- also, there are unified programs retary, and the new Editor of caused the Executive Secretary the Bulletin, and Miss Charlotte EDITH E. LOWRY Mary Burnham became 'concern' both in the general and Associate Secretary. secured through the coordina- tion of varied social skills and the Indian work. Nevertheless, What may be called resources, and other programs in the making; and the cowork- each year has seen advance in "full tide of life" moves ers are consecrated Christian through all the work of leaders. If asked to do so, I the conception that this interdethe Council of Women for could make specific the descrip- Home Missions. It seems tion of the area just given. nominational work is denominato the Editor, signs of tional responsibility. Many good health that her resig- "The program of work places nation could take place in ~ clear emphasis on the functions -, of you receive me as a June, that a Committee on of the Christian Church _with a program rather than per- mission to proclaim the Gospel member of your own de- of the true way of life. Organi- nomination, reporting to sonnel was named, that zational difficulties, personality the new Executive Secre- clashes, financial worries, have your membership either tary could accept a ready during the years found secondadjustment to be made in ary emphasis, except occasion- in person at Annual Meetthe set-up of the work ally, and then the good spiritual ings or Institutes, or by (Miss Lowry continues to health of the whole work SDon direct the Migrant Work) written reports. And this and that the farewell has greatly helped in the luncheon was also the wel- work of the Council .of come luncheon to the newly elected secretaries. Women for Home Mis- The last days were like a sions. prolonged festival wit h friends – flo w e r sand "The work is one of ingifts, laughter and tears, creasing com i t y among and altogether of more significance t han words the Boards. It was thrill- ing to come into a work can tell. In response to the gra- which was closing a Five- Year Period of Survey cious and witty expression of appreciations at the Luncheon and Adjustment (and adfollowing the last Administrative j ustments had actually Committee meeting, your Editor gave briefly an explanation of taken place); and now to her personal satisfaction in the have participated in a secresponsibilities that had been ond period of five-year hers since January, 1932. planning known as Strat- In introducing Miss Edith Lowry to you, the brief explana- egy and Planning for adtion is again given on request: vance on the whole task "The work of the Executive of the church. Then, too, the beginnings of coordi- Secretary of the Council of Women for Home Missions has nation in pro g ram of been one of teaching, preaching, w r i tin g and administrative four interdenominational work, both on the field, as we bodies as shown in the acsay, and at h e a d qua r t e r s. tive Inter-Council Fie I d Through this work, many new friendships have been made, and Committee indicates, at the very least, the will to good spiritual health of Protestant church forces. And this took place when national life was characterized by what we call 'the depres- sion.' " You will find the Editor at home, The Westchester, 4000 Cathedral Avenue, Washington, D. C. ANNE SEESHOLTZ.
*** The Annual Meeting of the Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Missions, including the National Conference on the City Church will be held at the Berkeley Carteret Hotel, Asbury Park, New Jersey, January 11-14, 1937.
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO NORTH AMERICA single persons; and single lower Scripture Hunger in Virginia Cutting Suicide Rate than' widowed or divorced per- A group of Christian workers last year opened a Sunday school Some one in the United States sons. -Literary Digest. in an abandoned church near commits suicide every half-hour. Beldor, Virginia, in the Blue Annually, for thirty years; 20,- Boys' Gospel Team Ridge mountains. Last May, ac- 000 persons have taken their companied by a minister, they lives; 40,000 more have tried The Asheville Farm School for held a service at the mountain and failed. But The Spectator, Boys has a Gospel Team. Five home of a cripple, when 66 were insurance agents' magazine, es- active, and eleven associate present. This cripple promised, timates that suicides had ebbed members have divided into three if he knew when the minister to 17,000 in 1935, lowest number groups for the work for the fol- would return, to have 100 presin ten years. Next to economic lowing month. One group is ent. Two weeks later, 104 came. upturn, the chief factor in this working on the morning devo- The next visit, a week later, was decrease is the National Save-a- tions program, the second group rewarded with an attendance of Life League. Ministering to 400 on the program for the young over 150. People came from would-be suicides. a month, Doc- people at Marshall, and the third various directions, while only tor Harry W. Warren, the presi- on the program for the mission- one house is visible from the dent, has saved 30,000 persons ary society at Farm School. The place where the meeting is held. since he founded his organiza- boys have set a definite goal to tion thirty years ago. work toward, and are trying for One family living more than vast improvement over last year. four miles away has not missed Some cases require medical or a service since the work began. psychiatric treatment; others -Owl and Spade. The parents and two of the chillegal or financial aid. Last year, dren walk, while the three staff workers called on 1,387 Helping the "Share Croppers" smaller ones are placed on an old Greater New York homes where mule, which the father leads. suicide had been committed, Moved by the suffering of the 1,991 homes where it had been "share croppers" in the South, The best pew is a flat board attempted. Sherwood Eddy, from funds about six inches wide, and many raised by appeal, purchased over in the audience are seated on Dr. F. L. Hoffman, statistician 2,000 acres of rich delta land in round poles about six or seven attached to the University of the State of Mississippi, and has inches in diameter. The work- Pennsylvania, has clipped sui- invited dispossessed families· to ers say they have never seen cide items for 25 years and come and settle, in cooperative such a hunger for Scripture makes the following deductions: communities. These poor peo- truth. the west coast had a rate nearly ple, largely Negroes, who have double that of the New England cultivated small sections of land -Moody Institute Monthly. states. of large owners under a share system, have been so systemati- Increased Gifts Suicides, depressed by winter cally ground by the owners that discouragements, tend to pick they have joined hands in self- For the first time since 1929, summer and late spring for their defence, and have as a result one year's contributions of the acts. been evicted from their tenan- local churches of the Presby- cies. The whole South seems to terian Church in the U. S. A. Men make up three-quarters be suffering from the evils of showed an increase of more of the deaths. Main cause: busi- this sharecropping system, and than $1,000,000 during the year ness failure. But girls, more this effort to help them on a ending March 31, 1936. The often than boys up to the age of large scale on a cooperative plan 8,975 local churches contributed nineteen, take their lives. Main is described by one expert as $36,801,474. This is a gain of cause: unrequited love. Up to "on the verge of the biggest $1,082,943 over the preceding thirty-nine, only one-half to one- thing in human welfare in this year, which had registered an third as many women commit country. The possibilities of increase of $421,304 over the suicide as do men; beyond forty, this constructive program are year ended March 31, 1934. only one-sixth. Married people staggering." From 1929 to 1934 an annual show a lower suicide rate than decrease had been reported. -United Church Review.
[607 ]
More communicant members bution of higher education un- paths to that highway and the were added during the year, der Christian auspices to such outside world. There are almost both on profession of faith and conservation; the responsibility no doctors, only a few schools, on certificates of transfer from of the Presbyterian Church in and only six churches, three other churches, than in the pre- the U. S. A. to play its part in Baptist and three Catholic. Lack ceding year. Additions on pro- making this indispensable confession totaled 78,207 and on tribution to the conservation of of Christian education have left certificate 43,940. these spiritual values." these people debased and degen- erate in the extreme. Of the $36,801,474 contributed -Presbyterian Banner. by the local churches, $25,539,- -So S. Times. 999 was used for local congregational expenses. Gifts to benevo- A "Million Unit Fellowship" Moody Still Speaks lence causes made by living givers amounted to $4,852,481. The Methodist Episcopal About forty-two years ago Per capita the church gave for Church, comprising 4,000,000 Dwight L. Moody founded the all purposes $19.18, which is 62 communicants in the U. S. and Bible Institute Colportage Assocents more than during the pre- I,UOO,OOO in 40 mission fields, ciation of Chicago. The extent ceding year. is launching a new movement to which this service of the to be known as the "Million Unit printed page has grown is shown -Presbyterian Tribune. in the latest annual report of the Fellowship." Plans for Presbyterian association. During the past fis- Centennial The purposes are: (1) the in- cal year, the association has pub- spiration and renewal of per- lished and distributed no less On June 24th the Presbyterian sonal devotion to the ideals, life than 4,184,357 copies of its own General Council, meeting in pUblications, (a gain of nearly Philadelphia, adopted several and social standards of Christ; basic principles to be followed (2) to mobilize the resources of 450,000 copies over 1935), bein the raising of $1,000,000 or sides the sale of thousands upon less for the world-wide work of the church for study of, and ac- thousands of Bibles, books and the church and $10,000,000 or tion· upon, the social and eco- magazines printed by other less for Christian higher educa- nomic problems of the day; (3) evangelical publishers. All this tion; among them the following: the stabilizing of Methodist literature was dis t rib ute d opinion in support of the "Chris- throughout the United States (1) That the centennial cele- tian Way" and (4) the renewal and several foreign countries as bration of the Board of Foreign of personal devotion among a missionary effort. Those re- Missions is primarily inspira- ceiving free literature include tional and educational, and that Methodists to the world mission prisoners, patients in federal, the financial aspects of the cen- of the church. state and city hospitals and santennial will be subordinated to atoriums, children in mountain these primary purposes. (2) Bishop Frederick T. Keeney, and pioneer schools, seamen on That during the calendar year . ocean vessels, young men in CCC 1937 the Board of Foreign Mis- who is Director of the new Fel- camps, and the neglected peoples sions in presenting its financial lowship, says: of Alaska, Africa, India, Latin program will make reference to America, the Philippines, Spain the "Capital Purposes Fund" of "So far as the 4,000,000 comthe Boards of Christian Educa- municants of the Methodist and French Louisiana. Teachers tion and National Missions Episcopal Church are concerned in 115 mountain counties rewhich is to be raised in the three ceived during the year 210,696 following calendar years, 1938- and three to four million other copies of the Gospel of John 40. (3) During the calendar persons who are the natural conyears 1936 and 1937 a publicity stituency of our church, we are approach to the church will be going to try for the spontaneous, made by the Boards of Christian creative and internal type of or- Education and National Mis- dered living." sions in reference to the "Capital Purposes Fund" which is to The Sabine Field (with helps) for their scholars, be sought in the three years fol- together with 82,881 colportage lowing. This approach will be against a background of "con- An area known as the "deep books and 72,858 Evangel book7 servation of the spiritual values woods of the Sabine River bot- lets, and to those scholars who which are necessary to the pres- tom," lying between Louisiana read the Gospel of John and ervation of American democ- and Texas, has a population al- memorized selected passages, racy; the free church in the free most as needy as the dwarfs of 47,561 New Testaments and state; the indispensable contri- darkest Africa. On the Texas Pocket Treasurys were given as side of the Sabine River the rewards. These teachers re- Spanish language is spoken; on port about 250 conversions, and the Louisiana side there are some many others have been estab- 6,000 people speaking English. lished in their faith.
They are a people apart. The Gospel car "Evangel" has There are settlements in the visited sixty-seven cities and "deep woods" that are only fif- towns of Florida, Georgia and teen miles from the highways, the Carolinas during the year, but in which are men and women traveled over 5,000 miles, and who have rarely, if ever, ridden participated in 238 services.
or walked through the wood -The Presbyterian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK '609
Carville Leper Hospital Weare not faced with illiteracy- and asked for prayer that they nearly all can read. TJley seem to Dr. H. E. Hasseltine, Director have learned to read in some extraor- may find Christ. of the Leper Hospital at Car- dinary way – how, I do not know. -So S. Times. ville, La., says that a leper can Weare working among a people who come anonymously, change his cover an area greater than that of Seven Year Campaign name while at the Hospital, and, the British Isles, where there is only if cured, leave the place to re- one Mission Station working among The Latin American Prayer sumehis real identity, his ex- two or three thousand people, the maperience never to be known out- jority of whom are inaccessible. Yet Fellowship is undertaking to side of the hospital's secret a large proportion of them come to records. When patients wish to the Mission Station at least once a place a Gospel and a tract in conceal their identity, the hos- year when in the city to obtain suppital authorities cooperate. plies. Then we bring to them the every home in Mexico, in a syste- Word of God. We do not yet have the Since. the founding of the in- whole Bible in Eskimo. . matic house-to-house visitation. stitution, 1,130 lepers have been sent (or gone voluntarily) to They expect to complete this Carville. The inmates are :from 37 states. Four states have each task within seven years. The furnished more than 100. These are: Louisiana, 507; California, work began with three weeks of 158; Texas, 121, and New York, LATIN AMERICA prayer and preparation. One 10l. SJnce 1921, 196 lepers have leader tested the plan in the been paroled, apparently well. Conversion of a Merchant fanatical town of Patzcuaro. Thirty others, also apparently cured, remained voluntarily. Of Don Feliciano is a general In two days over two hundred these.;sent out apparently well, Dr. Hasseltine said, 23 have re- merchant in the Indian village homes were visited, and men and turned with active leprosy. women gladly accepted the Since 1921, 235 have run away. of Cacahuatepec, in an isolated Eighty-five of these are recorded Word. -So S. Times. as still "out," Dr. Hasseltine section of Oaxaca, Mexico. To said, although it is known that some of them have died. get needed medical treatment he Ingathering in Guatemala traveled by airplane and bus to Marked advance is reported in the work among the Quiche Puebla, and during his stay Indians of Guatemala. Las t February there were twenty- started reading a book that eight professions of faith. Two weeks later, at Huehuetanango, gripped him. After returning more than fifty Indians joined the church. During the week home he wrote to Dr. F. L. preceding Easter nineteen more Meadows (medical missionary, became active Christians. In May there were thirteen at in Puebla), asking for a copy Barillas, twenty-one at Retal- hulen, and seven at the dedica- of this book. It was a transla- tion of a new chapel. In three tion of Paul Kanamori's "Three months Rev. Paul Burgess saw 167 publicly dedicate themselves Hour Sermon," which covers to Christ. His own congrega- tion, at Quezaltenango, became the whole scheme of salvation. so large that a new church edi- fice had to be built. Other books followed this one. -The Presbyterian. Czechoslovak Center-Chfcag9 He wrote that he had been a slave to his own ignorance, but At the annual Czechoslovak that now he was free and could Baptist Con v e n t ion of the talk to others on religion. A United States and Canada, held year later Don Feliciano re- in a Czechoslovak church in Chi- turned to Puebla, and on a Sun- cago, several thousand dollars day night in the Baptist church were collected for missionary publicly accepted Christ as his work which the Convention is Saviour. He has now asked an un~ertaking in America, Can- evangelist to come to his little town. -Missions. ada, Czechoslovakia and Poland. Evangelical Work in Paraguay This meeting commemorated 40 Hopeful Signs years of Czechoslovak Baptist It is hoped that the end of the Senor Gonzalez, the secretary Chaco war will allow Christian work in America. to President Cardenas, in an enterprises to go forward un- open letter to Mexican Catholics, hamperea, but the chan,ge to Chicago is a great Czecho- insists that the Catholic clergy military government may cause are inconsistent in demanding some embarrassment to evanslovak center, as 300,000 Czecho- liberties that they cannot, ac- gelical missions, and there is a cording to their dogmas, grant possibility that the religious slovaks live there, and there are to others. He says: "The gov- question will be handled after ernment guarantees to every- the Mexican model. On the seven Czechoslovak B apt i s t body the free exercise of his re- whole, 'however, Evangelicals are ligious beliefs." satisfied with the favorable aschurches, with eleven meeting surances that have been given -Missions. Christian work is now permit- them. Evangelical work in places. ted among "the 5,000 prisoners Paraguay is limited in extent, of the penitentiary in Mexico. but that among the Indians in In Baffin Land One visitor has a list of 120 who the Chaco has acquired :awide have 'accepted 'Gospel potitions, Baffin Land, probably the northernmost of all missionstations, is one of 128 countries to which tl1eScriptureGift Missitm has sent the Bible. Speaking of Scripture distribution there, Mr. Duncan says:
reputation. Evangelistic effort, eign territories, notably in Sene- mit. In these there are more social activity and a mission gal, New Caledonia, Tahiti, than 1,500 scholars, and over among lepers are all represented, and the Loyalty Islands in the 150 teachers.-The Christian. and the International College in South Seas, where, as in Madathe capital is one of the best of gascar, it took over the missions Protestants in Bulgaria such institutions in South Amer- founded by English, American ica. and Norwegian Societies. After Protestantism is stronger and the War, it shared with Amer- more progressive in Bulgaria Vital Work of Bible Societies ican missions the German mis- than in any other Balkan state. sionary work in the mandated The Bible School grew out of a The British and Foreign Bible Cameroun territory. Some of Bib 1e Conference supported Society has been at work in its missionaries labor in Togo- annually for twenty-five years Chile for almost a century; the land and on the Ivory Coast. by the Bible Lands Missions' Aid American Bible Society joined Society. It has two sectionsthem later. Their remarkable -The Life of Faith. one for the training of Biblecirculation of the Bible has led women (some of whom are pasa zealous priest, the Rev. Cosme The Bible in Germany tors' wives); and a three-year Julien, to urge the Archbishop Biblical Theological Seminary of Chile toward a nation-wide The German Bible Societies course for pastors. In the five campaign of preaching based on had a remarkable year in 1934. years of its history, fifty-five stuthe Bible. A Chilean correspond- Persecution has driven the peo- dents have enrolled, and many ent for the Presbyterian Banner ple to the Scriptures. In face of are now working effectually for says: "I have just received a repressive measures of the Hit- Christ as ordained pastors, itin- Roman Catholic edition of the ler regime on churches and the erant evangelists, or lay workfour Gospels which bears the ministry, the Bavarian Society ers. imprimatur of the Bishop of issued 15,269 Bibles as against Argentina. In the introduction 11,970 the preceding year; the There is an annual summer to this attractive little Biblical Saxony Society, 46,994 against school, to which over 100 pasmanual the Bishop writes: 'To 31,062; the Prussian, 169,762 tors and Christian workers make the reading of the word of 'againist 138,990, and the Wurt- gather for a season of Bible God easy is to prepare the way temberg, 844,383 against 715,- study and Christian fellowship. of the Lord. Heaven grant that 542. -Christianity Today. it may reach the hands of the -The Christian. people and great numbers of The Church in Poland them. There is no other way of Polish Jews' Demands reconquering the w 0 rid for The annual conference of mis- Christ.' " sionaries and delegates from the The Jews of Poland have re- indigenous churches in Poland, cently made ten demands of the EUROPE connected with the Russian Mis- government. Among these de- sionary Society, was held this mands are (1) That the name Paris Evangelical Society year at Lutsk. "Christian" shall not be used in any inscription where Jews and For the first time in thirty The conference, which is held Gentiles live side by side; (2) years, with the exception of as much for the teaching and in- that the Jewish Sabbath shall be 1915-16, the Paris Evangelical spiration of the workers, and for officially recognized and that the Foreign Missionary Society has the preaching of the Gospel, as Jews shall have the right to conclosed a year without a deficit. for the conduct of business, cov- duct their businesses on Sunday Pastor Andre Monod writes: "It ered a full week. as if it were a workday; (3) is no longer a question of ampu- that schoolbooks objectionable tating our work; we are able on The record showed that over to the Jews shall be prohibited the contrary to send out all our thirty mission stations had been from the schools; (4) that the missionaries on leave and to send opened during the year, and that title "Christian" as applied to out the indispensable reinforce- there were thirty-four new land, nationality, or church shall ments." workers. The total membership be totally prohibited. is now over 9,000, and the num- This Mission has a long his- ber of evangelists, preachers -World Outlook. tory behind it. At a time when and workers is about 250, most Protestant missions were for- of whom are supported by in- AFRICA bidden in French Colonies the digenous churches. During the Society, founded in 1822, was year these raised a large sum of Cooperation in Egypt given an opening in British money for the support of the South Aft;ica, where it estab- workers, and the maintenance of Rev. E. G. Parry, of Cairo, lished stations in Basutoland, the girls' orphanage at Constan- writes in the C. M. S. Outlook and later in Southern Rhodesia; cin. Sixty-nine Sunday schools that churches in Egypt are beand when the way was open, are now established, but there is coming more and more unity started missions in French for- need for many more, which can conscious, and that so fal:! as pos- be opened as soon as funds per- sible the two great missionary societies in Egypt, the American
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Presbyterian Mission and the Literacy-Test of Progress further training before being C. M. S. have so arranged their in Egypt placed in little churches in the work that there shall be no over- Illiteracy in Egypt is slowly district." -C. M. S. Outlook. lapping. decreasing. In 1917 the census The E gyp tInter – Mission showed that less than 10 per cent New Church at Nshinga Council, formed in 1920, has of men and only 5 per cent of done most valuable work and, women could read. Ten years Christians of Nshinga, Portuthrough its Committee on "Mis- later (1927) the census showed guese Congo, now have their sions and Government," has that 17.5 per cent of men and 2 own substantial house of worbeen able to present a united per cent of women were literate. ship. In 1932 there was but one front on many questions. Today Egypt has a national Christian there; today there are eighty-eight loyal followers Under the inspiration of the An- school system largely through of Christ. At the first service in glican Native Church, effective work the new building four hundred is being undertaken with members of the generosity and interest of the late King Fuad. Thirty-nine and fifty people were' present to the Coptic Church among both Moslems, and Copts. This is chiefly a lay dailies and 257 journals are pub- share in the dedication of this movement, led by the Secretary of the new church. Several incidents C. M. S., an Egyptian priest and an lished. A new book comes off gave the occasion special signifievangelist from Old Cairo Hospital. the press every day. Illiteracy is A group of Anglican and Coptic lay- not an unsurmountable bar to in- cance. A boy of about twe!ve men are being trained to preach and struction, for, as in seventeenth- recited the whole of the Scripto conduct services in village homes ture lesson faultlessly in excelin districts where there is no church century Eng 1and, the fluent lent Portuguese, and a woman within close distance. The work is shared with four men in the extending, and there is a children's reader reads aloud to illiterate singing of a special hymn. meeting run by English and Egyp- groups in coffee houses, shops, private houses, or even in the tians from the Old Cairo Hospital. street. The desire for general The service was not without literacy is growing, and Egyp- its touches of African humor. Fellowship of Unity tian women are demanding The paramount chief was pres- It is some seventeen years schools, equal educational privi- ent, and expressed in a speech leges for girls and marriage re- the joy of himself and his people since the Fellowship of Unity forms. The Egyptian Univer- at possessing at last a prayer- sity has 2,500 students; Govern- house of their own. "But our was inaugurated in Egypt as a ment secondary schools, 16,000 bell is cracked and won't ring. students; high schools, 4,100 What about a new one?" he means of cooperation for the students, and Al Azhar Univer- asked. Quite determined to members of all the Christian sity, 2,600 students. strike while the iron was hot, a communities. It has regularly little later he preferred another -World Survey. request. "What about a docheld services where all the Chris- tor?" He seemed to' think that tian churches, with the exception A New Opening one could produce a church bell of the Roman Catholic, have and a medical man at will. worshiped together. Three years New work has been opened up in Kibondo, an isolated place -C. M. S. Outlook. ago the united service was cele- about 150 miles from Kigoma. brated in the Armenian Church The people are primitive, but Quick Results in Nigeria in Cairo, in 1934, in the Greek ready to listen to the Gospel. Orthodox Cathedral and in No- The ruler of the district is a A native evangelist has revember, 1935, in the Coptic Or- woman, very intelligent, and cently started work among the Eggon people in the district thodox Cathedral of St. Mark. No less than eight Archbishops and Bishops were present on this last occasion, and clergy from French, Lutheran, Anglican, friendly towards the mission- around Lafiya, connected with American, Greek and Scottish aries. She and her husband are the Sudan United Mission. One Protestant churches. The Cop- Moslems; but she is a "hearer," of the first results appeared tic Choir opened with a hymn, although her husband at present when a great man among the which together with the thanks- shows no interest in the Chris- fetish worshipers cam e, and giving prayer that followed, de- tian message. One of the work- with his wife asked the evanlivered in Arabic by the Coptic ers writes: gelist to help him to burn his Bishop of Beni Suef, are from "We have many out-schools idols. After this open profession the ancient Coptic Liturgy. All with African teachers in charge, of faith in Christ, the convert joined in the Lord's Prayer, and we are hoping to train asked that his son-in-law, who made unusually impressive by young evangelists each year. lived two days' journey away, the unique appeal of French, Only this week eight young men might be visited and told. As a English, Armenian, G r e e k, have been placed with good result he, too, asked that his Egyptian and German spoken teachers for twelve months' ex- fetishes should be destroyed, simultaneously. The address perience, after having had three while yet a third idolater folwas given by the Wakeel of the months' training. When they lowed suit. In this district a Patriarch on the subject of the have gained this practical ex- number of raw pagans who are reunion of Christendom. perience they will come in for being trained by the Government
as schoolmasters, are attending the spiritual life inth~ . whole enable the Protestant churches the missionary meetings. sec t ion has been. g rea t I y strengthened and· enriched ; to present a united front in their -The Life of Faith. many have been restored and many: others have been encour- governmental and other public Appreciation of Missions aged· to desire to return to the relations, and to unify the treat- Lord. -Congo Mission News. ment of legal matters. In eccle- The Governor General of the siastical and doctrinal matters Belgian Congo has expressed his WESTERN ASIA the different units composing the sincere appreciation of the excel- synod will retain independence. lent work performed by Prot- Christian School Contacts estant missions, and emphasized Social Changes in Iran the importance of their medical Two of the six members of the work done in cooperation with graduating class at Aleppo, Mrs. Cady Allen, Presbyterian the Government. He thanked Syria, Presbyterian High School missionary in Kermanshah. tells missions for the service they are girls. This may not seem how radically social life has were rendering to the colony, worthy of mention, but probably changed in Iran. and commented on the fine no, other high school in Syria Christian character of many of can make the same boast. Also, Men and their wives call and rethe Congo converts. He further two are Moslem boys; both will ceive callers to gether. At first it all assured the Council that no con- be speakers on the commence- seemed delightfully new and interestfessional discrimination would ment program, one in Arabic and ing, out I soon began to realize that be exercised in the choice of can- the other in French. Th~ father the men made most of the conversadidates for the medical schools of one of· them was a prisoner tion, the hostess was always too busy at Leopoldville or elsewhere, and during the recent nationalist serving the guests to sit down and Protestant boys attending these demonstrations in Syria. The really visit with us. Lately I have schools would be able to follow other is a nephew of one of the been to several parties where just their own religious instruction. high officials in the Department ladies were present, and they have all of Education. One of the great- seemed to enjoy the greater freedom The Governor does not con- est. ~periences these two Mos- and informality, for as yet they are sider the Evangelical Church in lemboys have ever had is their not at ease in mixed crowds. I am the; Congo strong enough to being in a class with two very glad for the removal of the veil be– $tand on its own feet. If, for nice Christian girls. cause I have felt quite a change in aIiy reason, the missionaries some of my friends-it seems as were recalled at this time to Moslem Morality League though they feel closer to us, more their own countries, leaving open and ready to take us into their their converts to struggle alone, A Morality Lea g u e, with lives, more ready to share with us native Christians would not long branches in the towns and vil- their problems. When I visited one withstand the backward pull of lages of Palestine, has been of my veiled friends, or walked with paganism. formed by Moslems under the her on the street, however near and name of "Do and Don't," to dear we might be to each other, there Church Discipline in the Congo maintain the purity of public was a difference. But now we visit morals and insure proper be- each other, or walk together on the Perhaps if the church at home havior in public. The league has street – the difference has disapwere as strict in discipline as the asked the Palestine Government peared. Congo .Church there would be to ban immoral theatrical perfew left on the roll. Native pas- formances. Doctors Go to Church tq1".S and elders are even more s~yere in such measures than ·:",Toward a United Front Here is a church with 10% of are the missionaries. its membership in the medical A plan of organization has profession. In Hamadan, Iran, Because of these very strict been agreed upon by the is a Protestant church with 150 rules about Christian life and churches at work in Syria. members, including Iranians behavior there are necessarily Churches affiliated with the who were former Moslems, Asmany backsliders. At Luebo, a British Reformed Presbyterian syrians, Armenians, Americans personal workers' class has been and the American Reformed and Jewish converts. Fifteen of organized, and each week every Presbyteri3n . miss ion s, the the members of this church are worker is given a list of five or Frie.nds' Yearly Meeting, the doctors and three of the four ten people to hunt up, talk with, Damascus Church of the Irish elders are doctors. This is partly pray with and endeavor to bring Presbyterian mission, the Lu- explained by the fact that in the back to the Lord. Responsibility theran churches connected with earlier years of medical mission for a neighbor's spiritual life is the Danish Mission to the Orient work,; before there was a gova new idea in the Congo, but it and the Evangelical Synod, are ernment. medical school, ambiis growing, and young men, represented in this move toward tious. young men were taken into working with pastors and .evan- unity. The chief purpose is to the mission hospital, and trained gelists, have Peen literally comb- as physicians by the medical ing Luebowith the ,result that missionaries. Most of· these young men, through their Chris- tian contacts and training, be- came earnest Christians them- selves, joined the church, and take an active part in the vari- ous departments.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
INDIA tian children, making it possible lems of Christian literature in Oonverts Among the Bhils for rural children to attend India is that of distribution, and school. Opposition has arisen to do this more effectively vari- The Bhils of Central India of- to the use of this grant and the ous experiments have bee n fer special opportunities for Legislative Council has voted to tried; among them is a motor evangelization. Their homogene- suspend all payment under the caravan provided by friends in ity and, comparative isolation present terms of the resolution. England. Throughout 1935 the make less difficult the spread of the Gospel; their concepts seem The fear has been expressed that caravan was touring India. It to have no subtleties that re- it would operate as an induce- started in the Madras Presidenquire explaining away before ment to members of the De- cy in January and during its they can accept the truth in pressed Classes to become Chris- two-and-a-half months there it Christ, and they respond eager- tians in order that their children sold 10,369 Scriptures. It spent ly to the Gospel. Furthermore, might receive a grant. Under April in the Mysore State, with the acceptance of Christ means the present agitated state of af- a circulation of 2,694 portions. no very great change in their fairs in India regarding the con- Then during May, June and general life. Simplicity is the v e r s ion of the Depressed July it was in the area of the order of their being. A change Classes, it is easy to understand Bombay Auxiliary, finishing in of religion is mostly a change that both Hindus and Moham- the Central Provinces. It was of loyalty; there is no social up- medans would oppose such a hampered by monsoon condi- grant. tions both in actual traveling heaval. and in its selling work, but 7,529 It is characteristic of the At present Hindus and Mo- portions were sold. It then hammedans are receiving over spent August and September in Bhils that so many new converts a hundred thousand 'l"Upees a the area of the North India Auxare eager to carry the message year in the United Provinces for iliary, with sales of 9,155 porto other members of their fam- the support of their communal tions. During the last quarter ily scattered over the villages of schools. -Indian Witness. of the year it was in the Punjab. the area. The need for arousing interest no longer exists; but Triplets in India One Ohamar's Witness teaching is required. The arrival of quintuplets The C. M. S. Outlook has an Where the question of a school would not have been welcomed account of a Chamar, who, two building has been raised, the at this Chamar home where a years ago had been led to Christ people themselves have come Bible woman reports that when through a Christian sweeper, triplets came the caste relatives and started a movement among forward with an offer to erect said: "No woman should have his own class. Through this it, and plans are being made to triplets. The mother must be man's testimony, C ham a r s secure a group of promising punished." The babies all died from neighboring villages be- Bhils who will be fitted to give in a few days, yet the punish- cause inquirers. A group of ment was given. The mother about fQrty";men and women elementary education. S u c h was ordered to bathe in the from two, villages expressed teachers will serve a group of sacred Narbudda River in order their desire to become Chris- to help atone for the sin she tians. Later, fierce persecution villages. must have committed in a past from the caste people partially At a conference, arranged by incarnation. The Panchayat stamped out the movement; but (council) of five demanded during the past year it has rethe Mid-India Christian Coun- twenty rupees, which the family vived and has spread from vilcil, it was decided to make an was too poor to pay. Then they lage to village. ' put the mother on a donkey and effort to secure the cooperation made it run to the home of its Many new Christians are of all Missions working among owner, a washerman. The par- learning to pray; the few who ents were informed that the bai can read are not only feeding on Bhils, with a view to coordinating methods of work, pooling experiences, and establishing common centers for training along special lines, wherever this may prove possible.
-National Christian Coun- could be rescued by the payment the Word of God themselves, but cil Review. ' of any amount which the wash- are teaching others; they are erman demanded. That, too, learning to give t,o God's work Rural Education Problem would be difficult. In vain the out of their, ,qeep poverty, to Bible woman tried to make them The Christians of India are stand persecution, and to win, greatly concerned because of the see the Christian ideal. difficulty in providing primary -World Call. others for Christ. None of them has yet been baptized, except education for the rural Chris- Literature Oaravan' the original Chamar. tian community. In the United Provinces the Government set The year 1935 brought a new Lucknow Ashram aside a sum of ten thousand venture in the work of the Brit- The latest development of the rupees (about $3,300) to be ish and Foreign Bible Society work, which Dr. E. Stanley used as scholarships for Chris- in India. One of the great prob- J ones has been doing among ed'-
ucated Indians for 22 years, has asked to be supplied with equip- Ohefoo School for Deaf been the founding of an Ashram ment for home treatment. This at Lucknow, from which medi- gave the missionaries the idea Those who contributed to the cal, educational and social work of establishing clinics in various Chefoo School for the Deaf have of various kinds is carried on. districts. Twenty of these have made it possible to keep in lt grew out of the Ashram which been opened, all under the super- school fourteen children from he had founded in the Himalayas vision of former leper patients, destitute homes, ten 0 the r s where some 200 people live to- treating more than 500 patients. whose relatives cannot pay more gether in Indian fashion. They The only cost involved is that of than five or ten dollars towards include, he said, Europeans and medicines, but no medicine is food, and fifteen who cannot pay Indians, Government officials given any group which fails to more than one-half the cost of and ardent nationalists, funda- report monthly on the number food. Fifteen of the children mentalists and modernists, con- of injections given. Practically come from homes where one or servatives and radicals, high all clinics show increased at- both parents have died. Fiftycaste and low. "Leave behind tendance, in some instances over five deaf children, eleven girls all race and class distinctions, 100%. and forty-four boys between the all ye who enter here," is one of ages of seven and seventeen, the mottoes on the wall. "Chris- One of the most important have made satisfactory progress tianity has many critics," says and encouraging features of the in learning the language neces- Dr. Jones, "but no rivals in the work is the evangelistic oppor- sary to communicate with their work of human redemption." tunity offered by these estab- home people. lished clinic groups. All the pa- Under the supervision of Dr. tients come from non-Christian An hOUl; and a half is spent on E. Stanley Jones and those as- homes, but the majority, upon Saturday mornings in preparing sociated with him in the Ash- leaving, have accepted Christ. for the Bible lessons which they ram, a series of pamphlets and Christian centers have thus been have on Sunday. One little boy tracts on the Christian message established and two churches from a very poor home in the is being prepared for mailing, have been built. country asked for a Bible when month by month, to the leaders leaving for vacation. As he had of the Depressed Classes and the -Siam Outlook. been in school only two years, aboriginal tribes of I n d i a, his ability to read it was quesgroups numbering perhaps 70,- OHINA tioned, but when by the use of 000,000 people. speech, writing and pantomime, Successful Preaching he made it plain that he would Among the first materials not knock his head to idols and printed and mailed are: the Rev. R. W. Porteous, of the he wanted to learn how to pray Gospel of St. Luke, with helpful C. I. M. Bible Training Institute to the true God in Heaven, he comments and the story of Ditt, at Nanchang, reports that a new was given a copy of the Gospels, a humble Chuhra convert, who Gospel Hall has been opened and and his delight was unbounded. refused to be segregated in the a chapel seating 200. The Gosmission compound, and led, un- pel message has been delivered -Chefoo School Report. der God, a mighty movement of there to attentive crowds almost his former caste fellows into the every night for four months and OhTist Speaks Through the Christian Church. hundreds have indicated their East desire to accept Christ as their -Christian Advocate. Saviour. This provides oppor- An American woman who has tunity for students to do per- lived fifteen years in China, Leper Olinics in Siam sonal work. Two student bands Miss Helen W. Dutton, testifies were assigned to evangelize two to the contributions which that Various estimates of the num- neighboring markets and as a country has made to her life; ber of lepers in Siam have been result several families destroyed best of all, she says, her discovmade from time to time, but their idols. ery of the Christ of the East, none of these is accurate. Fear the Jesus who bade men go the of discovery, leading to ostra- Mr. Porteous writes: second mile; who bade men forcism, persecution, and much give their brother unto seventy suffering, causes large numbers God has been doing a great work times seven; who told men to to go into hiding or to cover all among the wounded soldiers in the love God and their neighbor as signs of their affliction as long military hospitals in the city. Many themselves, who told the rich as possible. However, an esti- have responded to the Gospel appeal, man to sell all his goods and feed mate of 20,000 is approximately though quite a number who, we be- the poor if he would gain the correct. lieve, were saved, did not have an Kin g do m of Heaven'; who opportunity to De baptized before sou g h t the lost sheep and The number of patients being they were called to rejoin their regi- brought it to the fold again; who treated at present in leprosy ments, be discharged. or return to bade men lose their lives for hospitals in Siam is less than their homes; we had, however, the others that they might save 1,000, or only 5% of the esti- joy of seeing 114 baptized in the them – this Jesus the East unmated leper population. For C. 1. M. Church. These have all left derstands and will accept. "The the past three or four years for other provinces or different parts most of the patients on leaving of Kiangsi, and some to their homes, but each with aNew Testament or Bible in his kit.
-The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Oriental is truly a literalist," Christian training to the chil- Chinese democracy, which is so real as to be unconscious, all meet together says Miss Dutton. "He expects dren and youth of China. Their not only for service but enjoy meetto see in an individual who calls pupils represent 950,000 Protes- ing afterwards, and do so with great himself Christian those qualities tant Christian families. savoir taire. The group is often which Jesus called 'blessed.' Let Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, in joined by lamas, some of whom come him exemplify those traits in his his report on financial conditions from very distant lamaseries in Tibet.
daily living-he will have no in China, fully corroborates the Students' Problems substitute. . . . I see more of report of the American Econom- the gentle, patient Jesus in these ic Mission that "a vast change Prof. D. L. Phelps was recent- Eastern friends of mine. I am is coming over China, a modern- ly asked to address a mid-week glad for my years in China, ization that as compared with assembly at West China Union where I have come to under- ten or even five years ago marks University, Chengtu. He asked stand bet t e r the Oriental many centuries." This opinion the students to send in questions -Advance. is confirmed by those familiar about religion in advance, and Christ."
Child Slavery Today with conditions in widely sepa- in the hour allotted, attempted rated provinces; beyond ques- to answer them. So many ques- It is thirteen years since Mr. tion, China's youth is in the fore- tions were handed in that Prof. Winston Churchill told the front of the struggle for prog- Phelps was given the following House of Commons that he in- ress. week's assembly hour.
tended to abolish child slavery The determined attack upon Dr. H. Bruce Collier of the in the British possession of the opium scourge is part of this faculty analyzed these questions Hongkong within one year-and effort for national salvation. and found that they could be distill the evil continues. A spe- Mr. Hoo, the Chinese delegate vided into five groups: funda- at Geneva, stated last May that mental questions of God, prayer, cial commission has now been nearly 1,000 drug addicts, and meaning of religion, 29 per cent; sent out from England to look drug traffickers were shot in doctrines, miracles and superinto the whole problem. It is China last year. The life of the stitions, 23 per cent; personal doubtful whether there is any- Chinese nation, he added, de- relations to religion, and personthing within the realm of slave pended upon victory in this fight systems so revolting as child again opium. -World Survey. al benefits, 20 per cent; necesslavery-the sale of thousands sity of religion, and uniqueness of little girls say of five years of "Central Asia Trio" of Christianity, 14 per cent; poage, at half-a-crown apiece- litical problems, 14 per cent.
bought for "appreciation" – The British Weekly publishes The largest percentage related bought for sale again at eight to to the nature of God and prayer. ten years of age, for drudgery- a letter from Miss Mildred Ca- Typical questions were: ble, written July 1 from Kansu or worse, without the glimmer province, where she and her col- "Why do you believe in God 1" of an understanding of what leagues, the Misses Francesca "What is the real meaning of awaits them. The cruelties im- and Evangeline French, have prayer?" "Can religion really posed upon them are of such na- arrived after their journey ture that pUblication of them through the Gobi desert. She discover the 'way out' that is the would be prohibited in the Brit- goal of all life?" There were ish press. writes: several very searching ques- tions: A wealthy Chinese gentleman, We have left the "great and terrible "Jesus said that 'whosoever desert" behind us for the fifth time. shall smite thee on the right who has decided to devote his As Christ's ambassadors we have been life and means to the abolition able to tell the Good News in every cheek, turn to him the other alof this gigantic evil, declares oasis on the main trade route. We so.' Now Japan has occupied by that there are more than 4,000,- have had a most touching welcome force our three eastern prov- 000 pitiable little slaves within everywhere. The people last saw us inces ; should we not take the China proper; probably there hurrying away from the "Thunder- five northern provinces and give bolt" and his troops, and many saw are about 10,000 in British me on that same journey with my them to Japan, too?" And "The head bandaged, after the bad kick Powers of Europe and America Hongkong and Malaya. It is which a donkey belonging to a Moslem the job of this new commission gave me. The fact that we have re- are nations that worship God. turned after all this has made many Why, then, are they guilty of to discover their numbers and whereabouts, and to propose to realize. the urgency of our commission. acts of aggression toward the Weare now once again in Tunh- weaker nations?" the government means for put- wang, the City of Sands, and have ting down the unholy traffic go- been able to revisit the beautiful Lake The experiment revealed the ing on between Chinese in China of the Crescent Moon and the Cave of type of religious problem wmch and Chinese inhabitants in Brit- the Thousand Buddhas. occupies the student thought.
ish territories. Every afternoon we hold a service -United Church Record. -The Chronicle. in the large room of our rented house Difficult Mongolia -we call it the Blue Palace. You Changes Show Progress would be interested in the crowd which Seventy-nine missionary soci- gathers there. It always includes a Work among Mongols was strange variety of listeners, from beg- started about a century ago, and gar maids to the wives of the prineties are engaged in giving cipal military officials. Thanks to taken up afresh by James Gil-
mour in 1885. A little over a prohibition was continued for blow to the propagation of civic year ago the new capital of In- another five years, which came idealism; but many older, exner Mongolia was opened at to an end on March 31, 1936. perienced missionaries hold that Pailingmiao formerly a caravan During that period it is esti- "preaching, teaching and philancenter, but nothing more. Mis- mated that the village has saved thropy" sum up the missionary's sionary work had never been 173,000 yen, although most other whole duty, and they disapprove carried on there, but Prince Teh villages have "gone into the all activities capable of arousing Wang granted permission on red." Of this sum, 45,000 yen political suspicions. this occasion. The opposition was spent on the new school, from the lamas caused the lib- 50,000 yen on new homes, 74,000 -New York Times. erty previously granted to be re- yen was invested in cooperative stricted, but good s e r vic e s associations, and 4,000 yen in Rural Newspaper Evangelism among the Mongols, and much the postal savings bank. In adinterest in the Gospel are re- dition, the mayor proudly re- Dr. Daniel C. Buchanan of ported. For several months a ports that the children of the vil- Kyoto finds a wide field for rural Bible Class was carried on lage are better fed and clothed, new spa per evangelism. He among government secretaries, that the children's death rate as writes: and medical treatment has been well as the general death rate given. Today, Pailingmiao is has decreased, that the number The personal interview is the methdeveloping rapidly and boasts a of persons seeking medical at- od par excellence in our work of newstemple, with more than 1,000 tention has decreased 40ro, that paper evangelism in rural districts. lamas. lawsuits, illegitimacy, crime, If a member lives in another part of gambling, police court cases and the Empire, too far away for us to JAPAN election offenses have been done call on him when the time seems away with. propitious, we send his name and ad- "Year of the Monkey" dress to the nearest missionary or -Japan Christian Quarterly. Japanese pastor with the request that Once every twelve years comes he call on the inquirer and try to get the "Year of the Monkey," when American Missionary him linked up with some church. young people ask "whom shall I Excluded Those members who live in our field copy this year?" with a some- we try to call on as often as possible. what sincere belief that thus The refusal of the police to We also encourage them to come to they may improve. The seventy- readmit into Japan Rev. Dr. J. our office whenever they visit the city, five children in the Morning Spencer Kennard, American Thus we have found that the best Star Kindergarten at Yamagu- Baptist missionary, is in the na- way to win a man for Christ is to chi do not wait for the twelfth ture of a bombshell. It is have heart to heart talks with him, year. When they "play kinder- thought there may be a blacklist pray frequently with and for him, garten" there is the piano teach- of other American missionaries and love him into the Kingdom. er, the teacher who leads the cir- suspected of anti-war or labor cle hour and the one who con- sympathies. These missionaries Newspaper evangelism is es- 'ducts the prayer period. The do not expect to be deported, but tablishing groups which willlatlittle mimics do not forget to be fear their next furlough may er develop into churches. The gentle and smiling; the three terminate their careers in J a- work is carried on through ad- 'real teachers looking on are pan. They are social workers of vertising in newspapers and struck by the skill in mimicry, Kagawa's type, but the police mag a z i n e s, correspondence, smiling as they see themselves draw a distinction between a na- monthly magazines sent free of so perfectly portrayed with all tive, like Dr. Kagawa, and for- charge to all members of the their little mannerisms. It is eigners who come on what many church and for three months to not to be wondered at when they Japanese consider the superflu- all inquirers who have not joined say to one another. "Well, if ous mission of bringing Japan a the church, by tract distribution, they copy even us as closely as new religion. and through a loan library, as that, we'll have to see to it that well as through the use of sterewe lead them to copy in all seri- There is no fear that any mis- opticon and moving pictures, ousness the One who is Best." sionaries will run personal risk and personal interviews. or find their freedom of preach- A Model Village ing interferred with, but in the Christian Literature future they will have to' avoid . .A notable experiment in tem- quasi-political activities, such as A group of far sighted misperance was made by the village the propagation of peace or in- sionaries and Japanese Christian of Kawaidani. In 1925, the ternational idealism of the type leaders began in January, 1935, mayor proposed that the village represented by the Fellowship of as one of the activities of the "go dry" for a period of five Reconciliation and kindred or- Christian Literature Society, a years in order to rebuild the vil- ganizations. They may preach Central Christian Library to lage school, which had been de- their faith and teach English, house a collection of Christian stroyed in a fire. So successful but nothing more. A number of books, especially those published was the plan that the term of younger missionaries regard the in Japan since the beginning of police action as a shattering Protestant work. About 4,000 columes have been purchased or received as gifts to date and cat- alogued, the expenses being met largely by Japanese Christians.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Some of the books assembled are voted to intensive. teaching of safe now," but really because of records of martyrdoms, others what the Christian life means. their deep-rooted pagan fear tell of methods of expressing the that if they move away, the spir- Gospel. A reading room well – Watchman-Examiner. supplied with reference books in its of the 73 who were killed will English for the use of clergy, ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC pursue and punish them. Bible students and evangelists; commentaries, dictionaries, etc., Samoan Schools Due to the perseVerance of and a loan library by mail for the Rev. Clifford Nobes, the prodistant workers is part of the For nearly a century the peo- vincial government has taken a ultimate plan. ple of Samoa have been able to hand and by the latest report read and write their own lan- has given the people thirty days Another timely piece of work guage, through the untiring ef- to move away, promising help in Christian literature is the ag- forts of their own Samoan vilgressive program of the five- lage pastors, who have acted al- in moving expenses and in getyear-old Brotherhood of St. An- so as village schoolmasters. In ting new land. The situation is drew in Japan. More than 22,- addition to ordinary school sub- really perilous for there are big 000 copies of the Forward Move- jects the boys are given practiment booklets, adapted and cal training in agriculture, car- new cracks in the mountainside, translated from the American pentry, music and craft work. waiting for a typhoon to start series, have been printed and It is the secret desire, however, more slides. distributed throughout the 271 of nearly every schoolboy to beparishes and missions of the come some day an ordained pas- Protestant Strength in Episcopal Church. tor. Philippines -The Living Church. There are two schools for The National Christian Coun- girls; the one at Papauta ac- cil of the Philippines gives the Result of Teacher's Testimony commodates 150, who enter only on recommendation of village following numerical strength of Mr. Sakata, Principal of the pastors. The school itself is a Protestantism in the Islands: Mary L. Colby School for Girls village where all food supplies in Yokohama, arranged a series are grown on the hillside planta- United Evangelical Church 42,910. of evangelistic meetings with tions and the girls take their (including all members in 82,910. Mr. Kimura. Thirty-five years part in caring for the gardens. regions w her e Presbybefore, Mr. Sakata, a young sol- All practical training can be car- terian, Congregational and 18,0.0.0. dier about to be called into serv- ried out by the girls in their own United Brethren mission- 15,0.0.0., ice, was converted by Mr. Ki- homes when they leave school, 10.,0.0.0. mura and made up his mind that after four or five years' resi- aries are serving) …… . 8,0.0.0. instead of spending his life kill- dence. Methodist Episcopal …… . ing people he would spend it 2,50.0. showing them how to live. Al- Atauloma school has the three- Iglesia Evangelica Metodista most immediately he was called fold aim of helping the students, en las Islas Filipinas …. 250. to Manchuria and was there for finding ways for them to help the ten years. When he came back school and of keeping in touch Iglesia Evangelica de Cristo he trained himself to become a after they leave. Graduates Christian teacher. work to give financial aid. By Baptist ..•……….•….. bazaars or direct giving from Mr. Kimura told of going to their funds they have raised Disciples of Christ ……. . see the young man off when he enough to give four Aladdin was about to leave for Man- lamps for the main hall, £14 to- Association of Baptists for churia. He clasped his hand, ward other improvements. Evangelism in the Orient never expecting to see him again, but God had work for him -L. M. S. Chronicle. Philippine-Borneo Faith Misand brought him back. sion …………..•….. Typhoon Damage The effect of this story was Total …………….. 179,570. direct and fruitful. Almost the With the return of typhoon whole school stood to indicate season in the Philippines, it will "God Hath Spoken" that they too wanted to follow be recalled that last year a great Christ. Mr. Sakata had them landslide buried 73 people in the In a letter received recently go to their class rooms and town of Balogang, near Sagada. from a worker in the Philippine there, if they so desired, they At the time and ever since then Islands, the following story is were to write out their decision, the missionaries at Sagada have told: signing their names. When they been trying to get the remaining were counted there were 307. people of the town to move to a "Soon after our arrival here Committees set to work imme- new site, but the old men, domi- we came across a young man diately and the result is that nating the situation, have re- who had no other book except there is one period a week de- fused, ostensibly because "it is the booklet 'God Hath Spoken.' In all his conversations with his friends he always tried to find God's guidance in this little book, so much so that his friends gave him the nickname An Dios Nag- yakan. Needless to say he soon became an Evangelical Chris- tian, and the proud possessor of aNew Testament." This booklet is issued by the Scripture.Gift Mission in many languages.
-Life of Faith.
MISCELLANEOUS pointing out that the Bible is not those in Japan, Canada, Aus- Faith Missions· merely a Protestant book, as so tralia, South Africa and other often alleged. The remarkable countries. A large proportion A recently published pamphlet thing is that her work is com- of the South African police are summarizes the service of pop- mended by the Cardinal Arch- members of the Association, and ularly called Faith Missions. bishop of Paris. The movement about 1,000 joined last year, The Interdenominational For- had its origin in Italy, where a while more than that number of eign Mission Association of Waldensian pastor describes it New Testaments were circulated North America was formed in as a real Reformation within the among the men, besides thou- 1917 by a group of foreign mis- Catholic Church. Roman Cath- sands of tracts and leaflets. In sionary societies that were not olic writers have also been draw- Japan the work has gradually denominationally related, but ing attention to archreological been becoming more difficult, which held identical doctrinal discovery and its bearing upon chiefly because the police are convictions and adhered to sim- the truth of the Bible. under the military authorities. -The Christian. Each week Captain Gerrard ilar missionary principles and visits the Tokyo Police Training practices. Prayer fellowship, Jews of the World School, where he distributes conferences concerning mission- tracts and Testaments among ary policy, and united appeal for Jews throughout the world to- 200 men. When the men leave world evangelization are aims day number 16,291,000 as com- they are often drafted to remote of the organization. pared with an estimated 4,200,- country villages, and may be the 000 in 1850, according to a sum- only possessors of God's .Word Listed in the order of their in the place. inception, the sixteen societies mary of the work of the noted Jewish statistician, Dr. Erwin There is also a work for wives that are now members of the Rawicz, appearing in the C.-V. of policemen.-The Christian. Association are: The Woman's Zeitung, of Berlin. The rapid Union Missionary Society of America, the China Inland Mis- increase coincides with the A Century's Achievements sion, the India Christian Mis- emancipation of the Jews in sion, the South African General most European countries and the The American Baptist For- Mission, the Central American growth of industrialization, it is eign Mission Society sums up Mission, the Sudan Interior declared, following a heavy de- its achievements of the past cen- Mission, the Ceylon and India crease in the Jewish population tury in a comparison of figures General Mission, the Africa In- in the previous twenty or which include the work of both land Mission, the Bible House of twenty-five centuries. Since the General and the Women's Los Angeles, the Inland South 1800 the general population of Societies: America Missionary Union, the Europe rose from just below Number of missionaries 1836 1935 Bolivian Indian· Mission, the 190 millions to some 500 millions on the foreign fields. 46 590 today. The summary shows Number of organized 3,226 North East India General Mis- 352,413 sion, the Evangelical Union of that there were about three Jews churches ……….. 9 South America, the American per thousand in 1800, about Members of churches abroad …………. 888 European Fellowship, the Ori- seven in 1900, and about eight Number of schools of all 4,372 in 1935. grades ….•…….. 11 noco River Mission and the 10,529 The Jewish population of Number of native work- 32 Latin America Evangelization Great Britain, according to the Campaign. ers ………..•..•. Number of hospitals .. , '" The pamphlet contains a list survey, is 340,000. The Jewish NumiJer of dispensaries … 55 of the officiary of each Mission, population of Germany is given Patients treated …… '" 344,560 and a brief statement concern- as 400,000, compared with an The number of baptisms by ing each society's origin, aim estimated 550,000 at the time of decades indicates the steady and ministry. Copies of the Hitler's advent to power. Jews growth on the mission fields: pamphlet may be secured with- in Palestine numbered 395,000 in 1935-1844 ………•……. 6,653 out cost from the headquarters 1855-1864 …•………•… 12,617 1935. By continents, there were 1875-1884 …………….. 42.,762 of the various mission agencies 1895-1904 …………….. 68,375 listed, or from the Secretary of 9,736,000 Jew in Europe, includ- 1915-1924 …………….. 125,743 the Association, George H. Dow- ing Turkey in Asia and Russia; 1925-1934 …………….. 187,536 knott, 113 Fulton Street, New 560,000 in Africa; 936,000 in York, N. Y. Asia; 5,031,000 in North and Many churches have developed -The King's Business. South America; and 27,000 in their own leadership; among Australia and New Zealand. these are the Chekiang Shang- Bible Reading for Catholics hai Baptist Convention, East A "back-to-the-Bible" tend- -The Jewish Chronicle. Japan Baptist Convention, the Convention of Philippine Bap- International Christian Police ency is noted among Catholics. Founded 53 years ago the In- tist Churches, Inc., the All- A noted archreologist's wife- a ternational Christian Police As- Burma Baptist Convention and Roman Catholic-has published sociation is now world-wide in the Bengal-Orissa B apt i s t some booklets, commending the its activities, and binds the Yearly Meeting. -Watchman-Examiner. reading of the Word of God, and Christian police in England with Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Indian Thought and Its Development. its world- and life-negation in If we must look for another, By Albert Schweitzer. Translated its later development. The book by Mrs. Charles E. B. Russell. pp. is thought-provoking, and is what about the thought of Jesus 272. Price, $2.50. Henry Holt and Company. New York. 1936. packed with accurate informa- Christ? Paul's philosophy was tion regarding the philosophy Dr. Schweitzer has distin- and history of Indian thought. based on it and is still valid and guished himself as philosopher, musician, and doctor in the equa- We believe, however, that the potent. S. M. ZWEMER. torial primeval forests of Africa. author does not place due em- He tells us that Indian thought phasis on the debt of Western Levucka Days. By C. W. Whonsbon attracted him from his youth, es- thought to Christianity. The er- Aston. pp. 95, Paper, 40 cents. pecially through the writings of ror of Hinduism and Buddhism Society for Promoting Christian Schopenhauer and his conviction is not world- and life-negation Knowledge. London. that Indian ethics were con- only, but the denial of worldcerned with the behavior of man and life-reality. In Jesus Christ This small book recounts the in relation to all living beings we have both the affirmation and experiences of a clergyman of and not mer~ly to his fellow negation. His disciples are not the Church of England who man. to be taken out of the world, but spent three years in the Fiji to be kept from the evil that is Islands. The Bishop of Polyne- He speaks of in the world. The Son of Man sia writes a commendatory in- came eating and drinking. The troduction. The narrative illus- "the difficulty of describing defi- world and life in the New Testa- trates the various interests and nite lines i)f development in a ment are not maya, illusion, but problems which face a missionphilosophy which possesses in so re- a great reality. We are not to ary in a field which includes numarkable a degree the will and the leave the world, but to overcome merous islands separated by ability not to perceive contrasts as the world. Weare not to sup- broad ocean spaces in which such, and allows ideas of heteroge- press life, but to seek its fullest navigation is rendered dangerneous character to subsist side by side development. The things that ous by currents and coral reefs. and even brings them into connection are seen are real, but they are with each other. But I believe that also temporal. The things that A. J. BROWN. we, the people of the West, shall only are not seen are real and eternal. rightly comprehend what Indian There is only one reference to Korean Young Folks. By Frederick thought really is and what is its sig- Paul's philosophy and ethics, and S. Miller. pP. 189. $2.00. Fleming nificance for the thought of all man- the author always uses the word H. Revell. New York. 1936. kind, if we succeed in gaining an in- Jesus, not Christ, when referring sight into its processes." to our Lord. These glimpses of life in Ko- rea are not dry descriptions but Beginning with a comparison At the close of the preface the are a series of interesting of Western and Indian thought, sketches of real young people. Dr. Schweitzer sketches the rise reader is told that neither in With such quaint names as of world- and life-negation in Western nor in Indian thought White Dragon, Great Mountain, the Vedas, the teaching of the Seven Stars, Jewel and the like, Upanishads, the rise of Jainism, do we find the ideal or the final- these young folks figure largely Buddhism and its later develop- ity. in the stories of country and vilment outside of India. There are lage life. The reader learns also chapters on present-day "For there must indeed arise a about rice farming and fuel cut- Hinduism, the Bhagavad Gita, philosophy profounder and more liv- ting, paper-making and house and modern Indian thought. ing than our own and endowed with building, how candy and puffed greater spiritual and ethical force. In rice are made and how kites are The basic distinction between this terrible period through which flown; about weddings and fu- Western thought and that of In- mankind is passing, from the East nerals and ancestor worship. dia is that the former makes th~ and from the West we must all keep affirmation of the world and life, a lookout for the coming of this more We read about Seven Stars while the latter makes its nega- perfect and more powerful form of who butted the goat; about Pigtion. This negation, he holds, is thought which will conquer the hearts gie who rolled off the bridge in void of ethical value, and there- of individuals and compel whole peo- his sleep; about Skylark the donfore Hinduism itself, and more ples to acknowledge its sway. It is for this that we must strive." key who could bray noiselessly especially Buddhism, modified and helped distribute tracts by holding them in his lips; about Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the RllvIllW publishers on receipt of price.
[619 ] Kim the gambler and how he ficial relationships brought him ger. It is a true picture of that knew he was a Christian; the into contact. ARTHUR J. BROWN. heroic type of work which has narrow escape of Pak who wouldn't hit back, and a score of Christian Giving. By Clarence Ed- been done in Brazil for more than ward Macartney, D.D. 15 cents. other stories of humor and Zondervan Publishing House, Grand half a century. The author, Wilpathos, rascality and heroism Rapids. 1936. liam Anglin, himself a legiti- mate descendant in the long line and victorious Christian living. Children and adults alike will This is a sermori-;nd – the of missionary pioneers, has writ- ten these simple stories of conread with profit and pleasure preacher being Dr. Macartney- version to give a fresh sense of how a missionary works, how the saving grace of our Lord and Gospels and tracts are distrib- it is in approved sermonic style, the wonderful power of His Gosuted, how Christ changes lives, pel. It will inform, and inspire how Christians testify to non- Scriptural, clear, cogent. It is the reader and stimulate a great- Christians and how and why the er missionary passion. Gospel spreads in a foreign well that it has been published, land. J. E. MORELAND. so as to reach a wider audience. Those who have been enter- Ethiopia. By John H. Shaw, Consul tained and instructed by reading Giving is, of course, only a seg- General of Ethiopia. HOur Korean Friends," by the same author, a veteran mission- ment of the circle of Christian This paper-covered booklet on ary in Korea, will need no urg- Ethiopia, comprising ninety-five ing to secure his new book. Stewardship which Jesus pre- pages, is, as the author states ir his Introduction, an attempt "to WALTER C. ERDMAN. sented whole in his teaching, but portray an honest, truthful pic- ture of this comparatively un- Across the Years. By Charles Sted- giving is the trait Hlikest God known Christian empire, with a man Macfarland. An Autobiog- short outline of the historic raphy. pp. 367. $2.75. The Mac- within the Soul," and it deserves background, the natural re- millan Company. New York. 1936. sources, the people, the govern- to be stressed in "at least a ser- ment, and some of the undercur- Dr. Macfarland was for sev- rents that have led to the preseral years secretary of the Fed- mon every year," as Dr~ Mac- ent difficulties." The aim is too eral Council of the Churches of broad to be carried out success- Christ in America, a post to artney plans, making this the fully in so short a volume and which he was called from a Con- the book as a result is very gregational pastorate in 1911, first of the series. D. McC. sketchy. when forty-five years of age. The Federal Council was then a new A Story of Child Life in Old Peking. The author is very open in his venture, small, weak and with By Margaret Rossiter White. pp. pro-Ethiopian sympathies and no dependable revenue. It was 91. $1.0Q, cloth. Fleming H. Revell makes many statements highly strenuously opposed by some de- Ci. New York. 1936. commending the Emperor Haile nominations and by many min- Selassie The First. Had it been Every child who likes a good story will find this one of the best. In picturing the home life of a well-to-do Chinese family the author gives the pattern of Chinese culture and civilization in a way that the grown-up, as well as the child, will find inter- esting; and the result cannot but develop a bond of under- standing between the races.
H.B. F.
isters and I a y men in the Stories From Brazil. By William possible for the author to place churches which gave it scanty Anglin. With eleven illustrations. this book on the market before support. But its secretary 96 pages. $1. Pickering and Inglis. proved to be a born promoter, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh. the cataclysmic downfall of the: Ethiopian Empire the book and was strongly reenforced by In Brazil there are two dis- would have filled a greater need the growing demand for unity tinct types of missionary work. than at present. Events moved and cooperation in Christian The first is carried on in the so rapidly that even this booklet, work. By his energy and execu- great centers of population and published in 1936, is out of date. tive ability Dr. Macfarland de- at certain points along the At- The predictions made, such as veloped the Council into a large lantic coast where civilization "this nation of warriors would and influential organization. and customs are only slightly fight to the bitter end. The After twenty years, he retired dissimilar to those of North Ethiopian Empire can only be in 1931 as Secretary Emeritus. America. The second is being subdued by killing every man Now, at the age of seventy, he carried on, for the most part, and woman in it" ,have proven reviews his life's work, describ- among the more backward sec- false and the author is no doubt ing his early career and varied tions of the population. as keenly disappointed in the personal experiences, and the These "Stories from Brazil" unexpected collapse of the mocontroversies in which he and relate distinctly to the second rale of the Ethiopian army and the Federal Council were often type. They bear the authentic the flight of Emperor, and as involved. Of special interest is stamp of pioneer missionary ex- disillusioned in the outcome of his account of the various inter- perience, including travel after the struggle and the altruism of denominational and internation- the most primitive fashion and protector nations, as is the al movements of recent decades preaching the Gospel to under- writer of this review, who has and the eminent men in America privileged people, despite 'Perse- himself spent five years in and Europe with whom his of- cution and ever imminent dan- Ethiopia. STUART BERGSMA, M.D.
Booles Popular Commentary on the Interna- An Unusual New
tional Sunday School Lessons. As I Saw Africa. Eva Alice Springer. 1937. 90 cents. 224 pp. Revell. MY BELOVED ARMENIA 243 pp. }>owell & White. Cincin- New York. By MARIE S. BANKER nati, Ohio. . The King's Palace. Pen Pictures A thrilling testimony of her jrirlhood days Almanacs-Daily Light, 13hd.; Our from Ephesians. H. E. Anderson. in the caves of Armenia hiding from the Home, 1d.; Bible Almanac, 2d. 125 pp. 18. Pickering & Inglis. Turks, the suffering of her people in the Pickering & Inglis. London. London. deserts, her remarkable escapes from death, her perilous trip to Smyrna at the time of China Year Book. Edited by H. G. With Christ Into Tomorrow. Hunter the World War, the loyalty of her parents Woodhead. 510 pp. North China B. Blakely. 1GO pp. GO cents. Pres- to Christ, and the persecutions whIch the Daily News and Herald Co., Uni- byterian Committee of Publication. Armenians endured even unto death. Cusversity of Chicago Press, Chicago. Richmond, Va. toms of the Turks described and their hatred of Armenians revealed. Remarkable an- Christians in Other Lands. Compiled China Calling. Frank Houghton. 200 swers to prayer recordet!. How Got! supby Dorothy M. Horne. lB. 6d. pp. $1.00 cloth; 50 cents paper. plied her needs folt!. S. P. G. in F. P. London. China Inland Mission. Philadelphia and Toronto. Intensely Interestln,. and unusually Informing. True to life but reads Calendars-Daily Meditation~ lB. 6d.; The China Inland Mission. like fiction. Stimulatinl to faitb and Golden Grain, lB. 3d.; Golaen Text, By Love Compelled. The Call of the Christian fortitude. lB. 3d.; Daily Manna, lB.; Grace & Trust, lB.; Young Folks Calendar, China Inland Mission. Marshall Beautifully bound in blue cloth ,gold letter- lB.; Pickering & Inglis. London. Broomhall. 12G pp. 85 cents. China i1B, tinted edges; attractive two-color jacket; Inland Mission. Toronto and Phila- illustrated; photo of author; 208 pages; The Church and the Churches. Karl delphia. $1.25. Barth. 92 pp. 75 cents. Wm. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., Grand Rapids, Obituary Not.. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THIS Mich. OUTSTANDING BOOK!
THE BIBLE INSTITUTE COLPORTAGE ASS'N 848 N. Wells St. Chicago, Ill. David and Jonathan. Lucy Laing. (C01UJluded from sd cO'IJer.) 9G pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. and director of Indian missions. He Dr. William S. Bovard, Secretary London. was the author of "Mormonism, the of the Methodist Board of Education from 1924-1932, and since then the Golden Grain Almanac. Small-type • • • Islam of America" and other books. head of the Board's promotion work edition, 2d. and Gd.; large-type Bishop Wilbur Patterson Thir- until his retirement last June, died at edition, ~d. and lB. Pickering & kield, retired, of the Methodist Epis- Sierra Madre, California, on Septem- Inglis. LI. ~don. copal Church, leader in Negro educa· ber 16. tion in the United States, died on ••• Golden Grah'. Diary. Vest-pocket November 9th, after several months' edition. lB. to G8. Gd.; Standard Hon. Hampei Nagao and Rev. M. Edition, lB. t<. GB. Gd. Pickering & • • illness at 82 years of age. Inglis. Londoh. Akazawa, two Japanese Christian • High Lights in the Near East. leaders, died recently. The former Reminiscences of nearly 40 years' Col. George Wingate, the founder used his political influence to further service. Abdul-Fady (A. T. Up- of the Central Asian Mission, and a the temperanee cause; and the latter son) • 128 pp. 28. 6d. Marshall, highly honored Christian and promot- was Bishop of the Methodist Church. Morgan & Scott. London. er of Christian work, died recently in England at the age of 84. He was Mexico Today. Col. Irving Speed a member of the board of the Regions Wallace. 364 pp. $2.00. Meador Beyond Missionary Union. Pub. Co. Boston. JUST OFF THE PRESS! My Robber-Captain. C. G. Kilpper. 166 pp. $1.00. Wm. B. Eerdmans The Presbyterian .!,mn~ Pub. Co. Grand Rapids.
New Testament Principles and Mod- A weekly religious newspaper in of tbt ern Missions. By a Missionary its lo6th year of continuous pub- Secretary. Gd. 22 pp. World Do- (!Cbri~tian minion Press. London.
New Testament Commentary. Edited lication under the same name. 1Lift by Herbert C. Allerman. United Lutheran Pub. House. Philadel- It is conservative and evangel- ell BOOK of worship in song, com- phia,l'a. ical, gets its news by telegraph bining a hymnal for general and keeps abreast of the times. church use, and a song book for evan- Portuguese East Africa-A Study of gelistic purposes. Owy songs sound Its Religious Needs. Eduardo Mor- It goes into every state of the in the faith and inspirational-in char- eira. 104 pp. 28. Gd. World Do- Union, the District of Columbia, acter included•••emphasizing Evangel- minion Press. London. and U. S. possessions. ism, Missions, and the Deeper Life. Many of the new._.the best of the old. Reftections of a Pioneer. W. R. S. It goes to Asia and Africa, South Miller. 58. 22G pp. C. M. S. Lon- America, Canada and New Zealand don.
The Silent Oak. Armine Gabriel. 298 pp. $2.50. RevelL New York.
What Maurice Found. Laura A. and into twelve countries of Eu- Barter-Snow. 189 pp. lB. Gd. rope. Pickering & Inglis. London. 504 Songs Responsive Readings Why Quit Our Own. Geo. N. Peek, Subscription Price, • • .' $2.50 Samuel Crowther. D. Van Nos- Ministerial Rate, • • • $2.00 Topical Index Gold Embossed trand Co., New York. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth Christmas in Other Lands. Compiled 50e. extra..·Canadian postage by Dorothy M. Horne. Illus. 63 $1.00 extra•••foreign postage edition only at $65.00 per lOQ….·an especially pp. lB. Gd. S. P. G. in F. P. Lon- low price. Single copy, SSe. postpaid. don. THE PRESBYTERIAN Write todal/ fOT .etumable sample cop, 11'11 Through the Eye to the Heart. 1217 Market: St:reet, Philadelphia, Pa. j Edited br Hy Pickerin~. 28. 1G4 CHRISTIAN PUBUCATIONS. pp. PIckering & Ingbs. London. INCORPORATED Third and Reily Streets Harrisburg, Pa.
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The Missionary Review of the World — November 1935
1935
Conquest By Healing in Ethiopia T. A. Lambie Christianity in the New India Richard Burges Crucial Issues in Latin America .
John A. Mackay .
The March of Events in·Mexico Kenneth G. Grubb The Harvest in Hyderabad, Deccan Charles W. Posnett German Neo-Pagan Faith Movement w. O. Lewis Can We Interest Men in Missions?
George A. Brown 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yeat'
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November 3-9-Christian Home Week. C. T. Studd, Cricketer and Pioneer November 17-Men and Missions Sun- The epic story of C. T. Studd, the famous day. Topic: "Jesus Christ and the cricketer, will appeal to all lovers of missionary World Today." For source material biography. "C. T." was one of the best all-round write to the Laymen's Missionary players that the game ever produced, and re- Movement, 19 S. La Salle St., Chi- nounced wealth and position to answer the call cago. of God to foreign service. Courageously he faced a life of hardship and danger with remarkable December 7-,-Universal Bible Sunday. self-denial and endurance, first in China and then in the very heart of Africa, pioneering for God. December 30-31-Conference with Dr. :Kagawa on the Relation of the Illustrated, $1.25. Churches to the Cooperative Move- ment. Indianapolis, Ind. The Triwmph of~__. . . . . John and Betty December 28, 1935-January I, 1936- Stam Student Volunteer Convention. In- dianapolis, Ind.
January IS-17-National Conference on the Rural Church. Washington, D. C.
July 6-12_Twelfth World's Sunday School Convention. Oslo, Norway.
By Mrs. Howard Tavlor Personal Items You have read newspaper accounts of John _ _ MR1 and Betty Stam, who were martyred by Chinese nowARD TAYLOR communists last fall. Now read this permanent The Archbishop of York (Dr. Wil- record of consecrated lives. It is particularly liam Temple), known as a leader both recommended for young people. Cloth, 75 cents. in Christian thought and in Christian work, is to make his first visit to Storiesofthe GreatHymnsof the Church America in December. He will fill several engagements at, universities By Silas H. Paine and cathedrals and will be, one of the leading speakers at the Student Vol- A monumental work in ~—-_ _J hymnology. A beautiful gift unteer Convent.i..on …in ..I.ndianapolis.
Rev. A. M. Chirgwin, General Sec- book, de luxe edition", 'printed on Bible paper, full gold retary of the London Missionary So- edges, flexible red b,inding, with stamping in gold. 795 ciety, is paying a two months' visit to the United States, in connection with pages. $3.00.
the meeting of the International Mis- "Eye" to "Aye" sionary Council. He plans to visit Negro schools and colleges ,of the By Paul H. Graef "EYE" South. … … … ~ An unique presentment in pictorial fashion of God's great plan of salva- TO tion. 132 display pages, five in color. John L. Mott" son of John R. Mott; Two editions: Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. "AYE" I has been made director of Interna- ~l tional House, New York, to succeed . , ,..WUL 0lWl' Dr. Harry Edmunds. This center I T.. -……………. now serves students from 65 countries. ,"II _ _ …………..dyarrw- … … … .. _ … _ ………….a_ -'-"hItId.-..-.I …. ( ~~=I.. …….__ Christmas Card Box Assortments I Mrs. Adena Miller Rich has been No. 50. A popular priced assort- l!:==::::~~''}v appointed to succ,eed the world;'famous ment with 15 beautiful Scripture cards Jane Addams as head of Hull 'House, Chicago. She was associated with and folders, each with matching envelope. 50 cents per box. Miss Addams for twenty years. No. 100. Our de luxe selection of 21 beautiful Christ- mas deSigns with 8 distinctly Birth-of-Christ pictures. All designs are new, artistic and appropriate, and have short Scripture portions and suitable sentiments. Matching en- velopes. Retails at $1.00.
Scripture Text Calendar For almost a quarter of a century, Messen- ger's Scripture Text Calendars have been spreading Christian light and comfort through- out the nations. They are known everywhere for their beauty, completeness and religiOUS in- spiration. No home is quite complete without the Christian influence of these beautiful pic- tures and carefully selected Scripture verses.
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Publication and Business Office– MISS MARY 1. SCOTT, Chairman, Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. Bethesda School of Missions, 310 Tomlinson St., Editorial and Executive Office– Moundsville, W. Va. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Entered as second-class matter at *** Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under "On our station in the bush we Act of March 3, 1879. greatly appreciate the monthly ap- pearance of THE REVIEW." 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Foreign Postage, 50 cents a. year. FLORENCE N. GRIBBLE, M.D., Published monthly, except August. French Equatorial Africa. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1935. British agents – Marshall, Morga.n Obituary Notes and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, The Rev. Harvey S. Murdock, D.D., 10 shillings a year. head of the work among mountaineers at Buckhorn, Kentucky, died on Oc- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- tober 4th of heart disease at the age LISHING CO., INC. of 64. He went out thirty-three years ago as a representative of the Lafay- BOARD OF DIRECTORS ette Avenue Presbyterian Church, of ROBE'RT E. SPEER, President Brooklyn, to establish this Christian W'M. 1. CHAMBERLAIN, Vice-President mission. He was very successful in WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer developing a community work includ- DELAVAN L,' PIERSON, Secretary ing schools, a church, hospital and general social program. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT *** MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD The Rev. W. Kendall Gale, mis- WM. B. LIPPHARD sionary of the London Missionary So- ciety at Andriamena, Madagascar, ERIC M. NORTH and one of the recent contributors to the REVIEW, died on June 7th follow- JESSE R. W'ILSPN ing an operation. He had labored most sacrificially and effectively for A. L. W ARNSHUIS the Malagasy. Mrs. Gale is returning SAMUEL M. ZWEMER to England. * * * Editorial Chat The Rev. Dr. Ivan S. Prokhanoff, founder and president of the All-Rus- Our October number on Latin sian Evangelical Christian Union, said SPEEDWAY TO ORIENT America has received very hearty to have several million followers in commendations and many single Russia, died in Berlin on October 6th. YOKOHAMA IN 10 DAYS . .. fastest, copies have been sold. Order your ex- He was sixty-six years old. shortest Pacific crossing … by the tra copies now before the supply is sister.ships Empress of Asia or exhausted. In the present issue we Dr. Prokhanoff was born in Russia, Empress of Russia. Or via Honopublish some additional articles on the and educated as an engineer. Thirty lulu in 3 days more on the Empress same subject and more will follow. years ago he organized the Evan- of Japan (largest liner on the Pa- This is "Latin America Year." gelical movement, with Lord Rad- cific) or the Empress of Canada. stock, of England, Colonel Pashoff * 1* * and Count Korff. In Russia he pub- INEXPENSIVE ROUND-TRIP FARES. lished "The Christian," a periodical, The past summer and autumn have and "The Morning Star," a weekly Go by distinguished First Class or been especially rich in interdenomina- newspaper. He wrote more than 1,000 comfortable Tourist Class. Still tional and international conferences hymns and translated many others, lower Summer round-trip fares to on Christian faith, life and work. and also religious books. the Orient. Low-cost Third Class.
Some of these are reported in this Since 1928, when he left Russia for FREQUENT SAILINGS … from Vanissue; another-the Student Volun- the last time, he has raised money for couver (trains to ship-side) and teer Convention-will be fully report- needy Christians in Russia. In 1927 Victoria. Orient fares include pased, and the leading addresses will be he started in New York "The Gospel sage to and from Seattle. California printed early next year. in Russia," and in 1931, "The Faith sailings connect with "Empresses" of the Gospel," both periodicals. His at Honolulu. Orient ports-of-call: *** autobiography, "In the Cauldron of Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Shang- Russia," was published in 1933. hai, Hong Kong, Manila. One of the recent articles in THE REVIEW so impressed a missionary *** • Also •• • low-cost World Tours. bishop that he ordered copies printed and sent to every missionary of his The Rev. Frederic W. March, for BOOKLETS, information … from over fifty years an active missionary YOUR OWN AGENT, or any Canachurch. in Syria, under the Board of Foreign dian Pacific office: New York, Chi- Missions of the Presbyterian Church cago, San Francisco, and 34 other *** in the U. S. A., died on September 28 cities in the U. S. and Canada. at Suk-ul-Gharb, Syria. Mr. March A pastor in the home church offered was appointed to Syria in 1873 and to reprint another article at his own served actively until his honorable reexpense and have it sent to all the tirement with his wife in 1924. Withmissionaries of his denomination. He in his lifetime he touched the whole learned that THE REVIEW already goes span of mission activity in the Syria to all those missionaries. field which celebrated its 100th year more than a decade ago. During his *** long years of service he was engaged Here are recent comments from our (Concluded on Third Cover.) readers. Will you pass on the good [513 ] word? "Each month I attend the public library for the purpose of glancing through your magazine. I consider it the most interesting periodical of the many on the shelves of that institu- tion." CURTIS TAYLOR, Utica, N. Y.
INTERNATIONAL MISSION4RY LEADERS AT
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NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LVIII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 11 NOVEMBER, 1935 Topics of the Times PREPARING FOR A WORLD CONFERENCE tries the younger churches are ready to under- The International Missionary Council (Septem- take more complete independence. A shifting of ber 27th to October 4th) brought together sev- emphasis of the missionary movement from Amerenty-five delegates, from twenty-five national ica and Europe to Asia and Africa is therefore missionary or Christian councils, who assembled welcomed in all quarters. For this reason it was at East Northfield, Massachusetts, to prepare for decided that the next conference should be in the next World Missionary Conference. The hills Asia. After careful deliberations in which parof the Connecticut Valley were glorying in the ticularly the Japanese and Chinese delegates took richness of their autumnal colors and remem- part, it was resolved with enthusiasm to select brances of the great evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, Kowloon, near Hongkong, and to make an atl:!-nd his work formed an inspiring background. tempt to secure double the number of Jerusalem The personnel included outstanding leaders of the delegates, about four. hundred of them, two-thirds Protestant missionary movement, half of them of whom should be representatives of the churches well-known representatives with a rich experi- in mission lands, particularly thos€ of Japan, ence, the other half representing a younger gen- China and India. eration of forthcoming leaders of the older and younger churches. The reports of the chairman, A second group of questions discussed related Dr. John R. Mott, and of the secretarial staff to subjects which demand a new and serious refrom London and New York proved the value of consideration, so imperative that a new world the world-wide service of the Council. It has be- missionary conference is imperative. Three groups of subjects seemed paramount.* come, or is becoming, a central consultation body 1. The missionary enterprise, like the world in which we of the Protestant world missionary movement. live, has definitely come to the dawn of a new age in which fresh forces are beginning to play a momentous part. The crucial question of this year's meeting was: Everywhere titanic forces challenge the very fundamentals where the next world missionary conferenc(=!, due of historic Christianity. On the frontiers of the Chris- about 1938, is to be held. The preceding world tian ~ovement men face the grim realities more closely conferences have been held in London, 1888; New t han In the West. e Communism, i mpe riali symo~nagn d nation al- York, 1900; Edinburgh, 1910; and Jerusalem, i sm are remorsel ssly closing in on the church in 1928. Many more Europeans and Americans would be able to take part if the next gathering China. Imperialism, commercialism, and industrialism are eating into the very fabric of African community life and destroying its immemorial spiritual and moral sanctions.
can be held in Europe or America and the inspira- From Mexico to Brazil, from the Philippines to the Congo, tional value for the sending churches would be enhanced. On the other hand the missionary from Germany to Japan the menace threatens younger force of the older churches has decreased, at least and the older churches alike. We must pool insight, knowl- edge, and resources and get a new sense and experience of world solidarity. .
for the time being. In almost all countries of old 2. A thorough study of evangelism on the mission field Christendom there are currents which slow down is to take a central place in the activity of the Internathe missionary enthusiasm so that in few coun- tional Missionary Council immediately and through the tries do we find the flaming missionary enthusiasm world conference with a view to vigorous, concerted agof a generation ago. At the same time the mis- gressive, continuous evangelism by the churches. This is done in response to calls from all over the world. The sionary movements in Asia and Africa are show- survey is to be centered in the church aiming at enlisting ing promising signs of spiritual strength and of voluntary lay and pastoral forces, with studies of the evangelistic power. In almost all Asiatic coun- • Quoting freely from Prof. Basil Mathews.
[ 515]
place of literature, the school, college, and hospital in the CHRISTIANS OF ALL LANDS UNITING work as well as the approach called for with relation to There are still many varieties of Christians. They are of divers races, nations, names habits the Jew, the Moslem, the Hindu, and others; as well as and opinions on various subjects, but they'are one in looking to Christ and His program for the soluof the methods used by communism, fascism, theosophy, tion of human problems. On creeds and church polity these Christians cannot unite but those of and other cults. The phenomena of mass movements com- many nations and denominations gladly unite to study common problems and to work together for pared with plucking individuals out of their own culture better understanding and a more perfect fulfil- ment of the Will of God. and its relation to political changes and economic status: Last summer four important international as well as an analysis of the eocfonthoemiCc,hrreislitgiaionufs~itohr. sociai Christian conferences were held in Europe. These motives leading to acceptance The took under consideration the promotion of Chris- tian unity, world peace and friendship, and pracpreparation, holding, and follow-up of the proposed 1938 tical cooperation in life and work.* meeting is to be utilized to promote fuller cooperation in The Committee of the World Conference on the world missionary enterprise. Faith and Order held its sessions at Hindsgaul, Denmark, and plans to hold its next meeting in 3. The fact that over thirty regional and national Chris- 1~37, in Edinburgh. The conference will begin wIth a statement of "The Church's Witness in the tian councils have been set up, the large measure of con- World Today," and will be closed with an "Af- firmation of Union in Allegiance to Our Lord." fidence won, and many pieces of cooperative work carried The Executive Committee of the Universal forward reveals the advance already made. Hitherto co- Christian Council also met last summer in Chamby, Switzerland. The Orthodox Archbishop operation has been confined mainly to institutions; it has Germanos, of Thyateira, President of the Coun- cil, sounded an appeal to the churches of the world not so often been extended to large evangelistic ventures. for effective cooperation against the attacks of secularism in all lands. A World Conference on It has also been mainly an activity of missionary societies Christian Life and Work is to be called to meet at Oxford University, England, July 13-25, 1937. rather than of indigenous churches. The Committee is The great concern of the Council for the setting afoot vigorous studies of all these processes and Church in Germany found expression in the reso- lution which recorded the determination to emof concrete projects of fresh practical cooperation. !)loy every possible Christian means of support- mg those who are threatened by the dominance Among the forces that demand world coopera- of an aggressive paganism. An appeal was retion of the Christian forces are: the ebb-tide of ceived from various bodies on behalf of the Chrisfaith all over the world, the necessity that Chris- tian refugees from Germany, who constitute some tianity should advance, the call to a unified Chris- twenty per cent of the total number of German tian outlook on the pagan masses, a new vision of refugees. the function of the great missionary institutions, the creation of a satisfactory new leadership, the The World Alliance for International Friendreplacing of "foreignism" and race antipathy by ship met at Chamby, with representatives from life in the universal Church, new economic and thirty countries. Lord Dickinson, of Paiswick, intellectual foundations of self-support, the de- who has been president for several years, was struction, on the one hand, of syncretism and on made honorary president; Bishop Ammundsen, the other of separatism which now divides the of Denmark, was chosen president, and Dr. Wil- Protestant churches in areas like South Africa. liam P. Merrill, pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York, was elected vice-president. Other topics discussed at this meeting of the Re~. H. L. Henriod is the general secretary. Th!'l 1. M. C. included the crisis in German missions, AllIance recommended the creation of a permanent the need for Christian literature and suitable mo- Minorities Commission, under the League of Nation pictures for the Africans, the Christian re- tions and an appeal was made to the League for sponsibility for the Jew and "the tragic plight of more effective assistance to refugees from Ger- 2,000,000 Christians in Germany in whose veins there is some touch of Jewish blood." • The facts In regard to these conferences are taken from the report of Dr. Henry Smith Leiper. The upbuilding and maintenance of the younger churches as a part of the historic world-wide Christian community is to be the objective of the 1938 conference. This requires a fresh, convincing vision for this age of the verities of the faith by which the Christian lives; the witness by which the Church is to carry the faith to the world in face of potent hostile forces; the reenforcement, intellectual, moral, and spiritual, of the interior life of the Church, in grappling with problems that affect its very being; the relation of the life of the Church to the changing social and economic order-its total impact upon society; amnodvianlgargimerpalancdabmlyoretothwoarroduguhngiotiyngbceotwopeeernatitohn~ churches which, in this emerging crisis, is the very condition of victorious advance.
JULIUS RICHTER.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
many. In preparation for the world conference STUDENT VOLUNTEERS AFTER at Oxford in 1937, it was proposed that in all FIFTY YEARS countries where compulsory military service prevails the churches should request their respective The coming convention of the Student Volungovernments to permit civil service as an alterna- teer Movement, to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana tive in the case of those who cannot conscientiously (December 28 through January 1, 1936), marks serve in a military capacity. A carefully prepared the fiftieth anniversary of the Movement in Amermessage to the churches was issued, which in- ica and is the twelfth quadrennial convention. cluded an affirmation, as against the totalitarian The Movement was the outgrowth of the Student claims of the State, that "right is above the State, Foreign Missionary Society in Princeton College not the State above right." A sensation was and of the Student Conference held at Mount caused when it became known that one distin- Hermon, Massachusetts, in 1886.
guished Italian representative to the conference, The movement has had a remarkable history, Dr. Cesare Gay, had been summoned to Rome, having been founded by students as a result of along with other leaders of the Pro t est ant prayer and the conviction that the Great Commis- churches, by II Duce, who desired to know the sion of Christ to His Church was a command with reason for the refusal of the Protestant churches the promise of His presence in its fulfilment. The in Italy to pass resolutions endorsing his policies watchword' adopted was "The Evangelization of toward Ethiopia. the World in this Generation"-not adopted as a The Central Bureau for Inter-Church Aid called prophecy but as an objective. When the Movetogether representatives of the churches of many ment was formed there were few students volunlands to meet in Vienna August 31-September 3. teering for foreign service and the funds avail- Attention was directed to the current situation able were very inadequate even for the work among the churches in continental countries, par- undertaken. As a result of the student moveticularly those which are suffering from discrim- ment, and other influences at work under the ination, financial collapse or state opposition. The spirit of God, over twelve thousand volunteers disturbed conditions in Austria have created par- have gone to the foreign field in the past fifty ticular difficulty for the non-Roman churches, years and the incomes of the missionary societies which are in the minority, constituting about oIie- were quadrupled.
fifth of the population. Membership in these The past fifteen years have brought about many churches has greatly increased in recent years, to changes in the whole foreign mission enterprise. such an extent that the present staff and equip- The number of volunteers has fallen off, the sup- ment are inadequate. The Central Bureau sent a port of the work has decreased and the Movement deputation to call upon the heads of the Austrian itself has undergone considerable change. The State to acquaint them with the concern of the Student Council has taken control, with less direc- Protestant world over the disabilities of their tion from the "elder statesmen" of the missionary Austrian brethren. The Bureau also studied the enterprise.
status of the churches in Roumania, Poland, Today a crisis is felt in the foreign fields, in the Czechoslovakia, Jugoslavia, Greece, Spain, and churches and mission boards at home, and in the Russia. student world. Thinking Christians, familiar Since Christians in Russia continue to suffer with the present situation, realize that the need martyrdom, the possibility of sending a deputa- for Christ and His power was never greater than tion to Moscow to intercede for them was dis- at present, and the world is more than ever concussed and final decision was left with the execu- scious of the need for some superhuman power tives. Dr. Alfred Jorgenson, of Copenhagen, Den- to lead them out of the present social and spiritual mark, was reelected chairman of the Bureau and morass. Men are tempted to discouragement and Dr. Adolf Keller was unanimously reelected di- to abandon Christian idealism, seeking in its stead rector. the material things that this world offers. The less interest there is today in foreign missions Organic union is not necessary and may be un- the greater is the need for a spirit-filled Student wise but there is hope that some day Christians Volunteer Movement.
will still more generally unite on the beliefs and The coming convention may well have as obobjectives they have in common so that they may jectives: (1) To interest students more propresent a united front against all evil and may foundly in Christian life and in sacrificial service make their protests effective. Six hundred mil- where Christ is not known; (2) to express the lion professed followers of Christ should be able ideals and motives to which students will respond to do more for moral, social, economic and political when the claims of Christ on their lives are pre- reforms than they are doing today. sented; (3) to inspire Christians at home to sup-
port Evangelical work abroad more adequately; MISSIONARY EXHIBIT "A"
(4) to emphasize the spiritually dynamic forces At a recent meeting in Newark, New Jersey, a in missionary activity-in matters of guidance, of remarkable group of National leaders from many fruitfulness and growth; (5) to show the ability lands presented aspects of the present world sitand readiness of the coming generation to take uation from a Christian point of view. They were the leadership in the work of Christ with courage in themselves a remarkable exhibit and a convincand in His Name and Power. ing proof of the power of Christ and the world- wide influence of His Gospel to win the most out- The clear call today is for missionaries who are standing men and women of all races and nations true evangelists first of all-whatever other quali- to His standard. Dr. John R. Mott presided, himfications they may have. Christians at home who self a remarkable evidence of what Christ can do know Christ as Saviour and Lord will respond to in enlisting all a man's powers in the promotion the call to support qualified missionaries who go of the Kingdom of God throughout the world. out primarily to preach and to live Christ and to Among the Christian leaders from other lands train others for His service.
The Indianapolis Convention is calling together were Dr. S. K. Datta, a dark complexioned Indian over two thousand student delegates from the with a brilliant mind, the president of Forman United States and Canada-a much smaller num- Christian Coll~e, Lahore, and a leader in na- ber than have attended other conventions. A tional and church life in India; Dr. Cheng strong and comprehensive program has been Ching-yi, the General Secretary of the Church of planned with speakers of international reputation. Christ in China, former moderator of that church, These include national Christian leaders who are the vice-chairman of the International Mission- the fruits of mission work-Dr. Toyohiko Kag- ary Council, and a great force for cooperation awa, of Japan; Prof. Gonsalo Baez Camargo, of among all followers· of Christ throughout the Mexico; Dr. T. Z. Koo, of China; Mrs. Induk world; Professor Gonsalo Baez Camargo, Secre- Pak, of Korea, and President S. K. Datta, of tary of the National Council of the Evangelical India. The British and American leaders may be Churches of Mexico, a strong character and a bril- counted on for inspiring messages-Dr. Richard liant speaker; Mr. Etsuzo V. Yoshida, Treasurer Roberts, Moderator of the United Church of Can- of the National Christian Council of Japan and ada, and author of "That Strange Man Upon the one of the founders of the Omi Brotherhood in Cross," is a leading speaker; The Archbishop of Japan. Similar "exhibits" might have been pro- York (Dr. William Temple) will give a series of duced from South America, many parts of Africa, spiritual addresses; early American leaders of from Persia, Turkey, Syria, Burma, Malaya, the Movement-Dr. John R. Mott, Dr. Robert E. Korea and the Islands of the Pacific. The repre- Speer, Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, and possibly Dr. sentation was enlarged by the testimonies of Pro- Robert P. Wilder, one of the founders and former fessor Julius Richter, of Germany; Baroness van general secretary-are to be present and may be Boetzelaer van Dubbledam, of Holland; and counted on to speak with their usual force and Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, Secretary of the fire. Others of more recent fame will lead Church Missionary Society, who called himself a conferences-Dr. John A. Mackay, Prof. Basil "native Christian of the British Isles."
Mathews, Prof. K. S. Latourette, Prof. Henry P. The tenor of the testimonies of these Christian Van Dusen, and Dr. Daniel J. Fleming. witnesses included (1) the great need of their fel- Christians interested in world evangelism and low countrymen for Christ and all that He offers; the progress of the rule of Christ on earth are (2) the evidence of Christ's power in their own earnestly requested to unite in daily prayer for lives and in the lands from which they come; (3) this convention-its leaders, speakers and dele- the need for greater unity and closer cooperation gates-that Christ may be uplifted; that the real among all Christians; (4) the need for clearer conditions of the world and the needs of men may manifestation of the power and spirit of Christ in be vividly presented; that the responsibility of all who bear His name.
the Church and of each Christian may be brought If every church could hear such testimonies, home to all, that church members may realize the and see such convincing exhibits there would be claim of Christ on them and all that they have; no doubt as to the worth-whileness and future of that the power and program of God for the salva- Christian missions. If the program advocated by tion of mankind may be clearly presented so as to these men were truly carried out in all individual stir to adequate unity; that Christ's forces of missionaries and in Christians in the churches in every race, nation and name may fully cooperate all lands, there would dawn a new era of life and in the great work before us, and that the future we believe that a new advance of Christianity of the Student Volunteer Movement may be made would take place that would sweep all before it in clear as it is in the Will of God. the conquest of the world for Christ.
by Healing in
By T. A. LAMBIE, M.D., F.R.G.S.
-&f/, Field Director, Sudan Interior Mission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia T HERE is perhaps no country where a med- He believed them and wrote a letter to the Regent, ical diploma acts more efficiently as a pass- His Majesty Ras Tafari, which preceded us and port than in Ethiopia. It is little wonder helped us to get to the ear of Royalty! His Maj- that foreigners are suspected in that ancient land, esty begged us to build a hospital in Addis Ababa, for many who have come to her from the outside and in answer to much earnest prayer alone, for world with fair promises have remained to cheat no one was asked for a penny, one man gave and plunder. Somehow the Ethiopians classify $70,000 and others gave nearly as much more, missionary doctors differently. and the hospital was built to the glory of God. Thousands have been treated and cured. Thou- The eyes of the world are focussed upon sands have had the Gospel preached to them. The Ethiopia, not knowing what awaits her. Twenty- hospital is modern in every respect. two years ago it would have been considered pre- posterous to imagine that a Serajevo incident Mrs. Lambie and I were asked to go out and could plunge the civilized world into war, but establish work in Ethiopia under the Sudan In- it is a historical fact that the former incident took terior Mission in 1927. Although severing of old place and we know with what results; twenty ties, particularly with this hospital, was not easy, years afterward a comparatively minor incident yet God has wonderfully prospered thisinterna- in an almost unknown land carries a threat of a tional, interdenominational mission. Station after similar major catastrophe. The world is very sick station has been opened in these few years. A and needs a physician. large Leprosarium, under Dr. E. Ralph Hooper, Over sixteen years ago, after having spent of Toronto, has recently been built and is running twelve years in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan at at full capacity. A splendid medical work has Khartoum and at a remote and needy place on also been going on at Soddu, Wollamo, one of the the Sobat River, treating annually tens of thou- populous southern capitals, and Dr. Percy Rob- sands of cases, Mrs. Lambie and I received an erts, of Montreal, is building a hospital there. In invitation to Ethiopia to help in the "flu" epi- the north at Lalibella, the famous place scarcely demic. Ethiopia was then almost closed to mis- seen by a white man, where there are eleven sionary enterprise; in all the land there was only monolithic churches, centuries old and one of the one Protestant worker. Thus, medicine was once marvels of the world, here Dr. Harriet Skemp and again the spear point, or the camel's nose, or Miss L. Blair, R.N., have been developing work whatever you choose to call it. Thousands of and a hospital is being built.
Gallas and Amharas were treated in Western Were there enough doctors Ethiopia might be Ethiopia and had the Gospel preached to them. opened to the Gospel from end to end, for where Most of the population seemed to need syphilitic a doctor goes several other missionaries can go. injections. Pneumonia and typhus were rampant There is a tremendous disparity between the but the "flu" epidemic had passed off before we numbers of young medical students who volunteer arrived. for the mission field and those who actually get A small hospital was opened and a mission sta- there. There is a wastage of medical volunteers tion established. We found that the tree wor- in the lecture rooms and hospitals. Often it is shipping Gallas seemed to have a real hunger for materialism that gets the young medico, often it the Word of God and we decided to take the long is a young lady who doesn't want to go, often it's overland trip to Addis Ababa, the capital. En a spiritual breakdown from too much study and route we stopped at Gore and treated Ras Nado, too little prayer. If something could only be done who came in the middle of the night with an ex- to stop this wastage and to inspire our fellow cruciating earache. From this ear I extracted a doctors toself-sacrificingly give themselves for tiny, black wood-boring beetle, which his soldiers work on the foreign field, how wonderful it would solemnly assured him would, if not removed, have be. Missionaries and home workers need to be bored its way through his head and caused death! tremendously more in earnest than ever before.
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If the number of Christian doctors on the foreign age really started. Many a one whom God wants field could be trebled, and their spirituality was to go to Canaan, or to Africa, on a pilgrimage for in proportion, something tremendous would result. Him, does not get beyond Haran because of some I have acquired Ethiopian nationality in order old Father "Wait:-a-bit," or some Mother "I-need- to further the spread of the Gospel, and my sym- you-at-home." Sodom proved too much of a temp- pathies are with His Majesty Haile Selassie and tation for Lot and he went to the plain. Abraham Ethiopia. There are some wrongs in Ethiopia, as went to the mountain-to Hebron. Oh the heart- there are in every land, but His Majesty, who I ache Lot caused even before he made his selfish feel is a real Christian, is seeking to right them, choice. Be careful pilgrim, of the ones you take and in the four years since his coronation has with you. Watch the separated life. Avoid the done wonders. worldly companions. They make poor travel part- ners; they are not real tent dwellers. They want Lessons from Tent Life in Ethiopia their Sodoms and their Gomorahs, their Zoars My wife and I have a great feeling of kinship and their beastly caves. They y:earn for the with Abraham. We cannot compare with him in world. They mind earthly things. The truly sepactual time spent in tents, but in distances trav- arated Abraham does not yearn for the plain, but eled we probably surpass even Abraham. Many for the Hebron mountaintop, for Hebron means, months and years have we spent living in tentsperhaps more than any other missionaries of mod- will "Communion with God." He found in Mamre a ern times and so we feel qualified to speak something of the lessons learned from tent life and "place of richness." The heavenly pilgrim can speak with some authority of the spiritual ever find it so. Lot's leftover became Hebron; implications of a pilgrim life in tents. richness in communion with God is the place to pitch your tent. 1. One of the chief lessons of the pilgrim life is that the pilgrim must be unencumbered. "Lay- 5. What is indispensable on this our pilgrim ing aside every weight and the sin which doth so way is to have an infallible Guide. The children easily beset us" (Heb. 12: 1). Extra weight keeps of Israel had no need of the eyes of a Hobab or the pilgrim back. Too many needless things are Raguel when they had the fiery pillar to lead them surely a trouble and a care and slow him up. "No on. How often on caravan have we lost our way, soldier encumbereth himself with the affairs of taken the wrong turning and had to retrace weary this life." Pilgrim, beware of encumbrances that steps. We become separated from our guide. slow you up. We thought we knew the way only to find our- 2. Hold your possessions lightly. There are a selves in "bye-path meadow" from which it is hundred travel accidents that may happen to spoil only a short distance to "Doubting Castle." We your belongings or cause the loss of them. No need to stick close to our Guide who has promised travel insurance policy can be written to insure to direct us. against white ants, mildew, and the many other hazards of tent life. One must learn to hold one's 6. Care of the tent. The tent is the pilgrim's possessions lightly, and even "take joyfully the home. It is a poor thing, perhaps; not like a spoiling of one's possessions." Don't grieve over castle, or even as good as a poorhouse, but still it them-your heavenly treasure is infinitely more is all he has to live in and it is much better than desirable. nothing. One must take care of it or it will rap- idly deteriorate and no longer keep out the sun 3. The importance of water. One learns never and the rain, the wind and the dust and when it to get far from water. Water is the life of the caravan, for even the desert camel cannot go very is gone it cannot be restored. So with these far from water. Water means life, not only for man, but also for beast, pasture as well as drink. bodies of ours-we must not neglect them. We "Wherever the river cometh there shall be life may be called to burn out for God in a quick and fierce flame like saintly Henry Martyn, but ordi- narily God wants us to live a long and useful life for Him. We should not wilfully neglect our bodies. .
. . ." (Ezk. 47: 9). In this pilgrim walk stay 7. My wife has suggested – food, and I reply close to the River of Living Water, to the water with a hearty "Yes." The life is hard. It does that Christ alone can give. take strength out of one. Almost frozen at night.
4. Companions. One of the most important in some lofty mountain pass or scorched at noon things is to decide whom to take with you. Abram in some fiery desert, when the very air seems to started out with two weak companions as a handi- reel-aching muscles from descending some mile cap-Terah and Lot. He could get Father Terah high canyon, that would almost puzzle a wild goat, ("wait-a-bit") to Haran, but not beyond. Old one does need good food to keep up, month after Father "Wait-a-bit" had to die before the pilgrim- month, year after year. Pilgrim, be careful of
CONQUEST BY HEALING IN ETHIOPIA
your food. If your only food is the Home Journal ETHIOPIA, THE LAND AND PEOPLE and things of that kind, you will never get very In "The Chronicles of Ethiopia," the descent of far. If you never read a sermon, or the biography the original inhabitants is traced from Noah of some Brainerd, or Carey or Livingstone, or the through Cush, the son of Ham. "Aithiops (son letters of a MacCheyne, or a Rutherford, how can of Cush) begat Aksumawi," who is reputed to you have an appetite for heavenly food. If your have founded the Holy City of Aksum, the former Bible reading is neglected, so that you read the capital which the Italian army has recently capdaily newspaper far more than God's Holy Word, tured. how can you be strengthened in your pilgrim life Modern Ethiopia (formerly known as Abysfor Him. We need to be fed with food "conven- sinia) is called "the Hermit Empire," or the ient for us." Once when we were traveling on a "Switzerland of Africa." It is the last independlong journey in Africa, we got tired of our dry ent empire in the Dark Continent and is mostly a food and when we saw some men carrying beau- high plateau from which rise many mountains. tiful fresh fish, we shouted for joy. We bought Its area is about 350,000 square miles and its popand ate them, to find out later to our sorrow that ulation is estimated at between 10 and 12 million they made us very ill and until we recovered we people–for the most part very primitive. Politwere not able to travel. Much of what we read ically the country is divided into four great provtoday is like poisoned fish; we eat it and our inces-Shoa, Tigre, Amhara and Gojam-with jo.urney is halted, sometimes ended. .other lesser provinces under various chiefs. Heile 8. Endurance. Patient in well-doing. When Selassie (Ras Tafari Makonnen) proclaimed him- we rush about on aeroplanes and racing cars, self Emperor (King of Kings of Ethiopia) on the streamlined trains and ocean greyhounds, there death of Empress Zanditu (Judith) in 1930. He is not so much need of a patient endurance. It is is reported to be an enlightened Christian em- different on a mule or a camel, or on foot. The peror seeking the good of his people.
miles stretch out endlessly and a journey of a few The inhabitants are divided into numerous hundred miles seems endless. In five minutes in tribes, speaking some seventy languages and dia- an aeroplane I traveled recently in Africa as much lects. The state Ethiopian Church is similar to as in one day by muleback. The way seems long the Coptic Church of Egypt. The prevailing but it will not be so in retrospect. Only one life, speech is Amharic, with 251 characters. Their "'twill soon be past, only what's done for God will sacred scriptures are written in Ethiopic or Geez, last." "Be thou faithful unto death and I will a dead language, pronounced by priests but not give thee a crown of Life." understood. Many of the people of Ethiopia are 9. Early rising. Get up and meet with your Moslems and multitudes are pagans-ignorant Lord and then you will have strength to do the and superstitious. day's work, to reach the camping place, to the journey~s end, to the desired haven. Don't put it Among the Evangelical missions in Ethiopia off. Don't be a sluggard and lie abed. are the United Presbyterians who have twenty- three missionaries, located in three stations; 10. Many other lessons have been taught us but the Sudan Interior Mission with twelve stations, and about 75 missionaries; the Seventh Day Ad- I mention one more: to have an objective is the ventists who occupy three stations, the Swedish most important of all lessons. To be going some- Evangelical Mission with 18 missionaries, and where. Our lives are planned, but the sad thing the British and Foreign Bible Society. A Danish is that so many Christians never get into the Di- Mission is ready to send three workers as soon as vine plan. Many never get on the pilgrim way conditions permit. Most of the missionaries have designed for them, that will lead them to the goal elected to remain in Ethiopia to help the people he had designed, on the path that His feet have in this time of trouble. From an Evangelical trodden. Let us remember Him, who in the days Christian standpoint missionary work has touched of His flesh was a pilgrim, who had neither nest, only a small number of the people. The oppornor foxes' hole, nor even a tent, and who occupied tunity is great for the Emperor has given the a borrowed grave in His death. missionaries a hearty welcome and the people are Follow this Guide, this Pilgrim, this Wayfaring ready to listen.
Man, this Saviour. He will lead us on a road un- The Italian subjection of Ethiopia would mean like any other, and one that will be different from that the last independent African State will never that trod by any other pilgrim in its details, but have the opportunity to develop along African one which His feet trod before. Follow even lines. The winning of Ethiopia to Christ, and the though it lead to some dark Gethsemane, without development of the people on enlightened Chris- the gate to some Africa or China, or to some Cal- tian lines, will mean national progress of the best vary Hill. "Follow thou Me," said our Saviour type and will promote peace and goodwill in and Lord. Africa and in the world.
in the New India*
By the REV. RICHARD BURGES, England General Secretary, India Sunday School Union, 1896·1921 "THE most amazing characteristic of man- cent years turmoil and agitation have swept over kind remains today what it always was; the 350 millions of India's people. Has the man's inability to recognize the expected." chariot of God stood still in these years of unrest?
India supplies an illustration of this truth spoken Far from it! The government census for the by Lord Eustace P'ercy. For generations the decade ending 1931 shows that every day, during British encouraged the use of the English lan- those ten years, four hundred were added to the guage, lauded the free institutions of the West, Christian community, even though missionary fostered the growth of democracy and adminis- ranks were sadly depleted. Statistics do not mean tered regular doses of John Stuart Mill. In the everything but they show that the Kingdom of fly-leaf of "Liberty" by Mill the following quota- God is firmly established in India and they indi- tion was printed: "The grand leading principle, cate great possibilities for the future. The spir- towards which every argument unfolded in these itual power of the Christian Church, in the fu- pages directly converges, is the absolute and es- ture, as in the past, lies in the willingness of the sential importance of human development in its Church to cooperate with her Lord in the redemp- richest diversity." Wonder of wonders; the tion of the world and thus establish the lordship Mother of Parliaments suddenly woke up to the of Jesus Christ over every department of human fact that India was adolescent, and desired at life. Mathematics cannot supply a yardstick with least a prospect of wholesome independence. which to measure spiritual influences.
Each milestone on the high road of British In- Many facts could be rehearsed. Let one only dian history tells of advance towards responsible suffice. Away on the northeastern mountains of self-government. Progress has been slow but India are the North Lushai Hills, once inhabited sure. The Simon Commission, the Round Table by head-hunting aboriginals. In the year 1897 Conferences, the cooperation of the Indian the first missionary arrived. The seed grew Princes, and the desire of the British public for a slowly and secretly and at the end of a decade, "fair deal," all reach a climax in the new Govern- there was one church with 32 members. The ment of India Bill. While not underestimating Christian community now embraces nearly 61,000 the importance of other aspects, we will consider members or about two-thirds of the whole pop- the distinctly Christian point of view. Will this, ulation. The Presbyterian Church of Wales, re- the most momentous venture of Parliament, in sponsible for this great work, can verify these our day, help or hinder Christian progress? statements. Incredible, romantic; but true!
The Romans were good colonizers, built roads There is a saying among the Chinese that and endeavored to be tolerant. They tried to though no one knows how the mustard seed was balance the scales of justice, but the Jews never brought to China, yet today the mustard trees had a good word for them. They wailed and wept could not be rooted out of the land. The Seed of for freedom. Britain has given India roads, law the Kingdom of God was carried to India in ob- courts, colleges, schools, hospitals, irrigation proj- scure ways but the tree that has grown therefrom ects, etc., but India wants to be free. The British can never be rooted out. Principalities and pow- have sown the seeds of freedom. What is more ers will never, never be able to prevail against it.
reasonable than that India should desire to man- All that the churches have done through their age her own home? missionaries is but preliminary. Indian Chris- The living seed of the Gospel, planted by Chris- tians cling to them as their best friends, and they.
tian missionaries, has produced a great tree. are trusted by every thoughtful section of society.
About two per cent of the Indian population are One effect of Christianity is to enrich and de- now connected with the Christian Church. In re- velop personality and this new life has made • The writer was present in the House of Commons on July 30th sInenddiat hree·sltrlemsso.st Tcohme pcehtuerncthmesenofanthdewWomesetn must during the last debate on this "Government of India 1935" bill. mistReonyslavl eapssreenptarbatriionngsfotor aanneewffeccotinvsetitcultoisoen nfoear rlIyndeiaig. ht years of in- sl·onaries to the East. The BI·shop of Manchester, [522 ] at the International Missionary Council at J eru- instrument which will, in due time, secure their salem, said: "We do not go to non-Christian na- emancipation. Child marriage, infant and ma- tions because they are the worst or alone in need, ternal mortality, education of girls and respect but because they are part of the world and share for woman's dignity and personality, and kindred with us the same human need." The Indian subjects, will be sure to receive effective attention.
Church needs and desires assistance in producing Christians will continue to lead the van in these Christ-like citizens. This is the hour for con- matters.
solidating our position and for advance, not re- In the years ahead, the centre of Christian work treat. in India will be the indigenous Church and I be- Many Indians, non-Christians as well as Chris- lieve that at no distant date money disbursed by tians, seeking suitable education for sons and missionary societies outside India will be used to daughters, instinctively favor the Christian insti- build up the Indian Church, under Indian admin- tutions because of their high character and help- istration.
ful atmosphere. Whatever changes the Reforms The Rev. J. I. Hasler, B.A., many years in the may impose on education in India I believe that service of the Baptist Missionary Society, says: this disposition will remain. The Christian col- "During recent years the policy of foreign mis- leges, hospitals, schools, farms, workshops, wel- sions has become what is known as 'Church-Cen- fare centres and orphanages, seek to win people tric' and that devolution of responsibility, power to Christ but do not wish to secure converts by and work to the Indian Church, is encouraged."
unfair or "camouflaged" methods. The doctor, Signs are not wanting that a united Church in the nurse, the teacher, all seek to express their India is developing. Christianity need no longer love to their Lord, by using their professional be under suspicion that it is the religion of the services and personal influence to help their fel- "White Man," the "Foreigner," the "Sahib" or low men. Conversion by coercion, from one faith the "Government." No more need the Indian to another, is condemned by Christians and non- Church be confused with the traditions of the Christians alike. Church in the West. She will be the Church of The Rt. Rev. the Lord Bishop of Calcutta, Met- Christ in India. She will be free to adopt Indian ropolitan Bishop of India, writing me as recently architecture, music, ritual. She will be free to as July 23, 1935, said: face and reform her world under the guidance When there was a peace conference in Dehli in 1923 and power of the Holy Spirit. She will be free when the Hindu and Muhammadan conflict was severe, I to make her own spiritual contribution to the was asked to take part in it and was the only Christian Church universal. "The Church," says Henry with some twelve Hindus and Muhammadans in the com- Barclay Swete, D.D., "alone among human somittee of that conference which framed resolutions. One cieties, has a Head in heaveri, and this is linked of those was to the effect that people were at liberty to to the eternal and infinite." By faith we can hear seek by fair persuasion to change the faith of others but not by material inducements. That expresses the general the march of the on-coming millions! feeling among educated people. Gandhi, I believe, has It is hardly possible to exaggerate the imporobjeeted to proselytism but I think that it is the proselytism by material inducements to which he objects. I am sure tance of the village in Indian life. The policeman that he would admit that everyone has the right to his can stop and direct vehicles, but he cannot stop beliefs and to change his mind. and direct ideas. Men and children, in increasing The Release of Power numbers, will see the pictures and hear the wire- less talks after their toil in the fields; women Under the Reforms there will be the release of from secluded places will also hear and see.
an Everest and a Niagara of personality. Slowly Motor transport is linking these villages. The the value of the electoral vote will be understood. cumulative effect on the peasant folk is enormous.
Then the power will be felt of 35 million persons Eighty-nine per cent of India's 350 million peo- at the polls. Fourteen per cent of the British ple live in villages, and four out of every five of Indian population will have the legal right to vote the Indian Christians live in villages. Beyond for their own representatives on the governing question the future of India will largely depend bodies. As a general rule the qualification for on village uplift.
the franchise will be payment of local taxes or Educationally the position of Christians is con- land revenue. The proportion of women to men spicuously high. The Christian community re- voters is 1 to 5. Six seats will be reserved for cently claimed 1570 of the total number of col- women in the Upper Federal Chamber. "A per- lege graduates, while the same community only son shall not be disqualified by sex from being ap- embraced 2% of the population. Numerically pointed to any civil post in India, other than such Christians are included among the so-called mi- posts as may be specified by general or special norities. If the seats for Indian Christians in the order." This puts into the hands of women an Legislatures are not in proportion to their num-
bers, trouble may be expected. The complaint is surprised if in this vital realm there is a tightening of also made that the fundamental rights of citizens official control. Christian institutions that depend in any in the free and full exercise of their religious be- measure on Government grants will doubtless be called liefs, and that the fundamental rights of minori- upon to accept conditions hard to be borne; a reduction ties, have not been defined in the new constitution. in grants is likely and an extended application of the It is alleged that some Indians mean to work the Conscience Clause inevitable. To maintain their freedom constitution, and then use their powers to turn and impart the education they regard as essential, it may the foreigners out, to stop grants to Christian be necessary for Christian institutions to forego Governinstitutions, and to try to smash the new con- ment grants, and even establish their own university. stitution. . . . But even here there is ground for confidence. Un- less we are greatly mistaken, the conv~ctiim is deep rooted The allocation of special seats for Christians in in the Indian mind that Christian colleges and schools the Legislatures may tend to create a new caste. have brought something of incalculable value to the cause Unimpeachable integrity is ft sounder qualifica- of education, and we believe that all who seek the highest tion in a candidate than mere nominal connection good of the nation will not readily let that influence with the Christian community. An experienced weaken. Baptist Missionary, the Rev. F. W. Jarry, M.A., says: Federated India, when it becomes a reality, will consist of H. M. The King, represented by the Some of the leaders of the Christian community have Governor General, and two Chambers styled the intimated that it is not their wish to take advantage of Council of State and the House of Assembly. In the Communal representation offered on the Councils; but the former there will be· about 150 members, have expressed their readiness to stand for election as elected by their constituencies, plus about 100 apcitizens of India, and not as representing the Christian pointed by the Rulers of States; in the House of community; and their statement made quite an impres- Assembly there will be about 250 elected and sion on some of the leading Hindus. about 125 appointed members. In debates and voting the truth will soon emerge that members The Joint Committee Report on Fundamental will not have reached their seats by the same Rights* shows the grave danger of trying to de- routes. Each elected member would have to think fine a thing which almost defies definition. It was of his constituency, while each appointed member found impracticable to draft a statement. The would have to think of his Ruling Chief. Rev. W. Paton, M.A., Secretary of the International Missionary Council, who has given the sub- Visualize the scene! With all the goodwill in ject close study, says: the world, the situation cannot fail to be delicate. What result may be expected? Democracy will The indisposition of Government to make statutory pro- grow like a palm tree. The great Rajahs will lead vision for the rights (}f minorities is simply due to the the way in the establishment of Limited Mondifficulty of putting anything into the form of a statute archies and Parliamentary Institutions. Then which is sufficiently explicit to be useful, and not danger- existing treaties will be absorbed, by agreement, ously static and formal. The Instrument of Instructions in a higher synthesis. All this may materialize given by the Secretary of State to each Viceroy and each sooner than now seems possible. Governor will lay upon them in the most explicit possible way the care of minorities, and personally I am convinced Dr. S. K. Datta, in the Legislature Assembly, that this is adequate. "held up the Indian Christian Church and its in- ternal self-government as the most real piece of I would as soon trust an able and just Governor as I democracy in India." In this spiritual sense the would a High Court interpreting a fixed Statute, or a Christian Church points to the key of progress, special Minorities Committee. and the Church can supply the amalgam with which to fuse the whole of India into a united Will there by any disposition, under the Re- Empire. forms, to take all educational work out of the hands of Christian missionaries, and to remove After many years as a missionary in India, I the subject of religion from the syllabus of all watched the sun setting as I leaned over the bulcolleges and schools? warks of my ship as I took my last look at my beloved India. Mingled memories and hopes held The Rev. J. Z. Hodge, who has recent informa- me captive. In the distance I saw a great cross tion and wide knowledge, says in his article in the on a Church silhouetted against the sky. I was National Christian Council Review (June, 1934, satisfied. The Cross is "lifted up." That is suffipage 281) : cient! I have no fear about the future of India!
That some inhibition on the free play of Christian ac- Grant, 0 Lord, that we who live in such glorious times tivity will be imposed is, we think, certain. Education, may be saved from pettiness and self-seeking, may be for instance . . . is something that bears directly on the filled with a gallant and undaunted spirit, and may be growth and well-being of the State and we need not be diffusers of light, invigorating all we meet, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen. • Paragraph 366, page 215
Harvest in Hyderabad, Deccan*
By the REV. CHARLES W. POSNETT, Medak Missionary of the Methodist Church of England GOD has been wonderfully answering our Christ as Master, whatever befalls. So we put prayers in Hyderabad, When I first ar- these people off for six months. rived there forty years ago the ground When they returned home, they had to go seemed hard as iron. For several years we visited through the furnace. Their land was stolen; their the village markets, treating the sick and preach- water supply cut off; they were dragged to the ing the Gospel. Then, one day, an old man called courts on false charges. There was one continued, me to his house, and said, "Padre Sahib, we in ceaseless effort to make them recant and cry out this house want to worship your God. Yours is for peace at any cost. The devil seemed to have the only religion that cares for the untouchables. entered into the hearts of their enemies, who were When your lady doctor was trying to save my determined to stop the rising tide. Yet it was of dying boy, the people looked on and said, 'She no avail.
must be a scavenger in her own country.' She North of the Godavery River, when I first vis- was the first who ever cared for us untouchables, ited these people they boycotted us i~ every vil- and so we want to learn about your J esu Swami." lage. We could see no one, speak to no one, and From that home, the Gospel spread to a thou- we could not even buy food. Wherever we went, sand other homes, and today, in that area alone, the villagers fled, as if we carried the plague. The tens of thousands of untouchables, have been bap- great landowning chief of the district had ordered tized after they have been thoroughly taught to this boycott, for he feared that if Christianity know Christ and His way of life. entered his villages the day of forced labor, by An old missionary of another church said to me, which he had grown rich, would pass away. Yet, "If we had gone on your plan and done the job as within two years, that very man sent runners a thoroughly we too should have a great harvest hundred and fifty miles, begging me to come to him. He had been ill, and when he had been given today." up as dead by the native doctors our young travel- For years we have rejoiced over this harvest. ing doctor had come and saved his life. When I Now, must we weep over it because of lack of reached the great Godavery River, he was waiting workers and support? in the midst of all his people; and there, on the river banks, we knelt in prayer. The boycott was For twenty-five years this harvest was entirely over, and today we have in that area thousands of amongst untouchables; but gradually the young strong Christians of all castes-and, best of all, people who have been through Christian schools the Bible is beginning to be read in the homes of have gone back to their villages, by their lives and our people. character have compelled the respect of those caste people who had always trodden them under- The Rev. E. L. Ananto Rao, a splendid Indian foot as slaves. minister (who came to England as representative for the Methodist Union meeting), is the moving One day a deputation of caste people came to spirit amidst this wonderful harvest. Each week me to ask for a young teacher. They said, "We his letters tell of more villages asking for the know he is an untouchable, but he is pure as gold, light. Are we to close the Bible to them? What and he has become our friend; we want him to answer will we give? come to teach us." Last December I attended his harvest thanks- This was only the beginning. That year, six giving when about two thousand people from all hundred caste Hindus from all over the country over the countryside came, bringing their offercame to Medak, and for three days they listened ings. All along the country roads there were and asked questions. Before they left they asked groups of people, the children and old women in for baptism, but our watchword in Hyderabad has bullock carts, and the village drummers going on always been "Thorough." We will baptize no one before. The young men had gone ahead to prepare unless we are sure he is prepared to stick to • From The Methodist Reco,'der, England, for the night meeting. They had put up a thou- [525 ]
sand lights, made of little burning cotton wicks, is not a penny for new evangelists, and that even lying in earthen saucers full of oil. These were those we have, living on one pound a month, must stuck on sticks, with a lump of clay, and they lit lose nearly two months salary in the year. up the whole place. As it grew dark the villages Is it possible that this great day of opport~nity for miles around could see the great Christian for which we have prayed so long, over which we "jatra." All night people were marching in with have rejoiced so much together, must now be al- their drums and their thank-offerings. The col- lowed to pass away, and that the golden harvest lection lasted about eight hours, for every man must be left to rot upon the ground?
and woman wanted to be prayed for and blessed.
Ananta Rao had told me that there was to be a great Communion service in the early morning; he wanted both caste and outcaste to come togeth- er to the Lord's Table. They have no church, and I feared they might be very tired, dirty and dis- orderly, for most of them had been up almost all night after a long tramp in the dust. Imagine my surprise when I arrived, to find two hundred and fifty men and women, mostly young people, evidently having risen before dawn to bathe and put on the clean clothing which they had brought all the way from their homes. The caste and out- caste were all mixed together, sitting on the ground, in quiet and perfect order. I think it was the most wonderful and inspiring Communion servic~ that I have ever seen.
To crown all, a whole family of high-caste Hin- dus came up for baptism, led by the eldest son, a village chief. Nine years ago he had come to say that he had been reading the Bible with one of our untouchable Christian boys, and he had heard the Master calling him. Even as this boy spoke to me, a great crowd of his relatives came to take him back home by force. For two days they stayed, trying in every way to get hold of him, and pleading with him to come back and give up his madness. At last, his mother and his family banged their heads on the ground in despair and began to chant a funeral song: "My son is dead, my son is dead." Nine years had passed since then; and now, that very family were standing there, all in white and looking so happy, all well prepared for baptism by their own son.
Such is the harvest waiting now for the reap- A PETITION FROM THE VILLkGE OF MAMDE ing. Is it to rot upon the fields? Translation-We poor villagers have heard of Jesu Just before leaving India a few months ago, I Swami the true God and we do not want to worship wood- en and stone idols any more. We have been bringing went to meet three hundred caste people in an- cattle and sheep to the Cholera goddess for hundreds of other village. They were all asking for teachers. years, but she has never done us any good. We have Half the night I sat with them, listening to them, sacrificed to all the gods but they have never helped us. as they tried to tell the story of Jesus and to sing Now our relatives have become men of Jesus and they are a few lyrics in order to show me that they were very happy, and their children are learning to read the really in earnest. One after another they started, Holy Jesus Book, but we have no Book and our eyes are and in a few moments they broke down, and blind because we cannot read. We. want to worship the stretching out their hands, they said pitifully, golden feet of Jesu Swami but there is no one here to "How can we learn, we have no one to teach us teach us. Can we never have the Holy Jesus Book for our children to read to us? Must we always be blind?
the Holy Book?" Please send us a teacher with the Golden Book. What was I to say to them? Shall we sound a Elders of Mamde- Bommerai Abe Bhoy, retreat? Weare told that seven of our mission- aries must come home from Hyderabad, that there Pichirai Poshe.
Crucial Issue in Latin
A Meditation on the Present Missionary Situation By REV. JOHN A. MACKAY, Ph.D.
-4f Secretary Presbyterian Board o~ Foreign Missions, Author of . – "The Other Spanish Christ" and "That Other America"
T HE issue that confronts Christian, mission ural and inevitable expressions of the Spirit of work in Latin America is the same that con- Christ-the ceaseless urge to do good to every- fronts it around the world. To what extent one and to do all things well as Jesus did. But is there emerging in Latin American countries, the missionary's chief concern will be not to do on pampa and sierra, in teeming cities and forest good but to create doers of good, in whom the wilds, a community of men and women, who hav- same Spirit that inspires himself shall be regnant. ing given themselves utterly to Jesus Christ, have For unless these are formed, the outpouring of become members of His Body, organ for His life, the lavish expenditure of gifts, the idealistic ceaseless activity? How far is the Christian orientation of thought, will become one day but Church being born-that special community whos·e a memory. function it is to bear witness to God in the world and fulfil His redemptive purpose for the world? It is the emergence of an indigenous Christian The only absolute criterion of the success of community that is the goal of the missionary's Christian missions is the birth and development aspiring. Such a community, if it is true to the of that kind of living fellowship. idea that lies at the heart of it, will be a witness- ing fellowship as the early Christian community With Latin America specifically in mind, let us was. Not lovers and admirers of Jesus, or even consider three reasons in support of the position isolated believers in the Christ, is the missionthat the crucial question in mission work in that ary's goal. His goal is a community, "a fellowarea, as in other areas, is the question of the ship of the Spirit," a community of people, that Church. is to say, who have been recreated by God's Spirit and welded into a fellowship. It is not the hold- 1. Because the birth and nurture of an indige- ing of services that will bind them together, nor nous church is the supreme objective of Christian loyalty to denominational forms. They will be missions. Missionaries do not go to any country modern sons and daughters of Pentecost, which primarily as the bearers of a Christian civiliza- as one has put it, "created a community of sacred tion, even if there were, which there is not, a kind love which frees humanity from all limitations of of civilization which merited that name. The naturalegotism." The new sense of togetherness function of the Christian Church, here or any- which they have experienced in Christ will make where, is not to create a new civilization but the them natural successors of those early Christians creators of a new civilization. Missionaries leave who went to the utmost limits in the sharing of their own country and civilization, in order to spiritual gifts and material possessions. The reproduce, wherever they go, the community of kind of community which is the goal of missionfaith to which they belong, not in any merely ary effort will live a life in which theory and denominational or sectarian sense, but conform- practice as closely coincide as they do in the most ing the new community, as nearly as possible, to rigorous of communistic thinkers. Alas that God's ideal for the corporate life of new men and such a community is so little in evidence in North women in Christ. America or in Latin America! Yet it, and it alone, must be the goal of missionary efforts both' Needless to say, Christian missionaries will here and there. communicate the best and truest things they know and give of the best things they have to the people This fellowship will bea witnessing fellowship. among whom they labor, as they will also combat, It will bear witness to God. It will do so as one by all legitimate means,every form of evil among has put it, by manifesting a gift of "perpetual them. Schools of different kinds will thus appear parentage." That is to say, the community will and hospitals, and other institutions for the pro- not exist for itself. It will live for truth, beauty motion of public welfare. These are all the nat- [527 ]
and goodness in their manifold forms. But above plying that to become so is the highest of all goals, all things it will bear witness to the Word of they should do so by learning of Christ at the God, to the reality of a Divine aggression in his- pristine source of Christian knowledge in the tory, in the person of Jesus Christ, to the reality Gospels.
of the Word Incarnate, and to the equal reality Another element in the new mood of Latin of Holy Scripture as the medium in which we America that can be regarded as a true prepara- can hear unerringly the voice of God. tion for an appreciation of Christianity, is the It is perfectly obvious that just as a Christian renunciation on the part of many choice spirits, mission, though incidentally a civilizing agency, of that spiritual traditional indifference which cannot undertake the task of civilizing a country, has been so universal, especially among the culso a Christian community in a country cannot tured class throughout the continent. Many assume responsibility for all that country's needs. younger intellectuals in Latin America decry the Its chief function will ever be, as a model human traditional philosophy of life which kept those fellowship, to bear witness to the Gospel that who laid claim to culture everlastingly upon the spectators' balcony. They are now descending there is good news from God to man. from their marble towers of contemplation and A Widespread Yearning for Reality sensuous enjoyment of life to take their place as crusaders upon the road. Inasmuch as it is im- 2. Because the new mood in Latin America possible for anyone to understand Christianity demands what only the Christian Church can sup- who does not put to himself the question, "What ply. There are times in the life of a country, or shall I do?" there stands before the Christian of a group of countries, in which there comes into forces today in Latin America, an unprecedented evidence a deep and widespread yearning for opportunity to unveil the meaning of the great Christian reality. That mood is operative today spiritual crusade which began with God, which in the deepest soul of Latin Americans. There is, is being carried on by God, and to enlistment in to begin with, a growing consciousness in many which God challenges men and women in our outstanding minds that the true future, their own time. Many have become used, for the first time, and their country's, is in some way bound up with to making irrevocable commitment of loyalty to Jesus Christ. Despite the fact that the historic a cause, who formerly regarded with disdain and religion of Latin America has been guilty to a as mere "sectarians" any who linked their lives to large extent of a grave betrayal of Jesus Christ, a single idea or any single loyalty. They are yet that name, through the instrumentality of the ready, therefore, to appreciate the meaning of Roman Catholic Church throughout the continent, . the Christian cause, the Christian crusade. They has been written into the continental conscious- will not be satisfied with anything. that rests in ness. So much so is this true that one ventures mere forms or ideas and that fails to have a to say that there is an increasing longing for a great passion, a great drive, at the heart of ittrue undertanding of Christ throughout the con- such a passion and such a drive as lie at the heart tinent. The same we believe will be true of Latin of true Christianity, as that ought to be expressed America that was true in the case of St. Augus- by a genuine Christian community. tine. Having learned about Christ from his mother, no system of thought, nor way of living, The Breaking Down of Individualism ever satisfied him through all the long years of his spiritual pilgrimage that had not Christ in it. And then there is the new craving for com- These memorable words of his in his Confessions radeship that is breaking down the old individ- may be read as true of some of the most represent- ualism of the Iberian soul. A young Spanish ative men and women in Latin America today, writer has recently taken to task the great think- "For this name, according to Thy mercy, 0 Lord, ers of his country, Miguel Unamuno and Ortega this name of my Saviour, Thy Son, had my tender Gasset, because they have been too individualistic heart, even with my mother's milk, devoutly in their thinking and have not sufficiently stressed drunk in as deeply precious; and whatsoever was the conception of collectivity. The younger gen- without that name, though ever so learned, pol- eration, he said, is interested in corporate living.
ished or true, took not entire hold of me." It is What an oppor-tunity for the Evangelical Church for this reason that the Argentine, Ricardo Rojas, in Latin America to unveil to the eager thought says, in his "Invisible Christ," that he believes of new Iberians and Indo-Americans the concep- that the destiny of his beloved Argentina is bound tion of corporate living that is at the heart of up indissolubly with Jesus Christ; and that the Christianity, to show how the Church, and the ex-President of Mexico, Portes Gil, affirms that Church alone, is in possession of the key to the if Mexican children are to become Christian, im- meaning of life, and alone is able to produce that
THE CRUCIAL ISSUE IN LATIN AMERICA
type of character which makes true social togeth- the undertaking, yet this is hardly so. With a erness possible! more careful study of the mental attitude of the 3. Because only the Christian Church can suc- cultured natives, and a more thorough grasp of cessfully resist the new "demonic" forces that are the significance of the Message and the methods making their appearance in Latin America and employed, the missionary should find ways of elsewhere in our time. The liberal era is rapidly reaching every class and every individual with the coming to an end, that spirit which took up an Gospel. But the preaching of the Gospel has been attitude of appreciation or tolerance towards confused with the formal exercise of Christian potent spiritual realities. But in our day new worship. It has seemed necessary to the missionand terrible forces are making their appearance. ary to have public prayer, hymn singing, and Christianity is no longer being admired or treated Bible reading as essential accompaniments of each with patronizing or disdainful airs. It is being presentation of his Gospel message. Now, to the ruthlessly challenged and combated by forces native, to stand up with the congregation and to which are demonic in their nature, inasmuch as . join in singing a hymn, or to unite in public they are to all intents and purposes new religions prayer, is identified with a strange worship.
that usurp the place of God on the modern stage. The greatest hindrance of all, perhaps, lies in Fascism in its various determinations is the most the method almost invariably adopted in starting potent "religion" in the world arena today. It a mission in new places. The first step is to find assails Christianity and tries to eradicate it, or a hall and furnish it with seats, an organ, and a it endeavors to subordinate it to its own pur- platform. But this hall with its meeting-furni- poses. The State is the new god. Stateolatry ture becomes a real obstacle between the mission- is the great religion of our time. Ours is there- ary and the community. The native who thinks fore a period when one of the chief, if not the he is going to get some material advantage-edu- chief task of Christianity, is to offer a spiritual cational facilities, economic protection, easy em- center of resistance to this new deity. This it ployment, etc., may break through the obstruc- must do uncompromisingly in the lists or in the tion; but the average high-minded native, the catacombs. It is abundantly evident that no dif- man – and still more the woman – who would used Christian influence has the slightest chance make the most desirable convert, will not.
of surviving the terrific onslaught of the crusad- The foreign character of the missionary &nd his ers of this new god. They only have a chance of methods has become so associated with the work surviving who are a "fellowship of the Spirit" of the Gospel that thoughtful Peruvians who are and who, knit together in a common experience thoroughly in sympathy with the spirit and purand pledged to a common loyalty, will not bow poses of the Protestant missionary, feel themthe knee to this new Baal but will bear testimony selves inhibited from any identification with the to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ movement. Any participation in it seems to be and to His purpose for mankind. Think of Ger- treason against the traditions of their race. The many, think of Turkey, think of Mexico. In Peruvian finds it difficult to conceive of an edu- Turkey, alas, there is no Christian Church today cated native choosing to become a Protestant, alas the fruit of Christian missions. The great though it seems natural to think of the educated battleground of Christianity in our time is in the foreigner as being in place in the Evangelical parishes of the Third Reich. Mexico some months Church. If this difficulty is to be overcome, a ago, was in the throes of a campaign to eradicate larger percentage of the foreign missionaries Christianity and all religion from the conscious- must enter much more fully into the intellectual ness of the people. Only a living Church can stand in such a time. life of the native community. They must familiar- ize themselves not only with the language, but For all these reasons there comes a call to mis- also with the history, the problems, the aspirasionary societies at work in Latin America, to. tions, and the fears and prejudices of the people take earnest cognizance of the extent to which, through their efforts, living Christian communi- among whom they labor. And the missionary ties have been formed, which bear witness to God. must be prepared to alter his emphasis in the presentation of the Gospel so that while no less loyal to the teachings of our Lord, he may suc- . cessfully interpret these teachings so that they OVERCOMING HINDRANCES IN PERU shall appeal to the highest aspirations and the One of the greatest hindrances to the progress deepest feelings of the people to whom he has of the Gospel in Peru is the foreign element in the been sent.-From "The West Coast Republics of missionary and in his methods. At first sight South America," edited by Webster E. Browning, this might seem inseparable from the nature of John Ritchie, Kenneth G. Grubb; pages 91-92.
Bagby a Pioneer in
By INABELLE GRAVES COLEMAN, Richmond, Virginia Publici'ly Secretary, FOI'eign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention "THE most marvelous thing I have seen dur- and sugar cane. During the past half-century ing this half century in Brazil was the there has been a five thousand per cent increase bloodless revolution-the fall of a great em- in Southern Baptists' harvest crop for the Mas- ter in Brazil. pire and the setting up of the Republic without bloodshed," said Dr. William B. Bagby, the senior Fifty-five years ago Dr. William B. Bagby and eighty-year-old missionary of the Southern Bap- his bride, Anne Luther Bagby, were appointed as tist Convention. Many radical reforms-such as pioneer missionaries to South America. Sailing from Baltimore, they spent forty-nine seasick days on the small, storm-tossed barque, before they came to anchor in Rio de Janeiro bay.
Unwelcomed and almost unnoticed, they slipped into this vast country, studied the Portuguese lan- guage and proceeded to the strategic city of Ba- hia, formerly the empire's political capital and still the nation's religious capital. The next two years were checkered with danger and persecu- tion, problems and suffering, all heroically borne.
Dr. Bagby bears a scar on his forehead today as a witness to one experience in Bahia. In a small rented hall while he was telling the Gospel story to a few souls who had dared to attend the service, a stone was thrown through the window and struck the young missionary on the fbrehead. He dropped to the floor and blood streamed down his face. Calmly his youthful life-partner minis- tered to him and silently witnessed for Christ in that tragic hour. Even the Catholics were im- pressed by the courageous way in which this brave young couple presented Christ as the living, con- quering Saviour to hungry-hearted people.
Other missionaries came and the first Baptist church was organized in Brazil. Then like Paul, always lengthening the cords, Dr. Bagby turned his face to a new field, the great capital city of Rio de Janiero. In August, 1934, the fiftieth an- DR. WILLIAM B. BAGBY-TODAY niversary of the organization of the First Baptist church in Rio was celebrated. With radiant joy these veteran missionaries reviewed the years during which the nine Baptists for all of South secularizing cemeteries, separation of Church and America had increased to more than 50,000. In State and proclaiming full religious liberty for all, the same period the two small churches had grown and the recognition of marriage vows-came to more than 500 with 1,500 preaching places, with the new day. Evangelical missionaries have with 718 Sunday schools, 226 Young People's had a large part in bringing these changes to pass. Unions, 400 Women's Missionary Societies, 60 Christ made it possible to bring about the revolu- Young Women's Auxiliaries, 200 children's soci- ' tion without war and bloodshed. "God has let eties, besides men's societies, two seminaries, two some of us old fellows help to build new nations," training schools, two junior colleges, four acad- said Dr. Bagby. Brazil is often called the coffee emies, 48 primary schools, a publishing house, a cup of the world but the percentage of increase Brazilian Foreign Mission Board, a Home Mission for Christ is greater than that from coffee trees Board and a National Convention.
[530 ]
Vitality in Missions*
By the REV. WILLIAM P. SCHELL, D.D., New York Secretary of the Board of Foreign Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
I N THE life of the Church no cause has been we have basked in their reflected glory. Do not more inspiring, none more uplifting, none as misjudge them, nor slander them. Do not allow unselfish, none more heroic than the preaching yourselves to believe things about them that you of Jesus Christ to the world. It is a solemn thing know are not true. Why do they offer themselves to realize that when the foreign mission service as missionaries? Because of adventure, or for a of a Church prospers, the Church is blessed, and "lark" or to teach mathematics? By no means. that whenever a Church is false to its world mis- Nothing but a conviction that Jesus Christ is the sion or disloyal to its missionaries, the spiritual Son of God, nothing but an abiding faith that He life of the Church declines. We move forward died on the cross to save the world, nothing but into every worth-while service as we move for- an unshaken assurance that He rose from the dead ward with Him into His world. and is alive today can lead a man to leave his coun- try, his home and everything life holds dear here There have been discouragements in the year and to bury himself in the jungles of Africa, or that has just closed, and we would not hide them. in the great cities of the Orient. Love of Jesus Missionaries have lived and preached the Gospel Christ sent them out and consecrated devotion to in a world in upheaval; in the midst of an intense Him and His cross and His Gospel keep them out rising nationalism; in nations in some instances there. They do not ask for pity in their difficulincreasingly pagan and antireligious; in the face ties. But they do ask, and they have every right of growing skepticism, even in the home Church, to ask, and to expect, our understanding symas to the validity of Christianity; in the discour- pathy, our prayers, our gifts and our love. agements arising from the spiritual condition of the Church in the United States. . . . Proclaiming the Gospel There have been discouragements – but it has The past year has been a year of outstanding been a year of encouragement and victory. Those spiritual victory on the mission field. First of all, who are closest to the enterprise and who live in the preaching of the Gospel and in evangelistic with it every day thank God for this victorious results. In the face of paganism and of wide hosyear in the mission field. tility to Christ over 7,000 non-Christians were won to our Lord and were received into the Pres- Let us begin by holding up the spiritual morale byterian churches on confession of their faith of the missionaries.
In their living and in their dying, we behold the in Him. Thousands more were reached and en- best that the Church has to offer. They resent rolled in training conferences and brought under being placed on pedestals, they do not recognize the teaching of the Church. In some countries, themselves as heroic, but in all their work they for example, Mexico, this straight evangelism of- reveal to the home Church the possibilities of a fers us our greatest opportunity. Listen to these victorious life in Christ. One missionary in India words from the Mexico Mission: wrote: "We have had many problems, many diffi- Weare convinced that from now on we must depend culties, always a shortage of funds and an inade- upon personal seeking of souls for Christ, and upon per- quate staff, but in spite of this the work has gone sonal dealing with Christians to strengthen and build them on." This spirit of perseverance and hopefulness up more than upon institutions or special plans of work. is also revealed by them when they come home on Our institutions have a rather uncertain existence at presfurlough. ent, but the opportunity for personal evangelism and per- sonal comradeship is greater than ever. We need to search As one who is not a missionary but who knows for new ways of making contacts and then make these and loves them all, I hold up our missionaries as truly effective in reaching souls for the Saviour.
those who have gone out from our churches and Rev. Norman W. Taylor, while distributing lit- erature to soldiers on patrol, came one day to the • Condensed from an address delivered at the 147th General As- highest point along the road and tried to enter the sembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A .• Cincinnati, Ohio, outpost. The soldiers were hostile and one fanatic tried to force him to leave the enclosure. At that May 29, 1935. The full address may be had in leaflet form from the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 156 Fifth Avenue, New York.
[531 ]
moment the Commanding Officer appeared. When the Bible. Rev. William N. Blair, of Korea, tells Mr. Taylor explained his errand, he called his men of the Korean colporteur who, laying down his together and recommended the literature, took life on the banks of the Yalu River a half century him to fifteen camps, and personally superin- ago, threw pages from the Bible into the air, extended the distribution of the Gospel portions and claiming as he did so: "Everywhere the leaves of tracts. In describing the results, Mr. Taylor this book touch the shore, a Christian community writes these thrilling words: will arise."
Since this work opened up six regiments of cavalry and In view of these origins, it is not surprising to three battalions of infantry have been reached. Of these, find church-wide study of the Word of God in two regiments and one battalion have been so thoroughly Korea and a Church whose activities are built evangelized that I believe practically every man has hail upon His word. What a blessing would come to the Gospel presented to him. I believe that I can safely the home Church if we could have Bible confersay, withou£ any fear of exaggeration, that between seven ences such as those in Korea, enrolling from 500 and eight hundred men have expressed the desire to follow to 1,000 women or an equal number of men, many Christ. Among the officers, one major, four captains, and of them trudging many weary miles to study the fifteen lieutenants accepted Christ, and greatly helped us Word! And hear this testimony from North by their interest in seeing that all the men had an oppor- China: "There have been during the year more tunity of hearing the message. requests than ever for Bible classes, more oppor- tunities for preaching, more avenues for personal This story, in one form or another, is paralleled wor~, more students in government schools wantin many countries on the mission field. Henry ing instruction in Christian truths. Along with Martyn in Persia thought he could die content if the inspiration of these open doors goes the dehe could see one Moslem brought to Christ. Hun- pression arising out of inability to supply enough dreds of Moslems have come to Christ during the workers to meet the demands." Over 140,000 past year, many of them undergoing great suffer- children in your mission fields were enrolled in ing because of the step they have taken. The Sunday schools, studying the Bible regularly, and great revival in Africa has continued. Enormous many thousands more were enrolled in Bible incongregations attend all the services. They come stitutes and conferences. in unprecedented numbers to the Lord's Supper. Before one can be received into the church he is The spiritual life of the national churches is required, ordinarily, to wait for two years of test- also manifest in a degree of sacrifice and prayer ing and training. the home Church would do well to emulate. The native Christians, during the year, gave in con- Recent Reports from the Fields tributions or paid in fees a total of $1,639,045. Only when you stop to think of their incomes can In India there has been an increasing develop- you have any appreciation of this sacrifice. In ment in the movement in behalf of the 50,000,000 addition to these gifts of money there have been outcastes who constitute fourteen per cent of the gifts of hundreds of days of labor. One reason population. They have been turning to Chris- why they give such large amounts is because they tianity and Islam until Hindus are concerned over are not over-concerned with budgets, quotas, althe power they may have in Government. locations or apportionments. Many of those churches have budgets, but they always look upon Two missionaries in Siam reported an interest- a budget as a steppingstone to something higher ing visit to a village in which were a number of -never as a goal in itself. The average Christian Lao slaves. Only a handful of these slaves had on the mission field does not compare the giving ever received baptism. The missionaries gathered of his church with its record of the previous year together these slaves and their children and talked nor with the records of other churches. He to them about Christ, distributing literature and simply asks: "Am I giving as much as I should teaching them the Bible. give and can give to the Lord in view of what He has given to me?" When that spirit takes pos- When it came to the last day, to the surprise of session of the home churches, we will no longer everyone seven men, ten women and twelve or report deficits, for our mission budgets will burst fourteen teen-age young people came forward and open with new spiritual vitality and power. expressed their desire to follow Jesus. And they are praying. A missionary in Japan The spiritual vitality of the Church on the mis- writes this description of the Week of Prayer sion field is also seen in the fact that it is grounded which should give us pause: "The Week of Prayer on the Word of God. Proportionately speaking, during the first week in January is widely obthere are more Bible-believing, Bible-loving and served by all branches of the Christian Church in Bible-living Christians on the mission field than Japan. The subjects of the meetings were those in the Church at home. The Bible occupies no such place in the life of the Church in America as it does with mission fields. Indeed, many churches in those lands were literally founded by
SPIRITUAL VITALITY IN MISSIONS
prepared by the Committee in London for use I also am a man. Just as I, a follower of the Great throughout the world, and the Christians felt a Physician, have been able by the skill of surgery thrill at the thought of their praying in unison to enable you to see with your eyes, so also as His with bodies of believers in all lands. I had a bit follower I am not willing to allow you to leave this of a guilty feeling, for I was not at all sure that hospital without appealing to you to accept Him the churches in America were observing the cus- who can make you see for the first time with your tom any more. The evening in which interna- soul." There in that room I saw a governor of a tional questions were part of the program was province rise from his knees and give his heart marked by some fine prayers, breathing a Chris- to Jesus Christ. Our work is conducted in the tian spirit of world-wide brotherhood and inter- conviction that all missionaries should be evannational peace. Remember that they are praying." gelists.
The spirituality of the missionaries and the na- This is glorious work in His name. What are tive Christians is witnessed in their recognition you going to do about it? Today all churches of the fact that there is no phase of life which is stand at the crossroads in their Foreign Mission not touched by Christ. Through our mission programs. On the one hand, we have a world torn schools and colleges, through the miracles of heal- to pieces, groping its way-yet ready for the mesing in hospitals and dispensaries, through count- sage of the Saviour of the world. On the other less movements for social and economic justice, hand, we have the Church hesitant, worldly, its through temperance organizations and antiopium mind on other things. In between, we see a rising programs, through agricultural rehabilitation, and generation of young people, offering their lives in through a definite program to put an end to war places most of us would never be willing to enter. and to promote good will among men, the mis- A few weeks ago there appeared a manifesto, sionary enterprise recognizes the power of the signed by fourteen students of Princeton Theo- Gospel and applies it to human life. logical Seminary, expressing their eagerness to preach the Gospel of Christ in foreign lands and Some years ago, while on a visit to China, I had appealing to the Church, to individuals or local the unusual privilege of seeing a man recover his congregations "to share with us the responsibility sight. He was the governor of a large province resting upon all the followers of Christ, to send who had made a journey of 600 miles to a mission us out as your representatives to proclaim the hospital as that was the nearest hospital he could message of salvation." find. On the day of our visit the surgeon removed the bandages from the governor's eyes, as he lay Lift up your eyes on the army of youth ready in the dark room in our inadequate hospital, and to go to the field. Then lift up your eyes to the he saw for the first time in many years, the blue fields waiting for them and, as you look, recall sky, the green grass and men walking. He arose these words of a great preacher of yesterday: from his cot, fell on his knees, and kissed the sur- "Our missionary problems will be solved when our geon's hand again and again in gratitude. Now, spiritual problems are solved, when we live daily the medical missionary might have said to him: in the sight of God. Our local church budgets are "Your Excellency, don't mention it. It has been bankrupt because there are so many of us whose a great privilege to restore your eyesight. Go spiritual lives are bankrupt. We count our houses, and enjoy your sight." That in itself would have cars, stocks and bonds. We count everything and been a Christian deed. But I have always hon- everybody-except God!" ored him for what he did. He said to the kneeling patient: "My friend, stand on your feet, for Let us count God and His Son Jesus Christ and go forward in His name.
BOLSHEVISM AND CHRISTIANITY Basil Mathews describes bolshevism as having the missionary spirit of a world religion "with a strong fighting faith, and a world program. It cannot be conquered by denunciation or derision. We who hold Communism to be based on the denial of the very root reality of the universe–that the Creator is Spirit and is Father-have a greater and truer faith, that conceives for all the world a full salvation of the whole individual, body, mind, and soul; and of the community which those individuals constitute. But Christianity can confront victoriously the greatest of all contemporary challenges-that of Bolshevism-if its followers, with unity of purpose and sacrificial heroism, live by that faith to build a world community from which the clash of classes, the war of nations, and the antagonism of races are banished under the sovereignty of God who made us all."
Galvao, a Brazilian
N EARLY fifty years ago Egydio Galvao was grew, the women coming from the best classes of converted and accepted the Lord Jesus as society-difficult work demanding a charming his Saviour. He lived in the country some personality. Dulce made, and is making, Jesus so days' travel by horseback from the City of Bahia. beautiful to those women who only knew to serve Immediately after his conversion, friends became images.
his enemies, and the Roman Catholic clergy was One day there came into the classes a young highly indignant. But Senhor Egydio bravely man representing. a well-known company. He went his way preaching the Gospel. He was asked to speak of his products. Thereafter he was seen on my front porch, late every afternoon.
Finally he said to me, "You know, Mrs. White, I am not coming down here every afternoon to rep- resent my company." To which I replied, "I know that, I wasn't born yesterday." He told me that he loved and wanted to marry Dulce. She bought a Bible, marked it and presented it to the young man. I heard her tell him of Jesus and His power. He came to church several times and then he said, "Its no use, Dulce, I can't be a hypocrite.
I can't believe; I'd give anything if I could have your faith, but I can't. However, after we are married, I'll never interefere with your religion."
Time went on, and they planned a happy future.
One day a cloud came over Dulce's face, and the next day she came to me and said, "I cannot do it!" "Can't do what?" I asked and she replied, "Oh, I can't marry that man." Looking up she saw the young man approaching, and she grabbed my hand, exclaiming, "And you've got to tell him."
"But," I protested, "he didn't ask me to marry him." I went with her. He smilingly presented her with a beautiful watch. Looking him in the face she said, "Please put that into your pocket and listen to me. I have done wrong, for I never should have fallen in love with you. I cannot marry you." The young man's face blanched, and DULCE GALVAO, OF BRAZIL he recoiled as if struck. "Why, why Dulce," he begged. With a white face, and a voice filled with beaten and stoned-almost unto death, but he and deep emotion she said, "Because you are not a his cheery wife, Maria, kept on their way with Christian. I know you have said that you would the Lord. Their children were given a Christian not interfere with my religion. But listen-my home at a great cost. One of the daughters, grandfather risked his life for the Gospel. He named Maria, married a Christian and established and grandmother, at a great price, gave my a Christian home into which was born a girl, mother a Christian home. My mother and father Dulce Almeida Galvao. Dulce was taught to love gave me a Christian home. Here I am, a third Jesus and to know the Bible stories, and at the generation Christian, a product of two Christian age of 13, publicly confessed Christ. She finished homes. I know what the Bible teaches. How her education at the Collegio Americano Baptista could I let my- Jesus down that way? I could· in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, and asked the Lord not have a Christian home with you. No, I must to show her a place to work. About that time be true to Jesus." She has recovered from the Mrs. Kate C. White had opened up classes in Do- shock of disappointment and now says, "I shall mestic Science in the City of Bahia, the capital of never marry unless it be to a Christian man."
Dulce's native state. Dulce was invited to teach Her life is counting in a beautiful way for the cooking and live with the Whites. The classes Gospel, among the better classes in Bahia, Brazil.
[534 ]
March of Events in
-eil.!oll==B_Y=KE=N_N_E_T_H=G_._G_R_U_B_B_,_L_O_O_d_oo_,_E_o_g_1a_o_d=~ll~ T HERE are factors in the situation in Mexico convergent process,es at work, even if at any given today which would make it inadvisable to dis- moment they are not clearly distinguishable from cuss certain of the present features and tend- one another.
encies at length. It is useless, however, to deny The chronological sequence of the more importhat during the last eighteen months the general tant of these events was somewhat as follows. On position has gravely deteriorated. More recently December 5, 1933, the reform of Article 3 was (and at the time of writing, July, 1935) there officially brought forward in the convention of the have been signs of some moderation in the anti- National Revolutionary Party held at Queretaro. religious process. As is well known, this reform substitutes "social- ist education" for "lay" education. "Socialist edu- The events of the last two years in Mexico may cation," although it has never been officially deroughly be classified as follows: (1) The Educational Reform, culminating in the re- fined in clearly intelligible terms, is meant to imply form of Article 3, approved by the Senate on October 19, in effect irreligious education. It is unnecessary 1934, and followed in 1935 by new regulating decrees. to say more on this very important step, as the point has more than once been referred to in these (2) The University Conflict, initiated by the protest of pages. the National Autonomous University against the reform of Article 3, on July 30, 1934, and followed by the closing of the Universities of Guadalajara and Monterrey. In January, 1934, the Six-Year Plan was pub- (3) Extreme measures in several states, initiated by lished. This is an attempt to draw out a coor- dinated scheme of government, forwarding tbe General Calles' public commendation of Tabasco on M,arch social objective of the regime through intelligently 29, 1934, followed on May 20th by suspension of religious ministry in Sonora and in October by similar measures in other states. (Last July, President Cardenas decreed directed administrative action; incidentally it enthe downfall of Garrido's power in Tobasco.) dorses "socialist education." A month later the Attorney-general issued a long circular dealing (4) The new open conflict with the Roman Catholic with the subject of nationalization of religious Church precipitated on October 22d by the alleged dis- property. Both the question of a nationalist polcovery of conspiracy on the part of the Apostolic Delegate.
(5) A moderate stage, initiated by explanation on Feb- ruary 16, 1935, that the postal decree was only aimed at icy, as well as that of education, were carried a politico-religious propaganda, and followed up by moder- stage further in March when on the fifteenth a ating statements of the President on April 14th and 15th. recommendation was made that the liberal profes- This stage was further marked by the revocation of the sions be reserved to Mexican citizens; while decree against the circulation of religious literature on June 25th. studies made in unincorporated private schools (6) In June the Cabinet was reorganized. Its two most were declared to be void of public validity.
radical members, Garrido and Calles, were left out, and On March 6th a new tendency became apparent General Cedillo, considered a centrist, was admitted. with the declaration by the actual President, Car- (7) On August 31st, a new decree on nationalization of church property was issued. It is more radical than the denas, commending Tabasco as the model state of one formerly in existence. the Republic. Later in the same month General Calles returned from that state and bestowed (8) As the result of a new radical drive to gain con- lavish praise on its achievements. The next state trol of the National University, the University's authorities decided to close and await for President Cardenas'
decision either granting or refusing further support. The to suspend all religious ministry was Sonora radical wing appointed a new Rector (President) on (May 20th) of which Rodolfo Elias Calles was Governor. A commission of school teachers from September 24th. The situation is uncertain.* These periods are not, in reality, so clearly de- Sonora had previously visited Tabasco. The infined as this classification would tend to show. cident is interesting as it exemplifies the appear- The actual events have overlapped and been inter- ance of the same spirit in geographically remote twined with each other. But in a situation as parts of the Republic.
complicated as the Mexican it is always an as- The educational question came again into the sistance to form some slight idea of the different foreground in July. General Calles made an im- portant speech in Guadalajara when he declared Ba*ezThCeamitaermgos, 6o,f 7Meaxnidco 8Ciatyre.-EkDinITdlOyR.furnished by Prof. Gonzalo that it was the right of the Revolution to educate [ 535] .
its own children.* Three days later, on July 23d, It is necessary to note that quite apart from the project for the reform 6f Article 3 was pre- these official actions of one kind or another, there sented to the Chamber. A week later the Na- has been a certain amount of general antireligious tional Autonomous University protested against activity carried on. To say that this by no means the tendentious nature of this reform. The Uni- has the President's approval, although it carries versity School of Monterrey was closed on Sep- the endorsement of one or two leading men, would tember 28th, and the University of Jalisco on Oc- probably be a correct interpretation of influential tober 22d, but by October 19th the reform had Mexican opinion on this question. In assessing been approved by both deputies and Senate. the significance of such propaganda there are cer- Meanwhile, on September 26th, another extremely tain facts to be taken into consideration. Firstly, important reform was passed, which limits the the enthusiasm behind any movement is always conditions of permanency in the tenure of the greatest at its beginning. Secondly, extreme higher judicial posts. measures advocated by minorities tend to attract On October 22d all the Roman Catholic churches attention and create their own advertisement.
in Queretaro were closed; there are practically Thirdly, the temporary significance of a move- no Evangelical 'churches in the state. Two days ment is often proportional not to its real value, later the religious ministry was suspended in but to the contrast it involves with accepted ideals.
Chihuahua and all Roman Catholic churches closed Ten thousand couples live quietly day by day in in Colima; there is also only a very small evan- any community, but a single case of divorce is gelical work in this state. After a further interval heralded on all the headlines. Nevertheless it of two days all churches were closed in Sinaloa. would be a grave error to underestimate the force The quarrel with the Roman Catholic Church and appeal of antireligious propaganda in the was simultaneously carried into a wider field. On world today.
October 26th the Bishop of Chilapa and the priests Anti-Christian Propaganda in Guerrero were ordered to leave, and the next day it was announced that an alleged conspiracy These considerations justify brief comment.
of the Apostolic Delegate had been discovered. Christians, in all parts of the world and in all Before the month was out this matter had been situations of life, must face the fact that propa- officially handed over by the President to the At- gative enthusiasm has passed from Christian pos- torney-general for investigation, and the Arch- session to that of their opponents. The maturity bishop of Oaxaca had been ordered to leave the of Christianity is being accompanied by a kind of country. Early in November the Attorney-gen- fatty degeneration of the conscience. The cru- eral found that cause existed for proceeding sading and even the prophetic spirit has today against the Bishop of Huejutla, the Archbishop of become incarnate anew, not in the ranks of the Morelia and the Apostolic Delegate, who were not, Christian Church, but in the camps of those to however, in the country. whom religion is a soporific and the Church but General Cardenas assumed the office of Presi- one of many institutions which have burdened dent on December 1st. Early in January decrees humanity with temples and priests. Even in a were issued regulating the subject of education in country like Mexico Evangelical activity is, with private and secondary schools. On January 28th certain exceptions, threatened with the pervasion the President made a public statement denying of a kind of nervous tension which renders a for- the existence of religious persecution. On Feb- ward movement exceedingly difficult. The anti- ruary 12th the use of the post was forbidden for religious spirit, although propagative, is in itself correspondence which "may imply propagation or destructive; it is quite false to suppose that it is diffusion of any religious doctrine." Four days responsible for social construction. It is well later, however, the Secretary of the Interior de- expressed in the words of Mephistopheles: clared that this prohibition concerned religious I am the Spirit publications that contained public comment or That evermore deny-and in denying defamatory attack of the Government or its insti- Evermore am I right-"No!" say I, "No!" tutions. On April 14th the President took occa- To all projected or produced-whate'er sion to state that the regime was in no sense Com- Comes into being merits nothing but munist, and the next day he denied that there was Perdition-better then that nothing were Brought into being; what you men call sin- any intention to attack the "religious conscience" Destruction-in short, evil-is my province, of the people; the Government was seeking only My proper element.
to exterminate "fanaticism." Since this date the A few of the broader aspects of the situation general situation has been somewhat easier. also require study. The Mexican religious ques- tion is a part of a much larger field of thought • I have given the substance of these statements elsewhere. See which must include the relations of Church and World Dominion, July, 1935.
THE MARCH OF EVENTS IN MEXICO
State, the threatened collapse of the world-reli- thought. How do these new circumstances affect gions, and the problem of human liberty in many the relations between Catholics and Evangelicals?
parts of the world. How far shall we meet them by emphasizing our The breakdown of Pan-Islam, the fall of the specific approach, and how far by identifying our Caliphate, and the disestablishment of religion in own problems with that of Christianity in Latin Turkey meant that secularism had successfully in- America, or the world, as a whole? What new vaded one of the world's great religions precisely light do we draw from these events on the work- in the regions where it was considered strongest. ing of evil and the powers of the Satanic? Has With the failure of the Russian Orthodox Church the day of "missions" in some parts of the world the weakness of one of the historic Christian almost ceased, and ought we to envisage the fu- churches also became apparent; a population of ture more in the nature of a world interchange of a hundred million had to be written off the reli- spiritual culture? Is there any reason to suppose gious capital of the race, precisely in a country that, in the face of antireligious fanaticism, the where mystical, and even religious sentiment to Christianity of today has a greater survival value all appearances had made a strong appeal. Chris- than Nestorianism or the North African Church?
tianity was no longer immune against the inroads Are our churches at home, in the countries where of secularism. The secularism of many countries they cannot maintain the personal link through dominated by the Roman Catholic Church has long missionaries and institutions, ready to make the been confessed, but that church had avoided an same spiritual investments as heretofore? Or is "official" collapse in any of its territories. But in our brand of exportable Christianity the type that Mexico it seems that such a collapse is taking can be stopped by frontiers and laws? How are place. Of the historic Christian churches, it re- we to meet the challenge that we have lost the mains to be seen whether Protestantism in Ger- emotional control of masses of mankind? How many will be able to withstand the storm. far is the institutional expression of Christianity an adequate one in Mexico, and how far may the A Test of Mission Work work have to pass through a process of "fraction- It is a situation which will also test the whole alization"? Have we, in our work of diffusion character of the work which has been built up and creation, anticipated or adapted ourselves to through the devoted labors of mission boards, developments of the Mexican's own capacity for their representatives and supporters. The Church expression – in fact, do we pursue a really inin China has had to face these experiences and digenous policy? These are a few, only a few, of the many questions which a situation such as the their effect was temporarily depressing, but pos- Mexican suggests. sibly ultimately beneficial. In Russia the evangelical community is different in origin and or- The present difficulties have not befallen us beganization, and little information is available as cause we are modernists, or fundamentalists, or to its real status today. In Turkey the Christian attend church rather than chapel, or retreat minorities were "liquidated" after the War by rather than camp meeting; but because we are political action, and the problem hardly exists. selfish men; because we have loved ease more But in Mexico the Evangelical Church forms the than sacrifice; because we have preferred ourmost important of the country's minorities. It , selves to our Church, our Church to our Chrisstands in close spiritual relation to the churches tianity; our Christianity to our Lord Himself; of the United States, and its future will be fol- because we have lowered the level of our aim that lowed with prayer and interest, and we should we may the more easily enjoy the complacency of further remember that it is Mexican example our success. These are the things that make us which is liable to be copied in the rest of Latin unfit to minister to the world's need, and from these we need to pray to be cleansed. America.
We should not suppose that the Mexican situa- tion is impervious to influence. If it deteriorates further it may well be because of our own inertia Four needs of the modern world are: (1) A reas Christians, and this should be remediable. But creation of individual Christian life, with an enorwe must identify ourselves with the universal mous increase of conversions in the church and the agony of Christianity, and not attempt to evade sense of the presence and power of God, with self crucified; (2) a new fellowship of Christians, noth- responsibility by special pleading, however valid. ing less than the fellowship of the Holy Spirit; (3) We must once more find the solvent for the world's a recreation of the sense of mission to reconstruct spiritual contempt in the agelong vicariousness of the whole of life, standing for a new life in Christ, suffering. By so doing we shall take the more with no compromise; (4) a better realization that effective, because much the more difficult, course. Christ is in life today and moving IUs Church.- Bishop Logan H. Roots.
There are a few questions which require
We Interest Men in Missions?
-411 By the REV. GEORGE A. BROWN Pastor of the First United Presbyterian Church, Elyria, Ohio THE whole problem of interesting men in mis- women and the children of the Church. More sions is, in its final analysis, a matter of than this, it is primarily the work of Christian interesting men thoroughly, heartily, and en- men to make Jesus Christ known to the world for thusiastically in Jesus Christ Himself. The en- when our Lord began this great enterprise He entire missionary enterprise of His Church centers trusted the task to men. The historian Harnack in Him, its living, glorified, has remarked of the first three ever-present Head and Lord. Here are some interesting centuries of the Christian era, As Bishop T. U. Dudley says, facts about a most important that "we cannot hesitate to be- "The man who does not believe problem in the c h u r c h. lieve that the great mission of in carrying the Gospel of Jesus HS 0 m e bod y said that it Christianity was in reality ac- Christ unto all men every- caoheualddna'tndbediddoint.e" sTo hhee Mweenn'st complished by means of in- Missionary League of the where does not believe in Jesus Elyria Church has been given formal missionaries"; that is, Christ. No interest in missions widespread and favorable no- by what we now call laymen. means no interest for that par- tice. The Board of Administicular thing for which Jesus tration of the United Presby- Why is it then that today the was content to be born and to terian Church has told of the work of Christian missions is live and to die. . . . Yes, no work in a leaflet entitled, HAn largely in the hands of the interest in missions means no Adventure in Masculine Mis- women of the Church, espeinterest in the Lord Himself." sions,tt sent to all pastors in cially in the local congrega- Athnedecrhsuornchsa. ys:AHs ItDhra.s Wce.aseBd. tions? They are doing a mag- The men we have in mind in to be an experiment, and has nificent piece of work and may this discussion are Christian become an accomplishment!' God bless them in it. But as a men, men who know Jesus Several missionary periodicals result many look upon the en- Christ experimentally as their tire missionary movement as a personal Saviour and Lord. women's undertaking, and not Only such men can be expected as something to challenge the to concern themselves about have called attention to the serious and active devotion of Christ's mIssIOnary passion, work, and as a result inquir- strong Christian men. At the and purpose, and program. ies have come from twelve Younger Men's Missionary This question of how to in- states, east to west, and are Congress in Chicago last May, terest men in missions takes at still coming,. The story of a delegate reported at one of least two things for granted: the League has been told with the group conferences, that a first, that Christian men ought encouraging results at Cleve- man, when asked to give to lealsnedw, heCrehiacnadgob,asAbekernonbroaanddto be interested in missions, casted over the radio. AI- missions, replied: "I contribute and second that men can be in- to the pastor's salary and to terested in missions. The only ready similar men's organiza- provide heat and light for the question, therefore, that calls tions are being formed in church; you'll have to see my for an answer is just how this other churches. wife about missions." interest may be generated, de- "Why are the men of the veloped, directed and made Church not as interested in productive of definite, practical results. Consider missions as are the women?" This very question first the imperativeness and possibility of this the Christian Illen of India 'Iare asking. Dr.
matter. That men ought to be interested in mis- Stephen J. Corey, President of the United Chris- sions grows out of the fact that the great mission tian Missionary Society, tells of conducting an of the Church is missions. Since men constitute, open forum in India with some Indian Christian in part, the membership of the Church of the Lord leaders, mostly men, who asked, "Are your women Jesus Christ, missions is most certainly "a man's and children interested in sending the Gospel to job," just as much as it is the business of the India?" When he replied that probably two- [538 ] thirds of the money for foreign work in his com- of prayer. The book of "The Acts" makes this munion came from the women and the Sunday plain as does the history of Christian missions schools, their astonishment was unbounded, and since the first century of the Church's life. There one of them said, "Why, sahib, we in India have was also a very definite purpose; after three un- always felt that Christianity was a man's religion. successful attempts had been made to get the men . . . Why are the Christian men of America'less together and to hold them together, to organize interested in bringing Christ to us than are the them around the missionary objective. Finally women and children?" In answer, Dr. Corey tol.d there was the pursuit of this end in the spirit of them that the women in America were definitely patient persistence which the Lord has so wonder- organized for the study of missions and therefore fully blessed. His hand has been so manifestly knew more about missions and were naturally present and powerful that we ascribe to Him the more interested and were doing more for mis- glory and praise of it all.
sions than the men who were not so organized. Men and Missions Sunday Why Are the Men Not Organized? Lord's Day morning, November 19,1933, marks This suggests the further question: Why are the formal beginning of this movement in Elyria.
the men of our local churches not organized and That was "Men and Missions Sunday" and the doing the same kind of missionary work as the pastor preached especially to his men on the sub- women? Here is the reason: In addition to the ject, "Missions – A Man's Job," based on Acts fact already stated, that this whole undertaking 1: 8. In closing he appealed to them to organize to make Christ known to the world is regarded as a real Men's Missionary Society, calling a meeting being largely a strictly feminine affair, there is for this purpose the next evening. Fifteen men the general and deeply rooted conviction that the met with the pastor in response to the challenge work of organizing the men of our local churches of the previous day. From that night meetings for definite, systematic mission study and specific were held twice a month, for a period of six missionary service, simply cannot be done. Even months, under the pastor's leadership, until the the leaders of the missionary movements of the organization was completed, May 21, 1934, by the men of our Evangelical churches are decidedly adoption of a constitution, the election and instal- skeptical as to the possibility of this thing. When lation of officers, and the appointment of commit- we were thinking of organizing a Men's Mission- tees. Ever since that time meetings have been ary Society in our Elyria Church, a letter was held on the third Monday evening of the month – written to the Secretary of the Laymen's Mis- a time found to be the most suitable time for our sionary Movement asking him for any help that men. The membership at present is 40, being he could give us in launching this new enterprise. about 60% of the men on the church membership Mr. F. J. Michel replied, "We do not recommend roll. The average attendance from the beginning the organization of men's missionary societies, has been 27, for the last year 31, and for the last since they cannot be maintained continuously, as five months 36, including several neighboring pas- is the case with the women." (Mr. Michel, him- tors and some of their men.
self, thinks otherwise now.) Beside the usual officers for such an organiza- The second point in our theme is that men can tion, there are membership, program, project, be interested in missions because they ought to boys' work, welfare, and social committees.
be. The divinely imposed command insures the Monthly missionary meetings include worship, possibility. The very imperativeness of this task business, an educational program and a social assigned to the men of the Church of our Lord is period. During the year there were five meet- the" prophecy of its accomplishment. Christian ings with special speakers, four were conducted men can be brought together and they can be held by members, and three were in charge of the together in a missionary organization with con- pastor. Regular mission study courses have been tinuous monthly programs of spiritual worship followed and our present missionary proj ect is and missionary education and service, with the the support of a native evangelist in the Sangla finest Christian fellowship and increasing devo- Hill District of our mission in the Panjab, India.
.tion to their Lord. It has been done, and thus This evangelist's inspiring name is Gulam Masih, the possibility is fully demonstrated by the Men's which means "Slave of Christ." Later we hope Missionary League of the First United Presby- to have some definite work in a home mission field terian Church of Elyria, Ohio. Weare now ready for we believe that "the field is the world," so to answer the question "How?". that interest in missions anywhere means interest It is not necessary to say that this work is the in missions everywhere.
fruitage of prayer, of much prayer, for every for- One of the most encouraging things in the short ward movement in missions has been the result history of our Men's Mission'ary League is the
marked influence it has had on the life and work that we covet above all things. But the responsiof the Women's Missionary Society. At the end bility for human leadership most undoubtedly of the first year of the League the president and rests on the local pastor more than upon any other treasurer of the Women's Society were asked this living person. This is what our missionary statespointed question: "Has the Men's Missionary men think. Dr. John R. Mott, writing of the work League been a help or a hindrance to the work of of promoting missionary education and activity the Women's Missionary Society?" Their replies throughout the Church, by means of local Men':=; revealed the marked increase in membership, at- Missionary Societies, says: "There are reasons tendance, interest, offerings, cooperation between why the subject of the world's evangelization the men and the women, willingness to help in the should appeal with special force to men, and to work, and the growth of the missionary spirit the strongest men. . . . This greatest work of the generally in the Women's Missionary Society. world languishes in no small measure because of During the first year of the Men's Missionary the lack of their initiative and aggressive support. League the Women's Society gained 500/0 in active It rests with the pastors to call more largely into membership, 3470 in general offerings, while the action this vast latent power."
thank-offering for 1934 was 43 % above that of Dr. Mills J. Taylor, Associate Secretary of the United Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 1933. The total missionary budget offerings of who has contributed so largely to the success of the entire congregation for the church year end- our Men's Missionary League, says, that "Proging March 31, 1935, were 137 % over those of the ress in these matters depends more upon the enprevious year. The Elyria W. M. S. was given thusiasm, and devotion and loving persistence of the highest efficiency rating of all the thirty so- a prayerful pastor than upon any other person." cieties of the Cleveland Presbytery, for the work of the last year. The president of our local so- The great need of this new movement for "Men ciety generously attributed their high standing to and Missions," therefore, is warm-hearted, wholethe influence of the Men's Missionary League. hearted pastoral leadership. Such leadership a goodly proportion of the men of our churches will Encouraging Possibilities follow. The result will be the realization of such triumphs of God's grace and power in the realm This record shows something of the possibili- of missions as will compel us to magnify and bless ties of a real Men's Missionary League, carried His glorious name for what He has done through on continuously, twelve months in the year, in an us. When Deborah and Barak were given the average congregation, and with growing power victory over Jabin, king of Canaan, the captain and popularity. Clearly this form of activity, that of whose host was Sisera, we read (Judges 5: 2, some said could not be done, can be done, for it American Standard Revision): "For that the has been done. We know of other groups of men leaders took the lead in Israel, for that the people who have joined this new movement. In Novem- offered themselves willingly. Bless ye Jehovah." ber, 1934, a similar organization was formed at Let the pastors, the divinely appointed leaders of Ezel, Kentucky, and in May, 1935, a Men's Mis- God's people today, actually lead in this men's sionary League was formed in the Margaret Park missionary movement and their men will willingly Church of Akron, Ohio. We hope and pray for offer themselves, and will bless "the God that the largest realization of the possibilities of this doeth wonders." It may not be amiss to remind work in local congregations throughout the entire ourselves that in this same chapter (5: 23) we Church. The eyes of missionary leaders in other read, "Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah, communions are upon us and they are anxiously curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because waiting to see whether we really make good so they came not to the help of Jehovah, to the h~lp that they may know whether to adopt the plan. of Jehovah against the mighty." Mr. Fred J. Michel, of the Laymen's Missionary Movement, says: "I am so glad that the United Here, then, is our challenge. What are we go- Presbyterian Church has taken the matter up. In ing to do about it? If the men of our churches the measure in which it will succeed, we may hope ought to be aroused to a greater interest in Chrisfor the adoption of the plan by other denomina- tian missions, and if their organization into their tions." own missionary societies is not only possible but practicable, and if the responsibility rests upon If this work is to succeed, who is primarily re- us, the pastors, how can we be true to ourselves, sponsible for it? On the divine side it is the work true to our men, true to the unevangelized multiof the Spirit of God and we need to give to Him, tudes of the world, and above all true to our Lord the great Executive of the Godhead in this age of Himself, unless we do all in our power to realize grace, His rightful place in this whole undertak- this definite, spiritual, missionary objective? And ing. It is His presence, and power, and presi- "We can do it, if we will"; or better, "He can do dency in this promising missionary movement
THE GERMAN NEO-PAGAN FAITH MOVEMENT
it, if we will." Shall we not, then, in the face of and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the words of our the world's need of Christ, and with His command Men's Missionary League Rallying Song: ringing in our ears to "go, and preach the Gospel to every creature," and as the natural expression Came now, ye Christian men, of our own life in Him, with our whole heart, an- Obey your Lord's command; swer this call and challenge by saying, "By thy grace we will." Pray Him to send forth laborers In this and every land. What better time is there to begin this work than on the coming "Men and Missions Sunday," Present your gifts to Him, November 17, 1935? Let each pastor preach that Your silver and your gold; day to men, more earnestly than ever before, to show that "Missions Is a Man's Job." Then call But first of all, yourself He asks, a meeting for the organization of a Men's Mis- That He your life may mold. sionary League; pray, plan, proceed as the Holy Spirit may lead. God will touch men's hearts and Go forth, Ye Christian Men, the fruitage will be great. May God give you such Proclaim His name abroad; an experience, for the sake of His Son, our Lord That sinners far and near, may come To know the Son of God.
He gave His life for you, His precious blood He shed; Serve Him who saves you by His grace, The Church's Living Head.
The German Neo–Pagan Faith Movement By REV. W. O. LEWIS, D.D. I~ European Representative of the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society I T HE main facts about the religious controversy Hauer was born in 1881. As a young man he in Germany are well known and many have worked as a stonemason and so came into close heard about the movement in the Evangelical . contact with many irreligious people, but he also Church which calls itself "German Christian." knew certain pious folk who had considerable in- The press has also reported the speeches of Gen- fluence on him. He decided to become a mission- eral Ludendorff in which he prides himself on ary and entered the training school of the Basel the fact that he is in no sense a Christian. Most Missionary Society. Being exceedingly gifted, he of those who direct the affairs of the "Third soon mastered all his teachers had to offer him Reich" have broken more or less with Christian- and went to India as a teacher in a high school.
ity. But relatively little is known of what is prob- He has since stated that when the Missionary So- ably the most serious of the Neo-Pagan organiza- ciety offered to send him to India, he told the tions, The German Faith Movement (Deutsche directors he was not sure that he was a Christian Glaubensbewegung). and some of the older missionaries objected to There were pagan organizations in Germany at sending him out.
the end of the last century and many new ones When he reached India, he began to study In- have sprung up since the War. After Hitler came dian religion and took up the study of Sanscrit.
to power, they were afraid they would not be Later he went to Oxford and when the War broke tolerated, but in October, 1933, they were as- out he was interned by the British Government.
sured that the new Government would not under- His experience during the next four years had a take to suppress them. At Easter, 1934, repre- profound influence on his development. By the sentatives of various pagan organizations united time the Hitler regime was established, he had under the name of German Faith Movement. renounced Christianity openly. His book, Deu- They met at Schwarzfeld in a natural cave known tsche Gottschau (German View of God) may be as the "stone church" which is said to have been taken as the most complete and authoritative ex- used as a place of pagan worship before Chris- position of the Neo-Pagan German Faith Move- tianity was introduced into Germany. Professor ment.
William Hauer, a professor in the University of This movement is already well organized all Tiibingen, was elected head of the organization. over Germany. An effort is made to keep the
membership limited to those who are sure they that Christianity furnishes a sufficient basis for know what they believe or do not believe and morality. According to German press reports, why. It is claimed that there are 20,000 mem- recently in large meetings, Hauer and other rep- bers in these smaller fighting organizations, but resentatives of the movement have openly as- Hauer himself thinks he has evidence that there serted that Christianity has not only lamentably are at least 5,000,000 in Germany today who may failed to furnish the ethical foundations which are be classed as adherents, and the number is said needed today, but has actually brought great to be growing. The movement has its weekly and harm to Europe, having prepared the way for Bol- monthly periodicals, and is already giving a sort shevism. They claim that prostitution and bawdy of training to those who are active in the propaga- houses did not exist in Germany before Chris- tion of paganism. They have adopted a ceremony tianity came. German Faith ethics can be best for the dedication of children to take the place of learned by studying the biography of Frederick infant baptism and also have pagan wedding cere- the Great and other great German heroes. The monies. Besides lectures and various public military virtues are exalted. There is a limit to rallies, they have pagan ceremonies around trees the sacrifices the strong must make for the weak.
on high places. Most of the leaders are educated In some cases they say that it would be better to and are men of clean, moral lives. The movement allow the weak to perish, and in many cases men makes a strong appeal to certain young men who and women should be sterilized so that they can- made the Hitler revolution. Hauer and his friends not reproduce their kind. The individual counts claim that the religion they preach is the true for very little, the State is everything. The Ger- spiritual and philosophical basis of the Nazi revo- man Faith approves of war and the joy of battle lution. This movement is now not only tolerated for the nation's honor. Along with courage there by the Nazis, but is even allowed privileges which goes a certain fatalism. The German Faith man the churches cannot get. They are permitted to does not desire the rewards that Jesus said the use the large Sportpalast in Berlin for their meet- heavenly Father would give to the righteous.
ings which neither the Protestants nor the Ro- The German Faith rejects the idea of human man Catholics can use at present. sin. While admitting that not even the greatest These Neo-Pagans have so far refused to put German heroes attained their highest ideals, there in print anything like the creeds of the Chris- is little place for any real doctrine of sin, of re- tians. But from Hauer's writings and other pub- pentance, or forgiveness. They acknowledge the lications, it is possible to gain some idea of what need of no mediator to bear our sins. Each must they believe. bear his own penalty. Men conquer sin in their Great emphasis is placed on race. It is claimed . own strength since the essence of every man's that there is an inner, spiritual side which cor- soul is divine.
responds to the outer distinctions of the various German Faith people profess to honor Jesus, races. There has been an age-long struggle be- but they state boldly that they do not take Him tween the civilization which Hauer calls West as model and leader. They simply do not see the Asfatic-Semitic and the Nordic Indo-Aryan which need of the Christian religion. Some may think has found its finest flower in the Nazi state. No they need Christianity just as some think they effort is made to revive the paganism of the past cannot do their work without tobacco. But they in its ancient form, but it is claimed that Chris- could do their work better without this artificial tianity is alien to the German race and blood and stimulation. The German Faith does not claim the period of over a thousand years in German to be universal and valid for all mankind, but does history between Charles the Great and Hitler is claim to offer something better to Germans.
an interlude. The ancient paganism must be mod- Hauer asks, "Have those who believe in Christ ernized and brought up-to-date. Eckehart and more power to overcome the difficulties of life?
Nietzsche are often quoted with approval. Have they more courage to face danger, to risk The conception of God seems to be a sort of position, income, life; yea to look death in the mystical naturalistic pantheism. He is the hidden face? Have they more joy than the men of the background of all things who reveals himself in German Faith 'z Is their life more real, more nature and in men. His highest manifestation is genuine, cleaner? Are they willing to serve their in the fighter and in the German culture. The nation with _more self-sacrifice? Do Christians German faith god is hardly a personal god. The have more peace in fellowship with each other?
world which is the manifestation of God is not to Let the Christian prove his faith by his works."
be despised. It is infinite and eternal. Man's Whether they will or not the Christian people spirit is a spark from the eternal. But there is of Germany must accept this challenge. Those no separate conscious immortality. who know Christ have no doubt as to the out- When it comes to the ethical side, it is denied come. There can be no neutrals in this struggle.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home ~,~================E=D=IT=ED===BY==M==RS=.=E==ST=E=LL==A=S=.==A=IT=C=H=I=SO=N='=G==RA=N=V=I=LL=E='=O==H=IO================~.~~ NEW PLANS FOR PRO- ning lamp; Look and Read-an tian Ideal for America," with open book with a pair of spec- the Spirit of Home Missions, an GRAM BUILDERS tacles on it; Look at Your Indian, a mountaineer, a Span- THE LOOK OF THE MONTH CLUB Church-rays from above fo- iard, a Negro, an Alaskan, a cused upon a church building; Puerto Rican, etc., in vivid pan- Under this title the Forward and Look at Yourself-in the Looking Committee of the Meth- orama, and a ribbon visualiza- odist Episcopal Woman's Home looking glass, of course! tion of ties brought from Europe Mission Society has brought out This last volume is really the to various sections of the New a year's programs of a unique first, being intended for use in World by explorers and pioneers. character, the calendar being co- August, as a personal preface The leader next dials on a radio ordinated with a tiny "library" of 12 pamphlets enclosed in a wherein all officers and chairmen as if in search of station WHMS shall take an early look at them- from which The March of Time neat case, each pamphlet cover- selves in relation to the impend- is broadcast, short musical intering the material for a month's ing task, with the plans, goals, ludes being used between the program. The "club" is launched courses of study, organizational brief talks of people hidden be- "with the high hope that in the specifics, etc., thoroughly out- hind a screen and speaking as abstract study of the develop- lined and explained. Each de- if from a number of fields on ment and progress of home mis- partment of missionary endeav- which the society is working. sions, the understanding and de- or has the mirror held up for its The closing announcement is, votion of our sisterhood may be accurate reflection. As it is im- "The WHMS Marches on!" The deepened and broadened." The possible to follow the details of organization of the society is specific theme is, of course, "Pi- all the months, a general survey next illustrated in a large Temoneering Today in Home Mis- of the September booklet is here- ple Chart placed on an easel and sions," each month's "look" be- with given as a sample of the explained by the leader-founing at some phase of the task. development, the worthful sub- dation of Jesus Christ, organiza- Thus the first month is a "Look ject matter and its practical ap- tions, conferences and boards as Forward" at the magnitude of plication. As with all its succes- the steps, missionary education, the work. The cover design sors, the devotional service is Christian citizenship, departbears a clear cut telescope. The fully outlined even to the text mental bureaus, etc., as the pilensuing months are: "Look and for the leader's talk. Then fol- lars of a Greek temple. The Act," with a spotlight turned on low "The Look of the Month"- central pillar is finance. This Race Hatred, Intemperance and 20 minutes' study of the home feature covers the second divi- Juvenile Delinquency; Look at mission textbook (which is thus sion as outlined in each program the Work, a pair of eyes being completely covered in the course and is followed by the social focused at long range upon the of the year); a period on Wom- hour in which a recreational' map of the United States; Look an's Home Missions, which is a "Before and After" stunt is per- Up-Peace on Earth, with a specific study of some phase of formed. With the women distar; Look Ahead to Youth, the denomination's work–dti- vided into groups of four or five, with a pair of field glasses on zenship, conference institutions, or eight or ten if the audience is whose two lenses appear a boy Christian center activities, coop- large, leaders are chosen by each and a girl respectively; Look at erative projects and the like; group and a certain amount of Your Neighbor-an open win- while the last period is devoted time is given for planning. dow revealing a group of people to a social hour whose details fit When ready, a group depicts a of various nationalities inside; in with the preceding study. locality before and after the mis- Look at New Occasions-a ba- Thus in September the devotion- sionary society began its work, rometer, the sun and a cloud; al service takes a far and wide the audience in each case trying Look Far in Cooperation-a look at the task through God's to guess what institution or misyoung woman looking through a eyes; the textbook study pre- sion has been represented. The surveyor's transit; Look To- views "Toward a Christian best demonstration is then acgether-mother and daughter America" in a dramatic sketch claimed as decided upon either scanning a book under the eve- on "Home Missions the Chris- by judges or popular vote.
[543 ]
Posters suggested as adver- ination may be laid upon this by 11. What can a Christian individual tisement for this meeting fea- officers or chairmen of corre- and member of a group of Christian tured pioneer scenes, the invita- sponding committees who then young people do to improve motion tions being on a sunbonnet give their outlines for the open- pictures in your community? pasted on a postal card, and cov- ing year's work. The president ered wagons made of match cements all together, naming the 12. Can you subscribe to the stateboxes to be used as favors. binding material as "the helpful- ment on p. 162 beginning, "The fre"!- ness of each woman in the tier of the new day is largely social" While the specific details 'of this attrac- church." If the boxes are cov- as expressive of the whole task? tive series are denominational, its funda- ered with gold, silver or other mentals are of so unique a character and fancy paper, the design will be 13. Record somewhere what you so universally applicable that any Intelligent most attractive. This plan lends have definitely determined to do about program builder could adapt them to her itself to an annual meeting in the matters listed in this course. own use. It is issued by the Woman's Home which otherwise dull reports are Missionary Socitey of the Methodist Epis- to be presented. "So Built We From the Editor's Scrapbook copal Church, 420 Plum St., Cincinnati, the Wall" is the title suggested. Ohio. Price 50 cents. Capitalizing a Popular Hobby: Christian Youth in Action Hannah P. Miller, secretary for Another Year Book young women's work in the To an unusual degree this M. E. denomination, writes in a The program theme for the study for young folks may be new leaflet regarding capitalizwoman's society of the Alham- cast into the form of questions, ing the collecting hobby which bra, California, Baptist church discussion topics and the like. A enthralls all normal you t h was "Builders with Him" and few of Mrs. B. P. Heubner's as- sooner or later. Progressing the key verse "Come and let us signments as she taught this from dolls, pictures, books, pilbuild up the wall," Neh. 2: 17. book at the Lake Koronis, Minn., lows, spoons, elephants, etc., she The following is a brief outline assembly last summer were as proposes to call a halt on all of the meetings: follows: other accumulations until June 1935, the climax of the girls: Topic, "L a yin g Foundations 1. List some of the things wrong in Golden Year, meanwhile major- Through Reading." Presentation of America today. ing on "our little yellow envelnew books and the magazine Missions. opes" (containing the special 2. What are the attitudes of youth personal dues or gifts); $50 Stewardship, with the bricks of of your acquaintance toward the in- gifts from individuals or organ- Time, Money and Talent. ability to enter upon their life work? izations; names of new mem- What seems to you to be a Christian bers; subscriptions to Woman's Civic program, "Builders with Him attitude toward the situation? Home Missions, etc. Two prime for Good Citizenship." A temperance values stand out: (1) Friends program was given. 3. In what respects can the Church learning of the girls' new quest be said to have conformed to the will lend a hand to help make of Missionary program, "Building with standards of a pagan world? their favorite a Champion Col- Him Through Schools for Negroes." lector in the local or associa- 4. Arguments pro and con for sub- tional organization, and (2) Evangelism-"Winning New Work- sidizing or endowing churches to leave that whereas other collecting ers for the Wall." them free for their main task. hobbies are only for self-cen-· tered gratification, this one has Missionary program, "Building with 5. What is your community provid- an altruistic object in benefiting Him in Burma," Baptist literature ing for the leisure time of young peo- others. Even "collecting girls" and the Rangoon printing press being ple who cannot be in school? What for the membership may result featured. more might be done? in fine, lasting and serviceful friendships of far-reaching con- "Builders with Him Through White 6. From your own experience or ob- Cross Work," with dramatization servation, cite examples of interracial presented by the corresponding com- friendship. State obstacles and benemittee and a display of the work done. fits.
"Builders with Him in Our Church" 7. Would you patronize a Japanese -a workers' conference. dentist? A Negro physician? Enter- Various other special foreign fields were similarly considered.
"The luncheon feature for the year," says the Year Book, "is known as Birthday Partners. Each woman is given the name of a missionary whose birth date is the same as hers, and at the luncheon table (taking the tain a Mexican student in your home? sequences. Magazine subscripmonths successively) the women cele- Room with a Chinese at a conference? Are your answers free from race prej- tions result in a widening interbratin~ bring some news item or let- est with all its possible sequelre. ter from their birthday partners." udice?
Building the Wall 8. In the light of Chapter 2 analyze "Ships" for Toasts: The Col- your own community, considering its lege Ave. Baptist Church in Tois another widely adaptable needs, what the church or other agen- peka, Kansas, held a "covered theme based on the same Scrip- cies are doing to meet these, over- dish" luncheon using this theme, ture. The corner s ton e, of looked needs or situations, and formu- the table decorations featuring a course, should be Christ (repre- late recommendations for your young centerpiece representing a lake sented by a box of say 12 inches people's group and yourself. (silver paper) with a sparkling square), laid by a charter mem- beach, on which floated three 9. In parallel columns record facts regarding war which cause you to oppose it and why peace enlists your ber if possible. Then smaller active support. kindergarten – style s hip s of boxes labeled Prayer, Reading, 10. Has the attitude of young peo- heavy paper. Two were black Missionary Education, etc., ac- ple toward liquor changed since re- pirate ships with white masts peal? State evidence. Propose a pro- and sails – "Indifference" and cording to the departments of gram of action in dealing with the "Neglect," these being later run. work in the church or its denom- liquor situation.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
down and overturned by the Mounted on heavy material, the ties, and dividing the crowd into third, "Friendship," flying the back of each picture contains es- groups of from three to five each, American flag. Small boats sential information about its give each group one biography. carrying cargoes of nuts and subject. Mounted on heavy ma- The groups then repair to dif- other foods were used over the terial, the pictures are suitable ferent rooms or different corners table. The leader's talk showed for framing and using as visual- of the same room and read tohow neglect and indifference izations in missionary meetings, gether their leaflets, returning must be overcome and replaced study classes or Sunday school after ten minutes and putting on by friendship in dealing with teaching and give personal in- their demonstrations, playing "New Americans." The toasts terest to descriptive or biograph- charade-fashion upon the names .w ere on "Interpretership," ical material. of the missionary subjects. The "Friendship," "F e 110 w s hip," counselor then collects the biog- "Citizenship"and "Partnership." Birthday Partners: A good raphies and asks of each group A selection from "the Ship of luncheon feature for the wom- any ten questions (except exact State" was read. The plan lends an's society is to assign to each dates) answered in its sketch, a itself to the theme for home mis- member the name of a mission- point being scored for each sion study this year-"Toward a ary whose natal day is the same query answered cor r e c t 1y. Christian America." as her own and have these wom- Should the other groups be un- en, month by month during the able to guess the charade in the A Missionary Reading Room: year, give some news item or course of the quiz, the perform- The methods department in Mis- read a letter from their birth- ing group scores ten points so sions tells of a plan used in day partners at the luncheon that its maximum score is twenty White Temple (Baptist), Port- table, thus affording a double points. "You see this makes a land, Oregon, going a step far- "celebration." plain game into a purposeful ther than the common use of a game in which some learning literature table in the church Business Around the Maypole: processes must be going on or vestibule, or some other easily some very low scores will be accessible place. Miss Nettie Johnston writes of a made. The game may be played plan used at the May meeting in through several meetings." "Ours," writes Mrs. J. Fred Bell, the Pittsburgh Branch of the secretary of literature, "is a down Methodist Women's Auxiliary "Missionary Footsteps in Ja- town church, and when the family car for livening up the reception of pan." This apropos program takes the young people to the B. Y. branch reports. It was in the was prepared by Pearle Bourne P. D., fathers and mothers must go setting of a dolls' maypole party, and is described in The Window then and wait an hour for the church the "dolls" being pieces of mail- of Y. W. A., organ of the Wom- service. So we feel that this room ing tubes about five inches long an's Auxiliary of the Southern fills a real need. It is a small S. S. dressed up in ruffles of fluffy Baptist Convention: room, easily heated and comfortably crepe paper and drooping hats furnished. We (the board of missions framing faces cut from maga- Poster suggestion, an outline map of the church) started a library with zines. As each secretary read of Japan with Japanese shoes (clogs) books bought for the school of mis- her report, she rolled it up, marching across it. Dse some such sions. We are subscribing to Missions pressed it into a tube and at- wording as this: "March with Mis- magazine so there will always be the tached the doll to a streamer of sions across Japan at (time and current issue on the table, as well as the pole. This pole was set in place)." Japanese shoes made into 'A Book of Remembrance' and free the midst of a lawn of green folders in which is printed the pro- leaflets. We are asking for donations paper and had a yellow paper gram will be effective. Hymns: of missionary books." "flower of happiness" for China, "Footsteps of Jesus"; "Follow, Fol- a real iris for Japan, a rose for low, We Will Follow Jesus"; "Where Forty Missionary Stories is India and America, etc., at the He Leads Me I Will Follow." Devothe name of a new book by Mar- top. The gay streamers of the tional: "Ye Should Follow His Steps," garet W. Eggleston-"true tales pole and dresses of the dolls re- 1 Peter 2: 21b. Talks on "Getting that have the heart touch and lieved the monotony of the re- Our Footing," "Our Footing in 44 that carry their morals without ports. Years," etc., according to the subject words. They are not of equal matter to be covered in the program. stimulus but they cover a sur- Charades for Fellowship: A Special music, "Beautiful Japan," or prising range and few readers writer in The World Call sug- "Hail to the Brightness." Other fea- will escape their emotional ap- gests after looking over the bi- tures may be: "Footfalls that Pre- peal. The book is particularly ography sets of the United saged Great Events," "Footprints on adapted for use among boys of Christian Missionary Society the Sands of Time," "Turning Shoes the hero-worshiping age. (Har- that charades should be impro- Around" (changing old non-Christian per's; $1.50, or through your vised to familiarize people with ways through missionary influence). own literature department.) the names of missionaries and "Getting Our Footing" may be a True- impart information as to what and-False test, the leader either hand- Portraits of Missionaries: The each one did. Selecting from ing out a written test for each mem- Baptist Department of Mission- the leaflets such names as Trout, ber to mark or reading the items and ary Education has a large collec- Palmer, Hunter, Weaver, etc., letting the organization indicate the tion of 10×12¥2 portraits of its having dramatization possibili- correct reply, as: "The name, Japan, missionaries to which it keeps was given by Perry when the country adding from time to time. was opened to trade. (b) By the Chinese since the sun came from its direction. (c) Because of its beauty," the second being correct.
~~I====~============~========~I~
BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions ANNE SEESHOLTZ, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK GIVEN TO HOSPITALITY Jesus said, "When thou makest a feast, bid the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; they have not wherewith to recompense thee."
Peter in writing "to the elect" urged them to practice "hospitality one to another without murmuring." Paul, in letters to the Roman Christians and to Timothy, his "true child in the faith," repeats the charming words, "given to hospitality."
The Rune of Hospitality I saw a stranger yestreen: as it unites us to Him and makes congregations who have listed I put food in the eating place, His prayers one with ours, will the members who would be the Drink in the drinking place, lead us to intercessory prayer first to leave and who would Music in the listening place; for all men." doubtless afterwards have "gold And in the sacred name of the Triune, stars" on another flag to be hung He blessed myself and my house, *** in the church. My cattle and my dear ones. And the lark said in her song, Let us thank God for the growing In helping its members "to Often, often, often, and deepening consciousness of the seek peace and pursue it," the Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise, need for peace, and for the personal Broadway Tabernacle Church in Often, often, often, knowledge of Him who brings peace New York City has made use of Goes the Christ in the stranger's guise. on earth.-From the Call of Prayer, the following anti-war declara- announcing the observance of the tion: -Old Gaelic Rune. Recovered by World Day of Prayer, February 28, Kenneth McCleod. 1936. "I have quietly considered what I would do if my nation THANKS BE TO GOD MAKING UP OUR MINDS should again be drawn into war.
Luke tells how Paul on his last Strange how we strong- "I am not taking a pledge bejourney "thanked God and took minded Americans who usually cause I do not know what I courage." know where we want to go, and would do when the heat of war straightway go, are now fum- mood is upon the country. But Paul in writing to his Chris- bling and stumbling along in in a mood of calm consideration tian friends in Philippi and making up our minds how to I do today declare that I cannot Colossre combined the giving of keep our nation out of the hell reconcile the way of Christ with thanks to God and steadfastness of another war. Evidently too the practice of war. in prayer. many of us keep our minds on the possible war rather than on "I do, therefore, set down my Father Fabian says: "Our our probable strength to find the name to be kept in the records own interests drive us obviously Way of Peace. I have heard of of my Church, so that it will be to prayer, but it is love alone which leads to thanksgiving. [546 ] There is little enough of prayer but there is still less of thanksgiving."
"Our knowledge of the Love of God to us calls us to pray for ourselves that we may be worthy of His Love. Our love for Jesus,
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOlv.lE MISSIONS
for me a reminder if war should thority of the Foreign Policy As- sciences have performed a valcome; and will be a solemn dec- uable function in conducting relaration to those who hold to sociation, which has gained wide search which increases our recognition as a source of un- knowledge of human relations, this conviction in time of war biased information on interna- but their findings do not reach that I believe them to be right; the masses, and therefore have and I do desire with my whole tional affairs, but the facts are too little influence on public presented in popular, non-tech- opinion. The Foreign Policy Asmind and heart that I shall be sociation believes that the most among those who keep to this be- nical language. Each book con- useful service which it can perlief. tains about forty pages and is form at this time is to develop a new means of public education "I set down my name to make illustrated with unique pictorial which will secure a wider disconcrete my present thought charts or graphs. tribution and more effective use of the knowledge derived from upon the question of war, and The series is especially suited research. declare my purpose to think and to the needs of discussion groups, The project is being carried talk with others about it, that current events clubs and forums. out by a new Department of my belief in the way of Christ Study outlines and supplemen- Popular Education organized tary material are available to this fall under the direction of shall become operative in this William T. Stone, Vice-President and in other questions which teachers, ministers, and club of the Foreign Policy Associanow confuse our thought and leaders using the books for dis- tion. Mr. Stone is assisted by action." cussion groups. The books are Mr. Omar P. Goslin, as educa- tional secretary, and Mrs. *** published in two editions: a Phyllis A. Goslin as editor. Mr. paper covered pamphlet edition and Mrs. Goslin are authors of Since June, 1934, the General for organizations and study Rich Man, Poor Man, a graphic Council of Congregational and survey of our economic dilemma groups at 25 cents a copy; and which has received enthusiastic Christian Churches has author- praise fro m educators and ized preparation for "a plebis- a book trade edition bound in critics. boards on sale at all bookstores cite of our denomination to de- at 35 cents a copy. Released by Foreign Policy Association, termine the mind of our people" S W, 40th St., New York, New York. on four propositions or others The gravity of the world crisis relating to the question of war is one compelling reason for this and peace. The vote is being new venture. If society is to taken this month. solve the fundamental problems May God be praised that of our times without resort to under his guidance some Chris- violence, it must apply knowltians will be led to make up their edge and understanding more minds concerning the Way of Peace. successfully than it has in the past. In recent years the social NEW VENTURE IN ~.
POPULAR EDUCATION I Headline Books Offer Popular I Material on International Problems I The Foreign Policy Associa- FLANDERS FIELD tion announces an interesting The float, shown above, entitled Flanders Field, was a unit in the Peace Demonstration experiment in popular education, prepared by Mrs. J. H. Callister, and directed at the Northfield Missionary Conference, initiated this month with the Northfield, Mass., in July. For particulars regarding such a demonstration for Peace, publication of Headline Books. The first volume is entitled "War refer to the B1IIletin for November, or address tbe Editor. Tomorrow: Will We Keep Out?" a survey of the proposals for keeping America out of the next war, written against the background of our participation in the World War.
The object of Headline Books is to present the complicated and difficult problems of our times in a form so simple and interesting that they will be understood by the millions of Americans who don't normally read "serious" books. The material which goes into each book carries the au- ! Our World–wide Outlook ~ ~II,~,=====A=M=issi=ona=ry =Ne~ wsp~ape=r o=f C=urr=ent=Ev=ent=s =====~~ NORTH AMERICA Interior, and is expected to take can be a Scout or receive a com- from five to ten years to com- mission unless he believes in Human Relations Institute plete. The work will employ God. In 1917 a special edition of the Bible and of the New The Williamstown Institute of about 4,000 men. Rev. Roy H. Testament, bearing the Scout in- Human Relations meeting at Murray has been appointed by signia and readings on the Scout Williams College in September, the Washington Co un c i I of brought together Jewish, Cath- Churches and Christian Educa- law, were issued.
olic and Protestant representa- tion for this work. The culminating "daily good tives with a frank and deter- turn," which is the capstone of mined purpose to create a better Chicago's Kingdom of God the movement, came in 1934, understanding. The 680 mem- Fellowship when the President of the United bers of this Institute, while not States broadcast a request for a forsaking the cardinal principles Chicago is developing a "King- nation-wide good turn during of their own religion, feel bound dom of God Fellowship," with Anniversary Week. In response together in a common task of aims akin to those in the Fellow- to this call, the boys gathered combating the forces of national- ship sponsored by Kagawa: "(1) 91,863 pieces of household furniism, secularism, intolerance and The deepening of spiritual life. ture, 22,206 pieces of bedding, materialism which are alarm- (2) An educational program to 268,716 pieces of clothing for inform the churches and inter- men, 276,423 pieces of clothing ingly on the increase. The Institute was based upon pret for them the life, the Chris- for women, 266,160 pieces of recognition of the fact that while tian experience and social pro- clothing for children, besides fundamental religious differ- gram of Toyohiko Kagawa, and 79,617 miscellaneous pie c e s. ences must remain, m u t u a I to relate ourselves to the Chris- These supplies were given to ununderstanding and a working tian International Fellowship employed persons. cooperation can be established in that is coming under the impulse Now, after twenty-five years spite of them; and that interest of Kagawa's Christ-like life and of the Scout Movement, almost in mutual problems can sur- teaching. (3) The study of and 800 men are devoting their mount respective differences. the relating of ourselves to the whole time to its leadership. A outstanding social action move- training school is carried on Are Country Churches Dying? ments within our own churches near Mendham, N. J. and the cooperative movement This question is often heard, -The Christian Advocate. as a technique for world brotherand a Louisville Baptist minister hood." Quaker Branches United has worked out an answer in the following figures for Kentucky: A booklet entitled "Kagawa A breach of more than a hun- dred years' duration was healed City Country and the Kingdom of God" has when the two branches of the been prepared and is being dis- Religious Society of Friends, Churches Churches commonly known as Quakers, tributed. Dr. Kagawa expects talked, prayed and were silent in Membership ….. 18,677 18,675 to be in the United States dur- Baptisms ……. 570 1,045 ing the winter.
Pastors' Salaries. $39,573 $33,883 Total Gifts …… $201,606 $69,723 S. S. Enrolment. 14,897 11,692 Scout's Silver Anniversary the same New York meeting house. More than a century ago -Watchman-Examiner.
Another Cooperative Project About half the Boy Scout the followers of Elias Hicks, calling themselves liberals, broke Seven denominations are coop- troops in the United States are erating in the support of an in- connected with churches. Of the off from the orthodox section, terdenominational religious pro- organization's twelve laws, the and each Suriday since then gram at the site of the Grand Coulee Dam in the State of most fundamental is the twelfth, these Quakers went their sep- Washington. This support pro- which reads: "A Scout is reyvides for a religious worker and arate ways. The reunion, which helps toward the erection of a erent toward God. He is faith- took place at Gramercy Park chapel building. The dam is being built by the Reclamation ful in his religious duties, and meeting house, was character- Bureau of the Department of the respects the convictions of others ized by a quiet service. When in matters of custom and reli- the service and announcements gion." This has been embodied were over there was a filing out, in the constitution of the Boy a shaking of hands, a little nod- ding across the meeting house. Scouts of America, and no one [548 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Danish Lutherans Take Washington Chinese Church religious. The "Socialist" teach- ing of Mexico is planned to a Stand The organization of a Chinese remove all religious preconcep- Community Church among the tions from the minds of the peo- The Danish Evangelical Lu- 800 resident Chinese is one of ple. In one of the most populous theran Church in America, with the most interesting recent de- states, all school teachers must a baptized membership of 18,- velopments in Washington, D. C., sign the following document: 000, assembled in convention in and is a brand new enterprise. Danevang, Texas, June 14-18, The recent visit of Dr. P. C. I declare that by all the means in passed the following resolution: Chua, head of a private hospital my power I will fight the Roman Cath- in Canton and an earnest Chris- olic religion and other religions. I Be it hereby tian, has initiated this move- declare that I will not take part in ment. The purpose is to con- private or public in any ceremony of Resolved, That the Danish Evan- duct a communuity church with the Catholic Church or any other regelical Lutheran Church in America educational, social and recrea- ligion. in convention assembled fully en- tional features in connection dorses other church bodies and peace with the religious services. The Many mission schools have organizations in their efforts to se- church will seek affiliation with been closed and it is expected cure full publicity concerning the the Church of Christ in China. that, by the end of the present facts and forces of armaments, and The pastor is Rev. C. C. Hung, school year, the few remaining in their efforts to create an enlight- of Detroit, who has had experi- schools will close. ened public opinion against the out- ence in similar enterprises. rageous increases of current appro- Mr. Grubb found the followpriations for the war and navy de- Quarters will be selected ad- ing is a Socialist Lord's Prayer partments. . . . jacent to the Chinese residential being taught in one school: area. Subscriptions promise We condemn the traffic in arma- adequate finances for the year. Our Socialism which is on the earth, ments, the diversion of money from The few Christian Chinese are Respected be thy name; public funds to channels indirectly en- all behind the enterprise and are Thine influence come, larging the power of the military es- represented on its board of man- Thy will be done as in the cities so tablishments, the subtle basis of the agers. Many other resident militaristic setup and spirit in vari- Chinese have shown their in- in the fields. ous public activities such as R. O. terest. -Christian Advocate. Give us this day our daily bread, T. C. colleges, relief organizations, Do not pardon us if we pardon our and economic agencies of control, and the taking of excessive individual and enemies, corporate profits in the production of And lead us not into the hand of armaments. clergy, But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Anti-Race Discrimination Moravians in Alaska It is useless to contemplate sending more missionaries to Christians who believe with The Moravian Alaska Mission Mexico, but Mr. Grubb calls at~ the Apostle Peter that God is no is celebrating its jubilee this tention to the fact that as the respecter of persons must re- year. The most encouraging prayers of God's children turned joice in the action of Pennsyl- feature of the work has been the the tide in a similar situation in vania in passing its anti-race- eagerness to read, and learn the China so will prevail today discrimination bill. This law Bible on the part of the young prayer, and spiritual life canprovides that there shall be no people, the best proof being the not be destroyed by governments discrimination "because of race, frequent and intelligent ques- today. creed or color," in inns, taverns, tions they ask. Often the midroadhouses, hotels, restaurants, week services are entirely given Mexico's Women for buffets, saloons, barrooms, ice over to Bible readings. Eng- Temperance .cream parlors, confectionaries, lish is being used more and soda fountains, drugstores, dis- more; no new translations of the South of the Rio Grande, as pensaries, c 1i n i c s, hospitals, Bible were made by the Mora- north of it, the saloon or tavern bathhouses, theatres, motion-pic- vian Mission last year. is a focus of crime and delinture houses, airdromes, roof quency. Mexican pulque and gar den s, music halls, race -Bible Society Record. tequila are as cheap as beer and courses, skating rinks, amuse- wine in the United States. It is ment and recreation parks, fairs, LATIN AMERICA with real satisfaction that Presibowling all e y s, gymnasiums, dent Cardenas, of Mexico, welshooting galleries, billiard and Education in Mexic9 comes the women of his nation pool parlors, public libraries, in a fight against alcohol. "It is kindergartens, primary and sec- The new system of education up to them' more than anyone ondary schools, high schools, in Mexico is closely allied to its else to solve the problem," he academies, colleges and universi- religious life. By a recent said recently, "for the sake of ties, garages and all public con- amendment to the Constitution, their children and homes, and to veyances. This seems to cover "Socialist teaching" is obligatory see that their husbands and the ground pretty thoroughly. in all schools, including mission brothers make good use of the schools. Mr. Kenneth Grubb, money they earn. Women will -Presbyterian Tribune. who examined Government text- be gratified to know that they books prepared for primary schools, found them to be anti-
have undertaken a great work. prisoners throughout the world. "Christ-Believing Jews" In the case of extreme necessity," he warned, "I may even For the coming Christmas some For several years there has have to prohibit the manufacture been in Hungary a group of of intoxicating liquor, so that 25,000 English, and over 5,000 Jews who have never severed this work will not be in vain." their connection with their peo- The National Revolutionary foreign letters, each handwritten ple, but who, as Jews, believe Party is conducting a series of that Jesus of Nazareth is the radio programs against the and decorated and containing a Messiah promised in the Old traffic in strong drinks. Testament. The leader of this clear Gospel message, have al- group is Dr. Deszo Foldes, who Ecuador Nationalizes Churches is the president of the Hun- ready been prepared. Two garian Hebrew – Christian Al- A decree was issued on Oc- liance. He has just published a tober 15th· nationalizing Ecua- prisons in the United States each book in which he relates his exdorean churches. It was an- perience on entering the Chrisnounced that another dec r e e are to receive 5,000 letters; the tian life, and his later efforts to would be issued nationalizing the advance Christ's cause among clergy. total number sent to North his own people. Among the rea- sons given for the establishment In 1869 tithes on farm produce America is over 24,000, while of "The Union of Hungarian for the support of the Roman Christ-Believing Jews" are the Catholic Church were abolished, about 600 in Spanish go to following: and a tax was substituted. In 1902, civil marriage was per- South America. Weare Christ-believing Jews bemitted and two years later the cause we believe in Jesus Christ. Church was placed under State Letters in several languages With all the strength of our soul and control. with all conviction of mind, we be- are being prepared for India. lieve and confess that He, Jesus of Plans for Amazon Basin Nazareth, is the one who, in accord- There are also requests for sev- ance with the promises of God through The vastness of the Amazon the great and holy prophets of our basin, and the apparently un- eral hundred Christmas letters Jewish people, was to come, and, by limited possibilities of its future His own sacrifice, to save His own bedevelopment have engaged the for use by prison wardens in loved people as well as all other sinattention of missionary agencies. ful lost souls, from their condemna- . It is said that this basin could India. -The Christian. tion, the death of sin. support 500,000,000 people, so immense are its natural re- Italy Needs Help We call ourselves Christ-believing sources. It seems beyond ques- Jews because we are children of the tion that its development will The Spezia Mission in Italy Jewish people and remain so, for we come within a generation or two. scrupulously keeps outside all are not willed to loosen the ties of With such possibilities in mind, political and military questions. union with our Jewish brothers, but Presbyterian forces of Brazil Its hands are full caring for rather desire to cultivate and foster have been contemplating the in- souls in its many sided work. It these ties. We cannot see a solution auguration of an evangelical is anxious that in the present of the Jewish question except by spirwork along the river, in order to crisis the needs of orphaned chil- itual renaissance through acceptance gain the advantage of being on dren should not be forgotten. of the New Testament without the the scene from the beginning. The Girls' Orphanage has been surrender of Jewish individuality. The plan calls for the coopera- at work for more than half a tion of the Brazilian Presby- century, while an orphanage for -Alliance Weekly. terian Church and the Northern boys is nearing completion. and Southern Presbyterian mis- While Rome, using the political Evangelism in Norway sions joining in itinerary work crisis, is seeking to crush the that would carry the Gospel up Spezia Mission, the workers feel About twenty-five years ago and down the river by boat to that the present situation fur- a revival in Norway laid the the widely scattered communi- nishes a definite opportunity to foundations of the greater evanties. -Christian Observer. proclaim the cause of Christ to gelical and missionary z e a I the Italian people. shown by that country as com- EUROPE pared with the other two Scan- -The Christian. dinavian lands. Today a strong Christmas Letters for evangelical movement is in evi- Prisoners Campaign in Corsica dence, especially among the stu- dents. Two years ago a Swedish Great Britain has groups of The Camps and Tours Union evangelist set up a Gospel tent voluntary helpers engaged in has held a series of ten evan- in Oslo for a series of meetings, preparing Christmas letters to gelistic meetings in isolated and the demand for evangelist'ic mountain villages of the Island services has been so sustained of Corsica. So far as known, that he is still there. The people not one Protestant was present; hunger for the Gospel. the average attendance of 30 was entirely Roman Catholic. Nearly all the population (2,- French Testaments, Gospels and 649,775) belongs to the Lutheran tracts were accepted readily by all those present, most of whom had never seen a Bible. At one meeting the people asked for an explanation of the difference be- tween Catholic and Protestant belief. Personal talks, explana- 1:!ion of texts and prayer had definite results among those of every walk in life.
-Life of Faith.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Church, within which this evan- Rev. G. Guenod, which deserves Missionaries Help Ethiopia wider circulation. We quote: gelical movement finds its home. American missionary doctors The country is strongly Prot- The steamer which is taking and nurses are planning to reestant, having only 3,000 Roman us to the Cameroon made a stop main in Ethiopia, in case of war at Algiers and then at Casa- Catholics. Only 800,000 of the blanca. In the first named place with Italy, in order that they population of Norway live in we passed the Depot of the Brit- may aid the wounded and ill. cities. The country population ish Bible Society. In 1934 there is very scattered, the average were distributed and sold, copies Dr. Robert W. Hockman, a density being only twenty-two of the Bible and New Testaments medical missionary, is reported to the number of 66,614 copies. people to the square mile. recently to have left for the -The Christian. frontier with five tons of Ethio- pian Red Cross supplies, includ- This work employs seven colpor- ing operating tables, stretchers AFRIOA teurs, both among Europeans and tents. He was accompanied and natives. The agency in Al- by Dr. Malaku Bayen, Ethiopian Changes Under Way giers is able to supply the Word husband of the daughter of the Nothing that is happening in of God in nearly 60 different President of Howard Univer- Egypt, and, in fact, in all Mos- languages. sity, Washington, and 100 native lem countries, seems more sig- Casablanca is a prodigious assistants. nificant than men's awakening city which was not in existence Dr. Tom A. Lambie, field dito the desirability of educating before 1907! It contains so rector of the Ethiopian Mission, women for a place in society many things to see, among them a part of the Sudan Interior Missimilar to that in the West. "Bidonville," the "zone," the sion with headquarters in To- Arabic papers frequently pub- name of which indicates its mis- ronto, is organizing the Red lish articles on the subject, some erable appearance. of which have been translated Cross. Dr. Esther Bergman into English. At a Rotary Club "ladies night" recently in Cairo Contrary to appearances about and Dr. Tesla Nicola, both of Los there were several Mohammedan 10,000 Moslems swarm about the Angeles, and other missionary members present, including the place. Our arrival was marked doctors, will convert their hospresident of the club; but not by the Aid-el-Kebir, the great pitals into institutions for war one Mohammedan lady came day of the "mutton feast." wounded. American w 0 men with her husband. The example Every family kills a sheep, and have also volunteered their servset by the Palace, where the everywhere from u n d e r the ices in making bandages and Queen is kept in complete se- doors of the little yards flow splints. clusion so far as mixed com- little streams of blood which feed pany is concerned, tends to keep the ill-smelling mud of the Foreigners in Addis Ababa back the older leaders of the streets. This does not prevent (pronounced A'ddis A'hwahwa) community from following new the crowd from strutting about fear air raids and gas attacks social ways. in magnificent holiday attire. It most; except for a few anti- happens to be at the same time aircraft guns, the capital is un- -Wilbert B. Smith. the Jewish Sabbath. prepared for such attacks. Few are equipped with gas masks The Gospel Welcomed At the "House of the Bible" which an enterprising German we had the good fortune to meet merchant is selling at $40 each. The Church Missionary So- Mr. Dugald Cam p bell, the ciety reports a marked change in The British Legation, which is Omdurman, Egyptian Sudan, in Scotch colporteur of the desert. on a full wartime footing and is the attitude to Christianity. For more than thirty years he equipped with subterranean dug- There is a growing interest and outs; the German Legation has readiness to listen, evidenced by has been traversing the Sudan bomb-proof shelters but the the large attendance at meet- and the Sahara in every direc- United States Legation has no ings where the speakers included tion. He is particularly inter- such protection. an Armenian, an American, an Egyptian, an Englishman and a ested in the Tuaregs and has French Government Donation Sudanese. Simple Christian teaching is welcomed in the hos- written about them and his After the aeroplane accident pitals, although not a few draw trips some gripping stories. in Congo BeIge, which cost the back when they realize what is lives of Governor General and involved in an open acceptance Mr. Campbell was just about Madame Renard, the French of Christ. -Life of Faith. Government acknowledged the to start on a new tour. It takes service rendered by Baptist Mis- him about two years and a half. sionaries at Bolobo and Tshum- He needs to buy eight or nine biri by sending a donation to- camels on which he will load his small parcels and hundreds of kilos of Gospels (which are pub- The Bible in North Africa lished in his own Targui trans- ward the work of these stations. lation). He is always in danger After paying the costs in- The Journal des Missions of a bullet from a fierce, but un- curred, the missionaries plan to Evangeliques publishes a letter seen Chleuh, but the cover of apply the money toward ur- gently needed new buildings-at from one of its missionaries, the God will protect him.
Bolobo, new classrooms for Ayia Sofia, is to be turned into a zation. An Indian lady from teacher training and girls' dor- public library. Lucknow has been elected chairmitory, and at Tshumbiri improvement of missionary dwell- Persia Makes Radical Changes man of the united organization. ings. -Southern Workman. Three Indian delegates were sent In addition to other changes Another Jubilee Offering in Iran has come the introduc- to the World's Student Christian tion of music (forbidden by the Federation, which met in Bul- From the chief and oldest Koran) with military bands and garia last August. While angrandmother to the youngest singing taught in schools. Relichild, everybody helped to make gious leaders have been stripped other contact is with the newly bricks, bringing timber from 30 of old perquisites, such as the organized Student Christian miles and sand from five miles right to witness all deeds for fat away to build an addition to the fees, the control of the huge Movement of Java when four church at Qanqu, South Africa, lands and possessions of the representatives of the Indian and thus worthily celebrate the church, and the right to inter- movement visited Java last Augchurch's fiftieth anniversary. fere in political affairs. Many Seventeen hundred people at- who have protested the change ust. India is also looking fortended the opening service, 700 have been imprisoned or exiled. ward with great interest to the of them communicants. Besides visit of the American Negroes the offering, a special gift was Marriageable age for girls has also been raised from nine to six- who are planning to tour most of teen, and the consent of the first the important student centers in India, Burma and Ceylon in the coming winter.
-The Christian Century.
presented to the Bishop, includ- wife is required before a second Revolt Against Hinduism ing seven oxen and several sheep, can be taken. Modern schools 400 pounds of potatoes, 200 have been established for girls The Associated Press reports pounds of sugar and several as well as boys; moving pictures that on October 15th ten thoupounds of tea. The Bishop gave are used in government schools; sand "untouchables" revolted all this back to the people and and policemen have been ordered against Hinduism by resolution a grand feast followed. The to tear up every old style hat after they had been addressed by building fund was sec u red they see. Recently the leading Dr. Ramji Ambedkar, at a meetchiefly by the Bishop of Aber- mosque in Hamadan was com- ing of the depressed classes at deen, after his visit to South mandeered by the department of Nasik. education, and the dome was Dr. Ambedkar urged them to Africa a few years ago. used for the suspension of a abandon Hinduism and adopt WESTERN ASIA Foucalt's pendulum, showing the "any other religion which gives Changes in Turkey revolution of the earth on its you equality of status and treat- axis, thus proving that the world ment." He continued: "I had the misfortune to be born with The Moslem W 0 r l d (New does move-in more ways than the stigma of the untouchable, York) reports that further rad- one. -The Presbyterian. ical changes are taking place in but it is not my fault. I will not Turkey. Bahaism Under Fire die a Hindu."
The new Parliament proposes to Iran is using governmental His audience heard the adtransfer the weekly day of rest from authority to suppress Bahaism, dress with marked enthusiasm.
Friday to Sunday. Primarily this is one of the greatest of peace or- Practical Christianity a change due to commercial, and not ganizations. This sect, perseto religious reasons. Money and time cuted in Turkey, found freedom Ten boys from a mission are lost on the Continental Bourse by in Iran, the land of their birth, school in North India put their Constantinople being closed on ,Fri- but an official proclamation has Christianity into effect during days. At the same time the change is now closed their schools. The the hot season by providing railworking to the advantage of the reason for this persecution is way passengers with drinks of Christian, and is another blow to the that their spiritual leader peti- cold water. They also helped old Moslem. However hard it may be for tioned the League of Nations to men and women, some of whom Christians in Turkey today, their secure for them the right to elect had never traveled before and position is in no way so difficult or a representative at the Persian were glad to have cheery lads distressing as that of Islam. Out- Parliament. help them with their bundles. wardly at least, Islam is crumbling. -United Presbyterian. These same boys, during an The Muezzins are forbidden to call to prayer from the minarets in Arabic; epidemic of malarial fever, went into the villages and distributed it must be in Turkish. But the call quinine, encouraged people to brings no general response; the old keep their bodies clean and to take other health precautions. In imam's voice, breaking on a top note, INDIA AND SIAM only calls forth mocking laughter. Student Christian Movement Ayia Sofia (formerly a Christian Church and then a mosque) has been The Student Christian Movereopened as a museum. The great ment of India is entering upon a discs bearing the names of the first four Khalifs and other like decora- new phase of its history, as it some places they showed lantern tions of a Moslem character have been removed and the old atmosphere has has been found possible to unify slides which suggested ways of gone. It is rumored that the mosque the men students' and the wom- maintaining good health.
of the Sultan Achmed, the one nearest en movements into one organi- -The Christian.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Toward Christian Unity Learning to Live In and Around Malacca Dr. E. Stanley Jones is setting Rural reconstruction is mak- The missionary history of up in Lucknow a new ashram, ing headway in Burma. The for the special study of service Malacca (Malaysia) contains the and evangelism. He is an ear- Methodist Anglo – Vernacular names of three famous men. nest advocate of Christian unity, School has a rural bias in its cur- St. Francis Zavier worked there riculum. Boarding pupils pay and would combine all Christians 20 baskets of rice annually for for some time, and stories of his in one "Church of Christ in miraculous power are still cur- India," with many "branches"- their board, and do outside man- rent among his followers. Milne Syrian, Lutheran, Methodist, ual work certain hours. Weav- ing, carpentry and the like are started the Anglo-Chinese Col- Friends, etc., each branch keep- lege in Malacca toward the end ing for the present its old or- additional. Girls are instructed ganization. Over all would be in poultry raising. In the dor- of the 18th century. It was later an All-India General Assembly mitories, the students practice moved to China. Robert Moror Synod, meeting at long inter- housekeeping in groups, buying rison set up his first printing vals, the National Christian and preparing the meals on one press in Malacca, and there his Council acting as an executive rupee a week. first translations of the Bible committee. At Chaungwa is an S. P. G. into Chinese were printed. Shel- -Christian Advocate. rural center which is similar in labear Hall commemorates the aim and method. Literary work Methodist pioneers in this field, Dr. and Mrs. Shellabear. Mrs.
Telugu Convention is done at both schools and the Shellabear founded the Suydam manual training appears to In Bezwada, India, was held make the pupils more alert. Girls' School, and the boarding recently the great Telugu Con- school which accommodates 100 vention, which was attended by -Burma News. girls. more than twenty thousand native Christians, saved from A Problem in Siam Malacca has a Tamil congreheathenism. A huge structure was built for the occasion. The Dr. Barnhouse, writing in gation and one for the Hokien delegates slept on the ground. Revelation, after a recent visit, Chinese. Daily Vacation Bible Their wants were few-a little tells us that the Siamese have a rice and curry. REVIEW readers tendency to accept Christianity Schools are conducted in eight are familiar with the beginnings by households. Families are so outlying districts, as well as in of this work among the Telugus bound together that if any indi- -how for years no opening was vidual considers becoming a Malacca. One new outstation Christian, it is a matter for the has been opened recently, also a new Sunday School in Malacca.
-Woman's Missionary Friend.
gained, until some Boards were household to settle. He goes to CHINA on the point of recalling their his parents, his brothers and workers. At last the break Missions and Philanthropy came, and 2,222 were baptized sisters, and even households of Cooperate in a single day. Since then the cousins are consulted, so that work has steadily developed. The Spirit of Missions gives a when a man becomes a Chris- striking example of cooperation -Alliance Weekly. tian, frequently his whole house- between a mission hospital and hold is brought in, and some- a benevolent society. This was In the Assam Hills in Anking, where not long ago a times two or three collateral crowd of forlorn women and Rev. W. G. Supplee, Baptist households. This explains one children, driven in by famine worker in Assam, reports that from outlying farms and vilchurch membership is growing of the great difficulties that has lages, invaded the city, grabbed faster than it can be cared for. been prevalent in the work of the wheels of jinrikishas and At the present time the Christian membership of the churches the schools. A student from a non-Christian home who comes under the influence of Christian- ity, and who perhaps really has among the Serna Nagas is well become a Christian at heart, will pulled at coat sleeves, begging over 5,000; the past year 800 were added. The Association of consult his parents before con- food. the Christians of one section of sidering baptism. More often Anking has a group of Chinese than not, permission will be rethe field was held at Alaphumi, business men who call thema village 100 miles from Kohima. fused, and the student will obey selves a "Fellow Benevolence the parents. There have been Society." They are not all There were 4,400 people there. many cases where, years after Christians. When this invasion The Gospel of Mark is the only graduation, students have writ- took place, a committee of the part of the Scriptures available ten to their former teachers say- society went through the streets ing that parents having died, or after midnight and picked up all in the Serna Naga.
The missionary motorcycle other obstacles having been re- the children between six and traveled over 1,000 miles on the moved, they have decided pub- twelve years who were sleeping paths of the Naga Hills, Assam, licly to become a Christian. on doorsteps in the rain-139 of during the past year. Through the years they have them.
-Watchman-Examiner. continued their Bible reading. The men's society then ap-
pealed to St. James' Hospital in ference held recently at Kuling, hundred centers the Chinese Anking. The staff got into ac- Central China. Nanking Theo- Government is offering treattion and vaccinated for small- logical Seminary expects to re- ment for addicts of the drug and pox; scrubbed, dosed, treated, ceive about $3,000,000 from the before the end of 1935 all are redressed wounds, shaved heads Wendel estate, all of which will quired to report for treatment. and deinfested. The mission's be reinvested and the income Those who are discovered using religious education workers took used in augmenting the equip- drugs after they have been turns going over to teach tooth- ment and personnel of theolog- treated will be subject to five brushing, handscrubbing, and ical schools the country over. years' imprisonment; those who other pleasant "games"; also are compelled by force to submit put up posters from the Chinese As a first step toward reduc- to treatment and then relapse National Health Administration. ing the number of theological will be put to death. Beginning Pupil nurses took up a collection schools in the Gountry in the in- next year all persons found using to buy 139 toothbrushes and terests of greater efficiency of narcotics will be given five years' drinking cups. operation, nine institutions-in- imprisonment, and after that cluding four union theological year the penalty will- be death. More Trouble in China colleges, three union theological training schools and two post- -Christian Advocate. Dr. Susan Waddell, an Amer- graduate schools of theologyican Presbyterian Medical Mis- have been singled out to receive JAPAN-CHOSEN sionary who went out to China direct financial assistance from in 1921 and later married a Chi- the Wendel bequest. Hokkaido Calls nese Christian, Hsu Shih-chu, was murdered (probably by rob- -Dayton News. There has been both material bers) in Hanking on October and spiritual progress in Hok- 14th. Bandit Invasion kaido since the first C. M. S. missionary settled there in 1874, Dr. Waddell was born in Iowa The Missionstidning for Fin- the diamond jubilee having been and served as missionary doctor land publishes the following celebrated last year. In the at Cheeloo University, Tsinan, telegram from ones of its mis- early days the Japanese re- Shantung. sionaries: garded Hokkaido almost as J. foreign country-the land of the Another despatch from China Aug. 29 the Mission Society Ainu. Today, Hakodate is the on October 8th says: received a telegram from Pastor ninth city in the empire, the Meeder in China containing the agricultural college at Sapporo Twenty-eight missionaries, in- distressing news that the entire has become an imperial univercluding fourteen Americans, be- mission field was occupied by sity, and nearly every part of gan a hazardous 600-mile Yellow communistic bandit troops. All the island is accessible by rail. River flight from Chinese Com- the missionaries are safe. The munists, as they began to move government troops were re- By degrees, the Christian nearer to Lanchow, in Kansu ported in command of the situa- Church has spread over the Province, from Szechwan. tion over the whole field early in island. Well educated Japanese July. The society had learned clergy now have full charge of The Christians were heading that Yungshuen, the most west- their districts. But missionaries for Paotow and thence for ern of its mission stations, had have been reduced in number so Peiping. , fallen into the hands of bandits. that there has been no marked This deprives the mission for increase in the number of Chris- Wendel Bequest at Work the present of the opportunity tians, although the population to continue its work in China. has trebled. There are the large Missionary leaders in Shang- It is all the more discouraging, centers, cities of over 150,000, hai say that the Wendel bequest since after great trials endured inadequately occupied; and vast of millions to the missionary during recent years, the Society untouched areas in outlying cause in China is bringing coop- was beginning to see the dawn areas. Of the 15,000 Ainu proberation among the Christian of better days. The Finnish Mis- ably five or six hundred are agencies at work. Gradually, sion Society deserves the prayer- Christians.-C. M. S. Outlook. they predict, foreign mission- ful sympathy of all Christians in aries in China will be supplanted this new affliction. "Retreat" at Chungju by Chinese pastors whose education will have been made pos- End of Drug Traffic by 1937 Some lights and shadows in sible by the Wendel millions. Korea are given in a letter from Dr. John R. Mott declares that Rev. Harry J. Hill, Presbyterian A far-reaching program for for the first time he feels that missionary in Pyengyang. "A the coordination of all Protestant the drug evil in China is under fifteen-year-old g i r 1, meeting theological schools in China control. General Chiang Kai- with the session in preparation under the leadership of the Nan- shek is determined to "stamp it for communion, was asked by a king Theological Seminary, ac- out" as is shown in a report of Korean elder: 'What is your tual beneficiary of the Wendel the National Opium Suppression moneys, was tentatively ap- Commission. At more than six proved by the heads of the various schools concerned at a con-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
greatest sorrow?' I~ tears she Solomon Island Christians go from. jungle villages, where replied: 'The unbelIef of my life is primitive and religion father.' This father had once The Evangelical Christian crudely animistic, to jungle vilbeen a church officer, but had lage schools and churches – so lapsed, while his family re- says of the Solomon Islands: simple and crude as scarcely to mained faithful. "The outstanding characteristic of the native Church in the Sol- seem such at all-thence to town "Another little Korean girl omons is their acceptance of the churches of beauty where real whose father, though professing Bible as the inspired Word of fellowship in worship may be ex- Christianity had sold her to be- perienced, and finally to the come a da'ughter-in-Iaw in a God, and their application of it heathen home, led her h~sband to their own lives. The Bible center at Medan where excellent ana mother-in-law to ChrIst. becomes their rule of life, and is schools for boys and for girls are conducted and where, in a b~a':l "Over 130 Koreans and 18 always the final court of appeal." tiful church building, worshIp IS missionaries recently held. a One of the native teachers had conducted in four different lan- Bible study retreat at ChungJu. guages for that polyglot city. For some years there has been two children, who died within friction between nor t hand Here one sees the entire range south but in this Retreat, a one week. Much to the amazespirit' of love and reconciliation ment of the heathen, who could of missionary activity from the were clearly manifest. There not understand that a Christian early approach to the jungle was earnest Bible study and a wonderful spirit of prayer sorrows not as those without dwellers on up to the self-reamong the Koreans." hope, this teacher went on w~th specting and largely self-sup- his daily work. They asked hIm ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC porting church and school work why he and his wife were not wailing as the heathen do. He in the city centers, as a pano- told them of the Father's house rama of what the Gospel can do.
with many mansions, and of the -FRANK T. CARTWRIGHT sure and certain hope he had of in Christian Advocate. , seeing his children again.
World's Smallest Kingdom To the missionary he said with Evangelism in the Philippines a smile: "You know that verse, Tonga is one of the smalle~t 'And God shall wipe away all E. K. Higdon, Executive Seckingdoms in the world and .IS tears from their eyes'? God has retary of the Philip~ine. Nathe only independent country III done that for me already." tional Christian CouncIl,. IS ac- the Pacific. It is located 400 M. 1. M. in Australia customed to write a ~etalled r~ miles southeast of Fiji, and 36 port of each field trIp. In hIS of its many islands are inhabited, The Methodist Inland Mission latest report he says: the total population being about is doing for the settlers of West 29,000. The people are Poly- I am increasingly convinced of. the nesians, closely akin to ~al!103;ns and North Australia what "cir- value of educational eva~gehsm. and Hawaiians. ChrIstIamty cuit riders" in America did for Anyone with a degree of skIll as a was introduced by British Meth- the frontiersmen a century ago. public speaker and with a knowledg.e odists in 1826. of mob psychology can secu~e .decI- In two immense areas, which sions in mass meetings. But It IS an The Tonga Church has sent have a sparse population of entirely different story to meet young pioneer workers to Fiji and people one by one, or in sma!l gr~>u~s Samoa, to New Bri!ain and the miners, cattlemen and sheep- with the purpose of an~werlll:g mdl- Solomon Islands. SIxty per cent herders the mission has ten or- vidual questions and dealmg WIth p.erof the Tongans belong to the sonal problems. The plan of sp~ndm.g "Free We s ley a n Church," dained workers. With the help three or four hours each day m prd: of automobiles they cover large vate or small group <:onferen!!es an formed by the union of two one hour in the pubhc meetmg h!l-s fields otherwise cut off from civ- proved fairly satisfact.ory. We dldsbranches of Methodism effected ilizing influences. Roads are cuss any vital questIOn presente , mere tracks; trains on the few such as: railways run on weekly or biin 1924, and affiliated with the weekly schedules. Schools and How may I continue my e.ducatio?? Methodist Church of Australasia. hospitals are rare. Heat and What openings are there m ManIla The church is self-supporting, drought make living conditions although its income has been re- hard. Airplanes carry the mails; for a work student? Is there any future for a young man in the fishing industry?
duced by more than 50 per cent camels are used for transport. Would you advise me. to., stud?, in the past few years. The The Mission's monthly bulletin, nursing? Home economICS. Agn- Tongans are noted for their The Methodist Inland Link, gives eagerness for an education and one a new sense of the vastness culture? Tubou College trains young peo- of Australia. ple to serve Church and State. How should I make love? Religious and academic training -The Christian Advocate. is supplemented by work on What are the bases for a happy plantations. The Gospel Panorama married life? -Missionary Review In Sumatra one may see al- (kustralia) . most the entire story of Chris- Give us some methods of birth con- tian missionary effort. One may trol. ., How may I keep my mind clean.
How may I overcome temptation?
It is natural for young people to have sexual desires. What is wrong about satisfying them promiscuously?
Is the Roman Catholic Church the sinia, liquor and drugs, gam- faith movements and condemning in- original church? bling, the economic situation, the fluences stifling individual religious churches and the totalitarian liberties; Was Luther justified in starting the state, the freedom of conscience, Protestant Church? evangelism, education and Chris- 2. To demand justice in human re- tian unity. The convention de- lations by presenting facts free from Is there a judgment? plored "the revival of anti- prejudice; semitism, the denial of funda- Mr. Higdon reports that there mental human rights to men and 3. To interpret public affairs has been a marked change dur- women because of race and through an editorial policy of coning the last four or five years in color." Apprehension was ex- structiveness; the type of question asked by pressed at "the growing menace students regarding life work. of the liquor and drugs traffic." 4. To suppress crime by punishing Now, they are more interested criminals and supporting mental hyin earning a living than in be- The next Disciples' World gienic education that will avert crimcoming lawyers or professors. Convention will be held in Tor- inal-producing, nervous complexes onto, in 1940. among children; MISOELLANEOUS -The Christian Century. 5. To sponsor open forum columns Armenian Bible 1,500 Years where readers may present diverse Old The Jew and Ohrist views on controversial subjects; Catholicos Papken, of Antel- Claude Montefiore, England's 6. To give greater space to reliias, Syria, writes: outstanding Reformed Jew, de- gious features that emphasize inter- clares that the Christ of Scrip- faith cooperation; According to the tradition of the ture has a greater appeal for the ancient Armenian Church, Christian- modern Jew than a Unitarian 7. To encourage civic conditions ity was introduced into Armenia be- Christ. "The Jew," he says, conducive to improving public phystween 60 and 66 A. D. by the Apostles "cannot find God in a man. ical and mental health; Thaddeus and Bartholomew. It was God's righteousness, God's goodproclaimed the State religion in 301- ness, God's love are to him in- 8. To sponsor charity for all who 302. Armenia was divided into two comparable with man's, because, need it, but to insist that charity be sections in the 5th century and since even if he cannot understand distinct from political patronage; and Syriac (the Persian language) dom- how, the Jew always conceives inated one section, and Greek the them as so infinitely deeper, 9. To support vigorously those other, the unity of the Church was wider, wiser and more pure than highly important principles of harendangered. As a result it was de- man's righteousness, goodness monious international relations seekcided fifteen hundred years ago (436- and love. That is why, I sup- ing to supplant war with permanent 37) to translate the Bible into Arme- pose, he is unable to call any peace and amity. nian, the common laJ!g'uage of the man his Master. That is also people. As this had not been reduced perhaps why the Jew, if and Religion as it applies to human reto writing, the preparation of an when he does in honesty aban- lations involves these nine points: Armenian alphabet was necessary. don Judaism, can more easily freedom of worship, justice, construc- The period that immediately followed become an orthodox Christian tiveness, crime control, open discusis called "The Golden Age of Ar- than a Unitarian." sion, interfaith concord, hygiene, charmenia." Seven hundred years later, ity and amity. in one province (Sunik), there were -The Hibbert Journal. 10,000 manuscript copies of the Bible -The Churchman. and in all Armenia there were 150,000 The Press and Religion Biblical manuscripts-all translations Sunday School Teachers' Debt from the Septuagint. Horace D. Crawford, editor of the Indianapolis New s, and An instructor in Boston Uni- The American Bible Society is teacher of journalism in Frank- versity School of Religious Eduplanning to commemorate the lin College, believes that news- cation asserts that every Sunday 1500th anniversary of the first papers may serve religion in school teacher should pay $1,000 translation of the Armenian other ways than by printing toward Christian work for the Bible, and Catholicos Khoren I, church notices. Said he: "Edi- privilege of teaching the Bible in of Armenia, has issued a call to tors, like many others, fre- any well organized Sun day all Armenians to celebrate this quently believe religion is more school. Here is his logic: It is important event. deeply concerned with the way worth $250 to acquire a pure people live than with their par- English vocabulary, such as any Disciples Take a Stand ticular beliefs. I believe that habitual Bible student will ac- newspapers serve the cause of quire. The habit of careful, Last August more than 800 religion when they strive for the systematic study is worth $250 Disciples, from all quarters of following objectives: more; and still another $250 the earth, joined with more than represents the value of prac- 1,200 members of the Churches 1. To fight for the maintenance of ticing the precepts of the Bible of Christ in Great Britain and constitutional rights of free worship which lengthens one's life. Fi- Ireland, to hold the second world and expression by commending inter- nally, $250 is owed by the convention of the Disciples of teacher who develops h i g h Christ in Leicester, England. moral ideals, consistent with ac- Resolutions adopted included ceptance of Bible teachings. declarations on race relations, peace and war, Italy and Abys- -United Church Record.
God, give us sense,-God-sense of life's new needs, A nd souls aflame with new-born chivalries- To cope with those black growths that foul the ways,- To cleanse our poisoned founts with God-born energies.
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I Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Foreign Mission Enterprise and quate message. (2) There are of nearly 100 years to work in Its Sincere Critics. By Cleland B. objections to the present mis- Asia and who delight to travel McAfee. 8 vo. 190 pp. $1.50. sionary enterprise and its rela- in unfrequented and dangerous Revell. New York. 1935. tion to governments and non- ways, among brigands, in peril, Christian cultures and religions, toil and pain, not merely for the The work of foreign missions the treatment of native converts thrill of new experiences but to and the churches on the field. pioneer for Christ. They are has been under fire from critics (3) Other criticisms relate to British members of the China ever since Jonah went to Nine- methods and results on the field, Inland Mission and two of them the use of non-Christian teach- have spent over a quarter of a veh. There are critics and ers, dependence on subsidies, re- century in northwest China and critics-those who object to the liance on governmental protec- the deserts of M 0 n g 0 I i a. tion, lack of unity and the few- "Through Jade Gate" has been claims of Christ and the Chris- ness and weakness of converts. likened to Homer's Odyssey. It tian message; those who claim (4) He considers other criti- is as fascinating as the voyage cisms relating to home boards, of Captain Cook. that non-Christian religions are overhead expense and complex good enough and that heathen machinery. Even well-informed, Anyone who enjoys adventurdo not want anything different; idealistic students of missions ous travels will have a thrill in may not always agree with Dr. reading these journals (1928 to those who criticize the mission- McAfee in his diagnosis and 1932). Those who are interary personnel, the expense, the remedies but every fair-minded, ested in carrying the Gospel of intelligent reader will be im- Christ to the uttermost parts of methods and the administration; pressed with the author's hon- the earth will find here stimulus others object to the unsatisfac- esty and Christian views in har- for faith and courage and loyalty mony with New Testament to Jesus Christ. tory results abroad or to the neg- ideals. Many of the points lect of "heathen" at home. There raised might be dealt with much Living Triumphantly. By Kirby are critics who see only faults more fully-such as the place of Page. 304 pages. $2.00. Farrar and are deaf and blind to all evi- evangelism, the dan g e r s of & Rinehart. New York. 1934. dence in favor of missions and "modernism," the objections to others who are friendly critics expensive institutionalism and This is the author's companion seeking only to improve per- the problems of union work- volume to "Living Creatively" but every candid critic who is a which the Hazen Foundation sonnel and methods and to bring believer in Christ and is in sym- ranked first among 436 books the work into closer harmony pathy with His mission in the considered as being the most with New Testament ideals. world will be greatly helped and helpful to college students on the encouraged by this statement of subject of religion. Dr. McAfee has studied mis- the unshakable foundations on sions at home and on the field which Christian missions rests The author's pur p 0 s e is for fifty years, as teacher, pas- as a victorious and divine enter- stated: "To be teamed-Up with tor, lecturer, traveler and execu- prise. God in seeking to banish pain tive secretary of the Presby- and strife and misery is the terian Board of Foreign Mis- A Desert Journal. By Evangeline highest privilege that can come sions. He does not claim that French, Mildred Cable and Fran- to any man." From an extensive the work is above criticism but cesca French. Illus. 12 mo. $2.00. tabulation of scientists he shows China Inland Mission. Philadelphia clearly that science has not as gives clear, frank and convinc- and Toronto. 1935. yet overthrown the spiritual ining answers to some of the criti- terpretation of the universe. cisms he has heard from men Adventure and physical en- durance are usually linked with With the thesis of his book and women who believe in Christ youth. Here are three elderly thoroughly established, the auand His Gospel but who object women who have given a total thor then proceeds to the followto the way the work is conducted. ing eight definite methods for The list of over fifty definite the transformation of personal- ity and society: criticisms is an evidence of the author's vital contacts wit h many conscientious objectors.
Among the criticisms are those that have to do with (1) the missionaries – their arrogance, their aims, their lack of understanding, defects of habits and character and their inade- Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishers on receipt of price.
[557 ]
1. Intensify the Vividness of the Ideal. sis of these great themes. He undertakes to point out some of 2. Probe to the Roots of the Present Economic Order. tells what are God's methods of its glories by comparing it to the producing in us purity of hearts, Grand Canyon. 3. Struggle to Supplant Capitalism. shows the difference between Such Grand Canyons he finds 4. Strive to Abolish War. 5. Refuse to Sanction or to Partici- "peace with God," and "the in different stages of history, as, pate in Any War Among Nations peace of God," and at the end, for example, in the life of our or Between Classes. he shows a sympathetic and ef- own nation, "which, in 1789, 6. Seek to Uproot Racial Enmity and kicked off England's heavy and fective understanding with sin- Exploitation. cere souls seeking more power. suffocating taxation covers and 7. Take Time for Worship.
8. Live with Joyous and Triumphant These blessed gifts of grace and cooed in a cradle oft rocked by Abandon. experiences of the truly saved, stormy winds."
The sections on "War" and are what are greatly needed in In twelve chapters rich in "Worship" are perhaps the best. pulpit and pew today. Grand Canyon phraseology, Dr.
Mr. Page points out that war is The language is beautifully Lee takes up the several verses not caused primarily by the clear, the paragraphs stand out of the chapter under considera- "fighting instinct" or by the so- like the lobes of an orange, and tion. One marvels at his rhecalled "mad-dog nation." Most the book is well printed with torical versatility and at the of his readers, however, will not large type. FRANK LUKENS. same time admires his loyalty to agree wi,th him that the first the Scriptures and the deep step toward peace is to "abolish A Grand Canyon of Resurrection evangelical fervor which perthe system of private property Realities. By Robert G. Lee, D.D., vades page after page of this exas the chief means of produc- LL.D. $1.00. 172 pp. Wm. B. traordinary book. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand J. R. S.
tion and distribution." A defi- Rapids, Mich. 1935. South China Folk. By Mary Brewster nite attack on capitalism is a distinct strain throughout the book. This book embodies the studies Hollister $1.25. 141 pp. Revell. The unique and most helpful of the twentieth chapter of New York. 1935. part of the volume is the an- John's Gospel by the eloquent Another book by Mrs. Hollisthology of one hundred daily pastor of the Bellevue Baptist ter! One hundred forty pages readings on the main thoughts Church, Memphis, Tenn. in good-sized type, full of the set forth in the early part of the Dr. Lee recognizes the human spirit as well as fact of the counbook. On the who I e, this limitation of thought and speech try always so warmly interthought – provoking discussion in any attempt to adequately preted by this author. Adults leaves one convinced that to live describe one of the great chap- will enjoy reading it with chiltriumphantly one must follow ters of the Word of God. BatHed dren and even young people will the brave and unselfish way of as he believes himself to be, he find excellent material here. HOWARD A. ADAIR. inquires, "Who, by word and by There is the frequent sparkle of Christ. pen, by sermon and by song, by Chinese humor, the steadiness The Sufficiency of the Cross. By W. painting and by philosophy, can of patience, the pathos of aspira- W. Marlin. 12 mo. 1s. net. Pick- explore all the corners of this ering & Inglis, London. 1935. vast continent of Scripture? One tion, and a delightful sketching of personalities. One regrets These are Keswick addresses, had as well hope to haul to the that the first two chapters are therefore they are sure to be threshing machines in a wheel- quite unconnected with the rest biblical, searching and convert- barrow in one day all the wheat of the book though there is, in ing. Let every reader give trib- grown on a Kansas prairie as to Chapter 2, definite background ute to the mighty effort of Kes- expect to place within the limits for the ensuing story. The book wick, like the springs in the hills, of one book all the marvelous is neither profound nor great; upon the finest Christian life of truths of this chapter. One had there are rather too many Chi- England, A mer i c a, and the as wisely expect to put in a one- nese expressions and also too world – for over fifty years. acre garden all the flowers that much repetition of religious These addresses embody truths bloom in America as to expect phrases, but the interest is lively, which have become increasingly to write with pen and print on the pictures vivid and the imreal to the author and have paper an adequate description of pression fully worth the couple brought peace and power to all the glorious truths in this of hours spent in reading. The many. chapter. One had as well hope coming of light into a far-off vil- The four chapters concern to put all the diamonds and lage simply through a little girl four truths that are like stars of rubies in the world in the and the innkeeper's wife, with the first magnitude. "Pardon thimble of a seamstress as to ex- the help of a mission school in a through the Blood of the Cross," pect to give in anyone book an neighboring city, and some and then "Purity," "Peace," and adequate appraisal of all the friendly cooperation, convince "Power," also through the blood. Scriptural wealth of this chap- the innkeeper that he was right This is not present-day specula- ter." However, though confess- when he said, "We obey the tion, but exposition. The author ing that his "mental tent can Heaven-Father, and then He marched calmly and confidently cover only a small corner of this will bless us." through his illuminating analy- vast scriptural continent," he MARY W. HUMPHREY HADLEY.
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
The Use of Material from China's lowship in the consciousness of the ineffective humanism of Spiritual Inheritance in the Chris- pardoned sin, imparted life and their long history. tian Education of Chinese Youth. perfect provision. By Warren Horton Stuart, Ph.D., Limits of space do not permit Kwang Hsueh Publishing House, That more use than in the of detailed specifications. Shanghai. 1932. $2.50. past should be made of China's great ethical inheritance – per- C. H. FENN. The book is a dissertation presented at Yale University for haps the greatest in the world Hot Hearted. By F. I. Codrington. the degree of Doctor of Philos- apart from Christianity-and of Illus. 12 mo. 111 pp. 2 8. Church ophy, the theme having been what she possesses of the spir- of England Z. M.. S. London. 1935. itual in her early, unique, simple chosen with a definite purpose worship of a personal Heaven, Christ offers to women the' to provide "a guide and source greatest hope for liberty and ad.. book for Christian teachers in and in her emphasis on a benev- vancement. Moslem, H i n d u , China." As a "source book," olence among men which some- Buddhist and pagan women have times approaches the Christian little to hope for in this world or Dr. R. S. Smith, of Yale, says idea of Love, is certainly true, the next. Here we have eight truly, in his Introduction, "Dr. stories that show what Christ and Dr. Stuart's dissertation has done for Chinese women and Stuart has brought to his task a should serve a very useful pur- how Christian faith and life are brilliant and ingenious mind and pose in that regard, both in the helping to bring about new and the competence of a well-trained better social conditions. Mrs. hands of the Christian teacher, Ahok, a little Chinese lady of scholar and workman." Born Chinese or foreign, and in those rank, a Christian with "lily feet," and bred in China and for years of the intelligent seeker after came to England in 1890 to plead a missionary, he possesses spe- Truth. The Chi n e s e unac- for her sisters in China who were cial equipment for the task, evi- quainted with English, however, still "under the power of the idols," Mrs. Chitnio Ling was a dently a labor of love. As a will be in less danger than the Chinese girl, born in a heathen "guide," however, one's com- English reader of the book, of family, who attended the Chinese mendation of Dr. Stuart's work drawing the conclusion that, in Girls' School in Singapore and then went to China as a Christian must reluctantly be tempered her "Three Religions," China al- missionary. They are all inspirwith the caution that a sym- ready possesses so nearly all ing sketches that reveal the purpathetic translator from a for- that Christianity offers, that he pose and power of the Gospel of eign tongue, with a theory to Christ. may content himself with what demonstrate, rarely avoids an his own inheritance affords and Ethical Issues Confronting World unconscious reading into his leave to the West its own spir- Christians. By Daniel Johnson texts of more than they were Fleming. 273 pages and an Index. itual inheritance. As a matter Price, $2.00. The International ever intended to express. "With of fact, there never was a time Missionary Council, 156 Fifth Avebut little persuasion," Dr. Stuart when thinking Chinese were less nue, New York, N. Y. "would fain make Christians" satisfied than today with their own "spiritual inheritance." This is a carefully written and out of Confucius, Lao c ius fairly exhaustive treatment of (Laotze), Mencius, and espe- Some of the most intelligent some great problems. Certainly Christian leaders are urging the Christian of today, in the cially Micius (Motze). He has new missionaries not to give light not only of the melting of gathered together a remarkable geographical barriers because of much time to the study of modern communications but also collection of quotations from all because of the Great Commisthe Chinese sages and philos- China's old man-developed reli- sion, must have a world outlook. ophers, ancient, medireval and gions and philosophies, when And the issues discussed by Dr. modern, to exhibit the "Chris- China's need for the presenta- Fleming are timely. Christians, especially those in administratian values in Native Experi- tion of a God-revealed secret of tive positions in the church, are ences," and "Units of Indigenous a new life is so pressing, and the now unavoidably confronted Moral and Religious Literature," with the ethics of soliciting need for its general understand- funds, of the acceptance of as a wonderful "Spiritual In- ing and acceptance is so widely armed protection by missionheritance" which China herself felt. Dr. Stuart's purpose to aries, the population problem, has contributed as a foundation "indigenize the religion of Christ the meaning of true religious lib- erty, and similar questions. to the Christian education of in China" is manifestly sincere her own youth. To much of it and truly laudable, and his com- Dr. Fleming faces these issues we may, with the author, attrib- squarely, making a genuine efute a "high ethical and spiritual pendium of quotations forms a fort to grapple with difficult quality," the ethical, however, most valuable book of reference; problems, and at the same time one's only fear being that its standing far higher than the spiritual, because even the prim- use as a textbook in Christian Schools in China may lead some itive monotheism of Chi n a to accept the shadow for the subposited no infinite Creator, no stance, to look upon Christ as absolutely holy and righteous merely a wiser sage, a mor~ per- Ruler, no perfectly loving Fa- fect pattern, acceptance of whom as such constitutes the whole of ther, no sacrificial Redeemer, Christianity, thus condemning with whom the common man and woman, as well as the sage and themselves to little more than emperor, may enjoy eternal fel-
endeavoring to preserve a fair noncoercion on the left . . . ,vio- Evangelical Christian missions impartiality of s tat em e n t. lence has long been the weapon will first cho.ose the "vague" Moreover, there are some things of conservatism." project of preaching the Gospel, in the book that will search the This is only one example of the not forgetting the field mice as a heart of any thoughtful reader, extreme difficulty of maintaining subsidiary activity. whether he is conservative or detachment when writing upon There is, finally, one great inliberal in religious outlook. Par- the ethics of great economic, po- adequacy in this volume and the ticularly strong in this respect litical, and religious issues. In- school of thought it represents. is the section (beginning on deed inconsistency is inevitable The whole discussion proceeds page 117) regarding individual as in the case of Dr. Fleming's on an extrascriptural basis. Ocresponsibility for the use of references to "tainted money" casionally there is a fair statemoney. "We vote," writes Dr. and his citation of cases where ment of the Evangelical point of Fleming, "with our doll a r s. certain gifts were refused be- view, as on pages 80 to 82, but Every expenditure is voting for cause of scruples regarding their the whole book is almost devoid the character and quantity of source. Yet he frequently and of references to the Bible. Much goods that are to be produced; with seeming approval relies is made of missionary planning and the proportion saved by the upon the Layman's Foreign Mis- and statesmanship, we miss the purchase of simple goods in or- sions Report and the Rockefeller references to the essentiality of der to help various measures of Foundation for impressive ref- prayer in finding a solution to uplift is a measure of the inten- erences. One is tempted to ask, great ethical issues. Does the sity of one's vote for human re- "Were the Standard Oil millions Word of God have nothing to lief and reconciliation. . . . Love amassed in accordance wit h say about the problems which which expresses itself in philan- Christian ethics? To what de- Dr. Fleming treats? If the book thropy without revealing itself gree do such funds represent a leaves the reader with an imin sacrifice finds difficulty in be- 'tainted' background?" ing either creative or redemp- pression of inconclusiveness, it tive." From another point of view, is because it represents a purely In his treatment of Economic one notes that Dr. Fleming's human endeavor to face issues Reconstruction, Dr. Fleming oc- most effective cases of nobility on which God has something au- of conscience regarding the casionally lapses into what would indemnity question are drawn thoritative to say in the Person appear to be an uncritical admiration for communism. To from the experience of the of Christ and in the Book from one who recalls that, according China Inland Mission, a funda- mentalist mission of reactionary which all Christian ethics are to reliable figures, the Red attitude measured by standards regime in Russia has been in- of the Layman's Report, yet in drawn. FRANK E. GAEBELEIN. 'these instances acting in accord strumental in the slaughter of with the most advanced social Lowell and Abigail. A Realistic Idyll. about 11,000,000 human beings, By Mary Dillingham Frear. Illus. the unspeakable persecution of S vo. 325 pp. Privately printed. New Haven. 1934.
Hawaii (The Sandwich Is- countless others (cf. Tcherna- conscience. lands) , the land of beauty and of vin's "I Speak for the Silent"), Other examples chosen by the romance, furnishes the scene of the erection of a system of mili- author are less con v inc i n g. this life story of Rev. Lowell taristic tyranny, and in addition, Those who believe that the Gos- Smith and his wife, Abigail, a recognized sub rosa propa- pel is still "the power of God early missionaries of the Ameriganda for the overthrow of for- unto salvation" and that the can Board. The period covered eign governments, these sen- world needs to be converted, is 1809 to 1891 and the material tences cause some won d e r : will, if they are not too deeply is gathered from journals and "There are bounds beyond which distressed, have to suppress a letters, with additional not e s a foreigner may not go in advo- smile on reading page 40, where from their daughter, Mrs. B. F. cating changes in another cul- Dr. Fleming frankly says that Dillingham. It is first hand doc- ture or in an alien system. Some "the conversion of the world," umentary evidence of the spirit, might be willing to risk death in "preaching the Gospel to the purpose and power of the pioneer the same way as have the com- most degraded, neglected and missionaries – b e aut i full y munists whose martyrs number despised people," "the establish- printed, well illustrated and with into the thousands. It is moving ment and development of an in- a full index. Much is of personal to read the simple unadorned digenous church," these aims family interest rather than of sentences with which a commu- "are too comprehensive or vague general importance but the story nist manual for 'Calls' in China to be called projects" for the use has a fascination, human inter- lays down the duty of a party of foreign money in missions: est and a message for every member to give up his own life As an example of a missionary friend of missions and every when called upon to do so. Out- project he proposes the distribu- lover of God and man. Many fa- doing the communists may in- tion of poisoned grain in twelve mous people and events, as well volve just such a risk…. From villages to combat a scourge of as information about Hawaii and one standpoint the use of vio- field mice. Preaching the Gos- its people, find a place in the rec- lence belongs on the right and pel vs. exterminating field mice! ords.
Books T B FOR SECOND
HEOLOGICAL The Origin of Religion. Samuel M. OOKS Zwemer. 256 pp.. $2.00. Cokes- bury Press. Nashville, Tenn. Largest Stock in America. Over half a million theological Books Our Response to God. William E. -Classified by subject. Catalogues free. Correspondence and Wilson. 85 pp. 2s. 6d. Allen & Unwin. London. "Want Lists" invited. Please mention The Missiona" ReWw of the World The Four Hundred Million: A Short SCHULTE'S BOOK STORE History of the Chinese. Mary A. Nourse. Illustrated. 375 pp. $3.50. 80 and 82 Fourth Avenu. =: N•• York, N.Y Bobbs Merrill. New York.
Indian Nationalism and the Christian Colleges. Paul J. Braisted. 171 Blood-Drenched A I tar s: Mexican Obitulry Notes pp. $2.00. Association Press. New Study and Comment. F. C. Kelley. York. . 521 pp. $3.00. Bruce Pub. Co. (Concluded from page 618.) An American Translation. J. M. Milwaukee, Wise. in field itineration, in teaching, and Powis Smith and Edgar J. Good- White and Black in Australia. J. S. in literary work. spMd. 1128 pp. $2.00. University .of Chicago Press. Chicago. Needham. 174 pp. 2s. 6d. S. P. ·Elizabeth Ma*ry *Ca*dbury, who died C. K. London. ' in August at the age of 77, was among Truth and Tradition in Chinese Bud- the foremost religious and social lead- Coupectus of Cooperative Mission- dhisin: A Study of Chinese 14a-' ers in England, and had served as ary Enterprises. Chas. H. Fahs. hayana Buddhism. Karl Ludwig president of the National Council of $1.25. I. M. C. New York. Reichelt 415 pp. $4.50. Commer- Evangelical Free Churches. She was Cooperation and the World Mission. cial Press. Shanghai. the widow of George Cadbury, who Jphn R. Mott. $1.00. I. M. C. New York. The Idea of Salvation in the World's died in 1922, and a sister-in-law of Religions. J. W. Parker. 259 pp. Mrs. Helen Cadbury Alexander-Dixon, The Furtherance of the Gospel. Wil- Macmillan. New York and London. founder of the Pocket Testament liam Owne Carver. 145 pp. 60 *** League.
cents paper; 40 cents cloth. Bap- Directory of Protestant Missions- Mrs. Margaret Weaver Beahm tiBtSunday School Board. Nash- 1935. $1.50. Kwang Hsueh Pub. Denning, wife of the Rev. J. O. Denville, Tenn. House. Shanghai. ning, retired Methodist missionary to India, died at her home at Pacific D. . Over Samarkand: The Rebirth Education in Fiji. Cecil W. Mann. Palisades, California, on August 16. . of Central Asia. Joshua Kunitz. 138 pp. 6s. Oxford University The Dennings served in India from 848 pp. $8.00. Covici, Friede. ,Press, London; University Press, 1890 to 1926, being stationed for va- New York. . Melbourne, Australia. rious periods at Poona, Muzzafarpur, :traq: From Mandate to Independ- India's Womanhood: Forty Years' Gondha, Allahabad, and Ootacamund. ence. E. Main. 267 pp. 16s. Work at Ludhiana. Christine I. Mrs. Denning led in evangelistic and Tinling. 119 pp. Is. 6d. and 2s. 6d. educational work for women, and as- . ,;,',,.Ulen" Unwin. London. R. T. S. London. sisted her husband in organizing the The Land and Life of Africa. Mar- first Epworth League in India. She God and the African in Kenya. H. was national secretary, and for ten p!'¢. Wrong. Illustrated. 144 pp. R. A. Philp. Illustrated. 189 pp. years national president of the India 28. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- 2s. 6d. Marshall, Morgan ~ Scott. W. C. T. U., and for three years was ton; London. international superintendent of the Department of Prison Visiting and From Fetish to Faith: The Growth The Meaning of Shinto. J. W. T. Reformation. She wrote "Mosaics Mason. 252 pp. $2.50. Dutton. from India," "The House Beautiful," :of til" Church in West Africa; W. "Short Poems," and "Dainty Cookery J; Platt. 159 pp. 2s. Edinburgh for the Home." Mrs. Denning Souse Preu. London. New York.
was born in Harrisburg, Pa., TWO SCOFIELD REFERENCE BIBLE SPECIALS October 17, 1856, and attended Illinois Wesleyan University. Robert R*. S*erv*ice, regional secretary of the Young Men's Indil Piper Edition, Lelther Cover Christian Association for Shan- 33X. This superb Scofield Bible, leather bound, on genuine Oxford India tung Province, China, and a sec- paper, at the lowest price ever offered. All who have seen this book have retary of the International Com- been delighted, and have asked, "How can you sell so fine a volume at such a mittee of the Y. M. C. A. for low price 1" Contains all the wonderful helps for which the Scofield Reference twenty-nine years, died sud- Bible is famous. Pocket size 6~ inches by denly in Shanghai on Septem- 4U inches, 1116 inch thick, weighing only ber 29. Mr. Service went to . Specimen of 7Ype 14 And-tbe–~ord was-made 16 ounces. Only $5.00. China for the Y. M. C. A. in fbleesbhd.danhdisdl1woerlyt;a.&meon1g10u1sY. a(sanodf twhee W·Ith I.mproved 1. 0dex, 50c extra. 1906 and did pioneer work in Name stamped in gold, 50c extra. Chengtu for fifteen years. Later he went to Shanghai to join the national staff and served as re- Popullr $1.25 Edition gional secretary for Western 30. This is the lowest priced Scofield edition ever made, but contains the China. For the last year Mr. earne complete unabridged helps as the most expensive. Clearly printed on Service had been assigned to the excellent paper, and strongly bound. An excellent volume for pew use, Bible Chinese International Famine classes, and for the study table. Relief Commission, located in Shanghai. He retained, how- Cloth board binding, size 7×4~ inches. Only $1.25. ever, his post as secretary of the Shangtung region. REVIEW OF THE WORLD, Third and Reily Sts., Haul.burs, Pa.
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