The Missionary Review of the World — December 1939
1939
•p India……Changes in Fifty Years A. c. Clayton African Views of African Life Samuel Wrestling..Beetles Zach. Body..Hardened Daughter of Elephant Esther One..of..Something Daughter of Parting..Cloth Daughter of the Rubbish Pile Rev. Gustave Esombe Otto Who ..Wilz..Climb "Each in His Own Tongue"
Eugene Nida Continued Harvests in India Charles W. Posnett The Pueblo Indian Religion Review by G. E. E. Lindquist The Youth Movement in China Samuel S. Chang Impressions of Buddhism in Japan Winburn T. Thomas 25. Cents a Copy $2.50 a Yea,.
to Remember in China, Mr. Hening was engaged in task of opening a,' new work in Ko-
the publication and distribution of the chow. Later he served in various exec- December 100Universai Bible Sun- Bible and at the close of the World utive capacities, including that of, day. War, directed Bib I e distribution Vice-president of the China Council, ,among Russian priests and other and Secretary of the China Famine January 12-16-Annual Meeting- exiles. Fund. Home Missions Council and the Council of Women for Home Mis- *** *** sions. In,<iianapolis, Ind. Miss Dorothy A. Stevens is the Mrs. Katherine S. Westfall, recent- ly executive secretary of the Woman's December 27 to January I-Student new Secretary of Missionary Educa- American Baptist Home Mission So- Volunteer Convention, Toronto, tion of the Northern Baptist Conven- ciety, died at her home jn Hollywood, Canada. tion, succeeding Dr. William A. Hill California, on October 9. Her first who retired in August. interest in missionary activities began *** in Sunday school with support of a Personal Items Burmese girl. Mrs. Westfall was an Rev. C. S. Chung has been elected active leader in various denomination- The Rev. Frederick W. Cropp, Bishop of the Korean Methodist al and interdenominational boards and D.D., has been elected a general sec- Church, succeeding the late Bishop committees until she retired in 1937. retary of the American Bible Society, C. O. Kim. His basic training was reto share with Dr. Eric M. North the ceived in close association with pio- * * *' oversight of the Society's world-wide neer missionaries. Rev. M. L. Vaughters, D.D., Ameri- can Bible Society agent among Colwork. He will have special responsi- ored people, with headquarters in bility for Scripture distribution in the Houston, Texas, died on September United States. Dr. Cropp was gradu- Obituary Notes 2. He was responsible for supplyated from the College of Wooster, Ohio, and Princeton Theological Sem- ing the Scriptures to Colored people inary. In 1929 he became pastor of The Rev. Ernest A. Yarrow, for in Texas,' Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklathe historic Fir s t Presbyterian the past eleven years field representa- homa and Kansas, until he retired ten Church of Wheeling, West Virginia. tive of the Hazen Foundation and for- years ago. He has been a successful leader of merly general manager of the Cauca- sus Branch of the Near East Relief, *** youth conferences for the Board of died in Middletown, Connecticut, on Rev. Wilson Stitt, Ph.D., Presby- Christian Education of the, Presbyte- October 26 at sixty-three years of terian home missionary, died at the rian Church, and for his services under age. Mr. Yarrow was graduated from age of 76 on September 8 at his the Red Cross during the Ohio River Mt. Hermon School for Young Men, home in French Creek, West Virginia. floods he was given the Distinguished from Wesleyan University in 1902, His twenty-five years of ministry were Service award in the field of religion. and later from the Hartford Theolog- devoted to the home missionary cause, ical Seminary. For about ten years for which he was given a medal of *** he was a missionary in Turkey under honor by'the Presbyterian Church. the American Board of Commissioners Mr. Kenneth G. Grubb, recently one for Foreign Missions. For five years *** of the associates of the World Domin- after the World War he gave his ion Movement of London, has been ap- services to the American Red Cross, The Rev. R. F.' Lenington, D.D., pointed by the British Government one with headquarters at THiis, Russian Professor of Church History in the of the supervisors of the Ministry of Caucasus. For his relief work in Theological Seminary of the Presby- Information set up in connection with Northern Persia that government dec- terian Church of Brazil at Campinas, the war. Mr. Grubb's knowledge of orated him with the Star of the Order Sao Paulo, and executive secretary of various languages and his acquaint- of the Sun and Lion. the Central Brazil Mission, died in ance with conditions in many lands Sao Paulo on October 19. Dr. Lenwill enable him to render valuable ington, the son of missionaries in Braservice in this position. The Rev. Sa*mue*l A.*Moffett, D.D., ,zil, was born there in 1871 and after *** his graduation from Illinois College for forty-eight years a missionary to and McCormick Seminary, Chicago, Dr. and Mrs. T. A. Lambie, recently Korea under the Presbyterian Board he returned as a missionary in 1896. of Ethiopia, have returned to :qJ.ission- of Foreign Missions, died in Monrovia, For many years he was engaged in ary service in the Sudan, under the California, on October 24 at the age evangelistic work but in 1931 became Sudan Interior Mission of which he of seventy-five. Dr. Moffett was a re- a member of the faculty of the Theohas been a Field Director. Dr. Lambie markable man and a very effective logical Seminary in Campinas. Dr. who became an Ethiopian citizen in missionary. More than anyone else, Lenington's brother, Rev. George C. 1934 has had his American citizenship he was responsible for the adoption Lenington, is working with the Forrestored. of the so-called "Nevious Method" eign Mission Board of the Reformed which made the Presbyterian Church Church in America. *** Dr. Paul C. Payne, pastor of First in Korea an intensely Biblical, evan- Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, N. Y., gelistic, self-supporting and selfhas been elected general secretary of governing Church. He was for some the Presbyterian Board of Christian years the president of the Union Chris- Florida Chain of Missionary , Education, to succeed the late Dr. tian College in Pyengyang but retired Assemblies Harold McAfee Robinson. Dr. Payne from active service about ten years ago City Date, 1940 has had national recognition as' a and later moved to California. His leader in Christian education, as brother the Rev. Thomas C. Moffett, Jacksonville ……•……Jan. 23-25 chairman of the Standing Committee. D.D., formerly one of the secretaries Daytona Beach ……….Jan. 24-26 Fifty per cent of the officers of his of the Presbyterian Board of Home Miami ……………•.•. Jan. 27-31 church in Ithaca are faculty members Missions, is now secretary of the Com- Ft. Lauderdale …•..•…. Jan. 28-30 of Cornell University, and more than mission on the Indians of Latin Amer- Palm Beaches ..•….Jan. In-Feb. 2 fifty per cent are students and faculty ica. Orlando-Winter Park •…. Feb. 3-7 members. ' Deland •…………….• Feb. 4-7 *** Ft. Myers …………… Feb. 7-9 *** Winter Haven . . . . . . • • . . . Feb. 10-13 Rev. Charles E. Patton, D.D., re~ Lakeland ……………. Feb. 10-13 Mr. S. E. Hening, author of "The tired Presbyterian missionary of more Tampa ……………… Feb. 13-16' Life of Christ in Simple Language," than 37 years' experience in China, Sarasota ……………. Feb. 15-16 has been elected treasurer of the died on October 7, in Pasadena, Cali- St. Petersburg •…•..•••• Feb. 17-21 ' American Baptist Home Mission So- fornia. After eight years in general Clearwater ………….. Feb. 18-21 ciety. While representing the Inter- evangelistic and educational work in Tallahassee ………..•. Feb. 25-26 national Committee of the Y. M. C. A. Canton, Dr. Patton was assigned the Quincy …..•.•………. Feb. 26~26
MISSIONARY Keep Us Building for the children's stories that have al'-
REVIEW OF THE WORLD peared in THE REVIEW. My own chil- We would be building; temples still dren have enjoyed them thoroughly. DELAVAN L. PIERSON. Editor undone; They have been well written and have presented a nice variety of themes. VOL. LXII DEC.,1939 No. 12 O'er crumbling walls their crosses scarcely lift; "The whole REVIEW is choice read- Publication and Business 01llce- ing and a real inspiration." Third and Reily Sts.• Harrisburg, Pa. Waiting till love can raise the broken stone, MRS. M. W. DOUGHERTY. Editorial and Executive 01llce- Morning Sun, Iowa. 156 Fifth Avenue. New York City. And hearts creative bridge the hu- Entered as second-class matter at man rift; Book Reviews Post 01llce. Harrisburg, Pa.. under We would be building, Master; let Christian Living in Our Community. Act of March 3. 1879. Thy plan Graded Studies. By Mary C. White and Mildred F. James. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Reveal the life that God would give Foreign Postage. 50 cents a year. to man. Old Testament Studies and You. By published monthly, except Augnst. Mary C. White. Cloister Press. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. Teach us to build; upon the solid Louisville, Kentucky. 1939. British agents – Marshall. Morgan rock; and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, These are suggested practical London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, We set the dream that hardens into Bible studies for Fifth and Sev- 10 shillings a year. deed, enth Grades in church schools- for pupils and teachers. They MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- Ribbed with the steel that time and are prepared for Protestant LISHING CO., INC. change doth mock; Episcopal churches, with stories BOARD OF DIRE'CTORS for the pupils. The authors ac- The unfailing purpose of our cept without question the posi- ROBERT E. SPEER, President noblest creed; tions taken by modern critics so A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President that the weak points must be WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer Teach us to build: 0 Master, lend guarded against. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary us sight PAUL J. BRAISTED Believers and Builders in Europe. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT To see the towers gleaming in the By Emma Parker Maddry. Illus. D. J. FANT light. Paper. Broadman Press. Nash- MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD ville. 1939. WM. B. LIPPH.ARD o keep us building, Master; may our ERIC M. NORTH hands Mrs. Maddry is the wife of the SAMUEL M. ZWBMER Executive Secretary of the For- Ne'er falter when the dream is in eign Mission Board of the South- ern Baptist Convention and has our hearts, traveled with her husband in Africa and Europe. Here she 'Vhen to our ears there come divine tells of her observations, espe- commands cially for youth, and gives a pic- ture of what Baptists are doing And all the pride of sinful will de- in Italy, Spain, Jugoslavia, Hun- parts; gary and Roumania. The story, Editorial Chat which Baptists especially should We build with Thee, 0 grant endur- know, is not in an easy, popular stylle for youth, but contains im- FAREWELL ing worth portant facts and interesting in- cidents. .. In some cases the unbelievable not Until the Heav'nly Kingdom comes Frontiers of American Life. By only seems possible but inevitable. on earth. Amen. Mark A. Dawber. Pamphlet. 25 cents. Home Missions Council. THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE New York. 1939.
WORLD, after sixty-two years of con- (1) supplying The Evangelical Chris- These radio addresses deal tian and Missionary Witness (pub- with America's new frontierstinuous service, in spite of many lished in Toronto, R. V. Bingham, the American Indian, Southern Editor); or (2) if preferred, The In- Highlands, Puerto Rico, City obstacles and influences that at times ternational Review of Missions (pub- Life, Mining Towns, Negroes, seemed to threaten its existence, is to lishedin London, Wm. Paton, Editor); Immigrants, Alaska, Church and or (3) making a cash refund to those State, Relief and Sharecroppers be discontinued with this present De- requesting it at 20 cents per month and What Price Christian Amer- for each issue of THE REVIEW still ica. They are brief, popular and cember issue. We have stated the due on prepaid subscriptions. In order full of interesting and useful case as clearly as we could in our to make it unnecessary for every sub- facts, especially for pastors and Editorial Topics (page 531). We can scriber to write us, we have planned, other church workers. unless notified otherwise, to send The only say that this course seemed to Evangelical Christian to subscribers other than libraries, and The Interbe the one in the line of God's leading. national Review of Missions to li- braries. Acceptance of the above pro- We did not believe it would be hon- posal will be appreciated, as it will continue the ministry of a missionary oring to Him and His great cause of magazine to subscribers, and obviate world evangelism that THE REVIEW the costly necessity of making small cash adjustments. The options (exshould either go into debt or cease to cept for foreign subscriptions) expire on December 31, 1939, as it will be serve effectively. Therefore THE RE- necessary to close the business of THE REVIEW at that time. American sub- VIEW, as an evangelical world-wide scribers will receive sample copies of missionary advocate and organ of the The Evangelical Christian before De- whole Christian movement, closes its cember 31. … … …
career. … … … Our deep gratitude goes out to our subscribers for their friendly coopera- There are, some fine opportunities tion and interest during the past offered that we cannot now accept– years. Many have expressed their such as publishing articles to review hearty appreciation of THE REVIEW the present missionary situation-and and their sorrow that they can no there may be obligations to authors longer continue to receive inspiration and publishers that we cannot now from it. The following are among the fulfil. If all of our readers, and others letters recently received: who value THE REVIEW, had been regular subscribers this step (of discon- "I wish to express my appreciation tinuing publication) might have been avoided; but many have received its [529 ] help through libraries and friends who have not helped to finance the publication. In many cases this has been inevitable. Weare thankful for all the ways and channels that have enabled us to serve Christ and His workers at home and abroad.
… … …
Our obligations to subscribers for unfilled subscriptions will be met by
AND CHILDREN AT LOLODORF, WEST
A TYPICAL SCENE IN A WEST AFRICAN VILLAGE (See articles on "African Views of African Village Life," pages 541 to 546) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 12 DECEMBER, 1939 Topics of the Times PRAYER-EVERY NIGHT, ALL NIGHT The benefit of this is both local and world-wide. The meetings, on successive nights, follow ac- Few people, even Christians, seem to realize cording to an alphabetical list of the towns and the immense importance of earnest, unselfish cities. Notices of these dates are printed in the united prayer to Almighty God in the Name and Alliance Weekly a month in advance and letters Spirit of Jesus Christ. Some of God's servants, are sent to pastors prior to the meeting dates. like George Muller of Bristol and others, known only to God, have proved the efficacy of prayer in The Foreign Department of the Alliance also the results reaching round the world, achieving sends out a Monthly Prayer Letter to more than the apparently impossible. Some Christians oc- 800 individuals and prayer groups, several huncasionally spend whole nights -in prayer when dred of which meet at least once a month or some burden lies heavily on their hearts. There oftener to pray for foreign missions. The Prayer are churches and missions, like the Kwato Mission Letter and Foreign Field Flashes, which accomof Papua, where a room is set aside as a "Power pany the letter, give prayer requests and inter- House" where prayer is offered to God continu- esting reports from the fields. Other requests are ally by successive intercessors or groups of prayer published each month in the Alliance Weekly. partners. Many Christians know the results that have followed the regular hours of prayer, be- God is making these methods fruitful in inhind a closed door, in the humble homes of .John creasing interest in missionary work and in spir- G. Paton, Hudson Taylor and others in all walks itual blessing to individuals, churches and mis- sion enterprises all over the world.
of life. LOOKING BACKWARD Today in America there is at least one com- THE MISSIONARY REVIEW was founded by the munion where whole nights of intercession to Rev. Royal G. Wilder in January, 1878. Mr. God are scheduled for every night in the year, Wilder had been a missionary in India first of except Sundays, when the whole day is largely filled with prayer and Bible stUdy. This plan has the American Board and then of the Presbyterian been inaugurated with the conviction that prayer Board for twenty-nine years (1846-1875). After is fundamental to the Christian life and to the retiring from the work in India he settled with missionary enterprise. It is therefore supremely his family in Princeton, N. J. Here he founded important that the ministry of prayer should be THE REVIEW in 1878 and it was edited by him and developed and increased among Christians both printed in Princeton until the close of 1887. In in private and in church groups. publishing and posting THE REVIEW Mr. Wilder was assisted by his daughter, Grace, and his son The Christian and Missionary Alliance is sys- Robert. After her father's death, Grace and her tematically promoting prayer by nights of prayer every night in the year. The home office in New mother returned to India and are buried there York arranges for each congregation of the AI- in Mr. Wilder's old station of Kolhapur. Robert liance in the United States and Canada to hold Wilder was the real founder, with John N. Forone whole night of prayer. These follow a def- man, of the Student Volunteer Movement for Forinite schedule on successive nights, so that every eign Missions and after a long life of rich service night throughout the year, except Sunday, is a among the students of India, Europe and America night of prayer in one or more of these churches. died in Norway in 1937. THE REVIEW was born [531 ]
of the surest Evangelical convictions and the seems practical, the magazine will end publication deepest spiritual consecration. with this issue.
On Mr. Wilder's death in October, 1887, the THE REVIEW has had a great history, for sixty- REVIEW was taken over by Dr. Arthur T. Pierson two years it has rendered a great service. We and Dr. James M. Sherwood as editors and the pray that some other magazine may take up the Funk & Wagnalls Co. as publishers. It was issued torch and continue the service in years to come. in enlarged form with a variety of departments If ever there was need of a missionary review and at once became recognized as the leading which would rest securely on the Biblical congeneral and interdenominational missionary mag- ception of the Christian faith and would call the azine of the world. It bore the new name of whole Church to a new devotion and sacrifice that THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD and it need is urgent now. It has been the resolute was worthy of its name and wider scope. From effort and purpose of the editor and his associates the outset the flaming zeal and wide knowledge to be absolutely and unflinchingly true to the New of Dr. Pierson gave the magazine a unique and Testament view of the Gospel and of the need of inspiring character. It had one great purpose and the world which the Christ of the Gospel came to it served that purpose with all its power, namely to promote the speedy evangelization of the whole save. In bringing their trust to a conclusion the world. In 1891 Dr. Sherwood retired from relationship to THE REVIEW and in the same year Mr. Directors of the Company desire to cite the unani- Delavan L. Pierson, who had been graduated from mous action of the stockholders at their final meet- Princeton University in 1890, became associated ing as follows: with his father and took over more and more of the editorial labor until his father's death in June In bringing to a close the publication of THE MISSION- 1911 when he became sole editor. ARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD under its present auspices, the stockholders and the Board of Directors of The Mis- The Funk & Wagnalls Co. continued to be the sionary Review Publishing Company herewith express to owners and publishers of THE REVIEW until Oc- Mr. Delavan L. Pierson, who has been the Secretary of tober, 1916 when The Missionary Review Publish- the Company and the Editor of THE REVIEW for the ing Company was organized, with an interdenom- entire period of the Company's history, their appreciation inational Board of Directors, and bought THE of his efficient and untiring work as Editor, their grati- REVIEW. Mr. Pierson continued as editor and tude for his devotion and self-sacrifice and their deep has served as such and as secretary of the Com- appreciation and regard. No one could have rendered pany from that day until now. A number of gen- more capable and loyal service or put himself and all his erous friends, by purchasing stock in the new time and powers into his work with more self-forgetfulcompany, provided the working capital for THE ness and consecration. In accepting his resignation as REVIEW, doing so with the understanding that no Editor, and joining with him in the dissolution of the Company which has worked with him, the stockholders dividends would ever be paid to stockholders and and Directors assure him of their lasting friendship and wish him God's richest blessing for the future years. that both the income of invested capital and the capital itself would all be used as might be found ROBERT E. SPEER. necessary in conducting and maintaining the magazine for as long a term of years as might THE EDITOR'S REVIEW OF THE REVIEW be possible. We present here the final number of THE RE- The end of this term has now arrived. The VIEW. It is. with real sorrow that we close this capital of THE REVIEW, augmented from time to world-wide service, but such a course seems intime by further generous gifts from friends, is evitable. now exhausted, and as it is no longer possible to continue THE REVIEW on the old basis, the Com- Nil desperandum, Christi sub Duce ("Despair pany has voted to dissolve. This is, therefore, the of nothing, under Christ, the Leader"). Such was last issue of THE REVIEW under the present Com- the motto printed on the title page of the first pany's auspices. issue of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW, edited and pub- lished by Royal G. Wilder from January, 1878, to For the last seven years the magazine has been December, 1887. It was then a bi-monthly and printed by the Evangelical Press of Harrisburg, the first year contained only 392 pages-devoted Pa. and which has also contributed to the editorial wholly to foreign missions. Ten years later the expense. There has been a hope that the Press magazine was enlarged to 976 pages. The definite might be able to take over THE REVIEW, both its aim of the magazine, as stated by Mr. Wilder, was editorship and its publication, and to a~sume "to help develop an interest in foreign missions every responsibility for its maintenance but under which will speedily double the present amount of present conditions that does not seem possible, giving, praying and working for this cause." This and as no other means of continuing publication aim was achieved-though not s.peedily. The total annual income of the Presbyterian Board of For- eign Missions was then $463,351; in 1929 it had increased to over $4,000,000. The Methodist
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Episcopal Board then reported an income of Dr. Robert E. Speer, Mrs. Henry W. Peabody, $260,000; in 1929 this increased to $5,657,451. Walter McDougall, Fleming H. Revell, and others.
When THE REVIEW was founded the American The magazine grew in circulation and influence Presbyterian Church had 314 missionaries on the and had the confidence and cooperation of misfield; later the number increased to nearly five- sionaries of all lands and Mission Boards of all fold. Practically all of the denominational boards denominations, but it was not self-supporting and have increased their budgets fourfold in the past its reserve capital was rapidly diminishing. Spefifty years, but the memberships have also in- cial prayer was offered for God's guidance and, in creased proportionately. The number of mission- answer, friends were led to provide a "Maintearies and the fields occupied have also grown, nance Fund" to care for the annual deficit. Thus though not to the extent set by the hope and faith it continued for about ten years and then a falling of Mr. Wilder. The increase in missionary inter- off in these special contributions again threatened est, income, information and activity has been the physical life of the magazine. In 1932 there very large in the past sixty years. This has been seemed no way out but to discontinue pUblication. due to many causes, but THE REVIEW was one of Again we resorted to prayer and again God anthe very influential factors. swered by leading the Evangelical Press, of Har- In the early days the sixty-four page bi-monthly risburg, Pa., to accept financial responsibility for consisted of one or two editorials, four or five printing and circulation, with a generous contri- articles-largely statistical-Field· Notes, Letters bution toward editorial office expense. Drastic from Missionaries, Death Notices, List of Sail- cuts in the budget have enabled us to continue for ings of Missionaries, Questions and Answers, and another seven years-and, we believe, with con- Book Notices. There were no maps or pictures; tinued efficiency until the present time.
the magazine was ·outspoken in its criticism of Now the end of THE REVIEW, as a world-wide mission policies, but was kindly and constructive interdenominational missionary organ, seems to and grew in popularity and influence. be at hand. The present Editor has been with the THE REVIEW has since enlarged its scope to in- magazine for forty-eight years and the time seems clude both home and foreign missions, but its main to have come for him to retire from this major ideals, aims and principles have not changed. Each responsibility. It has been his hope that a younger successive editor has taken a world-wide view of man might be found who would be well able to the need of men of all races for Christ and the carryon the work effectively, but while several life He offers; the Gospel proclaimed has been have been approached, our search has been with- that of the New Testament; the Bible has been out success. The reserve funds are exhausted and accepted as the final authority on revealed truth; our efforts to build them up again sufficiently the power and leadership on which success de- have been unavailing. There is no feeling of dis- pends has been the Holy Spirit. The ideal has couragement or failure but it seems that God's been cooperation with all those who accept and time has come for the Editor and THE REVIEW to proclaim Christ as the Son of God and Saviour retire together from this field of missionary pro- of men through His sacrificial life and death. motion.
The history of THE REVIEW has been marked by Many signs seem to indicate this. The mis- several crises, which seemed to threaten its exist- sionary situation has changed so that pioneer mis- ance, but each time the way has been opened for sion work is not stressed by most of the Home a new advance. In 1888 Mr. Wilder, the Founder Church Boards. The executive personnel has and Editor for ten years, died. His work was changed and the secretaries belong to a new gentaken up by Dr. Arthur T. Pierson, who was al- eration that naturally seeks new contacts and ready recognized as a powerful advocate of mis- uses new methods of promotion. The union and insions. Under him THE REVIEW became a home terdenominational activities, which were almost and foreign missionary periodical. After three unknown sixty-two years ago, have now spread years Dr. Pierson went to London to occupy the over the Church and the world with national mispulpit of Charles H. Spurgeon, but continued the sionary councils, the International Missionary general oversight of the magazine until his death Council, the Federal Council of Churches and in 1911. Then the present Editor, who had already many union, educational and medical missionary been associated with the magazine for twenty committees to care for cooperative work. The years, became Editor-in-Chief. During the World Church Boards are also taking care of many ac- War, the Funk & Wagnalls Company decided to tivities which were formerly promoted by intergive up publishing the magazine, since it was not church organizations. As a result several of financially profitable. After much prayer and with these, such as the Laymen's Missionary Move- ment, have closed their work and have transearnest effort, a new interdenominational but in- ferred the responsibilities to the denominational dependent company was formed, with the help of
Boards or to the Foreign Missions Conference loved President of the Board, and Walter Mc- and Home Missions Councils. Others may follow Dougall, the faithful and beloved Treasurer.
suit. These two servants of Christ have seldom missed It is our conviction that there never was greater a meeting of the Board and have encouraged and need than there is today for consecrated and sacri- strengthened the Editor in every possible way- ficial missionary activity. There was never greater often at real sacrifice.
need to proclaim the "Gospel of Christ as the The subscribers to THE REVIEW, many of whom power of God unto salvation to everyone that be- have been readers and friends for a quarter of a lieveth." There was never greater need to stir century or more, are not forgotten. To them the up the Church at home to more earnest prayer, discontinuance of THE REVIEW will come as a real more sacrificial giving and more active coopera- loss-like the loss of a valued friend and helper. tion in the missionary enterprise. The Christians Missionaries in lonely outstations will miss it; also at home need to be reawakened as much as the pastors who have sought here material for serunevangelized need to have the Gospel proclaimed mons and addresses; leaders in missionary sociein the power of the Holy Spirit. ties who have depended on it; editors who shared The end of THE REVIEW may have come as a its contents with their readers; and friends of all missionary periodical, but the end of the Cause lands and walks in life who are interested in their for which it has stood has not come. And we con- fellow men and in promoting the work of Christ fidently believe that the influence of THE REVIEW throughout the world. will go on. Only God can tell the extent of its influence in the past sixty-two years-in interest Notwithstanding the strong desire of the Editor, awakened, in prayer stimulated and directed, in and other friends, to have THE REVIEW continue volunteers enlisted, in money contributed, in mis- its service at whatever cost to themselves, God has sionaries encouraged, in mission policies improved. not shown how this can be done to His glory and THE REVIEW has also set a high standard for the for the advancement of His Kingdom. We would literature of missions and has helped to improve not carryon in any other way. We do not believe methods of missionary promotion. He would be glorified or His cause promoted by go- ing into debt or by publishing a weak and sickly These influences will go on in the days to come. organ which might end its honorable career by The living seed that has been planted in human slow starvation and retreat. We would not have minds and lives will continue to increase and bear THE REVIEW transferred to any agency that might fruit. The career of THE REVIEW may be ended even appear to I'Itand for any other Gospel than but the work of Christ, the ideals and Power for that proclaimed in the New Testament, who would which it has stood will never end; they will be accept any other authority than the Bible as the filled full at the coming of Christ to subdue all Word of God or look to any other Power for rethings and to establish His control over all the generation, guidance and service than the Holy earth. Spirit.
* ** It has seemed clear to the Board of Directors The deep gratitude of the Editor goes out to and to the stockholders of THE REVIEW, that the God and to all who have cooperated with him, time has come to wind up the activities of the especially in the past twenty-eight years, to make corporation. On October 9th, therefore, the stock- holders voted unanimously to dissolve the corpo- THE REVIEW what it has been. We think especially ration and to cease publication with this December of the members of the Board of Directors, the issue. We are thankful that this can be done with Editorial Council, the Mission Boards, the For- a clean slate and without any financial obligations eign Missions Conference and Home Missions which cannot be fully met by the funds in hand. Councils, the Associate Editors and the authors, Subscribers will be given the alternative of rethe stockholders and contributors to the Mainte- ceiving some other evangelical missionary periodinance Fund, and the publishers.. All of these have cal in place of THE REVIEW, or, if they so elect, given of time and thought, and many of them have the Evangelical Press has agreed to refund the given money, without stint and without thought cost of their unfilled SUbscriptions. of personal gain. They have been sacrificial in their cooperation for they have worked to promote The time has come for the Editor's valedictory the cause of Christ. but this does not carry with it any sense of defeat We especially pay our tribute of love and ad- or any lack of blessing on the part of God. We miration to two friends who helped to establish pray that other lines of effective service may open the Missionary Review Publishing Company and that other agencies will carry forward vic- twenty-three years ago and who have continued toriously the work of THE REVIEW. Nil desparan- to support and promote it through all the days dum, Christi sub Duce-We will despair of noth- of trial and triumph-Robert E. Speer, the be- ing, under Christ our Leader.
CONTINUED PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH "Just as Jesus was persecuted by Herod soon after His birth, so His Christian Church and His faithful servants, teachers, and ministers will be perseeuted until the end of time. But what do the persecutors accomplish? Even though it should rain and snow down on the Christian Church nothing but stones and bullets; nay, if it rain nothing but devils and tyrants, and enthusiasts, and stocks, and gallows and though hundreds of thousands of martyrs were executed, yet the Christian Church cannot be wiped out. That must be our comfort in these last dangerous times in which Christendom lives and moves in manifold dangers and faithful preachers are persecuted, we should thereby not be enticed away from the Church, to false religion, or to a godless life. Whatever the privations and dangers, perseeutions must be endured. It is a fortunate misfortune when, as members of His Church, we suffer adversity with Christ. Have we not the comfort that Jesus Christ is with His believers every day even unto the end of the world? He is in our midst and will not allow us to slide. On the other hand, it is an unfortunate fortune if anyone seeks fortune or easy days with the Father of lies, with the world, or with false churches; for finally there will be an evil end when all such must depart from the Lord as hypocrites and evildoers; their lot will be in the abyss of fire and brimstone."-Martin Luther.
THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS IN CHOSEN Women's Bible Institute and the Bible Clubs. As the missionaries could not conscientiously meet The demand that Korean Christians do obei- these dem'ands, it has been neeessary to close all sance at Shinto Shrines is being made by Japanese of these important institutions. The same is true officials on an increasingly large scale. At first of the Pierson Memorial Bible School in Seoul. only pupils in government schools were compelled to go to the shrines, then students in all schools, In September the 1939 General Assembly of the even Christians, were included. As a result Presbyterian Church of Korea met and after much the Northern Presbyterian, Southern Presbyte- discussion appointed a committee of twenty Korian and Australian Presbyterian Missions with- rean pastors to organize a Theological Seminary drew from secular education. Government officials in Pyengyang, and three other members were apstated, both publicly and privately, that this obei- pointed to represent the General Assembly on a sance at the shrines was only required 'of those in committee organized to start a similar seminary the schools. However, early in 1938 the same de- in Seoul. These new institutions must be ready to mand was made upon the Korean presbyteries, meet the Government's demands for attendance at the shrines. The latest reports indicate that it me General Assembly, some Bible Conferences will not be easy to secure the permission of the Government to organize these institutions. The and Bible Institutes throughout the land. After Presbyterian Council, which controls the original being threatened, even with bodily torture, many Presbyterian Seminary, now temporarily closed, church leaders yielded to what they believed to be is holding the property and using the faculty memout of harmony with unswerving loyalty to God; bers for translation and other important literary others stood firm in their refusal and either left work with the hope that the time will come when their churches and homes or were put under the institution can go on with her great work of arrest, with suffering of body and mind. training men for the Christian ministry. Medical work, visiting country churches, street and market Some of the Bible Institutes in different parts preaching, literary work and dealing with indiof Chosen had been ordered to attend the shrine; viduals goes on. Here is a situation that calls for but until the summer of 1939 the Bible Institutes, true faith, courage and prayer. the Bible Clubs, and the Women's Biblical Seminary in Pyengyang were allowed to carry on their THE PLIGHT OF EUROPEAN CHURCHES work. Then on the 21st of August, 1939, after the Presbyterian Seminary, a union. institution, The Provisional Committee of the World Counhad sent out notices announcing that the fall term cil of Churches in Geneva is considering what would begin on August 31, an official communica- can be done for the spiritual welfare of prisoners tion was sent to the Seminary ordering them to of war, and how the relief work for Christian secure a Government permit, involving approval refugees can be maintained. The European Cenof the faculty and curriculum, and obeisance at tral Office for Inter-Church Aid faces the emerthe Shinto Shrines. They were told that the same gency tasks such as aid for the Russian Orthodox requirement was to be made of the Woman's Biblical Seminary, the Men's Bible Institute, the
PUPILS GOING HOME FROM SCHOOL IN EGYPT (See article by E. W. Bailey. page 550) Academy in Paris, and for the Czech-Slovakian mense difficulties of all kind, and appeal to other congregation in Paris, which is cut off from its Protestants to make a special effort to aid orphan mother church in central Europe. congregations."
The European Central Office is greatly con- The Church of Christ in every land must help cerned for the maintenance of thirty Ukranian to keep fellowship in faith alive and to express evangelical pastors and their parishes in southern it by practical cooperation. ADOLF KELLER.
Poland and Wolhynia. These Ukranians must INDIA meet the hostility of the new Polish Government and are cut off from aid which hitherto has been A land of lights and shadows intervolved, granted by the European Central Office. Those A land of blazing sun and blackest night, in occupied territory are placed pnder the pro- A fortress armed, and guarded jealously, tection of the German army, and an evangelical With every portal barred against the Light. professor in Germany, who knows the language, has heen asked to care for these orphan parishes. A land in thrall to ancient mystic faiths, It is hoped that the German evangelical min- A land of iron creeds and gruesome deeds, isters and congregations in Poznan and the rest A land of superstitions vast and grim, of Poland may find the necessary protection by And all the noisome growths that darkness breeds. the German army in the occupied territory. Gen- eral Superintendent Blau says that two pastors Like sunny waves upon an iron-bound coast, in Bromberg have been murdered and that seven- The Light beats up against the close-barred doors, te.en others are missing. And seeks vain entrance, yet beats on and on, One of the most difficult tasks is to find some In hopeful faith which all defeat ignores.
way to continue relief which can no longer be given by the European churches. The French But-time shall come,when, like a swelling tide, churches can not now give much for the evan- The Word shall leap the barriers, and the Light gelical refugees in southern France and for the Shall sweep the land; and Faith and Love and thirty Spanish evangelical pastors who are not Hope able to go back t.o Spain. The French Church Fed- Shall win for Christ this stronghold of the night.
eration says: "Our churches have to face im- -John Oxenham, in The Open Door.
India-Changes in the Last Fifty
By A. C. CLAYTON, O. B. E., Recently of Saidapet, Madras For Thirty Years Tamil Literature Missionary in South India, Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society Two or three years ago a famous Balinese Outside more than one village, which I know, dancer from the Dutch East Indies performed are stones set up in memory of some pious widow before the Queen of Holland. The music who burned herself to death on the funeral pyre to which the girl danced came to Holland from a of her husband. The practice of "suttee," as we bell, gong, drum and xylophone band playing in call this, is now forbidden by law, but every year Java, seven or eight thousand miles away. or two cases come into court showing that widows have practiced suttee with the connivance of their In Tokyo there are skyscraper department relatives. stores with automobile garages half a dozen stories high. Such cases are reversions to an obsolete type of thought. They are very few. But the changes The modern pilgrim to Mecca crosses the desert that are taking place, especially in Indian village in a high-powered automobile. life, are not less than revolutionary, and they are very many. The three most significant of these An Indian doctor in Madras will fly in his own changes may be mentioned here. One has imprivate aeroplane two hundred miles to perform proved the health of the country. The second has an operation in the morning and return to his raised the status of a group of races totalling patients in Madras in the evening, as a matter of fifty or sixty millions. The third indicates a new routine. standard in ethical values.
The East is changing. When my slow steamer reached Madras harbor when I first went out to India almost 48 years ago, The Fight Against Fear I was taken ashore in a boat made of planks sewn together with coconut fibre, in the same way that Not far from where I lived when I first reached passengers were taken ashore centuries before India was the famous shrine of a demon Goddess. any Westerners reached India. There was not an A popular festival was held in the river-bed before electric light in the city, nor a motor vehicle; there her temple each Sunday during two of the hottest were very few "push-bikes." No one expected months in the year. As many as two thousand that the "changeless East," as we used to call it, sheep would be slaughtered in her honor on each ever could change. of these days. Because of the heat, the crowding and the lack of sanitation, there was nearly always Many things remain unchanged today. In this an outbreak of cholera in the surrounding villages. very year an old tiger in Assam is known to have The people believed that the Cholera Goddess mauled nineteen and killed eight Indians. Tigers caused the outbreak because she was angry with are tigers today just as they were fifty years ago. them. They did not know how to escape her wrath and they died in terror of it. Many villagers still fear that if the village Gods are angry they will cause the rains to fail and the crops to wither. Like their fathers before Today when there is fear of cholera, the Govthem, they believe that the way to placate the Gods ernment sends out supplies of anti-cholera vaccine.
is to sacrifice buffaloes to them; if that does not People by the thousands come to be "pricked by bring rain, then a man or a woman ought to be the needle" and the epidemic does not occur. offered. Some two years ago, in Bombay, a village Again, in those first days of my stay in India, headman and a village priest were convicted of as I went daily to the school where I taught, I kidnaping a young man of twenty-three from a passed a lepers' village, and saw one or more of neighboring village and cutting off his head as an these sufferers sitting by the road-side begging.
offering to an offended demon deity in order to Everybody in the place was a leper or expected to bribe it to send rain on parched fields. be a leper. There was then no known cure for This is not evidence of a widespread practice, leprosy.
but it is evidence that a very ancient superstition Today, the great leper settlement near Madras, is not extinct. supported by the Government but staffed by mis- [537 ]
sionaries, is a Home of Hope. It contains 800 Christianity was among the first of these. Howlepers. Outside the gates various groups camp by ever much some of the early missionaries might the roadside waiting to be admitted. They know hesitate to ignore the social stigma put on the that the disease can be checked and in many cases "outcaste" communities they did not fail to evancan be cured. gelize them. About fifty years ago there began the mass movements toward Christianity, better Disease has not been driven out of the villages called community movements, of groups of famof India. The villager still believes in the god- ilies and sometimes of whole villages.. Christ can desses of disease, but he is no longer paralyzed by speak to the Untouchable and many of them were his fear. Today a sick man or woman-sometimes and are His devoted disciples. Others have had very sick indeed-will journey on foot, or get lower motives. All looked on their new religion friends to carry him many miles to one of the as a way of escape from the degradation of untoo few mission hospitaLs. Thirty, twenty or even touchability. It awakened self-respect and hope, ten years ago this man or woman would have and, in the next generation, produced an impaaccepted death in hopeless apathy. tience with their hereditary serfdom.
When I first went to India that land was still (2) Schools-For centuries the pariah classes the India of the stories of Rudyard Kipling. No were looked on as hopelessly stupid, stupid as one imagined that in half a century the chief buffaloes; fifty years ago most of them, shrewd provinces of British India would be governing as they were in many ways, accepted the situation themselves. Some of the supporters. of the new and saw no use in schools for their children. But Congress governments in the provinces promised in our Christian mission schools we soon were that taxes would be cut down and that free loans able to prove, even to school inspectors who were would be given to help villagers to pay their debts Hindus, that Untouchable children could learn as and finance marriage ceremonies. But speaking well as other children. The Untouchable awoke generally the first two years of these new govern- to the fact that his children could be educated. ments has shown that there is good reason to In the second and third generations. of Christians believe that they will work well. from these classes large numbers have completely escaped from the ignorance that was the lot of New Hope for the "Untouchables" their fathers.
But the most striking social advance which (3) The vote-The reforms in the constitution has been made is in regard to the classes called of the Government of India, which began in 1920 "Outcastes," "Pariahs," "Untouchables," or "Har- and gave self-government to the Provinces of ijans." These folk, fifty or sixty million of them British India in 1937, gave also an unexpected throughout all India, are scavengers and leather impetus to the emancipation of the Untouchables. workers, village menials and the humblest of As a matter of course the British Parliament gave laborers. They live in squalid groups of huts the vote to all who were qualified for it, whether away from the houses of respectable Hindus. They high-caste or low-caste, men or women. Fifty were, when I began to be a missionary, forbidden years ago no one ever thought that the pariah to draw water from any wells used by Hindus of would ever have a voice in ruling India. It was higher class. Their children could not go to unthinkable that a man from the depressed classschool with their "betters." However clean they es should be a member of the Legislature, along might be, their touch defiled their "betters." In with landowners and lawyers and priestly Brahmy part of India, these pariahs were so despised, mans. But today the Untouchable rightfully takes that if I had gone into one of their hamlets I was his place in the Council chamber. And the world looked on as so defiled thereby that I might not has not come to an end, though the old pandit who visit the houses of their Hindu masters. taught me a little Sanskrit thought that it would.
Among the sixty-three saints venerated by (4) Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar- Tamils only one is a pariah who purified himself Among the Untouchables most of the leaders are by throwing himself into a pit of fire. Fifty years men of local repute only. Among those of wider ago Hindu opinion banned all these Untouch- influence, M. C. Rajah, who was educated at two ables from the temples where the great gods were mission colleges in Madras, has an outstanding worshiped. Only seven years ago the authorities position in the South. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, an at the largest Temple of Shiva in the City of Untouchable who by magnificent effort won his Kumbakonam put up a notice at all the main Ph.D. at Columbia and his D.Sc. from the Unientrances prohibiting Mohammedans, Christians versity of London, and is now the Principal of and Untouchables from entering into that temple. the Government Law College in Bombay, is how- ever recognized throughout India as the chief Factors Making for Progress leader of the Untouchables. About four years ago he was so hopeless of ever changing the atti- (1) Christianity-There were, however, forces at work to compel a change in Hindu opinion.
INDIA-CHANGES IN THE LAST FIFTY YEARS
tude of Hindus of the higher castes towards the Untouchables ill many parts of India and are Untouchable that he renounced Hinduism and bringing whole communities into the Christian called on the Untouchables throughout India to Church. In the diocese of my friend the Bishop do the same. of Dornakal in South India there are two hundred It is only possible to summarize here what has thousand Christians where there were only a few occurred since. For many years Mahatma Gan- hundred thirty years ago. And that is only one dhi had done all he could to secure better treat- instance of the way in which these pariah multi- ment for the Untouchables whom he calls Hari- tudes are breaking the fetters of demon worship jans (Children of God). I remember one occasion and are seeking Jesus Christ.
when he had come to a place to make a great The Christian community in India is still very speech. He noticed that some Harijans had come small, only some six millions among nearly 350 to hear him but had been crowded away into a millions of Hindus, Moslems and peoples of other far corner. Promptly he went and sat down religions. India of 1939 is not Christian, nor dare among them and then made his speech standing I say that it will become Christian in my time. among them. That is typical of him, and has But the greatest change of all is more significant wonderfully impressed many of them. Gandhi than the community movements. Today when used Ambedkar's revolt as a final argument and Indians would describe a supremely truthful, selfcompelled even the most unprogressive Hindus to forgetful, brave and utterly sincere man-a leader see that, unless their treatment of their serfs like Mahatma Gandhi—,they do not say that he improved, these Harijans would cut themselves is like Rama or Krishna or any other of the old entirely adrift from Hinduism. This touched the gods of the land. With reverent voices they say, politicians, for the votes of the Untouchables "He is like Jesus Christ." would probably be lost if they did nothing for them. Gandhi's personality, perhaps more than his arguments, won the day. The orthodox but THE CROW AND THE PEACOCK enlightened Maharaja of Travancore, guided by his Brahmin chief minister-one of the ablest There is an Indian fable of a crow that lived men in India-permitted Untouchables to worship near some peacocks, and thought that the pea- in all the temples under his control. Other Prin- cock's caste was more excellent than his own. The ces have followed his lead. The authorities in crow therefore picked up a few of the peacock's many temples under private control have done cast-off feathers and stuck them among his own.
the same, and the Brahmin Prime Minister of He left his own family and in his new guise lived the Government of Madras has supported the trus- among the peacDcks for a few days. One day his tees of the famous Shiva Temple in Madura in voice was heard, and the peacocks said, "This is admitting Harijans to the Holy of Holies. One not a peacock. He has been deceiving us while temple in Kumbakonam has closed its doors to living among us." Then they all set upon him Harijans and "imprisoned the God," but in many with their beaks and spurs till, sore wounded and places the Untouchable can worship in the same ashamed, he sought to return to his own family.
temple with the Brahmin, just as he can sit beside The crows understood why he left them and why him in the Council. Though the old grievances he .wished to return. They said. "You despised of the Harijans survive in out of the way or ortho- us, thinking you would honor yourself by trying dox centres, the days of universal degradation are to join others. Go to them. There is no place fDr past. This is the finest victory that Mahatma you here. Be off! We will not have you among Gandhi has ever won. Only ten years ago no one us."
believed that he would ever so triumph. Over fifty years ago a Brahmin friend wrote to The Greatest Change of All Benjamin Robinson, a missionary who sought to adapt Indian customs and dress in order that he But apart from Dr. Ambedkar large numbers might be more effective as a messenger of Christ: of Untouchables have already sought a new faith. "Whatever you do, you cannot alter YDur birth.
In my first days in India we missionaries were However you dress and eat you will be known as often called "white pariahs" because we entered an Englishman. Your motives in change of dress villages of the Untouchables, made friends with will be misunderstood and misconstrued." This them, even took our meals in their huts. The judgment was confirmed from another source, religion of Jesus Christ was contemptuously for when he returned to a village which he had called "the pariah's way" because in the India of visited on his previous tour, a Sudra headman, 1892, dominated still by Hindu custom and preju- who had renounced idolatry said, "Don't you per- dice, many Untouchables were accepting it. But ceive, Sir, that if you dress as these idolaters, they the most hopeful of us had no idea of the wide will say, 'You ought to adopt our worship also.'''
mass movements which today are awakening the -National Christian Council Review.
A Chinese Christian's Testimony *
-.11.:1-===B=Y=MY=F=ANWY===w=o=o=D=,=p..e.l_,p_in_g,_Ch=in_a==;;lII,·- T HREE years ago Mr. Y. C. Ts'ai left Yen- Mr. Ts'ai writes of his Bible study while in ching School of Religion in Peiping to become prison, "I read the last part of all the Gospels, lecturer in New Testament in the South especially John 13-21, and my experiences in Fukien Union Theological College. Recently he prison helped me to understand and appreciate was asked to address a conference of Christian the suffering Christ and His Resurrection much students in Changchow on "The Attitude of Chris- more than before. Many of His teachings to tians to the National Crisis." He spoke on- which I had not previously paid much attention I. God's relation to men; Freedom. were brought home to me with new light and mighty power. All the while the great words- II. Man's relation to God; Faith. Love, Peace and Joy-rang like heavenly music (a) Fearless when calamity comes. in my ears. . . . The fruit of the Holy Spirit is (b) We are all to love our enemies'. the heritage of the children of our God and Fa- (c) God's love ultimately will certainly prevail. ther who is Love and Victory. May His name be glorified for ever and ever. Amen." III. Relations between man and man: Love. Christians are the messengers of Love.
IV. The Christian's outlook on the world; Hope.
V. The Relation of the Christian to himself; Nurture Mr. Ts'ai was kept in prison for twenty-two of his Spiritual Life. days. Writing a little later, he slays: "There Mr. Ts'ai's notes reveal a carefully thought- must be those who deal with the present, but there through statement which challenges Chris,tians to must also be people who point men to the future. practical expressions of the love of God, even in . . . We pray for the nation, but we must also the time of war. pray for the reign of God wherein lies the true welfare of the nation. Permanent world peace Nearly three weeks after the address, the local . . . cannot be possible without the religion of daily paper came out with an article giving a Christ. For He alone can redeem the world from garbled account and accusing Mr. Ts'ai of being selfishness and sin, which is the root of war. . . . a traitor to his country. Five days later, soldiers We must work for peace in the midst of war. It went to his home to arrest him, and he was tried sounds out of harmony with the thoughts of the before the local military tribunal. The officials time, but it is absolutely needed." asked him to write an outline of the offending address and they then proceeded to question him on When Mr. Ts'ai was released, his presence at the basis of the newspaper report. To all ques- court (at any time he might be recalled) was tions he gave quiet, orderly replies, which reveal guaranteed by the principals of the Christian Colclearly how consistent he is to his Christian prin- lege and schools in Changchow. In the original ciples. draft of this document of release, his guarantors were required to promise that he would not again He was imprisoned in a room ten feet by fif- say anything "unseemly." Mr. Ts'ai protested teen, with other prisoners numbering at various strongly against any such promise, "For," he says, times from two to fourteen. These included army "I would much rather stay in prison than have officers, bandits and suspected spies. He writes: that clause in the guarantee for release. I admit "I thanked God for granting me the opportunity that what I said was not in line with the trend of to live and work among them; to show them how, thought of this time, but I can never confess to even under the most trying circumstances, there anYibody that what I said was wrong. It was my is still the possibility of living according to the duty to preach as I was led, and I was ready to rules of a sanitary life; above all I am thankful take any consequences." for the opportunity to bring them the Gospel of Christ. And I was glad to see them cheered up, "In the time of national calamity all the more working gladly together to make the room clean should we preach Jesus." and tidy, getting rid of lice and insects, and living like men rather than sinking down to the level May the words of our Lord echo round the of mere animals,." world,and may Christians in every land bear an ever stronger witness in life today to the power of the Love of God; it is in that power alone that • From T1&6 London Missionary Society ChronicJe. we can pass through truth to freedom for service.
[540 ]
A VILLAGE STREET IN WEST AFRICA THE INTERIOR OF AN AFRICAN
African Views of African Life* The West African Home, Parents, Children and Schools -~~I-=-=-=B_Y_W_E_S_T_A_FR=-I_CA_N-=C=mu-=S_T_IA_N=S-=-=-=~II~ Behind Pagan Walls poisoning and death. Not until an animal was OUR ol~ s.tyle, one r?Om, mud walled Basa sacrificed to the sacred object, and the patient huts III West AfrIca were smaller than those of today. Some did not exceed ten sprinkled with its blood would the malady disapfeet in length or eight feet in width. The palm thatch roofs were so low that we could stand pear. We therefore believed and feared the cult upright only under the ridge pole. Within the one door hut of a pagan Basa was a clay mound bed. priests more than we do the white men who gov- Spears and a bow gun leaned against the wall. Fastened to the rafters was a bundle of carefully ern us today. tied sticks which was the owner's magic wand to keep away misfortunes. On the clay floor, in Not only did we believe that the priests commuwhich a fetish had been concealed, was a bark container for arrows and another for various po- nicated with departed spirits but we thought that tent charms. All were devices to keep evil spirits at bay and to bring to naught the machinations of they themselves were spirits. The officiating priest witches, the fear of which was ever present. of the men's Urn cult was a spfiermita. leThussp·itriht~· Spirits of our ancestors also were believed to the priest of the Nge was a male be all about and certain persons were thought to have the power to communicate with them and to men deceived the women and children greatly in transmit their blessings or their curses. These were the priests of the Nge and Urn cults. Men, order to put fear into their hearts. A woman who women and children all feared those who were associated with these cults and their rites. No un- refused her husband was threatened with, "The initiated was allowed to look upon the cult objects as the offender would sicken with the particular Nge will eat you." A child unwilling to carry cult sickness. In the case of Urn this took the form of the eating away of the nose or other parts messages was threatened in the same manner. If of the body by ulcers; in the case of the Nge, a wife continued in disobedience the Nge priests waited in ambush to carry her off secretly to kill her. When she failed to appear, the announce- ment was made to her people that the Nge had eaten her. .
Women were not allowed to be present at the grave during burial as the rites for the dead were in the hands of ,the Nge. Before laying the corpse in the grave a priest entered it and talked, trying to imitate the voice of the departed man to put fear into the hearts of his widows. Whenever the cult men danced all women and children were shut up in their houses. If a :woman bore a monstros- ity it was considered positive proof that she had MIS•S<IO?on,ndCenasmederofroonm. The Drum Cal!, Published by the Presbyterian surreptitI•ously witnessed cult ceremonies or trans- [541] ..
gressed other laws. Women were forbidden to eat tried to run away. Her father heard of it and the wild hog because its voice sounded like that of before she could go far he caught and brought the Nge. Fish were taboo for them because the most sacred of the Um cult objects was found in her back. the river. Those who obeyed all the tenets of the When my mother was about fifteen years old cults were told that blessings would follow them, such as: Birth of many children, health, riches, she was married to my father. She had two nickgood luck in the chase; but if they broke the laws names. One was Kinganngoi-the name of the and taboos, misfortunes as illness and death would wild red river hog, given to her because she was be their lot. celebrated for her beauty. In the village of her husband she received the other name, meaning The walls of our pagan homes shut in fear and "Weaver-birds-make-a-great-noise." She cooked superstition, keeping out the love and happiness much food for the many guests of her husband. that God offers. We thank our Father God that She prepared great feasts. Many women came He has caused to shine upon our homes His great to her to beg for food and she gave to all who light, the Good News of Jesus which is dispelling asked. For this reason there were always many fear in our hearts and homes and is sweeping people and the hum of many voices in the village away our superstition.-Samuel Wrestling-beetles. so that she became famous as a great worker and very generous. My Heathen Father My mother wore a black bustle made of string My father's children did not love him but they that she prepared from the new leaves of the raffia feared him very much. My sisters feared him palm. It took from fif,ty to seventy of these strings even more than we boys. If we offended him, such to form a bustle eight to ten inches long which she as drinking the dregs of his palm wine or stand- wore fastened to her belt of monkey skin or ing near any ·of his wives, he thrashed us un- braided fibres. Her leaf apron was made from the mercifully. We dared not lift our eyes when he leaves of the lagal tree. It was about two fingers was near. wide and was fastened to her belt; it was fringed at the end the length of one's middle finger. Her When he was a young man he first became a leaf apron, the one she wore to dances, she colored hunter. After he excelled in shooting a gun he red with powdered or ground chips from the redswore an oath that he would not marry until he wood tree. had killed a man of the Bakembe clan; so he went to the diviner whose advice he followed. After he Mother bore nine children and raised two genhad prepared the war feast, the invited warriors erations of orphans. She lived to see her own ate and danced in their ceremonial dress. This grandchildren and those of the other wives of her ritual performed, my father took his gun and husband. I loved my mother very much because crossed the river to the Bakembe clan and stealth- she taught me the things of women. She taught ily walked to a certain hut. He removed the bark us to be chaste and did not allow us to go about and there saw a man and his wife, fast asleep. visiting in other people's houses. When we chil- He prayed to his gun, "Oh gun, pick off this man dren were married she gave us many presents of and this woman." Then he killed the sleepers. household goods such as clay pots, water gourds, Immediately the hut caught fire and the whole baskets, wooden spoons, wooden dishes. We have family perished-not one was left to plant a lily a proverb: The wild vine comes to the yo yam; it bulb (commonly used to exorcise evil spirits). passes and reaches the sweet potato. This is to When he returned to his village my father danced say that the luxuriant and fast growing vine, and sang the songs of warriors for which he was representing the industrious person, comes to the given much goods. With this gift he obtained celebrated yo yam, meaning my mother, and then his first wife and became a warrior. goes on to the sweet potatoes (eaten by children only), meaning her children. Later, my father became a great medicine man and a priest of both the Nge and Um cults. He There was a shallow pit near my mother's even sacrificed his mother to become a priest of house in which were planted two lilies. Near the Nge. these were a snail shell and a stick on which was tied a bundle of leaves and sticks. A clay pot Father married twenty-four wives, but he al- near by contained water and some bark of trees. lowed only one of them to cook his food, for fear This was mother's place of healing. Many women of poisoning. One day he killed his brother be- and children came to her to be healed; she took cause he took from him one of his wives.-Zach- them to this shrine and sprinkled with water from ues Body-hardened. the pot. As, she did this she said, "Misfortune or bad luck you hear it from behind, good fortune My Black Mother reach out toward it." She prayed to the spirits to take away the sickness and to bring blessings to My mother grew up in her father's town. He the women (that is many children). Mother's did not wish her to be married but one day mother
AFRICAN VIEWS OF AFRICAN LIFE
search for life made her establish this sacred in his eyes because he had stolen something from place, but she afterwards found a better life than one of his uncles.
she was looking for when I was a child. She be- It was a Basa man's ambition to have a son came a Christian and gave up her superstitious who surpassed others in fighting. When boys practices. Her real name was Oh-skies. People grew to be old enough they were given machetes said that only in the skies was it possible to find to use in mock fighting. A stick was placed on anything lovelier and wiser than my mother.- the ground. One boy stood on one side of this Daughter of Elephant. stick and one on the other, each with a cutlass in My Baby Boy hand. Each in turn struck the other with the flat of the cutlass on his shoulder. The boys who "Molar tooth-of-elephant has been born." This fought against my brother always ran away from was what we sang in our hearts when a baby boy his blows. He became a great warrior and cap- was born. Mothers all desire a son to build us a tured many women when he went to fight the house when he grows up, to cut the bush and clear other clans.
the ground so we may plant a garden. We God has now put other thoughts in our hearts.
thought of the wives he would marry and the We coveted the nickname of "Snorting Leopard"
many grandchildren we would see in our village. for our sons because we wished them to be as Our husbands also said that it was "a molar- fierce as a leopard as well as strong as a "molar tooth-of-elephant" that must be born first. To tooth-of-an-elephant." Now, we rejoice if they are make sure that their desires would be granted known as "Kelle-quiet-waters," for as the waters they asked the diviner what they should do. of the Kelle River flow evenly and calmly on, so "Go to the grave of your grandfather," the di- shall our sons be peace-loving, their villages un- viner told my father, "make a sacrifice of a goat disturbed by brawls and wars.-Esther One-of- to his spirit; then make a fire on his grave with something.
ceclain leaves and sticks. Take fresh water from A Girl in the Home the stream in a new gourd and wash your hands over the fire so that all evil influences may be My parents were very much pleased when I banished." was born. They had two sons and they needed a My father did exactly as the diviner said. daughter who might be exchanged for a wife for His first child was a boy but people were told one of them or for goods to marry one. They "It is a girl." Father built a house with a tall called me Kop-i-sem, a "fowl to sell." As a girl fence around it in a secret place in the bush. must leave her home and go to live in the village There mother took her baby as father did not of the man she marries, where she helps to in- want the witches to know that he had a son. If crease the number of her husband's clan, she was they saw a baby they would fasten an evil eye on not considered then of as much importance as a the child, and he would sicken and die. Many boy who increases the number in his own clan.
children died, and people said, "Witches, there When a girl was born the midwife always said, are many of them. We must always keep fetishes "Deny; but if caught in the act, confess." Women about to chase them away so they will not kill were blamed for so many evils that mothers felt our children or ourselves." it necessary to teach their girls to be cautious Parents wished sons to grow up to be bold, when they were still very young. They said that brave men. My mother teased my brother when there were more women witches than men so girls he was still a baby so that he would know how had to be taught to be very modest and not give to get angry, kick and fight. Then when he grew offense.
up, if anyone tried to take anything from him, My oldest sister was married soon after she he would not let him. When brother was old had learned to walk. Her husband took her to his enough he stayed with father most of the time. village and there she grew up, living with one of Father showed him how to trap animals, fish with his older wives. She was taught to work hard in a net, make thatch for the roofs of our houses the garden every day, to draw water from the and weave hampers from the fronds of the oil spring and to cook, beginning from the time she palm. These are the things of men that all boys was four years old. My younger sister never mar- must learn. After they are ten years old boys do ried for my father said that she must stay in his not sit in their mothers' house or eat with them town and bear children there for him.
or they are thought weaklings. They eat with When I was a very small child I helped my their fathers in the community house. mother every day in the garden; I drew water One day mother and I heard my brother from the spring in a gourd she gave me. As soon screeching as if in pain. We ran to him and saw as I could use a knife I helped her peel potatoes.
that he was suffering torture and staggering Girls are taught to work very hard because a man about in the street. Father had put red pepper will give a bigger dowry for a girl who works
hard than fQr Qne whO' is lazy. It is the ambition taken frQm us, and we were given dry banana Qf every girl to' be desired as a wife. leaves to' wear. When it was necessary to leave the hut we were O'bliged to' walk bent Qver with My heart was filled with fear at night. When- faces to the grQund. I was fO'rced to' stay in the ever the sun went down mQther would awaken me widow's pen for fifty-four days. During all Qf if I were asleep as she was afraid the sun WQuld this time I was nO't allO'wed to' wash and my face carry my heart away. If children were awake became dirty with SO'Qt from the fire and my body when the sun went down they said that there white frO'm the ashes and clay where I lay. My was nO' danger. One night, after we had all been tears wore paths in the dirt O'n my cheeks. asleep fQr a long time, we awakened with a start. MQther stirred the lQgs that were burning between A widow, her mQurning O'ver, may choQse a new her bed and mine SO' that it was quite light in the husband. Her mO'uth is stoppered with leaves to hQuse. We heard SQmething fly frQm the rQQf Qf prevent her talking until she reaches his village. Qur hQuse. It was an owl but we were told that NO'W I have chosen a new Master, Jesus. He has witches CQuld turn intO' owls and they flew off washed away my sins and taken the stQPper from with the hearts of sleepers. my lips that I may praise Him. I am nO' longer a mere "thing left behind" but a real child Qf We children were very happy when the moon shQne fQr then we gathered in Qne Qf the hQmes GQd.-Daughter of Great-rubbish-pile. and listened to Qur mQthers telling fQlk tales. We told riddles toO' but did nQt dare tell these during Christian vs. Heathen Customs the daytime lest our mO'thers sicken or die. But the best time of day was the late afternQQn when The man whO' believes in God and the man whO' we children played games in the court before our does nO't are not the same kind Qf a persO'n. The hQuses. real Christian knO'ws that he ought to' keep his body' and his spirit clean, but the unbeliever dQes HO'W I cried when they dragged me from my nO't knO'w that. The things that O'ur fathers were mother's arms to take me to my marriage. I was happy to' dO' we Christians are ashamed to' dO'. Let not more than ten years old but I still remember Qne whO' dQes nO't knQw these things ask SQme O'f it as though it were yesterday. I realized that I the O'ld men to' relate them to' him. In Qlden times was a mere "fowl to be SQld." When I reached a persO'n did nQt bathe Qften, saying that if a man my husband's town I did not see that my husband bathed early in the mO'rning he WO'uld nO't be was an Qld man for my eyes were fastened O'n the strQng. If he bathed O'nce O'r twice a mQnth he ground when he came near. I was glad that she was dO'ing well. He WQuld bathe then O'nly because had taught me to' be generO'us, fQr it made my he was going on a jO'urney O'r to a feast. Now, mO'ther-in-law kinder to' me. Always in the eve- if we do nQt bathe and appear dirty befO're others, ning when I brought her some food from my gar- that is the height of shame. den she WQuld take me Qn her lap, blQW spittle Qn my fQrehead and bless me. That is Qur custO'm to What a man himself knO'ws, that he can teach this day.-Daughter of Parting-cloth. another; but if he does nO't knO'w, hQW will he be able to' teach? The Christian parent differs frO'm A Widow's Experience others in that he really tries to teach his children to speak the truth and punishes them when they Yik, "the thing left," is the word for widow in do nQt; he tells them, "Be truthful even thO'ugh our language. My husband, a rich man, had many yO'U are killed." A man Qf the world wants his wives and gO'ats. BefQre he died the diviner told child to win in a cO'ntrQversy even by falsehO'od. him that if he would kill Qne O'f his wives he When, by sO' dO'ing, his child gets the better O'f would nQt die. He lifted his machete to kill his adversary in a palaver the father says with "Weaver-birds-chatter" as she was bending Qver pride, "My child is a man, he will nQt get intO' to' serve him, but befO're the knife reached her trO'uble befO're the authorities fO'r he knQws hO'W he fell dead. to' twist things to' his advantage. The sO'n whO' knO'ws only to' speak the truth is a woman and nO't When a person dies the burden Qf the expres- a real man." sion of grief faHs UPQn the wO'men and immediately O'ur wailing burst forth. SQme O'f us wept Even as the Christian persO'n is nO't like the because O'ur husband had gone but mO're O'f us heathen, so also his family is nO't the same. wept because we feared his spirit wO'uld CQme to' Usually each pastO'r, teacher and catechist's hO'me persecute us O'r take us to' the spirit wQrld. I had is like a light set on a hill-a real example Qf sPO'ken disrespectfully to' "Great-elephant" (his what a Christian hQme O'ught to be. This hO'me hO'nQr name; wives are forbidden to' address their is happy. FQr the most part the Christian keeps husband by his real name). After Qur husband his house and yard clean; he tries to keep the was buried we widows were all herded intO' O'ne children clean and is the first to take them to a hut and left there to' sleep and sit on the clay doctQr when sick. He alsO' sends bQth girls and flO'O'r. Our raffia bustles and leaf aprO'ns were bO'ys to schQol, as a great many believers dO', to'
learn to read and write and to learn the things of education, the church is raising up a new genof God. He makes a real effort to arrange Chris- eration of girls who are demanding in marriage tian marriages for his children. The first ques- the privileges of Christian homes and husbands tion a father asks a man who comes to seek his whom they may call their own instead of sharing daughter in marriage is, "Are you a Christian? them with others. Show me your church letter." When a father, who is wealthy, having many There are many families in which only one wives and much goods, dies, all this property, inmember, the woman, is a Christian. The mother cluding his wives, goes to the oldest son. Freis pressed by the church to forbid any alliance quently a man has shown real Christian courage with unbelievers; the father, being interested and love for God at such times refusing even to go only in getting all the money he can, gives the home to settle the estate. Sometimes, however, daughter to the one promising the" greatest dowry, our hearts are heavy with sorrow when we see even though the prospective husband already has one who has had Christian training unable to many wives. Frequently a father forbids his girls withstand the temptation. He goes home for the to go to school. He argues thus: "What is the burial feast, listens to the advice of the old men use of teaching a girl? All she needs to know and falls a prey to the customs of his fathers, beis how to plant a garden, cook food for her hus- coming involved and thus severs his connections band and bear children. What else is there for with the church.
SOME PARENTS AND CHILDREN AT THE LOLODORF It is only thirty-five years since the first mis- HOSPITAL sionary took his life in his hands to bring to the Rasa tribe the Good News of what Christ has her? Whoever heard of a woman teacher? If she done to release them from all the fears which knows how to read and write she will know more held them and their children as slaves. Yet, in than her husband, and no man will give a dowry this short time, God has done great things for for a woman who knows more than he does; that the people. Instead of seeking ways to kill the is the limit of shame for a man." Sometimes the bringers of Good News, there are now thousands woman of faith either overcomes the objections of in all parts of the land who eagerly await and her husband or against his will and wrath sends welcome the coming of missionaries and teachers. her daughter to school and insists that she have a Christian marriage. When the unbelieving father Christianity is still in its infancy among us. sends his daughter into an unchristian marriage We pray that the things of God will grow and that against the will of the mother that he may get a the new foundation which Christ has laid for larger dowry, then much trouble has come to that our homes will remain unshaken, always increashouse. ing in strength. We know that the words of Jesus will spread throughout our tribe and that the hin- Sometimes a very young girl goes to the pastor drances to its diffusion in our hearts will end saying that she has run away from her home be- when the believers pray without ceasing.-Rev. cause her father has taken a dowry from a man Gustave Esombe. who is not a Christian. Since it is against the French law to give money for an immature girl The School and the Home the Mission often takes such a one and puts her into the girls' school at the station nearest her The school is like the shadow of a person. We home. Since neither party dares take the case to formerly believed the shadow to be a projection court the palaver is usually settled amicably and of the soul of the living. When a man died, we the dowry returned. Slowly, through the process said that his shadow had gone. So the school is important in the life of an individual. Its influ- ence lives on after a pupil has finished his course and begins the life ofa real person in his village.
A glimpse of the Rasa people and their homes of other days and those of today will convince anyone of the value of the school. In the days when my father was· a child all the village pa- lavers, quarrels and fears of witches were public property. When a boy came to be six or seven years old he spent much time in the community house where the men of the village lay sprawled on their beds or sat on them with a forked tree root at their backs to lean against. There he lis- tened to matters pertaining to marriage. Some- times the palaver concerned a girl who had run
away from her husband. She would stand cower- to take their rightful places as companions to ing in one corner while the discussion went on as their husbands, instead of being their slaves. to what punishment to mete out to her to prevent her from running away again. We did not know much about cleanliness in the old days. Our bodies we rubbed with redwood If a man was very angry he might wish to kill powder and oil but we did not bathe often. Sick his wife and considered her his chattel to do with persons never bathed until they recovered. The as he wished. At times there were heated discus- center post of our houses was used as a towel sions concerning the bride price of a mere baby. or handkerchief. We did not know that disease At any time a boy might see his little sister whom comes from filth and dirt. We thought that dehe had carried on his hip, while nis mother was parted spirits sent us misfortunes, sometimes to busy in her garden, taken away from his home to punish us for not sacrificing a fowl or goat to become the wife of a man who had numerous them. From many houses could be heard the other wives. There were many arguments con- death wail-a mother mourning for another little cerning debts and often a man's wife or daughter one or wives for a husband. was pawned to prevent the creditor from adjuring his fetish to kill the debtor. In the school pupils are taught hygiene. They learn that dirt carries disease germs and are I could write much concerning the things heard taught to keep their bodies clean. They learn that and learned by the small boy of school age in his a dog has eggs of worms on its tongue and that if contacts with life in his village when my father dishes are left for it to lick, instead of being was a boy. He learned to have impure thoughts, washed, as is the custom of some of our people, to value deceit and lying and to disrespect wom- the eggs will pass into the next person who eats anhood. He soon ceased obeying his mother. He food from such dishes. There are many other never shared with his sister but always expected things hygiene teaches us. and was given the best and biggest portions of food after his father had received his. When a family goes on a journey the head of the family takes his place last in the line. There The school has kept boys away from the com- he can see what dangers threaten ahead and promunity house at a tender age when they are most tect and care for the very last one in the line. susceptible and has gathered them together to I have kept the most important influence the learIli to think other thoughts and have other school has on our homes until the last. Jesus is ideals. This has been an invaluable help. But the Head of our schools. He is not the shadow there are other ways in which it has influenced but the very heart, itself, as we Basa say. Our our home. Girls sit in classes with boys and often pupils read God's Word in school and they see excel them in their studies. Their hours in school that their teachers try to follow Christ's teachprevent them fixing their attention on matters ings. They turn their hearts to God. It is the which made the past generation disdain woman- Christian school pupils who put into practice what hood, and they find that girls are their equals, so they learn of cleanliness and Christian virtues bethey have gained a respect for womanhood. Wom- cause their thoughts are turned toward helping en in a Christian community are now beginning their people to rise.-Otto Who-will-climb.
WHEN ESTELLE PRAYED We were holding a service at a soldier's camp in the heart of Africa. While we were in the midst of the meeting a Basonge woman, from 1000 miles away, stood up and prayed. She had one baby in a sling on her back and another one tugging at her skirts. I could under- stand only two words, "Jesus" and "Amen" but I knew that she was talking to God. The con- gregation was quiet and reverent. The woman who prayed was Fulu Estelle from the Swedish Mission station of Kingoyi.
That afternoon we had a baptismal and communion service. One couple, Movungu and Nianga Estelle, brought their son for baptism. There were 110 baptized Christians present for this service. After the baptism of her son, Nianga Estelle prayed. She comes from the same mission station as Fulu Estelle.
The service was conducted in four different languages, and eleven natives accepted Christ. Four babies were baptized; 15 little black children sang four songs for us, and one bachelor soldier sang a solo. Pray for our evangelist Kabunda and his wife Disank (Hap- piness) as they minister unto these soldiers. PLUMER SMITH, Mutoto, Congo Belge.
"Each in His Own Tongue"
How to Complete the Unfinished Task of the Bible Translator By EUGENE A. NIDA, M.A., Philadelphia, Pa. }a- Field Worker, Institute of Linguistics, Pioneer Mission Agency TODAY, after publishing the Bible or portions great damage to the message; others, though of it in 1,000 languages, the task of Bible conscientious, have failed to be accurate when translation is only half done, for there are accuracy was of utmost importance. For example, 1,000 other groups that should have the Word of one missionary discovered, after some length of God in their own tongues. The French Academy time, that his interpreter, who knew English inad- conservatively estimates 2,796 living languages equately, was rendering the expression, "only be- in the world. Several hundred of these languages gotten Son," by words in his own language which are spoken by very small groups of people, but would be a translation for "only forgotten Son."
there are still at least one thDusand languages He was nDt acquainted with the obsolescent word, which should be reduced to writing and intO' which "begotten," and substituted one which had a cer- the Bible should be translated. The American Bi- tain similarity and which he knew; but this ble Society states that there are "from five hun- involved a considerable confusion in the fadred to a thousand more forms of speech in the world in which new translations are needed." The task of the Bible translator is far from finished- in fact, at least half still remains-for the greater percenta'ge of these one thousand groups speak languages which have never been reduced to writ- ing, and the people themselves are uneducated and not capable of being translators.
Accurate fi~ures as to the exact number of tribes and languages in the various countries of the world are difficult to secure. Ethnological sur- veys of many regions are very inadequate but, at a very conservative estimate, we may say that some 100 language groups in Western China shDuld have, but have not yet received, the Word of GDd in their language. There are 90 similar TRANSLATOR WITH MEXICAN BOY groups in Indo-China and Burma, 150 in Malay and the South Sea Islands, 200 in India, 250 in vorite text of the missionary. If the interpreter Africa, at least 40 in Mexico and Central America, is already a believer in Christ, he can, with some 100 in South America, and 80 in the Soviet Union. training, preach and not need to act as an inter- And this number does not include groups in Tibet, preter. But this does not solve the problem, for Afghanistan, portions of the Near East and Aus- it is found that he must have some source of spir- tralasia, all Df which regions have a number of itual inspiration and must be able to feed his own language groups without the Gospel. soul upon the truth of God, in order to present this An answer which is often given to the problem truth with consistency and clarity, which a good of taking the Gospel to indigenous groups is that translation alone can enable him to do. If the of the extensive use of interpreters. Though at people of the language group to which a mis- times this is necessary, it is far from satisfactory sionary is ministering are to be expected to grow and should only be preliminary to the real work in their spiritual life, they need the Word of God of evangelization. How is it possible for an inter- in their own language so that they may read it preter, who may not himself be a believer, to for themselves. The gateway tDa person's soul explain the Gospel to his fellow countrymen, even is through his own language. An African chief- though prDmpted by someone else? Some inter- tain, when he first read the Bible in his own lan- preters have been known to falsify intentionally guage, exclaimed, "That God is black!" He thus the statements of the missionary and have done voiced his feeling of the profound meaning which [547 ]
the Word of God in his own language conveyed to fessor Kenneth Pike of the Summer Institute of his soul. A Zapoteco Indian of Mexico, who had Linguistics has been working, four words may be been educated in Spanish and read the Bible in transliterated into English with the letters huku, Spanish, was asked in which language he would but which different tones on the two syllables prefer to have the Bible, and he answered, "Of make the word mean mountain, ox-yoke, brush, course, in my own language, the Zapoteco." All and mountainous. This word changes from a the tribes around the world likewise are entitled noun, which is the first meaning given, to an to receive this priceless heritage of the Word of adjective merely by raising the pitch of the two God, a heritage which the missionary may leave syllables. In many languages the pitch is a comwith his people after he has gone, and by leaving plicated feature of the grammatical structure. it, will have helped to establish a foundation for a strong indigenous church. But complications of sound are slight as com- pared with the highly elaborate grammatical Many stupendous problems are involved in lan- structure of many languages. The Cakchiquel guage reduction and Bible translation. One must language of Guatemala, which Mr. Cameron have the courage and pioneer spirit of such men Townsend, director of the Summer Institute of as William Carey of India, Robert Morrison of Linguistics, reduced to writing and into which he China, John Eliot, who translated for the Amer- translated the New Testament, has as high as ican Indians,and John G. Paton of the New 100,000 different forms for the verb. These are Hebrides. One must be able to withstand the arranged with regularity and great preciseness hardships and difficulties encountered in living in of meaning. One word in the Tarahumara lanthe isolated regions of the world, and must have guage of Mexico, macugupabenima, actually the persistency necessary to learn new and diffi- means "already for the second time about to comcult sounds, to search out words, to master gram- mence the activity of bringing in wood." Each matical construction. He must be able to develop syllable has a definite meaning when used in the or borrow words for spiritual concepts, such as word, but these elements are meaningless if sepalove, faith, forgiveness-terms. which in many rated or uttered in any other than their particular languages do not exist with the correct spiritual fixed order. This language, with somewhat over values. one hundred suffixes and prefixes which may be attached to a stem, may have verbs of 50,000 Some Complicated Problems different possihle forms. Aboriginal languages are not primitive, if we mean by this word "sim- One who reduces an aboriginal language to ple," for, though many are less complicated than writing will encounter many intricate problems of these which we have mentioned, they all indicate sound and grammer. For example, in the Maza- a highly developed method of conveying meanteca language of Mexico, there are three words ing. Not all are complete in abstract words or concepts, but most of them have means by which which the untrained investigator would write ti, these concepts may be developed.
but which have three distinct meanings-boy, A Summer Institute of Linguistics rubbish, and round. These words are not identical in· sound, as one might first think, for one To meet this need of the missionary for tech- nical training in the science of language, the Sumhas a slight puff of air after the t sound, just as mer Institute of Linguistics was founded six years ago by Mr. L. L. Legters and Mr. Cameron Townwe pronounce the letter t in English; in the word send, under the sponsorship of the Pioneer Mis- sion Agency of Philadelphia. This Institute, which which means boy the t is pronounced as in Span- is also called Camp Wycliffe in honor of the trans- lator of the Bible into English, is now located near ish, a slight distinction which would usually be Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and each summer, missed by an untrained person. The word which from July till October, provides training for mismeans round has a slight puff of air just preceding sionaries going to various countries of the world. This Institute does not teach anyone specific lanthe t. If one does not make these distinctions in guage, but teaches the scientific basis for the analysis of all types of languages. Two and a writing, which may be indicated by some sign such half hours a day are given to a thorough training as a single apostrophe or a superimposed h, al- in the science of phonetics, which has to do with most unlimited confusion would occur for one the analyzing and making of sounds. It is necesattempting to read the language. Even greater sary both to hear accurately and to be able to rethan the difficulty of peculiar consonants and vow- produce accurately the very large number of els is that of the tone or pitch of the syllables in sounds and combinations of sounds which occur many languages. Chinese is noted for its ,complicated singsong pattern, and many languages of Africa and North and South America are even more complicated. The Geabo language of North Africa has as many as four pitches and twelve oombinations. One syllable, mu, occurs with eight tonal differences and eight different meanings. In the Mixteco language of Mexico, with which Pro-
EACH IN HIS OWN TONGUE
throughout the world. The problem of writing a turn and take advanced work in linguistic prob- correct alphabet, which is termed phonemics, is lems. Since the material which he has gathered also studied under the guidance of Professor Pike. will be in scientific form, due to his first summer's Time is also devoted to the study of the science training, he may then be helped to solve the par- of grammar. Analyses are made of the various ticularly difficult problems which occur in his own ways in which words are formed in the languages language.
of the world, and how a person goes. about analyz- No sacrifice or effort is too great to attain the ing the structure of a complicated language. How goal of presenting the priceless, life-changing and these words are put together into sentences is also light-giving Word of God. An Aztec Indian, after taught. Another course is given in the interpre- having read the Bible over a period of some weeks, tation of the Greek New Testament. A course in came to the missionary and inquired as to what a typical Indian language, Cakchiquel, is given had happened to him. He could not beat his wife, by Director Townsend. Lectures on general mis- get drunk, lie and cheat, as he had been accus- sionary problems and the spiritual aspects of the tomed to do before reading the Word of God, work are given by Mr. Legters, of the Pioneer which kept prompting him not to do these things.
Mission Agency.
Over thirty individuals who have taken the training course during the six summer sessions of the Institute are now working in various coun- tries – Africa, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Philippines. Missionaries from other countries have availed themselves of the spe- cial training for their specific language problems.
This Summer Institute makes these opportunities available to any Mission Board and any prospec- tive missiO'nary at an expense amounting to $2.00 a week for room and board. All the other TRANSLATORS AT WORK ON A NEW TONGUE expenses are met by the friends of the Pioneer Mission Agency, who have undertaken this faith The missionary had the privilege of explaining work in order that the Word of God may be more that this Book was nO't like any other book, and speedily carried to' the thousand tribes that have that the Spirit of God spoke thrO'ugh it, so that not yet received it. God was speaking to his soul. This Indian ac- One special feature of the training includes cepted Christ and is now proclaiming the Gospel work with native informants, either Indians who with sincere zeal and effectiveness.
have been brought from Latin America or come A unique experience occurred to one of the mis- from tribes in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The sionaries and his wife when their native helper, student has the opportunity of working on the who watched them closely, asked what they were language problem just as he would in some mis- doing when they knelt down each night. Theyex- sion field, for he first writes various words in plained that they were praying. The native order to obtain a knowledge of the sounds; then thought that this meant reciting something, for he he takes down short sentences and phrases and could not dissociate praying from meaningless gradually, under the supervision of the instruc- ritual. When they finally explained that in their tors, works out a practical method for undertak- prayers they were actually talking to God, the ing the reduction of some new language to writing. Indian immediately answered, "Oh, sir, won't you Of course, it is impossible to teach sufficient in talk to God in my language so I may listen in!"
three months' time to enable the student to become This is the challenge of a thousand tribes an accomplished linguist, but the method is thor- around the world. If someone will speak to God oughly emphasized so that after the missionary in their language, they will thank God for the has been on the field for a short time, he may re- good news which comes through Jesus Christ.
THE NEED FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Probably never since the Copernican revolution has the need for Christian education been so dire as it is today. . . . Obviously, if the church-related colleges are only replicas of the State and secular cO'lleges, their contributiO'n to Christian character will remain negligible. If the doctrines of Christianity are dealt with only on the level of intellectual exercises, like original problems in geometry, what hope is there?-Dr. Henry C. Link, the author of "The Rediscovery of Man."
Adults to Read •
111 -t&f I By the REV. E. W. BAILEY, Minia, Egypt 11'- I NCREASING interest is being shown in the life ways by which village children may be educated of the Egyptian peasant. Though he consti- and kept in touch with their village life while still tutes two thirds of the population and for cen- in school. A schgol garden, sewing classes for turies, yes for millenniums, has been the wealth producer for his overlords, be they Turk, Mame- luke, or large land owner, he has been looked upon by his masters as existing mostly for their bene- fit, rather than as having any place of his own.
Today a new spirit is moving through the land and there is a new concept of the need for a fuller life in the villages. One meets it everywhere, in the daily press, in the lecture hall, in Parliament, and in private conversation with leaders in vari- ous walks of life. Nor is it all talk. Thegovern- ment, some land owners, and many private socie- ties have taken steps to better the lot of the peasant villager.
In the past few years members of the American Mission (United Presbyterian of N. A.) have taken steps to make the Gospel of Christ meet the EGYPTIAN EVANGELIST AND HIS CLASS whole need of man. One of these steps is along the line of adult education; the other is a village girls, and furniture making from the palm branch school developed along truly rural lines. ribs, are activities which have already proved to In a village near the city of Minia, a young evan- be worth developing, in addition to the three R's.
gelist, under the supervision of Miss Jean Mc- Crory, has hit upon one important feature of the THE UNCHANGING WORD OF GOD successful plans to teach adults to read, namely that the teacher must be confident of the ability of The Bible is one of the solid facts of Christi- his pupils to learn and must inspire his class with anity. It is not aff·ected by what men think of it.
that assurance. Within a few months this evan- Changing opinions about the Bible do not change gelist had taught a class of ordinary peasant wom- the Bible. Whatever the Bible was, the Bible is.
en to read from their Bible with sufficient intelli- And what it is it has always been. It is not men's gence, so that they were able to conduct family thoughts about the Bible that judge it. It is the prayers. As they read they learned that many Bible which judges men and their thoughts. It customs handed down from their fathers were not has nothing to fear but ignorance and neglect.
right-particularly the funeral and mourning cus- And the Church need have no other fear on its toms-and they have had the courage to break account. The Bible will take care of itself if the away from them. Soon the example of the women Church will distribute it and get it read. Every inspired the men to ask for a class and now a pastor should present the duty of Bible distribu- group of husbands has been formed and is making tion and Bible study afresh to the Church and all excellent progress. its members.
In another village, in the same district, the wife It is the Bible from which the ideal of the home of the pastor undertook a similar task, though is derived and from which the forces for its real- working more largely with individuals than with a ization flow. And what the Bible is for the home, class. Her success was even more marked. it is for men and women one by one-namely, the The other activity that looks toward a new em- source of true ideals of character and the foun- phasis in missionary education in Egypt is in a tain of those energies in Christ by which charac- village school in Edmu, also near Minia, the pro- ter is won.-Robert E. Speer, American Bible 80- vincial capital. This school is attempting to find ciety.
~ 550 1
Harvests in
I I~.- -•…et By the REV. CHARLES W. POSNETT, Medak, India O NLY those who have lived and worked in "Many 'devil priests' and priestesses were res- India for many years can realize the almost cued, and it is an unutterable joy to visit one who unbelievable changes that have taken place became an evangelist's wife, and is now a great in the past fifty years. We note the improvement leader amongst the women in the countryside in economic conditions, with the extension of irri- where as a child she was dedicated to the service gation and the lessening of famine; the increase of Satan. But for the wonderful Gospel of Christ, in education and unification of the country by she would today be a drunken prostitute, instead peace and communication; the improvements in of this beloved minister's wife.
health, including medical care and sanitation, with "From the first, I was determined to train evan- the great diminution in plague and cholera; the gelists, and, almost the first year, started with relaxing of caste restrictions and injustices, so three students. We started the Medak Bible that many of the depressed classes are now School, which has grown until now we have 200 treated as human beings; the increase in political students; it is the most valuable and important freedom, with the right of suffrage and self-gov- part of all our work. We have given to our most ernment; the generally improved social conditions promising young men and women a thorough and the raising of the marriage age for girls; but training in the Bible; the Gospel in all its sim- most of all we note the changed attitude of all plicity has become the anchor of their lives. These classes toward Christ and His Gospel and Way of young men and women go back to the villages Life. where they were born, where they were consid- Many testimonials are given to the revolution- ered of less value than the animals; these un- ary character and effect of these changes, which touchable outcastes, who had been trodden down fifty years ago seemed almost unbelievable and for generations, have gone back to preach to their impossible in so short a time. The Rev. Charles own people the saving power of Christ. By their W. Posnett, who has labored in Medak, in the lives and their Christian homes they set such an Province of Hyderabad, for over forty-four years, example that they have compelled the village writes as follows: chiefs and the caste people to respect· them.
"Forty years ago, when I first went to Medak, "For twenty-five years the village leaders and there was hardly a score of professed Christians. the caste people thought that Christianity was be- Today there are about 115,000. In that first year, neath them. While they confessed that the new a few outcastes asked to be baptized at night in religion had made a great change in this "miry the forest, where no one would see them. Today, clay," it was still to them the religion of the they are being baptized in hundreds every week, Untouchables. with flags flying and drums beating. They walk "These poor down-trodden, friendless Untouch- into the river, and the service is watched by hun- ables, found that Christ brought them missionar- dreds from surrounding villages, who have come ies who came into their dark little hovels, and to see what is done, for they are usually hesitating talked to them of One who could lift them up and before making the great decision. Many of those be their Friend. Slowly the outcaste Church bewho so confess Christ in baptism now are caste gan to grow, first in scores, and then in hundreds, people. They still face much bitter persecution, and at last in thousands. The fear of public bapif they decide to become His witnesses. tism became a thing of the past, and they began "In my first years, we were faced with a ter- to be proud to be Christians, though it cost them rible famine. Starving children who would have bitter persecution from their masters and the vil- been sold and brought up as household slaves, lage chiefs. They were beaten, their land conwere taken by us, and one English lady volun- fiscated by fraud, their cattle were refused graz- teered to come and supervise their education. ing, and in scores of ways they were tempted to Miracles have been worked in what appeared then return to the village gods, receiving promises of to be the very poorest material. Some of those. peace and land and help.
famine waifs are now ordained pastors, respected "For twenty-five years, this harvest was entire- and loved. ly among the Untouchables, but as these gradually [551 ]
rose in the esteem of all, the caste people began the compelling power of a true Christian life has to think that this religion must be something won- brought others from all over the district, and now derful. this harvest is spreading everywhere and is ac- companied by bitter persecution. The village "Fifteen years ago, caste Hindus were invited chiefs, especially, hate the thought of their own to our headquarters at Medak. To our unspeakable caste people becoming Christians, and they have joy, about one hundred thirty men and a few used the vilest abuse towards those who have brave women came from places as far as 150 miles made their confession. Yet this year, four of away. Each came in the company of a conse- these very village chiefs who were among our crated evangelist, who, though an outcaste, had bitterest enemies have publicly confessed the evil won their affection. For three days they were they have wrought and the suffering they have with us in our compound and ate the food which caused, and have asked their people for pardon. had been cooked for them by two of their own people, so as not to spoil their caste. They lis- . . Every year the harvest is growing greater." tened to the wonderful story of Christ with pictures and the magic lantern. Fourteen of them *** came to ask for baptism after they had been up all night fighting their doubts and fears. I told We also note the New Life Movement in Trathem that they must go back to their villages vancore, inaugurated at the recent Mar Thoma and give their witness in their own homes, and Syrian Christian Convention in South India. A learn more of Christ, for we did not want any group of 2,000 in Dr. Stanley Jones' Bible class hasty conversions which might afterwards be was told about the New Life Movement in China, denied. They had to be tested in the furnace of and resolved to launch a similar campaign to suffering before we would dare accept them into change certain things in the corporate life of the Church. India. The following points were selected: "One of these people was a government re- 1. Wipe out illiteracy in every village. corder, a Brahmin of very high caste. He publicly 2. Cleanse all filth from the house and compound. broke his caste and after six months was pub- 3. Every Christian's clothes clean. licly baptized. Ever since he has been faithful to 4. No debts contracted through marriage. his vows, and has been of infinite help to us in 5. All disputes to be settled out of court. scores of ways. He is now an old man and one 6. Adoption of a salutation, folding of hands and saywhom I dearly love. At his baptism there was a great crowd of caste people. He turned and ing, "Namaskaram." said to them, 'I have studied all the Hindu scrip- 7. Teach punctuality. tures, but there is nothing in them to compare 8. Give up all tobacco from personal and social customs. with the Gospel of Jesus. I have read it over 9. Give up use of liquor entirely. and over again, and I cannot hold back any 10. Indulge in no expensive feasts. longer whatever it may cost me.' 11. Charge no excessive interest. 12. At least one-tenth of income given to church and "Since then this harvest has spread all over our mission field. At first it was entirely confined charity. to the caste communities in one part, but again 13. A cooperative established in every village. 14. Family devotions observed in every home. 15. Cottage industries carried on in every home. 16. No recreation that cannot be taken in the Name of the Lord Jesus. 17. Wipe out all remnants of caste from thought and customs.
THE POWER OF GOD IN MISSIONS By REV. C. F. ANDREWS, OF INDIA When you read Romans, 7th chapter, you see a Paul who is all weakness. But when you read Romans, 8th chapter, Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me." The power comes through a personal experience of Christ.
A few years ago, the people of the Fiji Islands were all savages. When I went there I found them all Christians, sending out missionaries to an island one thousand miles distant. They were g<;>ing to preach to savages and expected to lose their lives in the attempt. The farewell serVIce was the Lord's Supper and they sang their reason for going. "Come and help us. We are dying. Christ is calling. Come and help us."
In Uganda I went to a place where a stone had been erected to the memory of three Afri- can boys who were told by the African chief that unless they gave up Christ, they would be burned. They refused to recant and were burned. The chief watched them burning and commanded silence so that he might hear the boys crying for mercy. Instead he heard them singing, "Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly."
Pueblo Indian Religion*
A Review by G. E. E. LINDQUIST, Lawrence, Kansas -t£f Missionary·at·Large, Society for Propagating the Gospel Among }Se– the Indians I N PUEBLO Indian culture "art, morality and the Hopi Wuwuchim and Singer societies, who philosophy are one," according to Dr. Elsie "have the clowning traits of jesting with women Clews Parsons, noted ethnologist. Her recent society members or singing at them in obscene compendium on the "Town Indians" of the South- terms" (p. 974); and the sexual display of the west,* in all probability, is the most comprehen- Koshare (p. 438). "This type of behavior might sive analysis of these town dwellers of New Mex- be interpreted as phallic-but the copulatory bur- ico and Arizona thus far published. After the lesques of First Mesa (Hopi) or Koyemshi refer- Introduction which contains no less than 111 ences to bestiality must be described as obscene in pages, the author deals with the following sub- quite the same sense as we conceive of such sexual jects: expressions when designed for amusement" (p.
Ceremonial Organization for, according to the Zunis, 439) .
"poor people are people without ceremonial connection" In the files of the Indian Bureau at Washington (p. 112). there is a series of affidavits concerning some of the so-called "secret dances" of the Pueblos which The Spirits, whose number is legion, must be impersonated, "When the dancers put on their masks, they not only impersonate the kachina but Pueblo Indians believe are unprintable. Furthermore, Dr. Edward S. that they are kachina" (p. 170). Curtis, in his monumental work on "The North American Indian," Vol. XVI, p. 162, speaks in Cosmic Notions, include the emergence myth, "the story no unmistakable language of the effects (e. g., of creation as that of emerging from the underworld" child seduction) of these ceremonial practices, (p. 210).
Ritual, in which we are told that "Pueblo ritual is kaleidoscopic," embodies both the fixed and the mobile the authenticity of which, though challenged, (p. 268). has never been disproved. Teachers of long expe- rience in the Indian School Service have likewise Ceremonies which are numerous, and of which fourteen testified as to their observations relative to child are meticulously described. seduction. Perhaps Dr. Parsons has such obser- vations in mind when she speaks of "school taught Other sections are devoted to the Pueblo calen- attitudes" tending to break down Pueblo ceremodar, and historical and geographical "reviews" of nial life. (p. 1128.) "The self-consciousness 13 "towns." It is significant that 226 pages are shown by the younger generation toward their given to factors involving "processes of change" cults, more particularly in matters that school in Pueblo culture. Is this, perchance, a portent of teachers would consider superstitious or obscene, what is happening to break down the "social are largely acquired at school." (p. 1140.) cohesion and integrity" which some people seem to prize so highly?
In the closing chapters of her work, the author takes pains to point out that Protestant Christi- Aside from "the new found sense of shame"
anity has been a disintegrating factor in Pueblo (p. 1140), acquired by the young people and the life. She says: "Protestant sects contribute noth- alleged perils inherent in "the American schools ing to Pueblo religion but dissension and apostasy. and teachings" (p. 1155), other factors promoting They present so sharp a choice between the old the disintegration of Pueblo ceremonial life in- religion and the new that they are called 'crazy.' elude such economic changes as adoption of the Hopi converts move off the mesa and break en- wage system and the introduction of government tirely with the ceremonial life" (pp. 1112-3). flour mills (p. 1130). Perhaps the inconsistency That there may be obvious reasons why Protes- which would lead one to dance in propitiation of tant Christians must break with the old ceremo- the rain gods and at the same time rely on the nial life, does not seem to occur to the author, advice of the Department of Agriculture is a bit although she refers to certain immoral practices of mental coordination which the young Pueblo which are disgusting to say the least, e. g., the experiences difficulty in hurdling. Then, too, the rabbit hunt ceremony at Sa~to Domingo (p. 826), violence of witch-baiting has abated, due in part, — at least, to the influence of the American doctor • P1,eblo Indian Religion. By Elsie Clews Parsons. 2 Vols. $7.00. and Visl·tl·ng nurse (p. 1139). 1275 pp. University of Chical'lo Press. 1939.
[553 ]
Furthermore, the passing of certain societies tribalism and nationalism, its adequacies to meet like the War Society at Zuni, the Al-vo-na the needs of all men and of all races, that the mes- (Horned Ones) at Oraibi, also of jugglery, the sengers of Christ seek to preach the Gospel and commercializing of ceremonies, e. g., at Gallup, seek to propagate the Christian faith among the N. Mex., the growth of new towns outside the old Indians, including the Pueblos. villages, e. g., at Laguna,-all have a part in the eventual break-up of the old culture. And here it Every act of the old life of these people is bound may be well to remind ourselves that the Pueblos, up with their religious ceremonies so that the who more than any other Indian people, sought Christian Hopis (as noted by Dr. Parsons), who to build up walls of segregation and isolation, are a little handful at each Mesa, cannot live in confirming the same by religious sanctions, and their old homes any longer, but come down and build new homes near the mission. The followwho sought by means of their autocratic hier- ing words are especially penned by one of the archy to resist the normal influences of cultUre field workers: transfusion, now may soon see the framework of their carefully erected corporate structure totter. As I think of the needs of the Indian people, young and old alike, I am more concerned each day that we should Tribalism, inherent in the Pueblo religion, has bring to them larger knowledge of the Bible; that we been weighed in the balances and found wanting. should store their memories with more that will help them It cannot meet the tests of the trarisition period through the long silences and the days that are hard. in which the Indian now finds himself. It is be- They need to know the stories of the early Christians who cause of our conviction of the divine resources dared be true to Jesus in the midst of pagan surroundings, of the Christian faith, a faith which rises above for it takes sheer courage and a great conviction to remain a follower of Christ when all your people are against you.
Ten Good Reasons for Foreign Missions* By the REV. HENRY TOWNSEND BEATTY Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Hoboken, N. J.
W HY do I believe in foreign missions? 6. Because-I am a product of foreign mis- 1. Because-I believe in Christ. His sions. Were it not for the early disciples and belief in foreign missions is evidenced in other foreign missionaries, I would today be with- His incarnation, in His death on the cross, in the out the Gospel and the blessings of a Christian glory of His resurrection, in His final message on civilization. For "all that is best in modern civili- Olivet; as exalted Head of the Church, His belief zation is the fruit of the transforming power of has not changed. the Gospel."
2. Because-as a Christian I have caught some- 7. Because-as a debt of honor I must pay the thing of the spirit of Christ and, therefore, of His "debt of strength" to weakness; intelligence, to passion to seek and to save lost souls. Consequent- ignorance; wealth, to poverty; health, to sickly, it is my joy to imitate Him, to realize His ness; comfort, to sorrow; hope, to despair; and ideals and to extend His kingdom. the Gospel to a lost world.
3. Because-He bade His disciples proclaim His 8. Because-the only way I can pay this "debt Gospel to all the world. As I am one of His dis- of honor" to· those missionaries who suffered ciples, I believe this command involves me. His greatly in their stewardship of the faith that I wish is my pleasure, His will is my law. If He might know the Christ and be saved, is to pass says, "Do this!" I take him at His word and strive the Gospel on to others.
to do it. 9. Because-to evangelize humanity is to save 4. Because-I am a member of His church and the world from the tragedy of evil. To bring un- Christian nations into fellowship with the Son of am under vows to promote its growth and effi- Man is to create a new brotherhood of mutual ciency. His church is His method of proclaiming understanding, honor, protection, and righteous- His Gospel and saving the world. It is a united ness, thereby outlawing war and greed and a and organized effort to accomplish what no in- multitude of evils.
dividual could do. 10. Because—all Christian missions are one. If 5. Because-Christianity is a religion of expan- I believe in home missions, I must also believe in foreign missions. I must not neglect my homesion and must grow-or die. Therefore, as I land, but I must go beyond it. Beginning at Jeruwant it to live and to emancipate humanity, I must salem, I must go, or send, into all the world, proclaim and help others proclaim the Gospel until simply because He said so. the Kingdom of Christ shall encompass the world.
• From Women and Missions.
Difficulties in West China-II
By HOWARD THOMAS, Kiulungkiang, Yunnan Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A.
KIULUNGKIANG, YUN.NAN, CHINA, tIe, I had to carryon. I went to our headman VIA HAIPHONG AND SZEMAO and gave him the story. There wasn't any encour- March 27,.1939 agement. Finally, I said: THE traveling time from Rangoon, Burma to "Byaw Khum Bu, would it be unwise for me Kiulungkiang, China, is sixteen days. We to go to the Chow-fa with this problem? You can go from Taunggyi to Kentung by auto; know he has declared himself my friend. Chow the nine days' trip from Kentung here, we make Moung Hah (the provincial head) has also told me by pony. that he was willing to help me in any possible way. You know I can always go to the Chinese There is a custom of the people which offers officials. What shall I do?" a most remarkable evangelistic opportunity. When on tour, one is welcomed into every village He laughed and replied, "Bawou, (father, with open arms. Custom demands that a trav- teacher) if I write to the head of that village, the eler be entertained in the home of the headman. people can come." He wrote and the people came. One can even insist that food be brought, but we Half the village moved to our Christian village up always insist on paying for everything we re- river. ceive. It is quite proper to request that the village "Hurry Fast, Come Quick!"
elders be called to hear what the foreigner has to Just before Christmas a big fuss burst into say, and the sight of the village heads moving flames in one of our down-river villages and I re- towards the headman's house is a signal for the . ceived a call to "hurry fast, come quick." I has- entire village to assemble there. By taking the. tened to the river and boarded a raft. To make attitude of a learner, one finds that the people are this raft two small native boats are tied together ready to talk and hearts are open wide; when and a platform is thrown over them. On to this they have had "their say" we can preach the raft the boatman loaded people, packs, and ponies.
Gospel without reserve. Pray for us. My horse is a four-year-old stallion and has plenty Our present difficulty is the brother of the Tai of fire. I do not have much trouble with him ruler. He happens to be the head priest of a when he is alone, but when there are other horses corrupt and diluted Buddhism. When a man ac- around, he causes me plenty of trouble. On this cepts Christianity, he cannot continue to make particular crossing he nearly dumped us all into offerings to the "spirits" or support the temple. the fast flowing, deep, and muddy Mekong River.
If he ceases to do this, he is deprived of all land The twenty men yelled-fortunately a lot of rights. There is a custom here that relegates the words I didn't understand-and the hops (bas- ownership of all land to the Chow-fa, or head of kets) they carryon their shoulders, slid precar- the Tai people and one cannot hold land without iously about. I groaned and then we all laughed his approval. Religious liberty is supposedly as- -the danger was past.
sured in China, but it is not being practiced today After crossing the river there was a long trip here. There will be a great reception for the across the rice flats. As we were walking along, Gospel when these folk can accept it without los- one of the horses fell into a large hole that had ing everything they have. been made by ants. It is well nigh impossible to Two months ago a group of men came to call detect the presence of these holes until the unfor- upon me. They were visibly disturbed about tunate happens to step on one. The poor beast something. They addressed me in the usual could not get a purchase with his front feet and friendly manner and th~n launched into the heart he was having great difficulty in breathing. We of the problem. They wanted to move into a tried to get him out, but without success. The Christian village, but their headman would not saddle we broke, native ropes we broke, finally in allow them to take any of their goods with them. desperation we grabbed an oilcloth from one of It is my policy to keep out of politics, but since the loads and, putting it under his head, we this was another step along the front of my bat- tugged. Finally he got a foothold and out he [ 555]
Photo by Dr. Douglas Collier A VILLAGE STRmET SCENE IN WEST CHINA came. I thought for a while we would have to er to sleep in a dirtier, darker, or smellier place if I live to be a thousand. cut his throat and let him die. Shortly after this experience we began to The headman had been out fishing; and when he returned, he offered us a lot of snails. They climb such trails and such hills as I never saw be- wash the snails in cold water, cut off the top, and fore anywhere. It seemed that we went straight put them in warm water. They are then cooked, up, and I do believe that every third tree had taken from the stove and cooled. When dinner fallen across the trail. We must have gone fifteen is ready a large pot of rice is brought out and miles to advance eight. After about four hours set beside the table. Everybody dives in at once. we reached the top of the mountain and soon after With one hand grabbing rice and with the other we came into a mountain village. The children hand fishing for snails. The snails are sucked from screamed and ran, the women flew into their the shells with a long, loud, snore-like sound. houses, but the men approached us with some The louder noise one makes the more he is thought hesitancy. These mountain people are filthy, mor- to be enjoying his dinner. The dish neither ally and physically, and are demon worshipers. smelled nor looked inviting. My men relished the We went to the headmen's house and I hope nev-
TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES IN WEST CHINA-II
food and cast pitying glances in my direction About four that afternoon we began to ford when they saw that I passed up the snails. I streams. We had crossed three and were about drank a whole pot of his tea, which wasn't any across the fourth when an accident overtook me. too clean, but at · least the water had been well One of my pack ponies started up a bank that was boiled. soft and slippery. Somehow he got mixed up with soft ground and down he went. He landed The following morning we started about five at the foot of the embankment on top of my pack o'clock and reached our destination at about six and burst the packsaddle all to pieces. I thought that evening. The Christians, knowing that I was the horse had broken a leg, but he came out of coming, had a really big feast ready and I hon- the wreckage in fine shape. I had to load the stuff ored their cooking. on my riding pony and make a two man load to get to our next stop. The next day we called on some of the Tai officials and we were received warmly. One of our I remained in the leper village two days. Dr. evangelists showed some charts and spoke to a Nelson came along, as he was making a survey large group of people in the yard. When the officials heard what was going on they took leave of me and went out and stood in the sun listening as attentively as the others. Pray for these men. If God can break through to some of them the Gospel will have free course in the Tai country. Officials are afraid of the people; the people are afraid of the officials. A break must come soon.
Lepers and the Great Dragon A VILLAGE "SPIRIT-GATE" IN YUNNAN There were lepers present and I urged them to of the leper situation in that region. Doctor came come to our colony and receive treatment. They upon one village that was entirely leprous and flatly refused because they were afraid that we soon he is planning to establish treatment there. would take them and feed them to a great dragon. Please pray for him and his work. Then I helped the doctor with an operation. Out here one needs The Christians were having a harvest festival to be all things to all men. the next day, so I hurried back to the village. Just before the service began a mother brought a little We had devotional services with the men every girl up and laid her behind me among all the gifts evening, but the women wouldn't come. We sang that had been made to the Lord. The teacher told a song, prayed, read a portion of Scripture, then me that the little bundle of whimpers and sighs sang other songs and closed with prayer. This had been a fine healthy girl who ran laughing we did for two evenings. On the third evening I about the village. Now I looked at the helpless, asked if some of the people would tell me just crippled, blind little body and wondered. Some what Jesus Christ meant to them. Things began sickness had come and the mother had neglected slowly. Finally, the men got the idea. One man the little one. Every once in a while she would arose and said: moan and feebly cry out. Finally one of the women arose and wrapped her in a piece of cloth; "I am glad that the Lord took a big stick and another picked a banana from a gift bunch and punished me. When I had leprosy I found Jesus gave it to the poor thing. I felt tha.t the child Christ. If I should lose every one of my fingers might be a means of reaching those people. In my message I pointed out many of the things Christians have and for which thanks ought to be rendered to God. But I doubt that the people got my point. They are so accustomed to suffering that the condition of the child was the usual thing. She died that night. · They wrapped her in an old mat and buried her the next day in a downpour of rain.
Later in the week we set out for a new and small leper colony. They had begged me to come to their harvest festival. En route we came 'across a section where there were hundreds of leeches. They bite and suck a lot of blood out of a fellow. One of the carriers picked about 43 off his body during the day.
and everyone of my toes, I would still be true to feeling that I would confess Jesus Christ at every Him." opportunity.
Our teacher arose and said, "What do these The next day we started for home, so completcrooked and bent fingers and limbs matter '! When ing an eleven-day tour. We were very tired but my Father calls me home, He will give me a new happy to think of the great things that God was body and a home where there will be no more doing in this place. Pray for this work. There suffering or tears." are so many here without Christ, The leper whose disease has been arrested and A few Sundays ago Dr. Nelson came and asked who is head of our Ban Ann colony said: "You if I would go with him to a village where a mother all know me, don't you ? Well, if you know me you had been in labor for five days. We caught, sadknow what all the marks I have on my body mean. dled, and mounted our horses, but when we had You know what a wicked man I was. You know nearly reached the village, we were told that the that I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. Now he has woman had died. We could hear depressing wailremade me and I, who was bad have been given a ing. We found that there had been five native place of honor among you. You trust me. Yet doctors attending the woman who was about to it's not that you trust me but Christ who lives have her eighth child. in me. God can strike me dead, give me leprosy, but I will still be true to Him. Why? Because Pray for us and for the great mass of untouched He gave me hope, love, and peace when all the folk here. Several influential Chinese have inworld had turned against me." formed us that if we had a Chinese church here they would attend. The wife of our ex-magistrate The testimonies went on and on, many men went so far as to say that she would become a rising with tears falling down their cheeks, mere- Christian and others have promised to attend all ly saying: "I do love Jesus!" and then took their classes. God is opening doors but they seem to seats again, Others arose, but could say nothing, be opening faster than we can enter them. We sobbed, and sat down. I have never been in such have set ourselves to pray that God will cleanse a meeting before. It is a great thing to be able to and use us to win souls, to deepen our church leadpresent and serve a' Christ who can give men like ers, and that He will send a great revival. He these lepers such joy and hope. I left that place has already begun to answer our prayers.
The Youth Movement in China .By SAMUELS. CHANG "~"< THE modern youth movement in China is the two measures of reform, given lip service by high natural outcome of the conflict ·betw~!l the officials too old to change their attitudes, failed, old, philosophical, rural culture of China and but the last measure, educational reform, had farthe modern, scientific, and industrial culture of the reaching results. Once the system of examinations West. on Confucian Classics as a means for the selection of officials was abolished, and the system of mod- In the last decade of the 19th century, forward- ern education adopted, the tide of learning rose looking leaders in China advocated the adoption rapidly. Within the short span of twenty years, of Western scientific and industrial methods and 1901-1920, the number of students in modern techniques. But at that time the official hierarchy, schools increased from a mere handful to some from top to bottom, was ignorant, inefficient, and six million. corrupt. High officials not only did not believe in human progress, but failed to notice even the most Aside from progress made in the new learning advantageous aspects of Western culture. at home, the number of students studying abroad also increased from a few hundred students in The rise of the Chinese youth movement began foreign countries to approximately six thousand at the end of the last century, when China was de- young Chinese pursuing higher education in Eufeated by the Western powers in her struggle rope, the United States, and Japan. When these known as the Boxer Rebellion. This setback shat- students came into contact with foreign culture, tered the last vestige of the old regime, and made they naturally became more critical than those the officials realize the inadequacy of the tradi- staying at home. tional methods and the neces'sity of adopting Western civilization. Measures were adopted, dealing While the youth were working toward enlightwith political reform, administrative improve- enment and progress, there were reactionary ment, and educational reorganization. The first forces. The elders were still pursuing their daily
THE YOUTH MOVEMENT IN CHINA
life according to time-honored standards. Officials versity, it aimed at substituting the spoken for the still maintained the attitude of seclusion and false classical language. To the masses this classical pride in dealing with the foreign countries, while language was a dead language, and often required in dealing with domestic problems they adopted five to ten years for a talented student to master the method of suppression and oppression. it. In order that the youth movement might suc- As a result Chinese youth devoted their energy ceed, it was recognized that there must be a com- to political revolution as a means for reforming mon vernacular. This language movement was their country. Fortunately, in the late eighties of welcomed by the new leaders, and in two years'
the 19th century a group of Chinese youths had time, most of China's current literature was being already organized a revolutionary party which is written in the vernacular.
now known as the Koumintang or People's Party, When the Chinese youth caught the spirit of headed by Dr. Sun Yat-sen. His aim was to es- these forces their emotions ran high and they let tablish a republic based upon the principles of na- their idealistic enthusiasm run its course. Thus, tional independence, political democracy, and the within the short span of ten years from 1916 to economic welfare of the entire people. With the 1925 publications increased by leaps and bounds increase in number of modern students and the and the expressions. of the new era spread like advancement of the new learning, this revolution- wild fire. The whole atmosphere was filled with ary party grew in membership and strength and the expressions of discontent with the old scheme finally succeeded in 1911 in overthrowing the old of life and there was the longing for something regime. new to take its place. During the first part of the The triumph of the revolutionary cause sig- period, there was very little constructive help to nalled the release of new forces which took the be found in the movement. It is in the nature of place of the old and sought to reconstruct China things that when the thousand and one old con- as an independent nation, as a land of freedom ceptions-such as old customs of marriage, and with democratic institutions for the happiness of expensive funeral ceremony – were questioned, all the people. some better social arrangements would eventually But the control of the new Republic fell into result. This movement was the manifestation of the hands of officials and generals who, though a new intellectual consciousness in the young men championing the cause of republicanism, were re- and women of China. Education had revealed the actionary at heart. Yuan Shih-kai, one-time im- necessity of a new social order.
perial adviser, became president of the new Youth Awakens the Nation Republic and the revolution turned out a farce.
The presidency of the Republic became the foot- In the midst ·of such a new outlook, and revolt ball of ambitious warlords; and China came to be against the traditional, there came suddenly the the battlefield of rival armies. There was no one news that the German rights in Shangtung Prov- person or party strong enough to stabilize the ince were given to Japan by a decision at the Ver- country. For fifteen years chaotic conditions pre- sailles Conference. This stunned Chinese youth vailed in China. and soon the students of Peking were organized, While these .struggles were going on, social and 15,000 from thirty-three schools and colleges customs and traditions were daily becoming dis- in Peking paraded the streets as a demonstration organized. At first the Chinese youths were against the Shangtung decision. Students in Pe- restless and confused, for they lacked adequate king organized in a students' union; made leadership. Fortunately, at this time of restless- speeches in the streets; appealed to the people, ness the modernization of education produced a demanding the dismissal of the "traitors." Next few intellectual leaders who were mature enough the student body declared a general strike, and to direct the path of impulsive youth in the re- thousands massed in the streets and fiery speeches habilitation of China. were delivered. Within two weeks the students of These intellectual leaders perceived that China's all the big cities declared sympathetic strikes.
greatest need was to adopt boldly the democratic Furthermore, the merchants declared sympathetic institutions and modern techniques and that this strikes and hundreds of students' unions sprang adoption must be through the people and absorbed up in many places all over the country. "The Na- by them. As a result of their foresight and work, tional Chinese Students' Alliance" was organized a series of social revolutions took place which have in Shanghai in June 1919 and by the declaration come to be known generally as the Chinese Renais- of this national organization the nation-wide stu- sance Movement. dent strikes came to an end.
One of the most important phases of this move- From that time on China was transformed into ment was the literary revolution which changed a new nation-a nation of the people, by the peo- the entire outlook of the nation. Started by Dr. ple and for the people. Young China had turned Hu Shih, when he was a student at Columbia Uni- away from the old ways of living and old modes of
thinking. She was looking forward to a new and tionalist Government in 1927, the Chinese youth richer life. movement underwent a change. As the major obstacles to national unification had been removed, As China was thus awakened by the youth it was felt that the students once more should demovement, the people were on the march. Sub- vote their time to studies. The Government exersequent years were full of troubles, brought about cised its power to restore normalcy and to dis,courby the popular resentment against foreign dom- age any kind of agitation. As a result, it was with ination and against domestic problems. The first difficulty, that the Tenth National Assembly of great strike, assisted by the youth, broke out in student representatives was called in 1928. As 1922 among the Chinese seamen of Hongkong. the subsequent years saw national life returned to Inevitably the strike became a political struggle order, the National Student Assembly did not call against British economic control. Other strikes any more meetings. followed and crystallized resentment against s.pecial foreign privileges in China. This peace was short-lived. Suddenly, on Sep- tember 18, 1931, Japanese armies invaded Man- In 1925 revolt became revolution when in churia, and Chinese youth were on the march Shanghai the International Settlement police fired again. The military overlords of Japan were on students who were demonstrating in protest viewing with alarm the rise of the people of China. against the murder of a Chinese cotton mill The Japanese chose a time to strike when the worker by his Japanese employer. A half million world was paralyzed by depression and when workers in the city went on sympathetic strikes large parts of Chinese territory were flooded, and and Chinese merchants and even banks closed China was in no position to resist. Almost untheir doors. The outbreak spread to other cities. opposed, the Japanese war machine rolled on into A nation-wide boycott, organized by the students three northeastern provinces. The students reagainst British and Japanese goods, was launched sented the government's nonresistance policy and and a bitter struggle developed. again started a general demonstration, demand- ing the declaration of war .against Japan. Later As the Chinese youth had risen to such an in- the situation became so critical that government fluence, they struck the hour for the Kuomintang authorities decided to adopt drastic means. regime in Canton. In July, 1926, under the lead- Troops were called out to escort the students in ership of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the the capital to their respective schools. The stunewly trained armies of the People's Party, dents, however, went to the countrysides to make marched north against the warlords. Before them speeches appealing to the farmers and arousing went youth as propagandists, organizing pea.."Iant their patriotism. Because of the work done by the leagues against reactionary landlords, winning the youth movement among the masses, the National support of the workers. The armies pressed on, Salvation Association, which advocated a united sweeping province after province into their con- front against Japan, was able to recruit members trol. When Chiang Kai-shek reached Shanghai from all the classes – peasants, workers, merthe workers, influenced by the students, seized the chants, and professionals. Mass education and city by a general strike and turned it over to the agitation spread. Again the people moved to com- Nationalist armies. mand their destiny.
During this period of upheaval, the Chinese Meanwhile China's youth began to understand youth movement turned its enthusiasm to many the intention of their government, which was. makdirections. First, there was the anti-religious ing rapid strides forward toward building a modmovement. Influenced by the scientific thinking, ern nation. They participated wholeheartedly in Chinese youth had been skeptical of the benefit of the task. The outstanding instance was the New all religions, especially Christianity, which had Life Movement originated by the leaders of the been most aggressively preached. They thought government. This organization aimed at the spirthat religion was opposed to science, that it makes itual reconstruction of the nation by teaching the for divisions and wars and that it had been made people the four fundamental principles–courtesy, the instrument of imperialism. As the result of justice, honesty, and honor. With the cooperation the anti-religious movement, foreign educational of the youth, this movement spread far and wide institutions were brought more in line with the and within the span of five years has had thou- Chinese Government regulations. sands of branches and millions of followers. This spiritual movement has greatly changed the entire Second, there was the anti-military movement. people in their personal cleanliness and mental The youth movement recognized the break-up of outlook. Furthermore, it has also aroused popthe country into great military centers as inimical ular sentiment against unhealthy surroundings, to the unity and progress of the nation. This and promoted education, playgrounds, clean city movement undoubtedly paved the way for the es- streets, sports and healthful activities. tablishment of the Nationalist Government at Nanking and the unification of the country.
After the Kuomintang Party established the Na-
IMPRESSIONS OF BUDDHISM IN JAPAN
While Chinese youth were working fervently Since the outbreak of hostilities, the majority for the modernization of their country, Japan of Chinese youth have been moving to hinterparts struck again on July 7, 1937, with the intention of the country which were formerly little touched of conquering the five northern provinces. But by modern civilization. They are carrying with this time she found a different China, a China them the germs of modern scientific thought, whose 'people were aroused and ready to resist to spreading them wherever they go. Before long the bitter end. Ever since that date, China has from the comparatively unknown and sparsely been fighting with great strength and confidence. populated areas of the interior of China will Japan is contending against a people of 450,- spring up a new civilization which will undoubt- 000,000 strong, who are determined to have a edly help to rebuild the nation, bringing a fuller and more modern life to all of her people. showdown.
Impressions of Buddhism in Japan* By WINBURN T. THOMAS Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, 1933, Kyoto, Japan AS A CHRISTIAN missionary, it is my pur- ture, philosophy, society, economics, and politics L. pose to preach the Gospel of Christ and to all show the marks of Buddhist influence. Per- haps it is too much to expect anyone foreign stu- spread the Kingdom of God. While this dent of Japanese Buddhism to be able to approach should be the purpose of all Christians, a mission- the whole subject sympathetically and impartially. ary is one who feels the urge to do so beyond the Sir Charles Elliott's study of Japanese Buddhism confines. of his home environment. Western is perhaps the most exhaustive work on the sub- Christianity is so enmeshed in the social, economic ject, yet its treatment is for the most part conand political systems of the Occident that it· is fined to an analysis of the history and teachings almost impossible for a Western missionary to of. the most prominent sects. completely divest himself of the cultural concepts of America or Europe. No such thing as "pure" A foreigner who has lived in Japan some years Christia.nity exists anywhere, for it has become recently remarked, "I don't see why missionaries involved in local culture, wherever it has spread. come to Japan, since Buddhism is essentially the Vital Christianity everywhere exerts an influence same as Christianity." on life and customs, not only spiritually but socially. As it is expressed in the thought and ac- F,ew students of comparative religions would cording to the psychology and needs of individuals make this statement. It illustrates the ignorance and groups, it gradually produces social, economic which prevails in some quarters as to the two and political changes. Lasting results are produced religions. only when it works slowly and persistently. In Japan its proponents and enemies have often tried I to use Christian ideas as dynamite, but the results have not been permanently successful. Chris- It is true that Christ and Buddha have some simtian missionaries, to work successfully for the ilarities.t Both sought to show the way of re- Kingdom of God in Japan, must understand the lease – one from sin and the other from pain. nature of the environment in which they work. Both point out to men the way to attain their end This involves a knowledge of many things, in- by sacrifice. The sacrifice of Jesus was in his cludingan understanding of the local religions. death. Buddha's sacrifi·ee was in his way of life.
Buddhism has had a profound effect u~on Japan, These two religions which developed about these as has been the case with Christianity in Europe two personalities also have points in common. and America. Japanese art, literature, architec- Neither of the leaders founded a complete reli- gious system, but their followers did. Buddha • English translation of an article which appeared in the Chugai pointed out a way of salvation independent of the Nippo, a Buddhist daily of 13,000 circulation ·and a popular peri- gods and dependent on human effort; Jesus odical among leaders nf all the religions in Japan. The edltnr once pointed the way to God, the Eternal Creator. Both remarked to the writer, "Many of my readers accuse me of being a Christian. " t The writer is indebted for the following line of thQught to Streeter's "The BUddha and the Christ."
Buddha and Jesus are looked upon as gods in the change with it. Most of the students who attend minds of millions of followers. The liturgies the Fellowship House:j: groups claim to be inwhich developed in Buddhism and in the Roman different to religion. Many young people in the Catholic church bear a striking resemblance, so West have also turned away from the religious much so that the first missionaries to Japan re- concepts of their fathers. Young people may not garded Buddhism as the invention of the devil be any more irreligious than other age-groups, but to mislead Christian believers. Hoben (the ac- many of the forms of religious expression do not commodation of a religion to environmental de- appeal to them. The existence of Mu-kyokai mands) has been a working principle of both (extra-church Christianity) among young people Roman Catholicism and Buddhism, both being in Japan reveals that Christ attracts many who willing to make compromises in the interest of do not wish to be identified with the existing popularity. Christianity and Buddhism are mis- churches. Because Buddhism is less flexible and sionary religions, being world-wide in their ob- more ponderous in Japan than Christianity, it jective-a characteristic shared only by Moham- faces a greater crisis in this res.pect than does medanism among all the other ethnic religions. Christianity. Both have been marked by rivalries and dissensions, so that sects are numerous. Contrasts-Buddhism and Christianity Man's natural propensity to find out about God There are also many contrasts between Chrisaccounts for some of the resemblances between tianity and Buddhism. Some are rooted in the backgrounds of Indian or Jewish thought; some PRIESTS ENTERING "HALL OF LIGHTS" AT MT. KOYA in the personalities of the two great religious leaders; some are due to the historical developthese two religions. Man attempts to express the ments of the two religions. There are many sects unexpressible in symbols. The Roman Catholic in both religions so that statements which one bows before the figure of the Virgin Mary; the group would approve would be disclaimed by the Buddhist prays before Amida; the Protestant others. We call attention to some contrasts that addresses God as Father. In each case the be- strike a general observer and do not present the liever is seeking to realize the divine character- conclusions of a scientific student of comparative istic of mercy and love. religions. What we see and hear from Japanese Buddhists and priests makes a deeper impression There is also a tendency for one religion to bor- upon us than volumes in Japanese. row from another. The alleged relationship between Nestorianism and esoteric Buddhism is a Christ's and Buddha's concepts of God are quite case in point. The Buddhist counter-reformation, different. Buddha, in his sermon at Benares, since the reintroduction of Christianity into Ja- made no mention of God or of the soul. Early Budpan, is a better illustration of how Buddhism has dhism did not express any conception of a personal come under the influence of Christianity. God. Buddha did not deny the existence of many gods.; he was agnostic as to their powers, and con- Both Christianity and Buddhism have been ceived of them as higher forms of men, subject greatly influenced by the progress of science and to the law of rebirth. According to Buddha, even by the world-wide situation which faces them. gods must pass away. Christ, on the contrary, Religion is being tested and both in the West and taught monotheism as it had been accepted by the in the East the religion of multitudes is found Jews. "The Lord thy God is one Lord" was the wanting. Where religion is bound to the status underlying teaching of the Old Testament prophquo, to that extent it is doomed, for the world is ets. One of the fundamental commandments was changing and the externalities of religion must that there were to be no images. The Jews were taught to envisage Jehovah as, the sole creator and ruler of the universe, who had a personal interest in each of his creatures.
Historically, some followers of both religions have departed far from their founder's conception of deity. Mahayana's revision of the original ideas of Buddhism permitted the introduction of many images, before which worship is offered and which represent many different gods, or different aspects of the same reality. Roman Catholicism has met the problem of concrete representation by canonizing saints and the Holy Family, using *A stUdent center in Kyoto with which the author Is connected.
images to, make the deity co,ncrete; but in the personal and so,cial manifestatio,n o,f religio,n, are popular mind they also, tend to, divide the co,ncep- but different aspects o,f the same reality. tio,n into, segments. Buddhism is metaphysical, and Christianity is One majo,r difference between Christianity and so, practical that the practical side o,f Buddhism Buddhism is their emphasis o,n meditatio,n and bears a stro,ng resemblance to, the theo,retical side practical wo,rk. A Westerner usually thinks o,f o,f Christianity. It is no,t to, be denied that so,me Buddha and his fo,llo,wers as in a state o,f perpetual Buddhists have had a so,cial visio,n; while so,me meditatio,n. While co,ntemplatio,n is stressed particularly by Zen and Shingo,n Buddhism, it is mo,re A KWANNON HEAD, SAID TO BE THE WORK central in the practice o,f all Buddhism than in OF PRINCE SHOTOKU IN THE CHUGUJI Christianity. While private devo,tio,ns and medi- NUNNERY, HORYUJI, NEAR NARA tatio,n on Go,d are stressed by Christianity, yet gro,up wo,rship is pro,minent in devo,tio,nal prac- Christians are no,t greatly co,ncerned with phi- Io,So,phy and metaphysics, but by and large, Budtice. Jesus went here and there, in Judea and dhism is essentially metaphysical while Chris- Galilee, talking info,rmally with gro,ups, and His tianity is a mo,re co,nsistently practical religio,n. disciples co,ntinued this metho,d after His death, to, spread His teachings. The impo,rtance o,f the ser- One o,f the Indians said: "Christianity satisfies mo,n declined during the Middle Ages, but with and then diss.atisfies, fo,r it gives us new Io,ngings. the Refo,rmatio,n, a sermo,n-centered religio,us To, be a fo,llo,wer o,f Christ is bo,th jo,yo,US and painservice became the main part o,f Pro,testant wo,r- ful." Saul o,f Tarsus, he said, saw glo,ry and ago,ny ship. The autho,ritative basis o,f the Refo,rma- in Stephen as he was sto,ned. The co,nverted Paul tio,n was the Bible as the infallible Wo,rd o,f God. lived a life o,f hardship in which radiant jo,ywas It was the minister's duty to, interpret the Book blended with endless suffering. Paul further saw to, the people, altho,ugh every believer had the the co,smo,s in the thro,es o,f titanic birth-"All privilege to, do, that fo,r himself, under the guid- creatio,n gro,aning . . . waiting fo,r the so,ns of ance o,f the Spirit of God. Protestants believe Go,d." that they learn the will o,f Go,d in their gro,up services, and in private meditatio,n and study.
The Japanese have always lived in clo,se quarters, thus they have developed the art o,f abstractio,n in the midst o,f no,ise and bustle. Industrialism o,f itself has no,t therefo,re played such havoc with co,ntemplative wo,rship in Japan as in Euro,pe and America. Japanese have always had to, discipline themselves to, pray at their shrines even in the midst o,f co,mmo,tio,n.
While Buddhism is stro,ng in its emphasis UPo,n prayer and meditatio,n, it is weak from the practical angle. A pro,fessor at Otani University (a Buddhist institutio,n) recently said: "Buddhism, no, less than Christianity, has its theo,retical and practical sides. Its theo,retical as.pect is its metho,d o,f salvatio,n; practical Buddhism co,nsists o,f teaching these ideas." By practice a Christian means the pro,jectio,n into, the so,cial o,rder o,f the Christian ethical, mo,ral and religious ideals. By "faith" the Christian means the attitude o,f trust, ho,pe and belief in Jesus Christ as the revelatio,n o,f Go,d in His benevo,lent perso,nality, purpo,se and Po,wer. By practice the Christian means that this faith must bear fruit in regulating character, life and co,nduct. Unless the Christian daily engages in acts that reveallo,ve and truth, then the reality o,f his faith is do,ubted. "By their fruits ye shall kno,w them," said Jesus o,f his disciples. Fro,m the Christian Po,int o,f view, personal religio,n (which includes prayer and meditatio,n) and the
Are Suffering in
W HILE the Russian economic and political captured by the G. P. U. and put in prison where policies and methods are undergoing some changes, with the discovery that certain she found another Christian woman who was supcommunistic theories are unworkable, the Soviet rulers' attitude toward religion is. still antagonis- plied with food by Evangelical believers. tic. The crude methods of ridicule and destruction, with .attempts at forcible conversion to Later she was transferred to a large jail with atheism, have given way to more subtle methods of suppression and anti-religious education. The 12,000 captives, among whom were young and masses of the Russian peasants are still religious and believe in God. PersecutJon always tends to old, men and women. People were beaten until strengthen faith and to give new courage to those whose faith is founded on the Word of God and they lost consciousness, with the purpose of puton experience of His love and faithfulness. But Christians in Russia, especially the Evangelicals, ting out of their minds any thought of pleas to the are suffering because of misguided officials.* authorities.
In general, Russians stand upon the words of Here women and girls gave birth to children, Christ and the teachings of the Apostles. The Greed of the Russian Orthodox Church in which, many of whom were illegitimate. Mourning, before the Revolution, every Russian was instructed from early childhood, states: weeping, sobbing, cursing was heard in the crowd.
I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of Some became insane. Words fail to depict the Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible. physical and moral sufferings of the prisoners. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the onlybegotten, begotten of the Father before all worlds. Finally Mrs. – was sentenced to "Three years Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not of exile on the Mongolian border!" There were made: of one essence with the Father, by whom all things two thousand people in the freight train which was jammed with "living goods," so full that it was impossible to lie down. People continued to die on the way and at the railroad stations the bodies of the dead were taken out. The newly born babies were thrown out. I This transportation to the Siberian steppes ast- ed several months but the Mongolian border was finally reached. There were no houses or woods round about; just sand and desert! The people lay on the ground through rain and dew. There weWrehomafodre. us men, and f or oiur t sa v·a lOn, came down f rom was no food. Death was reigning. After three Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Ghost, and of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. years in this exile camp only two persons, Mrs. – and a Greek Orthodox nun, survived. And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suf- Religious people of all denominations suffer fered, and was buried. in the same manner-Greek Orthodox Church And rose again the third day according to the Scripture. members, Evangelical Christians, Baptists, Luth- And ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand erans, and other groups are persecuted by the of the Father. anti-Christian Soviet Government. In many pris- And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick ons and in exile Mrs. – was with old Russian priests, monks, nuns-with people of different beand the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who liefs, people of various walks of life who had for- gotten their former differences. Under these cirproceedeth from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, who spake by the Prophets.
The Bible is read in the Russian Orthodox cumstances their sufferings, distress, anguish, hope, prayer, songs, and even death were common Church at every church service and the word of to all of them. God is preached but not fully and clearly as giving personal assurance of salvation. The missionary- When her term of exile expired, Mrs. _ reminded Evangelical churches must still unfold be- turned to central Russia to her children, and found fore the Russian masses the need for a personal that they too had been in exile for several years. acceptance of Christ. But many Russian Christians are suffering great persecution. Finally she escaped to America, where, she says, "I see gay faces on people, which I did not see in Not long ago, Mrs. M. M–, the wife of an Soviet Russia. It is like a miracle to me to look at Evangelical preacher, was able to leave Soviet joyful people. It seems to me unreal that I am Russia and to join her husband who had already now free, and that I have the right to go to any church. It is even strange to me that Sundays are escaped. celebrated, for such celebration is annihilated in After six months of wandering, Mrs. – was Soviet Russia. I earnestly pray my Lord to free • The following information Is taken from The Russian Field and our Russia soon, and I ask other Christians to J·oin with me in prayer for my native country." from The RIreilvn.k,r. thVe. NoregparanshofIs thDeireRcutosrs.ian Missionary Service of which the , [564]
~' '~
I Effective Ways of Working 'rested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~'=I==============~====~~ Christmas and Missions doubtless have others. Many of which someone's special interest the newer hymnals have excel- in Christmas music, or in music A liberal minded woman came lent new carols. A good new in general, may be utilized to home from the December meet- children's hymnal is sure to have enrich the missionary heritage ing of the missionary society, at least one there. Your minis- of your church. quite out of patience. "It was a ter may have sample copies of lovely Christmas program," she various new hymnals or the Decorating a Gift Tree -.Said, "but it had not the slight- other churches in your commuest connection with or reference nity might loan you the use of Who does not love to decorate to .missions expressed. We shall a hymnal in which you can a Christmas tree? Here is an be having dozens of Christmas search for carols with the mis- idea that has been carried out programs. I wish this could sionary message. Carol sheets more than once by Sunday school have been different." and books are also a good source. departments ranging in age You cannot always judge by the from youngest to oldest. One wonders. Are there no first line or the first verse. Read m iss ion a r y implications in the carol completely through. Send a gift tree to some fam- Christmas? Are there no world ily or child or old person who f r i en d s hip opportunities? Is Here are a few carols suitable will not be able to have one. The there no need to stress Christian for giving the missionary or tree may simply be decorated, or peace and goodwill? world peace emphasis. it may also bear gifts. In some cases a decorated tree is sent Some groups and churches "Joy to the World" is among the with a basket of provisions. have found ways of emphasizing most often used. But it is often sung these values. We mention some without any thought of its missionary Each member of the giving of them. implications. group should bring a 5c decora- tion. It is surprising how many Christmas Carols and Missions "As With Gladness Men of Old" is different kinds appear, from tin- among those most suited for dedica- sel cord to red glass balls. Chil- The radio, carolers, the habit tion of offerings. dren may make some of the decoof choosing the same "favorite" rations. They should be effective, carols for every church service "From the Eastern Mountains" is if they are for a gift tree. and meeting, our own slothful- very good, and so is "To Usa Child ness in searching out the new, of Hope Is Born." One person should be responare all bringing us almost to the sible for having on hand a tree saturation point of finding any "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," of the desired size. It should not delight in the more familiar car- "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night," be too big for the expected numols. "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," ber of gifts. In some cases sev- and "Christmas Has Come Again," eral tiny trees are decorated. There are many carols of are fine for world peace emphasis. which one would like to speak; Decorating the tree forms a they are of as great beauty and "There's a Song in the Air" (sung part of the program and chilimagery as tho s e ordinarily to the tune by Harrington in the dren especially e n joy taking used. But let us limit ourselves Methodist Hymnal) is among the turns in hanging their decorato those which carry the mis- most ecstatic in tone and is well tions. They are usually free with sionary message and yet are full worth using as special music. suggestions and criticisms. If of Christmas spirit. gifts are to be hung on the tree "In the Lonely Midnight" is one of they should be placed at the They may be used in many the newer carols with a message for same time. Since the tree is to ways. If they are unfamiliar to today. be transported, decorations and some of the group, consider us- gifts. must be securely fastened. ing them as poems, with pic- "Christian, Lo! the Star Appear- Fine wire hairpins, straightened tures ; or as unison readings; eth," and "Come, Thou Long Expected out, form good fasteners. as quartettes or solos; or for Jesus," neither of which is usually group singing. found among the Christmas Carols, The decorated tree (with gifts are full of the Christmas spirit and or without), is taken by an in- Your usual hymnal may have message. dividual or by a committee to some of those noted below, and the selected recipient. the young people's hymnal will This is only a brief list from among those you will be able to One church department deco- find. Why not ask someone in- terested in music to make a search and build up, over the years, a carol book of Christmas music with especial reference to the world's need of Christ to- day? Here is another point at [565 ]
rated half a dozen tiny trees to Then came an accident: The Ask some mother in the go with as many baskets-to candles set fire to the cardboard church, preferably a leader in needy families, to hospitals, shield. It flared up. But the Parent – Teachers Association, to home missions institutions, serene voice n eve r faltered. who is also keenly interested in to city missions. It is wise to Someone went forward and car- world friendship, to form a conconsult those acquainted with ried away the candles and the genial committee of two or three such places before planning a burning cardboard. The room well-informed women to compile gift-tree so as to be sure of the was left in darkness, except for a list of books to circulate among need, and so that the gift pack- the light of a near-by street the parents of the church. ages· may supply the need. In lamp which streamed dimly in. The committee should visit a the case of a family, money for One could see the outline of the good children's library if possifood or clothing may be ad- forms around the tables. ble and look at the children's vanced so that a committee may That was a test few services books, explaining the purpose of do the purchasing before the have. And it rose without a their proposed list to the chil- change of mood above the cir- dren's librarian. The purpose is tree is sent. Some groups are able to make cumstance. The hearers were to give the children a true picsuitable gifts and enjoy this. held by the magic of the mood ture of children of other lands so which had been created. Christ- that they may be led to an inter- The Spirit of Christmas mas was there, in the room. est in and a feeling of friendship When the reading was fin-· with them. Some books of hand- A young women's missionary ished, there was no sudden flash- crafts, etc. which will develop group had their usual December ing on of bright lights, bringing appreciation should be inclu<,led supper meeting. Toward one one too abruptly out of the mood for older children. side of the room there had been of the service. Here and there a A second step may be to visit set up, on a small, high table, a candle was lighted and finally the local book store and talk to tiny creche, complete with stable the lights were turned on. the one in charge of children's and with dainty though inex- That experience could be re- books. Find out what is in stock, pensive figures. The· you n g peated in any group and for any how long it will take to order woman who set it up had raised evening meeting. The creche books, and explain about the list the stable itself on some hym- may be large or small. It may to be circulated. Persuade the nals, and had then placed a card- even be a posed tableau group book store to stock at least a few board shield across the front of if the characters are arranged of the recommended books. . the table, veiling it with bits of in positions which can be held Now prepare the list to send evergreen. Behind the shield without undue strain for the to the parents. The name of each were two short, fat, unlighted time necessary. The reading may book, a little about it, the price, candles. be supplemented with medita- the age child for which it is suit- The members, as they arrived, tion and song. The audience may able, and how to get it should enjoyed looking at the little join in, singing without books be added. If there can somecreche. One wondered, however, or lights, the stanzas of carols where be a display of the hooks why it had not been made "the familiar to them. on the list, give such informa- centerpiece, instead of being so The Christmas story may be tion. far to one side of the room. the theme, beginning with the Mimeographed copies of the Presently that was explained. ancient desire for a Saviour and list should be circulated as early When, following the simple sup- closing with the picture of the as possible in December. Unless per, the time came for the meet- world needing Him and coming the list is clear, clean print, ating, the order was reversed: to His Manger. tractively set up, and good ad- The program came first; then It would be easy for different vertising copy, it will not be efthe devotional service. As the classes and departments to take fective. Ask the help of someone devotional leader was intro- part, the soft voices of children who writes advertising copy to duced, the lights were turned coming in, all unannounced, with help set it up. out and someone lighted the can- the beautiful story of the shep- Local stores may be willing to dles in front of the creche. In herds from Luke, and others run an advertisement if there is the back of the room, another adding their word of story or to be an e mph a sis in the candle was lighted behind an- praise or song. churches on such books for gifts.
other screen, and a clear sweet Local stores may be willing to voice began quietly reading Bi- World Friendship Books set up a display table with copies ble passages, prose of exception- of the most attractive books, and al beauty, and one or two poems. Of all their gifts, many chil- a placard indicating their value The entire group relaxed in dren like books best. Why not as Christmas gifts. the quiet darkness, while before help the cause of world friend- The following is a short list of them the candlelight flickered on ship by calling to the attention good books recommended in one the little scene. Other pictures of parents in the church, the ex- reading list. They can be selike tapestries, were woven, in cellent books now available in cured through almost any book their minds, with the magic of which the characters are chil- store. You r denominational words coming out of the dark. dren of other lands? bookstore can probably get them
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
for you. There are dozens of "It looks as though a new con- consider the carefully prepared other books as attractive and as ception of Christian fellowship outlines and source materials isgood as these. may result from these contacts sued in the field of this year's with young Chinese Christians." study by many mission boards. CARNIVAL TIME AT STROBECK, by Some of this comes monthly in Harris, 1938, $1.50 (German customs In this day of narrow nation- the missionary magazines. Other of that community; stresses ideals of alism, and of the resulting lone- studies are issued in a block at sportsmanship and fair play). Older liness which comes to the for- the beginning of each six-month primaries and juniors. eigner in our land (especially or yearly study period. when his fatherland is carrying CHILDREN OF AMERICA, by Nolen, out a military policy in high dis- Even if you wish to build your 1939, $1.50 (character b u i I din g favor in America), there is a own program outline, secure and stories) . Juniors. Christian d u t y in fellowship look through these source ma- which we should not ignore. terials. They often represent THE FEAST OF LAMPS, by Root, months of research by someone 1938, $2.00 (a child's experiences at To take for granted that, be- wit h international resources the festival for the goddess Meenakshi cause the present Japanese gov- available. They will put inforin Madura, India). Older primary ernment is militaristic, every mation into your hands which and junior. Japanese sanctions every act of in its up-to-dateness and com- that government, is not fair. pleteness and relevance to the FAR ROUND THE WORLD, by Mc- Similarly we cannot afford to year's theme is nowhere else to Gavran, 1939; cloth $1.00, paper 50 brand as Nazi, or Communist, or be found. cents (biographical stories introducing Fascist, or barbarian, or whatthe missionary at work). Junior. ever our chief aversion is, any One such set of program ma- person living in our community terials for July to December, THE FRIENDLY MISSIONARY, by whose forebears came from the which has been received by the Millen, 1939, 25 cents (picture and country at present governed un- editor of these pages is the Year story book for primary). der a form of government we do Book and Program Packet put not like. out by the Missionary Education HIGH IN THE MOUNTAINS, by Brock, Department of the United Chris- 1938, $2.00 (Swiss Alps). Older pri- In t his day of increasing tian Missionary Society, Mismary and junior. hatreds, should not every church sions Building, Indianapolis, In- and each organization in it, con- diana. It is available for 5 HUNT FOR A HERO, by Reason, 1938, sciously seek interracial friend- cents for the Year Book and 50 60 cents (India). Juniors. ship and fellowship, not only cents for the Six Months' Pro- with the racial groups with gram Packet. Of course, it has JUNIOR, A COLORED Boy OF CHARLES- whom our sympathies lie at the denominational materials along TON, by Lattimore, 1938, $2.00 (sym- moment, but with those whom with the general consideration pathetic treatment of the Negro we find ourselves inclined to re- of its theme – Christ and the theme) . Juniors. gard with displeasure. World Community.
KEE-KEE AND COMPANY, by Hol- There is a technique for such Be sure to write to your delister, 1938, $2.00 (adventures of a fellowship. Its purpose is not to nominational headquarters and missionary's children in Chi n a). put the guest on the defensive. secure whatever they issue, be it Older primary and junior. There need be no discussion in packet form or in monthly about points on which there is magazines. Use it as source LITTLE KARl, by Loulsson, 1939, controversy. Rather, let us seek material even if you wish to $1.50 (Norwegian). Primary and the common ground where we build your own programs. But younger junior. can become acquainted with the consider also using the programs ideals of the Christian groups of much as they are built for you. MARIKA, by Szekely, 1939, $1.50 both races or nations. Let us Deep thought and much consul- (Hungary). Junior. become engaged in a common tation has gone into that plan- service to humanity. Let us ning. NANCY GOES TO MEXICO, by Lanks, meet with others just for the 1938, 50 cents. Primary. sheer joy of friendly association. Why Wonder? Let us join with them in some NANKA OF OLD BOHEMIA, by Pelzel, celebration, some service, some If radio's slim fingers can 1937, $2.00 (from Old Bohemia to study, some enterprise. pluck a melody America). Christian fellowship seeks the From night and toss it over a LUCIO AND HIS NUONG, by Crockett, common ground of brotherhood. continent or sea; 1939, $2.00 (charming book on the There is deep need of such fel- Philippines). Primary. lowship today. There willl be If the petaled white notes of a deeper need in the days and violin Interracial Fellowship years ahead. Are blown across a mountain A young Chinese woman doc- Build Good Programs or a city's din; tor who was taking her interneship in a California hospital, As you begin to think about If songs like crimson roses, was not too busy to organize a program materials for 1940, are culled from thin blue air; club for a group of teen-age Chinese girls. She found them at- Why should mortals wonder if tending a little mission in the God hears prayer? town where the hospital was located. -Mrs. Ethel R. Fuller.
The girls were sadly in need of more social life. Through one of the home missionaries, whom she knew, word of that need was reported to one of the churches of the town. The women of the church responded promptly and, as a starter, a party was given for the girls.
The occasion was happy and contact is being kept up. The one reporting the incident says,
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~~~I===========================~ Have You Thanked the directly to Michigan where they stay periment, placing families on for June strawberries, July cherries small plots of land so that they Migrants? and raspberries, August early peaches may supplement their earnings and September peaches and grapes. as "croppers" by cultivating Migrants are as close to you as Then they start back to Florida for your kitchen! For many years, their own gardens. But it is migrant laborers have been gath- the fall crop. significant that a religious orering the fruits and vegetables ganization was the pioneer in atthat eventually reached your kit- Another story shows how one family tempting a constructive prochen, either fresh or canned. follows one crop from state to state. gram. The Council of Women These wandering workers have The woman has worked in tomatoes made a material contribution to since she was fourteen years old. She for Home Missions opened the our lives, a contribution little went from Florida to Mississippi and first "centers" nearly 20 years recognized and still less appre- there, four years ago, met her hus- ago and the work has grown ciated by Mr. and Mrs. Average band while packing tomatoes. They Citizen. Not only are they as have been married three years and from those 8 centers in 4 states as close as our kitchens because have two children. They follow tomawe are consumers, but geograph- toes from Florida to Mississippi to to 56 in 14 states. ically also, they are close to us all Kentucky or Tennessee, later perhaps for every state needs migrant to Maryland, and back to Florida. Starting with work for chillaborers for cultivating and har- dren, the program has expanded vesting, or packing and canning its crops. Is it not strange that to include young people and more so many people have known little recently, the whole family. This or nothing about them? newest service of furnishing a team including a minister, his wife who is a trained children's worker, and a nurse, has been so successful that it ,is hoped to have more teams in the near fu- Recent publicity is making the Picture by pe'rmission oj F.B.A. ture. The team stays in one migeneral public conscious of the grant area for the crop season problem of migratory labor. "HOME" ON THE MUCK-LAND IN FLORIDA developing a well-rounded pro- Much of this publicity leaves the gram including health, recreareader with the impression that In the middlewest also there tion and religious activities. Rethe migrants are a problem in are groups which follow with cent reports from the first team the western states only, chiefly fair regularity a succession of in California are convincing in California. The situation is crops. proof of the value of such a promore acute in the west but the gram carried out with the coproblem is very real in other Current books and articles operation of growers, the farm areas and in the east a "cycle of make quite clear that the prob- bureau, local ministers and othcrops" has developed quite as lem is acute, but little mention ers of the community. The definite as those better-known in is made of attempts to help the Western Supervisor of Council the west. An example can be migrants. The government in work says, "This work makes us given from the story of one fam- recent years has made a begin- more aware of the great need for ily of nine, recent migrants, who ning at meeting housing needs more teams. Let us hasten the had formerly been share-crop- by establishing well-organized day!" The need for haste was pers in Alabama but could not camps in some areas and, in a strikingly expressed recently by make a living though the older few places, has initiated an ex- a foreign misisonary home on children worked hard along with furlough who after discovering the parents. To quote from the the tragic plight of the migrants report sent by a Council worker: stated that we can't work effec- And so they started on the migrant tively in the foreign field until road with a car and baggage trailer. They have planned their itinerary so we solve this problem in our own that they are in Florida about six country. months in beans, tomatoes, celery or potatoes; two weeks to a month in This new plan resulted, dur- Tennessee in strawberries, and then ing August, in the holding of 32 evening meetings in six camps, [568 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
total attendance of 2,304, and 13 discouraged souls? It is the re- brought them. Our youngest is a Sunday school sessions in four sponsibility of Christian people baby of six months. When he was brought to the center he presented a camps, 326 in attendance. The to make possible several "teams." picture of malnutrition, unable to hold up his head, lacking a change of faminister of the team reports: As the Western Supervisor cial expression and with the cry of a two weeks old baby. After a month, The response so far has been far writes, "There can be no great- his lusty howls can be heard all over above my expectations both in the er happiness come to one than the center and he is beginning to ascamps and from the local churches. sume the normal actions of a child One cannot come into the camps suc- that of a migrant family when his age. A member of the committee cessfully from anyone sect. The they move to another crop and saw the child on entry and has seen find their friend and counsellor, him charge. She stated that the nurs- Council of Women for Home Missions ery would be worthwhile just to see has the key that opens the closed the Council worker. Hundreds that one child begin to have a chance door, 18 denominations working to- of families continually tell us in life. gether, not promoting anyone, not knocking any-these are the magic that we are their only real In the report of an eastern words that do the trick. The work of friends who seem to understand center for negroes we find these words, "The work here has been the nurses in these camps has opened their problems." of such a nature that the mia door that no one can shut. I made grants. boast of it and tell others a thorough canvass of six camps dur- The first work for migrants in of the blessings it bestows." ing July. On an average, I have been able to read the Scripture and have Florida was started in March, In the onion-growing territory 1939, the Council furnishing a of Ohio a 10-weeks program was conducted with the cooperation prayer in a slightly larger percentage supervisor but the work being of the Women's Department of of homes than in my regular pastorate the Ohio Council of Churches in California. So far, it is something under the direction of a strong and a local committee. Seventy over one-half of the homes that will local committee in which all civic children, chiefly from Kentucky let me do this. I found eight former clubs all churches, the packing families, were enrolled. They participated eagerly in all the Sunday school teachers and a Sunday and business houses and many activities of the Center. Eveschool superintendent in one camp, individuals of the community ning gatherings for the adults seven teachers in another. I find a offered bright spots of social felthird of the people were formerly ac- cooperated. The work is to be lowship in lives which are ter- headed this year by a local nurse ribly drab. tive in churches back East. I find only a few who still rate themselves who had experience the first year Life isn't a very joyous affair "Christian." In one tent I visited I under Council supervision. The in the onion marshes! One of saw a cot, a bed for two made of the workers writes: quilts lying on the dirt floor, and a Council will still be a part of the project, paying the salary of the Every night we pass a little boy of gasoline stove on a fruit box-nothing eight, with an old straw hat on the else in the tent except a pile of dirty head worker and acting in an back of his head, and his shoulders clothes on a cardboard box at the end. supervisory capacity. The Flor- stooped with weariness. Every morn- On one end of the cot a woman sat ing as we pass his house with a load writing letters, her mind evidently ida project differs from others of children he is out in front, in his in that the center must function old straw hat, waving and waving unback east where the letter was going. til we are long out of sight. Yes, she used to teach Sunday school 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. she said bitterly. "Teach it now, in The packing houses run night His little brother is enrolled in the the camp? Why I am not even a school and comes regularly and he is Christian. How can anyone be a and day so that parents are many enrolled too, but he came only three Christian in,-in this?" and she times unable to care for their days, and then he went back into the fields to weed and thin and top onions. pointed to the dirt and the clothes. children even at night. There "If anyone had told me when I was He's a little boy and an eager boy, active in the church that I would ever were 50 children enrolled at the and one who is so tired most of the come to live like this,-" She did not center with an average attend:. time that he just doesn't feel like playfinish. I asked her if she did not ance of 25. This project dif- ing, even if he had the time and oppor- tunity. think Jesus understood her circum- fers from others also in that the stances, and would make allowances. parents pay more for care given "Yes," she said, "He understands. But me, I am not trying to be a Chris- their children, twenty-five cents tian now. How can I?" We read a day for one child, but a "bar- from the Bible and had prayer. She gain rate" for two or more from had only been out in the camps a few the same family! To quote from days, and the shock of the actual conditions were terrific. What will she a report: be like in a few months? Some parents visit their children Who can measure ihe good ac- two or three times a week, others once complished by this ministry to or not at all. We have six who have not been home since their parents MIGRANTS That innocence should suffer this, That blameless ones should come to this, Should be so much denied, This constant buffeting Brings Calvary beneath our feet, Is treason to humanity, Commons the crucified. A cross for suffering.
That humankind should treasure this, Should be to this resigned, Compels my heart to pray, "Oh God, How is Thy way defined?"
-Samuel E. Boyd, A Council worker, Summer '39.
~==============================I~
~1= = =O= U=£=E=~=TEW=i:=s~=~n=M~=R;=r=~=d=~ =~=~=a=~=~=~=~=~C=SO=~=~=~n=N~=!=O=~=~=?=o=k= = =J MISCELLANEOUS the Lutheran World Convention and development was included and of the United Lutheran in the plan for the Woman's Di- Missions in War Time Council in America. The Na- vision of Christian Service in tional Christian Council has the Board of Missions and The Presbyterian Board of cabled urging consultation and Church Extension. Each na- Foreign Missions is authority suggesting that the service of tional tree, planted in its own for the statement that the war the Lutheran Federation of native soil will bear the fruits of crisis has not diminished interest Churches be enlisted to care for evangelism, education, medical in foreign missions. There is a the churches deprived of Ger- work, literature, youth, childgreat demand for missionary man missionaries. The Luther- hood, world peace, temperance, speakers. In over twenty stra- an Federation in India is coop- rural education, home life, intertegic cities throughout the erating. racial relationships and econom- United States, a Presbyterian ic justice. Foreign Affairs Convocation The Lutheran Council has also gives teams of five or six out- established communication with "Christ Calls" Program standing missionary leaders an mission Boards in regard to opportunity to meet with men, German missions in the British The proposal of the Internawomen, young people, church- colonies of Africa, urging that tional Christian Endeavor for a school teachers, pastors and el- efforts be made to befriend the two-year program topic, "Christ ders to discuss their relationship missionaries. In China and the Calls," has won hearty support to the program of Christian Netherlands Indies it is expected from young people, a fact borne missions in the present critical that the German missionaries out by the extensive sale of the situation. The convocations con- will not be deprived of their Program Guide, now in its secclude with a forum based upon freedom, but support from Ger- ond edition. A few suggestions 65 carefully worked out ques- many will be cut off. on only one of twenty specific tions, covering the whole mis- types of action indicate the scope sionary task. Week-end youth In the Versailles Treaty a and challenge of this program: fellowships in foreign missions distinction was made between bring together representative missionary property and other Encourage young people to young people to discuss the alien property. Trustees for be loyal, thorough, and effective world mission of the Church. In mission property were appointed in church membership, church four Presbyterian Theological and in the course of time such attendance, and church financial Seminaries courses in foreign properties in British territories support. missions are also offered, with were returned to the German sofull academic credits. These cieties. It is hoped that this Emphasize the importance of courses supplement other mis- principle will be recognized now. church membership. Give persionary courses, and active mis- sonal invitations, fro m one sionaries present the challenge -A. L. Warnshuis. friend to another. Make persons of Christianity to the Church. who might consider church World Federation of Methodist membership the subject for What of German Missionaries? p ray e r, individually and in Women groups. Study and promotion of German missionaries working stewardship. in British territory will practi- At the 70th anniversary of the cally be interned, but the gov- Woman's Foreign Missionary NORTH AMERICA ernment is trying to avoid pro- Society in Pasadena, California, cedures that occasioned criticism a charter was signed for the Gideon's at the World's Fair over similar action during the "World Federation of Methodist War of 1914 to 1918. There are Women." A constitution was Since the Gideon Booth was about 124 German missionaries sent to Methodist women's or- opened on the 23d of May in the in India, most of them belonging ganizations in America and more Hall of Communications, at the to the Lutheran Church. The than twenty nations of the World's Fair, 15,000 visitors International Missionary Coun- world. This body, representing have signed the register. They cil has consulted the officers of approximately 4,000,000 women, have come from every state in was recognized at the Uniting the Union, every province in Conference in Kansas City, and Canada, and from sixty foreign provision for its organization [570 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
countries. Four hundred and missioners will extend their ef- ward union of other communfifty thousand Gospel tracts have forts beyond the churches and ions. For example, there is the been given out, and 12,500 cop- include in this "spiritual mobili- discussion going on between the ies of the Gospel of John. Two zation" all community and civic United Brethren and Evangelipersonal workers have been con- organizations, schools, women's cal Churches, both Methodist in stantly in attendance, George W. clubs, service clubs, and busi- doctrine, polity and discipline. Mathieson, Jr., a graduate of the nessmen's, farmers' and labor- When they are united there will Philadelphia School of the Bible, ers' groups. be no insuperable obstacle to and James Bisset, a graduate of their joining The Methodist the Moody Bible Institute in Among the plans announced Church, to which they really be- Chicago. They have taken time for the year of preparation was long. Negro Methodists not into explain God's plan of salva- a "week of prayer" beginning cluded in the unification are now tion to each inquirer, and nearly January 1. Prayer services will showing signs of getting togethtwo thousand men have pro- be held in churches all over the er. These are the African, the fessed conversion to Christ. country each day that week. African Zion, and the Colored Each of these received aNew Meditations will be based on a Methodist Churches, and they Testament, in which he wrote book which will be published represent more than one million the following: this winter, "Acknowledging the families. Larger groupings of Lordship of Jesus Christ in All Lutherans have been effected by "Date ………………. . Areas of Life," by Robert Speer. the combination of several small I, ……. (name) ……. , have bodies in the United Lutheran this day accepted the Lord Jesus Boys' Missionary Society Church and of others in the Christ as my own personal Sav- American Lutheran Church. iour. . . . The boys at St. Paul's School, Four other bodies are now dis- Concord, N. H., have a lively cussing the possibilities of enter- "Realizing that I am a lost missionary society of their own. ing the latter. Of still more imsinner, and that nothing but the Some of their activities might portance is the doctrinal unity Blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, suggest ideas to other schools, revealed in negotiations between can cleanse me from ,gin, I now or even churches. For one thing, the three largest Lutheran accept Him as my own personal they have a Lost and Found groups-the United, the Ameri- Saviour." Committee. If this committee can and the Missouri Synod. finds a coat lying around, its Those who have signed these owner may rescue it for ten New Unification Movement cards include Protestants, Cath- cents, to be added to the society's olics, Jews and Protestant funds. The sale of second-hand Six major interdenominationchurch members of all denomi- textbooks is another source of al agencies giving field service to nations. Most of them have income, a special committee American churches have formed been young people of the teen managing the bookstore and the "Intercouncil Field Departage. Next in number come charging 25 cents each for books ment" as a means of unifying young men in their twenties; donated by boys who are through the approach to the churches. very few are over 50 years of with them. The six agencies represented are age. the International Council of Re- The society supports a sum- ligious Education, the Federal The Gideon register has mer camp where boys from city Council of Churches, the Home served as a means of contact. slums may spend two weeks. A Missions Council, the Foreign The fact that nothing is sold in publicity committee provides a Missions Conference, the Nathe booth has aided greatly in bulletin board, with posters, tIonal Committee of Church this personal work. charts and pictures of the work Women (combining three na- of the Church at home and tional women's organizations) -Kenyon A. Palmer. abroad. Included among many and the United Stewardship other activities are monthly Council. New National Preaching meetings with missionary speak- ers, and discussions open to all The plan adopted unifies all Mission the boys. This society, with field service under one staff coun- forty to fifty members, is man- cil, of which Dr. T. Quentin Mill- A year of preparation has aged entirely by the boys them- er of the Federal Council was been inaugurated for the Na- selves, with one faculty adviser. elected chairman, and Rev. John tional Preaching Mission of B. Ketcham of the Internation- 1940. Ten thousand persons en- -The Church in Action. al Council, secretary. listed for "spiritual mobilization." Dr. Jesse M. Bader of Trends Toward Church Union -The Christian Century. New York, who will be in charge of the 1940 'Preaching Mission, The Christian Advocate ob- Mid-Missions presided at this mass meeting. serves that the chief conse- quence of Methodist unification Elyria, Ohio, has been the The purpose of the National will be manifest not so much birthplace of more than one mis- Preaching Mission, according to within the ranks of Methodism sionary enterprise. Here was Dr. Bader, is "to strengthen the as in stimulating the trend to- Church" and "to reach the unreached with the Christian message." To "reach the unreached,"
organized the Men's Missionary For all that, she supports the rate of Negroes above one year League in the United Presby- church. Who is she? A Hol- of age is nearly double that of terian Church. In 1920, an in- stein-Friesian cow whose daily white people, and infant mor- dependent Baptist Missionary production of milk is from 50 to tality was 60 % greater. He also Council, "Mid – Missions," was 80 pounds, i.e., 22' to 35 quarts, found that the overcrowding of organized there. It now has 110 for which purchasers pay about the schools was far beyond that missionaries on the field, about $3.60. Not in all India where a of white schools.
half in French Equatorial Af- cow does not produce enough Prof. Douglass is demanding rica, the rest in Venezuela, Bra- milk to pay for her feed, much of the City Council more schools zil, Peru, India, Liberia, Haiti, less contribute to a church, is for Negroes, more small parks Jamaica, St. Helena, Hawaii and there such a cow as Greenwood and swimming pools, more housin home mission work in Ken- Johanna Clara. This is just an- ing projects, more hospitals and tucky and among St. Louis Jews. other way of saying that the clinics. Its latest bulletin reports: ability of rural Christians to support the church depends upon "The Calvary Baptist Church, Religion in Indian Schools Binghampton, is building a dis- the productivity of their cows pensary at Fort Crampel, Af- Time was when missionaries rica. A friend in Cleveland is and other animals, and this, in and religious education directors furnishing the funds for the were given a free hand to teach school building at the same sta- turn, depends upon the quality Bible to all the Indians in the tion. Another friend sent $1,000 schools. Later came a governto put a missionary on the field of the farmer's character. ment regulation that permitted and help in his support." religious instruction being given At the annual meeting of the to those children only whose The full name of the organiza- parents signed a written request tion is The General Council of Christian Rural Fellowship in in the presence of a government Cooperating Baptist Missions of employee as witness. The Unit- North America, Mishawaka, Ind. the Town Hall, New York City, ed Presbyterian Mission at Warm Springs, Oregon, waited -So S. Times. December, 1937, Secretary of an opportune time to secure the parents' signatures, meanwhile In Earnest About Missions Agriculture Henry A. Wallace talking it over with leading In- dians. The opportune moment The Seventh-Day Adventists set forth certain ideals concern- seemed to come when the governare not playing at missions. ment built a fine neW school in Every Sunday in every Sunday ing rural life. When, during the the Reservation; then the misschool an offering is taken for missions, after a definite mis- question period, he was asked: "What can the Church do to help the Department of Agriculture make those ideals effective?" He replied, "Your question really should be, 'What can the Depart- ment do to help the Church make Christianity effective in rural life?'" -World Call.
sionary note has been sounded in Ohicago's Negroes sionaries put it up to the parents, with the result that parents of the classes. The church's tithe Paul H. Douglass, a Quaker is all for missions, and ~ll for- and a member of the faculty of 30 children signed at once, and by the end of the year half the eign mission Sunday schools and Chicago University, has been children in the school were enchurches are on the same tithing elected a member of the Chicago rolled in Bible classes. The folbasis, furnishing a large pro- City Council. "Anyone who sup- lowing year, 1938, a whole after- portion of the amount put into posed that this Quaker would be noon was allowed for Bible study the foreign work. They have quiet very long," says Advance, and the number enrolled includabout half the membership of "did not know the gentleman." the Sou the r n Presbyterian He got busy at once with a reso- ed all the children in the school Church (whose Christian Ob- except those in two families. lution calling for the creation server publishes these facts) and of a Chicago Race Relations Rules for Ohristians in contribute from four to six times Commission. He contends that Wartime as much to foreign missions. Chicago's Negroes live under There seems to be no hint of Adventists are by no means worse conditions than those of rich people, yet persistent, con- any other large city. In some war hysteria either in or outstant education in missions and the tithe principle have done sections on the South Side there side the churches of Canada. marvels for their mission work. are 69,000 Negroes to the square One small college church of mile, as compared with 37,000 The United Church has sent out about 150 members gave $7,000 whi,tes to the square mile in the to missions in one year. white community adjoining. to all pastors a memorandum in Prof. Douglass found that in which four points are empha- sized: .
The Church must maintain at How Greenwood Johanna Clara most of the quarters which he all cost faith in God the Father Supports a Ohurch examined there could be no real of Jesus Christ and, centered in development of family life, that that faith, provide, amid the She is not a church member the rentals are much higher than fiercest strain, a haven of peace.
and no one expects her name those paid by white people for The Church must more than will ever be on the church roll. similar quarters, that the death ever affirm the reality of that
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ecumenical church, conscious- day School extension work was quest was granted and a group ness of which was revived at ready to start. of twenty people formed the nu- Oxford, and declare the obliga- At that time the Presbyterian cleus of a congregation. Since tion of loyalty to this supreme Church in Porto Rico had less there is no church building as fellowship into which warring than 3,000 pupils on its Sunday yet, services are more or less re- peoples must yet be brought to- School rolls; teachers were stricted by federal law. A young gether. scarce and their training and graduate of the Hooker School The third plea is for under- background poor. So teacher in Mexico City is helping the standing and sympathy between training institutes were organ- pastor, Rev. Alfonso Gomez.
those who feel that Christ im- ized and volunteer workers chal- The following notice was pels them to give themselves in lenged. Today there are more printed in the English section of active service, and those who feel than 9,000 pupils in Porto Rican a paper published by the Mexthat Christ precludes any such Sunday schools and over 500 ican Episcopal Church, La action. teachers and officers. Buena Lid: -Monday Morning. Like the Society of Friends, Gospel by Mail in Mexico It is the impression, we believe, in churches and church members the United States, that there is a must develop ministries of com- strong persecution by the Government fort and healing by which some The Presbyterian Board re- of all churches here in Mexico. This suffering may be assuaged. ports that during the past year is absolutely untrue! All churches in Mexico 15,073 Gospel portions are open and services are being held. and 45,219 tracts have been sent LATIN AMERICA -The Church in Action.
The Gospel Spreads in Haiti to public officials, school teach- South America's Youth ers, postmasters, telegraph op- Twelve thousand southern erators, R. R. Station agents and From the educational stand- Haiti laborers, recently returned a number of merchants through- point, the youth of South Amerfrom working in Cuba where out the country. This type of ica are looking up. Tremendous they have become evangelized, work was undertaken about two modern educational programs illustrate how little the results years ago. It is probably safe are being promoted by practicalof Christian work can be fore- to say that every village and ly all South American governseen. In 1885, a soldier in the town in Mexico has received at ments. This is true from the rebellion against Spain, A. J. least one Gospel portion. grades through the professional Diaz, fled on a log in the open There are encouraging results schools. Rio de Janeiro now sea and was carried off by a of this work. Here is a typical claims with pride that they have strong current, but was picked one. a seat in school for every child.
up, half famished, by an Ameri- The secretary of an Indian In the face of Brazil's eighty-five can vessel and brought to New village in the mountains of per cent illiteracy this is momen- York. In aNew York hospital Guerrero received a roll of lit- tous. In Argentina, Uruguay, he found aNew Testament erature, read it, was touched and and Chile there are likewise exwhich led to his conversion. He wrote for more. Soon he was panding building programs, rereturned to Cuba to preach the converted and began to have a sulting from increased insist- Gospel. His first convert was real burden for the spiritual ence upon general education, and his own sister, and his parents needs of his tribe. He began to increasing numbers have professoon followed. The first Baptist speak to his friends and to read sional aspirations. This trend church in Havana was organized the New Testament to them. has a direct effect upon the work in 1886. Ten years ago Protes- Then on Sunday, August 7, he of the churches. Students of tant churches in Cuba had 9,849 called a meeting of the Indians law, medicine or dentistry, even members. Now Haiti is receiv- and translated portions of the when professed Christians, aring Christian impulses from New Testament to the one hun- gue that there is no point in join- Cuba. -So S. Times. dred who attended. This man is ing a church.
a Tlapaneco, from an area There is also this unique sit- Tent Work in Porto Rico marked "unexplored" on govern- uation. Pastors of churches, ment maps. Because of his in- Since 80 per cent of the Porto terest, two translators have been even of the larger churches, are Ricans live in the country, Rev. sent into this district to study usually practicing physicians, Santiago – Cabrera decided ten the language and translate the years ago that the way to reach New Testament in Tlapanece. lawyers, dentists. This is nec- essary because salaries paid by these scattered groups was to The Church in Mexico inaugurate Gospel tent meetings. the churches are exceedingly People want the Christian small, entirely too small for the The next step was to find a tent. Church in Mexico. From Telo- support of a single man, to say This missionary's two sons bus- loapan, a town 120 miles south nothing of a family. This sitied themselves seIling Porto Ri- of Mexico City, came the request for a minister to start work uation has a discouraging effect can laces, beads and baskets upon the building of ministerial until they earned $90 with which leadership, and therefore upon they bought a second-hand army the development of the churches.
tent, patched it up, and the Sun- there. After two months the re- -The Commission.
Gospel Triumph in Brazil to apply the law, how to allow One day this year two mission- the teaching of different reli- aries came into this town in The establishment of a strong gions and at the same time safe- their old Ford. The sexton was national church in Brazil is one guard against dogmatism and delighted to have some of his of the triumphs of the Gospel. intolerance, has been a real prob- difficulties cleared up; and the In some places it has grown lem. -Christian Century. truth explained. Open air meetfrom nothing in a few years to ings were held, Bibles were sold, active, well-organized groups. Japanese Clergy in Brazil and there is now a flourishing One example of this is the Pres- congregation in that town, with byterian Church in Ribeirao There are four Japanese Epis- the sexton as one of the stal- Preto, with 90 members, organ- copal clergymen in Brazil at warts. ized twelve years ago. Sunday work among the Japanese colschool attendance averages 160; onies of coffee planters in Sao -Neglected Continent. there is a progressive women's Paulo. The thoroughness with auxiliary and a Christian En- which they pursue their work EUROPE deavor Society, equally alive. may be seen in the fact that they Much of this achievement is due have 1,000 baptized church mem- War Time in England to Senor Ferreira and his wife. bers. At their seventh annual He is superintendent of a public convocation, clergy and lay Rev. William G. Peck records school of 1,200 pupils, but finds workers discussed the Creed, the some of his observations about time to devote many hours a Atonement and the Epistle to life in England in war time. He week to the Sunday School; at the Philippians, believing that senses a new friendliness, a new least one night a week he preach- the first essential of all their appreciation for the little coures in some home in the outskirts work is an unshakable belief in tesies, new compensations for of the city. His wife is also a Christ as Son of God, Saviour the anxiety; even the necessity public school teacher,is president and Guide. for living a day at a time has its of the women's auxiliary, a Sun- blessing, because in the hurryday school teacher and preaches Practical means of promoting ing and scheming many precious somewhere almost every week. their work, most needful for and simple things of beauty are themselves, were listed as fol- missed. Mr. Peck notes with One may see Gospel triumphs lows: More frequent prayer; surprise how many strangers in the home life as well in Bra- better preparation of sermons; accost him to talk about religion. zil, where it costs something to more careful planning; more One lady, whom he knew to be be an evangelical Christian. At frequent gatherings of church no church-goer, said to him: the very least, it means social people and more visiting of those "Don't you think this is the end? ostracism. Many instances could who tend to lapse; more atten- Don't you think God is tired of be cited where blessed influences tive Bible reading; critical ex- us? I am sure He must be tired are going out from happy Chris- amination of their past work in of me, and my sort." An edutian homes. order to improve the future. cated man walked with him, say- ing that he was ashamed of his -Presbyterian Survey. -The Church in Action. life, but that he had never really doubted that life was a serious Gospels in Brazil Schools The Power of the Book commission given by God. At a church service on the day war Last spring, the Congress of The sexton of a large Roman was declared, the congregation Ceara, a prominent northern Catholic Church in one of Bra- brought gas masks as well as state of Brazil, voted to author- zil's interior towns had always prayer books. Nobody was restize reading of Gospels in the had an intense desire to read the less, or showed signs of panic. public schools, instead of instruc- Bible. After much difficulty he The sermon was about the peace tion in the Catholic catechism. became the possessor of a Cath- of God, and when it came to an This reveals a new tendency. olic version and as he pored over end the congregation continued Several years ago, one of the it, his eyes began to open. So to kneel, praying. more liberal priests of Brazil, thrilled was he with the truths where private reading of the he discovered that every evening -The Living Church. Scriptures has always been bit- he would sit on the pavement terly opposed, began urging the outside his house and read the Testaments for Soldiers people to read the New Testa- Bible aloud to the townsfolk. ment. About two years ago one Soon he had a large audience of During the war of 1914-1918 of these liberals, Father HUIn- people who, like himself, were the Pocket Testament League berto Rohden, made a modern beginning to grasp the great re- distributed nearly two million translation of the New Testa- alities of the Gospel. The Bible Testaments to men of the British ment which has been published came to be in great demand and Forces. Now that a similar under ecclesiastical imprimatur. reluctantly the sexton would emergency has arisen the League lend his new-found treasure to is enlisting the cooperation of its In 1934, after years of strict various business men of the friends in seeking to place the separation of Church and State, town. Word of God in the hands of religious teaching was allowed hundreds of thousands of young in the public schools. Just how This went on for some time.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
men who face the ordeal of bat- Shortage of Pastors in advocating friendliness toward tle. the Jews, have fled to England Germany or America. The British and Foreign Bible Society, and the Scripture Gift Only four out of eighteen the- -Christian Century. Mission have brought a special ological seminaries in Germany pocket Testament for the use of have reopened for the present Trouble in Albania all who are engaged in the de- year. This presages a lack of fense of Britain. A message evangelical pastors within the A recent letter from Albania from King George VI, inserted next two years. The Nazi argu- tells of increasing difficulties put in every copy, says: ment is that such study is of no in the way of Christian work by value to the State, and should the new Italian authorities. I commend the reading of this book. therefore be ruled out. Includ- Nothing may now be published For centuries the Bible has been a ed among the theological schools without written permission from wholesome and strengthening influence whose doors will remain closed the head of the Federal office, in our national life, and it behooves is the famed University of Bonn, which is Fascist. The Prefect us in these momentous days to turn where Pastor Martin Niemoeller questions whether evangelical with renewed faith to this divine completed his studies for the missionaries can even use tracts source of comfort and inspiration. ministry, and where Karl Barth and booklets already printed. taught. Copies of all books, booklets and During the last war the Army tracts, used by the Albanian Mis- Scripture Readers, and Soldiers' The G e r man Evangelical sion, have been requested for a and Airmen's Christian Associa- Church requires 600 new minis- detailed examination and it tion joined in the work. ters yearly, but this year only seems doubtful whether the Mis- 250 evangelical students have sion can continue to use this lit- Three main needs are empha- entered universities; while the erature, even the Old Testament sized: daily prayer, of trained number of theological students portions and the New Testament Scripture readers, who under- is barely 25 per cent of the num- printed in Albanian. Such a stand the nature of Army service ber engaged in such study in radical decision would seriously and the mind of the soldier; 1932-34. Students for the Ro- cripple the work. and, third, huts as centers of man Catholic priesthood may work. pursue their studies only at Vi- Our correspondent writes: enna and Munich. "These are dark days, and we The Salvation Army also has value your prayers. There are plans for serving naval, military German Moravians Divided causes for thanksgiving. Two and air forces in camps, homes colporteurs returned last week and hospitals. Differing attitudes toward the after three days in a half-Mos- State have made a serious cleav- lem town, where they sold 119 -The Christian. age in many German Moravian Gospels from house to house, be- churches. Young people, for the sides distributing hundreds of After the War in Spain most part, are intensely loyal to leaflets. We must get the seed the Nazi program; older mem- in before a storm breaks." Normal conditions are far bers deplore any political entanfrom restored and no one knows glement of the Church. But be- What Price Consistency? how long this may take. The cause Moravians constitute only Franco regime has once more a small group, their churches in All the world knows that the put the Roman Church in a Germany have escaped serious Soviet Government has for 20 position of great power and trouble, except for their schools. years tried desperately to wipe influence in the country. So that One has been closed, and the out all religion within its bor- Protestant work will be attended same threat hangs over all the ders. It therefore seems an odd with much difficulty. Rome has others. disregard for intelligent opinion the education of children under that led the Moscow Bezbonik, her direction, so that this is a This situation makes normal meaning godless, to print spiritcause of anxiety to Protestant relations between Moravian ed protests against the Polish par e n t s. While Protestant churches in America and those Roman Catholic hierarchy for churches are open in Madrid and in Germany exceedingly difficult. its oppression of members of the in some other towns, in Barcelo- German Moravians avoid all sig- Orthodox churches. It charges na and many other places they nificant statements in their cor- that "forty per cent of the Orare closed. Nearly all evangel- respondence, nor do Americans thodox churches in Poland have iCal schools are similarly closed. ask them any embarrassing been destroyed or converted into questions. Moravian churches in Roman Catholic churches. Pol- The Government stands for what was Czechoslovakia have ish legionnaires are charged religious freedom and some of on their hands the problem of with carrying off icons and the difficulties will no doubt caring for refugees; and several church plate; with preventing eventually disappear. It is en- ministers and influential laymen, the people in Polish territory couraging to know that when under suspicion by the German from "freely fulfilling their re- Nationalist forces entered towns secret police for their connection ligious obligations." To be sure, and villages where evangelical with pacifist groups or groups churches are located, no Christian, aside from those in the defeated army, was imprisoned or injured.
-Evangelical Christian.
this is all true. But it does not hundreds are in attendance at The Church in Uganda is become the atheist Russian to the out-stations round about. A served by a loyal native ministry. throw stones, considering the branch church has been started In 1893 the first ordination took destruction of churches and the at Kafanchan, a point on the place, and seven native Chrisslaughter of priests and pastors railway about six miles from tian workers were ordained as in his own domain. It is, of Kagoro, and already it bids fair deacons. Today, at a meeting of course, a political bid for the to outrival the parent church in the Synod, the few Europeans support of the Soviet seizure of numbers. The Christians bring present look insignificant as Eastern Poland, whose inhabi- the produce of their farms to ad- compared with the large African tants must be wondering how vance the good work into regions majority. The enthusiasm with soon the Soviets will liquidate all beyond. Perhaps best of all is a which every question is disthe churches in Poland. splendid school for the training cussed by young and old, clergy of evangelists, where scores are and laymen, men and women, Russia's Evangelical Christian being taught in the Hausa Bible. makes one feel that they consid- er themselves a part of the world Union The "Isa" People of the Sudan wide missionary enterprise.
Up to the year 1929, when re- The Field Director of the Su- Again, the newcomer is imligious persecution broke out dan Interior Mission, Guy W. pressed by the devotion to the with renewed fury, this organi- Playfair, tells of an interesting Bible. The Church in Uganda is zation had a membership and sect he found at Kano; the a literate Church in which the following of about 5,000,000. "Isa" or "Jesus" people who large majority of grown-ups can The whole of Russia was organ- have abandoned the name of Mo- read the Bible for themselves. ized into seventy districts, each hammed, and worship in the This is no mean achievement for with its own Council of ten mis- name of Jesus. One of them, so 60 years. It is the rule that no sionaries, and yearly conven- the story goes, while worshiping one may be baptized until he can tions were held. Altogether in a mosque had a revelation read his Bible. When service there were more than 700 mis- that he should worship in the begins, Bibles are opened, and sionaries in the district unions name of Jesus. Soon he had a unless the preacher in the course and 200 additional were support- following of more than a thou- of his sermon calls out a numed by the National Council at sand. This alarmed the rulers ber of texts, and gives his hear- Leningrad. Those engaged in who fancied that he might even ers time to find them all, he is the Union of Russian Christians try to claim the kingdom for very unpopular indeed. At comprised workmen, farmers, himself. He and his followers home, too, the Bible is read; the men of education, and even tied from Kano to the country, house boy reads it in his spare members of the Orthodox where they remained for some time and always has a store of Church. Ten national conven- time, after which he was coaxed questions to ask anyone he tions were held at Leningrad, back into Kano, only to be stran- thinks may be able to answer which produced a great impres- gled to death. His son and other them. -C. M. S. Outlook. sion upon all classes of people. followers, were scatt~red. Later, most of them assembled in the American Friends' Mission At present, places of worship Ningi District, where the pagans are closed; the leaders in exile rose against them and many The American Friends' Misor in prison. But the Union con- were killed. The present leader sion has 250 congregations in tinues to carryon among the of the movement is Aaron, Africa, organized into nine 10,000,000 Russians scattered in grandson of the martyred found- Monthly Meetings. There has other countries. er. There are at least 21 teach- been steady growth in unity and ers and 300 adherents of the power. A native evangelist who AFRICA sect in the Kano emirate. helped to start the work at Kitosh, in the Kenya Colony, 24 "New Creatures" in Christ -Evangelical Christian. years ago returned for three weeks and was astonished to see Quite recently the Kagoros of The Church in Uganda the development since those interior Sudan were head hunt- early years. The last annual ers. It is remarked that their The visitor, or new mission- Prayer Conference was held at apology to a victim was: "We ary to Uganda, is impressed to Munzatse, one of the smaller don't want your money; we find almost in the heart of what Monthly Meetings, with 250 delmerely want your head." A was the "Dark Continent," a egates from all parts of the writer in the Moody Monthly Church which has a sense of re- Mission. The greatest need of tells what has happened among sponsibility and vigorous life. both schools and churches is suthese so-called "tailed head hunt- While it lacks the long tradition pervision. All are anxious to do ers of Nigeria." At Kagoro is that lies behind Western church- what they can, but do not know a church capable of holding more es, it possesses real Christian how and have no one to help than a thousand people. Seven- life and experience; new mis- them. At Kaimosi, a Sunday ty-two were baptized in recent sionaries earn as much as- they School has been organized with weeks to swell the crowd already teach. the special aim of teaching boys baptized. Scores of children are in the local mission school, and
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
and girls how to conduct a meet- people examining them, stopping men do not improve under any ing. Africans have not yet to ask questions and to buy. Six conditions, or improve so slowly learned how to make the Bible missionaTY societies have accept- and so slightly that the improvelesson interesting to children. ed responsibilities, set up librar- ment is not observable. The more spiritual leaders ies and reading centers; best of among the Africans report a let- all, whites and blacks have WESTERN ASIA ting down in the standard of joined in forming an advisory Christian living, giving as the board on the production and dis- Conditions in Palestine reason the need of more Bible tribution of good books, on teaching, with a supervisor who which are government officials, Despite their disappointment can go from center to center, missionaries and Africans. and depression over British reholding Bible courses and advis- pudiation of the Balfour Declaing the leaders. Results in South Africa ration last May, the Jews of Pal- estine have not lost courage; -Friends' Missionary Advocate. Dr. J ames Stewart, former they feel that time may make a Principal of Lovedale Institute, difference in their favor, and Riots in the Copper BeIt expressing his views on the re- are definitely on Britain's side in sults of missionary work in the struggle. In 1935, in the rich mining South Africa, says there are area of northern Rhodesia called three distinct classes of natives Disturbances, while much di- "the copper belt," a series of who have been the object of mis- minished, have not ceased, and riots resulted in the sending of a sionary effort. First, those who it is well understood that foreign government commission to find have made good use of the Gos- agents continue to stir up feelthe cause. Their report stated pel light that has come to them, ing and assist in promoting terthat one cause was a subversive and the better men and women. rorism. Arabic broadcasts from movement called "The Watch They are no longer heathen, but Berlin have from 35 to 40 mil- Tower," which taught contempt are Christians. They are no lion potential listeners, from for both civil and spiritual au- longer entirely ignorant, they Morocco to Iran and India. At thority, claiming that all the are more or less educated. They the outbreak of war all adult present ruling governments, es- understand the use of a book, or German gentiles, said to number pecially those of the United a pen, or a spade, or of some 4,000, were arrested and in- States and Great Britain, are trade-tools, and they can turn terned. Some of these are mis- Satan's; and that all churches their knowledge to practical sionaries, and efforts are being including both Protestant and uses. Their characters and mor- made by British Christians to Catholic are Satan's emissaries. al influence make them useful in have them released to continue Some extracts from "Watch the spheres in which they move. their work. It is a favorable Tower" literature were included This is the smallest class. time to help all these suffering in the commission's report: e. g., people to find out what the Bible Second, there are those who has to say about the future. Organized Christianity so called is have improved; who are not as full of filthiness; it is an unclean and they were and would have con- -United Presbyterian. abominable thing in the sight of God, tinued to be had not the missionfull of hypocrisy, abomination, forni- ary come among them, but the Education in Iran cation, and filthiness. influence of Christ on their lives and ability are less marked than Missionaries have realized By His prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah in the first class. that the time might come when and Ezekiel, God has written His de- the government of Iran would cree against Christendom, and she A third class consists of those wish to take over all educational must fall. Christendom is composed who have not improved although work for its youth, but this deof the nations that call themselves they have changed. Their intel- mand has come sooner than was Christians. Chief among these na- lects are sharpened, but as much expected. According to the tions are those of America and Great for evil as for good; they are Presbyterian Board of Foreign Britain. God will destroy all Satan's not changed morally; they are Missions, the Iranian Governorganizations, which includes Chris- neither old heathen nor new ment has recently announced tendom. Christians. They are sometimes that it is now in a position to seen in church, but are not mem- take over this work. Five of the This Commission considers that at- bers, and add nothing to the schools and two of the colleges tention should be drawn to the fact strength of the community. It affected were organized and have that the circulation of "Watch Tower" is upon this class that objectors been supported by the Presbyliterature has been rendered easy by to missions fix their eyes and terian mission. The governthere apparently being no other liter- make wrong generalizations. ment wishes to take over the ature available in a convenient and They are a product of civiliza- properties developed in conneccheap form for Africans who wish to tion without Christ. The mis- tion with all the foreign schools, read English. sionary is not discouraged by the and has offered to compensate existence of this class becallse the Board of Foreign Missions These words stung to good ef- there are such people in all coun- for its properties. It also defect. The challenge was taken tries, among all races. Some sires the continued help of some up by the United Society for of the missionary educational- Christian Literature, and now one may see book stalls run by smiling Christian Mricans, with
ists, that the transfer may be tions in most of the important inant message was that God had effected without disorder and as towns of the province. Proces- used this life surrendered wholsmoothly as possible. sions of teachers, students and ly to Him. There followed a the new literates paraded the call to the coming generation to INDIA, BURMA, SIAM streets singing national songs follow Pandita Ramabai in serv- and shouting slogans against il- ice wherever God would have This Is "Telling Them" literacy. Huge public meetings them work for him. were held and a large number of A group of missionaries, dis- prizes and certificates were giv- -Dnyanodaya. cussing with Dr. Ambedkar the en to the workers and literates. problem of India's millions, In Patna, the capital, 1,000 wom- Lyrical Evangelism asked what he thought Chris- en took part in the procession, a tians, in India or in America, notable thing for a province Something new in evangelism could do to help India most at where the majority of women as was introduced when Pandit the present time. Without hes- yet remain behind the veil. The Chaubey of Bareilly Theologiitation Dr. Ambedkar replied: government report published on cal Seminary came to Benares "In the first place, I wish the the occasion shows that in the with his musical instruments Christians of America would course of a year approximately and student-helpers at the invisend a group of economic, agri- 450,000 adult illiterates have tation of the United City Miscultural and industrial experts been made literate. sion. For eight full days Pandit to study conditions, and advise Chaubey with the help of his what type of industries are Before starting a campaign in men and local workers preached adaptable to India's natural re- a village, a local census of illit- the Gospel through music with sources." (Dr. Ambedkar be- erates was taken. Areas were great zeal and effectiveness. The lieves in a large scale industrial then selected where efforts might naturalness and beauty of Hinprogram, in which he differs be made to teach all illiterates dustani Christian music was apfundamentally from Mahatma between the ages of 15 and 50 preciated in four Christian cen- Gandhi.) who were capable of being ters. taught. The total number of "Secondly, I wish the Chris- literacy centers during the sec- Another innovation, never attians would take some of the ond phase of the campaign was tempted before, took place at best-minded young men of the 14,259 with 319,983 pupils, of four principal ghats, or bathing Depressed Classes and give them whom 147,670 were made liter- places. A group of workers sang, an education in economics, in in- ate in five months. preached, sold Gospels and disdustrial management, in some of tributed tracts. Many of the the sciences that must be em- -Christian Century. listeners had not before seen ployed in making India an indus- Christians in Indian dress, singtrial nation." (Most of the Ramabai Mission Jubilee ing Indian tunes, and felt that young Indians studying in the here was something they could United States are being trained The Ramabai Mukti Mission at not only tolerate, but pay attenfor teaching or the ministry.) Kedgoan, Bombay, has recently tion to.-National Missionary celebrated its Jubilee, having Intelligencer. "Then I wish that the Chris- been founded by Pandita Ramatians in India would be more ag- bai in 1888. Krishnabai Gadre, Baptist Work in Assam gressive in public life, would one of the Christian women enter into the political and other working at Mukti, is now in When it became apparent that life of the nation, and make America and is available for ad- the reduced mission budget themselves felt as a power in dresses on this interesting and would mean the loss to Norththeir communities." effective work. (Requests for ern Baptists of the Manipur field her services may be sent to the in Assam, the Swedii!!h Baptist Dr. Ambedkar still has an American Council of the Rama- Conference of America assumed open mind in regard to religion. bai Mukti Mission, P. O. Box responsibility for that work. It is believed that if and when 415, Philadelphia, Pa.) This Government regulations require he changes his religion he will do council is continuing to promote that the Manipur missionary be so because of the service the interest in this mission which is a physician, and since no other faith he decides upon may give now associated with the Chris- doctor was available, Dr. J. A. his people; his decision will not tian and Missionary Alliance. Ahlquist of the Swedish Mission be an intellectual process but Hospital in Jorhat, consented to one on the basis of facts. It is More than 1,000 people, most- undertake the work in Manipur, here that Christianity has the ly women, recently gathered in becoming not only physician for advantage. the church at Mukti to give this field, but also evangelist and thanks to God for Ramabai. The administrator. His medical as- -Christian Advocate. service lasted over three hours, sistant is a Garo Christian who but there was not a dull moment has given a long period of mis- Literacy Celebration in it. Those present heard of sionary service in Manipur, Ramabai's great faith, her hu- especially in the treatment of The first anniversary of the mility, her life of prayer and leprosy. Dr. Ahlquist says in a inauguration of a literacy cam- God's goodness to her. The dom- recent letter to friends at home: paign in Bihar was celebrated last July, with mass demonstra-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
We have already had baptisms classes that the students might home is not a Christian one. A from the Puram tribe, 48 of them, hear the evangelist, Mr. Lauten- non-Christian mother has a tenwhere no convert had ever been re- schlager. The government col- year-old boy who readil the Biported. There is a crying need for leges responded beyond all ex- ble and prays in the home every Bible translation work. Among the pectations. Three mornings the evening. Other children have Moa tribe we have Christians in six team went out to Hwa Mei Meth- organized groups which meet villages, but no part of the New Testa- odist Girls' School, which has and discuss Christian teaching, ment is in their language as yet. . . . moved out into the country. Mr. asking their teachers to help A short time ago I had word from an Lautenschlager also spent two them. evangelist who started preaching days at the Oberlin-in-Shansi among the Kabuis and now reports Middle School, now a refugee Without any suggestion from over 1,100 baptized believers. school, and at the Canadian anybody, some children asked for Girls' School, also in the coun- baptism. Teachers in the mis- – Watchnwn-Examiner. try. Plans have been made for sion school whereupon decided to follow-up work to conserve re- have these children meet every Evangelism in Siam sults. Everyone is asking for an- day for special instruction, and other campaign next year, with in the meantime observe their In October, 1938, du:r:ing a more time for personal inter- behavior on the playground and week's meetings with Siamese views. Ten times as many books in the classrooms. Some of the Christians in Bangkok, Dr. John could have been sold as were on fifth graders in discussing the Sung, Chinese evangelist, ex- hand. question said they were afraid to pressed a desire to return for become Christians because aftera special campaign over the One Hundred New Members wards they might say bad words whole of Siam. Seven months to somebody and a Christian later Dr. Sung and his inter- How many churches in the could never do that! preter came back, and held United States can point to a recevangelistic meetings in Chieng- ord of 100 additions by baptisms Rainy Season Bible School mai, Lampang, Chiengrai, Prae, in less than a year? There are Nan and Pitsanuloke. In each some, but the number is not China's Millions describes a place volunteer witness bands large. Last July, a group of one successful Bible School in the were formed, and groups of hundred were baptized in the Lisu Church, Yunnan, which for twenty to forty young people or- Disciples Church at Hofei, most- twenty-five years has been exganized to carry the Gospel to ly young people. This trebles panding like a green bay tree. outlying villages. A few ex- the membership of those Who re- June, July and August are the tracts from letters show results mained after the capture of the rainy season, and itineration is obtained: city by the Japanese. In addi- impossible; but the time is well tion to the one hundred, scores suited to concentrated Bible The meetings in Chiengmai were have indicated their desire to he- study, and last year sixteen wonderful with very great success. come Christians, but their bap- young men registered for the There were 1,057 who went to the tism is being postponed until course taught by three young altar to confess their sins and to ask they have had further training. missionaries. A letter written for forgiveness from the Lord. At Other Chinese churches are mov- by one of the Lisu workers to least one thousand people attended ing forward in aggressive evan- American friends of the Mission each session of the meetings. The last gelistic programs despite war shows how the time was spent. day the whole congregation wept and conditions. Churches are packed confessed their sins in the meeting. at every meeting, and people To THOSE BEYOND THE SEA IN THE listen to the Gospel with rapt At Lampang we learned many les- attention. WHITE MAN'S COUNTRY: sons we never knew before. About 300 confessed and were converted. Children Seek Christ Greetings in Jesus' Name! Because Twenty-six witness bands we r e of your constant prayers for us we formed. The first day they went out Margaret Lawrence, of Wuhu, thank you. Also we thank you for they returned with joy to report that writing in World Call, tells how your four precious gifts. Now, by the 63 had offered their lives as evan- some of the children show that grace of God we are dwelling in peace gelists. Christian teaching means some- day by day and are studying His thing to them. One little boy Word. Big Sister is teaching us about Prae Church has had a glorious asked for a "Jesus picture" to the life of Paul, about the letters time. Dr. Sung's messages go straight hang up in his home, and later which Paul wrote to comfort the beto the heart with convicting power. asked a Christian pastor to come lievers at Thessalonica, and very Three hundred and twenty-six came and help him with the little much more. Big Brother has been to the altar confessing their sins; church he had set up in the home. teaching us the First and Second Cotwenty-four gospel bands we r e With pictures and scrolls con- rinthians. Brother Three taught us formed; sixty-seven volunteered as taining Scripture verses he had about Ephesians and also about Galaunpaid preachers. arranged a very effective place tians, the text of which is "the just of worship, and children meet shall live by faith." Such words we -Siam Outlook. there twice a week, although this have never heard before. In them there is much to convict our hearts, but af- CHINA terwards we are made glad. The words we love the most are "and such were Youth and Religion some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified The Chinese Recorder reports in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by from Chengtu that spiritual mo- the Spirit of our God." bilization has taken dramatic form in the "Youth and Religion Movement." Two non-Christian universities, Kwang Hwa and Szechwan University, dismissed
Just one thing more. Although we of society, all sorts of homes, plan for a nation-wide evannever meet in this world, when Jesus and have had various religious gelistic movement. comes again we shall see each other face to face. The writers are those influences from childhood. But Assimilation in Korea who love you and pray for you.-The all alike have been brought up Lisu. from their primary school days In line with Japan's policy This year the Rainy Season with an intense reverence and that religious organizations in Bible School showed greatly in- devotion to His Majesty the Em- Korea should be affiliated with peror. Their questionings show bodies in Japan, the National creased attendance. how vague and negative are their Christian Council of Korea "dis- Lepers' Impressive Service religious convictions, if indeed solved" in September, 1938. One result that followed was that no In a compound behind locked they have any. It is desperately Korean delegates were present doors in the wickedest part of hard for them to form any con- at the Madras meeting of the In- Shanghai's slums, a group of ception of a personal God, or of ternational Missionary Council. forty lepers held a service in one personal God. Yet they con- Other religious organizations which eight men and two women tinue to come as inquirers; they that have similarly ceased to were received into the Christian exist in Korea during the past leper community by baptism. seem glad to have the friendship two years are the Sunday School One was a new convert from Mo- of Christ's followers. Union, the Christian Endeavor hammedanism, who had long Union, the Women's Church held back because of threatened A Christian head of a school, League, the Y. W. C. A. and persecution. The lepers gathered in his student days, attended one Y.M.C.A. in the mud-floored, reed chapel, the blind led by those who saw; of these English Bible studies, ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC the crippled carried on the backs held by a missionary's wife in of those who could walk. Some her home. He was entirely un- Training Papuan Youth lacked fingers, others walked on stumps of feet, but the joy of interested in the Christian as- In Kwato Mission Tidings, new life, new hope was shared pect, but went with the desire to Miss Phyllis Abel writes: "Some byall. improve his English. One day, of our older girls are taking as the servant was bringing up teacher training in the Logea A large stone slab supported Village School. One afternoon on two stone pillars, served as the tea tray, she stumbled and I had prepared to talk to them pulpit as well as a communion upset and broke all that was on about how to deal with different table. Upon it was a baptismal problems in children-when they bowl, some 50 filled Chinese cups it. The hostess with perfect calm told lies, were quarrelsome, in two trays and two plates with merely sympathized with the ac- sulked, etc. Half an hour before broken bread. After the sermon, my class, I learned that one of the ten to be baptized came for- cident, and quietly told the maid my pupil teachers had been ward. Their names were an- to bring more tea. This so im- cheating in school that morning. pressed the young man that he felt Christianity must be a re- ligion of power; and from that day he really put his heart into inquiring about it, till he became a real Christian himself.
nounced by the oldest Christian Christian Brotherhood My first impulse was to send her leper, as the pastor baptized one Organized right away from teaching; then after another. Then communion I realized that if we waited for was administered. In some With a view to building a the perfect teacher before ,we hearts there was deep emotion united Christian front to meet allowed anyone to teach, we as revealed by the expression on the expanding responsibility of wouldn't get far with our educatheir faces.-Lee S. Huizenga. the Japanese Christian Church, tion of Papuans. Obviously, three groups hitherto working something had to be done. When separately for church union have JAPAN-CHOSEN been brought together into an I met the teachers, I told them of my quandary without mention- Students Ask Questions organization known as the "Christian Brotherhood." The ing any names. "How can we A writer in the C. M. S. Out- groups thus united are the So- overcome dishonesty in chillook gives some typical questions ciety for the Promotion of dren," I asked them, "if we do asked her by students who come for English and Bible study in Church Union, the Laymen's not have the answer in our own one of Japan's large cities. Movement for Church Union, lives ?"
Then we had a brief "quiet Why try to worship an invisible and the Commission on Church time" and after this, without the God? Isn't it simpler to honor our Union of the N. C. C. Pastors and c leading laymen of Tokyo, slightest hesitation, the girl in parents whom we can see? Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka are en- question told of what she had Please tell me about God. done in school that morning, and What is the meaning of baptism? Why do Japanese Christians drink rolled in the new organization. said she had asked God's forgiveno wine, while English Christians do? Pastors, and laymen of the ness, and must tell her class as These young men come from Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto area held a soon as possible. We thanked middle and high schools, also "Retreat" a few months ago, God for this new step He had from a government training col- which was attended by more shown us; then we continued lege. They are from all classes than 400, the purpose being to with our lesson.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Madras Series of the Interna- The present series of volumes, Church" and describes the de- tional Missionary Council. Seven like the Tambaram Conference, velopment of the churches in Volumes. 200 to 579 pp. each. Price reveal basic differences of opin- Japan, Korea, China and ten oth- for seven volumes, $7.50; separate ion among missionary leaders er lands. Naturally the develop- volumes, $1.50 each (except Vol. I, but they show a desire to ad- ment in each country has been $1.25). International Missionary vance the cause of Christ and to different, according to the length Council. London and New York. develop a strong, intelligent of time the Church has been 1939. established there, the work of Church in each country by con- the early missionaries, and the Of the seven volumes, pre- secrated cooperation or by or- characteristics of the people. Nasenting the reports and findings ganic union. tionals and missionaries contribof the Tambaram Conference in ute these papers. There is un- India in December 1938, four The first volume is especially fortunately no general consider- helpful at this time when the ation of the lessons learned in volumes have now appeared and whole basis for missionary work each field or a valuation of methare a notable contribution to the is being reexamined by the ris- ods followed in such differing study of the world-wide mission- ing generation. "The Authority fields as Korea and the Punjab ary policy and program. The last of the Church's Faith" (199 or Uganda and Madagascar. three volumes on "The Church's pp.) , contains contributed es- Inner Life," "The Church and says by Dr. H. Kraemer of Hol- This would form a valuable the State" and "Addresses and land, Prof. T. C. Chao of China, study. This volume will be of Records" are expected from the Prof. D. G. Moses of India, Prof. especial value to missionaries, press later this year. H. H. Farmer of Cambridge, but it would be helpful if light England, and Missions Direktor The Madras (or Tambaram) were thrown on the mistakes of Conferencewas held tenyears aft- Hartenstein of Basle, Switzer- missionaries and Mission Boards land. These contributions are of and how they might be avoided. er that at Jerusalem and merely varied value. Dr. Kraemer and Direktor Hartenstein strongly The secret of success has been twenty years after Edinburgh, take the ground that the Bible the planting of the living Word where the foundations were laid is the final authority in all matfor the International Missionary ters pertaining to the Christian of God, the dependence on the Council, and National Councils message and conduct and mis- guidance and the power of the in various areas covering the sionary policies. There is some Holy Spirit, and the faithful, world. A study of the reports difference of opinion as to sacrificial, Christ-like example of these three Conferences shows and loving service of God's mesclearly the great advance in mis- whether and how clearly God has sengers. The development in sionary cooperation and the spoken to man through nonchanges that have taken place in Christian religions. There is apt self-support and self-governmissionary policies. Edinburgh to be confusion on this point but ment is important but must be surveyed the world, the needs of dependent on the reality of the different areas and the plans for there should be no doubt as to spiritual life in the Church. c los e r cooperation between the fact that Christ is the only Christian agencies in each field. clear revelation of God and the Volume Three deals with Jerusalem considered the unique- only Way by whom man can re- "Evangelism" (418 pp.), and a ness of the Christian message in relation to the non-Christian re- ceive eternal life, which is the careful, historical statement as ligions, and the problems that gift of God to those who receive to the evangelism practiced by face missionary workers in edu- Him. A careful reading of this the Church is presented by Prof. volume will clear up many Latourette of Yale. Two chapcation, race relations, industry points. The "Findings" declare ters are followed by papers conand rural areas. Madras studied that "man's great need is for a tributed by the Bishop of Dorthe missionary enterprise in re- true and living faith and that nakal (India), Dr. John R. Mott saving faith comes only through lation to the development of the Jesus Christ. A multiplicity of and others. There is a study of Church of Christ on the mission the mass movements in India, as field. This is considered as a words sometimes tends to ob- well as various evangelistic scure this fact. methods and efforts in China, J aunited Church which must de- pan, Africa and other fields. pend on the leadership of the The second volume (281 pp.) These are interesting but by no Spirit of God, working in the na- deals with "The G row i n g means of equal value. Toyohiko tionals of each area. [581 ]
Kagawa writes on, "Occupation- to expect "any conversion or teachings were supposed to exal Evangelism" for Japan, and transformation from the great plain the inequalities of life, the Oxford Group Movement in cultural religions to Christian- particularly to justify differ- China is briefly but sympatheti- ity." All that can be hoped for ences of caste. They eliminate cally described. The chapters the problem of unmerited misdealing with China, In d i a, is "a measure of agreement and fortune, but they tend to make Uganda and Iran are of especial mutual understanding." men complacent in prosperity interest. Sixty-eight pages are and condemnatory of others in devoted to German Evangelical But Karl Barth bluntly says, their misfortunes. They make Missions, by Dr. Siegfried Knak "there is no contact" in non- sorrow more difficult to bear. -a significant study of a work that differs in many respects Christian religions with God or Karma makes retribution an from that conducted by British Divine Truth. end, not a means to an end, as and American missions. it should be, and weakens the How are we to escape this di- nexus between sin and suffering. Volume Five is a consideration lemma of the "Westernness" of Men have no remembrance of of the "Economic Basis of the C h r is ti ani t y, as stated by previous lives and are. punished Church"-material gathered by for that for which they have no Mr. J. Merle Davis during the Troeltsch, or the lack of all di- responsibility. past two years, especially in In- vine content in non-Christian dia and the Far East. This is a faiths, as stated by Barth? The uplift accomplished by more vital subject than many Christianity among the outcastes realize since extreme and con- The answer to Troeltsch is belies the truth of the karma tinued poverty hinders the intel- doctrine. Unwholesome heredity lectual and social development that the Gospel and Christ are and environment afford a more of individuals, the training of greater than Christianity. We adequate explanation for the workers and the establishment can never know the full Gospel degradation of the outcaste than of self-supporting churches. until all cultures have explored does the law of karma. This law Some of these churches are de- and revealed its inexhaustible also necessitates the view that scribed-such as the Batak riches. The answer to Barth is the Ultimate Reality must be in- Church in Sumatra, and the that having had no first-hand active and without any attri- Presbyterian Church in Korea. contact with the highest life of bute; otherwise God himself would fall under the law of The other volumes of this Hinduism – a life of genuine karma. Therefore the Hindu reseries will be looked for with spirituality-he is not in a posi- gards alI existence as evil and eager anticipation. One reads tion to speak with authority. looks upon extinction, complete here the story of the world-wide and absolute, as the greatest growth of the Christian Church One great value of such a blessing. and can realize more fully the difficult problems still to be study is to reveal again the fun- For the Christian, experience solved. damentals of the Gospel and to of the Eternal Life has already clear the superstructure which begun; because of his knowl- Hinduism or Christianity. By Sydney has been built by Western Chris- edge of God as revealed in Cave. Haskell Lectures in the tianity. Christ, he has experience of Graduate School of Theology, Ober- God's love and of the power and lin, 1939. Harper and Brothers. "Our concern," states Dr. meaning of His reign. New York and London. Cave, "in these lectures is with Hinduism. No great religion is The heart of these lectures is Dr. Cave's book is of real in- in more striking contrast with contained in the one on "The terest to all who are concerned our own, or confronts the Chris- Conception of the Divine in Hinwith the deeper problems of liv- tian thinker with more difficult duism and in Christianity" and ing religions, especially to those problems. We of the West are the companion lecture on "Hinwho know anything of India and often content to live the 'unex- du Bhakti and Christian Faith." Hinduism. This book deals with amined life.' But," says he, It is difficult and dangerous to Neo-or Reformed Hinduism, not "many Hindus, seers and saints, try to condense material already with the H i n d u ism of the seek the spiritual with almost condensed and pac ked with masses. unparalleled intensity and sin- thought. But in essence Dr. cerity." Cave gives a lucid explanation of Dr. Cave first dis c u sse s the inner genius of Hinduism Troeltsch's view of Christianity Fundamental to Hinduism is with its unresolved conflict beas the only religion that the the law of karma (retributive tween thought, deed and feel- West "can endure," "for Chris- justice) and transmigration; ing; that is to say, the ultimate tianity has grown up with us fundamental to Christianity is of all thought is the unknowable, and is part of our being" ; "other the ultimate of all doing is an racial groups, living under dif- the self-revelation of God in endless wheel or complete cesferent conditions, may experi- Christ in order to redeem man. sation of all activity and the ulence their contact with the Di- The thought underlying Hindu- timate of all feeling is indiffervine Life in quite a different ism appeals to many in the West ence-complete un-feeling. No way." We have thus no right who are not ready to accept the stupendous claims that Chris- tianity makes on each individual. So this is a living issue for both East and West.
"It would be hard to exag- gerate the influence of this doc- trine of karma and transmigra- tion on Indian life." The s e
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
wonder the common man has returned from visits to the Far John J. Eagan. A Memoir of an Ad- venturer for the Kingdom of God turned each to his own god or East, India, the Near East and on Earth. By Robert E. Speer. goddess. Against this, Christ Europe, seeking to learn what 8vo. 227 pp. Privately printed. reveals not only God the Creator Christian youth a r 0 u n d the American Cast Iron Pipe Co. Bir- and Ever-living, but the Holy world are thinking and doing. mingham, Ala. 1939.
and Loving Father of our spir- Beginning with a brief por- Here is the life story of a boy its, lifting us up further and further into the glorious light trayal of the world and of the who was left fatherless at the and beauty which are of His es- widely differing areas, Mr. Mack age of three months, his mother sence. It is a powerfully presented contrast, sympathetically shows how difficult it is to put being practically without means. conveyed, and is worth reading ourselves in the place of other and re-reading. young people, to see life as they They went to live with a bache- see it and to feel the impulses In his closing lectures Dr. lor uncle and before he finished Cave deals with Hindu and which drive them on. Team high school the boy went to work Christian ethics. In Hinduism work is needed to enable us to at an early age for a pittance. the In d ian who wishes to make better use of our resources, Later he inherited $6,000 from strengthen and remake his. own to correct our partial views, and his grandmother and, by the country finds no adequate plat- to bring the incentive we need time he was twenty-nine, he had form, so that he unconsciously through the knowledge of what increased this by honest means adopts much of the practical to $72,000. Soon he became a e t hi c s of Christianity. For others are doing. partner in his uncle's business, many such, "our Western civili- The book is specially written in which he started at the botzation, which owes much to tom. In fact John Eagan suc- Christ, has yet obscured Him for high school and college young ceeded in everything he underfrom the East, whilst even in people. Its purpose is to make took; but he did not seek wealth organized Christianity there is for its own sake or to enable much that offends those who are them dissatisfied and ashamed him to indulge himself and his attracted by the character of of their provincialism as Chris- family. He was an unusual man, Christ but are repelled by what tians, of the i r separate ap- not in his inheritance or talents, they judge to be our own denial pro a c h e s as denominational but in his faithfulness as a of the meekness and patience Christian steward; this is clearly that Christ prized and showed." groups to problems that are uni- shown in the use he made of his versal problems c a II i n g for opportunities. At the end we are told that united solutions. Youth is manithe Christianity brought from John Eagan was born in Grifthe West is Western; it needs festly on the march all around fin, Georgia, April 22, 1870 and to be supplemented by the ap- the world. Young people in died in Asheville, North Caropropriation of the East and in Asia and Europe are taking life lina, on March 30, 1924 at the the thought and devotion of Hin- age of fifty-three. At that time duism; there is presented a seriously, taking Christ serious- an editorial in The Atlanta Conchallenge which we cannot meet, ly. Shall our young people in stitution said: "Few lives have except by a fresh appropriation America sit by silently watching stood out more prominently for of the riches of the Gospel. . . . them as they are passing by? public welfare and for moral up- Already the Indian Church has lift than that of Mr. Eagan." All enriched the thought and fervor The author seeks to make his classes in every walk of society, of our common Christianity." reader conscious of his member- white and colored, united to ship in a world-wide fraternity, honor the memory of this man The book is thoughtful and who exerted a wide influence and timely and states clearly the pledged to more Christian stand- who left an example that rerelative claims that Hinduism ards and practices. mains an inspiration to coming and Christianity make for the generations. Chapter VI deals with the allegiance of men. E. D. LUCAS. When John joined his moth- spiritual resources upon which er's church as a boy of twelve Christian you t h groups are he, like Jacob, silently entered drawing in different countries. By devotional techniques of one kind or another, by hard thought and quiet meditation, by keeping the inner fires burning and by taking advantage of the spiritual contagion of a religious fellow- ship, groups everywhere are Comrades Round the W orId. By S. finding it possible to carryon. into a covenant with God that he Franklin Mack. 165 pp. Cloth, The book is a gripping appeal would give Him one-tenth of all $1.00; paper, 60 cents. Friendship to join the world ranks of Chris- he made if God would enable Press. New York. 1939. tian youth who are already do- him to make $1,000,000 by the The author is Director of the ing g rea t things. It shames time he was thirty years old!
Young People's Division of the youth out of religious compla- His first job was in a grocery Board of Foreign Missions of cency and out of selfish inactiv- store in Atlanta at $5.00 a the Presbyterian C h u r chin ity. It contains valuable sugges- month. Later he accepted his U. S. A. and has been active in tions for addresses to youth, and uncle's offer of $15.00 a month the United Christian You t h young people may use it to ad- to work for him. When he was Movement. He has t r a vel e d vantage as the basis of group twenty – one his grandmother through Mexico, Central and discussion for a series of meet- died and left him $6,000 which South America and has recently ings perhaps. MILTON STAUFFER. he invested so well that in eight
years it had increased to $72,- quotes extensively. Among the ters with wild beasts and primi- 000. From the first he kept his things necessary for success in tive men are entertaining and vow by giving to God a tenth of business he noted, at the age of informing. He has a keen sense all he made. When John was thirty – three: "Perseverance; of humor, spiritual insight and twenty-nine his uncle died and h 0 n es t product and faithful consecration. left him the major part of his work; power to control men; estate, together with a success- confidence in others; ability to In 1934 Dr. Lambie decided ful tobacco business. Later John fight for the right; dependence that he could work with Ethio- Eagan founded the American on God and waiting on Him at all pians more effectively if he Cast Iron Pipe Company and times; the chief motive and end should become an Ethiopian citibecame a very prosperous busi- must be to glorify God." zen so he renounced his Amerness man and a highly respect- ican citizenship, like his Master, ed citizen. He a p pI i e d the Excerpts from Mr. Eagan's Jesus Christ, became a subject Golden Rule to his business so diary show the man's aims, of his adopted country. After that his employees and asso- ideals, ambitions and the ways the Italian conquest of that unciates loved and honored him. in which God led him. There are happy land, not wishing to ac- He was an act i v e Christian also illuminating and stimulat- knowledge Mussolini's authority church member and was deeply ing testimonies from his asso- and not being permitted to reinterested in many philanthro- ciates. His was a wisely regu- main in Ethiopia as an Ethiopies and other forms of definite lated life, a thoughtful and con- pian, Dr. Lambie became a Christian work. He too k a secrated life, an honest, diligent, "doctor without a country." prominent part in promoting the sacrificial life. Now he is returning to the Men and Religious Movement, in Sudan to serve as a missionary improving r ace relations be- The achievements of J 0 h n on the Ethiopian border. tween the Negroes and white Eagan were many and notepeople of the South, and in tem- worthy. When he died he left The doctor's story is worth perance work. He said that in bequests of over $1,000,000 and telling and it is graphically told. his youth the forces that most he had more than kept his giv- He describes the country and influenced him were his conse- ing covenant with God. But his people, and relates his pioneercrated Presbyterian mother, who greatest bequest was the influ- ing struggles, his friendship trained him to diligence in his ence of his character and exam- with Emperor Haile Selassi, his Christian work; the self-sacri- ple, together with the service he encounter with lions and crocoficing care of his bachelor uncle, rendered during his lifetime. diles, serpents and pestiferous who trained him in the hard Any man who wishes for success insects; pioneering journeys school of business; the beautiful will be rewarded by reading this over the wild country and up life and thriftiness of his Ro- memoir. and down the rivers; his conman Catholic grandmother; and tacts with men (both friendly the godly example of Dr. Ben- A Doctor Without a Country. By and hostile); he recounts many ham who put honor above world- Thomas A. Lambie, M.D. Illus. answers to prayer. There are ly gain. 8vo. 252 pp. $2.00. Fleming H. evidences of the guidance of God Revell Co. New York. 1939. and His power to accomplish the In 1901 Mr. Eagan sold out seemingly impossible. the tobacco business, not because Dr. Tom Lambie is a virile, he believed it wrong to sell to- stimulating character who has There is much information bacco but because he believed had some unusual experiences. here relating to missionary life, that there were fields of endeav- After studying medicine in the famous Blue and White Nile, or where he could serve God America, he became a medical the war-like Shilluks of the more than in that business. He missionary under the United Sudan, the Ethiopians and their wrote in his diary: "Therefore Presbyterian Board and went to Emperor, in addition to medical it is my duty to go into the field the Egyptian Sudan and later to experiences in a primitive counwhere I can glorify Him most." Ethiopia. There he was stirred try. Much other information is by the great need for more mis- dispensed on the war, sand- John Eagan was a man of sionaries to the unevangelized storms, prairie fires, plagues, prayer, a faithful Bible student people of the interior. Since his etc. We learn, for example, that and for many years was a teach- own church Mission Board could er of a Bible class. He sought to not send him, for financial rea- The Shilluk kings were elected and work in harmony with the spirit sons, Dr. Lambie decided to join were later killed by strangling, never of Christ and the teachings of the independent Sudan Interior dying a natural death. the Bible in his daily life and Mission on a "faith basis." In business; he also strove to learn the next few years this society Mission work is difficult because the all he could from the experience sent eighty missionaries to Shilluks think their own medicine men of successful business men like Ethiopia. Dr. Lambie became superior to foreign doctors. Rockefeller and Carnegie. Other the field director of that mission, men can learn much from the built a hospital in Addis Ababa Millions of Africans believe the principles he set forth in his with the help of his friend the story that two natives, who were lost diary from which Dr. Speer Emperor, and, besides managing when hunting, once came upon a well- the hospital, he traveled up and kept village where the women were down the country. His encoun- human but their husbands were all dogs.
Ants travel in armies by millions; they not only eat crops but kill chickens and drive bees from their hives.
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
The most noteworthy features some statistics, and a few geo- camps, and was entrusted the of this stirring record are the graphical terms; the remainder care of 300 famine orphans, pictures of pioneer life in the of the book seems to have been most of whom were later bap- Egyptian Sudan and Ethiopia, printed from the old plates and tized. Some of his interesting and the evidences of God's faith- some of the chapters still cry for experiences have been told in a fulness to His promises to those revision. For example Chapter small volume, "In and Out of who obey Him and who go out 16 on Malaysia, one of the most Chanda."
in faith to preach the Gospel in important and most fruitful mis- He had a keen sense of humor, the uttermost part of the earth. sion fields, is still covered by was strong and courageous, a It will repay you to read the only two pages which contain man of tact and good judgment book, the latter part of which many misstatements. The same and was never in a hurry. He needs editing. thing is true of the chapter on was fond of hunting tigers, the The Remarkable Jew: His Wonder- the Near East, where we read skins of which he sold for the ful Future. By Dr. L. Sale-Har- (page 227) that "the missions rison. 224 pp. 2/6. Pickering and benefit of the mission. The Inglis Ltd., London. 1939. have extensively published and Gonds, among whom he first la- bored, have strange beliefs and This is the eleventh edition of circulated the Koran, a rather customs, with seven gods in their a book that in previous editions pantheon. One chapter is dehas had a very wide circulation. disconcerting method of mani- The author, as a conference voted to these beliefs and cusspeaker and Bible teacher, has festing their consciousness of toms and two papers on the made a deep impression upon ap- subject are embodied in the appreciative audiences throughout the superiority of the New Tes- pendix to the Memoir. During the English-speaking world. He views the Jews from the stand- tament." We know of no case the World War, Padre Wood had point of Biblical prophecy, and some interesting and thrilling has scanned their whole history where this has been done in the experiences, especially in Palesfrom early times to the present to show the working out of the Near East, although in India tine. divine purpose in their destiny. By demonstrating the literal ful- and East Africa there are exam- In one address, on Abraham's fillment of prophecy in the past offering of Isaac, Bishop Wood ples of it. Nevertheless, this is said: "We are ready, even eager a useful textbook for classroom to give to God our best, once we work. S. M. ZWEMER. see the ram caught in the thicket." Alex Wood, Bishop of Nagpur. A history of the Jews, he unfolds Memoir by Eyre Chatterton. lUus. the development of prophecy in 8vo. 145 pp. 38. 6d. S. P. C. K. London. 1939.
"Missionary, sportsman, phi- losopher" is the author's desig- nation of his predecessor in Nag- The Greatest Words in the Bible pur, a fellow bishop of the and in Human Speech. By Clarence their present experiences. The Church of England. Alex Wood E. Macartney. 193 pp. $1.50. author deals at length in this was born in Scotland in 1871, The Cokesbury Press. Nashville. connection with the significance went to India in 1898, was a war 1938.
of the Jew in World War, the chaplain in France and Palestine This great preacher has decapture of Jerusalem, the educa- from 1916 to 1919, became lighted us with another series of tional and economic development Bishop of Chota Nagpur, India, sermons, the number extended to of Palestine under the Jews, and and Bishop of Nagpur in 1926. fifteen because of the interest their glorious future when the He died in the harness in 1937 shown by the congregation. Dr. Lord returns and when they will at the age of sixty-six. McCartney has chosen words recognize Him to be their Mes- As a young man he was ex- which stirred individual lives in siah. The author is a pronounced ceptionally strong in body and the Bible, words that have premillenialist, and his interpre- mind, with "something of the proved significant in the life of tation of prophecy is from this Viking in him" says his biog- every age; Interest in the serpoint of view. Without fixing rapher. He was adventurous, mon was maintained by not andates for the approaching end loved to go trawling in the nouncing the chosen "great of the age, he sees in the alarm- North Sea, and later to trace word" until well along in the ining world-happenings of 0 u r wild animals of India to their troduction. Among the words time signs that the day of the lairs. Bishop Chatterton pic- selected are the saddest, the Lord is near. J. S. CONNING. tures the scenes of his labors in hardest, the meanest, the bitter- est, the sweetest; they "sweep The Course of Christian Missions. Chanda and Nagpur, briefly de- all the chords of life, the great By William Owen Carver. Revised scribes the people among whom edition. 320 pp. $3.00. Fleming desires, fears and hopes of men's H. Revell Company, New York, he laboted and narrates many of hearts." his contacts and experiences. 1939. Bishop Wood was loved and These sermons are deeply The first edition of this excel- highly respected by both civil- satisfying and spiritually stim- lent brief history of Protestant ians and church people, by the ulating. Here we note the qual- Missions was published in 1932, British and the Indians. He was ities that make Dr. Clarence when it was reviewed in these a war d e d the Kaiser-i-Hind Macartney, pastor of the large columns. The revised edition has Medal. During the great famine First Presbyterian Church of corrected many printers' errors, of 1898, he supervised two labor Pittsburgh, one of the most ef-
fective preachers in America. remains to be done. He con- was a Druze mass movement to- His marvelous choice of words cludes: "There is warfare to be enables him, in a few touches, to waged still against evil. . . . No ward Protestantism in 1830-1845 give beauty or force to every fight is on and the faith is living but the results were not permascene and every thought. An- still which affirms that the vic- nent. other characteristic is the strong tory is with the Christ." way in which he presents the The accomplishments of the Syria truth of salvation in Jesus + Mediterranean Missions, 1808-1870. Christ, crucified and risen. He By George H. Scherer. 81 xv pp. mission during these forty years are always informs and enlarges 48. or 90 cents. The Bible Lands faith, and makes it fervent; but Union for Christian Education. truly remarkable. The history is one he is never trite. Here is an Beirut, Lebanon, Syria. 1939. example of how to give the peo- of sacrifice and glory. The struggle ple of today sweet honey and Missionary history is the founmuch fine gold. It is an excel- dation for the study of mission- was severe – war, plague, massacre, lent gift book for a friend. ary principles and methods. We have here the story of one Mos- without; a small force, overworked FRANK LUKENS. lem land in the Near East and of what was attempted and accom- and worn, crippled by death and dis- Papuan Journeys. By H. L. Hurst. plished in four decades. It is a 168 pp. 38. 6d. Angus and Rob- photostat – typewritten account ease; in America, not always the ertson. London and Sydney. 1938. of the American Mission in Syria from its establishment in most loyal support; pressed by the Here is an intensely interest- 1808 until its transfer to the ing volume. Papua is a land of Boa r d of the Presbyterian needs and opportunities of each readventure, a land where nature Church in the U. S. A. in 1870. and human nature are still seen These chronological limits do not curring day; is it not a wonderful in the raw state. It is an im- exclude an account of the origins mense island, two thousand miles of missionary work in general story of loyal devotion and great long, and one half of the terri- on the borders of Syria and in tory is under the control of Aus- the Mediterranean basin. achievement? Truly the missionaries tralia. It is a great mission field and it is largely unevangelized. A carefully classified bibliog- in Syria today have a heritage of raphy and a detailed chronology Mr. Hurst, the Secretary of are proof that the author is in which they may well be proud, a misthe London Missionary Society command of all his sources. for Australia and New Zealand, sion history which challenges the entraveled in Eastern Papua in F 0 u r British Societies at- 1936 and 1937, visiting all the tempted mission work in this tire consecration of the whole life, ten stations of the Society. He area before the American Board traveled by steamer, whale boat sent out Pliny Fisk and Levi that the present may not tarnish the and dugout along the coast and Parsons. They were instructed on foot in the interior. He had to study "Ancient and Modern past. S. M. ZWEMER. eyes to see and ears to hear and Greek, Italian, Turkish, Arabic a facile pen to describe his ad- and French," for there were Grace Triumphant. A. W. Baker. ventures, the strange districts giants in those days! The nar- 12mo. 316 pp. 38. 6d. Published he visited and the people whom rative of this early pioneer work by the author in care of Pickering he met. All of his descriptions is of fascinating interest and is and Inglis. Glasgow. 1939. are vivid and interesting. These well told. In 1822' a press was include his visit to Kwato where established at Malta, the small Mr. Baker who was born in such remarkable work is being beginning of the stupendous Natal in 1836 and has been sucdone; his contacts with old-time work conducted in later years at cessively a carpenter, lawyer head-hunters, cannibals and sor- Beirut. and missionary in South Africa, cerers; his experience with and is still busy in evangelistic crowds of Christian worshipers, Four chapters tell of these work, here tells his own story. where James Chalmers once earliest efforts and of the perse- It is full of incident and historiwent at great risk to his life; the cutions and struggles for free- cal reminiscences. He tells exthe transformations from super- dom of conscience. The second periences in law courts, mining stition to intelligent worship, part of the book deals in seven camps, kraals, and various activfrom war dances to cricket chapters with the period of es- ities as a Gospel worker. It matches, from dirt and disease tablishment and expansion. Here might be condensed to advantage to cleanliness and health; from are sketches of the political for most readers but gives a idleness to industry; from fear background and the efforts to word picture of life in South and hatred to peace and love. produce a Christian literature Africa as seen by a devoted and Europe might learn much from for the Arabic-speaking world. successful missionary of the Papua. We are also told how the founda- South Africa General Mission. tions were laid for primary and He was often called "God Says Real progress has been made higher education in Christian So Baker"; he traveled extenin Papua in sixty years but much schools for boys and girls. There sively and was very active in the South Africa Compounds Mis- sion. It is worth reading.
African Heroes and Heroines. By Carter Godwin Woodson. 249 pp. $2.00 net. Associated Publishers, Inc., Washington, D. C. 1939.
Here is an African's view of African heroes. It is intended for high school students and nat- urally is not a comprehensive, full and careful history of the continent or of any part of it. It is a biographical record of some Africans and their contri- bution to progress. The presen- tation is interesting but it lacks balance. The author accuses all European and American writers on Africa of a "traditional bias." No doubt this is true of some,
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
but many students of African them for half a century. The They of Italy. By Lodovico and Enhistory will accuse Mr. Woodson index lists some 800 topics and rico Paschetto. Illus. 12 mo. 214 of bias and of magnifying Af- people but omits reference to pp. 75 cents, cloth; 50 cents, paper. rican military exploits while many outstanding heroic Afr~ Broadman Press. Nashville. 1939. paying little heed to spiritual can Christi<ans, such as AfrIvalues that have most contrib- caneer, the Hottentot Terror The Southern Baptists have uted to true human progress. who became a Christian, and had a mission in Italy for sev- The author seems to credit the Samuel Crowther, the slave boy enty years and have done an imunfounded statement that West who became a bishop of the portant work. The field, the Africans "braved the high seas workers and the work are de- Church of England. scribed in this volume by two and established contact with This is an interesting record, Italians who devote five chapters America probably thousands of to the country and people, the years before Europeans had suf- but the 'author lacks broad Roman Catholic Church and ficiently advanced to have any knowledge and balanced judg- Baptist work. One appendix such dreams." gives suggestions to teachers ment. who wish to use this as a text The book deals most largely book; another appendix gives with South Africa, but has chap- The Arrows of the Lord. By Leland an excellent and favorable short ters on West Africa, Abyssinia biography of Benito Mussolini. and mohammedanized districts. Wang. 12mo. 119 pp. 1 sh. Mar- The authors suggest "keys to The author magnifies Chaka, the understanding Italy" in Biblical chief who was the traditional Zshonaldl~rMvaonrgPaunb.a nd Scott. London. references, the catacombs and founder of the Zulus, and he Co. Grand Rapids. Christian martyrs, the Walpays high tribute to Khama, the denses, Roman Catholic teaching Leland Wang is a Chinese and practice, modern political powerful Christian chief of the history and Fascism. The days Bamangwato. Christan evangelist who has a of persecution are not over for vital message for his owncoun- those who leave Rome to accept There is no doubt that Euro- trymen ,and for all men – it is the evangelical faith. The aupean traders, politiciansa~d thors say: "As a result of inmissionaries all made many mIS- the message of Christ as inter- creased Catholic pressure on takes in dealfng with Ithe Afri- preted through Mr. Wang's own governmental authorities, we Bible study and rich experience. (Protestants) must now suffer cans, but Mr. Woodson cans all He is known as the author of the a restricted application of the Europeans and Americans hypo- slogan, "No Bible, no Break- law" (promising religious libcrites, and goes out of his way erty). One government official to impugn also the motives of fast" 'and has been greatly used explained this restriction by saymissionaries and to belittle the in China, Malaysia, America ing: "What can we do? Two and Europe. hundred and fifty bishops have work they have done for Africa their firearms leveled against at great sacrifice and amidst The ten sermons in this vol- us !" Over 600 periodicals also hardships and dangers. He says ume show why Mr. Wang is a consecrate their pages to the nothing of their medical and edu- anti – Protestant cam p a i g n. cational work and little of their popular, practical and effective Nevertheless the evangelical efforts to teach the Africans to speaker. They are picturesque, movement goes forward. know and worship God, as the clear stimulating, scriptural, loving heavenly Father, revealed spiritual, and full of helpful il- The Fine Art of Public Worship. in Jesus Chris,t. The author has, lustrations. Young people and By Andrew W. Blackwood. 247 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. however, rendered a real service young believers will find them 1939. in clalling attention to some Afri- especially interesting a~d. incans who have fought and strug- structive; mat u r e ChrIstIans This is a greatly needed book. gled to maintain their traditions will also find here fresh food for With comparatively few excep~ and possessions. He closes with thought. The topics include ad- tions, churches of all denominaa chapter on "evils against which tions have concentrated their Africans fight." The only ones dresses on-What Is Christian- attention upon sermons to the here enumerated are: foreign ity, The Holy Spirit, The ~ec neglect of other parts of the ond Coming and the ProdIgal service. Scripture readings are domination and economic de- Son. Read them and you will oft e n unimpressive, prayers pression (an due, as he thinks, wish to pass, them on. rambling and, like the famous to Europeans). Mr. Woodson one in Boston, "addressed to the says nothing about the evils of Sammy Writes a Book. By Me. 112 audience" instead of to God, ignorance, disease, strife, im- pp. 75 cents. Broadman Press, hymns and anthems chosen caremorality, dishonesty and other Nashville, Tenn. 1939. lessly or for their music rather sins against God. The Bibli- than for their bearing upon the Charlie McCarthy has made theme of the service. Even in ography contains a list of over ventriloquism popular. Rev. W. the churches which have pre- 300 publications – in German, W. Enete, a Southern Baptist French, Dutch and English- missionary to Brazil, shows how but omits many of value, espe- he used the ventriloquist art to cially those by missionaries who interest and instruct children and adults in reverence, faith knew and loved the Africans, and missions. "Sammy," the dummy, tells the story and tells some of whom labored among it very effectively. Mr. Enete also tells how he came to prac- tice the art and how it is done. This is something unique in mis- sionary work. Read it.
scribed liturgies the lessons and vestigation, spiritual illumina- The Friendly Missionary. By Nina prayers are often recited in a tion and encouragement. Mullen. Drawings by Sarah Deperfunctory manner. Dr. Black- Fehn. Paper. Friendship Press. wood does not undervalue the Cady H. Allen, the author, is New York. 1939. sermon, but he urges that "while a Presbyterian missionary in there is a call for strong preach- Iran, and evidently enjoyed this In simple language for priing, there is an even greater need study and profited by it. Those mary children, Miss Mullen tells for uplifting worship." He dis- who read his book will have the experiences of a missionary to cusses the subject constructively same experience. He writes, not China, another to India, one to and helpfully, out of a varied as a systematic theologian or a Malaya, one to Africa and to experience as a pastor and, since deep student of types and proph- other countries. The stories are 1930, professor of Homiletics in ecy, but as one who seeks the well illustrated and calculated to Westminster Choir College. The spiritual message of this re- interest small children. book abounds in practical sug- markable revelation. Little atgestions for making public wor- tention is paid to the figures and Sketches from Penhalonga. By ship more effective. symbols taken from the Old Tes- Reginald Smith. Paper. Illus. tament and there is no exposi- 60 pp. 18.2d. S. P. C. K. London. ARTHUR J. BROWN. tion of the "futurist" interpre- 1939. tation of the prophecy. The Fannie E. S. Heck. A Study of Hid- book is presented as a message The author describes life in a den Springs. Illus. 12mo. 192 pp. to the early church in a time of mISSIOn station in Southern 60 cents. Broadman Press. Nash- severe persecution when many Rhodesia where the society for ville. 1939. Christians were being put to the Propagation of the Gospel is death and some were denying the at work. He tells of beginning Miss Heck was an active faith. work, contacts with Africans, worker and one time president church building, tre~tment of of the W 0 man's Missionary This volume will be especially sick and baptisms. It is not an Union of the Southern Baptist helpful to Christians in China, easy field but has proved fruitful. Convention. She was born in Russia and the Reich in these Virginia in 1862 during the Civil days of conflict with enemies of Directory of Protestant Missions in War and died in May 1938. She Christ and His Church. No China – 1939. Pamphlet. 68 pp. was a winsome woman, a poet, doubt Mr. Allen found many les- $1.50. North China Daily News devoted to Christ and His cause, sons and parallels from his mis- and Herald. Shanghai. 1939. a lover of nature and of her fel- sionary experience in Iran. low men. Here the story of her This directory is especially life, her ideals, her achieve- The study is fresh, original useful to editors, missionaries ments, is told in little scenes and and practical. It is interesting and Mission Boards. First we extracts from letters. The sub- and spiritual, showing that when find the names and addresses of titles hint at the contents-Sun- the Spirit of God moves on the over one hundred Protestant day School Teacher, Wedding reader, passages, that many look missions at work in China with Bells, A Beautiful Volunteer, upon as a "valley of dry bones," their officers and addresses. Lessons from Failure, A Presi- take on flesh and life. Here is Then follows the list of missions dent's Duties, Interesting Open- an excellent introduction to the and staffs by provinces. and ings, Weighing Anchor, Frag- book of Revelation. It would be finally the alphabetical list of ments That Remain. There is more valuable to Bible students names and addresses of approximuch here, in poetry and prose, if it were documented. mately 4,600 missionaries. to interest and inspire,especially women who seek to discover Philippine Kaleidoscope. By Vin- "These Things I Have Seen." By the Hidden Springs of Life. cent H. Gowen. Pamphlet. Illus. Mary Warburton Booth. 12 colored 25 cents. National Council Protes- illustrations. 8vo. 186 pp. 58. Message of the Book of Revelation. tant Episcopal Church, New York. Pickering & Inglis. Glasgow. 1939. By Cady H. Allen. 8vo. 180 pp. $1.50. Cokesbury Press. Nashville, The Philippines have made The "things" described are Tenn. 1939. more progress in the past forty persons and events in India, but years than in the previous four there is nothing to indicate how The "Revelation of Jesus hundred. Here is a well-illus- long ago. The author describes Christ," the closing book of the trated story of the fields and Hindu women transformed by New Testament, is a closed book work of the Protestant Episco- Christ; difficulties overcome by to most Christians because it is pal Church in Luzon. It is in- faith, a great revival in the a neglected book. It was writ- forming and impressive. Khasya Hills (thirty years ago) ; ten as a "revelation," not as an visions in a time of suffering; obscure cryptic mystery. The Everyday Life in South Africa. Two stony opposition, Indian Chrispromise is blessing to "every outline Friezes to be made in six tian helpers and a Hindu Sadhu; man that heareth the words of colors. 18. S. P. C. London. 1939. answers to prayer; devotional the prophecy of this book." It poems, mostly by the author, has been a field of speCUlation Here is work that children precede each chapter. They are and controversy for ages. Mr. will enjoy doing while they learn brief, moving tales that bring Allen shows that it may be a something about children of us close to Indian life and the fascinating field for joyful in- South Africa and what Christ is trials and triumphs of Indian doing for them through His mis- Christians. sionaries. (Concluded on third cover.)
Reviews Salt Stream. By Florence Walton .pmn'
Taylor. 8vo. 280 pp. $2.00. Flem- (Concluded. from pa,ge 688.) ing H. Revell. New York. 1939.
Evangelical Handbook of Latin Oregon and pioneering life in of tbe America – 1939. 48. Pamphlet. the Northwest have formed the World Dominion Press, London; stage for many romantic adven- and Committee on Cooperation in tures and heroic achievements. ((bri~tian Latin America, New York. 1939. This novel, dealing with the lLift struggles that prepared Oregon In addition to the directory of cA for statehood, is a story which BOOK of worship in song, com- 87 missions and churches, we have here the names and stations holds the interest, although it is of most of the Protestant mis- not a work of particular merit. bining a hymn81 for general sionaries in Latin America, listed by countries. Some smaller The salt wells drew Thomas Gal- church use, and a song book for evansocieties doing excellent work breath and his wife and daugh- ~elistic purposes. Oilly songs sound are omitted (such as the Soldiers ter, the heroine, to Half-Moon 10 the faith and inspirationaf in charand Gospel Mission of Chile). Lick. Their adventures with acter included••~e:!hasizing Evattgel- Statistics of areas, populations other settlers and with the In- ism, Missions, the Deeper Life. and evangelical communities and dians in the new territory form Many of the new··.the best of the old. summaries for each country are the background of the story, also given. which is not definitely Christian 504 Songs Responsive Readings . or missionary, but is clean and Windows of the World. Selections wholesome. Topical Index Gold Embossed by F. W. Pitt. 12mo. Pickering & Inglis. Glasgow. 1939. Published in round notes and Roxite cloth edition only at $65.00 per lao-an especially Alfred Burton, M.D., was con- low 1?rice. Single copy, S5c postpaid. verted to Christ at nine years of age. After taking his medical Wings and Sky. Poems. By Martha Write toda, for returnable .ample copy course he gave his life to the service of God as a physician in Snell Nicholson. 8vo. Velour, CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS, IDc. England, and ,became a traveling $1.00; cloth, $1.50. 1406 Lagoon evangelist and Bible teacher in Ave., Wilmington, Calif. 1939. 1502 NORTH THIRD STREET many lands. This volume tells briefly the story of his life and With true rhythm and beauty HARRISBURG. PA. includes selections from his writings on archeology, evolution, of thought and expression, Mrs. science, communism, spiritism, the Second Advent and other Nicholson has written these win- New Boola themes. He died in 1937 at the some poems. They are truly age of eighty-four. We find here many interesting facts and ob- Christian and were born of ex- Christian Living in Our Community. servations as to the Bi.ble and its perience in life and meditation, By Mary C. White and Mildred F. relation to modern problems. in joy and suffering. Many of James. Cloister Press. Louisville, them have been printed in pe- Ky. 101 ~e Catching Objects. By Elmer L. Wilder. 12mo. $1.50. Picker- riodicals and volumes of song. A Doctor without a Country. Tom ing and Inglis. Glasgow. 1939. She writes: Lambie. 252 pp. $2.00. Revell. New York. Excellent suggestions are here Sometimes when I am very sick given for over one hundred short My mind cannot recall Evangelical Handbook of Latin object lesson talks for children. America. 1939. 48. Committee All illustrate and apply Bible The precious promises I love, on Cooperation in Latin America. teachings. And I forget them all. New York.
Through Other People's Eyes. A And then a sudden terror comes, Mediterranean Missions–1808-1870. Play in Three Scenes. By Mar- A dark, unbidden thought- George H. Scherer. 90 cents. Bible garet Crowe. 2d. Lands Union for Christian Educa- Suppose I'll need before the Throne tion. Beirut, Syria. The Frozen Quest. A Play in Two Those words that I forgot! Acts. By D. Austen-Leigh. 6d. The Old Roman Empire. L. Sale- S. P. G. London. But 0, I need not be afraid; Harrison. 48 pp. lB. 6d. Picker- The first of these playlets I know my blessed Lord ing & Inglis. London.
deals with South Africa and calls Will not forget His promises, Old Testament Studies and You. for nine children to take the And He will keep His word! Mary C. White. Cloister Press. parts. The other relates to Louisville. Northern Canada and calls for Through Fire. The China Inland six children. They are good mis- Mission Story of 1938. 84 pp. Philippine Kaleidescope. Vincent H. sionary dramas, not difficult to China Inland Mission. London. Gowen. 25 cents. National Counstage. "The Frozen Quest" is 1939. cil Protestant Episcopal Church. more dramatic and appealing. New York; The story of 1938 in China is written in fire and blood, but it Through Other People's Eyes-A is also a record of loving serv- Play in Three Acts. Margaret ice for Christ and of new names Crowe. 2d. S. P. G. London. written in "the Lamb's Book of Life." The China Inland Mis- The Frozen Quest-A Play in Two sion has had a wonderful record Acts. D. Austen-Leigh. 6d. S. and none more wonderful than P. G. London. in the past year when, in spite of destruction of property, dan- "These Things I Have Seen." Mary ger to life and untold suffering, Warburton Booth. 18.6 pp. 58. 8432 have been baptized and Pickering & Inglis. London. many more have professed to ac- cept Christ. Mr. A. B. Lewis Madras Conference Reports. Vol. 1, writes that it has been "the most 2, 3 and 5. $1.50 each, except Vol- fruitful year in the history of ume 1, $1.25. International Mis- Christian missions in China." sionary Council. New York.
I r~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Send All Orders to THE UPPER ROOM Doctors' Building-Nashville, Tenn. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Read THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN OF BOMBAY A MEMOIR-By Robert E. Speer, Lakeville, Connecticut The biography of a remarkable missionary whom the (then) Prince of Wales visited in Bom- bay 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 stu- DR. J. LOVBLL MURRAY, Dire(tor of the dents today-Biblical, social, theological-Bowen is a rep~ Canadian S(hool of Missions, Toronto. resentative ngure. And what a lesson in apparent failure! What a life! He was old enough to know why he went, and bad enough to know the meaning of salvation. One by- . . . I feel strongly that every student and alumnus of our product of his experience was his wonderful humility-noth- ing in the show window and himself in the remote back. Seminary needs this book. What better book to lead them to ground. It is inspiring. feed on the Bible. One hears so much "vestibule religion"- The late DR. GBORGE P. PIBRSON, formerly of Japan. men pointing to the door and taking their people as far as the We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main- springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his threshold, but no opening up of the treasures within the earnest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus Christ; and his deep-seated conviction that the Gospel of Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in WILLIAM HAzEN, order to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is Missionary in Sholapur, India. no adolescent, but a man in Christ. This is no volume to be read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to A biography of one of the saintliest ngures of the nine- repeatedly. . HENRY SLOANB CoFFlN, teenth century. I could not put the book down. There is a fascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in President of Union Seminary. devout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings which would serve as starting points for chapel talks. He The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for years to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scath- ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self-indulgence and ineffi- ciency. J. Ross STBVBNSON, Late President Emeritus, Prin(elon Seminary.
May be ordered ($2.00 per Copy) from the Author ROBERT E. SPEER, Lakeville, Conn.
The Missionary Review of the World — September 1939
1939
The Japanese Control of Religion By a Recent Resident Christian Opportunities in Japan J. Harper Brady The Churches in the DustBowl Mark A. Dawber By-Products of the Arabian Mission Samuel M. Zwemer Fasl-Begh-Address Unknown "Shaheeda"
Training Indian Women Doctors Dame Edith Brown The Present Situation in Portugal Wm. H. Rainey Preaching Christ in Europe Adolf Keller 25 Cents ~ Copy $2.50 a Year
Items Dates to Remember throughout the Presbyterian
and in other Christian circles because Dr. Clarence G. Salsbury, Superin- August 1-IO-Erieside Conference for of his work for lepers of Allahabad tendent of Ganado Presbyterian Mis- Boys and Young Men. Willowick, and in connection with the Allahabad sion to Navajo Indians in Arizona, Ohio. Agricultural Institute, a missionary and medical director of Sage Memorial enterprise. He attended the Mt. Her- Hospital, has been made President Aug. 5-10-Ninth Quadrennial Con- mon School for Young Men and of the recently organized Arizona vention ·of the Woman's Home and Princeton University where he was a Hospital Association. Arizona is one Foreign Missionary Society of Af- member of the class of 1903, and went of the last states to organize such rican Methodist Episcopal Zion to India the same year. He received an association. Almost all the state's Church, Detroit, Mich. the degree of Doctor of Philanthropy 45 hospitals are embraced in this from Princeton and Bachelor of Scieffort to handle matters arising from August 13-20-Geneva Summer School ence in Agriculture from Ohio State legislative and social security prob- of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. For College, Master of Science from Amlems. It will be affiliated with the information write to Mrs. Paul H. herst College and received the Kaisar- American Hospital Association. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey Ave., i-Hind Gold Medal in 1935 and the Oak Park, ill. King George Medal in 1937. *** Mrs. A. E. Harper, of the Presby- August 30-September 2 – National He was born in Manchester, Engterian Punjab Mission, has received Rural Forum. Penn State College, land, on October 24, 1874, and came the Kaisar-i-Hind gold medal for dis- under the auspices of the American to the United States in 1894. tinguished service to India. Dr. and Country Life Assn., Dr. Benson Y. Mrs. Harper, who have been in India Landis, Executive Secretary, 297 Obituary Notes since 1914, are in charge of the Moga Fourth Ave., New York. Training School for Village Teachers, The Rev. Dr. Ross Stevenson, Preswhich is the formal name for what September I-Home Mission Day at ident Emeritus of Princeton Theologi- Indians and missionaries prefer to the World's Fair, New York. cal Seminary, a former pastor of the call "The Village of Service." Mrs. Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Harper is the author of two books for September 2-4 – Erieside Business and a Moderator of the General Asyoung people on India-"The Golden Women's Conference, Willowick, sembly of the Presbyterian Church in Sparrow" and "Shera of the Punjab." Ohio. the United States of America, died in New York on August 13 at 73 years *** October I-Loyalty Sunday. of age. He is survived by his widow, Dr. Samuel M. Zwemer, after ten October 11-I8-Twelfth Quadrennial Florence Day Stevenson and by his years of residence at Princeton, N. J., three sons, Dr. Theodore Dwight Stehas moved to the Hotel Carteret, Sev- Convention of the Woman's Parent venson, a medical missionary in Canenth Avenue and 23rd Street, New Mite Missionary Society of the Af- ton, China, Donald Day Stevenson of York City. rican Methodist Episcopal Church, Pennsylvania State College and Wil- Chicago, ill. liam Edwards Stevenson of the law *** October 24-25-130th Annual Meet- firm of Debevoise, Stevenson, Plimp- ArthtH' L. Carson, Ph.D., director ing of the American Board of Com- ton & Page. of the Rural Institute of Cheeloo Uni- missioners for Foreign Missions versity, Tsinan, China, has been meeting with the Mid~West Region, Dr. Stevenson was much loved as a elected president of Silliman Univer- Pilgrim Church, St. Louis, Mo. pastor, teacher and friend. He was sity, Dumaguete, P. I. Dr. Carson one of the best-known Presbyterian went W China in 1921, and after a Dr. Helen Kim, a pioneer in wom- clergymen in the United States. For short service in Canton, he organized en's education in Korea, has been many years he served .as Chairman of an agricultural department in the elected President of Ewha College in the Presbyterian General Assembly's boys' high school at Weihsien, to meet Seoul, to succeed Miss Alice Appen- Department of Church Cooperation a recognized need. In Cheloo Univer- zeller. Dr. Kim has participated in and Union, and was a leader in the sity he had opportunity to serve the many international conferences both negotiations of his denomination for rural Chinese to better advantage. at home and abroad as a representa- a proposed concordat with the Prot- tive of Korea. She was a delegate to estant Episcopal Church. *** the Jerusalem Conference in 1928. He was born at Ligonier, Pa., on Dr. Edward Warren Capen is re- *** March 1, 1866, the son of the Rev. tiring from the deanship of the Ken- Ross Stevenson, Presbyterian minisnedy School of Missions of the Hart- Rev. J. G. Holdcroft, missionary of ter, and Martha A. Harbison Stevenford Seminary Foundation, after son. He was graduated from Washservice in that office since 1919. The the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. in ington and Jefferson College and then steady development of the school dur- Korea, has returned to Seoul in order from McCormick Theological Semiing toe last twenty-eight years is due to stand by the missionaries there and nary at Chicago. For four years he largely to his personal devotion. Dur- help in the work during this time of occupied a pastorate in Sedalia, Mo., ing this time more than 892 students crisis. Mrs. Holderoft is detained in and then returned to McCormick Semhave enrolled, representing more than America on account of her mother, inary for eight years. In 1902 he besixty mission boards; and these stu- who is 86 years of age. Pray for Dr. came pastor of the Fifth Avenue dents have served in 47 different mis- and Mrs. Holdcroft in this time of Presbyterian Church in New York sion fields throughout the world. testing. and in 1909 accepted the call of the Brown Memorial Church in Balti- *** *** more. He was elected president of Dr. T. K. Van, acting President of Dr. Samuel Higginbottom, Presi- Princeton Theological Seminary in the University of Shanghai since the dent of Ewing Christian College, Alla- 1914, and the next year was elected assassination of President Herman habad, India, has the distinction of be- Moderator of the General Assembly. C. E. Liu in 1938, has been elected ing the only lay missionary who has the President. In view of the tense ever been elected Moderator of the Dr. Stevenson retired from the pressituation following the assassination Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. idency of the Princeton Theological by a Japanese agent, it was not This honor was conferred upon him at Seminary in May, 1936, and subsethought wise to select a president at the General Assembly in Cleveland, quently served as temporary president the time. Ohio on May 25th. of the American section of the World Dr. Van's sterling Christian char- Dr. Higginbottom is not an Ameri- Conference on Faith and Order and acter, his scholarly attainments and can citizen, having been born in Great the Universal Christian Council for his quiet efficiency in a crisis mark Britain, is not an ordained minister, Life and Work. He and Mrs. Steventhe wisdom of his selection. never attended a theological seminary son went on a tour of Presbyterian and was elected an elder of the Pres- missions in the Far East in 1937. byterian Church in Cleveland only about two weeks before he was elected (Concluded on third cover.) Moderator. He has become well known and greatly beloved and honored
THE CALL LEADS . .. THE MISSIONARY To
REVIEW OF THE WORLD "EAST OF SUEZ" ORIENT DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor by VOL. LXII SEPT.,1939 No.9 EMp(l.ESS The Jain Temple, Calcutta Publication and Business Office- fl.PIlESS Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. rOB OVBB 100 YBllBS Only 10 swift days direct to THB WllY HllS .8BN Editorial and Executive Ollice– Yokohama when you sail by 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Empress to the Orient. Only PaO Entered as second-class matter at 3 more days to visit lovely Hawaii en route by Empress of Let the comfort of modern liners and the secur- Post Ollice, Harrisburg, Pa., under Japan, largest and fastest liner ity of British seamanship enhance your voy- Act of March 3, 1879. on the Pacific, or Empress of age. Whenever you are called to the other Canada. From California side of the world, choose this traditional route. 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. ports connect at Honolulu. Cross to England by a modern transatlantic Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. liner and then embark in a great liner of the Published monthly, except August. Frequent sailings from both P & 0 and British India fleets, led by the new All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. Vancouver and Victoria to 23,500-ton Strathallan, Strathmore, and Strath- British agents – Marshall, Morgan Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, eden carrying First and Tourist Classes. Air- and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. conditioned dining saloons in First Class, hot London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL and cold running water throughout, built-in 10 sh!1lings a year. AGENT or Canadian Pacific: out-door swimming pools, children's play- 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. rooms! Regular service to Egypt, Sudan, Iran- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBian Gulf, India, Burma, Ceylon, Straits Seule- LISHING CO., INC. ments, China, Japan, Australia, East and South Africa, Mauritius. Special reductions BOARD OF DIRECTORS and generous baggage allowance for missionaries. ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President Convenient throuqh bookinqs can WALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary j be arranqed by your travel aqent. PAUL J. BRAISTED Or apply at 25 Broadway, 638 Fit~~ A~•• N. Y•••• ~ =Y ,,"'''' ~ SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD WM. B. LIPPllARD ERIC M. NORTH SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Editorial Chat The summer is past and the autumn begins. It is a time for new pro- grams and increased activity in the Church and mission work as well as in schools, business and public enter- prises.
We call attention to the material in this number of THE REVIEW–edi- torials, articles, news, methods-all bring useful and interesting informa- tion for Christian workers. THE RE- VIEW brings before each reader im- portant topics for prayer, conference and cooperation. Read prayerfully the articles on "The Dust Bowl Churches," the situation in Japan and in Europe. You will be stirred by the reports from Arabia and India and Dutch New Guinea. You will be deeply interested in the story of a Russian Christian's pilgrimage in Central Asia. Make your interest count for the Cause of Christ.
*** Some recent comments on the value of THE REVIEW show that God is blessing its ministry: "I have had the pleasure of reading your magazine on different occasions. Not being able to subscribe, I am wondering if any reader would be willing to pass on to me their used CUNARD WHlE Sl AR copies. It would be much appreci- ated." HECTOR H. GARDINER.
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DlSTRlBUTlUN GIVING LITERATURE TO PRISONERS A PORTUGUESE
MONUMENT TO LUIS DE CAMOES WITH BIBLE SOCIETY DEPOT IN THE BACKGROUND AT LISBON (See article on page 409.) REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 9 SEPTEMBER, 1939 Topics of the Times MEETING THE CRISIS IN THE CHURCH Czechoslovakia and the Polish Ukraine? Perse- Many churches in America, as in other lands, cution cannot destroy them; poverty alone will are facing it crisis. Their income from gifts has decreased, their membership has dwindled, the not kill them. Such experiences did not destroy community in which the work is carried on has radically changed. What is their outlook? What the Apostolic Church; nor have they prevented is the solution of their problem? the growth of the church in mission fields. But There are worse things than for an organization or an individual to die a physical death. It materialism, self-centeredness and failure to culis far worse to die spiritually than to lose the reason for existence. If a man or a church cannot tivate spiritual life will sap vitality in churches longer serve the Cause of Christ in a community "Why cumbereth it the ground"? Physical death and individuals. may open the way to new spiritual life. Today, in the midst of world-wide distress, is One solution for a dying church may be a change it not time for Christians to seek spiritual vitality to meet the needs and conditions of the new environment. The change from a dead conserva- and to express spiritual life in personal service? tism to a living organism may be the way to larger service. A church that has served chiefly There is special need to help fellow Christians in aged saints, may well begin to reach out to meet the growing needs of youth, to train Christian distress wherever they may be, and to promote the workers, to evangelize the unconverted and backsliders of the community, to become truly a living missionary work of Christ with new vigor wherpower and a missionary-minded congregation. Size never determines vitality, power or useful- ever doors are open-at home or abroad. ness. There is clearly work for every Christian and every church in any environment where hu- Dr. Adolf Keller, of Switzerland, Director of man contacts may be made. The first requisite for service is the indwelling and manifestation of the Central Bureau for the Relief of the Evangelithe living Christ in the life and work of the individual or in the church. cal Churches of Europe, calls attention to the fact If churches in America are experiencing a that the need for help for these churches is incrisis-what about the churches in Japan, where militarism prevails; in Germany where totalitar- creasing rather than diminishing. He says: ianism seeks to control church life; in Russia where all faith in God is discredited; in China The rise of totalitarianism and the almost incredible where foreign invasion destroys property and life; fury of the outbreak of anti-Semitism have deeply affected in countries of Europe where unrest, poverty and the economic situation of the evangelical churches their materialism prevail? What shall be done for the liberty of conscience, their spiritual as well as congregaevangelical churches in Spain, in Germany, in tional and organizational life. All over the world the structure of civilization shows deep fissures where we had seen only solid rock.
Certain areas of specific need have within the last year shown increased distress, due in part to adverse eco- nomic conditions, but in far greater measure to the effects of national hysteria, the persecution mania which has broken out in so many places. A few problems are indi- cated here.
M.u~h :tttentio.n has been given to feeding evangelical famIhes In RUSSIa, those whose breadwinner has been sent to Siberia or the Arctic Circle. Relieving the extreme poverty of Reformed and other Protestant ministers in Rumania has been another project.
The encouraging evangelical movement in the Ukraine is being hit both by financial difficulties and by all manner of petty persecution·on the part of local authorities, i. e., every pastor must get a permit for every sermon that he preaches, whether in his own parish or elsewhere.
As the need grows for a strong and enlightened Chris- tian ministry, courageous and independent, the number of young men who can finance their training dwindles in Europe.
[387 ]
A staggering refugee problem also faces us. These were the problems _before the Madras Czechoslovakia is on the critical list for the losses of Conference, and they were the problems before territory have meant a heavy blow to the Church of the the forty-sixth Foreign Missions Conference, held Czech Brethren (Hussite). They are paying a heavy price in Swarthmore in June. These two working confor peace, and it would be shameful if we let them pay it alone. Recent reports from Italy indicate that unfavorable ferences were built on similar lines-a new plan developments are facing the Waldensian Church. for the American annual meeting. It was not a The Christian Church in Europe is once more time for speeches and reports but an opportunity bringing forth martyrs; humble people jeopard- for prayerful deliberation on specific topics, preize their livelihood and the future of their children pared for by commissions and discussed in variin order to stand by Christian principles which are no longer recognized by their governments; yet ous groups that reported their recommendations churches are packed in many places where empty benches had become the rule. The witness of these to the whole conference. Two hundred and heroes of the faith has awakened echoes around eighty-seven men and women, from over sixty dethe world. nominations met for eight days to consider seven great mission areas and then such topics as-The Christianity may be driven again into the catacombs and caves, but churches in America and Life-Giving Church, The Sustenance of the Life England must rise to meet the challenge of the o~ the Church, Christian Leadership, World Tenhour. SIOns and Cooperation. Dr. John R. Mott, the veteran leader-ever youthful in outlook and vigor PROBLEMS FOR MISSION WORKERS -reminded the conference that the only founda- tion for the Christian Church is the ever Living There has probably never been a time when the whole foreign missionary enterprise has been con- Christ and faith in Him as the Son of God and fronted with greater difficulties, more complicated Saviour of man. problems, more dire need or more challenging opportunities than today. The very size of the The principle of Christian fellowship and coenterprise-with twenty-seven thousand Protes- operation in the name of Christ was dominant at tant missionaries on the field besides a total staff Swarthmore. Representatives from Mexico, Afriof over 200,000 Christian workers of various races and nations cooperating with them-constitutes ca, China, India and other fields, as well as from a problem as to the direction and support of the work. About $30,000,000 is required every year various Evangelical communions, brought varied in voluntary gifts from Protestant Christians to views and stirring challenges to cope with the task maintain this work with any degree of efficiency -so far as money can help to accomplish this. sacrificially and adequately.
Other problems are involved in the complexity The results of this conference, as well as the of the work-which is more than simple evange- outcome of Madras, must be seen in the churches, lism and the training of Christian leaders-in the the Board offices and on the field in the months to growth and self-assertion of the developing come. One thing is certain-nothing adequate churches in mission lands; in the unrest and conflicts in such countries as India, China, Korea and and abiding can be accomplished except through Japan; in the changed attitudes of the governments toward Christian missions in such lands as the power and leadership of the Spirit of Gwhod~ liv- Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Japan and Mexico; in the ing and working in individual disciples are war spirit and economic depression in Europe and America, resulting in a decrease of missionary surrendered to Christ and devoted to His cause. gifts. Add to this the agitation for new align- ments in the various denominations the over- An important move was made toward unifica- whelming number of appeals for philanthropic causes and the temptation to discouragement as tion of Protestant foreign mission management to the outcome of the whole missionary enterprise, and the decline of faith in many professed Chris- in America. The organizations which have handled tians in the compelling force of the missionary command of Christ-all these and other factors various phases of the enterprise on a semi-autonmake it imperative for loyal Christians to reexamine the world situation, to look at the basis omous basis, winocrlku,dpinrgomroegtiioonnaalnddwiroemcetino'n~ rural and objectives of the missionary enterprise and work, medical work, to consider the forces on which we can rely for victory in the Christian campaign. have now been incorporated into the membership of the Conference as representative committees of that single body. The ten committees are on Africa, the Far East, India, the Philippines, Latin America, Promotion in Interest-Publicity, Foreign Students and Radio, Rural Missions, Women's Work and Christian Medical Council for Overseas Work. The chairmen of these committees will be members of the executive department of the Foreign Missions Conference.
Another new and important featUre of the Swarthmore meeting was the united conference of fifty-six newly appointed missionaries of eight mission Boards. These new missionaries are go- ing to fourteen fields. In addition to the lan-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
guage study, the new missionaries were prepared THE WORLD CONGRESS OF BAPTISTS by a consideration of such topics as The Missionary Home; The Spiritual, Social and Intellectual During July (20th to 27th) the representatives Relationships of the Workers on the Field; The of 12,000,000 Baptists of the world met in Atlanta, Missionaries' Health; The Sharing of Christ with Georgia, for the sixth Baptist World Congress. Others. The fellowship, the prayer life and the Previous sessions have been held in Philadelphia, objectives of the recruits were greatly clarified London, Oslo (Norway), Toronto and Berlin. Dr. and strengthened at Swarthmore. George W. Truett of Texas, presided at the ses- sions. Dr. J. H. Rushbrooke of London, the Gen- The change from January to June for the an- eral Secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, the nual Foreign Missions Conference and the invita- newly elected president, made a strong plea to tion to the newly appointed missionaries have rec- Christians to withstand the assaults now beingognized advantages and will probably be con- made in many lands against civil and religious tinued. freedom. Among other things he said: The chairman elected for next year's confer- Among all evil omens of the past five years the most ence was Dr. C. Darby Fulton of Nashville, Sec- menacing is the activity of secular and ecclesiastical powretary of the Executive Committee of Foreign ers in narrowing the bonds of liberty. Freedom, civil Missions of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S. and religious, has been extinguished in many parts of the The Vice-chairmen are Miss Sarah Lyon and Rev. earth and in others menaced and diminished, and theories Leonard A. Dixon; secretaries Dr. Leslie Moss and of the State have arisen, against which the instinctive Miss Florence Tyler; treasurer, M. P. Moller. Christian reaction is decisive.
Frequent mention was made at the conference . . . With efforts to bring Soviet Russia into closer of the sufferings of China, the need to help the contact with the Western democracies, the churches in the Chinese in their distress, the deplorable evil of democratic countries should insist upon a pledge of relicontinued sale of war materials to Japan, effects gious freedom in Rlssia as a basis for such cooperation. of militarism, and the destructive trade in nar- If we forget Russia, we are less than Christians. cotics, the demoralizing effects of war all over the world and the need to work for peace based on No feature of our time is as gravely alarming to the righteousness and brotherly love. missionary enterprise as the multiplication of restrictions and demands in the enlarging Japanese-controlled areas One recommendation of the conference, relating of the Far East. . . . to evangelism includes the following call to prayer: Documents emanating from some of these areas indicate grave and,multiplying obstacles to missionary propaganda, The whole question of evangelism with reference to the while the reverence to the Emperor exacted from Chrisunoccupied areas of the world imperatively demands a spe- tian pupils in schools, in forms scarcely if at all distincial session of the Foreign Missions Conference for which guishable from Shinto religious rites, suggests too closely adequate preparation should be made. . . . Realizing the the Roman emperor-worship for refusing which early urgency of the situation in this hour -of crisis throughout Christians endured a martyr-death. . . . the world and confessing the failure of the Church to meet-fully its evangelistic responsibility, acknowledging our The appalling martyrdom of China is the shame of the utter dependence upon God for His Holy Spirit in power Western World. We could have stopped it and we did not. for the consecration of both person and property to the task of world evangelism, and recognizing the divine origin Protestants had been fearful of the future in Spain, and content of the Gospel Message and the divine source knowing the temper of the Roman Catholic hierarchy and of the commission to preach the Gospel to every creature, their unity in support of General Franco. But pledges we would sound forth a Call to Prayer, addressed to the have been received from General Franco, the Duke of whole Church of Christ, but especially to the churches in Alba, and Lord Phillimore, for freedom of religious worthe United States and Canada, calling upon God's people ship. to be instant in intercession: The congress took up the question of evan- 1. That the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers into gelism, the Rev. Dr. Charles W. Keller, president His harvest. of the Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chicago, asserting that it "will cure most of the 2. That the Church, especially at home, be revived, and ills of society." If the souls of Hitler, Mussolini, delivered from compromise with the world, and with sin. Stalin, Chamberlain, Daladier and the Japanese Emperor could be reached to cause them to pray 3. That the unity of the Church may find its expression in unison, there could be no war. in a greater unanimity in understanding and expounding the content of the Gospel message as revealed in God's A statement of the Baptist position on war and Word. peace, condemned profiteering from war and urged general disarmament, strengthening of the League 4. That God may grant to us all who ought to preach of Nations, an international police force and court the Gospel "utterance in opening the mouth to make known of justice, and solution of the problem of unequal with boldness the mystery of the Gospel" (Eph. 6: 19) distribution of natural resources. The statement and "that God may open unto us a door for the Word, and also denounced racial discrimination as "sin," and to speak the mystery of Christ . . . that we may make it condemned totalitarian ideas of the State. For the manifest as we ought to speak." (Col. 4: 3, 4) and first time in this Congress-and in a southern city -all signs were removed that indicated racial dis- 5. That in fulfillment of His promises God may pour out his Spirit in these latter days upon all flesh and turn multitudes to repent of sin and believe in the Saviour.
crimination or division, between white and colored Christians are as cordial as· ever. Permits for evangelistic meetings are not given to missionardelegates. ies or ways are found to keep the people away, as all gatherings, except for regular worship, are Presenting the Baptist position on questions of discouraged.
church unity, commissions of the World Alliance "Due to a combination of circumstances, mid- winter Bible Institutes and conferences have not declared Baptist opposition to organic union with been held as in former years. Missionary activi- ties now are mostly confined to local conferences other churches, but they urged "Christian unity" with Korean leaders, personal work, social con- tacts and ministering to the needy. Surrounded and cooperation with other denominations "at a as we are by so much destitution, physical and spiritual, there are plenty of opportunities for time when Christians are called upon to think and service.
act together." . "Medical mission work is going well, but here also difficulties multiply. All licensed Korean doc- The report of a special commission favored the tors on the hospital staff have been drawn away to outside work; this leaves us greatly handicapparticipation of various Baptist bodies in the ped. War conditions make it extremely difficult to secure experienced physicians. The Japanese are World Council of Churches, so long as the council seeking to control everything – man-power, re- sources, wages, prices, even the thinking and does not constitute itself into an "ecclesiastical speech of the people. The whole country is being geared up to the highest efficiency as a fighting union," or super-church. machine. Naturally mission work suffers because of war conditions. Foreigners are suspect, be- The commission made it clear that Baptists do cause they are foreigners; their movements watched and regulated, their leadership and innot reject "federal" relations to other churches, fluence is frowned upon. Non-cooperation with the Japanese policy on the 'shrine question' is reand feel that "persistent, indifferent division" and garded as reb~llion against the government; though every other form of patriotism is encoursectarianism are "deep disloyalty" to the Christian aged by the Church and the Mission.
faith. . . . "Another friend writes that the local police have insisted that a Korean be appointed on the hospital The report stated the conviction that all Chris- staff to act as a 'go-between' between the police and missionary superintendent who, according to tians should be open to the development of op- Japanese law, has full authority over everything in the hospital. . . . The hospital evangelist was portunity and plans which would encourage our put in jail because he would not go to the shrine. He held his ground and many were praying for participation in the common responsibilities of him; as a result not only was he released but he is back in the hospital preaching the Gospel. Today evangelical Christianity. many of the best Christians cannot be much in evidence in church affairs." On recommendation of the Committee on Evan- Evangelistic work is going on in heathen regelism the congress voted a five-year program of gions and is entirely unmolested where the shrine issue does not come up. It is where the church is evangelism. The plan included the adoption of strong that the issue is pushed. Christians there- fore are going out to the untouched regions and similar programs by the constituent bodies, the are preaching the Gospel there.
setting aside of a special day of prayer and ap- What the future has in store for Christian work in Chosen we do not know, but there is a great and pointment of a committee to direct a world-wide effectual door opened in the hospitals.
campaign. Of late there seems to be some change in the attitude of the Japanese toward the Koreans for DISTURBED CONDITIONS IN CHOSEN in some places they are not pushing the shrine issue as fanatically as they did. Pray for Korea. Recent "uncensored" reports from Chosen show that Japan is not only seeking to force Koreans into the Japanese mold but is apparently endeavoring to get rid of Christian missionary influence as a hindrance to the dictatorial program of the militaristic party. Christians who are loyal lawabiding subjects, but who acknowledge Almighty God as the one supreme Ruler, are suffering persecution from shortsighted human rulers. Missionaries are finding their Christian work hindered if not forbidden. Nevertheless the "Word of God is not bound," says a friend who sends us a report from which we quote the following: "Last autumn the work proceeded along much the usual lines. We missionaries adopted the policy of responding to Korean cans for service, rather than go to outstations upon our own initiative. Under prevailing conditions our visits might prove more embarrassing than helpful to the Korean Christians. In the winter it became very apparent that intimidation wa·s being brought to bear on the churches and that opportunities for missionary cooperation with the outstation churches would be few. For the present the old itinerating days are over though Korean
Japanese Control of
-<!Iii By, Fonn" R",;dent of Jap.. 1111>– T HE long-projected and much discussed Bill The former one did not definitely recognize Chris- for the Control of Religious Bodies was tianity; it required the approval by the authorities passed by the Japane£e Imperial Diet on of the creedal basis as well as of the organization March 23 and will become effective from April 1, of religious bodies; and left much more by way of 1940. Previous bills were formulated by the J ap- supervision to the local police. The former bill anese Cabinets in 1899, 1927, and 1929, but either was to "control religions," this one "to control rewere turned down by the Diet, or were withdrawn ligious bodies." They are under different articles by the government without presentation. The of the constitution.
new law has been in process of preparation since There is need for such a bill as the present one.
1929, during which period it has been subjected As mentioned above, Japan has in recent years ex- to revision of various sorts including one recon- perienced a great growth of what are known as struction from the ground up. "quasi-religions." Some are purely commercial The law provides for a comprehensive control organizations; some are revivals of ancient super- of religious organizations. Approval by the Min- stitions; some indulge in immoral practices; some ister of Education is necessary for the establish- run counter to the national polity. Three years ment of any religious sect or denomination. A ago the famous Way of Man sect was disbanded statement as to the creed, ritual, and organization and its temples razed OIl the ground of lese maof the body must be submitted with the applica- jeste; it claimed a membership of over a million.
tion for recognition, but official "approval" of the Corrupt practices within Buddhist sects have long same is not specifically required. Both sects and been an offense to peace-loving Japanese. The law local congregations must appoint a responsible was needed.
"head" to deal with the government in all matters. This law, like the former bills, has been drawn This step in the direction of a monarchial form up after conference with an investigation commis- of church government is somewhat offset by a pro- sion on which were representatives of all three re- vision which makes congregational permission ligions, the representative of Christianity being necessary for changes in doctrine, clergy, rites, or Rev. Mitsuru Tomita, of the Presbyterian-Re- rules. The establishment of a local congregation formed Church, the chairman of the Board of requires the approval first of the head of the sect Directors of Meiji Gakuin. He wielded such great and then of the Governor of the prefecture. The influence that on several occasions members of the law recognizes Buddhism, sect Shinto, and Chris- Shinto sects protested that too much regard was tianity as religions of the Japanese Empire. Every being paid by the authorities to the desires of the denomination or sect, as well as every local organ- representative of Christianity.
ization, will be required to register as soon as the Gains made possible by the Bill: law becomes effective. Other religions will be (a) The recognition of Christianity as one of dealt with as "reUgious societies" by what will pre- the three religions of the Empire. This of course sumably be a more severe code, since one of the will increase its prestige. Some Christians have avowed purposes of the law is to control the activ- even expressed the hope that Christian stories ities of the freak, and sometimes dangerous, reli- may be inserted into the school text books as gions which have been springing up like Shinto and Buddhist stories now are. But the real mushrooms in Japan in recent years. A well-con- gain will be that the local churches may appeal certed drive of certain Mohammedan leaders to from the tyranny of local police officials to the have Islam included among the "recognized" re- Governor or Minister of Education.
ligions failed in the Diet, in spite of the fact that (b) The permission to organize Christian the Army was reported to be backing the move in bodies as juridical persons, thus offering them an effort to win favor among Mohammedans in legal protection. There are local churches which China and in islands of the South Seas. years ago were organized in this way; but in re- This law IS much milder than the one which in cent years, the practice has not been permitted.
1929 met defeat because of the bitter opposition of Certain denominations are organized as land- the Christian Church and certain Buddhist sects. owning juridical persons; but under the new law [ 391 ]
each denomination and each local congregation nese subjects, of course, are permitted to enjoy may organize as a zaidan hojin and will then have freedom of religious belief, but only "within limthe full legal rights accorded to a "foundation." its of peace and order and not antagonistic to their duties as sUbjects." And it would not re- (c) Many existing local rules will be regular- quire much argument to prove that the duties of ized. This will be a great gain. Up to the pres- Japanese subjects include not only social and poent our churches and preaching places have been litical duties but also what in the West are called regarded merely as "religious societies," and have religious duties. Japan has no state religion, been at the mercy of local petty officials. This has but state Shinto demands of Japanese subjects caused endless annoyance to missionaries and the response in loyalty and worship paid elsechurch officers. where to religion. As a recent writer has stated, "Under such circumstances, no division between The objections commonly made against the Bill 'church' and 'state~ is possible, nor has there ever are not new. At present it is required that every been such a division in Japanese history." local church register a "founder" who is its legal and responsible head and is supposed to speak with The Japanese concept of religion is something authority for the congregation. Schools also must quite different from that held by Westerners. The appoint such a person. The head of the National Japanese word for "religion" was, in fact, coined Christian Council is held responsible for its ac- by a Christian in the nineteenth century. A numtions to the government. This is "an old Japanese ber of significant points in this connection were custom"; and the best way to meet it is to appoint brought out by the debate in the Imperial Diet such an officer and then to regulate his actions. on the Bill under discussion. Home Minister Reports of local congregations must now be made Araki on one occasion stated that the differentia to local police stations in much the same form as of a religion are (1) a founder, (2) a creed, and those prescribed in the new law. (3) organization for self propagation. This definition has cropped up several times before in Under existing laws religious societies can be recent years, and very conveniently leaves state disbanded for the reasons given in the new law. Shinto out of the category of religion altogether. "Russellites" can no lonler prosecute their work Even Daikichiro Tagawa, a member of the Diet in Japan; Mormons withdrew some years ago; and a prominent Christian layman accepts this the "Way of Man" cult was disbanded. distinction in his recent book "Kokka to Shukyo" (State and Church) and appears to believe that There is danger, however, in the possibility that state Shinto lies outside the religious category be- "subversive" elements may be discovered in Chris- cause it contains no superstition! According to tian creeds when such statements are presented him, the holding of superstition concerning founto the officials, even though such presentation is ders of religions and their followers is one of the technically only a matter of form. A number of characteristics of a religion, including Chris- Christian doctrines may be interpreted as run- tianity. ning counter to the Japanese national polity as understood at present; for example, some forms The debates in the Diet lead one to the ineviof millenarianism; some expressions of the rela- table conclusion that Japanese of the official or tion of Church and State; the Quaker and Advent- governing class look upon state Shinto, or the ist attitude toward military service; references Way of the gods, exactly as we of the West look to Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords, are upon a religion; in fact, their use of the word all susceptible to such misinterpretation. Here "Way" seems to differ very little from the Chrisagain it is to the advantage of the Church to have tian's use of it when he says that Christ is the the denominational creed registered at headquar- Way; and their use of the word "religion" makes ters where it can be interpreted by intelligent it mean little more than "superstition." Minister men. Araki, moreover, explained in reply to a certain interpellation that the followers of all religions The Effect of the Law in Japan were obliged to give priority to the shrines, asserting that if generally practiced this I have no fear for adverse effect of the law on act will have the effect of reducing religious fricthe Church in Japan proper, but if the law is put tion in the country. into effect in Chosen and in "occupied" China, that, I fear, will be a different story. In such a setting Christianity can hope for little more than toleration and protection from unau- As far as Japan proper is concerned there are thorized persecution; this the new law appears to no dangers in the new law which do not inhere in provide. the general situation, which in itself is fraught with potential danger. The existence of the Christian religion in a land ruled by "the Sovereign who is a manifest God," is anomalous. J apa-
Opportunities in Japan Today*
By REV. J. HARPER BRADY, Kochishi Missionary of the Presbyterian Church in the U. S.
SOME folks think there are none. Others that around, on the gates and doors of every home, are they are few and getting fewer. But the real silent testimonies to additional burdens and fears missionary still finds that the days in Japan and sorrows, over and above what was there are days of twenty-four hours of opportunity- eighteen months ago. Soldiers leaving – the some of which find him and some of which he, wounded returning-lots of little wooden boxes- Spirit-led, must find. If greater needs mean life for so many with all its poverty and sickness greater opportunities, then there are greater op- and darkness seemed hard enough. Our hearts portunities today than ever before. are bleeding for the millions across that narrow strip of water! They also bleed for those around There is a greater need for light, for there are us in their sorrow and we would do what we can more people in Japan now than when the mission- to heal the broken-hearted. Into such homes and aries first went there with the Light. Only about hearts there is a welcome, far more often than not, one-half of one per cent have received the true for the missionary who comes with a heart of love. Light and are connected with any church, Catholic or Protestant. And this tends to get less as Difficulties are many and great in Japan for the the gain in population far exceeds the proportion- one who comes from a foreign land and seeks to ate gain in church membership. And the Prot- bring men to the one and only Saviour. When estant half of this number is divided into all the Japan and America are not on the best of terms isms of the United States and a few special ones our work as missionaries is made harder. These for good measure. If ever the unreached multi- things change from day to day and are not the tudes presented a challenge and opportunity for real difficulties. Sin and indifference are our missionary service, then that challenge and that strong and abiding adversaries. Sometimes these opportunity are greater today because the multi- are on the outside – and now and then we find tude of shepherdless folk is greater. The Church them on the inside and give them nicer names. in Japan, for which we daily thank God, is still It has never been a "convenient season" for men too weak in numbers, resources and vision for this to humble themselves, forsake sin, deny self, and mighty task. A great nation in need, desperate enthrone the Lord. need, of Christ! Our resources are more and greater than the Then there is the opportunity presented by a difficulties. The first year of this conflict was greater need for guidance. For this is a virile in many ways the best year of the twenty-one we nation, going places and doing things. If they have been there. But we found it more necessary do not go to the right places and do not do the than ever to live daily "looking unto Jesus" and right things, they suffer, maybe millions of other to yield to Him, but not to fear and discouraged folks suffer, we all suffer, and much that we cher- fellow workers. Divine boldness, shot through ish and hold dear is endangered. If a nation is with love, has never been rebuffed but always welweak and asleep and staying at home (as such a comed. Our resources in Christ, as more and nation would), there is no particular need for more we have discovered them and made them guidance. But such is not Japan. How terribly our own, have proven more and greater than our real and urgent is her need for the controlling, difficul ties. guiding hand of God! Never for a moment neglecting the multitudes, yet this ought we not to More men are needed. There are fewer mishave left undone; winning for Christ those sionaries than there were some years ago, owing who mould the opinions of the mind and deter- to retirements, sickness, the "de- and re-pression." mine the paths in which these multitudes must "We need reinforcements to work with these walk for good or ill. A little has been done-more Christians in the God-given, God-planned task of must be and can be done. reconciling men in Japan to Himself through the lives of other men who are vitally in touch with A greater need for comfort exists everywhere, Him. The greatest challenge of the hour is that for in whatever city or town one may live, all the doors are open for evangelistic work in this country. The forces that are with us are greater * Reprinted from The (Jh,ristian Observer. than all the adversaries."
[ 393 ]
Churches in the Dust
By REV. MARK A. DAWBER, D.D., New York Executive Secretary of the Home Missions Council I HAVE been requested to make a statement as missions; they gave to home and foreign missions. to what is now taking place in the drought Then the war ended, the price of wheat finally and dust area and what is happening to the went down below the cost of production, and there Church. This I gladly do, but with the definite followed four years of steady drought. The peo- understanding that what is said may not apply to ple continued during drought to maintain their every situation but represents in a general degree giving.
the developments and attitudes. The churches held on, hoping against hope that In the first place it is necessary to distinguish something would happen. The people kept say- between the drought area in general and the "dust ing, "Well, perhaps next year it will rain." "But bowl" in particular. The drought area includes the heavens were as brass." The preachers shared all the territory where, because of the absence of the lot of the people and, in many cases, because sufficient snow and rain, there have been no crops, they did not complain, suffered out of all propor- and where, because of the continued cultivation tion. Some were able to hold out by getting part- of the soil without a sequence of cover crops to time employment during the week. Splendid col- hold the top soil and because of a high wind ve- lege and seminary men with whom I was person- locity, the top soil is blown away. This region in- ally acquainted were getting oilly $250.00 a year. cludes the Pan Handle of Oklahoma, part of Texas, In some sections a great consolidation of churches western Kansas, and the Dakotas. Here is a stretch took place. One county I visited, that during the of country between the Gulf and Canada that heyday of prosperity maintained ten ministers, seems to be the victim of these recurrent dry years had but one to care for the remaining people. I nev- and also exposed to these high winds. The "dust er saw more vital religion anywhere than I wit- bowl" is a part of this same problem and area; it nessed among some of the ministers in the drought includes the region immediately around eastern area. Here is one-they called him "Rusty." The Colorado and western Kansas. Over this section an name does not do him justice because there was atmospheric condition obtains that attracts the nothing "rusty" about him. No grass grew under dust as it flies from the drought area and is sucked his feet. This was not due to the drought, but be- down in what is called the "dust bowl." In the "dust cause "Rusty" kept his parish so well traveled, bowl" area the soil has not been dried out as in the ei,ther by car or on foot, that he made a pathway drought area, but the constant accumulation of the wherever he was. He had a great philosophy of dust has buried the good soil and the crops so that life. Speaking of his people who were facing a the result is much the same as the drought. fifth year of drought, he said, "You know, it's no Prosperity and Adversity use getting discouraged. That won't get a fellow anywhere, but lead to more discouragement, and This whole country was highly developed during if I allow myself to get discouraged I will have no the days of the World War. The world was cry- message for my people and nothing to help them ing for wheat, wheat, everywhere wheat! Some with when I visit them."
of the best wheat in the country was raised here, To the problem of drought and dust must be and this land also produced the largest number of added the scourge of sickness. The Red Cross bushels to the acre. Wheat was bringing two dol- and health authorities were pressed to the limit lars a bushel. During this period the country to make possible medical aid to the thousands who prospered. The people paid. for their land, built were sufferers from the drought and who lived homes and settled down to the business of agri- where the swirling dust-laden wind brought sick- culture and to face their responsibilities as citi- ness and death in its yellowish clouds. A peculiar zens. They built schools and churches. These kind of dust pneumonia was induced and intensipeople came to settle and not to move. They are fied in the dust and drought area.
a home-loving, church-going folk. They sub- The Government was faced also with a special scribed generously to the Church and its causes. relief problem. In Boca County, Colorado, as These churches were not dependent upon home many as eighty per cent of the people were on the [394 ] relief rolls at one time. The same was true of a The small towns and villages that are in the large number of other counties in other states. drought area are also adjusting themselves in The farms and homes that represented the sav- accordance with the agricultural changes. Fewer ings and hard work of a lifetime were made val- churches will be required. ueless. In debt and with no basis for taxation or collections, such counties and communities con- Migration and Coming Home fronted a problem which one can readily imagine. The map of the drought country is dotted with Examples of Heroism "ghost towns," evacuated under the pressure of these changing economic forces. Relocation of The following items are taken from correspond- population is a necessity. We cannot arrest an ence that I have conducted relative to this sit- economic process that is rooted in nature and uation. One district superintendent writes: mother earth to suit either misguided people who desired to farm, or anxious speculators, or unfor- "Those six years of drought were eventful ones for me. tunate investors. Communities have grown, pros- They taught me many things, but best of all they revealed pered and been blighted before this, and will conthe high Christian spirit of the people." tinue to pass through these cycles in spite of the advice and warning of Government and society. Other statements are: The lesson to be learned, however, is that intelli- gent citizens will realize that only by correcting "The churches discovered that they could stand more the economic abuses and readjusting the dislocabuffeting than they thought they could stand. They had tions which have come because of our failure to gone through a period of prosperity; then followed a pe- provide scientific settlement of people and a techriod of unexpected disaster. This was a real test of Chris- nique of land use such as the Farm Security Adtian faith." ministration is seeking to establish, is there any real hope for a permanent agriculture. The "A number of churches closed, but with the understand- Church will do well to cooperate in such a proing that they would open again; if the rain came, the gram of common-sense community development. people would come back." A goodly number of the former residents of the "In this section some adjustments were made, but no drought area are now "migrants" in California. people were left without the benefit of a minister." There they are called "Dust Bowlers." Ever since the droughts of 1934 and 1936 they have "The churches made no attempt to evade any outside been streaming westward from the Great Plains. responsibility, such as the great missionary program. A count at the California border records the entry They were an inspiration to others in the liberality of their into that state by automobile alone of 221,000 giving." refugees between the middle of 1935 and the end of 1937. More than four-fifths of them came from "Another thing that was revealed in the drought disas- the drought states. "Burned out, blowed out, eat ter was that the best of the young men and women in the out"-what is to be done with them? ministry did not hesitate to go right into the midst of it." They are having a desperate time as migrants "In many instances help came from the outside, for following the crops. Now the rains have come which we were profoundly thankful, but the most inspir- again to the Great Plains, and many of them are ing thing was the willingness of the people to help each turning their faces wistfully toward the East. other. The self-respect and the mind to cope with diffi- They still own a "place" in Kansas, Colorado, or culty have meant something to these people." the Dakotas. Others lost the equity in their farms and became tenants, but the only neighborhood One could continue to cite the many and various and community experience they had was back testimonies of experience. But we are concerned in the drought country. They were members of as to what is now taking place, what is the outlook the church. No wonder they long to get back. for the immediate future, and what kind of program is being devised for the coming years. Many of those who were "dried" or "dusted" out have returned, some for sentimental reasons, First, let it be said that many of the communi- others because they discovered that they were no ties in the drought area will never be rehabilitated better off elsewhere. Those who have been exon the old basis of agriculture. The soil is de- posed for the first time to a migrant life have stroyed-"gone with the wind." The Department reaped a bitter harvest of experience, and are sayof Agriculture is making a desperate effort to ing "Never again." establish the native buffalo grass, but it is a most difficult task. If this can be done, a limited num- I visited in a small farm shack in the dust reber of farmers can be maintained in cattle-raising, gion of eastern Colorado a year ago. It was in a such as prevailed before the land was ploughed up section where nearly everybody had left. This for wheat. In other sections where not all the good land was destroyed, it would be possible to reestablish a smaller number of farmers if there could be some greater diversification of crops, and more of the land were left in grass. This is already taking place and the church life is already being adjusted to the more restricted population.
farmer had been away two years but had returned. of four hundred people with four churches and There had been recent rains that had given en- two others in the sparsely populated territory couragement, but that was not the main reason for around. This town, like many others, was started this man's return. The dust was still piled high during the World War, with the promise of prosaround the house and the yard and fences. Farm perity in two-dollar wheat. The settlers were of machinery left behind was still buried in the dust. the cultured type and remain, hoping against hope We sat in the kitchen and talked, and I finally for better days. They have nothing to sell and no plunged into the question of the reason for his place to go. One church would be ample for this return. I had already noted the absence of his town and the surrounding community. Such wife, and that his two daughters were evidently adjustments could be made in many of the areas keeping house. Looking through the open door, that have been devastated by drought, dust, and he pointed to a little graveyard that the dust had grasshoppers, and the responsible denominational also made well-nigh invisible. He proceeded to leaders owe it to such communities to lead out in tell me the story. "Well-nigh twenty years ago a program of economy, of comity and cooperation. I came to this place with my bride; it is the only real home I have ever had. Together we worked One of the outstanding editors of a series of hard and made money and paid for this place. Kansas weekly papers, which circulate in the Poor and desolate as it seems now, it is my own. drought country, makes some interesting observa- Once it was lovely in the green of crops and pas- tions as to conditions: ture. Over in yon graveyard lies my wife and two children. I cannot leave them. This is my Like all other institutions out here, the Church has sufhome." A lump came in my throat and made fered with the successive years of drought and disaster argument impossible. What was there to say to this section has known, and is bereft of income since the such a plea? whole economic program is built around farm production. There has been some retreat in faith, particularly in the Others are now returning because of the in- last two years; the feeling that seven years of drought creased snow and rainfall of the past year. Sec- and hardship would be succeeded by seven prosperous tions that have been barren and desolate in the years was clearly based on biblical precedent. When 1938 drought and dust for five years are now lovely in failed to bring a crop, certain wavering was evident and the green of the grass and the gold of the wheat the succeeding crop in 1939 likewise added its effect. Of crop. Moreover, we must remember that to most course, the departure of countless thousands of people of these people these places are home. They are from this region resulted in the loss of some of our finest all they possess and, given a year or two of reason- leaders. People are now working on Sunday who preable rainfall, the people can do better here than viously declined so to do. I noted last night some seventy anywhere else for they have no rent to pay. or eighty cars near the picture theatre as compared to four cars in front of the Baptist Church and six cars in Scourge of Grasshoppers front of the Nazarene Church. In this town, a town of some eight hundred people, we still maintain four churches There is another problem that should be con- and three full-time ministers. I have felt however that sidered with the drought and dust. The recurring the town would be better off with only two churches invisitation of grasshoppers is equally as distressing stead of the nine or ten we have tried to support in good to certain farm areas. In certain sections where days. The unification move in these small towns would the crops are reasonably free from drought and strengthen the churches, in my opinion, although denom- dust peril, they are in danger of the plague of inational differences will always prevent that desired end grasshoppers. In Montana there is still much to some extent. suffering because of the results of this plague of 1938. Rehabilitation The Farm Administration is carrying forward If some way could be devised whereby these a vigorous campaign to exterminate the grasshop- people would go into greater diversification of pers this year. An army of men is employed to crops and, in particular, get a goodly portion of mix the poison with sawdust and wheat bran and their land back again into buffalo grass for graz- distribute it. Airplanes are used to scatter the ing cattle, they could solve their problem. In poison over the infested areas. other drought areas where the farmers have con- tinued on this basis, they have survived with little The pastors are facing their tasks with a spirit loss. Sections of Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, of heroism, but it is a terrific battle to be con- and Wyoming that were in the drought region, stantly fighting this triple problem of drought, and where the farmers did not plough up the land dust, and grasshoppers. Whatever the future may to wheat duripg the World War but continued to develop in regard to these three factors, there cer- graze cattle on the native buffalo grass, have re- tainly could be many adjustments made to ease mained with little change during the dry years. the situation from the point of view of the Church in some of these communities. Here is one town As suggested previously, the Church will do well to join its forces with Uncle Sam in a more constructive approach to the settlement of people on the land, to avoid a repetition of the wastage of our rural heritage in riotous farming, to pre-
BY-PRODUCTS OF THE ARABIAN MISSION
vent this soil erosion that has its ultimate and The stewardship of the soil is a religious remore serious disaster in human erosion. Large sponsibility. But the other side of this problem sections of the inland United States will doubtless is that you cannot maintain good churches where go back to desert. It is estimated that in three of the soil has been depleted. In the meantime we the dust storms alone some three hundred million must give financial help and encouragement to the tons of fertile soil has been blown away from the Church in the drought area, in order that it may Mississippi Valley, a quantity equal to 150,000 help the people as they return to get a new start. acres of good land. We must help them to carryon the work.
By,Products of the Arabian Mission By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D. II ~.- One of the Pioneers of the Arabian Mission I~==============================~ "I WENT into Arabia . . . ," wrote the Apostle the Moslem situation. Their influence has gone Paul to the Galatians. But no one knows out to every mission Board having work among why he went to Arabia, nor where he went, Moslems. The Cairo Conference was proposed by nor what he did there. There were no direct re- James Cantine at an Indian missionary gathering, sults from this journey as far as we know. The to which he was a delegate from the Persian Gulf.
indirect results were a new man in Christ; a new It resulted in a deeper interest in Moslems in all missionary program; a revolution in missionary missionary circles. Three volumes of its report thinking, and thirteen Epistles that have shaken were printed and its resolutions were translated the Church and the world, after Paul's three years into German, Danish and Dutch. The general of meditation. conference held at Lucknow in 1911 was the pre- The Standard Oil Company and the Dupont cursor of the Cairo Study Center; a series of text- Manui,acturing Company both tell the world that books on Islam was issued and the Missionaries to their by-products are far more important and re- Moslems League for all India was formed. From munerating than their original products. As we this conference also dated the Moslem World quar- look back fifty years, we rejoice at what the terly, published first in London, 1911-1918, and Arabian Mission has done in and for Arabia. The since then in New York City. It was at Lucknow direct results are by no means negligible, but the that plans were made for a Christian literature by-products of the Mission are an even more re- committee for the world of Islam.
markable testimony to God's guidance and good- The Arabian missionaries served the Student ness and overruling Providence. Volunteer Movement in America for a number of First of all, we thank God that the Arabian years. Zwemer, Harrison and Storm visited hun- Mission of the Reformed Church in America be- dreds of universities, colleges and seminaries and came the mother of four other Christian missions. secured scores of misionaries for Moslem lands.
The Danish Church Mission at Aden was the re- This movement also published mission-study text- sult oi an appeal for Hadramaut, written by one books on Islam and on unoccupied fields, which of our missionaries in 1894; the Christian and had a circulation of over twenty thousand, with Missionary Alliance work in Palestine and Iran remarkable results in awakening the students of owe their initiative to influences from Arabia; that generation to the challenge of Islam and the the United Mission in Iraq was founded by Dr. unfinished task of evangelism.
James Cantine and Dr. William I. Chamberlain; The literary output of the Arabian Mission in- Miss Grace Strang was formerly a member of the cludes not only the books mentioned, but also the Arabian Mission and later started the Friends of twenty-eight volumes of The Moslem World, the Arabia Mission at Hillah. six volumes of Cairo and Lucknow Reports, and The Arabian Mission organized and followed up smaller textbooks on "Islam," "Moslem Woman- the first and second missionary conferences on hood" and "Moslem Childhood."· We must add the Mohammedan world, at Cairo in 1906 and at also thirty Arabic tracts and ten books for Mos- Lucknow in 1911. These were the first councils lems, printed by the Nile Mission Press, and trans- ever held by missionaries to survey and to face lated into other languages; two Arabic grammars
by Dr. John Van Ess; Dr. Paul W. Harrison's its organization; the Fellowship of Faith for Mos- "With the Arab at Home"; and twenty books in lems is a prayer league with headquarters in Lon- English on Arabia, Islam or missions by Zwemer, don, which enlists world-wide intercession for of which some have been translated into Chinese, Moslems wherever found; the Friends of Mos- Swedish, Danish, German, French, Dutch, Urdu lems in China, of which the Reverend C. L. Pickand Persian. And last, but not least, Dr. W. ens of Hankow is secretary, is a union of workers, Harold Storm's survey of all Arabia for the World native and foreign, for prayer and effort; the Dominion Movement. Brotherhood of Andrew (Lahore), is an associa- tion of Moslem converts for mutual help, social The medical missionaries to Arabia have made and economic, and to publish tracts, extend a helpan important contribution to medicine and sur- ing hand to converts and restore backsliders. gery in papers sent to medical journals. In the investigation of leprosy, Dr. Storm's report and The Arabian Mission has given two of its misthe work of Dr. Moerdyk are well known. Also sionaries to occupy Chairs of Missions and Isthe special surgical technique of Dr. Harrison lamics, one at Princeton Theological Seminary and Dr. Mylrea and their work in oriental dis- and one at the Hartford School of Missions. eases. The steady, patient, persistent work of the mis- The following organizations, all of which deal sionaries, men and women, in eastern Arabia has with Moslem evangelization, owe their origin di- changed the whole attitude of the government offirectly to the Arabian Mission: The American cials, British and Arab, from indifference or hos- Christian Literature Society for Moslems, incor- tility to warm friendship. It has changed the porated in New York and with field committees spiritual climate of East Arabia. What this in every land where there are missions to Mos- means is clear from the following article in which lems, from China to Egypt, has contributed over Sir Arnold Wilson gives a well deserved tribute to fifty thousand dollars for books and tracts since the work in Arabia.
A Diplomat on Missions in Arabia* -<Ell By SIR ARNOLD WILSON. M. P. III!>– .n.A MERICAN Christian missionary activities in 1891. After a preliminary study of the vast re- Asia are as widespread as those of Britain; gion, they established themselves in Basrah they labor under the same handicaps, suf- (1892), in Bahrein (1893), and in Muscat (1894), fer the same kind of criticism and, among those to and in 1895 in Amarah. That they should have whom they minister, enjoy the same reputation for encountered opposition is not surprising: that altruism. Having had some opportunity, over a they should have accomplished little in the first period of nearly twenty years, of observing at few decades was likewise to be expected. Progress close quarters the work of the Arabian Mission in other than mechanical inventions is to be reckof the Reformed Church in America, I feel moved oned in terms, not of calendar years, but of generto record something of its history, growth and ations. achievement. In 1895 Dr. Worrall went to Basrah as a perma- The first American pioneer in Arabia was James nent medical worker: with him was his wife, also Cantine. Islam was then as intolerant of Chris- a physician. Here they printed the first Arabic tianity as at any time; the Arabs, in whose hands missionary leaflets. In 1902 medical work began lay its principal shrines, stood aloof, isolated and at Bahrein in a permanent building, The Mason suspicious, because they saw Islam everywhere at Memorial Hospital, adjoining existing boys' and issue with Christian powers, and almost every- girls' schools. Death took a heavy toll during where losing ground. these years, but men and women to replace those who had fallen were not lacking, and by 1906, Cantine went first to Beirut to study the lan- when I first went to the Persian Gulf, the Ameriguage. In 1890 he went with Samuel Zwemer to can Mission was already well established. Aden, and there met an English missionary, the aged Bishop Valpy French, who died in Muscat in Lieut.-Colonel Cox (later Sir Percy), British Consul-General in South Persia and Political Resi- • Condensed from The Nineteenth Century and Ajte,r.
A DIPLOMAT ON MISSIONS IN ARABIA
dent in charge of the Arabian coast, knew both and unscholarly speed. It required a supple- James Cantine and Samuel M. Zwemer personally. A good Arabie scholar, he recognized their mentary local vocabulary; that, too, was fortherudition; a man of high principles, he a~mired the tenacity with which they preserved theIr own coming, and it was followed by an advanced Araideals. His subordinates at Muscat and Bahrein and at Kuwait, and his colleagues at Basrah, were bic grammar which is still the standard text-book encouraged to help American missionary activities when they could properly do so, and the Arab in Iraq. chiefs were not encouraged to complain of the subversive activities of men who then, as in Ephe- After the War the Lansing Memorial Hospital sus nearly 1900 years before, seemed bent upon disturbing popular beliefs. was transferred to Amarah, * as the Maude Mem- In 1909 medical work was started in Matrah, orial Hospital (recently erected) met the needs not far from Muscat. In 1916 the great influenza epidemic smote Arabia and Persia. Ibn Saud, of of Basrah but the mission school remained at Arabian monarchs the most enlightened, sent for an American doctor from Bahrein; the call was Basrah an'd prospered. The parents of a child, answered and proved to be the first of many. The inauguration of an air service from Basrah to whether Moslem or Christian, who have passed India via Bahrein made further visits possible to the Pirate Coast, as the long coastline of Muscat through a mission school have no reason to regret and Hasa was long appropriately called. The discovery of petroleum in Bahrein and of artesian their choice, and the Government has learned that water, has brought to the American Mission fresh opportunities and fresh responsibilities. such boys can be trusted when they grow to be In 1910 medical work was started in Kuwait, men. *** thanks to the good offices of Sheikh Mubarak with the Sheikh Khazal of Mohammerah and the Naqib Such, very briefly, is the history of a mission of Basrah, whose son, despaired of in Bombay hospitals, was cured of a tumor on the .neck by which for fifty years has sought to make good Dr. Bennett. They had a long tussle wIth local prejudice, for Kuwait had maintained its inde- Moslems better citizens in the hope that some pendence of Turkey mainly by keeping all foreign- among them and they the best, will make the ers at a distance. A school followed in 1913 and later a permanent hospital. sacrifice, to them second only to that of life itself, When the Great War broke out Ibn Saud was and profess Christ. Its work is not to be measnearby with his army, and sought medical aid from Dr. C. S. G. Mylrea, who is still stationed at ured in terms of converts made, in bodies cured, Kuwait where he occupies a unique position. In the following year Mubarak died, regretted by or children taught, still less in gallant lives spent, every European who knew him, and most of all by a younger man whom he had befriended in and sometimes prematurely ended, in regions adversity, Ibn Saud, today King of Saudi Arabia. War came to the gates of Kuwait and the hospital which to outsiders seem, in Lord Curzon's words was full of wounded; its value and the absolutely disinterested service of the staff was recognized. when he toured the Persian Gulf in 1902, "so in- The young Ahmad, who succeeded to the Sheikhship of Kuwait, was encouraged to learn what he trinsically abominable and vile." There is room could from Dr. and Mrs. Edwin E. Calverley, of the American Mission. in the world, and there is need, both for the priest When the British expeditionary force entered and the missionary, for the acolyte at the altar Basrah in November 1914, they found the American Lansing Memorial Hospital full of Turkish and the surgeon at the mission hospital, for the wounded; Dr. John Van Ess and his wife were in charge of the mission; their wide knowledge preacher in the market-place, and for "the school of local affairs was greatly in request. The army wanted an elementary grammar of Iraqic Arabic; marm" in the classroom. Fifty years of Christian Dr. Van Ess produced one with scholarly precision witness in Arabia, in the Persian Gulf and Persia has profoundly modified the ethical outlook of Moslems.
Exponents of Islam today tend to emphasize its points of approach to Christianity, rather than the differences. Their legislation tends to approx- imate Western patterns in many ways. A coun- try once exposed to Western ideas, can never be the' same as before. The new foundations must embody Western as well as Eastern material if what is built thereon is to endure. Christian mis- sions in general, and the American Mission in Arabia in particular, are doing much, but not a tithe of what should be done, to ensure that Arabs, to whom it falls to choose Western material with which to build, shall be enabled to distinguish between good and bad and between true and false.
On their ability to do so depends their future. As in China and in Persia, in India and elsewhere, Anglo-American cooperation in the missionary field is today cordial and complete. The contri- bution that America is making to the welfare of the world in this sphere is unheralded and little regarded by statesmen or merchants, but I believe it will endure when much else has perished.
• It is now engaged, with considerable success, in the treatment of leprosy.
Fasl–Begh-Address
By "SHAHEEDA"
An E1Jangelical Russian Missionary "A ND so you are about to return to your wan- arkand and the half-wild Emirate of Bokhara, to l".. derings with the Word of God through the frontier of Afghanistan, where the river Turkestan? Well, God speed you! and, by the way, do try to find my friend Fasl-Begh!" Amou-Darya rolled its muddy waters through the "Your friend Fasl-Begh? Who is he and where sandy deserts of Karakum into the Aral Sea. does he live?" I asked from the old gentleman to whom I was bidding farewell. He was of some- All this wide stretch of land was solidly Moslem, what foreign appearance, as he sat there with his red fez on his head-a turkish mullah from with only a sprinkling of Europeans, mostly Rus- Erzeroum in times past, but for many years a zealous Christian missionary to Moslems in one sians. And in this vast "haystack" I had been of the Balkan States. asked to find Fasl-Begh Ssurkh-Khan, a man "That is what I am asking you to find out," said he. "Some 15 years ago he was my helper wholly unknown to me. at Kashgar, where we translated the New Testament into Kashgary. A fine man, of noble birth Two or three months passed in traveling with and noble mind, and not far from the Kingdom of God. . . . If you will make my request a sub- the Word of God through the country by rail, then ject for prayer, the Lord Himself will guide you to where my friend may be found. And you can by steamer or overland on the native high twogive him news about the work which has been committed to me, and my warm brotherly wishes wheeled aroba. I was in touch with hundreds of and blessing!" Ousbeks, Kirghis, Turkmen, Tadjik and Afghans, I smiled, as I shook his hand: "This is like looking for a needle in a haystack-but it appeals yet not once had I been prompted to ask anyone to me as a matter of faith, to look for 'someone, somewhere,' on a stretch of land of 3 to 4,000 "whether he was Fasl-Begh or ever had heard kilometres wide and inhabiteu by about eight millions of people! But I will trust God, who has about him." But I had not forgotten old Mr. promised to 'guide us with His eye.' He certainly knows where our friend Fasl-Begh is. even Awetaranian's request: I had prayerfully comif he be at the end of the earth !" mitted his friend's name to my memory, whence So I set out for Turkestan, for another summer's work as a wandering colporteur with the it had slipped into my subconsciousness, and I Scriptures. I had been called by the Lord four years ago, from a prosperous work in the slums of was sure that in God's own good time it would Moscow, to a "knight-errant's" life in Russian Central Asia. Being neither upheld nor fettered reappear. . by any missionary society, I had set out under the Master's guidance, to make known the name Meanwhile I had been working with all the of the Lord Jesus Christ in this almost wholly Moslem land. love, energy, initiative and "hallowed pluck,"
In my j ourneyings I crossed the several thou- which were at my disposal, amidst most varied sands of miles from Ferghana on the western frontier of China to the Caspian Sea-traveling, circumstances and among "all sorts and conditions by rail, or in the cars used by the Mohammedan population, or I journeyed from the north, the of men"; making known the precious name of my border of Kirghisistan, down south through Sam- Lord-His exalted state, His love unto death- by word of mouth, or by tracts in anyone of twenty-two different languages.
Many heard of Him, some questioned me about Him, from curiosity or because of enmity against His Godhead and His Cross. A few had pondered the message which promised life and light, for- giveness and peace to their earnest but darkened souls.
Late autumn had set in and the time had come to settle in one of the large cities of Turkestan where I could give myself to language-study. I felt the burden of the summer's work; the strain of the many talks and pleadings, battling against the iron wall of Islam; the pain at the rebuff and scorn against the Son of God; the exertion of attempting to read, speak and think in so many different languages; the most needed ones, as Ousbek and Pharsi, were not yet sufficiently mas- tered by me. The body also felt the hardships of traveling in the primitive native way, of the ex- [400 ] cessive heat by day and the cold nights often spent earth and sky and living creatures seemed to join under the starry sky, with unsufficient food and in the song of praise which filled my heart. On lack of sleep. My whole being, spirit soul and the impression of that trip, I decided to go up to body, had been drained, poured out in the passion- Osh and see what the Lord might have prepared ate effort to "call many" and if possible to "save for me there. some." Yet, praise the Lord, with all this human strain and pain, there was joy in my heart for the It was a large, typically Ousbek village or small great privilege of having been sent out as "a voice town, with a Russian military garrison guarding in the wilderness" of a Moslem land and people! the mountain road up to Kashgar, built at the foot of the Mount Suleiman, in memory of a legendary While getting ready to settle at Samarkand for visit to Osh by King Solomon. The view from the winter, the thought suddenly struck me that there was vast and beautiful. To the right, one during this summer's journeyings I had passed by looked into Western China, to the left, in Eastern the small town of Osh, peopled by Ousbeks and sit- Bokhara, towered snowcapped mountain ranges; uated in the mountains, on the way to Kashgar swift, silver-green streams rushed down, through or Chinese Turkestan. I could not close my sum- sandy deserts, to the fertile plains near Andijan mer term, nor rest, till I had gone up to Osh once which nestled in the light-green vineyards and more. dark mulberry trees.
Going Up to Osh I put up at a small caravansary and wandered, with my load of Scriptures in Russian and in the The memory of my last trip up to the Kashgar native language, some days up and down the few road was yet dear to me. It had not been success- streets in the military compound, and through the ful in a purely spiritual sense; but it had been labyrinth of lanes and bazaars in the "old" or large quite a "pioneer's" feat. The large Ousbek vil- Ousbek village. But neither in the shops nor in lage which I went out to visit lay still higher up the tea-houses, did I find interest in my message than Osh at its 5000 feet, and never before had or in my books. This seemed a closed place to me! any messenger of the Cross been there. I remem- This was strange, especially because of the strong bered the slow drive up with the aroba, the road inward urge which had made me return on my having been hewn out into mountains of pink and steps and mount up here! I wondered what had white alabaster. I recalled my arrival at eve- been the purpose of my Master in leading me so ning, before a great fair which would attract hun- definitely to this out-of-the way Osh? dreds of mountain people, all of them Moslems. I passed the night sleepless, in my high two- Evening was falling; shops were being closed wheeled car, in the big courtyard of the caravan- and the men went to the tea-houses or to their sary-rats jumping over me and dogs sniffing at homes. I was about to return to my lodgings, me. I meditated about the responsibility of bring- having just finished talking to an inquisitive old ing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Moslems. Bokharian Jew, when my eyes fell on a man who, Even if not one would allow me to explain the evidently, had been listening to our conversation message to him I knew from experience that many on religious questions. I was struck with his apwould buy the prettily bound and cheap Scrip- pearance. Dressed like an Ousbek, with the Kaftan ture portions in Ousbek, Kirghis and Persian, and Moslem headgear, yet he had not the face and would take them into far-away mountain- of the Turk but of the Aryan race! It was a villages where they would be read. The seed thin long, greybearded face with a most un-monwould thus fall on hearts-stony one or thorny or golian eagle's nose and clever dark grey eyes. -God alone knew!-maybe on a good ground. There was an inward light shining in them, a question-as he looked at me-and we continued I had noticed on my arrival that the next day's for some moments to look spellbound at each round through the fair would be difficult. The other. people seemed rougher than those of the plain, many of them might never before have seen a Then from my subconsciousness a nearly for- European woman, an unveiled one! They looked gotten name rose up; by a sudden inspiration I threateningly and in an unfriendly way at the said slowly and tentatively: "Are you Faslunwelcome guest. What would they say to her Begh?" With a still brighter light in his eyes he message? answered: "Yes, I am Fasl-Begh!"
But with all that, I had deep joy and peace in Joy flooded my soul! In a moment we had my heart. Around me was the moonlit silent gripped each other's hands and immediately a night, the rustling of wind in the high poplar bond of future friendship, yea fellowship, linked trees, the sweet voices of many a nightingale and us one to another. At last I said to Him: "I the twitter of half-asleep birds, the fragrant have been asked by Mr. Awetaranian to find you smell of the resting earth! I felt the presence of 'somewhere' in Central Asia and to give you his Him whom I loved and served, and all around the message of brotherly love. And lo! our Lord,
who knew all these years since you separated ber of years, in order to let them be educated. "Do you wish them to have a Christian educawhere you could be found, hath guided me up here tion?" I asked. to the very farthest spot of Turkestan!" "Yes, I mean it just that way!" was his answer. The little girl still needed a mother's care but Fasl-Begh was delighted to hear once more we agreed that I would make arrangements for from his former friend and co-worker with whom the boy with my missionary friends at Cairo and Beirut, and would come for him, the Lord willing, he had lost contact for many a year. I promised the next spring. I bade my new friends farewell and left for Bokhara. This happened in Septemto come to his house the next day, and so we ber 1913.
separated for the night. Subsequent Events Only those of God's children who have experi- The winter passed quickly for me-partly in medical missionary work at Jiddah among the pilenced His leadings into ways which seem sheer grims passing through this port on their way to Mecca-partly in language-study at Samarkand. "foolishness" to the world-those who have been In May 1914 I was again at Osh, heartily wel- comed by Fasl-Begh and his family. willing, as Abraham was, to leave all and go out I found the man more firm in his stand for "not knowing whither" and why they are led- Christ, more outspoken before his neighbors; we could thank God for scorn and shame borne by only these understand the joy which filled my him for Christ's sake. It was agreed that the grandfather who meant to make this year the pilheart to overflowing. They will feel the tender grimage to Mecca, should take the boy with him and deliver him to me at Jiddah, where I hoped to gratefulness for having been privileged once be again at work during the Hajj. .
more, to "find Him fully true" and trustworthy! When we separated, we could not foresee the destructive warfare that would sweep over the The next morning I went to Fasl-Begh's com- world a few months later, breaking up and shat- tering like a typhoon, kingdoms, nations and indipound and at once felt at home with his children viduals! The Great War was on. The whole of Europe, and especially the Mediterranean states, and his wife, whom he presented as "the best of were .in a turmoil. People who were traveling, had eIther come to a dead-stop, cowering in anxiwomen"-an expression quite unusual with a Mo- ety wherever the thunderbolt of war struck them, or were rushing in a wild panic to return to their hammedan. I shared the family meal and we respective countries.
then went to Fasl-Begh's private den, full of The pilgrimage to Mecca had been forbidden by nearly every government; consequently neibooks-evidently the abode of a student. ther Fasl-Begh's father nor his son were able to reach me at Jiddah, from which I had been ex- "Have you found and accepted the truth as it pelled by the Turkish Government.
is in Jesus, through your work of translation of My hope of going again to see my friends at Osh had also come to nought. My unusual jourthe Gospels into Kashgary?" I asked him. For neyings through Central Asia had always been undesirable to the Russian Government; but after answer he showed me his Bible in Persian, and I the War broke out their mild displeasure changed into frank suspicion towards me. In order not was deeply moved on finding its margins covered to involve my friends in my personal difficulties, I refrained from going to Osh. But seed had with annotations, proving unmistakably that been sown, faith had been strengthened, a bond of fellowship linked me with the solitary far-away here was a seeker and an earnest one, with a real seeker. It lay in the Lord's hands to perfect the work which He had begun in Fasl-Begh's heart. interest in the Word of God. Never again did I meet my friend face to face. Again I asked: "Friend Fasl-Begh, have you From the few letters which we exchanged, whilst I stayed in Samarkand, I gathered with joy, that accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?" through material trials which the World War He looked at me with thoughtful eyes and said: "I do believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross. . . ." , "But did He die for you, personally?" He kept silence, but his manner, was not that of a Mo- hammedan to whom the cross of Christ was an offence. He was more a seeking "Nicodemus"
who asks in sincerity "How can these things be?
How may I make my own the truth which I be- lieve as a historical fact?" The Holy Spirit, who had revealed God's plan of love for mankind, could also enlighten this sincere lonely seeker in- to an experience of the truth.
We had a friendly talk as in the presence of Him who had been drawing this precious soul to Himself all these years. Fasl-Begh was a sensi- tive and retiring man; it would cost too much, as yet, to step out openly from the Beit-ul-Islam into the family of God in Jesus Christ! He was still bound by the traditions and customs of Islam and he was one of the foremost men of the village; like the "rich young ruler" he did not yet love Jesus enough to "leave all and follow Him."
I was gladdened by his request to take two of his children to Europe or to the Levant for a num-
"UNTIL WE FIND THEM" IN DUTCH NEW GUINEA
brought with it, and quite alone in his Moslem for they had become his open foes. When the surroundings, he was pressing on towards the Mennonite brethren next came to Osh, they did goal-Christ his Saviour. I committed Fasl- not find him. When the days of Russian lawless- Begh and his family to my Mennonite friends in ness had come and anyone could lift up his hand Kirghisistan, but above all into the hands of God. against everybody else with impunity, a mob of villagers approached his house, reviling and Six years later-in 1922-1 returned to Turke- threatening him, and clamoured for his Biblestan and at once made enquiries about Fasl-Begh. the cause of their fierce hatred! The answer was that during my absence my Mennonite brethren had visited all my Moslem No man had stood by him in his hour of friends, and had found Fasl-Begh spiritually alive danger; he was killed by the mob, and entered and, gratefully accepting instruction; they hoped, his Lord's presence, one of the firstfruits from on his witness to the Lord Jesus as his personal Turkestan Moslems. Saviour, to baptize him the next year. Thus my friend Basl-Begh, whom I had set He must have made a frank confession to his out to seek and to find, had been sought and neighbors of his acceptance of the Lord Jesus, found by the Lord Jesus, to be with Him forever.
"Until We Find Them" In Dutch New Guinea* By R. A. JAFFRAY, Makassar, Netherlands East Indies Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance JESUS spake this parable-the three-in-one par- two ago, for the first time, have been sighted and able of The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and photographed from the air. Until thus discovered The Lost Son. Fi:r~st, one in one hundred is they had lived alone, away from the coast, with no lost, then one in ten, and then one of two is lost. road or even footpath leading from the coast to The shepherd goes after the one lost sheep, till their jungle home. Until a year or so ago they He finds it. The woman lights a candle, sweeps had not known that any others share this world the house, and seeks diligently, till she finds it. with them; they had not known that any other The father waits patiently and lovingly until the peoples lived under the sun save themselves. son returns from his sin and wanderings in a far country, until the lost son is found, the dead is 'I'hanks to men seeking oil and gold in New alive again. Guinea, these people have been located. The Dutch Government at once set to the task of making So must we go out after the last tribe of man- trails from the coast towns nearest to them, to the kind, wherever they be, however far away from place where they live on the mountain slope, in Christ and His Gospel. It is not enough to wait the jungles of the well-nigh impenetrable, virgin till they come to us, or cry to us to come to them. forest. Shall not the missionary at once go up We must deliberately, determinedly, go after them, these trails, and seek the lost until he find them? enduring the hardships of the jungle trail, till we find them. Dutch and American companies have united in gigantic effort of seeking oil in this. great island When the last tribe of mankind is at last told of New Guinea. At one place, a town called Babo, the story of God's redeeming love, the Father will over twenty million U. S. A. dollars have already rejoice, and they will then "begin to be merry" been expended, and only this year are they comin Heaven, and the merriment will never end. mencing to drill for the oil. The captain of the steamer on which the writer recently traveled Probably among the last peoples of earth to be from Makassar over to Dutch New Guinea said discovered, are those tribes in the interior of that no lesls than 120 new American scientists are Dutch New Guinea, whose villages, only a year or expected to arrive in Rabo and other places in Dutch New Guinea. this year in the search for oil, • Condensed from the Evangelical Christian, Toronto, Canada.
and he expected that on every trip from now on, positive message of the Gospel is to these people! his steamer would be filled with Americans bound Dutch missionaries on the northern coast, and for the oil fields of New Guinea. British missionaries in British New Guinea, have They mean business. Do we? They are after already seen tens of thousands, of these wild Papthe things that peris:h. Shall we go and seek for uans turn to Christ and be saved. So shall it be souls that never die, till we find them? They are with these who have so recently been discovered willing to pay the price in inconvenience and hard- on the southwestern coast of Dutch New Guinea. ship. Are we willing to suffer and bleed, if need be? Are we willing to pray, and to give, and to During the past few years in Borneo, we have go, in Christ's Name, until we find, perhaps, the seen the mighty Spirit of God at work among the last tribes of earth who are to hear the Gospel ere wild men, the Dyaks, of the Borneo jungle. Over He returns to this world to rule? ten thousand of them have definitely accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, and as many more The Christian and Missionary Alliance has ap- seek to know the Lord Jesus and His gracious plied to the Dutch Colonial Government for per- power to save. What He has, done, and is still mission to open missionary work in three parts doing for the wild man of Borneo, He can, and of Dutch New Guinea, first, on an island off the will do for the still wilder man of the interior northern coast, called Misool (it has been called jungles of New Guinea. We have a deep conthe devil's island); ,second, in the northerly part sciousness that it is the Will of the Lord that the of Dutch New Guinea, called Vogel-kop (Bird's Dyak of Borneo, now saved, thoroughly taught Head), where a lake, known as Lake Amaroe, has in the Word of the Gospel, and filled with the been discovered; third, further down the south- Spirit of Christ, will be the best evangelist to take western coast, where three lakes have been dis- the Gospel to the still wilder man, the Papuan of covered from the air, called the Wissel Lakes, and New Guinea. where dwell tens of thousands of hitherto unknown peoples. Many Dyaks have gone over to New Guinea in connection with the oil and gold companies, and The whole southwestern coast of Dutch New among them, quite a number of Dyak Christians, Guinea is an unoccupied field for Protestant mis- including three or four of the elders of the church. sionary work. Up the many little rivers may be In connection with the Alliance Bible School at found Papuans to whom no one has gone with the Makassar, where more than three hundred stu- Gospel. They are not only head-hunters, but they dents are being trained for the Gospel ministry, are cannibals, living still in the Stone Age; and we have more than fifty Dyak students in preparayet the testimony of all who have had contact at tion for the work. Pray that the right men may all with these people of the interior is that they be called and sent forth in the name of the Lord. have found them friendly. These people eat the A prominent Dutch official expressed himself as flesh of enemies conquered in war, but God seems heartily in favor of the plan. It is significant that to have made them friendly toward the white man. both the local and the highest officials are heartily supporting the suggestion of this new work in the Dr. A. H. Colyn, the son of the Prime Minister interior of New Guinea. of Holland, headed an expedition to these newlydiscovered lakes by plane. Some of the Papuans These recently discovered cannibal tribes, the were so interested in these "men from heaven" Papuans of the interior of New Guinea, have sunk that they determined to follow them and thus to the level of the beast but they were originally learn the way to heaven! They said, "Thes,e men made in the image of their Creator and may yet came from heaven. We saw them come. This is be saved and restored to God's image. what we want to know-the way to heaven." With considerable difficulty six natives found their way Pray that we may reach these wild people of to Babo but they soon found that Babo was not New Guinea. Let us go with Him after the last heaven by any means. The Assistant Resident at lost sheep, "until He find it." Fak-fak felt that it was his duty to fly with these seekers back to their own jungle land! Seed Thoughts from the Moody Bible Institute Speakers The dress of the Papuan is very simple. They go practically naked, with the exception of a loin Fruit is never born by doing; fruit is always cloth and strings of beads. They wear heavy ear- born by dying.-Bishop William Culbertson. rings, a bone piercing the nose, etc., all of which are charms, supposed to ward off the evil in- Don't talk about the tragedy of the cross; fluences of demons. In fact, their whole religion that was God-planned. Talk about the tragedy is a negative one of fear, and is a matter of sacri- of sin that caused the cross.-Dr. H. W. Bieber. fice to demons, so as to avoid the harm which they have the power to inflict. What good tidings the Too many Christians are seeking an easy life. They w~nt the Gospel train to be streamlined and air-conditioned, and furnished with chairs.-Le- land Wang, China.
STUDENTS IN THE LUDHIANA WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COLLEGE (1937-38
Training Indian Women Doctors By DAME EDITH BROWN, D.B.E., M.A., M.D., M.C.O.G., Ludhiana, Punjab, India A S A YOUNG woman doctor, I went out to The financial resources of this embryo college r-. India forty-seven years ago, and began consisted in a gift of fifty pounds, with a promise of a further fifty pounds per annum for the follow- medical missionary work. My single- ing three years. Had it not been that we were handed effort to alleviate the desperate sufferings confident that this was a call of God and that He of Indian women was seriously handicapped for would provide, it would have been madness to lack of skilled assistance, so that I took counsel launch out on such an enterprise with such meagre with other medical missionaries, and we came to resources. the conclusion that the solution of the problem was to take steps to found a medical school where In- The College started work in an old schoolhouse, dian Christian girls could be trained as doctors with four medical students and two student disand nurses. No effort seemed too great if we pensers. Today, after forty-four years of ceasecould build up a corps of efficient Indian Chris- less, consecutive grind we have three hundred stutian doctors for the Indian women. dents who are adequately housed in college build- ings covering fifteen acres. These premises have It was a pioneer venture but, urged by the cost fifty thousand pounds and we s,tarted with desperate need, the preliminary difficulties were only fifty pounds in hand. To us it is a miracle overcome and in 1894 the first Medical Training indeed. Now the College is affiliated with Punjab School for women in India was established. It University; this status enables our students to take was a glorious venture! The challenge was: the M.B. and B.S. degrees of that University- "India's millions of suffering and uncared-for degrees which are recognized in England. women." Our response was: "By the good hand of our God upon us it shall be done." In addition to a thorough medical education, the [405 ]
students have the inestimable benefit of a moral We have a useful pathological laboratory, with training, which cannot fail to impress them, and a well-equipped department for X-ray and radium to influence all their future life. Each day the treatment. We also have tuberculosis clinics. work hegins with prayer and careful and thorough The maternity· department is one of the busies1t, Bible teaching. By this means the students can and is the means of saving incalculable suffering explore the great Treasure House of the Word of to India's mothers and of saving the lives of hun- God, which is the Easterner's heritage as truly as dreds of India's children. it is the Westerner's. From this College and hospital three hundred In addiition to residential buildings tlere is a and sixty d.octors, and more than two hundred and hospital with two hundred and sixty beds, and an fifty nurses and dispensers, have been sent into outpatient department with average attendance all parts of India. Most of them have gone as daily of two hundred and seventy-five women and Christian missionaries to their own people. children. Some of the hospital wards are so arranged that it is possible f.or purdah women to More than nine hundred of our midwives of observe the rigorous restrictions imposed on them. various grades are now working in the Punjab. Our patients include Moslems, Sikhs, Persian, And even this is not all-for very many of them Afghan, and Nepalese women, to say nothing of begin to train nurses and midwives in the district the many "outcastes" who find here the welcome to which they are sent. Recently we visited one and care which is of the very spirit of Christ. who had prepared sixty village women for the Midwifery Examination. The Civil Surgeon, giv- SOME HOSPITAL BUILDINGS AT LUDHIANA ing a good report, said that there was now not one untrained dai working in her district. Twelve well qualified doctors are on our staff, each being in charge of her own department; two One .of our graduates, Dr. Rose Shadi Khan, more are needed for the additional work required received a special Red Cross medal and a purse to prepare the students for the higher degrees. of Rs. 300 in recognition of her devoted services at the time of the Quetta earthquake. She was The Surgical Department is always busy. To one of two Ludhiana graduates working there, have had an operation here is often considered an and for days we at the Women's Christian Medical honor to be coveted! One young woman had a College were anxious, as we could get no news of large tumor removed. When her friends came to their safety. At last we heard, to our relief, that see her, her sister was envious of all the interest both were alive, though one had been badly hurt. excited as she told them of the preparation, and Dr. Khan, uninjured, was doing all she could to of the Operating Theatre, and of the wonderful help and for. three days and nights she had no chloroform she had smelt, and of the attention time for food or sleep, as she cared for the she received from the doctors and nurses. When wounded and dying. One by one they were dug I asked to see the sister, I found, to her joy, out from the ruins. Many were purdah women that she, too, required an operati.on. After a few known to Dr. Khan, for she had worked for sevdays she was, lying happily in a bed next to her eral years in Quetta, and they clung to her in their sister. Then they sent for their elder sister, hop- terror and pain. She worked day and night for ing that she might share their privilege. When it several weeks, till at last, worn out, she was was found that she did not need surgical care, she ordered to take a rest. She passed through Ludwept tears of disappointment. Why were her hiana, looking thin and tired, but with triumph younger sisters to have all the attention and all in her eyes, and as soon as she was able she rethe fun (?) while she was left out? turned to her work again. At present she is in a lonely station on the Northwest Frontier, where she is loved and trusted by all. The influence of this Indian doctor extends beyond the boundaries of her native land, for she is often called over into Iran, where her skilled help is sought by lonely, sick, and distressed women.
One is sometimes asked: "Are the Indian girls really worth training as doctors; do you find them capable of bearing responsibility?" My reply, emphatically, is that they respond to training, and are wen able to take responsibility. We have proved it on our own staff, and the .opinion is con- firmed on all sides by those who employ our grad- uates. One medical missionary, writing recently about the work done by one of them, concluded her
TRAINING WOMEN DOCTORS
report by saying: "She is an excellent missionary, upon the dispensary door. It was night. Would and quite the best assistant surgeon I have met. anyone hear? Finally a motherly Indian Chris- At present she has charge of an outstation mission tian woman opened the door and took her in. As hospital of thirty beds. I regard her as a friend no one ever claimed her, the missionary sent her and do not see how we could carry on without to school. Later she came to Ludhiana to train her." as a nurse. At the end of her training a call came for a missionary nurse for Arabia, and Sundri Another graduate is senior surgeon in a large volunteered. It was a foreign land to her-dif- hospital, of which she takes charge when the mis- ferent language, different food, and twelve days' sionary is away on district work. Not only do the journey distant. Through the fine work she did so lovingly in the mission hospital she found her A VE'RANDAH WARD IN THE HOSPITAL way into the homes and hearts of these Arab women, rich and poor alike; and so skilfully did various missionary societies appreciate the value she handle many difficult obstetric cases, that her of Ludhiana graduates, but the Government also help often was sought in preference to that of her recognizes their worth. Seven have been awarded European colleague. the Kaiser-i-Hind medal for public services, and the honor of being the first Indian woman in the Then came the World War. The missionaries Madras Presidency to become medical superin- were not allowed to stay in their station, and tendent of a hospital with a European staff, falls Sundri was left alone. Single-handed she kept the to one of the graduates. hospital open for three years, dealing with such cases as she was fitted to manage. She remem- Nurse Sundri is an illustration of how wide- bered, too, that now she was the only one left to spread the influence of these girls may become. preach Good Tidings, and she gave herself the Forty years ago little six-year-old Sundri, child of more earnestly to Sunday services and dispensary high-caste Hindu parents, was about to be "mar- prayers, and to personal talks with her patients. ried to the gods." Her mother had become a widow before any marriage arrangement had been When peace was proclaimed, government pro- made for the child, and now the expense was too ceedings required the presence in England of cer- great. Who would care what befell a despised tain Arabian sheiks, who in turn desired that their widow and her daughter? The temple would re- wives accompany them. An interpreter would be ceive the child. She should be "married to the required, and who was hetter fitted than their gods," and live a life of immorality. Those who nurse-friend Sundri, who knew English so well? 'know anything of the nefarious practices such dedication demands, will realize how terrible was STUDENTS IN THE PATHOLOGICAL LABORATORY the future carved out for the poor child. Little girls have been known to commit suicide rather And to England Sundri went! Later she returned than live in such surroundings. again to Arabia, took up private work in a dis- pensary of her own, and adopted Rosa, a little Sundri was terrified. Then she remembered Arabian orphan girl. Rosa is now at Ludhiana. that once, when she had been ill, her mother had Recently Sundri, ill and dying, committed this taken her to a dispensary in a neighboring village little Arab girl to our care. She is now at school, where a medical missionary had lovingly cared for and our prayer is that later she will become a her and made her well again. doctor or nurse-a missionary to her own people in the far-off land of Arabia. Under cover of darkness the child ran away to this village, and hammered with her little fists
A study of the reports show that the graduates ical College have long realized the des.perate need from this Medical College are now ministering of the villages, and have given anxious thought as each year to about three million women and chil- to how that need may be met. Nine years ago, I dren. Such a record is proof positive that the stated that it was urgent that new centres be women of India themselves highly value the help opened in the towns and villages, north, east, given by their medically trained sisters. The south, and west of Ludhiana. We saw great posgratitude they express is often very touching. sibilities in such village centres, each to be equip- ped with a woman dootor, a nurse, a health visitor, A friend from England once told me that when and a teacher. Last year a special gift enabled us she was traveling in India, though she was unable to open one of these centres, and its value is so to understand her language, an Indian woman was great that I hope we will not be obliged to wait determined to make plain to her the love and grati- another nine long years before we are able to open tude which all the women of the district had to- others. wards the Ludhiana doctor at work there. Taking her three-months-old baby boy, this Indian woman Let me emphasize the urgency of the hour. laid him on the ground at the doctor's feet. Then, Great and rapid changes are occurring in India as bowing in an attitude of utter devotion, she work and power is passing into the hands of her clasped the doctor's right hand, while with an own people. What we are able to do today may be outstretched arm she made a sweeping gesture to impossible tomorrow. This is a strategic time. include all the women in the courtyard.. At Ludhiana we are trying to seize every oppor- tunity to prepare and equip Christian women and Indian Women's Work for Women girls so that they may be ready to meet the great responsibilities which await them in the near The medical care of India's women is of great future.
importance. That it should be done by their own Remember that India's welfare and uplift and evangelization are in a peculiar way our responpeople is the quickest way of accomplishing the sibility as Christian men and women. * task, as it is financially the most economical. It • Information and literature may be had from the General Secreis the right and natural way. The fact speaks for tary, Miss M. E'. Craske, Ludhiana Women's Christian Medical Col- lege, 39, Victoria Street, Westminster, London, S. W. 1, England, or itself that in one missionary's life-time the work from Miss L. Powel, 6938 Cresheim Road, Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, Pa.
has moved so quickly that now three million RULES OF OHRISTIAN LIVING women and children are being reached each year The following "Rules of Christian Living" are said to have been prepared for himself by the late by the medical skill of their own people. General Booth of the Salvation Army: At the Ludhiana Medical College, on a scholar- 1. Consider your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and treat it with reverence and care. ship of thirty pounds ($150.00) per annum for 2. Keep your mind active. Stimulate it with five years, an Indian girl can take her medical thoughts of others that lead to doing something.
degree. Think of it! A medical missionary to 3. Take time to be holy, with daily Bible read- ing and prayer. her own people at the total expenditure of one 4. Support the church of your faith. Min~le hundred and fifty pounds ($750). Contrast this with others.
with the expense of training a foreign medical 5. Cultivate the presence of God. He wants to enter your life and will as far as you let Him. missionary, not to speak of the cost of outfit and 6. Take God into the details of your life. You passage. Surely, on the basis of economy alone naturally call upon Him in trouble and for the bigger things.. the plea, "Train India's own women as doctors," 7. Pray for this troubled, war-threatened world is a sound one. • and the leaders who hold the destinies of the var- ious nations. This is unquestionably the right and natural way, for however devoted the Western missionary 8. Have a thankful spirit for the blessings of may be, she still is a foreigner, and one whose God-country, home, friends, and numerous other speech and ways are strange. The gentle, edu- blessings. cated Indian friend speaks the language perfectly, understands local prejudices, and is familiar with 9. Work as if everything depended upon work, Indian customs and habits of life. She is a woman and pray as if everything depended upon prayer. of the country, and wins her way unhampered by the handicaps which face the missionary from 10. Think of death not as something to be another land. Quite naturally she will tell her dreaded, but as a great and new experience where patients the Wonderful Story-old to us but new loved ones are met and ambitions realized. to them. She will use familiar illustrations to press the point, and the listeners will hear how she has found in Jesus her Saviour and her Lord.
"Village Uplift" has recently become the slogan of social service in India. The word is heard on all sides, but we of the Women's Christian Med-
Present Situation in Portugal*
By WM. H. RAINEY .
-.•~ Superintendent of the British and Foreign Society for Western Europe THE political situation in Portugal is compli- interests of the former. This statement aroused cated and uncertain. The power, in practice the Portuguese hatred of Spain, due to the cruel- but not in theory, of this totalitarian State is ties of Philip II. Thus another element of uncerinvested in the Prime Minister, Dr. Oliviero Sala- tainty and even fear was introduced into the na- zar, who is also Minister of Finance and of War. tional life.
Unlike his colleagues in similar states, the Por- England is fully alive to the importance of the tuguese Prime Minister shrinks from publicity Anglo-Portuguese alliance, hence the naval and so that not many have even seen him. military missions and the creation in Lisbon of a Dr. Salazar is pro-German yet he is a member branch of the British Institute. The position of of the "company of Jesus" whose policy is the British and Foreign Bible Society in Portu- strongly anti-Nazi and, therefore, pro-democratic. gal is closely allied with British prestige. The Such a policy may seem strange in an order that freedom allowed to colporteurs is partly due to has always stood for absolutism in Church and the nationality of the Bible Society.
State but the anti-Catholic attitude of the Nazis The religious situation in Portugal has only has thrown the Jesuits into unaccusomed com- changed slightly in the last few years. The pany. Under the late Pope, Pius XII, the Jesuits Roman Catholic Church has continued to increase were all-powerful at the Vatican, and dictated the in power and may now be said to have regained papal foreign policy. Thus one can imagine Sala- the ground lost during the anti-clerical period zar torn between personal preference and reli- following the declaration of the Republic in 1910.
gious obligation. The Prime Minister's love for Such is its influence today that much of the gov- Germany is tempered with fear for the safety of ernment tax on salaries, destined to aid the un- the Colonies, for Portugal is still the third largest employed, is used to build and repair churches colonial powet". Without the alliance with Great and theological seminaries. The great army of Britain this rich almost undeveloped empire over- militia on the Fascist model, which includes prac- seas would long ago have fallen a victim to pred- tically all citizens from the ages of 10 to 60, is well atory powers. Fear of German aggression, even under the control of the Roman Catholic clergy.
in the form of a so-called peaceful penetration of Attendance at mass, although not legally obliga- Angola, swiftly brought wavering Portugal back tory, is pra·ctically so. Only the valiant few have into the English alliance. It is possible, even the courage to spoil their prospects by refusing to probable, that Portugal would try to remain neu- attend. There are also minor cases of persecution.
tral in the event of a European war. Although Two cases are indicative of the trend of things- many of the governing class are pro-Nazi, yet the recently a State employee, a lay-preacher of the business-men are pro-British and the working Portuguese Presbyterian Church, was threatened class in the towns are Communists. with dismissal if he did not stop preaching. A The situation is still further complicated by Baptist Church has been closed on the pretext that the Spanish question. The Nationalist rebellion Communists attended the services.
was organized in Portugal and has received Por- Bible Society colporteurs, however, have no tuguese support, in spite of so-called "observers" cause for complaint. Colporteur Gil reports that on the frontier. Spanish Government refugees, during the 25 years he has served the Society he seeking asylum in Portugal, were handed over to has never known so much interest in the Bible, the Nationalist authorities and even some of the among Catholics as well as Protestants.
flags in use with Franco's forces bear the Portu- The strength of the Bible Society's position in guese arms as well as those of Spain, Italy and Portugal lies in the fact that it publishes a Roman Germany. Yet a Falangist-the Falangists are Catholic, as well an an Evangelical, version of the the Spanish fascists, who are opposed to the Re- Bible. The Roman Catholic, or "Figueiredo" ver- quetes, who are strongly "clerical"-speaking on a sion, is a classic of the Portuguese language and public occasion, referred to the desire of his party is used in many Protestant Churches and schools.
to unite Spain and Portugal, presumably in the If war can be avoided, the prospects of Evangeli- * See Frontispiece. cal work in Portugal should be bright.
[ 409 ]
Christ in Europe
By PROF. ADOLF KELLER, D.D., Geneva, Switzerland W HAT interests us here is not so much the subjective experience, as from a transcendent mes- question what controversial ideology is sage of the revelation of God in Jesus Christ. dominating the European Continent although it has a tremendous influence on religious In preparing my sermon for Good Friday 1917, life, nor what theological conflicts are fought it struck me that following the word of Christ: through in the European churches, which were "It is accomplished," I had not to speak of peralways inclined to express their religious life more sonal experiences but of the great fact and meseasily in theological form than it was done in sage which God has placed before us in the life America. We shall simply ask in this survey how and death of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is preached on the Continent and what a new evangelical life His message is kindling in A wide change in continental preaching is the European churches. partly due to the rebirth of a theology of the Reformation-Karl Barth's study of the Epistle If during the past century Church regiment, to the Romans appeared in 1918-and partly to Church authority and its representatives played a spontaneous rediscovery of the objectivity of an important rOle in European Church life, the God's Revelation in Christ. theologians came to the front these last decades when continental Protestantism re-thought the Since then preaching has again become the Reformation and tried to build up a new Church, announcement of the Gospel of Christ, as against not so much on an ecclesiastical authority but on giving moral or social advice, philosophical delibsound theology. Today we may observe that it erations or sentimental experiences. The first is the tUrn of the simple preacher of the Gospel task of the Church is again the preaching of the who has his word to say and is listened to. Gos- Gospel. This needs no further justification, yet pel preaching as such has become again the great there is no unanimity about what the preaching of essential fact in the life of the Church. the Gospel really means. Is Gospel-preaching con- sistent with the glorification of the nation and the But each century, each denomination, each na- mysticism of a totalitarian State? Yet, the eleven tion has made, in history, its contribution towards German Churches, whose leaders published a few a special type of preaching. The nineteenth cen- months ago a nationalist and totalitarian theory, tury preaching is in many respects quite dif- confound the Gospel with a myth; a divine revelaferent from the preaching which rose during the tion with religious self-consciousness; the Refor- World War, and which is heard today. The mation with the Renaissance. But the Churches last century was widely dominated by the theology in Germany, where this Gospel is preached, are of experience and of subjectivism which was empty. Evangelical people do not confound the started by the first great theologian of the century, "bread" of our Lord with the "stones" of a nat- Schleiermacher, who initiated a new theolo'gical ural philosophy. thinking by taking the feeling of absolute dependence on God as the point of departure for An important feature in the theory and pracsound Christian theology. Wherever such a the- tice of preaching becomes evident in these empty ology of experience and of the subjective Christian German Churches: preaching needs a congregaconsciousness was vigorous, preaching aimed at tion that listens to God's Word. I preached for awakening similar experiences. Schleiermacher six years in John Knox's Chapel in Geneva and himself was perhaps even a greater and more had often Scottish visitors in my audience. One evangelical preacher than theologian and inter- of them was once listening so attentively that it preter of German idealism and romanticism. Un- meant quite an inspiration to me. When he came der this theology it was more or less forgotten that after the sermon to shake hands, I found that he Christianity was born, not so much from a sweet had not understood one word because he did not understand German-but he listened. The re- sponse of many congregations where "German [410 ] Christians" are preaching is silence or absence. we have to fight; Christ is the only One who can Such spiritual indifference kills any sermon which overcome the reign of demons. is not characterized by more than human wisdom. The Church which no longer listens to God's In this respect, of course, preaching is the reflex word is dying. of a more orthodox and Christocentric theology. Yet, in other parts, especially in Eastern Europe, On the other hand, Confessional Churches in it is not so much an echo to theological thinking as Germany are crowded. A man like Niemol1er, a a response to Bible reading. The Bible itself and great preacher, drew larger audiences than the not only theology as a witness to the Holy Scripchurch in Dahlem could hold. There was always tures has been and is the great teacher of how to a pilgrimage from Berlin to Dahlem when the preach. Preaching is therefore no longer the art former captain of the submarine preached. Even of trained. pastors. The man who. reads the Bible, Ministers of State were in the audience. Niem61- preaches. A lay preaching movement may be obler is continuing to preach though silenced. In served all over Eastern Europe. In Austria near America, during the National Preaching Mission, Villach, is a Bible School preparing lay preachthere was not one single town where I was not ers for the Balkan countries. In Poland and Rusasked about Neimoller. He has the ear of the sia there is a large preaching mission carried on world because he preaches the Gospel even at the by laymen, the "Gospel-Christians," who are wancost of great sacrifice. dering from village to village announcing, often secretly, in farms, woods, lonely places the re- The essence of this Gospel-preaching is quite deeming message which they have learned to know simple. It is dominated by the two great leading from the Bible. In Polish Ukraine an evangelical thoughts of the Reformation: Luther's Sola gratia movement sprang up in a village when Krasniuk, ("by grace alone") and Calvin's great message of a Ukrainain prisoner of war, returned from a the sovereignty of God: Soli Deo gloria! Modern German prisoner's camp where he had learned to evangelical preaching in Europe is again focused read the Bible to his family in a Polish village. in these two great lights of the Reformation. It To read the Bible means to meet Christ, and this is Biblical, Paulinian. It is more an interpreta- is the one great stimulus for preaching. The tion of the Biblical text than an explanation of a annual report of the British and Foreign Bible subject for which the text is only a starting point. Society shows indeed that in spite of a growing Karl Barth in Basle does not allow his students poverty, political tension and religious persecuto develop their own brilliant thoughts by using tion the Continent has bought more Bibles than a Bible text. Stick to the text in reverence and during last year. Even in Spain the sale of the obedience, he would say. Under such influences Bible has increased. continental preaching has become more Biblical and more dynamic. It is a witness, not simply a The Hope for Reformation historical exposition or a psychological application of spiritual truth. Historicism and psychologism Where the Bible is re-discovered and read, a have largely diluted, during large parts of nine- reformation is always near. Other general literteenth century preaching, the divine substance of ature is certainly sharing the breakdown of any the preached word. These theological and psycho- really leading power for mankind; the Bible has logical temptations are overcome today. Christ again proved able to give real leadership to perhimself and not science or theology, not personal sonal and public life of mankind. Nowhere this piety or mystic experiences, is again the great sub- is perhaps deeper felt than in Russia where the ject of evangelical preaching~Christ who saves importation or printing of the Bible is still forfrom sin by His grace. The attack directed against bidden. A great thirst for the Word of God is the Saviour by a self-redeeming humanism and found wherever religious interest is not entirely secularism has, by reaction, made continental quenched. This unique Book and parts of it are preaching more Christocentric than ever. Where penetrating into Russia wherever pores of com- Christ is preached there is no place for a shallow munication are still open in the well protected nationalism or a vigorous moralism. All these pachydermic armour of their Russian giant. It isms are effaced by the tremendous realistic pow- penetrates into the interior via the great streams, er of sin and the all victorious Grace. Preaching via China and Turkestan. For many Christians is therefore, under the impression of the War and the possession of the Bible is the greatest treasure, its aftermath, more pessimistic than in the self- as the Word of God has become rare and thoucontent nineteenth century in so far as the possi- sands of Bibles have crumbled to dust because they bilities and confidence in man is concerned and has were read so intensely. It is a; matter of great again discovered the demonic character of the rejoicing that not only the Bible is read again world, the principalities and powers with which among Protestants-but Bible lessons are intro- duced for the first time in evangelical services. A
new Bible movement is spreading also in the Ro- by we felt that our skin must be heathen too. He man Catholic Church, and it happens that Ortho- gave us an inferiority complex. We began to feel dox priests, as in the famous conferences of Nar- that if we dressed in his clothes we should be va, assemble around the Bible and not only kiss less heathen. If we began to speak English well the holy Book as a part of the Orthodox service, we felt sure we were civilized and Christian. but read it with the joy of a great discovery. If we speak the truth (and we must speak the Wherever Christ is preached, the Cross is ines- truth), we must admit that the African says tocapable. The willingness to suffer with Christ is day, We want to feel at home when we worship. one of the essential features of Christian life. We want to feel that God has come to Africa. This willingness not to be afraid even of martyr- South African buildings, are always round dom is perhaps the greatest aspect of present day thatched huts. The first time that I went into a Christian life on the Continent. The world at- church-it was built on the western pattern-I tacks Christ, not so much by force and persecu- said, "I am in a foreign country." A Christian tion as by a new philosophy and new tempting priest put up a hut with a thatched roof and a ideologies. Those who are not adopting this phi- stone altar, such as we Africans use in worship; losophy in Russia or in the totalitarian States then I was at home before God. The stone altar must suffer persecution. The answer of the Rus- on which we used to make our sacrifices to our sian Christians to this persecution is silent suffer- ancestors in an attempt to worship the unknown ing. In Germany loud witness is still heard. In God, was the place where we could come to God the western and central democracies the liberty ourselves because God had made the ultimate to preach the Gospel is in no way restricted. A sacrifice. Outside, under the beautiful roof of the great missionary activity is started by the world that is the sky, what more beautiful church Churches in France, Holland and Switzerland could you find than that? The carpeted earth for which do not confine their missionary zeal to the our floor, under a big tree: there is the very best pagan world overseas but are discovering that church of all and we are at home there. The high they have a mission field at home, that the Church mountain suggests the power of God; the roaring itself is becoming a mission field as for instance ocean is better music than an organ. Our rivers France, which formerly has been called the oldest -we have beautiful rivers-they are not heathen daughter of the Church and counts today at least rivers; they tell us of God. Take our people out thirty millions of people who have no connection there and we can worship."-Miss Minnie Saga. whatever with any Church and have lost even an elementary knowledge of Christ and His Gospel. *** It is very likely that many Protestant Churches Mrs. Short, a British (L. M. S.) missionary in will join the remarkable effort which has been Papua, is training up the young people to a belief made by the American Federal Council of that God wants Papuans to remain Papuans when Churches in its National Preaching Mission to they become Christians. She encourages the weartake a fresh stand for the Church in the centre of ing of the native dress or some simple adaptation all Christian life and activity, in the announcement of it suited to modern conditions, the building of of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The world has churches in the island fashion, and giving a Chrisproved today that it holds no really redeeming tian content to the old customs. Most of the oppomessage and that its recipes are not bringing heal- sition to this comes from the people themselves. ing or salvation but sickness and death. The They say, "Now we are Christians we are en- Church of Christ, confronted with this breakdown lightened people. We must dress as you do. We of culture and inefficiency of human wisdom, must have churches like yours. We must worship knows more than ever that she holds the word of in your way." Sentiment in some places is so salvation and has to bring it to the whole world. strong on the connection between religion and a particular form of dress that women may refus·e FROM MADRAS CONFERENCE to wear waistbelts because the costume into which their grandmothers were put by early mission- A Bantu African woman in a bright blue dress aries was a long shapeless garment without a belt. and head-cloth, spoke with a natural eloquence It was natural to those pioneer missionaries to which moved all hearts in the group on the wor- carry with them the customs, the conventions, the ship of the Church. style of clothes and religious buildings to which they were accustomed in their western lands. But "To us Africans, Christianity is a white man's Christians in Papua and other lands must be religion. The white man regarded as heathen helped to see that God wants Papuan Christians everything that he found in Mrica; not knowing and African Christians from every land, not our language or our culture he judged it as heath- simply Christians who are an imitation of the en. He made us so conscious of this that by and Westerner.
Ways of
'Tested Met1wds for Increasing Interest at Home ,EDITED BY GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA College Students Organize scribed by Bethanians and private do- Notice, too, that the project is nations. Each Saturday some of the for Actual Service girls conduct the recreational activi- not forced into just one channel. ties of McKinleyville which supple- Not all girls are interested in Young people of today are ment the newly added Boy Scout weighing babies and in taking ready to give time and energy to Troop under the leadership of William medical histories. There are rendering real service, if there Rutter, also of Bethany College. is some person or organization , In addition to this work, Bethany other avenues of service outto plan the work so it will be students have conducted Sunday school lined. Recreational leadership, effective, and if there is sufficient classes and church services at Mcreal need in the project to make Kinleyville for some time. and leadership for religious eduthem feel it worth giving them- cation is asked-and found. selves to. Front Rank, April 16, 1939. Too often we ask our young The following report of a serv- There are several points people to do some silly little ice project being carried on by worthy of note. The college thing which is no real challenge Bethany College students in Y. W. C. A. sponsored the proj- to their ability or interest. We West Virginia gives a picture of ect. Dr. Hoagland supervised it. assume they are too busy to do a situation which has need, ap- The article does not say who real things. That is, to be sure, peal and organization to make suggested it, but we may rest the excuse which they give to get the response effective. Study it assured that some one presented out of entering into our feeble carefully. the need vividly, or there would attempts to harness their ener- have been no such whole-hearted gies to worthwhile things in un- When the McKinleyville mine shut response. down, the presiding doctor and nurse worthy ways. But give them a could no longer be afforded. The Beth- Notice also that professional any College Y. W. C. A., under the aid was enlisted. There was no worthwhile job with a real chalsupervision of Dr. Florence M. Hoag- attempt made to have a bunch of lenge in it-give them competent land, promptly established the present college girls doing something leadership-give them organizaclinic for pre-school children. Once a that only a doctor and a nurse tion for effective use of their month under the leadership of Dr. could do effectively. But what energy and time-and your col- Booher of Wellsburg and the county college girls could do in connec- lege student displays all the renurse, who also donate their services, tion with the clinic was thrilling source, ingenuity and responsithe girls conduct the clinic in the little enough to them to insure their bility which made our ancestors, town four miles from Bethany College. participation. with no more years to their The girls weigh and measure the credit than these college young babies, take medical and social his- The international touch in the people possess, go forth to contories, and follow the orders and treat- participation of the Chinese stuments prescribed by the doctor. dent has more than a little value. quer a wilderness and to build a new nation. Taking her place in the clinic is Bethany's Chinese co-ed, a member of Race relations become normally the Y. W. C. A., Violette Chun. Attract Larger Audiences inconsequent when people of dif- Each time the Y. W. C. A. girls visit McKinleyville the townspeople fering races are working to- A missionary speaker recently know they are bringing canned food, gether in the spirit of Christ to went to one of the smaller clothing, medicine, milk, and other alleviate human suffering and to churches of his denomination for items that the children need. All Beth- build a happier world. For a Sunday evening address. To any College is now aiding with a "soap" campaign in which each stu- every such experience of joy in his amazement, considering the dent not only must use soap before working together we may well audience in some other engage- coming to fraternities and dormitories give thanks. ments he had filled, the church but must also bring one cake for Mc- Then there is the enlistment which was not a small one in Kinleyville. Already the girls are of the whole college in special size, was packed. Furthermore witnessing the results of their fine parts of the project. Soap and the choir loft was overflowing work. Underfed children are gaining in weight, children with impetigo-a books for the library! Two with eager-eyed boys and girls contagious skin disease – once more items which are easily provided from the eighth grade. The servhave clear complexions, and the by a large group, but which scantily clothed are now warm. The make a big hole in any budget ice started. There was little beco-eds have also established a library yond his speech and a musical with part of the funds and books sub- which must buy them outright. program by those boys and girls.
[413 ]
They were the eighth grade a Many of the mothers and fa- business going by continuing to cappella choir of a neighboring thers, older brothers and sisters spend her money for expensive school. They sang hymns, spir- of the children in that choir do trifles such as perfume bottles, it,uals and other dignified and not ordinarily hear good mis- imported service plates and suitable music. They listened sionary addresses. They came jewelry for herself, than to give with intense enjoyment to his because their children were to the money away. She was using sing. They went away glad that a false philosophy to bolster up address. they had heard a worthwhile ad- her selfishness. When it was all over, the bou- dress as well. The money paid for the quets of gay summer flowers Let us point out that a single jewelry went mostly into the singer, no matter with how pocket of the wealthy owner of with which the church had been lovely a voice, who was a mem- the store she was fondest of. The decorated were carefully wrap- ber of the community and whose same money would have gone ped and given to the missionary singing people had many times almost directly into the smallspeaker to take home with him. heard, could not have had much business world of grocers and One of the members of the attendance pull. So far as the clothing stores and dairy farms church drove him clear across suitability of her singing, so far of the community had she given the large city to the place he was as her adding to the program, it away. On the way it would staying at. the value might have been the have fed and clothed those in same. But probably not one dire need. The bit of beauty the Let us look at this experience single extra person would have money purchased is as dead tofor a moment, from the point of turned out more than would day as on the day it was purview of promoting attendance. have come for the address alone. chased. The gift of money to It was the missionary society relieve suffering would have which sponsored the church To add something in the na- brought life and health to a child service. They wanted not only ture of a variety stunt might who died for lack of proper food pull a crowd there, but to at- and shelter. their own members there, but tempt that is not worth the ruin also the rest of the congregation. it brings to the program. It To buy things for ourselves They felt that the particular mis- cheapens and debases it. Those instead of serving others with sionary they had secured was who are brought by it are quite the money that is ours is not true sure to give an address worthy likely to get up and walk out stewardship. of being heard by others in the during the address, or to form community besides the members the sort of unsympathetic audi- As church members face the of his own denominational ence which every speaker dreads. days of winter ahead, it is well group. for them to have this gently Consider then, what you may stern reminder always before What supplement to his ad- add to a program which will them, that to buy more clothes dress could they provide which build up the right atmosphere, for oneself when one already has would attract the groups they be of value in itself, and have more than one can wear, is the wanted present? They looked the right effect in bringing into tendency which is the most effecaround and decided that the a the meeting a much greater tive preventative of our being cappella choir of the eighth grade number of people than might able to "clothe the naked, and of the neighboring public school have come for an address alone. feed the hungry." would do that. Furthermore they could be counted on to pro- Our Money for Others We cannot squander our revide a musical accompaniment sources on ourselves and still in keeping with the address. The following thought-pro- have them to serve a needy world Parents of the children would voking and lovely poem by Alice with. come whether they were to sing Ferrin Hensey may be used in at school or in church. several ways in your church. A Here is the poem: poster, in the center panel of Please note that there was which it is beautifully lettered I have more food than I can eatnothing in the way of trying to in, and in the two outer panels They faint with hunger in the street. of which are pictures of those attract by false pretenses to whom we may serve, may be ar- I have more clothes than I can wearsomething which people would ranged. Or the poem might be Their head, and hands, and feet are not want to hear. They were given as a reading in the devosure of their missionary's hav- tional part of your service. bare. ing something people would find Where it is possible it should be made available to every member My walls are thick, and warm, and very worth having come to listen of the church, missionary so- dryto. The music was simply a sec- ciety, or other group. ond feature of equal worth in its Their walls are rain, and wind, and own field. During days of bitter need, sky. not so long ago, a woman ap- The problem of attendance at proached by the church for relief My heart knows love of noble soulsmissionary programs and meet- funds refused on the ground that Their hearts are hungry, thirsty ings is often not that of having it was more important to keep a worthwhile program. It is that bowls. of securing a hearing for that program from those who for These things let me remember when various reasons ordinarily fail to give it any attention. Cries of the needy rise again.* • Alice Ferrin Hensey. By permission of the author and of The New York Times.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Why Not Have a Church Library?
By MARY F. FOLGER A few years ago the Literature Committee with the pastor of the First Friends Church in In- dianapolis, Indiana, decided the time had come for the revival and enlargement of the church library. One of the Sunday school classes loaned their own furnished classroom for this pur- pose. Two bookcases were moved in and all the religious education, c h u r c h history, Quaker and missionary books were assembled. The Literature Committee chairman, with his wife, gave some and loaned many new and up-to-date books .
for circulation among our mem- bers. A number of desired books CHILDREN MAKE GOOD USE OF A GOOD LIBRARY were donated by other indi- viduals. for adults' and one for children's a suggested given list. These are From time to time throughout books. The name of borrower under various headings, some of the years the revision of the lit- and the date taken and returned which are: Biblical Literature, erature work of Friends has is noted on the card filed for that Friends History and Principles, been made, to meet and use new particular book. Evangelism, Pas tor a I and opportunities for usefulness. Two instances we want to Church Extension, Christian Thus the work of the church mention, occurring two years Education, Stewardship, Peace, library was begun in recognition apart-unknown to either child. Temperance, etc. of a wider avenue for service. One of our boy's mother was The Literature Committee has, Since the beginning of our reading to him at home, from for many years, been allowed a "revival," more cases and books our "Bible Story Book" and he certain amount in the yearly have been given. And our col- wanted to take it to school. She budget of our meeting. This lection has grown until now we gave permission and his teacher amount has been increased three have books for every department read this book to his class. A times since 1935 and is used exin the church and church school. little girl this year so thoroughly clusively for purchasing books We also have books on family enjoyed one of our "Stories of for the library. We feel the life, fiction with a Christian em- Jesus and the Children" that she greatest mission of the Church phasis, etc. Many books have took it to school and her teacher is to help the home furnish the been given by individuals as a read a chapter each day to her Christian foundation in charmemorial to a member of the pupils until she finished the acter building. And one of the family or meeting. These donors book. best ways to do this is through feel that there is an everlasting A number of children have furnishing and helping to select inspiration and living influence given, in the public schools, re- the best of reading material, and in this kind of memorial. A views of books they have read build through books higher number of the various commit- from our church library. Many ideals of personal conduct. Durtees of the meeting have given others have given book reviews ing the last several years we new and desired books, in this in Sunday school. The books for have placed church papers, peace way, not only cooperating with, children consist of the best and temperance literature, and but proving their consciousnes8 recognized Bible stories, mission- other reading material, in public of the need, and realization of ary and story books with em- places and in homes, where they the Christian influence of the phasis on world friendship, etc. supplied a timely need. Church through its own library. A number of adult books are We strive to be of service to One sectional bookcase is full used for reference and research any and all individuals desiring of children's books and this work. help or information, and in sev- corner, with little tables and For several years our yearly eral instances have been able to chairs, is used for, and by, the meeting – composed of sixteen supply or procure materials children. Two girls, each eleven quarterly meetings, and within needed on a number of subjects years old, assist with the whole these eighty-one local meetings for papers and talks outside of library and have complete charge -gives special recognition to regular church work. Our liof the children's section. members reading a certain num- brary is being used more and There are two card files-one ber of books during the year, in more all the time by all ages.
A Story for the
In the Hall of Fame made the difference, for her fa- "Did the people love her ?" ther had no more money than said little Lois. By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary the other men." Education Movement Mr. Wright smiled. "They "Frances Willard's father certainly did.. Many of them Phyllis Wright was visiting didn't drink, did he?" piped up traveled on foot from outlying Washington with her family. Janet. farms to hear her speak in the But she seemed disappointed as towns she visited. She wrote she studied the faces of the stat- "No," Mr. Wright shook his books and edited magazines ues of America's heroes, war- head, "and that was the diff-er- which thousands of people bought riors and statesmen. ence. Her family also prayed to and read and passed on to God and kept the Sabbath while friends. But that was not all she "Father," she said, "are there many other pioneers did not. did. Phyllis, you will be twentyno girls in the Hall of Fame?" Frances Willard decided to try one years old in nine years. Can to bring a new way of life to you tell me one of the things you Mr. Wright smiled as he re- people whose children were poor will be able to do then that you plied: "Let's get mother and and miserable because of evil can't do now?" Janet and Lois and I'll tell you ways. But first she must get an about the only woman whose education. In those days it was "I'll be able to vote," said statue is found here." an unusual thing for a woman to Phyllis proudly. go to college, but Frances did it. "What state is she from ?" Soon after her graduation a "Exactly," Mr. Wright said. asked Phyllis. "I'll be searching stranger thing happened; she "Frances Willard started the for her." was the first woman in America idea that women should vote, to become a college president." just the same as men. That was "She's from Illinois." a brave stand to take in those Phyllis scampered off, and "That's a very important job," days, for even good Christian when her father, mother and sis- murmured Phyllis. men were against the idea at ters caught up they found her first." gazing intently into the earnest "Yes, indeed," Mr. Wright face of Frances Willard. nodded, "but she gave it up after "I read a story once," said "I found her," she beamed. a while because she felt it did Mrs. Wright. It told how Fran- "Now father is going to tell us not give her time to carry out ces Willard always carried two about the only woman in the Hall her ambition to help the poor favorite books with her wherof Fame in Washington." Then mothers and children. She be- ever she went: the Bible and she read from the tablet" 'Fran- gan to lead bands of women 'Pilgrim's Progress.' " ces Willard was born September through the streets. The y 28th, 1839.' Why that's exactly marched to saloons, where men "I've read 'Pilgrim's Progone hundred years ago!" wasted their time and health and ress'," cried Phyllis. "It's great!" "That's right," said Mr. money, and there she prayed Wright. "Frances came of pio- and sang Christian songs. Hun- "Now, what would you call neering folks and as a little girl dreds were so affected by her Frances Willard?" asked Mr. she traveled in a covered wagon Christ-like spirit that they prom- Wright: "a heroine? a warrior? through the wilderness." ised to give up strong drink and a statesman?" "A wagon like our trailer?" to lead better lives." asked Janet. "I know what I'd call her," "Oh, no, much different," an- "Did they keep their prom- said Phyllis. "Our Sunday swered Mr. Wright. "In those ises?" questioned Janet. school teacher told us that misdays it took months to drive 500 sionaries had to be combinations miles, and we've only taken a "Many of them did," contin- of many things sometimes. I'd few days to do that with our ued Mr. Wright, "and many be- call her a missionary, a real automobile." came good fathers and estab- home missionary." "What did she do to make her lished Christian homes. Women famous ?" Phyllis asked impa- in other states formed similar Making Use of This Story tiently. bands and carried on the work, "Like all people who win so that her organization grew In connection with the celebration fame," Mr. Wright began, "she until it became the Women's of Frances Willard's Centennial read loved other people and wanted to Christian Temperance Union. to or encourage the child to read some be of some good in the world. Frances Willard was its presi- of the following books: She lived in prairie towns in Illi- dent for many years. During nois and as a little girl she saw twelve years she went all over Pionee'r Girl, the Early Life of men spending their money in the United States holding meet- Frances Willard, by Clara Ingram saloons, while their families ings every evening, traveling Judson, Illustrated by Genevieve were hungry and dirty. When 35,000 miles by means of wheezy Foster. New York, Rand McNalshe compared them with her own locomotives and in old stage ly & Company, 1939. 50 cents.
family she tried to find out what coaches." Frances Willard of Evanston, by Lydia Jones Trowbridge. Chica- [ 416 ] go, Willet, Clark and Co., 1938. $2.00.
Point out the fact that the Chris- tian motive was responsible for Fran- ces Willard's contribution to the bet- terment of the American home.
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,= NEW STEPS TOWARD Church, nearly every group was rep- in making plans beforehand. A CHRISTIAN ONE-NESS Pennsylvania city reports: resented in some way on the program "Twenty-five Catholic women helped . . . wonderful spirit of Christian us plan and ten Jewish women en- joyed our fellowship. The atmosphere "Now I am to be in this world no fellowship." Florida. of the meeting was deeply spiritual. longer, but they are still to be in the The singing of spirituals by two womworld, and I am to come to thee. Holy "We truly feel that there is a bet- en from each of our three Negro Father, keep them by that revelation churches was a high point in the of thy Name which thou hast given ter and closer understanding between service." me, that they may be one as we are . . . But it is not only for them that church women than there was pre- From a town in New York I am interceding, but also for those State comes this: who believe in me through their mes- vious to this meeting." Idaho. sage, that they all may be one-that "The village priest loaned us the as thou, Father, art in union with "Weare looking forward to an or- chairs and tables and wrote me a me and I with thee, so they also may beautiful note afterward praising our be in union with us-and so the world ganized group or federation of church effort and saying that he prays every may believe that thou hast sent me day for church unity." as thy Messenger."-Christ's prayer women growing out of this first May the night of the Last Supper. The effect of such gatherings luncheon." Indiana. may be far-reaching. Many groups made plans to undertake The observance of the Day of The May Luncheon idea origi- cooperatively s 0 me practical Prayer since its inception twenty project for the good of the com- nated with the Council of Wom- munity. Several gatherings. deyears ago, has been a patent in- en for Home Missions, the first cided to organize interdenominafluence in creating a greater one being held May 1, 1933 in tional groups that would funcsense of unity among women of New York City. In 1937 the tion through the year with the the Christian churches. There other national Protestant Wom- World Day of Prayer and the is now another special day which en's groups joined in the New May Luncheon as high spots. gives promise of binding still York luncheon. Nation-wide Perhaps in time many communi- participation in the "May Party" ties will be able to say, as one closer the bonds of Christian idea began in 1938. Over 400 woman did in reporting on the fellowship. communities reported holding May Luncheon in Dawn, Mis- luncheons. souri : Possibly there are those who would raise questioning eye- This year, 1939, there were "We have a Federated Church brows at the claim that May about 650 requests for program here and all the little country material. Reports have come churches and all the little ones Luncheons can help accelerate in town have been torn down the trend towards Christian un- from 33 states and Hawaii. and we all worship in one big ity but in reading reports of the Groups varied in size from one church." gatherings all over the country, of seven to that of 647 in New one finds striking evidence that York, which, however, included "Dawn"-what a significant it is true. Quotations from some name! If more of our comof them will answer. any skep- many from places outside of the munities would follow the examtics: ple set by this town, in spirit if metropolis. Oakland, California, not in deed, would there not be "This was the first meeting of its the second largest group, report- in truth the dawn of a new day?
kind in Preble County, eight churches ed 350. Meetings varied in type EASTERN SETTING-UP CONFERENCE OF taking an active part. Anyone could to suit local needs. Though the majority had luncheons, some COUNCIL WORKERS sense a feeling of fellowship and co- groups had teas, a few had din- What is a Council Setting-up operation. We hope to organize a ners, one a breakfast and others, Conference? It is a gathering of those who are to have charge working group soon." Ohio. just meetings without anything of the activities in the Centers for migratory groups which har- "This is a small town but we have to eat! vest and can the crops. They In many instances, all the nine church denominations and they churches in towns cooperated. all cooperated with the exception of The largest number of denomi- nations reported in one gathertwo. A real Christian non-denomina- ing was nine-there were doubttional spirit prevailed during the less twice as many in the New day." Oklahoma. York gathering, but statistics are not available. A number of "If all the nation-wide luncheons of May 4 proved to be as successful and reports mentioned the cooperaimportant as the one held in Gaines- tion of Catholic and Jewish womville, Fla., a forward stride has been taken toward Christian unity and en. In some places they attended friendly feeling. Jews and Catholics only or brought "greetings" as well as Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists and members of the Christian from their groups, but in sev- eral instances they had a share [417 ]
meet for fellowship, for training, lights furnished by two rather members, one from the Southern for a better understanding of the weak flash lights. The migrant group, and one from the New magnitude of the migrant prob- workers at Hamilton are Italian. York group, everyone had a feellem and the part which the In return for the entertainment ing of the power and strength Church is taking in helping to they sang many Italian folk that come through unity, fellowrelieve a desperate situation. songs. It was generally agreed ship and service for Christ. that this was the right ending to Under the able leadership of a very interesting and valuable From many expressions of Miss Marie Gaertner, supervisor day. gratitude and enthusiasm to of Migrant work in the eastern Miss Marie Gaertner, it is very area of the United States, a very On July 5th activities started evident that the conference was profitable conference was held at 5: 30. Breakfast was eaten a big success. The only regret in Hamilton, New York, July 3d in a hurry, and then everyone was the absence of Miss Lowry, through the 6th. This is the lo- was off to the farms to "gather Executive Secretary of the cation of one of the Council Cen- up" the children. Many new Council. ters which served as a practice families had moved in over that school and demonstration. week-end and so several new FIFTEENTH CONFERENCE little faces were seen, including The program was divided so some six months' old babies. The on the that each worker majored in success of this day was in large the type of work that he or she measure owing to the extreme CAUSE AND CURE OF WAR would do on the field. This was efficiency of the Hamilton taff very practical giving a clear pic- who worked nobly in the face of To be held at Hotel Washington ture of the work to be done. surprising and terrific odds. A great sigh of relief greeted Miss Washington, D. C. Recreation Program. – The Stella Jenkins, R.N., Director leader for this was Mr. Stanley of Home Hygiene and Care of JANUARY 22-25, 1940 R. Kendig, of the Connecticut the Sick, Utica Chapter, Ameri- Council. On the field now are can Red Cross, for the situation This fifteenth conference will young people directing recrea- was beginning to tell on six endeavor to face more realisticaltional work, each putting into babies and their new "mothers." ly than ever before the problems practice what they learned from Miss Jenkins very kindly offered of the grim world in which we him. Mr. Francis Nothrop, her time in an exceedingly live. There will be a minimum Chairman of the Fairfield Coun':' crowded schedule to spend the of formal addresses and much ty Youth Committee was very day with the group giving advice active discussion of our own successful in teaching games. on the care and feeding of ba- problems aided by experts. One bies and the proper procedure important session of the Con- Other leaders were Miss Hel- in first aid. This is the first ference will be built around the en White, supervisor of migrant time live babies have been used report of our Commission on a work, Gulf to Great Lakes area, as models for demonstrating Permanent World Society. An- Miss Alicia Fisher who directed child care to Council workers! other session will be devoted to the new Center in Florida last After dinner a very beautiful pending legislation in Congress winter, Mrs. Patricia E. Man- and helpful devotional service in which we are especially interchester, Executive Secretary, by Mr. Winham was held on the ested. Here, of course, we shall Consumer's League of Wilming- hill, back of the dormitories at seek expert guidance to help us ton, Delaware, and the Rev. Al- Colgate University. As we sat determine our own position befred R. Winham, Pastor, First overlooking the surrounding val- fore our annual visit to Capitol Reformed Church of Astoria, ley and mountains beyond, we Hill. Long Island. Each made a val- felt a true fellowship of love and uable and significant contribu- readiness to go out among those A new emphasis will be laid tion to the conference. less fortunate with a clear mes- upon the necessity of social jus- sage of Christ. Even the heav- tice as a basis for peace and upon The Conference convened on ens conspired to make the occa- the steps which must be taken the evening of July third. After sion memorable and sent a small to insure social justice both the group had dinner together view of Aurora Borealis. within our own country and talks were given by Miss White among nations. The theme of and Miss Fisher, then Mr. Win- The most impressive moment the banquet will be "Our Reham spoke on "Renewing Pow- of the conference was on the last sponsibilities in a New World er." evening when communion was Order." served to the group by the Rev. The children who were to be FRANCES A. THOMAS, at the Center were not brought Paul F. Swarthout, Pastor of in from surrounding farms un- Chairman, Program til July fifth. The Fourth was First Baptist Church, Hamilton, Committee spent in group instruction, picnic lunch under the trees, a peri- New York. As the group gath- Those desiring to attend as od for swimming or tennis and delegates of the Protestant a party in an old barn, the illu- ered at the church and stood in Church group should apply mination for which was provided to the National Committee of by two oil lanterns and spot silence before Mr. Swarthout Church Women, Rm. 63, 297 Fourth Ave., New York, N. Y. who was assisted by two of our Registration Fee: $5.00.
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Our World,wide Outlook A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO CHINA care of livestock and a variety tion. The mission staff on the The Heart of the World of trades. island now numbers twenty-five, -China Information Service. working not only among the Sympathy for China is being Hainanese but among fQur abor- expressed in a growing stream Relief Expenditure iginal tribes.
of gifts from all parts of the GQvernment and p r i vat e Jewish Remnant in Szechwan world. These gifts include a sources in China have already package of clothes frQm North spent over $45,000,000 (Chinese It is said that many centuries Africa; a check from a sanatori- currency) for civilian relief. By ago a group of Jews settled in um in Sweden; other donations the end of 1938, according to western Szechwan bringing with frQm Basutoland, Pennsylvania, the NatiQnal Relief Commis- them their monotheistic faith NQrway, India, the West Indies, sion, 15,000,000 war refugees and Mosaic customs. Today SQuth Africa and other lands, had been assisted by either gov- there are many survivors who have recently reached the head- ernment, public or private .or- publicly worship God on mounquarters of the British Fund for ganizations, and 150,000,000 tain tops. A "lamb without the Relief of Distress in China. people (one-third of the popu- blemish" is slain and its blood Nearly seven tons .of soap, .over lation in China) had been forced sprinkled, with the "paying of sixty gallons of disinfectant- by the war to leave their home- vows." The Chiang-Min is the urgent necessities with over steads. Relief authorities are name given to these Jews, who 100,000 refugees packed into a shifting their activities from for more than 2,000 years have narrow strip .of city one and a supporting refugee camps to ab- met to worship God in West half miles long, as they are in sorbing the inmates into indus- China. Hankow-have been promised. try. The Chinese Government Ten cases of surgical dressings has already allocated $5,000,000 Converts from the Chiangand a large quantity of elastic for the development .of indus- Min meet every winter with bandage cloth have come from trial cooperatives which aimed Rev. T. Torrance, author of the north of England. particularly to benefit war refu- "China's First Missionaries," gees. The needs increase every for Bible stUdy. A favorite Child Welfare Work day, and the peak of suffering course of study is how the Old Coordinated has not been reached. Testament survivals in Chiang worship have become realized To attain greater efficiency in Importance of Hainan in the New Testament. These the care of war-afflicted children, people were at .one time very the National Relief Commission The Presbyterian Bulletin of numerous in Shensi alsQ, but has invited all child welfare Foreign Affairs notes that of all have been absorbed by the Chiassociations and institutions Japan's seizures in China the nese in that prQvince. throughout the country to co- island of Hainan is the one least ordinate their efforts for service likely to be given up, since the -Sunday School Times. to these children, and has form- Japanese Navy has long had its New BuildinR' for St. Elizabeth's Hospital ulated a set of principles. eye .on this. as a stepping stQne A new building for the Epis- There are now 100,000 war in its southward drive. With copal Hospital in Shanghai is orphans being taken care of in Hainan in Japanese hands HQng- made PQssible by a legacy left by 71 government, provincial, local kong is virtually surrounded by a daughter of the first Chinese and private institutions in Chi- a ring of air and sea bases. clergyman of the Episcopal na. Approximately $60, Chinese This little island is thickly set- Church in China. On June 27, currency, is required to support tled by about tWQ million rural 1868, a Chinese baby, Ah Mei one child for one year. It is folk. There are still a good many WQng, was born in the home of generally acknowledged that it aboriginal tribes in the interior. this clergyman and grew up to is nQt enough to supply fQod, Presbyterian mission work was make history. After attending clothing and shelter; there must begun there in 1881, with head- St. Mary's Hall Church School be elementary, health and voca- quarters at Hoihow and in 1884 for girls in Shanghai, she trained tional education, and training in a station was .opened at Nodoa. as a nurse, a piQneer step in citizenship. The waifs must al- Later medical work was started those days, and then decided tQ SQ be taught manual work, such at Hoihow, and in 1900, Kachek enter the Toronto University as sewing, weaving, gardening, was opened as a mission sta- Medical School.
[419 ]
From 1906 until her death in causes 'Of his 'Own success or fail- ated 115 students: 11 have died 1933, she devel'Oped a private ure. or are incapacitated by illness, practice in Shanghai, where she Serious thought about the cor- two have been drafted into the became highly respected. After porate life of each church. army; 79 are serving as pastors bequests to other Christian in- Careful thought as to the fu- or evangelists in Japan, F'Ormosa stituti'Ons, she left the residue of ture development of the work. or Korea; 19 are teaching or in her estate to St. Elizabeth's, for Thought about the future fi- social service and four are study- maternity w'Ork. nancial independence of each ing abroad. At a recent service, The new maternity unit and c'Ongregation. students talked or sang in their nurses' home is designed ulti- The purpose of the conference native tongue; it is interesting mately to combine St. Luke's and was: to note that in addition to J apa- St. Elizabeth's hospitals. To deepen corporate life; to nese, the following languages -The Living Church. evaluate w'Ork for Christ and were heard: Korean, Manchu- His Church; to endeavor to real- rian, Formosan, Chinese, Malay- Open Doors in Tibet ize the unity of all the work; to an, Spanish (Philippine Islands) Numerous lamaseries are make plans for the future devel- and French (French Indofound in Tibet where missi'Onar- opment and expansion of the China) .-Monday Morning. work.-The Living Church. ies may find a night's lodging. "Salvation Army in Chosen Many priests have visited the United Christian Movement Gospel Inn in Sining, 'Or have Korea is one of the 97 coun- Kagawa took the lead in an tries and colonies in which the he"ard about it from friends. At evangelistic campaign, in which Salvation Army is at work. It certain times of the year there the first meeting was attended employs 104 languages in preachare religious festivals in con- by 3,000 people who heard Bish- ing the Gospel at 17,567 outnection with the lamaseries, and op Naide 'Of the Episcopal posts. The Army has. recently those at Kumbum and Komangs- Church plead for a united spir- celebrated its thirtieth anniverzu, bring pilgrims from all parts itual front to meet the present sary in" Korea, when special of northeast Tibet. The crowds crisis in Japan's national and meetings were convened in Seoul come to worship; the Chinese international affairs; Miss Ka- and seven district centers. In come on holidays or on business, wai urged a deeper reliance on connection with the celebration and perchance to worship as God in the trying days ahead, was a campaign for a 30ro inwell, f'Or "better gods too many and Toyohiko Kagawa boldly crease in all branches of the than too few," they argue, even assert that only repentance and work. The Army has always if some of them are Tibetan conversion of Japan's leaders, recognized that a country's own gods. The crowds may be too her masses, her youth and even people should be the ones to dense, or too intent on business her Christians can save the na- spread the message. Accordingor pleasure to listen to preach- ti'On from the moral degradation ly, the work in Korea is conducting, but a printed message in to which she, along with 'Other ed by married couples who have their own language finds ready people in the world, has fallen. passed the courses in the Train- "Military force can never save ing Garrison. acceptance. The Tibetan will a people from moral debauchtuck his copy into his fox skin ery," said Kagawa; "only spirit- -Korea Mission Field. hat for later perusal alld per- ual and moral regeneration will haps to be carried far into the suffice to purge away individual interior.-China's Millions. "Two Hour Folks"
JAPAN -CHOSEN and national sins, and the Gospel When the superintendent of Calling All Workers of Jesus is the only force capa- the Soonchun Leper Colony in ble of transforming personal Korea was asked whether police control of the patients was nec- The Bishop of Tohoku, the Rt. and social life. Rev. Dr. N. S. Binsted, called a Mass meetings are to be held essary, he smiled and replied: meeting 'Of all w'Orkers, both men in various parts of Tokyo and "Where the principal occupation and women, in Sendai June 19 other cities during the next few of people is to get together sevand 20, and asked that prepara- months, and for a period of three eral hours a day and quote the tion for this conference should years all the churches are thus Bible, police are not needed. "By to cooperate in what promises the way," he added, "how would include: Private and public prayers for to be Japan's greatest united you like to hear one of our two the guidance of God's Holy Spir- Christian movement to date. Ka- hour folks?" "Two hour folks? gawa has agreed to give almost What's that?" the visitor init during the conference. Prayers for God's blessing full time to the pr'Osecution of quired. It was explained that upon each pers'On's 'Own work as the campaign throughout the these were patients who could well as upon the work of the dis- land.-Christian Century. quote the Scriptures for two trict and the whole Nippon Sei- Graduate Activities Listed hours at a time without making kokwai. any appreciable mistakes.
An examination by each indi- Since its formal organization At a recent Scripture recita- vidual of his own life and w'Ork, in 1930, the Japan Theological tion contest at Soonchun, hun- with an effort to realize the Seminary in Tokyo has gradu- dreds of contestants appeared,
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
representing all ages. An old ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC army officers dropped from the and sightless man repeated the service for lying. He took adentire book of Matthew without Evangelism among the vantage of this opportunity to stopping. He had committed it Batanese say that with the exception of to memory by hearing it read treason or cowardice there is no aloud. The Batanese Islands are the crime in the military code so most northerly part of the Phil- unpardonable as lying, and that -Evangelical Christian. ippines. Until March, 1937, there the foundation of every army is had been no evangelical work the honor and integrity of its Promoting Stewardship in there, but at that time Dr. and officers. "Lacking these virtues," Korea Mrs. Paul Culley, with two Fili- he said, "no army can succeed in pino preachers established a per- peace or war. An armed force Rev. H. E. Blair, in the United manent work there. There are with untrustworthy officers be- good reports coming from these comes a menace to the state Church Review, tells how the Islands: a total of 215 con- rather than a support . . . If principle of stewardship has versions, with government offi- executive clemency were exerbeen promoted in the Korean cials and school teachers friend- cised in this or any similar case, Church. Individual missionar- ly. A permit reading, "Any it would set a standard of integies had taught stewardship from place, any time" opens the way rity in the Army of the Philipthe beginning; it remained to for preaching at all points. Vio- pines so low that it would disoutline a plan fQr systematic lence and opposition instigated credit not only the Army, but giving. Pamphlets giving prac- by priests there have been, but even the Government itself, and tical methods and stewardship without much result. Two young deliver a death-blow to the develsermon themes were supplied to men from the Batanes are now opment of the high type of offithe churches, then each church stUdying in the Manila Evange- cer personnel which we must was urged to print their own en- lists' Institute preparing for have." velopes and supplies. The most work there later. satisfactory is a 52 page pad Three other officers are menwith a given number, to be hung -So S. Times. tioned in Lanao Progress as exon the wall at home. Each Sun- pressing the same sentimenits, day, a member tears off a page "Keswick" in New Zealand and all three, as well as Presiand folds it around a coin with dent Quezon, practice their own the pad number in view; the The missionary rally was one preaching. They know that little folded parcels to be depos- of the high lights of the annual their country must be made ited, with both hands, in the col- Convention Camp at Ngaruawa- strong, and that it takes upright lection bag. hia, N. Z., this year. On the men to make it so. speakers' platform were 30 mis- Most Korean women have no sionaries, representing Africa, Christianity Applied to money to give and one of the India, China, South America, Business tQuching scenes in many a Ko- Solomon Islands, Central Asia, rean Church is the gathering up New Guinea, Egypt, Russia and The largest shoe factory in the of little rice bags. The rice is the Maori of New Zealand. Each Philippines is owned by a Chrisput into the bags a spoonful at speaker was limited to six min- tian, Mr. T. Teodoro. He ema time as meals are being pre- utes. Those present noted that ploys 500 workers and turns out pared. the interest of the audience did twelve to fifteen hundred pairs of nOit lag for a moment. The chair- shoes a day. He provides for his Year by year some new pam- man announced that the mission- employees low-rent living quarphlet is issued to teach and re- ary fund had realized £3,725 ters, a low-priced restaurant, teach various phases of steward- during the past year, and the complete medical care, physical ship. Special men are sent 'Out goa] for the forth-coming year examination and clinical service, whenever possible to deepen in- was set at £4,000. A pledge and rest and recreation facilities. terest. There are also special cash offering was taken, when His factory is a model for light courses on systematic giving in an amount in advance of that of and air. Not only this, but each the Theological Seminary and last year was promised, and a morning his 21 foremen meet Bible Institutes. As the pas- cash offering of £180 received. with him and start the day by tors go from house to house they repeating together Psalm 19: 14 talk about the family and its -Life of Faith. -"Let the words of my mouth spiritual progress. They talk and the meditations of my heart crops. They talk church bud- Quezon Works for Integrity be acceptable in thy sight, 0 get. After prayer they layout Lord, my strength and my rethe record of the family as to Lanao Progress observes that deemer." Then, after a period of church contribution during the President Quezon and other Phil- silent meditation, they discuss past year and secure a new and, ippine government leaders are the day's work, closing their if possible, better pledge from making a determined effort to meeting with the Lord's Prayer. each member of the family for bring about a moral revitaliza- At one corner of this room is the year to come. Thus the tion among their people. A re- a door which opens on a steep churches have grown in power cent evidence of this was the President's action in ordering and effectiveness.
and narrow winding staircase in the Holy Land. It was kin- Today there are in America over which leads to a prayer room. dled on Easter morning by a 4,300,000 criminals actively at work, It is a long room with a prayer member of the Jewish National plundering and murdering. There is rail, a picture of Christ at Geth- Council, at an elaborate service an aggregate of 1,330,000 serious semane, and Scripture verses in before the historic Wailing Wall, crimes and a national crime bill of Tagalog. No one is invited into attended by representatives of $15,000,000 a year. this room who cannot also be practically all Jewish organizainvited to pray, and shoes are tions in Palestine. Prison-Mission Field left behind at the foot of the stairs. The idea is to have the light Eighty~seven American pris- burn in the Memorial Hall of the ons are now using the "Bible -Philippine Presbyterian. Pavilion not only as a memorial Course for New Christians," and to those who died in the struggle 189 prisoners have received cer- NORTH AMERICA to establish a Jewish national tificates for completing the work. home in Palestine, but also to These students become personal Bible Society Day at the symbolize the undying faith of workers. A man urider sentence World's Fair the Jews in the future of their in the Los Angeles County jail people in the Holy Land. led fifty-one souls to Christ. An- June 25th was American Bi- other teaches a class of thirtyble Society Day at the New York -World Outlook. five fellow prisoners and has World's Fair. Following the won ten. Art Marron, a Filipino dedication of the Society's exhib- Growing Intolerance who spent five years in San it in the Communications Build- Quentin Prison, received his ening, which included a long list To "make America safe for tire religious, education through of book titles chosen from the differences" is becoming an ur- the Bib I e Correspondence Bible, such as "The Promised gent task for all Christian peo- Courses. He is now preaching Land," "Green Pastures," etc., ple in the United States. This day and night in the smaller the group of men, women and was emphasized by the Church towns of the Philippine Islands children went to the Temple of Peace Union at their semi-an- and establishing Bible classes Religion, where Dr. John H. Fin- nual meeting in Atlantic City in wherever he goes. On his last ley and William Lyon Phelps June, when the following resolu- trip to a little town in the mounwere the principal speakers. tion was passed: tains, which he reached by a cart drawn by a water buffalo, 18 Dr. Finley spoke of the devo- We protest against the rise of anti- souls accepted Christ and were tion to the Bible of earlier gen- Semitism in the United States. It baptized. erations. To this, he attributed expresses an attitude and policy which not only their genuine piety but are contrary to our American insti- He has started Bible classes in also the richness of their lan- tutions and particularly to our spirit nearly every little town of eastguage. He declared that no oth- of freedom. ern Pangasinan, and twentyer book in the world could be seven Bible women, or Sunday compared with the Bible. Any Anti-Semitism also threatens the school teachers, have completed other book the human race might basic ideals of all religions. Intoler- the course.-S. S. Times. do without, but not the Bible: ance expressing itself in prejudice that, he said, is a necessity of and hatred for the Jew will not end Students Wanted life. there; in fact, it threatens the very structure of democracy and religious A call issued in June to enroll Dr. Phelps aroused much ex- liberty. in the "Ambassador Training pectation when he said that the Corps" introduced something de- Bible contained the best prayer, We condemn the organized cam- cidedly new in student Christian the best sermon, and the best paigns of hatred, and we particularly work, and is in contrast with all poetry in the whole world. The condemn the reckless and inflamma- previous efforts to meet the re- Sermon on the Mount was, of tory statements that have been made ligious needs of the student course, the best sermon; and before the Congressional committee world. It was a call to students the Lord's Prayer, the best in Washington and that are constant- to enroll in an intensive sumprayer. The best poem was the ly being made over the radio as con- mer training course in prepara- Twenty-third Psalm. trary to the fundamentals of our tion for definite, aggressive, American Government and the spirit evangelistic service on the cam- Symbol of "Eternal Light" of all religions. pus of American colleges during 1939-1940. Emphasis is upon The Ner Ha-Tamid, or "eter- We urge all religious leaders and training individual volunteers nal light," was brought from the people of their respective congre- in personal Bible study, so that Palestine last April to burn in gations to take active steps toward they wiH not be dependent upon the Jewish Pavilion at the New the development of that understand- adult leadership. To attain to York World's Fair. According ing, cooperation and goodwill which the rating of "ambassador," the to the Director of the Pavilion, will unite them more deeply in over- student engages in a thirty-two this light will burn continuously coming this evil with good. weeks' training course in active as a memorial to those who gave Christian living and service. their lives seeking the establish- -Church Peace Union. ment of a Jewish national home -So S. Times. Crime in the U. S. A. The crime situation is not im- proving, if the figures of J. Ed- gar Hoover are to be taken as evidence. Says Mr. Hoover: The records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation show that crime is increasing; that murders, manslaugh- ters, robberies, sex crimes, automobile thefts are greater than ever before.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Moral Rearmament Conference Moslems who make the pilgrimage considered are health, govern- ment relief, etc. This does not Before a crowd of nearly to Los Angeles should also make that tell the whole story. Special 25,000 in Hollywood Bowl, Cal- services for Indian girls grew ifornia representatives of the to Mecca. BISMILA. into a Sunday school. Ten of "Oxford Groups" from 25 coun- these girls now sing in the tries launched a drive for unity Negro Advance church choir. and Christian harmony in this unsettled world-a unity based The United Presbyterian says -Spirit of Missions.· on the four points of honesty, that the greatest improvements unselfishness, purity and love. in the Negro race have come Stand on the Liquor Problem Three objectives were listed: 1. since the beginning of the World Permanent peace between indi- War, and offers the following Prospective students of Illividuals and nations; 2. The facts as proof. There are now nois State Normal School need world's wealth made available to over 120 Negro institutions of not enroll there in ignorance of all, but for exploitation by none; higher learning with 35,000 stu- that institution's attitude toward 3. Create a new culture and alcohol, for its latest catalogue bring in the advent of "the gold- dents of college grade, 2,457 of contains the following stateen age." collegiate professional grade, ment: and twice the entire number It is said that new hope has studying college subjects. The Since ability to consume intoxicatbeen generated by this plan. Chi- number of Negroes now holding ing beverages, regardless of nature nese and Japanese representa- or quantity, is not a par~ of teachertives shook hands there; labor academic and professional de- training program, and Slllce emplo~ union leaders greeted officials grees is 32,478. About 63.8 per- ers of teachers, regardless of theIr of employers' organizations. cent are men and 36.2 per cent personal a~titude toward the liguor Among the messages read from are women. The largest numer- question, WIll not employ or contll~ue well known leaders was one ical group comes from parents in service teachers who use such lllfrom Henry Ford which ex- neither of whom could read. The toxicants, Illinois State Normal Unipressed a profound truth. Said bulk of these graduates enter the versity very emphatically states that Mr. Ford: "There is enough professional field. Nearly 200 the use of intoxicants on or off the good will in the people to over- have incomes of $5,000 or more; campus will not be permitted, and come all war, all class dissension the median high school salary deviation from this regulation calls and all economic stagnation, for severance of connections with the when that good will shall be of teachers is $1,300. The call school. Because the institution feels hitched to the affairs of men and for Negro college graduates is justified in the interests of its reputanations."-Dayton News. tion and that of its students and grad- more imperative than ever. uates in having such a regulation, it Los Angeles as a "Mecca" There is one white physician to is hoped that persons who cannot live every 728 white people, but only within both the letter and spirit of Strange sects are not confined one Negro physician to every this procedure will not apply for adto Iraq. The Moslem World 3,125 Negroes. There is one mission to the university. quotes the following notice white teacher for every 110 posted in Los Angeles: white children, one Negro teach- -United Presbyterian. er for every 218 of the Negro KALIFAT-NEBI JEFFERSON. group. LATIN AMERICA Yearly pilgrimage of Moslems of Civic Leadership in Oklahoma Christian School in Cuba Kalifat No.5, known as North Ame,rican Kalifat, shall be concluded m St. Philip's Episcopal Church La Progressivu, Presbyterian Civic Center, Los Angeles, during the in Ardmore, Oklahoma, believes school at Cardenas', Cuba, has 30 days of the month of Muaram. that it must take a leading part been signally honored by Cuba's in community life. With this Secretary of Education, who The purpose shall be educat~onal. in view, the rector and others awarded it special recognition This pilgrimage should part~cularly decided upon a number of proj- for its whole curriculum, from remind Moslems of the teachmgs of ects, of which the following are first grade through High School. America's fist Karajite leader, Thom- afew: as Jefferson, loyal successor of George When a new government high Washington, tried-and-true founder of A garden inspection committee school was established in Carthe Republic. which brought about self-help to many denas, La Progressiva empha- Terminating the pilgrimage; Mos- needy families. sized its boarding department, lems should make the circuit of the thus affording greater oppor- Los Angeles Federal Building which A canning plant growing out of the tunity to young people from suis situated in what is henceforth to garden committee. gar plantations and small towns. be known by Moslems as Jefferson Square. They may make the circuit A plan for milk distribution to The Christian influence of as many as seven times, but it is not needy. the school has been of far reachtheir duty to make it even once, since ing value; many of its graduthey should make it only of their A Milk and Ice Fund. ates continue their training in own free will and according to their An amateur boxing tournament to normal schools and later teach ability. support the Milk and Ice Fund. in Presbyterian institutions on Moslems who make the pilgrimage An Open Forum at which com- the Island; others attend the to Mecca should make that to Los munity problems ar~ d~scussed. . theological Seminary in Puerto Angeles also. A community samtatIOn campaIgn. Rico. Six Presbyterian pastors A mobile health clinic. in Cuba are graduates of La Promotion of two summer camps.
The open forum proved to be especially valuable. Subjects
Progressiva and there are two of widely different types, yet Three factors made the occa- sion memorable: this is the candidates for the ministry in common to all is a form of ani- first modern church building in Colombia; there was a new visthe present graduating class. mistic religion. There is now, ion afforded those who came from i sol ate d communities Four pastors' wives also gradu- as a result of this Mission's ac- where life is one long struggle against persecution and immorated from the school. tivities, a vigorous church, made ality; and there were present -Monday Morning. up not merely of passive Chris- representatives of nearly all de- nominations or groups working tians but of those eager to pass in interior Colombia-Presby- terians, Independent National Ice Breaking in Guatemala on the Gospel message. A short Church, the Scandinavian Alli- ance, Worldwide Evangelistic Tourists and modern life have time ago, when a member of one Crusade, Pentecostals, Luther- ans, Cumberland Presbyterians not yet penetrated the western of the most degraded tribes was and some independent mission- aries.-Colombian Clippings. highlands of Guatemala, so con- ordained a minister, the "im- EUROPE siderable persuasion was re- possible" was achieved. The Crisis Grows No Less quired on the part of Rev. H. D. One tribe of 500 Indians of Peck, Presbyterian missionary, North Argentina has 400 pro- Dr. Adolph Keller, Director of the Central Bureau for Relief of to convince the mayor of a very fessed Christians. The past Evangelical Churches, reports on the present outlook. When needy village that he should ad- thirty-five years have seen this Bureau was established in 1922 it was thought that a few mit aclinic unit from the Amer- marked advance in Chile also. years' effort would be sufficient ican Hospital at Guatemala City. Boarding schools and medical for reconstruction after the So far as the mayor was con- work have been of great value. World War. This estimate has been found to be too optimistic. cerned, witch doctors were good -Life of Faith. Totalitarianism and the almost incredible fury of anti-Semitism enough, but finally permission have so deeply affected the eco- nomic situation of the churches, was grudgingly granted. School Uses Radio their liberty of conscience and Although relief from their ail- their spiritualIife that the prob- One of the mission schools lems have multiplied. Here are ments was welcomed, there was which uses the radio to develop a few of them: Feeding the degeneral suspicion on the part of interest in its program is Cole- pendents of evangelicals who those helped: there was endless gio Episcopal de San Pablo, bet- have been sent to Siberia, includbeating of drums, offerings of ter known in the United States ing the few Russian Protestant chickens and flowers by the vil- as St. Paul's School, Camaguey, pastors that are still alive, relagers, who were taking no Cuba. The School has bought lieving Protestant pastors in chances on offending the moun- the time for the broadcast over Rumania, many of whom are tain deities. Station COJK, short wave. The trying to maintain homes on Principal, Rev. Paul Tate, from 12 to 15 dollars a month, -Monday Morning. helping to finance theological students, for the need for an en- Baptist Mission in Vera Cruz writes that the idea is to keep lightened Christian ministry is ahead of other schools in all acute. Rev. Donata Ramirez, a Mexi- sorts of activities that may add to the school's prestige. As the Even the very hopeful evancan of Kansas City who was broadcasts become better known gelical movement in the Ukraine trained for the ministry at Col- ,and accepted, real evangelistic is threatened with financial gate-Rochester Divinity School, . material will be used. straits and all manner of petty is the first resident pastor at persecution; every pastor must Tierra Blanca in the state of -The Living Chu.rch. get a permit for every sermon Vera Cruz. He began work in he preaches, whether in his own parish or elsewhere. Then there June, 1938; without a church New Church in Bogota is the staggering refugee probbuilding, but with a gift of $300 lem; also the heavy blow dealt the Czech Church of the Brethfrom the Rochester student The dedication on March 12th body and $200 from the Baptist of the new Presbyterian Church Home Mission Society, he began in Bogota, Colombia, was an to build and since then small epoch-making event. The site sums have made it possible to go was secured and the building on with the undertaking. The erected with the proceeds from membership of this young church the sale of the former church is 58, the average attendance 70 ; property. Representatives 0 f each week end at least 12 various Presbyterian churches members hold special services in and other missions throughout the surrounding area. The Colombia crowded the auditorichurch has three outstations, all um. Some had journeyed a day of which indicates that a strong or two on horseback, over diffichurch is arising in Tierra cult mountain trails, others Blanca. -Watchman-Examiner. came by auto and one flew over from Medellin. The theme of Primitive Indians in South the dedicatory sermon, deliv- America ered by Rev. A. M. Allan, a for- mer pastor, was "Past, Present The South American Mission- and Future." This was followed ary Society ministers to Indians by a communion service.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ren (Hussite), and the unfavor- ship allowed, and only in private by er subsidize pUblications; these able developments that are special agreement and favor of the must pay for themselves. facing the Waldensians in Italy. state; (4) All Romanist laws and jurisdiction included organically in Germany has also banned ra- Once more the Christian dio broadcasts of religious serv- the state's statutes; (5) The Roman ices. Such orders as the radio ban, and that on the sale of Bi- Church is producing martyrs. Church given the supervision over ed- bles are not published, but ucation, press and printing "in dog- transmitted secretly by the Min- Churches are packed where emp- matic matters"; (6) Church property istry of Propaganda. Church ty benches had become the rule. taken from the Church by the former officials have urged that broad- casts of religious services be re- government to be ceded to the state, sumed for the benefit of invalids, but all such requests have found Friends Oenter in Paris in return for which the state will sup- deaf ears.-New York Times. port the Church; (7) The relations In Hungary and Poland An attempt is being made to to be legaliZed by a Concordat. There is news of a great rebring about contacts between the It is added, however, that fif- vival movement in Hungary, not Society of Friends in France and teen of the world's greatest re- only in Budapest, the capital, but outstanding intellectuals in that ligious leaders have petitioned in other centers. Evangelistic country who are thinking along Franco to investigate the reli- meetings are being held many gious situation and to ensure times a day, and at some of them the same lines as the Friends, freedom of worship, and he has from four to seven thousand peothough not connected with any agreed to look into the matter. ple are present, many of whom religious movement. Two vis- have never heard the Gospel be- -Alliance Weekly. fore. Special editions of the its have been paid to Jacques Gospel of John and the Epistle Maritain, distinguished Catholic to the Romans have been placed in the hands of inquirers; while scholar who is deeply interested Methodists Meet in Denmark Christians are urged to take five in the Friends, both because of copies and, after prayer for guidance, to seek out five relatheir international activity and "The Methodist Church in tives or acquaintances to whom they may give them, at the same their emphasis on religion. Con- Europe" was the theme for the time witnessing to what the Lord has done for them. tact has also been established Conference of Met hod i s t As the eyes of the world are with Prof. Emery of Lyons, out- Churches and Missions in the focussed on Poland's political problem, it should not be overstanding liberal thinker of various countries in Europe, looked that while the State has fenced out Communism it re- France. Jean Giono, well known held in Copenhagen, Denmark, mains for the Christian Church to fence out atheism. Evangel- French writer, has also ex- August 2-6. The purp.ose of the ical Churches are taking the lead in this (the prime minister is a pressed his desire to cooperate gathering was to provide an op- Protestant) , and they are with the Friends in any project portunity for fellowship, inspir- backed up by the World's Evan- gelical Alliance. that will promote peace. ation and education to groups of -Baptist Missionary Review.
At the French Yearly Meet- ministers, laymen, laywomen The Army and Ohristianity in Germany ing in Paris, the largest in his- and youth of the new Methodist A short time ago a German tory, there were delegates from Church in Europe. The former army officer, a devout Christian, published a book called "The Of- S wed en, England, America, Methodist Episcopal Church is ficers' Hour." It was favorably reviewed in The Millitary Week- Switzerland and Germany. It established in Denmark, Sweden ly News and subsequently at- tacked in the same paper. Bewas generally felt that the meet- and Norway; there are over 250 tween the appearance of these contradictory views, the book ing had attained a higher level churches and 30,000 members. was bitterly denounced in the Schwartze Korps. The author's than in previous years not only These Scandinavian Methodists in numbers, but in spiritual are not only self-supporting but ways as well. maintain nineteen foreign mis- -American Friend. sionaries. There are also church- es and missions in Finland, Religion in Spain Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Jugoslavia, Bulgaria and Many are wondering what Hungary. In Germany there are will be the outlook for religion five self-supporting Conferell(~es. in Spain under Franco's regime. Jose Pemartin, spokesman for -Christian Advocate.
the Spanish Nationalists, is Bible Sales Bring Reaction in quoted as saying that Spain is Nazidom now to become the most fascist country in Europe; that a pro- The fact that sales of Bibles gram for the Catholic Church is in Germany have outnumbered to be established which will be- those of ~'Mein Kampf" by "more papist than the pope," 200,000 copies the past year has and will serve the political ends apparently angered Nazi authorof the state. Here is the program ities, for an order has gone out as outlined by Senor Pemartin: that Bible and religious tracts (1) The Roman Catholic religion may be sold only in Confessionis the official religion of the state; al Book stores. In general book (2) The prohibition of all teaching that opposes or denies the Roman stores Bibles may be sold only Catholic faith, either officially or in when specifically ordered. Bible private; (3) No other public wor- and Tract Societies may no long-
"sin" consisted in declaring that riously hesitant. Finally the widespread unemployment. The there can be no true fighting reason came out! They were Society was told it would be im- spirit and no military oath of thinking about the hot summer possible to start a boy's club loyalty without a Christian ba- days to come when they would here, because the people were sis. He therefore reasons that be toiling in the fields all day, fanatically Moslem. However, soldiers should be educated to a and were afraid the heavy per- such a club was opened in 1925, belief in God, and demands from spiration would ruin their Tes- and persistent kindness finally -the officers an acceptance of taments, as, true to their pledge, overcame opposition. The mem- Christianity. they carried them in their pock- bership is now from fifty to ets. At last they decided to risk sixty. Boxing, wrestling, weight The newspaper attack of the it, and 28 of them joined the lifting and other physical exerbook admits that such a book League. cises are practised. Lessons are might have been acceptable forty given in English and Arabic, in years ago, but not today, because AFRICA reading, writing and other ele- the question of a soldier and his mentary subjects. On the spir- religion can now only be dis- Farouk Leads in Friday itual side by friendship, by percussed from a single standpoint Prayers sonal talks, by Bible study -that of national socialism, groups and occasional lantern which unites all the beliefs and This is the heading of an arti- lectures and addresses, the work- philosophies of the German peo- cle that appeared in a Cairo ers strive to demonstrate Chris- ple. Christianity is thus defi- daily recently. tianity in action. In addition nitely placed on the same level there is a Blind School, where with paganism. In its issue of Last Friday was a notable day men are taught reading and March 16th, the Schwartze which revealed a pleasant surprise writing in Arabic Braille. It Korps stated: such as had never occurred to any has a Braille library of over one's mind. Probably it is the first 1,500 books, all Christian, which "It is true there is political strife in surprise of the sort in a thousand are lent up and down the coun- Germany arising out of religious dif- years. His Majesty the King went try to blind Moslem readers. ferences. But it is equally true that to the Quasin Mosque to perform the these differences will not be allowed Friday prayers, to which some illus- Ethiopia Is No More to impair our military strength. The trious guests of Egypt had preceded religious life of the German soldier is him, from among the delegations of The Council of the League of so closely bound up with the concep- sister Arab nations which had come Nations on May 12th tacitly ac- tions of People, Fuehrer, Country as to take part in the Palestine Con- knowledged that Abyssinia (or the revelation of the Divine Will," that ference. Chief among these were two Ethiopia) is now to be called a the tenets of any particular religious princes from Hejaz. No sooner had "Province of Italian East Af- sect will be able to exert no influence the preacher finished the Friday ser- rica." An annex to the Anglo- whatsoever. mon than- King Farouk was seen by Italian agreement, signed in those present for the prayers to leave Rome on April 16th, expressed -Kulturkampf. his place in the front rank and make in somewhat ambiguous terms his way to the Mihrab (prayer niche the !Italian Government's will- Testaments for Italy which indicates the direction of Mec- ingness to consider favorably the ca), where he led the prayers as the work of British missions "in hu- In the P. T. L. Quarterly we imam (leader of public prayers). manitarian and benevolent read that in Italy membership in That was a very great surprise, which spheres." This mayor may not the League has steadily in- caused the thousands gathered in the mean tolerance of Christian creased until the number is now mosque and along the streets lead- evangelism. over 4,000, a remarkable record ing to the mosque to raise shouts of for ten years' effort in a land supplication to God that He would The British and Foreign Bi- where Protestant work is car- preserve the "righteous King" the ble Society has kept open its ried on with 'such difficulty. The "prince of believers" and the "imam depot at Addis Ababa, but the Italian League President, Rev. of the Moslems." future is uncertain. The Her- H. H. Pullen, has many oppor- mannsburg Mission has been altunities in his journeys to Western newspapers co m- lowed to continue its work in promote this work. He has ap- mented that this innovation will Addis Ababa, and partially to pointed a young assistant to hold tend to unite Arab-speaking resume itineration in the inte- meetings for young people in Moslem peoples. It has always rior. The United Presbyterian Liguria, Piedmond and Lom- been customary for a caliph, or mission hospital remains open, bardy. He found that members one aspiring to the caliphate, to and the Sudan Interior Mission in Genoa were joining forces lead these public prayers, and a continued till last August. with the Scripture Union, and number of Moslems are express- When compensation for mission were holding regular meetings ing a desire to make the young property, expropriated by the of their own. In Turin, a new king of Egypt Caliph of the Italian Government was paid group of sixty members was whole Moslem world. and the mission was refused per- formed. In many other towns mission to take up other sites, there was a happy response to -Woman's Missionary the seven remaining missionar- appeals. At an evening meeting Magazine. for adults in an out-of-the-way village, several young men Boy's Club in Cairo wished to join, yet seemed cu- The Church Missionary Soci- ety is doing an eifeotive piece of social work in a slum of Cairo, a filthy, crowded section, with
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ies were forced to return home. of the Africa Inland Mission was Last year was a serious fam- The whole future of Protestant climaxed with the baptism of ine year; food prices soared or work in Italian East Mrica eighty men and women. Except the food was not obtainable; must depend largely upon the for the fact that the Church is people were hungrier than they Waldensians and other Italian very rigid in its examination of had ever been. Money formerly Protestants. It is hoped that candidates for baptism, the num- spent on clothes had to be spent work along the border may ber could easily have been 200. for food. Women with tiny reach some Ethiopians. Even so, this is the largest num- babies on their arms go through ber baptized, so far, at one time. the grass catching tiny grass- -International Review of hoppers in order to have meat to Missions. Later in the day about 600 met eat. around the Lord's Table, which Danish Mission in the Sudan meant that the church building Foreign Magic was almost filled with communi- The eastern part of northern cants alone. If this continues, There are more ways than one Nigeria is alloted to the Danish the building will have to be en- of exploiting the superstitious, branch of the Sudan United Mis- larged. At a recent Sunday half-educated Africans, and here sion, which has worked there for service there were 3,230 in at- is one reported by The Chronia quarter of a century. For a tendance.-Life of Faith. cle, of London. Thousands of adtime growth was so rapid that vertising circulars have poured the home church in Denmark Women Leaders in Kenya into the Congo, introducing forcould not keep up with it; eign "charms," talismen and workers and funds were not A missionary from East Afri- magic. In one packet discovforthcoming. But recently con- ca says that regular evangelistic ered by a missionary and sent ditions in Denmark began to meetings for women have a qual- to the Congo Protestant Counchange; a revival is spreading ity that has been absent hereto- cil, were some pills, a piece of over the country, public opinion fore, because for the past few cheap, red substance with signs towards Christianity and Chris- years the women themselves scratched on it, encased in a red tian work is undergoing a have conducted them. One Afri- silk bag, with leaflets of instrucchange; the means are coming can woman expressed it thus: tion and a "prayer." "Take this forth, the quota allotted has been "Our hearts are warm." These between the thumb and first finraised, and new workers for the meetings are the women's own. ger of your left hand," said one field are volunteering. A doctor They run them, decide where of the leaflets, "look at it kindly, and his wife, a nurse and two they shaH be held, and make all sympathetically, as one regards men, one of them ordained, have the arrangements. To be sure, a person from whom one looks to been accepted for service during there are mistakes made, but receive a favor, and say the folthe past year. some of the gains the missionar- lowing prayer: 'Dear and good ies have been praying for have talisman, in whom I have all con- This change is reflected in the come through the efforts of the fidence, I pray you to aid me by African field. Direct evangelism women themselves. Speakers are all your occult powers to realize is being undertaken by African chosen a week in advance to en- all my projects and desires.' Christians-about 35 at present sure time for prayer and study. (Here you ask for the things -of whom several have wit- you yourself want to obtain.)" nessed so fai.thfully that con- -C. M. S. Outlook. In the effort to stop this traffic gregations of baptized Chris- that trades on the credulity of tians have sprung up in the Sharing Joys at Bibanga the African, the Governor-Genbush. The missionaries depend eral asked the Commission for more and more on their sound Miss Virginia Allen is a the Protection of Natives to conjudgment, learning from them fourth-term missionary at Bi- sider the question of authorizing the best way to present the Gos- banga. She writes in Congo the Postal Service to intercept pel to the African mind. A spe- Mission News of the ever deep- some of this dangerous correscial training course for evange- ening Christian joy of women pondence. But much of it is lists has now been established, and girls, builders of Christian smuggled into the country by which is intended to last three homes. Each Sunday groups of many different routes. years with intervals of one year nine-year-old girls make a point spent in practical work in the of paying her a visit to sing the WESTERN ASIA districts. The Christian Church new songs that Mrs. Kellersbergin this field has about 1,000 bap- er teaches them. Their first vis- Sunday Schools in Bible Lands tized members, with several it surprised her, and in token of hundred more who are being her appreciation she gave each The Sunday school movement prepared for baptism. girl six peanuts and taught them continues to be one of the most Proverbs 3: 5, 6. They came powerful influences in Bible -Life of Faith. every Sunday thereafter, when lands in bringing together in fel- they learnt a few more verses, lowship and cooperation men, Eighty Converts in the Congo ate a few more peanuts, and women and children of different later, the one who knew the most denominations and points of A week's Bible Conference verse~ received a picture. held this year at the Adi Station
view. Last April a rally was type of reading matter in its INDIA AND SIAM held in an ArmeniaI1i Protestant own area. Church in Beirut, Syria, ar- Another Hindu Tribute ranged by the Armenian Sunday Religious Situation in Turkey School Union and to which invi- Several retired judges of tations were sent to children of The death of Ataturk and the Travancore have acknowledged all Arabic-speaking schools and installation of Ismet Inonii have in The Hindu, a daily paper, that of the Anglo-American commun- apparently not altered the reli- Christian missionaries h a v e ity. It took nearly fifteen min- gious situation in Turkey, though played a great part in the progutes for the one thousand chil- it is too soon to know accurately. ress of the Travancore State, dren and their teachers to march There may be a feeling of great- while the Travancore States into the auditorium. The wor- er liberty in the expression of Manual points out that it was ship program consisted of hymns religious sentiments now than English missionaries who initiwith tunes and words familiar during the past few years, and ated English education in that in the three languages, the repe- it is perhaps more common to State, and to them is due the tition of Psalm 23 in the differ- recognize religion as a force; in emancipation of slaves, the up- 'ent languages and prayer offered fact the funeral of the late ruler lift of the depressed classes, the in Arabic~ A tableau presented revealed a passion for dedication opening of hospitals and the by a group of Armenian children to an ideal, and that is essential- spread of education for both represented Christ, the Friend ly religious. men and women. of the children of the world. There has been no change in In the Tranvancore Census -Bible Lands Union. the policies and methods of the Report for 1931, we read: mission institutions, and more What Are Moslems Reading? and more there is a sense among As a result of the philanthropic many leaders that education labor of the missionaries a perceptible Realizing that what Christian does not seem to be enough, and improvement has been effected in the societies publish must be partly that some way of building char- moral and social condition of Dedetermined by what people like acter must be found if the coun- pressed Classes who have come under to read, the Near East Christian try is to continue to go forward. their influence. Their mode of liv- Council asked groups in each ing has changed, their standard of country they serve just what is -Near East Christian living has improved, they are giving being read; just what students CounciL up insanitary habits, are learning were reading aside from text cleanliness and thrift, and are bebooks. The answer was the Iranian Youth ing weaned from the drink evil. same: stories, the great majority being translations. It is be- The annual National Chris- All these opinions are conlieved that Christian publishing tian Youth Conference of Iran firmed by a writer in the Poona houses should take note of this had a spread of almost a thou- Mahratta who said that today and supply good, cheap stories. sand miles, with representatives "25 per cent of the population Next to stories, a lively interest of the Anglican Church, the Ar- are Christians. Out of 11 lakhs in biographies was revealed, menian Protestant Church, and of rupees paid as Government particularly of Moslem heroes the Evangelical (Presbyterian) gran, 9 lakhs are paid to Chrisand Western dictators. Church, meeting together with t ian educational institutions. no thought of denominational The number of churches which As for Christian students, it distinctions. All were Christians, was 300 in 1820 had increased to was found they were devouring although coming from a wide 2700 in 1930." rationalistic works, mostly non- variety of religious b a c k – Christian. The World's Student grounds: Shi'a and Sunni Mos- Preaching to Mohammedans Christian Federation has accord- lem, Jewish, Assyrian, Armeningly formed a committee to ian, Baha'i, Anglican, American, Rev. H. Reynhout, in the Life undertake the publication of lit- Presbyterian, and even Swiss of Faith, describes the method of erature with the Christian view- Evangelical. There were 68 reaching Mohammedans at the point. leaders from seven countries, in- reading room of the Ceylon and cluding two from Shiraz, 534 India General Mission, in My- Inquiries in Cairo revealed miles away, and one from Yezd, sore City, where a weekly lecture that along with the inevitable the first time that this remote is given especially for Mohamnewspaper there is a growing desert city had been represented medans. "An hour before the output of monthly magazines of at the Conference. The program lecture begins the missionaries good standing, with literary in- consisted of addresses and dis- take up their stand on the street terests definitely Arabic and cussions on the theme "The in front of the reading room: it Moslem. There is a large as- Kingdom of God," Bible study is a very busy street, and hunsortment of picture magazines, and recreation. It was inter- dreds of people pass by, of indicating the value of a Chris- esting to hear boys, gesturing whom every fourth or fifth is a vigorously, talk about ways of Mohammedan. tian picture paper. The Council making Christianity effective in intends to ask each Inter-mission various walks of life. "We are well supplied with Council to help in a study of the -Bulletin of Foreign Affairs. Gospels and literature in Urdu, Kanarese and English, and gen- erally offer a tract to our Mo- hammedan friends as they pass.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK 429'
"As the time for the lecture interest to me. His advice, "Render are violent" and that there is approaches, Mohammedans are therefore unto Caesar the things "no need to drink vitamin Band invited to attend. Most of them which are Caesar's, and unto God the beat your wife." pass on with the excuse of busi- things that are God's," is the doctrine ness urgency or a flimsy promise of non-resistance, nonviolence. Gandhi Hindus, Moslems, Christians. to return in five minutes. Usu- is not the originator of non-violence; and the various provincial govally, the lecture begins with only Jesus Christ is. ernments are of one mind in refour or five in attendance, but a gard to exterminating the drink worker remains outside in the What is non-violence? It means evil. However, a Bombay weekhope of attracting others. Some that everything is sacred and all life ly, while heartily commending are busy with tracts, and seeing must be treated with reverence. Let all these efforts to push the camus with literature the crowd no man deal roughly with even the paign against liquor in the same swells, an argument is started weakest and meekest of living crea- issue advertises "high class port, and after considerable urging tures. I look at Jesus not from the brandy and beer." Such adverthe group consents to enter the standpoint of theology but of society. tisements are illegal sin c e reading room. The evangelist If taken seriously, Jesus' unique mes- August 1. has probably finished his lecture, sage could not only save my people but begins a new one for the ben- but it could build the Kingdom of The Church at Chakwal efit of the late-comers. His God on earth. theme is a whole race lost in sin; Chakwal is just a tiny dot on only Jesus Christ, the Son of -Bulletin of Foreign the map of Northern India, but God, can and does save. Mos- Affairs. on the British Empire's map it lems hate the very mention of is a very black dot, having the this; some of the bolder ones Model for U. S. Christians reputation of being the most viojump to their feet and denounce lently criminal spot in Britain's the speaker, others try to silence The Naini Community Church world wide dominions. About him. Finally, the crowd dis- of Allahabad is self-supporting, twenty years ago, the United perses in disorder, some to ar- pays its assessments in advance Presbyterian .Church :proposed gue among themselves outside, and all other obligations prompt- to establish a mission there; some to remain to question the ly. Not only that; it has accu- land was purchased, building missionaries further about the mulated a building fund, with no plans were drawn up. Along Gospel." outside help. It is to some de- came the depression, and the gree self-propagating also, as land remained merely open Ambedkar Interprets Christ baptisms during the past year fields, growing just enough to have included some from non- pay the taxes. The champion of India's de- Christian families. The church pressed classes is not a Chris- supports a worker who sells More than a dozen years later, tian, but he was one of the guest Christian literature. All this is Emma Dean Anderson, after speakers at the annual meeting accomplished by Indian Chris- half a century of mission servof the West India Presbyterian tians, with a very little over- ice in India, chose Chakwal as Mission. Almost apologetically sight on the part of an evange- her retirement home. There, he announced his subject: "The listic missionary. without any European 0 r Bible and the Message of American companion within Christ," adding that his person- -Monday Morning. 60 miles, she settled in, to al interest in the subject led him spend the last three years to speak upon it, and that his No Drinks After Midnight of her seventh decade of life. conclusions were the result of From then on the Church in his own research. Said Dr. One thousand prohibition en- America began to hear about Ambedkar: forcement officers who describe Chakwal, but in her 80th year themselves as "harder than dia- Miss Anderson had to retire The greatness of Jesus can be monds, yet softer than flowers," from her Chakwal retirement proved in two ways: His power to were mobilized July 31 to help and return to America, leaving perform miracles and the uniqueness police shut off Bombay's drink- only a handful of Christians, of His message. Miracles cannot save ing at midnight. In addition to with an Indian pastor conduct- me and my people. But the message this guard an extra 1100 police ing regular services but with no can. Therefore I am not interested in were enrolled, 300 volunteer or- organized congregation. When Jesus' miracles but in His message. ganizations and 200 physical cul- Miss Anderson left she made it Religion to help me must have a social ture institutions offered their her chief responsibility to secure origin and a social purport because services toward making the ex- funds to construct the buildings the burning question before me is, periment a success. planned in the early vision; this "How can I rebuild a doomed society?" promise has been fulfilled, and Is there anything unique in Jesus' The government decree, is- all the buildings planned are message? That is what I want to sued last Feb. 14, advanced a now completed. In addition to know. step further the campaign of church and parsonage there is a Gandhi for national prohibition library and reading room, open The Jews to whom Christ came within three years. to the public. The building op- were an oppressed group. My peo- erations were entirely under ple are an oppressed group; there- There has been an intensive fore Jesus' advice to the multitudes fight over the Bombay edict. The who followed Him becomes of vital wets contended the Indian-fer- mented liquor contains vitamin B and makes for healthier ba- bies. Countering, the prohibi- tionists argued that "drunkards
Christian supervision, and most- them to read, but not giving should know nothing of theologly Christian labor. The man in them anything to read." In ical difIerences. charge of all the work is a re- contrast, he pointed out, "irrece1lt convert from Islam. ligious forces are far ahead of Christians and Refugees the churches on that score, in -United Presbyterian. that they are putting quantities More and more it is being rec- of material in the hands of peo- ognized that the problem of refu- Siam Now Thailand ple they are seeking to convert gees is a Christian, as well as a to their views." Jewish responsibility; and the When we see the names "Thai- -National Lutheran Council. American Committee for Chrisland," and "Thai," in State De- tian German Refugees, 287 partment documents from now Read This Fourth Ave., New York, is findon we are to think of Siam and ing a more generous response to Siamese, for the Department It was brought out at the its appeal. Several churches has decided to adhere to the re- Madras Conference that the in- are assuming direct responsibilcent decision of the Siamese crease in size of the Christian ity in the matter. The Quakers Government to change the name community in the twentieth cen- are opening a haven for refugees of their country. Thailand tury is unparalleled in any sim- -Jewish and Christian – in means land of the Thai (pro- ilar length of time in all Chris- Iowa, and are forming plans to nounced tie); and Thai is the tian history. Not including care for 20,000 refugee children ancient name of the Siamese Roman Catholics, Christian com- if the necessary legislation is people. municants in Negro Africa have enacted by Congress. The Pres- multiplied five-fold; in India byterian Board of National Mis- MISCELLANEOUS three-fold; in parts of Latin sions is appealing to its constit- America seven-fold; in Japan uency for funds and has a rep- Growth Abroad, Decline at five-fold, and doubled in the past resentative rendering personal Home decade; in China five-fold; in service to individual refugees. Chosen seventy-fold; in the The National Council of the It was revealed at the mid- Philippine Islands, where the Protestant Episcopal Church is year meeting of the Foreign Evangelical Church was non- undertaking a similar program. Missions Conference of North existent at the beginning of the America, held in Swarthmore, century, the communicants now Dissent most frequently heard Pa., that Protestant missions number about 200,000, the num- is based on the fear that a have grown rapidly in foreign bers having trebled in the last "horde" of aliens will displace countries, but have fallen off at thirteen years. our own workers, and add to OUr home. According to figures economic ills. It must be requoted, there were, in 1925, However, satisfaction over membered that the refugees 3,565,443 Protestant communi- these figures is tempered by the seeking admission to this country cants in mission lands, and knowledge that population in- are, in the main, people of exslightly more than eight million crease reveals that there are ac- ceptional ability who will build baptized. In 1938, the number tually today far more non- up industries that will furnish of communicants had jumped to Christians in the world than employment to many American six million, and there were thir- there were when the modern workers; and will also increase teen million baptized Protes- missionary enterprise began. the demand for our products of tants. In 1911, there were 351 farm and factory: all this is more ordained missionaries in Medical Council for Missions aside from the Christian considforeign service than there were eration of the emergency. ordained nationals. Last year, After twelve years of effort, there were 10,271 more ordained the Christian Medical Council Testaments for Jews national Christians than mis- for Overseas Work came into besionaries. ing on June 3, 1938. To date, A campaign is under way to about twenty different mission- provide a quarter million New There is one Christian for ary bodies have joined it. The Testaments for Jews in various every 184 people in Asia, one office of this associated mission lands. Efforts are being made for every twenty-eight in Africa, in New York is under the direc- to enlist intercessory prayer on and one for every four in Oce- tion of Dr. J. G. Vaughan, for- the part of 50,000 interested ania. merly a medical missionary to persons. A special Testament is China under the Northern Meth- being prepared in which verses In commenting on the situa- odists, and Dr. E. M. Dodd, once that signify. the fulfilment of tion, Dr. John R. Mott said: a missionary to Persia under Old Testament prophecies ap- the Presbyterian Board. The pear in bold-faced type, making "Less than 30 % of the Protes- Northern Baptist representative plain to the Jews that the New is Dr. P. H. J. Lerrigo, who be- Testament is the completion and tants in the U. S. A. and Canada gan his career as a medical mis- fulfilment of Old Testament revare giving anything at all to for- sionary. He has for many years elation, and that Jesus is the eign missions. There must be been a prime mover in interde- true Messiah and Saviour of an expansion in the financial re- nominational collaboration, be- Jew and Gentile alike. sources." Dr. Mott further de- lieving that medical service clared that "churches are edu- – Watchman-Examiner. cating people in the missionary field but failing to provide them with enough matter to apply this education. They are teaching
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I.L~I~I==~========~==========~ The Faith We Declare. By Edwin deals with pursuits which the suggestive pages. The wide use Lewis. $2.00. 236 pp. Cokesbury Press. Nashville. 1939. author is pleased to term "cre- of classical and historical allu- This is a notable book. The ative guests of the ages," consid- sion will appeal to the scholarly, able professor of theology in Dew Theological Seminary has ered in the light of their influ-. and the rather militant social written others of high value, but ence upon the development. of outlook will interest those whose this one impresses us as the best Christianity. The philosophIcal views follow this modern trend. of all. Its chapters were deliv- €red as a series of lectures on the character of the discussion add- It is in its spiritual implication Fondren Foundation at the ed to a rhetorical style, makes that the book is most disappoint- School of Theology of the South- it difficult at points to follow the ing. Absence of the affirmative €rn Methodist University, Dallas. His central theme is that author's reasoning, but there is note is marked. The informed Christianity is not primarily an €thic or a form of social organ- no mistaking the fact that he evangelical will regard the auization, altho'ugh it involves both of these. It is primarily a reli- finds a consistent forward trend thor's thesis as untenable; those gion not developed by man, but revealed by God. It is therefore in thought and morals from the of a speculative cast of mind not to be viewed as a system of philosophy or something to be Babylonian period to the pres- may find interest, but will scarcelogically proved or mathematically demonstrated, but as di- ent. In tracing this evolutionary ly be inspired. For the casual vinely imparted truth to be received by faith and "declared" movement there is little apparent reader, there will be some beas a message from God incarnated in Christ as Redeemer and distinction between the Baby- wilderment over a sentence like Lord. Dr. Lewis is neither a "Fundamentalist" nor a "Mod- lonian sages, the Hebrew proph- this: "If we seek to give to life ernist," although his book will give more satisfaction to the ets and the Greek and Roman and its enterprises, meanings former than to the latter, for he is soundly and conservatively philosophers: Hammurabi, Ja- worthy for humanity, its endowevangelical. There are a few criticisms of the modern church cob, Moses, Isaiah, Socrates, ments, its advisements, its inherwhich we think are too severe; but the volume as a whole is a Marcus Aurelius, Paul and Au- itances, and its hopes; then stubclarion call to the followers of Christ to emphasize "The Faith gustine each make their contri- born ineluctable as the contem- We Declare" as the only hope of a distracted world. bution. It is not that the prophets poraneous world is, it is not be- ARTHUR J. BROWN. are lightly esteemed or the Baby- yond our power to charge with Christianity and the Creative Quests. lonian inscriptions elevated to noble and fructifying meaning." By Gaius Glenn Atkins. 232 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press, Nashville, equality with the Scriptures, but HUGH R. MONRO. Tenn. 1939. the unique and inspired charac- The Missionary Significance of the The author, a well known ter of the Hebrew record is ap- Lord's Prayer. By Dr. Lee S. Huipreacher and professor of theol- parently not taken into account. zenga. 85 pp. 75 cents. Wm. B. ogy, gave these Cole Lectures at Vanderbilt University in 1938. There is insistence upon intel- Eerdmans Co., Grand Rapids. 1939. The title provides an accurate guide to its contents for the book lectual integrity in dealing with Dr. Huizenga has been a med- ical missionary in China during the Scriptures, but an implica- a long life; and he writes from tion that reason shall determine his own experience. This is not how much of the record is wor- an attempt to force a well-worn thy of acceptance. Quite as in- passage of Scripture into a novel conclusive is the extended dis- pattern for novelty's sake; it is cussion of moral and spiritual rather the ripened meditation of authority, where again we are a man who has for years offered left to conclude that the sole the Lord's Prayer from a mis- norm is that of human judgment. sionary's heart. In this prayer The possibility that the Biblical the doctor finds (1) the basis of record may have an inherent au- our missionary expansion; (2) thority, real and demonstrable, is nowhere suggested; it is im- the method of our missionary ex- pansion; (3) the way to keep fit plied that those who adhere to such a view are credulous and for missionary work; and (4) lacking in perspective. By these the ultimate aim of missions. The basis of missions is the fa- standards faith in the authority therhood of God, the family life of the Bible and intellectual in- of all believers. The method is tegrity are apparently consid- found to be adoration, recogni- ered incompatible.
The book, however, has many tion of God and His Kingdom, [431 ]
and obedience to His sovereign trays. The author is peculiarly the world today for the frightwill. Keeping fit is accomplished fitted for his task by intimate ful results of the transgression through God's providing for, knowledge, by deep devotion, by of the law of God. The book is pardoning and keeping us. The patience in research and by lit- worth reading, especially if read ultimate aim is of course the erary skill. He shows the late in the light of the New Testaglory of God. Not only mission- distinguished president of Un- ment Gospel of love, mercy, and aries but others may find in this ion Seminary, Virginia, to have forgiveness. little devotional book much that been eminent as a scholar, inis spiritually illuminating. spiring as a teacher, impressive Lucy W. PEABODY. as a preacher and wise as an KENNETH J. FOREMAN. administrator. Dr. Moore will The Christian Faith in a Day of long be remembered as one of Crisis. By Charles S. Macfarland. The Story of Chung Mei. By Charles the most dignified, beloved and 226 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. Revell R. Shepherd. Illus. 264 pp. $2.00. influential leaders in the Ameri- Co. New York. The Judson Press, Philadelphia. can Presbyterian Church. This 1938. sympathetic, careful and com- If one is unable to read the prehensive biography will aid numerous volumes pouring from Here is a thrilling story of immeasurably in making this the press interpreting the relipersonal heroism, faith overcom- memory as abiding as it is pre- gious situation, this book will ing obstacles, and consecration cious. give a helpful sense of direction of life to the service of needy toward understanding the curboys. It is a graphic .portrayal CHARLES R. ERDMAN. rent trends in religious life and written in the first person, of the theological thinking. The mounhistory of Chung Mei Home in The Meaning of War. By James W. tain peaks on the horizon stand San Francisco, California. Johnson. 60 pp. 75c. Fleming H. out so prominently that one can Revell Co. 1939. discern them readily without In the early days of Charles being lost in the less important Shepherd's service among the This brief statement, in five aspects of the scene. Chinese on the Pacific Coast he chapters, written in part after discovered that one of the un- the World War by a Christian Among the speciaL interests met needs of the people was for business man, will be read with which have enlisted Dr. Macfara boys' home to care for orphans, interest by those who are watch- land's attention are the Barthian half-orphans, foundlings, and ing the threats of war which theology and the reaction to it in boys from broken homes. Lim- now confront the world. "liberal" circles; the movement ited financial resources, racial for Christian unity; the social prejudice, lack of suitable physi- With much of the author's outreach of the Church; the curcal equipment for such an enter- vivid statement, all will agree. rent expressions of mysticism; prise, presented serious obsta- Chapter Two–"The Reason for and the significance and inadecles. Confident in his faith "that War" presents not only the well quacy of humanism. God never calls an individual to known reasons from the human a task which is impossible" the side, but presents them as only S. M. CAVERT. author persisted, overcoming reasons in part. He states his disappointment aft e r disap- own theory that war is the re- The Acts of the Apostles. Outline pointment, until finally his sult of sin and carries on this Studies in Primitive Christianity. dream was realized in the thesis to Chapter Three-"True By W. H. Griffith Thomas. 93 pp. Chung Mei Home. Basis for Enduring Peace." The 30 cents. Moody Bible Institute fourth chapter presents "Wrath Colportage Assn. Chicago. 1939. Under the able leadership of of Man-Love of God" and the Dr. Shepherd, the boys succeed- fifth "The Signs of Promise." An outstanding, conservative ed in raising money to purchase The book closes with an earnest Bible scholar and teacher gave a beautiful building site in EI prayer for the nations. us before his death this compact Cerrito, but the "depression" outline of the Acts in a series of made it impossible for mission- There can be no question as to fifty-eight studies. Richly sugary organizations to appropriate the argument that war is the gestive but not exhaustive, each the money necessary for the result of sin and that the only study includes an analytical outnew building. The story of how basis for enduring peace is the line of the passage, a topical outfaith enabled them to overcome conversion of mankind. But line of the principles involved, their disappointment is thrilling. those who believe that the wages and the practical application of Its reward is seen in Chung of sin is death under the law these principles in the life of to- Mei's new home at EI Cerrito. of God may not accept the au- day. The student is thus guided thor's statement that war is to a knowledge of the divine JOHN N. THOMAS. God's direct infliction of pun- record. In Bible study classes ishment, like a father's chastise- and as the basis of prayer meet- Life and Letters of Walter W. ment of a wayward son. The ing talks, these studies in Apos- Moore. By J. Gray McAllister. fact that those who suffer most tolic church history, historical pp. 576. $2.50. Union Theologi- extension, and spiritual expan- cal Seminary, Richmond, Virginia. in war are innocent would pre- sion should bring new life, spir- 1939. clude this theory, though none itual quickening and a mission- ary zeal to the church of today. It is enough to affirm that this could deny the responsibility of biography is worthy of the pure GORDON A. CURTIS. and princely character it por-
Books Moslem station they were transferred Children Successfally Educated ••• AT
to Urumia, to take eharge of the Believers and Builders in Europe. evangelistic work of all of the Calvert School world..famoul home 8tudy plan rive. Emma Parker Maddry. 167 pp. 50 churches in Urumia and Kurdistan, cents. Broadman Press. Nash- extending west to the Tigris River t .uperior education to thousands of children not near l'ood ville. and including Mosul. They served there for about 18 years then Mr. echoola or unable to attend IChooL Complete COUIles The Coming Great Northern Confed- Coan was placed in charge of the edu- for each era"de. All books. materials and eracy. L. Sale-Harrison. 88 pp. cational work of the Mission, and was teacher euidance included. Enthusiasticallyen- lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. made President of Urumia College. dorsed by educators and parents. Low cost. Write today for free catalor. State c:hild~1!I Il'e" Cycle of Prayer and Praise. 100 pp. Dr. William*H.* Ph*elps, editor of 6d. S. P. G. London. CALVERT SCHOOL. 189 E. T….II1Id., Balmre, Mol. the Michigan Christian Advocate for The Good Seed. Report of the Meth- 19 years, died June 23 in Detroit. He Home Missions Day at the odist Church of Australia. 72 pp. is succeeded by Rev. John E. Marvin, World's Fair, Epworth Printing and Publishing for three years associate editor of the House. Sydney, Australia. Advocate. September 1, 1939 Heralds of Salvation. Frank Gren- The Rev. Ge*org*e P*. Pierson, D.D., To dramatize for the public ville Beardsley. 218 pp. $1.25. the Home Mission work of the American Tract Soc. New York. for forty years a Presbyterian mis- present day, the Council of Wom- sionary to Japan, died in Philadelphia en for Home Missions and Home An Hour with Jonathan' Goforth, on August 1st at the age of seventy- Missions Council will cooperate Adoniram Judson, J. Hudson Tay- eight. Dr. and Mrs. Pierson, who was in presenting three ,programs at lor. 17 pp. 10 cents each. Zon- formerly Miss Ida Goepp, returned the World's Fair on September dervan Pub. House. Grand Rapids. from Japan ten years ago and were first. honorably retired. Mrs. Pierson died Pueblo Indian Religion. Vol. I and in 1937. He was the son of the late The critical national problem II. Elsie Clews Parsons. 1275 Rev. David H. Pierson and Caroline of the Migrant laborerS who pp. $7.00. University of Chicago Peck Pierson of Elizabeth. Dr. Pier- h a r v est the crops will be Press. Chicago. son was a greatly loved and honored stressed i-a prominent pIa c e missionary who was engaged in effec- will also be given to the coopera- The Qur'an. Vol. II. Richard Bell. tive evangelistic work in the Island of tive Christian work for Indian $6.00. 698 pp. Scribner. New Kokkaido, Northern Japan. Americans; the story of the in- York. terdenominational enterprises in Dr. O. C. C*raw*for*d, Presbyterian communities where the great A Quiver of Sunbeams. Alfred H. government dams have been C. Morse. $1.50. 183 pp. Cokes- missionary since 1900 in Soochow, built and the religious needs of bury Press. New York. China, died on July 22nd. He was rural and city underprivileged. born in Brownsville, Pa., fifty-nine The Resurrection of the Old Roman years ago, attended Waynesburg Col- Music, addresses and dramatic Empire. L. Sale-Harrison. 128 lege and the Western Theological sketches will emphasize the pp. lB. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. Seminary. Dr. Crawford translated Christian life-conserving work London. the Gospel of St. Mark into phonetic throughout the United States. Chinese script, and was on the com- Refugee Facts. 24 pp. American mittee which revised the New Tes- The program for the day includes Friends Service Council. Phila. tament into Soochow dialect. the following: Redemptive Purpose. (Report of the The Rev. H*erm* an* Carl Weber, Moving Pictures – General Motors Mission to Lepers, 1938). 32 pp. Auditorium-10: 30 to 12 A.,M. 6d. Mission to Lepers. London. editor of the "Year Book of American Churches," died on July 25th of a 1. The Church Ministers to Indian Die Religiose Lage Japans in Der heart ailment at East Orange, New Americans. (First showing.) Gegenwart. Gerhard Rosenkranz. Jersey. Dr. Weber was born at Mina, 2. Uncle Sam Builds Dama-Inter- 19 pp. Ostasien Mission. Berlin- Chautauqua County, N. Y., on Feb- denominational work in com- Steglitz. ruary 9, 1873, the son of Jacob and munities where government Sarah Phifer Weber. He took his dams have been built. (First Salt Streak. Florance Walton Taylor. A. B. degree from Rutgers College, showing.) : 280 pp. $2.00. Revell. New York. studied at the New Brunswick (N. J.) 3. Gipsies of the Crops-Life of the Theological Seminary. Albany Col- Migrant laborers. ' Through Other People's Eyes- lege, Oregon, made him a Doctor of A Play. Margaret Crowe. 15 pp. Divinity. 4. Even in this Day and. Age- 2d. S. P. G. London. Need for the Church to reach Dr. Weber began his ministry as the unreached millions of a Von Japan Will Ich Euch Erzahlen. pastor of the Reformed Church of great city. (Harmon Founda- Gerhard Rosenkranz. Illus. 28 West Farms, in the Bronx (1898 to tion film.) pp. Ostasien Mission. Berlin-Steg- 1902); for four years was an assist- litz. ant pastor in the Collegiate (Dutch) 2: 00-4: 00 P. M.-Court of Peace. Reformed Church and became pastor Address by Dr. Mark A. Dawber, Wings and Sky. Martha Snell Nich- of the Edgewood Reformed Church, olson. 28 pp. H. W. Nicholson. Brooklyn. From 1912 to 1918 he was "New Tasks for Old." Problems Wilmington, Calif. pastor of the Park Branch of the of rural life and plight of share- First Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn. croppers. Das Wunder der Kirche Under den Mayor La Guardia is expected to Volkern der Erde. (Report of From 1919 to 1925, he was associate speak on, "Religion as a Solution Tambaram Conference). Various director of field work of the New Era for Some of our City Problems." Authors. R. M. 1. Evangelische Movement of the Presbyterian Church Special musical numbers. Missionsverlag. Stuttgart. and later director of the Mobilization Department of the General Council. 7: 00-9: 30 P. M.-Court of Peace. Zonya-Daughter of Abraham. Ag- He was president of the United Stew- Young Indian Americans will fur- nes Scott Kent. 313 pp. $1.50. ardship Council of the United States nish music and Dr. Thomas Jesse Evangelical Publishers. Toronto. and Canada in 1936 and 1937. Jones, of the Phelps-Stokes Fund will speak on, "Sharing American Obituary Notes Dr. Weber was the author of "Pres- Progress with American In- byterian Statistics Through One Hun- dians." (Concluded from second cover.) dred Years," "Evangelism-A Graph- ic Survey" and "The Every Member Mrs. Frederick G. Coan, retired Canvass, Pocket Books' or People." missionary of the Presbyterian Mission in Iran, died in Claremont, Calif., June 24. Following her marriage to Rev. F. G. Coan in 1885, she sailed with him for Persia. After a brief period of service at an Armenian-
the quarter, including July, August, and Sep-
tember, THE UPPER ROOM showed a gain of 75,000 in circulation over the same period last ),ellJ".
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The Missionary Review of the World — July 1939
1939
The "Moksa" Goes to the Country Shannon McCune When a Mission Became a Church Alexander H. Kemp Rural Youth of the Church Today H. S. Randolph Spain Today and Tomorrow By a Wayfarer Politics and Religion in Albania Phineas B. Kennedy Liberty and Religion in Red Russia F. J. Miles Forty Years' Progress in Latin America Webster E. Browning 25 Cents a CoP1 $2.50 a Yeat'
D.tes to Remember WORLD FRIENDSHIP — FIRST
June 24-July I-Eagles Mere Confer- IIJUST LIKE YOU II ence of Missions. Chairman, Mrs. Earl Breeding, 24 Rugby Lane, By LUCY W. PEABODY Scarsdale, N. Y. 196 pages, a picture on every page. Children love it···Libraries need it. June 28-July l7-Erieside Conference for Girls and Young Women. Wil- PEACE AND GOOD WILL DEPEND UPON IT lowick, Ohio. Special Price, $1.00, Postpaid July 3-10-Northfield Missionary Con- ference for Women and Girls. East Order from MISS M. H. LEAVIS, 186 Massachusetts Ave., Boston, Mass. Northfield, Mass. For information, address Mrs. Warren C. Taylor, 38 Obituary Notes of seventy. For thirty years he had Union Ave., Schenectady, N. Y. held administrative positions in the Mr. Russell Carter, who retired Illinois Synod and the United July 6-11 – International Christian two years ago after serving forty Lutheran Church. He retired from Endeavor Convention, Cleveland, O. years as treasurer and Assistant active service in 1936 after having Treasurer of the Presbyterian Board served as Secretary of English Mis- July ll-August 16 – Winona Lake of Foreign Missions, died in Pitts- sions of the Board of American Mis- School of Theology. Winona Lake, burgh, Pa., April 29, at the age of sions for eighteen years. Ind. Dean, Dr. J. A. Huffman, 302 72. Mr. Carter had also traveled Morton Blvd., Marion, Ind. *** • • extensively in foreign lands. July 22-28-Baptist WorId Congress. The Rev. Albert Oltmans, former Atlanta, Ga. • secretary of the American Mission to Lepers, died June 12th, at Yokohama, July 2l-30-'-Erieside Annual Summer Rev. George F. Jenkins, formerly at the age of eighty-four. Bible Conference. Willowick, near Cleveland, Ohio. a Presbyterian missionary in China, He was born in the Netherlands, and came to the United States when a July 24-August 2-World Conference died April 6, in Kansas City, Mo. In youth: He was graduated from Hope of Christian Youth, Amsterdam, 1903, Mr. Jenkins went to Hunan un- College, Holland, Mich, in 1883, and Holland. der the Cumberland Presbyterian from the New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1886. That year he went August 30-Sept. 2-National Rural Church; and later transferred to to Japan as a missionary for the Re- Forum. Penn State College, under the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., formed Church in America. He re- the auspices of the American Coun- stationed first at Changteh and then tired from active service as a mis- try Life Assn., Dr. Benson Y. sionary fifteen years ago and took up Landis, Executive Secretary, 297 at Taoyuan, where he established an his work as secretary of the American Fourth Ave., New York. Mission to Lepers in Tokio. Recently, • orphanage. • • the Japanese Government decorated August l-lO-Erieside Conference for Mrs. Caroline Atwater Mason, au- him for his work among lepers. Boys and Young Men. Willowick, thor of more than twenty volumes of Ohio. short stories, travel and religious Aug. SolO-Ninth Quadrennial Con- books, died recently. She was the vention of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of Af- widow of Dr. John H. Mason, a pro- Personal Items rican Methodist Episcopal Zion fessor in Rochester Theological Sem- Church, Detroit, Mich. inary.
August l3-2O-Geneva Summer School The Rt. Rev*. R*ob*ert Lewis Pad- of Missions, Lake Geneva, Wis. For information write to Mrs. Paul dock, retired Bishop of the Protestant Rev. William C. Kerr, of Seoul, H. Wezeman, 1177 S. Humphrey Episcopal Church, died in Clifton, Korea, has been appointed to the fac- Ave., Oak Park, Ill. N. Y., on May 17 after a long ill- ness. He was born December 24, ulty of the Imperial University in Sept. 2-4-Erieside Business Women's Conference, Willowick, Ohio. 1869, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and was Seoul, to teach Latin and English ordained as Missionary Bishop of Literature. Because of this connec- DO YOUR S.S.PAPERS Eastern Oregon, in 1907. He retired tion he has been able to start an Eng- ~ in 1922. **• lish Bible Class among university stu- BIBLE TRUTH? Rev. William B. Millar, D.D., for- dents. **• ~~ COUNCll. ~ FIDES – For Young· People merly General Secretary of the New Dr. William Webster Hall, Jr., of York Federation of Churches, died on New York and Sofia, Bulgaria, has May 30 in New York City as a re- been called to the presidency of the sult of a stroke, at the age of 73 College of Idaho. His experience in years. Dr. Millar was born in Lake Mills, dealing with educational pioneering Wis., in 1866. After his graduation was gained in the Near East first at from Lawrence College, Appleton, Robert College, and then in the Ameri- Wis., he became a Y. M. C. A. secre- tary at LaCrosse and later was Sec- can College in Sofia. He is the retary of the International Committee author of numerous magazine articles (1896-1910). He was a founder of and books. the Army and Navy Department of *** Mr. P. O. Philip who has been for the Y. M. C. A. in which he did excel- some years Secretary of the National lent pioneer work. He was General Christian Council of India and one of Secretary of the Laymen's Missionary the Editors of the N. C. C. Review has Movement and later of the Inter- resigned as Secretary to take up work church World Movement. Dr. Mil- in connection with the Mar Thoma lar is survived by his widow and three Syrian Church whose interests have daughters and a son. always been very dear to him. His *** home will be in Travancore, South India, and he is expecting to be a reg- Dr. John F. Seibert, for nearly a ular contributor to the N. C. C. Re- half a century an active home mission view. 1502 N. Third St. Harri.bare, Pena. worker in the United Lutheran (Concluded on page 337.) Church, died April 19th at the age
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REVJEW OF THE WORLD YOUR CHILD At Home. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor Calvert's wor1d~famou8 home study plan fives superior VOL. LXII Nos. 7-8 education to thousands of children not near good schools JULy-AUG., 1939 t or unable to attend school. Complete courses for each Publication and Business Office- grade from Kindergarten to High School. All books. Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. materials and teacher gl.!idance included. En- t~lUsias:ical1y endorsed by educators and parents. Editorial and Executive Office– Low cost. Vrite today for free catalog. State 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. child's age, Entered as second-class matter jt CALVERT SCHOOL, 187 E. Tnscany Rd., Bahim.re, Md. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. all the missionary societies. It can 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. do for these societies what no one of Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. them can do for itself." All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. JOHN R. MOTT, British agents – Marshall, Morgan . and Scott, 12 Paternoster' Buildings, Chairman, International London, E. C. 1 shilling per COpy, Missionary Council. 10 shillings a year. *** MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC. "My congratulations on the splen- BOARD OF DIRECTORS did issue of THE REVIEW on home ROBERT E. SPEER, President A. L. W~RNs;auIS, Vice-President missions." (June, 1939). W ALTIllR,.' McIlouGALL, Treasurer KENNETH S. LATOURETTE, DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary Professor of Missions and Or-iental History, Yale PAUL J ..; B.RAISTED· University.
S~UEL'MCCREACAVERT *** D.J. FA-NT""'" . "I have taken occasion to go through MRS. ORRIN ,R.' JUDD the latest issue of THE REVIEW and it wM.. B. LIPPHAllD has brought back to me what a very ERIC M. NORTH able and worth-while publication it SAMUEL M. ZWIilMER is; indeed it has appealed to me so Only 10 swift days direct to Yokohama when you sail by much that I am starting to subscribe Empress to the Orient. Only 3 more days to visit lovely Editorial (.hat over again. The only reason I dis- Hawaii en route by Empress oj continued my subscription was that I lapan, largest and fastest liner This July-August number includes on the Pacific, or Empress oj two summer months when many read- have so many magazines coming to Canada. From California ers are away from home and when ports connect at Honolulu. most local church activities are less. my desk that it is simply impossible The articles in this issue will be of Frequent sailings from both great interest and many are particu- even to scan them all, and in a Scotch Vancouver and Victoria to larly readable for summer mission Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, circles. spirit one day I decided .that I must Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. economize." ,. Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL *** AGENT or Canadian Pacific: DR. GEORGE W. ARMS. 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. The Foreign Missions Conference at Swarthmore, Pa., (July 9-16) comes Bedford Presbyterian Church, too late to include a report in this number. It has been unusual in set- BrookLyn, N. Y. up, in interest and importance-fol" lowing the Madras Conference and Personal Item, planning to make the most effective use of the re~ults of that 'con:l;erence. (Concluded from 2d cover.) Dr. Milton T. Stauffer, former Education Secretary of the Student Vol- Dr. Wilbert W. White has resigned unteer Movement, and Dr. Herrick from the presidency of the Biblical B. Young, Personnel Secretary of the Seminary in New York, with the title presbyterian Board, are to report and Founder and Honorary President of evaluate this Foreign Missions Con- the Seminary. His brother, Dr. J. ference in the September number of . Campbell White, will act as president THE REVIEW. Look for this report. until a successor has been secured. *** *** Recent letters have contained the following comments on THE REVIEW Mr. James Stark, Mr. M. Hardman and its value: and Miss R. E. Oaskeshott are retir- ing after fifty years of service in the "After all is said and done, THE REVIEW seems indispensable, although China Inland Mission. I know of no otbers of this mission who subscribe for it. But I want it Mr. E. K. ** * a misand that's the reason for this check. I've been a patron for more than Higdon, formerly thirty years, with some time carelessly skipped." sionary in the Philippines under the REV. JOHN C. FINEFROCK, United Christian Missionary Society, United Lutheran Church Mis- has been elected to a foreign secre- sion, .Guntur, .India. taryship in that Society.
*** The Rev. * *R. * Associ- "THE REVIEW exists primarily to Jesse Wilson, further in every way the program of ate Scretary of the American Baptist Foreign Missionary Society connected with the Home Department, has been transferred from the Pacific Coast office at Los Angeles and is now in the same department in the main of- fice, New York. Dr. Wilson was for- merly a missionary in Japan and later the general secretary of the Student Volunteer Movement.
[887 ]
"MOKSA" (DR. WM. N. BLAIR) REMOVING HIS SHOE COVERS ON LEAVING THE CHURCH. (THE MEN USE ONE
AND WOMEN THE OTHER) INTERIOR OF THE CHU)'tCH AND AUDIENCE-(TWO JAPANESE DETECTIVES IN THE CENTER FOREGROUND) GDiNG TO CHURCH IN KAICHUN, 'CHOSEN
NARY
REVIB ORLD AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS VOLUME LXII JULY-AUGUST,1939 NUMBERS 7 AND 8 Topies of the Times ARE FORCIBLE CONVERSIONS POSSIBLE? only by a long process of training after a conquest. The Soviet rulers of Russia are attempting to con- At times the objection is raised that Christian vert the people to atheism by force; they are not missions attempt to bring about the conversion of succeeding and can only succeed by a long procmen by bribery or force. It is possible by such ess of atheistic education. In Nazi Germany, means to change a man's vote but not his convic- propaganda, national ambition and false teaching, tions. are being used to overthrow faith in the supreme authority of God as revealed in Christ and the Many means are used to turn men from one Bible. There are multitudes of German Chrisfaith and loyalty to another-military force, tians whom these motives do not sway. money, threats, promises, falsehood and ambition. Mahatma Gandhi has tried, with some temporary How long will it take Japan, by the use of success, to force Indian people by his fasting to bombs, machine guns and terrorism to win the accept his program. His most recent self-im- friendship and cooperation of the Chinese? Only posed fast to convert Thakore Sahib of Rajkot, unworthy men succumb to unworthy motives. apparently gained his point; he now says that it resulted in his defeat. Gandhi's opponents were Intelligent Christians realize that men and not convinced and their purpose was not changed, women cannot be truly won to Christ by bribery, therefore they plan to destroy the effect of the fear or force. One might as well attempt to cause a child to be loving and obedient by continued decision in Gandhi's favor. spankings, by threats or by gifts of candy. Men The transmutation of metals, or the conversion are led to consider the claims and character of of one substance into another of apparently en- Christ by the offer of economic advantages such tirely different elements, was formerly considered as provided by the Grenfell Mission, by medical an idle dream. Today such marvellous changes service like that of Dr. Schweitzer's hospital in are conceded! to be in the realm of science. The Africa, or by such secular education as is offered changes wrought in human nature by the power of in many mission schools and colleges. These God are still more wonderful. This has been methods of work may affect their attitude but proved in countless instances, as in the conversion affect no real change of heart. Jesus Christ, when of Jerry McAuley, the "River Thief" of New York, on earth, won men by the revelation of His heart and of Africaner, the "Hottentot Terror" of of love, by the truth that He taught, and by the South Africa. light of Life that shone out through Him. His The transmutation of metals has not been ac- denunciations of selfishness and sin were for hypocomplished by a wizard's alchemy but by the crits; His invitations to come to Him were for knowledge of natural forces and by scientific proc- the hungry and thirsty; His service and sacrifice esses. The transformation of human beings from were for the needy and dying; His- revelation of the natural and beastly to the spiritual and God- God was for those who we:te ready to receive and like is a fact established to the satisfaction of all follow Him. who have seen such changes. This change cannot There is abundant testimony that today, on the be affected by force or by bribery. The Mohammedans have used force and fear to convert whole mission fields at home and abroad, the most efnations to Islam but their end has been achieved fective work in winning men to Christ is not by means of the denunciation of other religions, or [ 339 ]
by the preaching of "hell-fire"; or by the free The result was that Christianity seemed a "fordistribution of "loaves and fishes." Men and eign cult," not well adapted to the peoples to women of all ages and races are won through lov- whom the missionaries came with the universal ing service, by the proclamation of the Good News message of Christ. of forgiveness and life through Christ, and through the manifestation of sacrificial and under- At the recent Madras Conference, Miss Minnie standing love. Other and unworthy methods may Soga, a Bantu woman from South Africa, declared temporarily add to the number of adherents but that to her people Christianity, with its foreign do not change hearts or make loyal followers. clothes, European churches and ceremonies, for- The transmutation of material substances is eign words and unfamiliar songs, was distinctly wrought by understanding and applying the laws a "white man's" religion. Many thought that if of nature, which are the laws of God. "To as they adopted the white man's clothes and manmany as received him (Christ) gave He the ner of life they would no longer be "heathen." But right to be called (recognized as) the children of Africans did not feel at home in European sur- God-who were born, not of blood, nor of the roundings. When they worshiped in a church with will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of a native thatched roof, an unhewn stone for an God." altar or pulpit, and sitting on the ground; or when they worshipped under the trees with the ESSENTIALS IN MISSION WORK vaulted sky for a roof, then they felt at home.
A young doctor, who had recently been gradu- Christians from other lands pointed out the ated from a modern school of medicine and sur- same need for using native ideas and surroundings gery, was sent as a medical missionary to China to make the peoples of each land and race feel at and became a member of the staff of a large and home in their Christian life and worship. efficient hospital. One of the first things he did was to direct one of the Chinese orderlies to throw Many young missionaries today, going out to out a lot of tin pans and other ancient equipment foreign lands with all the enthusiasm of youth and so that they might be replaced by enamel ware with the equipment of the most modern education, and modern implements. Some of the older mem- are demanding better facilities and more money bers of the staff retrieved the discarded utensils. in order that they may give to the "under privi- leged" of those lands, "the best that America and In contrast to this young doctor's attitude are Europe have to offer"-medically, economically, the reports. of Dr. Gordon S. Seagrave of Burma socially, educationally and religiously. From some in his "Tales of a Waste Basket Surgeon." He quarters there is a constant call for more modern has achieved wonderful results ·by using instru- buildings, better equipment, more automobiles, ments and equipment discarded as out-of-date by fast motor boats, radios, airplanes, together with doctors in America. more highly technically trained teachers and spe- cialists. An article recently appeared in Asia, written by an American college man who went to India to On the other hand missionary history shows that investigate the effectiveness of American and some workers have made the mistake of attempt- British educational methods and ideals as applied ing to adopt native dress, food, and living condito the Hindus. From intelligent Indian graduates tions to which they were not born or adapted. of some of the modern institutions he learned that Some valuable and consecrated men and women many of the best trained Indians consider "West- have died prematurely, or have been invalided ern" ideals and methods to be unadapted to In- home, because of such mistakes. Others have redia's needs. ' Foreign colleges are too highly or- fused to use modern methods, inventions and ganized and regimented. They turn out largely equipment which might have added greatly to "white collar" clerks who find few openings for their efficiency. service in Indian society. The educated Indian critics believe that if the "ashram" method had What are the essentials, as distinguished from been followed, with capable teachers who would non-essentials, for effective Christian life and train students in practical ways for Indian life, service? Jesus Christ came to earth as a "foreign the results would have been far better. missionary." He adopted the Palestinian mode of dress and manner 'of life-so far as these were Other critics of Christian missions in Asia, wholesome; but Jesus was born into that life; He Africa and the Pacific Islands, point out many never refused to use the best that Judea and Galmistakes made by early missionaries who intro- ilee offered to make His ministry more efficient. duced European and American dress to replace native costumes-or the lack of them; setting Is it not clear that non-essentials in Christian foreign styles for church buildings, houses and an life and service include special kinds of clothalien manner of life copied from their home lands. ing, (little or much) ; particular architecture for houses or churches; a special language or music; a type of equipment, peculiar ceremonials in wor-
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
ship; a particular form of organization and spe- on their knees to confess sin and pray for forcial educational methods-these are clearly non- giveness. Dr. Sung's meetings were crowded and essentials. God can use any of these that are many came forward to accept Christ. The "Witimpregnated with His spirit and are wholly sur- ness Bands" with two hundred men, women and rendered to His control. Personnel is vastly more youth, were busy speaking of Christ to outstations important than equipment. An efficient doctor or and neighbors. There is great rejoicing over the surgeon is one who knows his science and can spiritual fruitage of this work and over churches use his equipment efficiently; a successful teacher that have been awakened and strengthened. Biis one who knows his subject and how to present ble reading and prayer have increased as well as it effectively; a successful ambassador of Christ personal witnessing of Christ and His power. is one who knows and loves God as He is revealed lives have been set right; quarrels have been setin Christ and the Bible and who lives a Christ-life tled, debts have been paid, pastors have been set among men. on fire with new zeal for winning people to Christ. In one church some members of the congregation Es-sentials for the missionary, or for any Chris- stood up and said to the pastor : "You are not the tian life and service are therefore: first, life in man you were before the evangelist came-you Christ-a life that comes from God, is God-filled preach better sermons than formerly." The pasand God-directed. The second essential is the tor himself admits the great change. Whereas he purpose and power to lift up Christ as the Saviour, used to consult with the missionary concerning who lived and died for sinful men; who rose again, those cold and indifferent, now he weeps over them and is ever living in and with His people in every and prays for them. Sunday afternoon after he land. The third essential is ability to teach the has taught a Bible class, preached a children's Bible as the revealed Word of God; the Spirit of sermon to the Junior Church and a mess·age to the God can be trusted to interpret and adapt the adult members, he takes any who care to go with ideals and truth of God to meet the needs of each him to hold a street meeting. In the evening he race and clime and condition. It has often been takes his part in the special meeting of the "Witfound that the earnest native Christians of a com- ness Bands." munity are much more reliable guides in applying Christian truth to local problems than are the This new spirit in the Chinese Church was foreign missionaries-even those of holy charac- further strengthened during March, through the ter and long experience. visit of Wilson Wong, of the Christian and Mis- sionary Alliance, when the Christians feasted upon Do we not often make the mistake of clinging the Word of God, and at the evening meetings to old ideas and prejudices when new methods brought unsaved friends to hear the message. might be better or of thinking that modern untried More than forty took their stand for Christ durideas and equipment must necessarily replace the ing those evening sessions. old? The first essential is always life-spiritual life; the second is proper food-soul food found in God used both men and both methods to save God's revealed truth; the third essential for souls and inspire soul-winning service in the strength is exercise-loving spiritual service, using whatever equipment we have that will help hearts of the Chinese Christians.* produce abiding spiritual results. It would be well for every Christian to check up in order to Rev. Sook Pongsanoi, a Siamese pastor in discover how many lessons we have learned Trang, Siam, writes of his interesting experience through a period of years, that have helped to that changed him from a Bible-selling colporteur make us and our children more Christlike and more effective servants of God. into a soul-winning evangelist. He says: t NEW LIFE IN THE CHURCH IN SIAM "As a student in the Bangkok Christian Col- lege and later, when acting pastor of the Second As a result of God's blessing on the work of Church of Bangkok, I sold and distributed many John Sung, the Chinese evangelist, in Siam last Scripture portions and Testaments without makautumn, a new spirit has been manifested in the ing reports to the Bible Society. I went into many Chinese Church in Siam. The work was formerly homes and walked in and out of many lanes with carried on in three dialects and three denomina- the Scriptures, but did not feel any real need of tions; now unity and cooperation have taken the reporting on sales. place of division. There is also a new zeal in evangelism and new signs of Christian faith and life. "When I went to work for the Bible Society as People are saved; lives are quickened; the spirit a regular colporteur I had to report every month and power of Christ are manifest in hearts, homes and wanted to give a wonderful report to the head and churches. Entire congregations have fallen office.
"But I was nQt satisfied with the work I was do- ing, and was not happy in it. I sold more than • Facts quoted from Rev. A. G. Seigle of Slam.
t Reprint from the Forty-Eighth Annual Report of the Siam and Laos Agency of the American Bible Society.
any other colporteur in Bangkok, but I felt that ent situation assure us that religion-and particumy work was shallow. I was just selling the larly evangelical Christianity-is not dead in Rus- Book without giving purchasers any message con- sia. The expression of it may have changed and cerning the Saviour of the book. I knew that I been driven to cover, but the hunger of the huought to do something more than simply sell God's man heart for God has not been satisfied and the Book, but I went on day in and day out like a vital spark of men and women who have received machine. life from Christ has not been quenched.
"A year and a half ago I was called to become A Soviet Government census has recently shown pastor of the Trang Church, South Siam, and I (according to The Sentinel) that two-thirds of the accepted the call, but with the agreement that I 80,000,000 Russian people living in villages and should continue part time work as a colporteur. one-third of the 40,000,000 people living in larger My work had very little power, but there was a towns are stilI definitely believers in God, in spite growing desire for a clearer understanding of the of the twenty years of pressure and persecution Holy Word for myself so that I could pass it on to to suppress all' religious faith. others. The Soviet authorities have been disturbed by "When I heard that John Sung, a noted Chinese the revelations of the census and have sought to evangelist, was coming to Bangkok I determined suppress the facts. A German writer states that to go and hear him. Thank God, God opened my there are today 30,000 organized Christian groups eyes to see His wonderful love in a new way. A in the Soviet Republics, in addition to many secret powerful meaning of the Cross has come to me societies. Faith in God and a desire for some and I came to have a new attitude toward Bible relation to Him-even in the form of unenlightstudy. ened religion-will not die.
"I invited Dr. Sung to come to Trang and Many factors that have been supposed to support through him God has poured out a mighty bless- religious institutions-capitalism, private proping upon the people of this city. The Trang erty, wealth, and an independent clergy-have Church is now on fire for God and has been packed lost influence, but the roots of religion still rewith people every Sunday since Dr. Sung went main. The younger generation, declares the away. Every church member brings his Testa- Deutsche Landshau, that does not remember the ment to every service and we read the Scriptures regime of the Czars, is less prej udiced against together. Every Sunday I read a chapter from the religion. Many Russian congregations are said to Old Testament, and then the congregation reads a be made up largely of people under thirty years chapter of the New Testament with me. (I wish of age. Ministers are ordained secretly, have no all the people could have a complete Bible, but it definite parishes, and travel about unrecognized will be a long time before that can come true.) by the enemies of religion, but known to Believers. We are feeding on the Word of God as never be- Many of the clergy are artisans or small trades fore. and last Sunday sixteen women and five men people, and gather groups of Believers in unfrewere baptized and twenty baptized children pro- quented woods and ravines. Piety is nourished fessed their faith in Jesus Christ and all united in the hearts of the people who are encouraged to with the church; two back-sliders also came and memorize Scripture, songs and prayers. It takes confessed their sins. One of the old missionaries courage to join such groups, as was true in the said }i.e had never seen anything like that ingath- early days of Christianity, but persecution enering before. dured helps to strengthen rather than to weaken faith in God. The truth of Christ's promise is "Now I have an entirely new attitude toward proved today, as to the Church founded by Him Scripture distribution. At first I did not think and characterized by living faith in Him: "The it necessary to make any report to the American gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Bible Society; then I came to look on the report as the major part of my work; no'W I am seeking PROVERBS OF THE HILL FOLK OF INDIA to win souls through the careful and prayerful distribution of thi.<; Holy Book. I am not now A small stick hides the mountain from the eye. most interested in the ntlmber of Scriptures sold, One says, "What shall I eat?" Another says, but in the number of men and women and boys "What sauce shall I eat with my food?" and girls brought to accept Christ." Sparrows are the headmen of deserted villages. A potful of rice is judged by one grain. CHRISTIANITY NOT DEAD IN RUSSIA Men say that time passes. Time says that men pass. In spite of the continued atheistic propaganda A good man finds the world good. in Soviet Russia, as promoted by communistic officials, by means of ridicule, education, persecu- -The Indian Witness. tion and materialism, those familiar with the pres-
"MOKSA" PUTTING ON HIS SHOES, PREPARING TO LEAVE THE HOME OF A KOREAN PRESBYTERIAN
The "Moksa" Goes to the Country Adventures on a Week-end Journey in Chosen By SHANNON McCUNE, Clark University, Wor- * cester, Massachusetts He OME out to the country with me for the thankful ever since, for it gave me a chance to see week-end." It was my father-in-law, Dr. the country work of a missionary in Korea at William N. Blair of Pyengyang, who was first hand. It was not any special trip but the ordi- speaking. I had just returned from a two weeks nary, regular week-end trip of a foreign Moksa, reconnaisance trip through northern Korea and or itinerating missionary. confess that the prospect of starting out right away, even for a short trip, was not very inviting. Mother made ready the bedding for us; Edith, But after some hesitancy, I agreed, and have been my wife, finished the batch of fudge so that we could take some along. I loaded my camera, while • Sha nnon McCune, the son of Dr. and Mrs. George S. McCune, Father Blair put gasoline in the car and checked was born in Korea. He Is a graduate of Wooster CoIlege, Ohio the oil. The car needed careful going over for it (1935) , Syracuse University (1937) and did graduate work at Clark has been in constant service since it was bought on University (1937-38) where he is Willia m Libby Fellow in the furlough five years before. School of Geography. His father was formerly president of the Union Christian College, Pyengyang, Cbosen. His father-In-law, Dr. At three o'clock in the afternoon, on a Saturday William N. Blair, of Pyengya ng, has given most of his time to last November, we started off to the north-Ieavevangelistic work, la rgely in the country districts. The photographs used to Illustrate this article were taken by Shannon McCune on the journey described.-EDIToR.
[ 343 ]
ing our wives at home in Pyengyang. The road presidency of the Union Christian College and was very familiar to Father Blair for he had been told stories of his evangelistic campaigns. There traveling it for almost four decades on foot, by was some reference to the Shrine question (which pony, in oxcart, and by almost every conveyance is such a serious problem in the Japanese Empire imaginable. We were going to the center of his today), but there was no discussion of it for the Korean leaders appreciate the position taken by the missionary body.
After a night's sleep we woke to a fine fall day with light cumulus clouds in the sky. The usual Korean breakfast of rice and soup are scarcely to the Occidental's liking, so Father pulled ou't his little alcohol lamp and proceeded to prepare a real American breakfast of bacon, eggs and coffee.
During the morning I had an opportunity to look around the elder's home, while Father was at Sunday school. It was typical of the better class Christian home and was heated by the regular Korean system of an ondol, the draft going' under the floor from the kitchen stove to the chimney on the other side of the house. The floors and 'walls were made of mud, well-packed on a corn-stalk frame. The outside walls were white with lime . and the inside walls and the floors were papered.
The roof was of slate, warmer, cleaner and longer- GOING ACROSS THE RIVER ON A FERRY lasting than the usual Korean thatch, though more expensive in initial cost. The elder had utilized beloved Anju district of which he has been the the hills back of his home-not for the usual grave sole missionary M oksa ever since he came to Korea sites-but for an apple orchard and the samples as a young man of twenty-five, fresh from semi- we had for breakfast were delicious. He had pre- nary, thirty-seven years ago.
It was not easy driving, for the roads, built pri- marily for army and other trucks, are continually obstructed by large jagged rocks. With rubber.
like gold in a war economy, our tires were Dr.
Blair's first concern. It was necessary to ferry :,lcross the Tatong River twice on small flat-boats just wide enough for the car. Everyone, from the farmer with the top-knot on his head to the J apa- nese gold prospector, offered advice. But Father has guided the car up over the two narrow planks on to many a ferry and so we crossed without much trouble in the growing dusk. We drove along the river for a number of miles and saw boats going down to Pyengyang piled high with firewood or earthen jars.
After a four-hour drive we came into Kae Chy- on where we were welcomed by the pastor of the local church and were taken to a Christian elder's home to stay. In a few minutes the car was un- loaded and soon we were warming our stocking feet on the warm Korean floor. After a bowl of CROSSING STREAM BY FOOT-BRID GJ<:: . DR. BLAIR (IN u-dong (soup) we talked with the pastor, the FRONT), BEHIND HIM A KOREAN DEACON. elders, and others of the church who dropped in to call. This was a valuable opportunity to renew pared a cellar to store the apples, under a shed old friendships with the Korean leaders. I met a where he kept his firewood and rice. In front of number of people who remembered my own father the house was a little garden for cabbages. These (Dr. George S. McCune) and were sorry to hear had been pulled up and stacked by the well to be of his retirement. They recalled his years in the used in making kimchi, or pickle. Tethered under
THE "MOKSA" GOES TO THE COUNTRY
the apple trees were two goats and across the the Church the platform was arranged to make little garden was the pig pen with a fat sow and room for a large sheet of paper which Father her grunting litter. Chickens were pecking Blair would use for his chalk-talk. The church around in the garden and the yard-doubtless filled rapidly, the women sitting on the floor to the missing their companion which was boiling in the right and the men on the left, so that by the time big kettle in the kitchen. The elder was naturally the service started there was not much room left. quite proud of his establishment, which made him Other similar Presbyterian services were taking remarkably self-sufficient. He told me of the help he had received from his subscription to The THE "MOKSA" AND KOREAN ELDER ENJOY SUNDAY DINNER Farmer's Life, a magazine founded by Father (In former days everyone had his individual table, Men still eat McCune and now edited by Mr. Lutz of Pyengyang. The house and little yard n their cleanliness apart from the women,) and convenient arrangement showed that the elder place all around the world, with only a few difhad received from the missionaries not only spirit- ferences. Here the congregation took a big part ual help but also an incentive to improve his ma- in whole-hearted singing and an elder gave the terial surroundings. Sabbath prayer. Everyone listened attentively to the sermon which the Moksa gave. Two Japa- At about twelve we had dinner, a little better nese detectives sitting in front of me took copious than usual in honor of the M oksa. It was a treat notes. (Korea is far from being a free country, for me to be able to sit on the floor and really make especially for a foreigner.) But the preacher my chopsticks click on the good things that the could have the satisfaction of knowing that his elder's wife had prepared. I had been wary of sermon spread beyond the two hundred people in Korean food in my travels around the country the church auditorium. but the clean kitchen was an evidence that I had no need to be afraid of contracting any disease As soon as the church service was ended Father here. With all my appetite, I couldn't hold a candle, Blair put on his shoes and went to the parked car. or should I say a chopstick, to Father Blair as he The canvas cover was taken off in a hurry and off polished off his bowl of chicken soup and heaping we started for a ten-mile ride to a little town to dish of rice. The side dishes of different kinds of the south-west of Kae-Chyon. Here we left the car, meat, fish, and eggs cut up in small pieces, were again shrouded in its canvas cover, and went on also very good but I reveled in the kimchi, the foot. It was a beautiful hour's walk through the pickle which is an essential part of every Korean Korean countryside on this fine autumn day. We meal. It is full of red pepper which burned the had to cross over streams on little foot bridges inside of my mouth, and had a tang, from having and had fine views of lone pine trees towering been in an earthen jar buried in the yard for over above little villages clustered under the brows of a year. The pepper· brought tears to my eyes, the hills. We fell in with a fellow traveler and not only because of its sharpness but because I soon struck up a conversation. When a nail came thought back on my seven long kimchi-less years through the heel of Father's shoe, they squatted in America. down together to fix it with a rock. This road, too, was very familiar to the Moksa and he enjoyed The bell at the church had been ringing all telling about the days when as a young man he morning at intervals for the different divisions of developed this territory. He pointed out the rocks the Sunday school but it pealed for a longer time for church at one o'clock. The elder, in typical Korean style, commented on the glad note it sounded this day because the Moksa was to preach. Rising from the floor and going out on the veranda where we put on our shoes we went off to church. It was the third successive building erected on this site during the last twenty years. Each one bigger than the last and now the congregation was making plans for a new addition. The building, with its tile roof and red brick walls, trimmed with white shutters and doors, made a pretty picture, especially to the Korean eye.
With my camera I took some shots of the men dressed in their white robes going in one door, women, with babies on their backs, going in the other; some "kids" stayed outside to play. Next door was the manse-a modern Korean home with' a tin roof and very clean in appearance. Inside
on which the pigeons used to roost and the hill- out, (or rather "pried" out), and once again the sides which formerly were thick with pheasant. rooms were packed, this time by the adults of the He sighed for: the days whe.n he had a gun and, village. Outside were others, who were too shy not being bound in by red tape, could bring home to come in, making a group of about eighty. Faa brace of ducks or perhaps a deer. The greatest ther spoke this time on some of the basic beliefs pleasure of the trip for him, however, was to talk of Christianity and what they meant in the way of with our companionaboutthe story of Jesus. Much a changed life. At the end of his talk he asked all of my Korean is forgotten but the simple story who wished to make a definite stand for such a change in their lives to raise their hands. Eight torwas beautiful to hear. It fell on "fertile ground," people raised their hands, some having been pre- the gentleman w~s deeply moved. pared for such a stand by the elder and the dea- "At about four o'clock we came into the little vil- con. They only needed the incentive of the Mokla.ge of Kul Chang Kori, or Rock Village Market- sa's coming to ~ake their stand definitely. Our pla.ce. The church had been started many years fellow traveler of the road came up at the close of ago' but had had its ups and downs. Father Blair the service and said that he wanted to change his had not been able to get into this isolated valley for life also, but wished to study more before he came over four years, so that his arrival was a real event to a decision. for the church and also for the village. The little church, situated on the edge of the village, had Shortly after the service we left the town to been repapered arid looked fresh 'and clean. Fa- walk back to the car. A number of the church ther walked around the village of a hundred people, in accordance with Korean custom, walked homes, talked with 11. group of threshers working to the top of the first pass with us. A full moon on the village threshing fioor, and invited them to had come up and the sight of the village, nestled come to the meeting,At night. He also called on on the 'edge of the hill with wisps of smoke spiralsome of the non-believers and interviewed some ling up from the evening fires, is a treasured young men who were interested. At :(lve we went memory. We said our goodbyes and walked tQ",the local elder's home, a typical two-roomed through the beautiful landscape in the crisp au- &untry house with the newly-threshed rice tumn air. We could not but think back on the stacked in bags under the eaves of the thatched eight who had decided definitely to seek a change roof. The cow was in the adjoining shed. Rude in their lives. We wondered if they would be able and poor as it was there was a spirit of welcome to stand fast amid the every day life of the village arid warmth that must have impressed the neigh- and in the strenuous times through which their bors among whom the elder and his wife lived. country was passing. Father commented on how There was no pastor in this village but the faith- typical was the reaction of our fellow traveler who, though sincerely moved, yet was so bound ful elder with a young deacon had kept the lit- by tradition and custom that he could not bring himself to a complete change of faith and life so tle church alive. quickly. There we had supper of chicken and rice and Soon we were back in the car driving to Kae kimchi, all specially prepared for the visitors. Chyon to spend the night in the elder's home. We Again, it was interesting to be introduced as a were up early in the morning in order to be back son of my father, Dr. McCune. It warmed my for an afternoon meeting in Pyengyang. We took heart to hear the old village headman, a non- a different route home and passed through another Christian, say, "The name of Yun Moksa is on section of Father's field with a church in every large town and groups in many of the villages. the hearts of all Koreans." He pointed out the church he had gone to the Sun- At six o'clock the little bell was rung for the day before and the church that he and Mother were to visit the next week. I was impressed by the children's service. The little church, with one fact that this trip we had taken, though extraor- room' about 12 feet by 2'4 and another room in the dinary to me, probably seemed just the usual rear reserved for the women about 8 by 12 feet, thing for him or for any of the evangelistic mis- Was soon jammed with children of all sizes and sionaries scattered throughout Korea. Even Fa- descriptions. There were about sixty, and all ther was sorry to have to rush back to Pyengyang clamoring to be up in the front. The young deacon so quickly but his city responsibilities called him. 'soon had them splitting their throats, singing He wished for time to visit others of his fifty or "Jesus ,Loves Me," while Father tacked some more country churches that have been passing drawing'paper on the wall. In a few minutes all through such difficult times and need the strength- were shouting the answers to his question in ap- ening and encouragement which a visit by the proved Korean fashion, as he told and illustrated Moksa would bring to them. the story of the lame man at the Beautiful Gate. Many of the older people had come and the rooms kept' getting more and more crowded. When the children's service was over, they were ushered
a Mission becomes a
By ALEXANDER H. KEMP, M. D., Angola, Africa Missionary of the Methodist Episcopal Church W HAT is the supreme purpose of Christian 600 church members; today there are over 5000. missions? Is it not to win people to Christ Then we scarcely dreamed of a self-supporting and to gather these disciples into churches native church; today we have 20 outstations which that will become self-supporting, self-extending, receive no subsidy from the mission. The mediand self-governing through the leadership and cal and educational work at Quessua now receive power of the Holy Spirit? In Angola, West Afri- a large amount of financial support from African ca, after fifty years of mission work many circum- sources. stances show that we should take a big step forward towards achieving the second part of our In the early days there was great rejoicing purpose. It is one thing to found a mission; it is when some of the first converts were deemed quite another thing to establish Christianity in a ready to be sent forth as evangelists and village foreign soil so that the Church will grow and de- pastors, and the missionaries were glad to provide velop and bear fruit. these men with houses and salaries from mission funds. The fact that a chief would allow Chris- The past half century of missionary work in tian work to be started in his village was consid- Angola has cost the Church at home not far from a ered a victory for the Kingdom of God. Realizing half million dollars. During the first twenty years that these first native workers were poorly prenearly thirty of the missionaries laid down their pared for their tasks, the missionaries directed lives on the field. The visible results are seen in their energies. towards the training of more effec- three mission stations, sixty native-manned sta- tive men. This meant mission schools. Every boy tions, five thousand church members and an equal who could qualify educationally, spiritually and number of adherents, and a hundred African morally, was assured of an appointment and a Christian workers-pastors, teachers or evange- salary from American funds. The supply of suitlists under appointment of the church leaders. able young men has never equaled the demand. One of our stations, Quiongua, which has had The desirability, as well as necessity, of instituting missionaries for fifty years has been closed be- a system of self-support for outstation work led cause of a shortage of workers, and there is only to an effort to have the older outstations assume one missionary couple at Luanda, the capital of responsibility for the support of their own pasthe colony. This couple cares for a school with tors. About 20 outstations are now doing this. 250 pupils, a church with an average Sunday afternoon congregation of 1200, and 20 outstations Today the situation in Angola is markedly difin the district. At Malange, 270 miles inland at ferent. Decreasing income from America has the railhead, there is one missionary doing pas- made it impossible to continue the present force toral work and translating. At Quessua, 8 miles of native workers on a salary basis, and an infrom Malange, is situated a central training insti- creasing number will each year be ready to enter tute with a school of 200 boys, a Bible School of the Lord's work. At the same time there are 15 pupils, besides industrial, agricultural and med- several large areas in which, until now, a Chrisical work, directed by a single woman missionary tian worker would not have been accepted, but and one married couple. One male missionary from which requests are now coming. In the superintends the Malange District with its 40 out- Malange District there is a large force of native stations, and four women missionaries conduct workers to whom customary salaries cannot be a school with 250 girls. paid from mission funds; there are opportunities to open new work in unevangelized areas, and When the writer arrived in Luanda in 1923 the there is a constantly increasing number of new re- Methodist Episcopal Board had three times as cruits available from the Mission Institute. many missionaries in Angola as now, and more than double the present annual work budget was A call was issued for a conference and seventy provided from American funds. Then we had a African workers were present. After reviewing score of native workers; today we have a hundred the work of the mission during its first half-cenmuch better trained workers. Then we had some tury, I took the men into complete confidence and laid before them a summary of the receipts, dis- [347 ]
bursements and balances of the district funds for Two vital attainments to be achieved in transeach of the past five years. Summing up the sal- forming a mission into a native church lie in aries of several classes of workers I showed that workers' willingness to receive their remuneration it would take 4,000 angolares ($80.00) per month from the people rather than from the mission. to pay all of them, whereas we had on hand enough The village churches must also be ready to proto pay 25% of this from American funds. The vide their workers with remuneration commensuother 75% would have to come from local church- rate with the service rendered. es, from other remunerative labor, or from their gardens. Each quarter less money would come One fundamental question which must be defrom America for them, so that the time seemed cided concern the form which the ministry is to to have come when the native church must as- take. Is it to be a strictly professional ministry sume a much greater share of the responsibility in which the pastor spends all of his time in Chrisfor the support of its own ministry. tian work and receives his entire support from his people, or is it to be a ministry in which the Is Foreign Money Inexhaustible? pastor, trained at the mission, earns all of his sustenance from his gardens or from a trade, For many years our native workers seem to donating his ministerial labors to the village? have had the impression that there was an inex- Shall the ministry be supported in part by the peohaustible supply of American money in the mis- ple and in part from the pastors' own labors? The sion, and that the share each received depended latter seems to be the only feasible plan for the upon the plea he put up to secure it. To help present, at least, and will probably be the final them realize that every angolare I paid out for solution. An understanding of native customs such general expenses as the conference in which is necessary in determining the question. we were sitting, must be deducted from the amount available for salaries, I deducted the The African Ministry travel expenses of men, the cost of rations during the conference, the cost of sending a boy 150 miles In many instances native pastors spend little into the interior to advise the men of the confer- more time in their routine church work than their ence, and other expenses. Thus many of them for people spend listening to them. The African is a the first time came to the realization that there natural orator, such as no other race claims to be, actually was a limit to mission funds. I endeavored so that he requires less preparation for public to make them see that I was doing my utmost to discourses than one would estimate. Even the best secure for them an adequate subsistence, but I of our African preachers have very few books, or told them that in my judgment there would have other literature; a Bible, hymnal and Sunday to be developed a local rather than foreign source school quarterly being the extent of many a pasfor this subsistence. The word "salary" was re- tor's library. They do little pastoral work, such as placed by the word "assistance." From now on is done in America, but they spend many a day they must consider themselves as supported by listening to disputes, settling differences, and givtheir respective churches rather than by the mis- ing judgment on questions., being in reality an sion, and that if they proved themselves faithful unofficial justice of the peace. A teacher must and loving servants, they would be sufficiently sup- spend about three hours daily in the classroom plied with this world's goods to enable them to and practically every native worker should spend continue to break the Bread of Life to their peo- half of his time in his gardens, as do most of ple. his parishioners. As in all African families, the wife spends from sunrise until one o'clock in her Late in the afternoon, after having been given garden. Even when the man of the home is upon their "assistance," the workers left to return to a salary basis, cash never goes for common foods, their stations, determined to preach the Gospel but is used for taxes, clothes, and trinkets. Even to the utmost of their ability, regardless of the re- a new house costs nothing for floors, walls or roofmuneration they might receive from the mission. ing, all being obtained locally free of cost, the win- dows and doors, table and bed and chairs being We have now agreed that all villages near Mal- the only things requiring a monetary outlay. Land ange that request a worker must provide a house, is free, and if the worker has been taught a trade church, gardens, and some cash salary before the at the mission, he can usually earn some money by worker is sent. For villages among unevangelized simple carpentry, sandals, tailoring, and making peoples, it will be necessary for the mission to forged articles. provide for a small salary for the worker for the first two years, or until the worker's garden be- To get a native worker to accept his remuneragins to produce. This plan must be carefully safe- tion from his church instead of from the mission guarded, however, both the worker and his peo- presents many difficulties-and many opportuniple being made to realize that financial assistance ties. Every boy who passes the government exfrom the mission is very temporary. amination expects a "white-collar job," just as
WHEN A MISSION BECOMES A CHURCH
his wife who had been trained in the girls' school rial returns alone, the finest investment any village here expects to be excused from field work. Un- here could possibly make lies in providing for the til now these expectations have been largely real- Christian message in their midst. Africans are ized, made possible by the salaries paid by the mis- poor in this worlds goods, far too poor in fact to sion. Incidently, one-half of the problem of a continue their present expensive beliefs and reself-supporting church is the wife of the worker. ligious customs. Heathen in their hunger bow It is not reasonable to expect villages to support down to wood and stone-seeking an explanation their Christian leader as liberally as he has been for their experience, a search which every human supported by the mission. A native worker must heart has made in vain, until Christ has been partake liberally of the humility of our Master to found. When He has been found and His freedom make him willing to accept support from his local entered into, then our people will be able to secure church organization, and be responsible to that material as well as s.piritual rewards. church for the faithfulness and lovableness of his ministrations. The present situation makes it imperative that we take a big step forward toward establishing a What Can the People Pay? self-supporting Christian church here. Workers present at our recent conference accepted their On the other side, the village churches, after reduced income from the mission in a spirit that having considered for many years that they were warmed our hearts, especially when we saw how doing the mission a favor in allowing a Christian determined they were to continue preaching the worker in their midst, must be trained to make a Gospel for the salvation of their own people. One fair remuneration for the ministrations they re- worker, who had been unable to attend the con· ceive; and they must be convinced that the min- ference, later wrote that he would continue his ministry even though he never received any reistrations are worth the cost. In old days a man muneration from either the mission or from his own people. Our instructors at Quessua, both would pay an ox to be taught to sign his name, or those in the classrooms and those in the shops, several oxen to have his son taught to read and showed an excellent spirit in accepting lower pay. write. The mission has been giving an incompa- Rather apprehensive of my cobbler's attitude, I rably better education to the boys in our schools, called him into my office to appeal to him to coneven providing the boys with food, clothing, secrate himself as the others had done. When I shelter and school supplies. It has been not too asked his attitude towards the new wage-scale, he difficult to bring our people to the place where drew himself erect and answered, in typical Afrithey pay more liberally for medical treatments, can style: "Have you not given me five boys who and for the educational opportunities provided for passed the government examinations last January, their sons and daughters, than we would have be- for me to train in my art of cobbling? Will not lieved to be possible a few years ago. It is now these boys go out to preach the Gospel in places our task to bring villages to where they will re- where I cannot go, to preach it as I cannot since munerate their Christian workers adequately for I am an uneducated man? Has not God called me the benefits received. About twenty villages. have to help them to the best of my ability to be able been brought to this stage, though the present sit- to earn their sustenance as they preach the Gosuation leaves much to be desired. pel, when the mission cannot pay them? I want to continue teaching these boys, even if I receive An old missionary once told me that we should less pay." With a spirit of consecration and devonever expect our people out of their poverty to tion like this among our workers, we take courage support Christian workers. If this were so, our and press on, feeling confident that God will outlook would be hopeless for progress would be abundantly bless our labors. held down in direct ratio to the amount of American money expended. An Evidence of Success In this way we could never hope to attain the In transforming our mission into a native supreme purpose of mission work. But I have no Christian church, we will be called upon to solve doubt about the ability of the people to support many perplexing problems, to straighten out their Christian ministry, even though the cost be many difficult situations, to exercise many years without material return to them. When converts of patience, tact, foresight, and love. We realize become true disciples of our Lord, and come into that there may be at stake the results of fifty years that freedom which is found alone in Him, they of missionary labor which has cost so much in no longer are bound by their prohibitive taboos lives and money. If we fail, then we shall know and superstitions, and no longer pay so dearly for that the expenditure of a half million dollars and their useless fetishes and amulets; they will no the sacrifice of thirty lives has not yet succeeded longer submit to such death-dealing practices as in establishing here a Christian church that can the sas,s-wood test administered by their witchdoctors. Considered from the standpoint of mate-
be trusted to perpetuate the Christian message tude, so that we may train our converts gladly to through its own efforts in the power of the Holy support the bearers of the Christian message. We Spirit. During the future months we may be can no longer "call" workers from among the called upon to undergo many disappointments in school boys, providing them with work which will seeing our workers and stations and followers enable them to live in relative luxury and ease. diminish in numbers, when they realize that funds We shall have to revive the Master's appeal for from America will no longer be sufficient to main- our boys to take up the cross and follow Him, be tain them as heretofore. But we are confident of the -sacrifices what they may. From many angles, ultimate success in founding a Christian Church it appears to us that the present situation has been which shall endure. How could we be otherwise brought about through the wisdom and love of when we are under a divine leadership, when our God; we feel that the present step we are now native workers, upon whom in final analysis rests compelled to take will be wonderfully blessed by so much of the responsibility for success, are so Him, and will result in great increases in the determined and consecrated and confident that the number of true disciples, and in the appearance work must go on? of a rapidly emerging native Christian Church, which shall be self-supporting, self-propagating Our planning for the future of the work and self-governing. throughout the land must take on a different atti- The Perpetual Value of Foreign Missions By the REV. DWIGHT M. DONALDSON, Meshed, Iran I T IS inspiring to spend a morning roaming third man, Dr. Newton Donaldson, was prevented about Westminster Abbey, London, pausing from going to Persia as he had planned, but he before the tombs of famous men, but there i,s and his wife were always enthusiastic in their something still more intimately uplifting for some missionary interest in the pastorate at home. As of us about going into the prayer-meeting rooms their son I have the privilege of working in Persia. of churches where successive generations have His sister, Elma Donaldson, went to India, where worshipped, and to see the pictures of godly pas- she served at Dehra Dunn with devotion until she tors who have spent their lives proclaiming the was seventy years of age. A daughter, Mary Don- Gospel. aldson, went to China in 192'4.
The late Dr. George Alexander, of New York, Thus a real interest in foreign missions will ingave forty-six years of deeply spiritual service on spire succes,sive generations to take part in the the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian permanent business of promoting the cause of Church. Seven of his classmates at Princeton Christ in all lands. Seminary went to the foreign field, and all died in service. Life is no more static in foreign countries than it is at home. It might be asked facetiously, "Why Over fifty years ago, as a young man returning should the land of the Pilgrim fathers, the land of from India on his first furlough, Dr. J. J. Lucas the Scotch Covenanters, the land of the Quakers, had talks with three students in Western Theo- still require the expenditure of millions of dollars logical Seminary in Pittsburgh. He won their annually in national missions?" Others might inrespect and confidence and was able to help them quire, "Why should the country with the greatest reach a decision in their most important life prob- system of public schools and State universities in lem. At that time all three of these men decided the world need money from a Church Board of to become foreign missionaries. One of them, Education ?" The answer to both of these ques- Dr. A. C. Good, went to West Africa, where he tions lies in the present-day problems in the died after twelve years of vigorous missionary United States. If anyone suggests that economy adventure, and where he has been followed by his in church expenditures could be effected by reson, Dr. Albert I. Good, of Elat. The second man, garding the foreign missionary enterprise as a Dr. John Eaken, went to Siam and carried heavy temporary phase of Christian activity, we should responsibility, with sustained evangelistic zeal, realize that the momentous changes that have for more than forty years. His sons, Paul and taken place in foreign lands make an insistent and John Eaken, and his daughter, Ruth Eaken, are imperative demand upon Christian people. giving life service to the Gospel in Siam. The Where illiteracy and superstition and idolatry
THE. NEED FOR. A LIVING FAITH
have given way before the enlightenment of claimed and the reality of the divine Spirit must Christian education, with its churches, schools and be shown in human lives. hospitals, there are new assets for righteousness in the world. Some of the second and third gen- The spirit of nationalism must yield to the eration Christians fill chairs in colleges or work spirit of Christ. As national churches arise, it is as pastors or editors or evangelists. Missionaries the fact that they are Christian and not merely may no longer be needed to fill these P.ositions national that enables them to be admitted at once abroad but the work of the Gospel must still be to the great international Church of Christ. The carried on by other methods in other places. saying, "Let every nation determine its own re- ligion," is utterly inconsistent with the whole Modern civilization has displaced much ancient tenor of the Gospel. Christians are soOns of n.o error and superstition, but there has c.ome ma- national god, and they have been redeemed by terialism and a more obstinate heathenism of in- no national saviour. The w.orld-wide clash bedifference to spiritual things. Educated Chinese tween capitalism and communism knows no naand Japanese, and Hindus and Moslems, are find- tional boundaries. The auth.ority of Jesus Christ ing that for them the alternative is not between must be recognized as universal. The Christian one religion and another but between Christ and Gospel is of permanent and universal value, and atheism. In Iran Islam is losing its hold on edu- at this time when thoughtful students throughout cated men. Nevertheless the fad remains that the world realize that crass materialism has made Christianity is only beginning to be understood. its sensational denials in vain, the message is espe- Great walls of prejudice and misapprehension cially pertinent. Ambassad.ors of Christ preach have fallen down and there are eyes to see and not a mission of temporary philanthropy, but the ears to hear as there have never been before. universal offer of salvation through Christ and For this very reason the Gospel must still be pro- the everlasting Kingdom of God.
The Need for a Living Faith* By REV. J. W. BURTON, Sydney, Australia Secretary of the Australian Methodist Missionary Society O PTIMISM, we are told, is a great asset for with many luxuries-and many horrors. It has missi.ons. If you want people to contribute given us aeroplanes-and baby-killing bombers; to missions, serve up the bright side .of it has created marvels in chemistry-and pois.on things, tell them .of the "glorious Gospel tri- gas; it has built for us swift motor cars-and umphs," and put the soft pedal on failures and military tanks; it has given us wireless-and nadisappointments. If the income drops, do not tionalistic propaganda; it has lengthened the span advertise that; but if the truth leaks out, then .of human life-and taught us h.oW to cut off the explain the shrinkage as, plausibly as possible. stream of life, so that by birth-control a race may The wand, however, is obviously losing some of be more quickly exterminated than by disease. its magic, and thoughtful people are incon- Let the optimist sound his ram's horn and see if veniently asking for naked facts. these walls will fall down.
Our Lord was not the facile optimist some What chance has spiritual religion in this W.orld would like to paint Him. He s,aw the true condi- of nationalism, materialism, and militarism? tion .of the world in His day. He came .of the line What has the Church, representing Christ, to say of prophets who did not speak comfortable things. The story .of the sower suggests that of the four to economic manslaughter and race suicide? Ruskinds of soil, only one yielded satisfactory results; sia has thrown out the Church, asserting that it the illustration of the tares indicates tpat we must prevents social progress; Germany has banned it not expect a hundred per cent harvest; while the because it demands a loyalty other than to the descripti.on of the net full .of fish shows that there State; Mexico and Spain have challenged it beis wastage. That aspect of our Lord's teaching cause it keeps down the people; many other counhas not had due consideration. tries have done even worse-they have ignored it. According to the totalitarian conception the State We once th.ought that science would lay down a and its interests must be supreme. "Battle pracstraight road for the millennium; but we have tice" is considered more important than the quiet been tragically disillusioned. It has provided us w.orship of God; to learn artistically to thrust a bay.onet in human flesh is of more value to the • Condensed from The Missionary Review, Australia.
State than is· education or slum clearance; the others with the life and death of our Lord. It is profits of a lottery are worth more to the State's by a new spirit of unselfishness. and by a real ap- coffers than the honesty of its citizens; and party plication of the Cross- (not as a theological doc- funds and vested interests come before social re- trine, but as a stern spirit) to aU human life- form and human welfare. whether individual, social, national or interna- No wonder gloomy prophets can find a hearing tional-that we can bring back faith.
when they are so glibly announcing the end of the It is faith we need-faith in the eternal God world; the fear of many is that their prophecies who has revealed the quality of His life and the may not be fulfilled. trend of His will in our Lord Jesus Christ. This Does all this mean that faith – the power to has implications. for the whole Church, and spe- apprehend and appreciate the spiritual-is in de- cial implication for missions.
cline? Spiritual values are simply irrelevant in We must make our appeal more and more spir- this world of brute force and organized hatred. itual. There must be an awakening of the The Christian religion is increasingly suspect be- Church's conscience, far too dormant today, in cause it preaches a Gospel of goodwill. Missions regard to our duty to the wider world. Members in some countries have become a danger to state- of Christ's Church have definitely 'pledged them- craft, for they have proclaimed a world brother- selves in loyalty to Him and they must be aroused hood and have protested against national and ra- to its implications. Let us first face the problem cial discriminations. This narrow conception of of the adult member, who seemingly has little the supremacy of the State-whether in times of interest in winning the world for Ghrist. The peace or war-is entirely incompatible with the missionary meeting has almost vanished as an faith that Jesus is her only Lord. Though we effective method of presenting the "claims of mis- shall suffer, and may be persecuted unto death, sions." Many other interests have sprung up in we must be loyal above all else to Christ and His the last hundred years, and no one in any other eternal love and sacrifice. realm trusts to a public meeting to carry a mes- The new paganism affects our Christian work sage. Our methods of appeal need drastic re- at home and lowers the enthusiasm and passion vision. We place too much emphasis upon results for world evangelization. Depleted voluntary giv- in money. The blunt truth is that most of us are ing is only one incidence of spiritual regression. giving beyond our spiritual interest: it is the What are we to do? Play the ostrich and ignore quickening of spirit that is our deepest need.
danger? Repeat piously "God's in His heaven, That assured, the money will come naturally and all's right with the world?" Quote heartening spontaneously-as. it always should.
texts that have no real application to the situa- We may be obliged to start humbly-in little tion? Attempt to bluff people by weak smiles and groups of three or four-meeting together to talk sugary optimism? Or shall we give up the strug- and pray over the Kingdom of God throughout gle and make ourselves believe that we are in the the world, informing our minds by the study of grip of uncontrollable world forces, and with a material dealing with the concrete needs of the stoic fatalism let the heavens, fall when they will? world, and encouraging one another in this world Or shall we pursue a crackle-of-thorns-under- fellowship. There is no need to wait for some the-pot policy, and attempt to attract people by organization to start such a group. You can call entertainment; devise tempting schemes and a few of your friends together in your own home catchy slogans to lure people to the support of for prayer and missionary study. One of the the missionary cause? dangers O'f our religious enterprises is this super- In our hearts we know that all these things are structure of organization. It takes so much of futile. We must go deep. the coal we carry to stoke the engines. The min- We must realize that the whole trouble is spir- ister is often a busy man with a hundred and one itual. It is the human spirit to which we must thi'llgs to attend to, it is scarcely fair to make him address ourselves, for we are perfectly sure of responsible for forming and carrying on a group, the Spirit of God. His Will is that the world though it would be well to consult him before should be saved, but it is man's self-will that pre- starting one. Groups can start with the infor- vents world salvation. It is a birth from above mation contained in the Missionary Review. There that is needed – a regeneration of the human are also many books dealing with world missions.
spirit. We shall not win by compromising with We have surely enough missionary-minded people the world, by adorning our appeal with confec- in our churches to commence a little group in tionery; we shall win only as we succeed in chal- every church. Live cells live by division, and lenging our own selfishness and the selfishness. of more life comes into being.
Youth of the Church
By H. S. RANDOLPH Secretary of the Unit of Rural Church Work, Board of National Missions, Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A.
I N THE early history of the American nation assurance to owning and cultivating land as did our rural youth knew no frontier limits. There his forebears. Consequently farm life has lost was land-good land, new land—everywhere, much of its charm for youth. Poor land holds out two billion acres of it ; nearly a billion acres were little challenge, and there is not much greater covered with virgin forest and challenge to a young man to over a half-billion acres with spend his life toiling even on luxurious grass. The nation pos- good land that he cannot afford sessed resources that seemed to to own.
be inexhaustible. This situation Today a rural youth sees that gave birth to 'It youth fired with what his father had been able to profound spiritual qualities of earn in a year is wholly insuffi- confidence, hope, ambition, aspir- cient to pay the taxes and the ation, determination, pride and interest and principal payments self-respect, qualities w h i c h o n the farm mortgage. He has closely paralleled the ideals for seen the farm sold on the block personal attainment in the to a foreigner while his father Christian Church. Therefore ru- has become a tenant, and may ral youth found an opportunity even lose his place as a tenant.
to express its finer qualities Such experiences have forced through the church. In fact the many rural youth to give up church was the only institution their dreams of owning a farm, in which the entire community or of owning anything else; could adequately express the so- dreams of school and college cial, educational, spiritual and have vanished; books and travel other important aspects of its are too expensive to consider; life. the old family car and the house- Today, after more than 300 told furnishings are rapidly years of American history, there wearing out, and cannot be re- is no frontier in the nation placed for there is no money which promi£es inexhaustible available.
wealth. Those old frontiers have This decline in rural resources been exploited, and ours is no and wealth, and the breaking of longer spoken of as "the richest rural morale, have been sorely and most favored continent on felt by the rural church. Lack the face of the earth." In less of clothing suitable for Sunday than 300 years the frontier has has kept many a rural lad and disappeared and rural youth lassie away from Sunday school now races a national problem and church. Perhaps the old presented by a shortage of eco- car won't run, and it is too far nomically productive land. Much A MOU~TAIN BOY LEAVING HOME to walle As a result there is no of the nation's soil is now de- church going. In many instances pleted or suffers from want of the rural economic condition has insufficient moisture. Rural youth faces the prob- made the church pastorless because the community lem of inability to work highly productive land, could not support even a part-time minister. Mis- for such land is too high-priced to be owned sion Boards either did not see the need or did not wholly by the individual farmer. Therefore mo- have available funds to meet it. In the course of dern youth cannot look forward with any great time the rural church closed its doors and be- [ 353 ]
came a ghost in the community-broken windows, either directly or indirectly for youth, the probpaint gone; weeds and briars grown up-all make lems of rural youth are far from being solved. an unsightly landscape. All this brings home to rural youth a sense of the insecurity of the coun- Many look to rural schools for the solution of tryside, leaving in its wake broken confidence, youth problems. Our schools do much to develop torn aspirations, blasted hopes, stunted determi- courage in the life processes of youth. New honation, bleeding pride, and lost self-respect. rizons are seen; new knowledge and skills are acquired. But here we must be disillusioned, for ThElre are twenty-one million youth in America; the rural school training· too often has had only and of these ten million are rural. They live on indirect relation to future work and therefore fails the farms or in country villages; many live in miserably to prepare youth to enter adult vocalittle unsanitary cabins on eroded and depleted tional life. However, we must recognize the trefarms, or on cut-over timber lands. Others live mendous impact which our schools make in the life in stranded villages in improvised houses going of youth. to rack and ruin. In the disadvantaged open country and in rural towns the young people are As a result of present day educational apoften under-nourished so that they fall easy vic- proaches rural youth, as never before, is questiontims to disease. They are unemployed and des- ing things as they have been and are. Old verities perate. lose their moral force in the presence of the logic of today's youth. They are learning how to dis- In many areas there are prosperous farms and cover new truths, how to create new patterns of vigorous, well-eared-for young people who move social and moral behavior. This situation renon in the realm of noble dreams; but these do not ders the approach of adults to youth problems far represent our rural mission problem today. Out more difficult than that of an earlier day. In a in the marginal disadvantaged areas throughout recent state-wide church group of rural youth this all rural America, forces are sensitive and opera- significant resolution was passed: "Our adults tive, endeavoring to bring back to disadvantaged have more problems of their own than they can rural youth the more abundant opportunities in solve. It is therefore highly necessary that we life. Perhaps it is not too late to recapture and go about to solve our own problems." conserve the finer achievements of American rurallife down through the centuries, and to rebuild The church probably has more rural youth in rural youth by making available the resources by its membership than in any other rural institution which the profounder depths of personality are or organization. Are we helping them to discover developed and maintained. themselves, their spiritual abilities and powers in the church and community? Have we been too The Federal Government is making a contribu- much interested in organizations in the church tion through certain emergency measures, such as for youth rather than in youth itself? We have the National Youth Administration, whereby it preached a great deal at youth, and we have creaids many rural youth to attend school. It has ated a great many things for them with the hope provided special courses in agricultural colleges of building up their faith and loyalty to the for farm boys and girls; it conducts work projects church, but too often our church organizations, for thousands of rural youth, as well as educa- our doctrines, our creeds, and our preachments tional guidance and job placement. More than have not been open doors of behavior patterns on 900,000 rural youth from low income relief fam- the level of youth's interests. ilies have been aided through the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Work Progress Administra- Youth in the country would like to see in their tion has reached a considerable number of rural churches and in the religious life of their people, youth through education projects, work projects, beauty and order together with a vital program and by provision for recreational activities. Other of action. They want responsibility for doing governmental agencies have aided rural youth things of great moment. They want a recreamore or less indirectly. tional program that embodies the development of skills and ability, as well as amusement. They Rural youth has also been greatly affected by want to experience a cooperative way of life for certain non-government agencies working in ru- the community. They want a spiritual program ral areas, such as the 4-H Clubs, Future Farmers which ties them to God through the church. They of America, Farm Bureau, Farmers Educational are asking for a voice in the midst of a faulty eduand Cooperative Union, and the National Grange. cation and in the breakdown of economic order These have developed to a very considerable ex- and unemployment. They are asking to be heard tent in rural areas. In addition there are many in a world of prejudices where there is a denial of localized projects throughout the country. It is opportunities-poverty, wars, and rumors of generally admitted that even with all these gov- wars. Youth calls for a prophet to lead them. ernment and non-government agencies, at work They are very eager to know about true religion.
RURAL YOUTH OF THE CHURCH TODAY
They want to see the church tie up vitally with the situation from it religious point of view was well rest of their life, with their school program, their expressed by one of the men of the community in dubs,societies, and their vocational interests. these terse words: "Our young people were going Back in an isolated cove of the Southern Moun- to Hell." On the one hand the fine, well-equipped, tains, where youth is supposed to be retarded and well-organized consolidated school was doing a bashful, the energies of a group of boys and girls, suc'cessful job for its youth; on the other hand who knew only how to "raise HeU" all up and there were four poor churches with divided inter- down the creek, drinking and cursing, were so ests, doing a very poor job for the same group of redirected under the leadership of a wise, pro- youth; this led the people of the community to do phetic laymen, that in the period of two years some serious thinking which ultimately led them they were quite capable of doing to unite their churches to form things that made them and oth- one large positive force. They ers happy. called a strong minister as their They took an old school house resident leader, and now have a and remodeled it to make a beau- church which the youth can look tiful rural church. After the upon with pride and say, "Our building was completed and church is just as fine as our cenpainted they landscaped it with tralized school. Our minister is native plants and trees. Later just as good as the principal of they built a recreational building our school. He is interested in all in the midst of a rhododendron the things we do and his friendly thicket .beside a swiftly flowing counsel helps us to do them betmountain stream. The hoys and ter."
girls worked together on these This new united church is projects during their spare time. crowded with young people.
Now they are singing the folk They are doing things in that songs and playing the folk games church which are just as cre- of the Southern Mountains and ative as those which they do of other countries. Near the through their 4-H Club work.
recreational building is an out- They have their Young People's door rendezvous. Needless to meetings, their club, recreation- say, all the young people of that al groups, and many special pro- community are actively enthusi- grams which they carry through.
astic. They are conscious that A wise lay leader found himthey have played a large creative self a few years ago in the open part in the reconstruction of the country in a beautiful valley of spiritual and social life of their about thirty square miles in area community. There is no diffi- where there were a number of culty here about the young peo- country churches and hundreds ple attending church or Sunday of young people. The ministers school or any other activity for were all bewailing the lack of the good of the community, for religious interest on the part of they have helped to create it, it the youth. They took every opis theirs. They are proud of it. portunity to tell them of their About eighteen years ago a sins, but had little to offer as rural community experienced substitutes except what to the the birth of a new consolidated RURAL YOUTH TODAY AT SCHOOL youth were vague abstract ideas.
public school made possible by The young people of the valley improved roads through the country districts and were called together one Sunday night for an open a growing cooperative spirit among the people. forum. Here they discussed their needs. That All the children of the community were brought very night an organization of the young people of to this fine school, which had a beautiful building, the valley was formed to meet monthly for var- good equipment, and excellent teachers. ious purposes. They met for social and recrea- In that same rural community ' were four tional activities; they met to sing; they spon- churches, all with poor buildings, no resident min- sored the Sunrise Easter Service of the commu- ister, church membership weak and becoming nity; they later created a Young People's Council weaker, Sunday schools gradually dying, no of the churches. Through this Youth Council de- young people's organizations. The young people's nominatioi1al harries were broken down through-
out the valley and a cooperative church spirit was effectively restored and saved to the nation their born that could never have existed had not the confidence, hope, ambition, aspiration, determina- youth been organized in this creative fashion. tion, pride and self-respect must be reconstructed.
Here the young people developed a new spiritual This is the task of the rural church, for there is life for themselves and also for their community, no other institution that can undertake and carry all of which has been reflected in the life of the through such a momentous responsibility. There churches of the area. is no other institution known to rural life that is Give rural young people a chance to use their so well fitted with philosophy, idealism and methcreative genius in the church under wise Chris- od to provide the needed sympathy and prophetic tian leadership and we need not fear them or fear direction to complete rural living by disadvanfor them. They know well the significance of taged youth of the soil as is the Christian Church. creative work. They bring out of a setting of The holy work of the rural church is to build out eggs a flock of chickens; out of a pig they develop of these hopeless, spiritless lives which poverty a hog; they grow a cow out of a calf. Out of has strewn over this fair land of ours, youthful grains of wheat, corn, or cotton they produce a lives strong and true.
worthy harvest. God's creative way of living is Herein is a challenge to our Christian churches an integral part of the life of rural youth. As for unity of purpose and method of work, such as rural church leaders we must translate this vital never has come from the good earth of America, power of youth into the spiritual world and teach to provide a good church without competition in them how to live creatively in the Kingdom of every American rural community, with a well- God. • trained and efficient ministry, and an ongoing Rural youth has a big job in any community, a program attuned to the problems, needs and activ- job that will challenge ities of rural youth, their creative zeal, a job thus creating a new that should build them Christian rural life.
into integral parts of the church life. What MOUNTAIN CHIL- is needed to reach such DREN READ THEIR a goal is a wise leader TESTAMENTS to help youth discover The Bible Institute its spiritual job in the Colportage Association, church and community founded by Dwight L.
and to frankly face that Moody in 1894 for the job and see it through. pUblication and distri- Youth, through the bution 0 f evangelical consolidated schools and Christian literature, other community insti- A RURAL CHURCH IN THE MOUNTAINS-AT CARMEN sent 9,969 shipments of tutions, is learning to books, booklets, Gospels, live and act cooperatively. Too frequently the New Testaments, Gospel tracts and miscellaneous churches are too numerous in rural communities. books to mountain schools in the South last year They are competitive in character and disrupt the -a total of 564,682 copies.
social unity of the community. All of this is a The Episcopal Recorder quotes from a letter mystery to oncoming youth. 'They wonder why written by a mountain girl to her teacher, in which there should be such a division and competition she says: in Christian life and work. Our rural youth offer a new challenge to united religious effort in all "Mother and Dad never had a Bible in their of our rural communities. Christian intelligence house, and never did any reading, until you gave demands a united church, the best of equipment, us the Book of John and the Pocket Treasury; the finest leadership and program, so that when but now they are getting interested in the Lora." youth compares its church with its school it will The teacher adds: "The children are more interfind that the church is an institution of which it ested in the Lord and want to take fifteen minutes each day to read th~ir Testaments. They are askcan justly be proud because of what it does for ing questions about the Bible. I want them to them, then they will give to it their loyalty, their read the Testament through before school is out, support, and their lives. and help them in every way I can."
Many of the ten million youth in rural Amer- Teachers in these mountain schools report a ica are disadvantaged through poverty. The gov- marked improvement in the morals and conduct of ernment and other organizations are making their their pupils since this work of literature distribu- contributions but if these young people are to be tion was undertaken.
Today and
By a WAYFARER The author of this article has first-hand knowledge of the situation in Spain T HE end of the Civil War in Spain, with the ister of the former, the Rev. Atilano Coco was shot surrender of Madrid on the 28th of March in prison; the incumbent of the latter, Rev. Mr. brought to an end one of the great tragedies Borrobia is still in prison. Liberty of propaof modern times. All who know Spain never had ganda, without which a religious minority cannot any doubt as to the ultimate issue, but all were thrive, was carried on normally in Government surprised that an improvised army, without sci- territory but was prohibited in the Nationalist entific training, was able to hold out so long area. The sale of the Christian Scriptures reached against superior forces equipped with modern record figures in republic or Loyalist Spain durlethal weapons. Neither side is without reproach ing the conflict but was prohibited in the country for many excesses· were committed that history dominated by General Franco. Registered parcels will condemn. The Nationalists, in spite of their of Bibles, sent from London to Vigo, were reclaim to a pure patriotism, opened the door to the turned marked "Prohibited by the Military Cenforeign invader and armed the Moors, the heredi- sorship."
tary enemies of Spain, in order that they might Fears for the safety of the Protestant minority kill Christians. The ruthless repression of the and the continuance of the work lead the British Basque autonomists, with its massacre of priests Committee for the Evangelization of Spain to ap- and civilians will not soon be forgotten. Franco point a delegation, under the presidency of Dr.
too seems to have been unable to restrain the Rushbrook, to call on the Duke of Alba, the official Falangists and Requetes in their zeal to extermi- representative of the Nationalist Government in nate "the Red vermin." Spanish Anarchists, al- London, asking for assurances of protection and lied with Communists, by killing priests and burn- liberty. Through his good offices certain questions ing churches, discredited the Loyalist Govern- concerning the maintenance of religious liberty ment cause and alienated sympathy that would and propaganda were submitted to General Franco otherwise have been theirs. It would be as fool- who later replied guaranteeing liberty of worship. ish to hold Senor Azana personally responsible for On being further questioned as to whether this . this as it would be to make Franco wholly respon- included liberty of propaganda the General replied sible for the excesses of his irregular troops. It in the affirmative and this declaration was pub- is a significant fact neither seems to have pos- lished in English newspapers. sessed the authority necessary to dominate the sit- uation. In this age, however, promises do not seem to have the same sacred character as formerly. The As to the religious situation generally speaking dead cannot- be raised but if General Franco would both sides maintained the degree of religious lib- release Evangelical workers who are still in pris- erty that obtained in Spain at the outbreak of the on and allow the reopening of closed Protestant war. At an early stage the Government published churches, such as those of Barcelona that have a decree to prevent excesses and inviting Roman been closed since the Nationalist occupation of Catholic priests to return to their parishes. At the city, that would go far to inspire confidence. no time was Protestant worship suspended in the Government-controlled area; nor were their build- Moreover the news that filters through from ings destroyed. Christian services were carried Spain is increasingly ominous. On the 3d of May on throughout the struggle, frequently in build- a decree ordered the replacing of the Crucifix in ings damaged by enemy aircraft. In Nationalist all schools, whether Government or private. None territory Roman Catholic worship was celebrated will be allowed to function until it has obeyed this in pre-republican splendor. Protestant services injunction. The teaching of the Roman Catholic continued without interference in most towns and religion has been made obligatory in all schools. were well attended. Conspicuous exceptions were The children are obliged to attend Mass. If any Salamanca and Valladolid where Protestant special provision has been made for non-Catholic churches were closed early in the war. The min- children we have not heard of it. All civil serv- ants too are required to give proof of Catholic [357 ]
piety (pruebas de piedad cristia1W) , that is to be brothers united in one conception of the State say, fulfil the obligations of the Roman Catholic and in one religion." But Franco's forces contain religion. Again there is no mention of exemption groups with opposing ideologies. It is easier for non-Catholics. A list of prohibited books has to conceive the lion and the lamb lying down been prepared. Only accepted books may be circulated in Spanish in Spain. Inquiries at the together than Falangists and Requetes living in Spanish Embassy brought forth the statement peace. The Spaniards are a proud people whose that the Bible is not included in the list. Finally, soil has been trodden and their blood shed by foraccording to newspaper and radio reports, the eign invaders. Official friendship may be main- Civil Marriage Law, instituted by the Republic, tained with the invading countries but the people has been repealed and 60 days have been given to who have suffered will not forget. It is even more all married under this law to remarry according difficult to visualize post-civil-war Spain as united to Roman Catholic rites. Failing this their chil- by a common religion. A large part of many of dren will be declared illegitimate. Now as confes- the Spanish people have an inherited hatred and sion is required before marriage in the Roman distrust of the Roman Catholic Church which is Catholic Church, and no so called, "heretic" can considered as the enemy of liberty and a barrier receive absolution, remarriage, under these con- to progress. This feeling has shown itself in ditions, would seem to be equivalent to being re- periods of national tumult by the burning of ceived into the Church. The Spanish Embassy church property. Is it conceivable that the conconfirms the, promulgation of this Law but they duct of the Roman Catholic Church during the have not yet received the text. The conservative civil war was such as to win these people for its French newspaper Le Temps in its issue of April cause? There have been too many priests of the 25th, says that more than 30,000 couples in Madrid type of Zafra who, waving his pistol in the air, alone are affected. They are being remarried at boasted that it has sent more than 100 Marxists to the rate of 650 a day. their account. Even the holy lives and sacrificial death of such men as the Franciscan, Father Re- What will be the position of non-Catholics under ville, who was shot for protesting against the murthis reactionary decree? We do not know as we der of inoffensive citizens, cannot blot out the have not seen the text. We can only hope that memory of others better known whose conduct was there are attenuating clauses in it that are not different. Cardinal Mercier, whose heroism Belmentioned in the first reports. gium will never forget, visited Spain on one occa- I On the 19th of April a deputation from the sion. On his return a friend congratulated him on i'British Committee" again called at the Spanish having seen that most Christian country, to which Embassy in London. In the absence of the Am- the Cardinal replied pensively, "Christian? Do bassador the news of the closing of the Barcelona you think so?" churches-the other information mentioned above had not then been received-was brought to the Spain needs Christ. Not the crucifix hanging notice of the Chief Secretary, the Marquis de los round the necks of bloodstained Requetes and Santos, and the contrast between this event and Moors but the Christ of the Gospels who died the promises given on the occasion of the previ- expressing forgiveness to his enemies. He alone ous visit were emphasized. can lead Spain forward to that new epoch of peace and prosperity desired by all true friends. Pray We hear much of the new Spain that is to rise that there may be an open-door in Spain for men on the ruins of the old. It is, we are told, to be who incarnate the virtues associated with the di- "prosperous and powerful. Its inhabitance will vine character of Jesus, the Christ.
One of India's political leaders said of Stanley Jones: "We always know where he is com- ing out. If he begins at the binomial theorem, he will come out at the place of conversion." And to this Stanley Jones replies: "Right. I make no apologies, for life comes out at that place. Amid all the changes which have taken place in the mind and spirit of this age there is one underlying need that has not changed-men need conversion. But we now see that that conversion is bigger in its scope than we had dreamed-the individual and society must shift the basis from self-centeredness to God. For conversion is that change, sudden or gradual, by which we pass from the kingdom of self to the Kingdom of God through the grace and power of Christ."
and Religion in
By REV. and MRS. PHINEAS B. KENNEDY, recently * of Kortcha; founders of the Albanian Mission A LBANIA, which has recently been front page day dropped leaflets guaranteeing the free exer- .r-. news in the press dispatches on account of cise of religious beliefs." the Italian occupation and the flight of The virile Albanian mountaineers trace their King Zog with his wife and baby, lies north and history (according to Max Muller and others) west of Greece, and across the Adriatic Sea from back to the Pelasgic race. In ancient times they Italy. The country is smaller than the State of were pushed back into their mountain fortresses Maryland and the total population (800,000) is by the Romans, Goths, Bulgars, Serbs, and Turks.
about the size of Baltimore. The people are three- For nearly five hundred years they remained fourths Mohammedan; the remaining fourth be- under the Turks, then they became independent; ing about equally divided between the Roman now they are subject to Italy.
Catholics of the north and the Eastern Orthodox The first Bible colporteur to come to these moun- of the south. Islam was forced on this sturdy tain people was Gerasim Kyrias, an Albanian. He race before the fall of Constantinople in 1453. had been educated under the American Board Their honored patriot, George Castriot Skender- Mission. He was captured and held for ransom, beg who died in 1468, is the hero in James M. but money was raised, through the efforts of the Ludlow's "A Captain of the Janissaries." Evangelical missionaries, and was used for his re':'
The Rev. Arthur W. Konrad of the Evangelical lease. While his health was seriously impaired Mission writes that some Italian bombs proved to by his rigorous experience, he and his sister were be "stuffed with paper and wood, used only to instrumental in establishing in Kortcha an evanscare and not to exterminate." He speaks also of gelical day and boarding school for girls in 1891. the friendliness of the Italian army when it en- This school they carried on for some years. tered the city of Kortcha. A generation ago a young Mohammedan Al- At latest reports the Albanian flag was still banian entered the offic·e of the American Board flying with the flag of Italy. Albania has now a of Commissioners for Foreign Missions in Boston reconstructed government, and, according to and gave a modern Macedonian call: "Come over newspaper accounts, many of the people are jubi- and help us." This touched the heart of the secrelant over having Victor Emanuel III as King and tary of the Board, Dr. James L. Barton, and a Emperor. Albania has lost her brief independ- special fund was raised which enabled the Board ence and she is now related closely with to send out Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy in 1907. While Italy in whatever the future holds. Since the the Turks attempted to prevent the missionaries' Italian occupation of Albania, (April, 1939) there entrance, permission was finally granted on the has been time for some details to filter through basis of American treaty rights. The little school to America. This occupation seems to have been started by Gerasim Kyrias in Kortcha was a veriinevitable due to several years of Italian financial table "cradle of liberty" and was the only girls' aid in the material development of the country. school in the country where the Albanian lan- Moreover dissatisfaction was beginning to be felt guage was taught. Preaching and Sabbath school by many of the Albanians against the Zog regime services in the language of the people were held, in which overtaxed the people. spite of opposition both from the Turkish Govern- ment and from the Moslem and Greek Orthodox The Rev. Edwin Jacques, another Evangelical leaders. From time to time Albanians have conmissionaries, says in his "postscript" to a recent fessed their faith in Christ and have been received circular letter (written before the occupation), into the little Evangelical circle. The occupation "To quiet Moslem forebodings airplanes yester- of southern Albania, during the Balkan War made it necessary for the missionaries to leave, but the * Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy, the founders of the Albanian Evangelical way was opened to do relief work among the starving and dying Moslem refugees in the north, MiSSion, are now in America, having passed over to their fellow with headquarters in Durazzo. After four or five miSSionaries, Messrs. Jacques and Konrad, all the property held by them, both mission and private. Their address is 332 West 12th Street, New York. They expect to work among Albanian communities in America and are ready to accept speaking engagements.
-EDITOR.
[359 ]
years' absence, while the World War was still in Two young missionary couples, Rev. and Mrs. progress, the Kennedys were able to re-enter Kortcha, and soon the attendance at the re-opened Edwin Jacques and Rev. and Mrs. Arthur W. school and at the Evangelical services was larger than before. Konrad were added to the staff and are now con- The income of the American Board being in- ducting the mission. adequate they decided to withdraw from Albania in 1922, expecting that another board would take While the great need in Albania today is to over the work, but this was not done. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy therefore decided to conduct the reach tre Moslems, there is also a call to teach work on interdenominational lines and founded the Evangelical Mission as an independent "Faith" the unenlightened Roman Catholic and Greek work in 1923. The so-called Kyrias School, having been moved to Tirana, the capital, a new school Orthodox Christians. Albanians are "very reliwas established in Kortcha and village evangelistic services were carried on regularly. When the gious" but their religion is largely outward and independent State was formed, the Albanian language could be taught without the protection of formal. Those who have had a real experience the American flag so that many, who were not vitally interested in the dospel, lost their interest of Christ are deeply concerned for the salvation in the mission. Nevertheless the school grew so that it was necessary to add more rooms and em- of their fellow Albanians. ploy additional teachers. The Bible was regularly taught in all classes three times a week and new The country has passed through many political . members were added to the Evangelical circle. Later, with the growth of nationalism, the Al- changes under Turkish, Greek, French, Albanian banian Government was influenced to close all private schools, including the mission school. The and now Italian flags. What this new change may prejudice of the people has been dispelled, and more time can be devoted to distinct evangelism. mean for Evangelical work is known only to God.
Certain it is that the Albanian people need the clear Gospel message, proclaimed by the power of the Spirit of God. .
Some day there may be a Christian mass move- ment in Albania, for many are dissatisfied with empty religious forms and superstition. They are "almost persuaded" to become real followers of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and to accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. They are a noble race of people, and hold a strategic position in the Bal- kans. Shall we not give them the entire Bible in their language, and evangelize this field while it is yet day? The night cometh in Europe and the Near East, when no man can work.
Liberty and Religion in Red Russia * By COLONEL F. J. MILES, D.S.O., O.B.E., V.D.
International Secretary of the Russian Missionary Society, Inc.
N UMERICALLY, the Russians form the tive Committee viewed with alarm the lack of in- greatest white race in the world, 210 mil- crease due to licensed lasciviousness, reduced it to lion people. Of these approximately 180 latitude, and by law abolished liberty and free millions live within the borders of Soviet Russia, provision of hospitals and surgeons for the pera tract of territory so vast that it stretches from formance of certain operations. The year that Europe to the Pacific; from the White Sea to the the alteration took place making the operation Black, from the Baltic to the Balkans; so huge illegal, the population grew by four and a half that when it is twelve noon in Moscow it is seven million. It is anticipated that the futur·e normal o'clock in the evening at Vladivostock. In this increase will be at the rate of seven million per land, which covers one-sixth of the earth's sur~ annum, until in 1970 there will be three hundred face, one-fourth of Asia and one-third of Europe, million resident in the U. S. S. R. Lenin's widow there dwell 170 races speaking 120 different is leading a journalistic campaign and nation-wide tongues and dialects. There are White Russians movement in fayor of large families. and Little Russians; .Cossacks and Caucasians; Georgians and Ukrainians, and the like. The laws concerning religion govern the whole of the Federated Soviet States. It is, of course, The population was increasing at the rate of true that the farther one gets from the capital three million per annum, until the Central Execu- cities the more likelihood there is that laws will not be so strictly observed. For instance, I vis- • From the E'IIamgeUoal O'hristi<z.n, Jamlary. 1939.
LIBERTY AND RELIGION IN RED RUSSIA
ited a collective farm in the Don Cossack country. mummified bodies lying side by side in the Cathe- The village was still called by its· old Czarist name dral of St. Isaac in Leningrad. The centre one -Alexander the Second! But the collective farm is a "saint," and the outside two are a peasant that included it as its centre, and on which all the man and woman. The stage is set to show that not villagers worked was styled "October 25th"! I sainthood, but chemical processes were responmanaged to "lose myself" from the Field Briga- sible for the preservation. Moreover, into the dier, who made it his business to carefully shep- hand of a corpse lying in the Russian coffin, which herd me around, and I wandered down the village has casket and lid of equal depths, there was street "visiting." placed a Greek Orthodox passport to heaven, printed in Archaic Greek. This had to be pur- One cleanly-clad housewife called me into her chased from the priest and without it there was home where I found in the living-room five ikons, no hope of the departed entering paradise! In the and in the adj oining bedroom another two, each first instance, persecution was directed against with its little red lamp burning beneath it. I this church which was characterized by creed, found that nearly every worker on this intensely ceremonial, crude teaching, and too often not by communistically named farm was still living reli- Christian character. giously as in the old "Holy Russia," and that the bulk of the people, in spite of the five-day week, The Stundists were given a freedom, under were actually worshipping in the little church which they increased with such remarkable rabuilding of the Greek Orthodox Church every sev- pidity that the Central Executive Committee beenth day. came alarmed. They reasoned that the church of these Christians who refused to participate in The American secular press has been misled party politics or to bear arms, was necessarily into stating that the new constitution affords reli- opposed to the Bolshevic plan for world-wide antigious liberty to Soviet citizens. The conditions religious communistic dominion. Their rapid inremain as they were before the draft sent out to crease was, therefore, a menace to the Soviet plan. the Soviets in February, was "adopted" in No- So the forces of persecution were focused upon vember of 1936, and became law on January, 1937. them. No Christian is persecuted as such and Articles 124 and 125 provide for "liberty for anti- no evangelist is banished merely for preaching religious propaganda" and "freedom to perform the Gospel. They are charged as counter revoreligious rites." News editors did not sense the lutionaries. But. facts are stubborn things. Forworld of difference between the two. It simply meant that elderly folk who still clung to their merly we had sixty-six consecrated Russian evanreligious ceremonial could continue to follow it. gelists within the U. S. S. R. Today only five are left and they are in exile. None of the "liquidated" The revolt, while :;tgainst all religion, was in the men ever engaged in any counter-revolutionary first place a revolution against the National Or- propaganda or activity. Before me are the rethodox Church. From the standpoint of the anti- ports for August, 1938. (1) In the Far East God and anti-religious hosts, it was justified. a purge of Baptist churches is taking place There were notable exceptions, as in the case of and the leaders are being charged as "Japanese the Patriarch Tikhon, and the Metropolitan Ben- spies." This is in harmony with the procedure in jamin, the one dying in prison and the other being the West where evangelists and pastors were shot. Before the tribunal the Metropolitan said, exiled· or shot as German spies. (2) Baptist "If I must die, I will die as a Christian." But the groups in Tolka have been "liquidated." Tolka is old Russian Church was largely led by illiterate in the Caucasus. (3) Baptists in the Caucasus and immoral men like that "holy devil of Russia" were accused of (a) hindering the election of -Rasputin. Priests in the provinces actually Stalin candidates at the recent elections; and taught the people that the bodies of believers were (b) conducting religious. propaganda among the immortal, and that when a believer died the body hospital workers of the district. (4) A Baptist remained intact until the judgment day! They pastor of twenty years' standing in one of the exhibited bodies of saints in glass cases in their oldest churches in the autonomous Udmurpk Rechurches. When the revolution came, the anti- public was arrested as a German spy. (5) Evanreligious hosts opened the graves and disclosed gelistic groups in the Crimea were "liquidated." that they only contained decomposing bones. They smashed the glass cases and revealed that the It seems strange that in a land where capital bodies of saints were "fakes." Not all; for the punishment has been abolished hundreds of men ground beneath the monastery of Pechersk at are being shot daily. The military and naval lead- Kieff, the ancient capital of Russia and the pres- ers are shot so that they may be replaced by noment capital of the Ukraine, has the property of inees of Stalin and Company. I ventured to ask preserving bodies interred therein. The monks a City Magistrate in his Chambers in Mosco.w how were quick to take advantage of this and instituted he explained this anomaly. Indignantly he couna mummy factory. • . . 1J'here are three complete tered, "But we do not hang people up and leave
them hanging till they die; we shoot them in- in 1936, twenty-seven in 1937; there are less tostantly and put an end to their misery." And I day. The last German Lutheran Church was found that this university trained man, who had closed in August, 1938, when the pastor died. In taken a juridical course, really believed this. A Omsk, Siberia, with a population of two and a few weeks later I was on the lower Volga, and two quarter million, only three churches remain open. Scotch ladies, traveling first-class, were being con- In a town on the lower Volga, with a population ducted by a Girl Guide interpreter. She told them of eighty thousand, five churches were open when this same story. I had several conversations with I visited it a couple of years back: two Greek her, as we were several days on the boat. During Orthodox, two Roman Catholic, and one German the recent winter she had passed an examination Lutheran. For all practical purposes they might in an additional language, so was receiving an as well be closed. The vital religious work in that extra fifty rubles a month pay, and had been pre- community is being carried on in private circles sented with an English up-to-date edition of a of Brethren, Baptists and Evangelical Christians. work by Frederick Engels in which it was claimed that during the previous year in the Brit- Some reports appear in the press of churches ish Isles, men were banished for life to convict settlements overseas for poaching rabbits, and being full. hanged for stealing sheep. I published excerpts There are enough elderly folk (with whom the from this work in the British Press. Noone has dared to attempt to refute what I wrote. Soviet cannot be bothered-"They'll die off soon, anyway") to fill the buildings that still remain Effect of Censorship open at Easter, and at the three-day Christmas (January 6th) of which Greek Orthodox churches Lamentable ignorance of conditions in Russia make so much. But in the few churches remainand in the other lands is due to the censorship ing open, what can be done? The pastor may which is, applied both in and out of the U. S. S. R. preach on the premises, but nowhere else. He is For instance, no paper, periodical, or magazine taken up for interrogation periodically, and comes Duhlished abroad is permitted to enter Russia. out of the ordeal a nervous wreck. No literature The population gets its ideas concerning "starv- is allowed on the premises except such as is absoing and revolting peoples" of other lands from lutely needful for the conduct of worship. No government controlled papers, in order that by meetings may be held for women or young people. contrast they may be the more content with the It is a criminal offence to gather three young peo- Soviet regime. All who regularly write or are ple under the age of eighteen to teach them reliwritten to come under suspicion. I have before gion. No teacher is permitted to enter any place me a communication from K– asking us not of worship. No social service may be rendered, to write more at present. Believers and others lest by so doing the church should influence those under suspicion are tortured to secure confes- helped to become religious. The church is under sions; nothing to eat or drink; no sleep-terrible! a graduated tax that is increased periodically till, It is such torture that induces wholesale confes- in spite of severest sacrifice, it can no longer be sions of "counter revolutionaries." There have paid; then automatically the Soviet takes over been many positive acts against religion. Church the building because those using Government buildings were taken over by the Government. All property have not paid their dues. It is all quite private property was nationalized, including the lawful and legitimate! !! If the pastor dies, no churches. Like so many other communistic prin- successor may be elected and the church is liquiciples the abolition of private property has broken dated. The German Lutheran Church at Gorki down in practice. For instance, Cooperatives are (Nizni-Novgorod) has been closed for this reason allowed to erect buildings and sell the apartments for years. Apparently the local Soviet has no use to their members. Most of the church buildings for the building. were closed and converted to secular uses such as bureaus, workshops, factories, apartments, clubs, In one city where we bought land and erected a kolkhos (stores for collective farms), public con- building wherein thousands of souls were saved, veniences, etc. "Dom Evangelia" in Leningrad our people were expelled, but permitted to conis a workers' club. for the men who make nails in tinue to meet twice in what we call one week, in a the metal factory opposite. The cathedrals of St. hall attached to a former Greek Orthodox Church Isaac in Leningrad, of St. Basil in the Red Square building which they shared with followers of anof Moscow, and that of St. Andrew in Kieff are other persuasion. Needing this, the local Soviet anti-God and anti-religious, museums. turned them out. They have been driven from pillar to post, hampered, hindered, harassed-yet Of 1636 Greek Orthodox churches in Moscow on the 29th day of January last year, in one meetbefore the revolution, thirty only were left open ing they baptized fifty converts on profession of faith.
Since May, 1929, the Bible has been banned. It is a criminal offence in Soviet Russia to print,
publish, circulate or distribute the Word of God 87 per cent of the Russian population were illitor any portion of it. We printed the largest edi- erate. Now only 14 per cent are, and in the intion of Russian Bibles that ever came off the press dustrial areas, only 8 per cent. But every day 25 -81,000 copies. Before the officials became so million children going to school are taught that alert we sent copies back by the lumbermen who there is no God; never was. a Creator, and are brought the rafts and logs down the rivers to the subject to such caricatures of Christianity, and border states. Our men carried them over the such blasphemous cartoons of Christ that I canborder at dead of night, taking their lives in their not bring myself to describe them. No teacher in hands every time they crossed. In markets far school, college, or university is permitted to enter away from Moscow bidding may proceed for a any place of worship. And yet all over Soviet few mushrooms spread out on a bag-but the real Russia today there are sporadic outbursts of reobject is under the bag, a second-hand Bible or vival among young people (over 50 percent of Testament. When the government said in effect the population, i. e., all the young people, have -"You shall not have the Book in your hands," passed through these schools), and especially the Believers replied, "Then we'll put it into our among young men in the factories, so the local heads and enthrone it on our hearts." So they leaders are sending to Moscow asking that special studied and committed to memory the Sacred speakers be sent to combat the religious revival. Word. Now, when they gather round our evangelists in "bears' caves," they repeat passages of I dare not close this article without giving evi- Scripture and so illumine and inspire, instruct, dence of the truthfulness of the above, from offiexhort, and "comfort one another with these cial Soviet sources, lest I be charged with rowords." mancing.
There is no food shortage in Russia in Europe Lunarcharsky, former Commissar of Education today, though sometimes failure in distribution in the Central Executive Committee, issued a occurs. There is still shortage in Russia in Asia, manifesto in which he stated: and we still need to send food parcels. to Christians and banished evangelists in concentration camps We hate Christians. Even the best of them must be rein the Far East. Nothing but our food parcels garded as our worst enemies. They preach love to one's stands between them and starvation. Until food neighbors and pity, which is contrary to our principles ( !). tickets and ration cards were abolished no priest, Christian love is a hindrance to the development of the rabbi, moulvic, pastor, evangelist, editor of reli- revolution. Down with love for one's neighbors. What we gious pamphlets, or tradesman dealing in any re- want is hatred. We must know how to hate, for only at ligious article, nor his wife or family, was per- this price can we conquer the universe. We have done with mitted to have a ticket or card. Thousands who the kings of the earth, let us deal with the Kings of the wished to be loyal to the Lord "whom not having skies. All religions are poison. They intoxicate and deaden seen (they) love," were living on the bark and the mind, the will, the conscience (!). A fight to the death roots of trees, on nettle grass, and on field mice. must be declared upon religion. Our task is to destroy all kinds of religion, all kinds of morality. In spite of these conditions there has been, and still is, a real religious revival. Let him tell us how they succeeded. Trud, whieh means "labor," is the chief workers' organ; In the U. S. S. R. one evangelist, now in exile, Comsomolska Pravda is "Truth for Youth"; in three months, in three villages far from the Pravda, meaning "Truth," is the chief organ of capital, baptized 450 converts. Next spring he the Communist Party; while Izvestia, "News," is baptized 154 more in two months. Then he went that of the Government. In Southern Russia it is to prison for a technical offence in connection with said that there is no news in the Truth, and no preaching. Not to the Solovetsky Islands, the truth is the News. Writing in Izvestia in 1929 most rigorous imprisonment in the world, but to on the basis of the figures of his own department, a "house of re-education," in which the offenders Lunarcharsky affirmed that in 1917 there were are .given a good time, to induce them to come out only 700,000 members of the Communist Party, good supporters of the Soviet regime. Freedom but in 1927 they had grown to 1,700,000. But in therein enabled our man to preach to those who 1917 there were only 100,000 Stundists, and in would not have listened to him outside, also to hold 1927 over six millions. The Christians had outprayer meetings. Several prisoners were con- lived, outwitnessed, and outnumbered the Comverted. When he was discharged he found that munists by six to one, and this in spite of Governhis wife had carried on so effectively during his ment support of the latter, and satanic and Soviet incarceration that he had to baptize another 12'6 opposition of the former. converts. The Party Commander of the Bezbojniks (the The greatest achievement of the Soviets has Godless), Em. Yaroslavsky, has recently published been in the realm of education. Before the revolt an explanation which is an apology for failure in the Scientific Journal, Antireliginoznik. In it he has to confess that about two-thirds of the rural
pop1l1ation, and one-third of that in the towns, the ministers of the cult must be viewed as fraudstill continue faithful to religion. He admits that ulent members of the Party. All our skill must while the Government can prohibit support of the consist in systematically and unremittingly de- Church, and separate the Church and the school priving the Church of its head; in striking the by decree, "a decree is powerless to efface reli- blow at the Shepherd and alluring the sheep into gious ·conception"; "being deprived of an edifice our own stable" (sic!). has not killed the religious feeling of believers," and even "the Pioneers frequent the Church in There is one reason why the anti-religious hosts great numbers." He claims. that the coercive have failed. Jesus said, "On this Rock (faith in measures have been a mistake: they have failed; Christ as the Son of God) I will build my church and concludes that "The masses must be tamed by and the gates of hades shall not prevail against kindness." But–"We must outroot religion, and it" (Matt. 16: 18). My Master always keeps His word.
Forty Years' Progress in Latin America By REV. WEBSTER E. BROWNING, New York Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions; For Forty Years a Missionary in South America I N THESE chaotic moder:::J. times, forty years United States flag was seldom seen on the few constitute as long a period in the life of a na- ships which then made the run to South America. tion as in the life of an individual. Changes, The investment of North American capital, could rapid and cataclysmic, occur, even in the coun- not have exceeded a few hundred millions in all tries that have been fully organized for centuries Latin America. In 1937, the total investment was and whose traditions and form of government ap- reported to be about $6,500,000,000. pear to be crystallized and unshakable. In younger nations, such as those of Latin America such 2. Politically-Few governments of the very changes, though less sudden and dramatic com- young republics were then more than oligarchies. pared with those of Europe during past years, are A small number of families, in each of them, connevertheless well defined and epoch-making. sidered the presidency and other public offices their peculiar right and saw to it that the power The writer of this article journeyed to Latin was kept within their limited circle. As an illus- America, for the first time, more than 40 years ago, tration, one lady, known to the writer, was the and, except for occasional visits to the homeland, daughter, the sister and the wife of a President lived all that time south of the equator. He has of her country. Today, though not to the same dethus been able to note the changes in the commer- gree in all the republics, the democratic form of cial, political and religious life of the peoples of government prevails, and most of them, like Arthose lands which have marked their slow but gentina, Brazil and Chile, merit the high esteem sure progress toward equal standing with the in which they are held by the peoples of Europe older peoples of Europe and North America. A and North America. brief description of some of these changes may be of interest. 3. Culturally-Public instruction has made great advance and the formerly high percentage 1. Economically-Forty years ago, the immense of analphabets has been correspondingly reduced. natural resources of Latin America lay practically The oldest university of Latin America was founduntouched. The great modern industries of min- ed 56 years before the first permanent English ing, cattle-raising, the elaboration of nitrate; settlement w:as made in North America, and 85 banking, railways, manufactures, shipping, the years before John Harvard made possible the importation of machinery and automobiles, and institution that bears his name. Today, the best of other commercial activities-all these were but these universities equal those of the United States in their infancy. The United States, in particular, or Europe as centers of learning, and the intellechad not attempted to discover in those lands a tual spire of Latin America is as high as our own, market for its excess products. There was not a though it is more slender. In the learned profes- North American bank south of Mexico, and the sions, especially in law and medicine, are found
19391 FORTY YEARS' PROGRESS IN LATIN AMERICA
men and women of the highest professional prep- As a result of this exclusionist policy, when aration, fully the equals of their colleagues in evangelical missions began to extend their work with greater earnestness and conviction, forty or other lands. more years ago, they found certain conditions 4. Religiously-The pioneers and founders of which had to be overcome if that work was to be successful. Among these were the following: the colonies of Spain in the New World differed from those who laid the foundations of religious life in what is now the territory of the United (a) There was no liberty of worship. Free States of America. The groups that came to those thought was in itself considered heretical; the shores, Catholic and Protestant alike, were simply press was under the absolute control of the seeking a place where, quietly and unostentatious- Church, and, in some of the most backward coun- ly, they might worship God according to the dic- tries, death was the legal penalty for adherence to tates of their own consciences. Spanish discover- any religion other than that of the dominant ers and conquistadores, in the lands that now con- Church.
stitute what we call Latin America, were of a (b) There was no civil marriage law. The only more militant mold and sought to establish not legal ceremony was that performed by a priest of only the power of the King whom they represented the State Church; children of those otherwise but also that of their particular Chm'ch. They wedded were ipso facto considered illegitimate. flung to the breeze not only the colors of Ferdi- Even Protestant missionaries, wedded on the field, nand and Isabel, King and Queen of Castile and were required to secure the services of a friendly Aragon, but also those of the Supreme Pontiff priest. To satisfy their own consciences, they of Rome. Even the sails of the caravels of Chris- might have another ceremony performed by a topher Columbus and of less worthy conquista- Protestant minister, but this latter ceremony had dores who came after him, had imprinted upon no legal significance whatsoever. them the figure of the cross and the words, "with this sign you will conquer." Columbus is said to (c) There were no civil cemeteries. The bodies have considered his name Christopher, "Christ- of deceased dissenters were thrown into the sea, bearer," a good omen, and historians tell us that or were buried surreptitiously by night in some his hope was to secure funds from the newly unfrequented spot. About the middle of the past acquired lands in order to finance another crusade century, a progressive Mayor in one of the South against the Turks. American capitals when converting a hitherto' undeveloped hill i,nto a park, found at its base a In view of this deeply religious motive that in- collection of human bones, and on the site placed spired and encouraged the Spanish pioneers in Latin America, which was largely in conformity a tablet with the inscription, "To the memory 0/ with the spirit of the times, in both Roman Catholic and Protestant lands, it is not strange that the exiled from heaven and earth who were buried the type of Christianity which became the official in this place." religion of the Colonies of Spain, and, afterward, of the younger republics that grew out of those (d) Possession and reading of the Bible was proscribed by the Church itself and, under the in- fluence of the Church, by officials of the State. A colonies, should have been ultra-fanatical, ex- customs officer in Ecuador, toward the end of the tremely jealous of its own prerogatives, and dis- past century, refused to admit a box of Christian Scriptures; pointing toward one of the towering posed to resist, to the last degree, the entrance peaks of the nearby Andes, he said, "So long as and propagation of the beliefs of any other sect Chimborozo stands, that Book shall not enter this or denomination. The spirit of the Inquisition, country." typical of the religious life of the time, especially in Southern Europe, was deep-rooted. Branches The distressing religious conditions that preof that feared and hated body were set up in vari- vailed in the countries of Latin America a half ous centers, especially in Lima, the capital of the century ago have been narrated in order to show viceroys, and in Cartagena de las Indias, now one the historical background against which we may of the port cities of the modern republic of Colom- throw into clearer light the situation as it is today.
bia. So strong did the Church become, so thor- The former unfortunate conditions have now oughly did it indoctrinate the peoples, that when very largely disappeared-due largely to a closer the colonies, following the lead given by those of contact with Europe and North America, made Great Britain, in North America, and by France, possible, in part at least, by more modern means gave way to republics, at the beginning of the 19th of communication. The changed situation has ·century, the representatives of the Papacy were also been greatly helped by the liberalizing, reflex able to have written into the constitution of the influence of Evangelical missions. Today, in every newly-created states the words, "The religion of one of the 20' republics of Latin America, there is this State is the Holy, Roman, Catholic, Apostolic, complete freedom of worship; the only legal mar- to the exclusion of all others." riage ceremony is that performed by an official of
the State; cemeteries are open to the dead of all friendly eye and are evidently willing to forget faiths or of none; and the Bible is widely and some episodes of the past in which the "big stick" freely circulated. In one South American republic, played too prominent a part. Brazil, there is now an estimated total of 1,500,000 Evangelical Christians; in all there is a steadily Probably no part of the world has made such growing National Evangelical Church which is economic and cultural advance in the past forty willing to cooperate in many respects with the years in a quiet and natural way as have the nainfinitely stronger, dominant, ecclesiastical organ- tions of Latin America. And their history is still ization, for the spiritual instruction and upbuild- in the making. Millions of Europeans, seeking ing of the people. refuge or the opportunity to better their condi- tions of life are wistfully turning their faces 5. Internationally-There is today a much bet- toward the great open spaces of Argentina and ter understanding between the Government, and, Brazil. Many thousands have already entered hence, the people of the United States of Ameri- those and other Latin American countries, where ca, and the governments and peoples of the other they have established homes and have begun a new countries of the Western hemisphere. Instead of life under more liberal conditions. The Christian the former policy of occupying a country with forces of North America, especially the Evangel- United States marines, in order to establish our ical churches, have a great opportunity to aid conception of what we considered law and order, these incoming thousands, making it possible for or exerting economic pressure to encompass our them not only to secure the right to liberty and own ends, a more modern and more Christian the pursuit of happiness, but also to surround "good neighbor" policy has been adopted and has themselves and their descendants with the spirbeen well received by all Latin American govern- itual blessings that flow from a free Church in a ments. Their people now look on us with a more free land.
Queen Salote of Tonga K ING GEORGE VI of Great Britain sent the lieves in the tenets of Christianity, but is most following message to the queen of Tonga, energetic in seeing that her beliefs find practical a Pacific Island, on the occasion of the expression in the daily life. With her, "Faith twentieth anniversary of her accession to the without works is dead." She is a constant attendthrone of Tonga. He said in part: ant at divine service, is a class leader, and is al- ways present at the regular meetings of the Chris- "The period of your reign has been one of tian Endeavor Society. Not only has Queen Salote steady and peaceful progress in the development advanced the interests of her people in the mateof your kingdom. Medical and health services rial sphere, but she has also, by her Christian life have been extended, educa.tional facilities have and character, provided them with a splendid been increased, roads have been built, and com- example of Christian living. munication between the islands has been improved by the provision of wireless stations. And The great event of the celebration took place in these achievements, of which your majesty may the large public square where gathered about four be justly proud, have been effected without in any thousand school children, as well as the Royal way sacrificing the financial stability of your Guards and Band. kingdom." Then came one of the finest sights of the day- Twenty years ago, as a young girl of eighteen, the march of four thousand school children, Queen Salote Tubou succeeded to the throne of carrying Tongan flags in their hands. Tonga. During the years intervening since that time, by her wise and statesmanlike rule, her The queen then departed, and as her car passed keen, unfailing interest in the well-being of her through the lines of children, she was hailed with subjects and her many excellent personal quali- hearty cheering and the waving of flags. Even ties, she has endeared herself to the people of her after she had returned to the palace the public land. How deeply enshrined she is in their hearts enthusiasm could not be restrained. The Tubou might well be gauged by the remarkable demon- boys entered the palace grounds, followed by the stration of loyalty and affection displayed by them other schools and the general public, until a crowd on October 11 of last year, the commemoration of of several thousands had collected. Her Majesty's the twentieth anniversary of her accession. appearance on the balcony and acknowledgment were the signal for more vociferous greeting. Queen Salote is known throughout the king- -By "The Wayfarer" in The Missionary Review dom as a sincere Christian, one who not only be- (Australia) .
Story for
Tony Finds Two Friends and it seemed wonderful to Tony room where Tony lay. His broth- to be able to help. As he snipped ers and sister were standing by By VIOLET WOOD, New York off the beans he thought of the his bed and to each one the nurse "Won't you leave your chil- time when his father had worked gave a glass of milk. dren with me, Mrs. Rossetti?" in the city, while his mother the nurse at the Center invited. stayed home and took care of As Tony's mother took her them. Suddenly there had been glass she spoke excitedly to the Mrs. Rossetti turned to Tony, no more work. A friend had told boy. Tony laughed, "My mothher ten-year-old son, to interpret his father of the need for bean er says you have nets over the for her. When she understood pickers and they had packed all babies' cradles to keep the flies what the nurse had said, Mrs. their belonging$. in a truck and away just as she used to have in Rossetti shook her head and had come to this big farm. Now the city." gathered her three small chil- father was sick for he had dren about her. worked too hard the first few "Ask her to leave you all with days. me tomorrow? You can go back "You could stay, too, Tony," to the fields in a few days, but the nurse said to the boy, "and At noon Mrs. Rossetti took it would be nice if you could stay help me take care of them." out of her blouse a paper bag and here a little while. Your broth- gave them all cold biscuits for ers and sister will love it." "I gotta pick beans," respond- lunch. She and the children ed,Tony. went on picking beans as they When Tony told his mother ate. But Tony could not eat his she nodded happily, as she fin- When Tony told his mother biscuit. Something was wrong. ished her milk and went back to what the nurse had said, the lit- His head felt as if it were float- the field. tle group passed the Center and ing away. But he kept on pickwent out towards the field. Tony ing, hoping that the funny feel- The nurse brought in some noticed several women leave ba- ing would pass. He suddenly picture books for Tony. One of bies and small children at the fainted. them was a beautiful "Life of Center. He shrugged. Who knew Jesus," and, as the nurse exwhat would be done to them in When Mrs. Rossetti called for plained some of the pictures the that place! Tony's family had help two men came over and car- boy looked up suddenly, and been at the migrant camp only a ried the boy to the Center. When said: "Then I have found two few days and he had no idea of new friends today!"
the loving care, the nice lunches, the nurse came she patted Tony's Making Use of This Story the toys and the Bible stories mother on the shoulder and in a few minutes he opened his eyes that were provided for the chil- and tried to smile. "You just The plight of the migrant is not well dren of the migrant workers. lie here for a little while and enough known by many people and yet soon you'll be quite all right. it is a great social problem in Amer- Down the long lanes between I'll bring you a nice glass of milk ica. Because the parents lose their the rows of bean poles the lit- in a few minutes. Tell your legal residence by so much traveling, tle family went, snipping off the mother I would like to show her the children get insufficient food, imbeans as they moved. Every- our little home here." proper shelter, no medical and dental body helped fill the baskets. care and very little schooling. When one was filled Mrs. Rosset- Tony translated this for his ti carried it to the weigher who mother, whose eyes shone with The Council of Women for Home checked the number of pounds gratitude. Missions has Centers in many states against her name. and has done a wonderful piece of The hot sun beat down upon The nurse beckoned to Mrs. work with the children. Excellent the men, women and children Rossetti and took her into an- material on the migrant is found in working on either side of Tony other room where babies lay the pamphlet, "They Starve That We and his mother. Although many sleeping in little cradles. In an- May Eat," compiled by Edith Lowry were thirsty they could not stop other room little boys and girls, and published by the Missionary Edueven for a drink of water. Every just like her own, were playing cation Movement (35 cents.) moment of daylight counted, and together at sand tables and with if they were to make enough blocks. In one corner a teacher money to buy food they must be was reading stories to the older Questions quick. boys and girls. All the children What would you lose if you had no home, no school, no church? Tony's back ached, but he was seemed very happy. bigger than his brothers and sis- In the kitchen Mrs. Rossetti What are some of the crops that ter and he could not stop to rest. watched the nurse fill five glass- migrants gather?
He must go on like his mother. es with milk. Putting them on Are migrant workers necessary in His father lay sick in the tent a tray she carried them to the America?
[367 ]
Ways of W9rking
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home hDITED BY GRACE W. MCGAVRAN, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA Enlisting a Congregation for and throb of enduring purpose as Pete and with a memorable in- they witness Christian romance scription was unveiled. The MissionEsdTuhcarotiuognh*Visual in China (yes, indeed, there is film also gives a glimpse of lep- high Christian romance in China ers' suffering, and of lepers who "Seeing is believing" is an old today, especially today), or a adage. But rich old warp woven great mass meeting of untouch- have been helped. into today's tapestries gives pat- ables in India, or a frightened At the close of the showing of terns of beauty, luster and value. African youth witness his moth- er's slow death at the hands of this film in the city church the If every Christian at home the witch doctor and his deter- pastor arose and said, "I have could visit and see the mission mination to run away and find today had a new vision of this fields, their opportunities, their the secret of the doctor who talks great work. I think everyone needs, their returns for service, and acts with love at his Christhe weaving of the pattern of tian "medicine house" in the for- of· our Sunday school classes Christ into the lives of peoples, est clearing. should have one of these pig not much time or money would banks. I suggest that all of our need to be spent on promotion A few weeks ago the film, Sunday school offering next Sunwork for Christianity. In the "A Million Dollar Pig," taken by day go to the leper work and I entanglement of threads in our nromise to find means of matchpattern here in our own land we the American Mission to Lepers, ing, dollar for dollar, all that are prone to grow discouraged, was shown in a large city church. the Sunday school gives." He feeling it improbable that there It tells the story of how a ten- felt as we had felt after visiting are other spots on the earth year-old boy, Wilbur, sad be- the many leper colonies on our where the Christ pattern is be- cause his mother had been able African way during the past ing distinctly and clearly woven. to furnish support for only nine lepers instead of ten, bought a months. If we cannot see these remote little pig with three dollars Films from mission fields are places, the next best step is to which had been given him. The have them brought to us by the children 0 f the community goingto be increasingly available medium of the motion picture- joined in feeding the pig, all the in the days ahead. The 1938 as nearly life-like a portrayal as time envisioning that pig as Africa Film Project has already can be had outside the actual bringing smiles to the face of released its first 3-Reel, 16 mm. experience. Christianity has not some weary leper. It was finally film, "Ngono and Her People." been in haste to take on this won- sold for twenty-five dollars and It movingly tells the life of a derfully convincing method, feel- the money was sent to help a typical African girl. In it one ing perhaps a worldliness about little leper boy of Siam. Out of really lives in the life of a girl of the very utterance of "movies." this experience came the idea of Africa; feels the heartache of a But at last, after the field of edu- the "pig banks," over 100,000 of ten-year-old child torn from her cation recognized why the "eye which have been distributed in mother and sent to harem life; witness" medium so grasped the America. They have brought in feels the fear of the jungle world public, Christians have over one million dollars to aid where she hides, the ,doubtful come to realize that these same the lepers of the world. Then the eyes may prove to be inlets to film shows the twenty-fifth anni- serenity in the hands of her the hearts and souls of vast num- versary of the event of Wilbur missionary rescuers, the school bers of people. Eyes that make and his pig, "Pete," as it was life, the romance of true love, hearts thrill and throb over which "never smooth did run" scenes of intrigue or love may celebrated in Wilbur's little home in Africa either, the power of also stir those hearts to the thrill town of White Cloud, Kansas. Over one thousand people there, the Christian life and all the • We are indebted to Mrs. Emory Ross including Chief White Cloud and problems it brings, as again she for this fine article. She last year accom- his tribe, honored Wilbur, now a meets the witch doctor and his panied her husband, who is pxecutive secre- successful engineer still giving wiles. As the last scene fades tary of th" American Mission to Lepers, on of himself and his money to help you feel that you have been in a trip to Africa to see many of the institu- lepers. A bronze tablet, erected Africa and you know that Christions aided by that Society. She was former- in his honor, with Wilbur and tian missions pay. You have ly a missionary in the C?n~o and .is now seen with your own eye. an active promoter of mISSIonary Interest [368 ] in America. Another six or eight films are being prepared on various phas- es of Africa, her life, her importance in the world, the impact of and explain some things which more careful showing of one? civilization upon her, the need will otherwise be without mean- Take time to slow down the ac- for Christianity to keep pace. ing. But announce that after tion where it is necessary. You Among the scenarios* are "The the first running there will be a will need to go over the film at World's Stake in Africa," "Chil- second, during which any ques- least once with the operator, be- dren of Africa," "A Day in an tions or comments may be of- fore it is shown in the program African Village," ""Bwamba"- fered. Plan time to do this, so in order to decide where the mo- (the life of a typical African that no one will have a sense of tion should be slowed, and how boy) , and "How an African being rushed. Offer to run it much. As you show it, be very Tribe is Ruled." through a third time for those sure to remark when you do so: Yes, today the home church who would like to see it again, "We will slow down at this may see the foreign field, and after the meeting has been dis- point," having explained before seeing, may she believe the more missed. hand the purpose of slowing and hasten to make the pattern Slow Motion in Using a Movie down. Otherwise you may leave Christian in those lands yet in the impression that the people the loom.-Myrta Pierson Ross. The label on the film case read, filmed are lazy or slow in their "Twenty minutes will be re- movements. quired to show this film." A Informal Use of a Movie group of people, planning to use It is needless to say that some films in their churches, had bor- films will not gain by such treat- The parents of a missionary rowed from the mission board ment. Use good judgment in dereceived, in their very ordinary ciding when to use normal speed mid-west town, a package from an entire set of five on the coun- and when not to do so. their children. It was a one-reel try the churches were studying, film, showing the missionary son and were giving a sort of pre- Remember that some projecand daughter setting up camp view so as to be able to present tors make a lot of noise. Whoin a village, taking part in a them more intelligently from ever reads the accompanying lec- time to time. They started im- ture, or prepares a talk to go church service, giving treatment mediately after lunch to have with the showing, should have a to a baby with sore eyes, walk- them run through. voice easily heard over the noise ing in their garden and romping of the machine. Nine o'clock that evening with the grandchildren who had found them reluctantly re-wind- Newer Stereopticon Pictures been mere babies the last time ing the last film. What had hapthey were home. pened? They found that while Color cameras have brought the speed required to run the into the field of stereopticon With what delight the aging film through in twenty minutes slides something a great deal parents viewed the scenes, as was quite correct for .seeing that more vivid and delightful than their beloved ones moved before which is familiar, it was too fast we have had before. Slides can them. The missionary women of to give them time to see what be made directly from the color the church, naturally, borrowed happened in scenes and actions film. No tinting of pictures with the film. The showing was made quite unfamiliar to them. They the colors running into each othinto a gala occasion. The film therefore slowed the running to er, or failing to join! Furtherwas run through once. Then a considerable extent. more, the picture-taker, instead it was run through again. Com- of having to remember that he ments and questions rose freely When that was done, they cannot count on color to do for during the showing. Whoever those who are to see the pictures had an idea as to the correct an- could actually see what was hap- what its actual presence is doswer to any question ventured pening. For example, the quick- ing for him, knows now that colit. Then they ran the film ly-run film showed a woman or, almost as he sees it, will be through again. Details that had squatting before a mud cooking- present in his film. escaped notice came to the atten- place, doing something with tion of the women now. Those That opens a much wider pospresent felt as if they had had swift capable hands. The slowed sibility for enjoyment in the use a real visit with their missionary film showed her going through of stereopticon slides on subjects and his family. of missionary interest. To be the process of handling the flat sure there are as yet few sets Are you following that proce- unleavened bread in the three which have been made by the dure when you show a film? Or simultaneous processes of mold- newer processes. But most sets are you having it shown as a ing one cake, while a second was have been vastly improved durformal part of your meeting, to searing and a third was being ing the last year or two, and they be run through once, accompa- baked among the live coals of begin to "tell a story" instead of nied by its lecture or by polite si- the fire. giving a disjointed picture of lence, immediately to be re- places and people. wound, set into its case, and sent Some parts of the film became on its travels? tedious with the slowing up, but During summer months, the the operator was soon able to picture method of becoming ac- If there is a lecture, by all speed up sections which did not quainted with the missionary means have it used. It will help show detailed action, and to slow work of the church is well worth to clear up many puzzling bits, down on those which did.
Instead of rushing through • Not yet available. two films, why not arrange a considering.
For Small Children Pictures article), was sponsored by the each and marked its location Are Best Harmon Foundation and the Af- with a red pin. rica Committee of the Foreign The flicker and movement of Missions Conference of North The study might have gone movie pictures are not any too America. "Song After Sorrow" further, but did not. To atgood for the eyes of the small is another new film which por- tempt to locate all Protestant children. Furthermore very lit- trays the magnificent work in churches in a city the size of tle of the motion pictures, de- one of the leper colonies in theirs would have taken more signed to interest and educate Africa. time than the enterprise was adults, is of value for children worth for that one study. But of pre-school age. Films like the two mentioned there, in visual form, lay the may perhaps be secured from information that, scattered all The nursery and beginner your mission board under the over their city, were many child should not, however, be same conditions as other films of churches which were working to neglected in the use of visual missionary work, or they may be make the city a more Christian education. One of the newest rented from the Harmon Foun- place in which to live. In those pieces of material, specifically dation. "Song After Sorrow," buildings, week after week, men planned for use with them, is may be rented direct from the and women and beiys and girls the picture set "Children and American Mission to Lepers, 156 gathered to study, to worship, Their Toys Around the World." Fifth Avenue, New York. and to have fellowship. It has eight pictures in color, and a leaflet with a short story Investigate the possibilities. Such a visualization of facts to go with each. This publica- Write to your mission board for gives children a real sense of tion of the Friendship Press sells information. Remember that being a part of something which for sixty cents and can be se- the number of copies of each film includes and yet is greater than cured through your denomina- is limited so that requests need their own local church group. It tional book store. to be made well in advance of the expands their horizon. It brings date desired. We know that one to their consciousness, in a way The pictures are directly re- group of films is dated up com- that mere spoken information lated to the child's interests. pletely for four months in cannot do, the realization of Each one shows a child of some advance. Others, not on the forces which are operating toother race or nation, with a toy country of the current study, day to rebuild the world in characteristic of his environ- may not require such advance Christian ways. ment. booking. Try the use of this form of visual education in the Maps, graphs and charts are This set should be part of the near future. We venture to say not to be limited to Juniors equipment of every Nursery and that you will plan to include it alone. They are good for any Beginners department. It might very definitely in your subse- age above Juniors. well be used in each child's own quent study. home. Individual pictures can Consider them for use in your then be hung in turn where the Using Maps with Juniors church or parish house lobby. Or child will enjoy them. in your meetings when you have When a Junior department five minutes to present some in- Sources for Religious and was making a study of The City, formation about missions which Missionary Movies as was suggested in the course, can best be imparted through they used their own city as the this form of visualization. The Most -of those reading these object of their study. small graphs and charts often columns are familiar with the sent out from Board headquarsources of missionary films. The The boys took a big map of ters, in materials for the inforimportant source for any church the town and mounted it on bea- mation of leaders, can easily be is its own missionary board. Ar- ver board. Starting with their enlarged to proportions such as rangements differ. Many mis- own community they set out to to make it possible for a large sionary boards loan the films discover and locate on the map group or an entire congregation free of charge, requiring only the position of the Protestant to see them. Color can be used payment of express charges both churches of their city. When to make them vivid in their enways. There is the additional they found the actual streets larged form, where only black cost of a projector which is running past their own church, and white was used in the printusually rented locally by the a red pin marked the spot on the ed form. church. map! They did the same with other churches of their neighbor- Never leave such materials The Harmon Foundation, 140 hood. Then they went further hanging for more than a week Nassau St., New York, N. Y., is afield. They secured the list of or two. You do not glance at another very important source. the churches of their own denom- that store window where the dis- Their charges are reasonable. ination in their town. What a play is the same week after Some of the Harmon Foundation surprise! Who would have week. Let your people become films have been prepared in co- guessed that in their own city accustomed to finding something operation with certain of the there were so many churches of new, fresh and worthwhile on mission boards. The Africa film, their own group? They located your display wall every week or "Ngono and Her People" (re- so. ferred to by Mrs. Ross in her
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~======~~~==================== WITH THE MIGRANTS IN crops." It was while in "melons" family as they were growing up CALIFORNIA in Imperial that Maria had her and it took more and more and accident. According to her fa- it seemed that he made less and The bountiful state of Cali- ther: less. So at last they joined the fornia with its varying seasons, caravan of folks off to "the land luxuriant farms, and many in- "If I stay few more days to work of promise," California, to seek dustries is faced with the tre- in floods last winter and not go down their fortune. Theirs was a mendous problems. of migrant to Valley, maybe I not have the bad wreck of a car, a truck, with a people-people who trek from luck, but I go. It's cold. That day canvas over the top so that the crop to crop, starving in between our children left alone. This one, mother and children could sleep "prunes" and "cotton" because Maria, she think she make herself there and the father drove as there is never enough to go warm burning paper. She light it. many hours as he could to make around. When it is too hard to It catch her dress. This other one the trip as short as possible-it find food for three scanty meals she want to throw on water, but the took them fourteen days-a four a day, new clothes are out of the burning one, Maria, she scared, she to seven day trip in a decent car. question; and these people are so run out the door all flames till she The trip was made in the pourvery poor! fall; she fainting then. Her sweater, ing rain. They still shudder as it stops the flame from her face. She they remember the terrible ex- To help lighten their burden bur ned so bad, all over front. She in perience of losing a wheel on a and bring some necessary relief, hospital six months. Eighty-seven steep grade, and the "panthers" the Council of Women for Home skin grafts her mother give, but not that they could hear howling in Missions supports missionary much healing. I got no money, but the night, not to mention the nurses who serve these camps. hospital very good. The vallev too fiat tires that had to be fixed on Nursing and visiting the sick, hot for Maria, doctors say I must take the darkest roads. They felt that telling the story of the Gospel to Maria to where is cool; no more let- their crossing the mountains was the children, finding help here, tuce, no more melons, I go north to quite as trying as that of the eargiving help there, from dawn to 'prunes'; I take my family, and for lier "pioneers" of the covered dark they go and always leaving Maria it is cool. The doctor there wagon days. a little hope, a little comfort and say, 'you no live here,' you take Maria a great feeling of friendship. where you live. What I do? Maria They arrived during the mush- cannot live where is the heat; no room season, and, as they had Would you like to meet a few doctor where it is cool. .I feed my never had such a tasty dish they of these families who make their family? I must work. Doctor put living in crops? on one bandage, I keep Maria with me. I do all the best I know. I keep Take the family of John Wil- burn clean with feather. It no get liams-the children: Susanna, better. She seem sick; she no play born in the "grapes"; Maria, in like other children. Her dress, it hurts "melons·" ; E u p hem i a, in her burn, she walked stooped, like old "prunes" ; John, in "lettuce"; lady. We have cot just for her. We Raphael, in "nuts"; Josephine, move to 'cotton,' and you find her. She in "cotton." Truly children of afraid, she shake all over." the crops. Here there is hope expressed in his When the nurse came upon brightened countenance, he is encourthem she saw Maria walking aged, as he continues: very stooped so that her worn thin dress, her only garment, "You nurse, you find her. Her burn would not be touching her open so bad for so long; you come often, sore which covered her abdomen "ou do much for Maria. It take you and thighs. She was frightened long time, many bandages, much work as she stood before the nurse for you, but now Maria she all well. holding her dress away from her God bless you nurse ! We cannot say body with trembling fingers and how much we thank you. Now, no told her story. more cotton, we go to valley for 'let- tuce' and 'melons'; work for me, feed The family took to the road in my family. heat no hurt Maria now 1930 when the father lost his job -she well!" and joined the "Gypsies of the Then there is the White fam- ily from Oklahoma – father, mother, and four children. For ten years Mr. White had been the "handy man" in the little town that was their home. He made sixty to seventy dollars a month. That didn't keep his [371 ]
relished it more than they could cents. Forty men went out and They are healing now. The describe. Just by picking they picked one crate of spinach. druggist was afraid to undertake could have all they wanted to treatment because of the severity eat. But the season was soon A Mexican father doesn't of the burn, but the nurse over and such things are just a know what to do. He asks the "breathes a prayer" and gives memory. nurse. He explains that there is the necessary treatment for it is no more cotton to pick, and he sixty miles to a doctor, and be- A Brief Round in Camp only has beans for his family to sides there is no money. The Visiting eat. The nurse has no alterna- druggist thinks it is the "prayer" tive but to suggest "relief." The Leaving the nurse's home, we father is proud, and explains, "I that did it-healing, he thinks, go seventeen miles on good high- never ask for that in all time. I was impossible otherwise. way, then eight miles on an just move here. My wife she sick adobe road, then the last half at heart, no can work much; I On to another camp and the mile over what is supposed to sick in stomach, cannot work all road is still slippery, and it is be a road, and into the camp, time." ten miles distant. This camp is thirty cabins in all. Separated from these are some larger cab- Drive toward the foothills and built beside a canal. Here the ins-these for the "permanent" on this road there are three Council nurse spent much time, help. It is wash-day. Tubs of camps. Roads impassable in effort and energy toward solving water are being heated over fires rainy weather. It is ten miles to built outside; clothes lines the first. the problem of sanitation. The stretched between cabins filled grower was very cooperative. with clean garments of all kinds, shapes and sizes. Some families asked the camp Over one tub is a Mexican EYE CLINIC IN A MIGRANT GENTER mother, rubbing away on a washboard, and beside her is her The nurse recalls that this manager concerning the nurse's three-year-old, the youngest of camp was one of her most un- authority, and the grower issued nine. He has on two sweaters sanitary camps, so much so that and a coat, and a dark cloth tied the camp manager remarked to the order that if families did not around his head. her, "I believe these children are cooperate with the nurse that the dirtiest of all cotton camps." they would be moved out. Camp The nurse discovers that the That can't be said now. The child has a temperature. She camp manager and the campers and cabins were cleaned. Five explains that he must be kept in gamblers who had caused the bed, and she takes the child by too were most cooperative in nurse no little concern, were the hand, leads him into the cab- changing things. Health kits moved out. Order prevailed. in, the mother follows and a containing wash cloth, soap, little pallet is made in the corner The sentiment of the people of the cabin. His clothing is re- tooth-brush, and comb, were moved and he is slipped into a given to the children. whom the nurse serves is best pair of warm sleepers that the expressed by the tribute to the nurse finds among her clothing The nurse inquires. about Mr. nurse by a country doctor who supplies. That dark rag is re- Gonzales who was burned so bad- depends. on their help to bring moved from the only window in ly at Christmas, and discovers healing and health to these mithe cabin, and she explains to that he has learned that she is in grants. "So much is heard and the mother that there must be camp and is getting the "water read nowadays of organizations sunlight. The mother im't un- boiling" for her to use in dress- and agencies. doing this and that derstanding why the cloth should for the migrants, but the one not be about her child's head, be- ing the wound. He has learned cause she explains, "Baby sick that it had to boil ten minutes who does the most and the most in the head," but she is willing worthwhile thing in helping the to do as the nurse says, and does before she could use it. First migrant is the little missionary not miss a word of the nurse's and second degree burns were on nurse who rarely ever gets one instructions to "rub the child's chest four times daily with warm his left shoulder and upper arm line of printed matter concerncamphorated oil; give plenty of ing her work in the paper." water and fluids, and keep baby -he had fallen on the stove. in bed."
It is late in the cotton season, and many people are not working. Some have gone out to pick spinach but so little could be made they didn't stay. One man explained that he had made ten
World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ~'================================-~~ LATIN AMERICA fered the boys. Near Saltillo, weekly broadcast of religious boys are taught in school to programs. 'A Latin American Cooperation in a Church Bell make rope, and other articles Youth Conference is planned for from raw materials they have February, 1940, in Lima, Peru. We all know about the denom- raised. They learn the art of inational cooperation am 0 n g making dyes, and using them. -Christian Century. Christian forces in Puerto Rico; At the same school, the boys of the union enterprises which farm a tract of land, raise cat- Among South American include a theological seminary, tle, hogs and bees. Indians book store, newspaper, university pastor, e~change of pulpits, Culture Missions, something The treaty signed between and other manifestations of the like an Institute, are held at in- Bolivia and Paraguay leaves the cooperative spirit; but this spir- tervals all over Mexico. For a way open for Christian work it does not end with formal en- period of ten days, five or six among pagan Indians of both terprises. When the Yauco Bap- educators meet with teachers for countries, especially in the Chatist Church, for example, had a lectures and discussion, with co area between the two. Var- 500 pound bell that would not graphs, charts and posters. Such ious indepe!ldent organizations fit its tower, and the Ensenada subjects as the cause and cure of have expanded their work among Presbyterian Church had a large eye trouble, or the digestive Bolivian Indians; while the tower but no bell, the Presby- processes, are presented. This South American Missionary Soterians bought a small bell and is work along constructive lines. ciety has completed fifty years gave it to the Yauco Baptists, of work in the Paraguayan Chawhile they in turn presented the Protestant Youth in South co. In Chile, the same mission Presbyterians with their 500 America has developed a work among pound bell. Mapuche Indians, two of whom The Protestant young people's have been ordained deacons. Rural Schools in Mexico organizations of Argentina and Uruguay held their second bien- In the Argentine Chaco, work The Federal Government has nial conference last April, with has been most encouraging. At put in operation some very prac- more than 100 delegates, repre- Easter 68 adults were baptized, tical ideas in rural education. senting seven denominations, in and a new area has been opened. Two groups of Southern Metho- attendance. There were three The Unevangelized Fields Misdist missionaries visited a num- visiting delegates from Brazil. sion has continued its pioneer ber of these rural schools last The program centered around work among Kayapo Indians of year, and their impressions are the deepening of spiritual life, Amazonia, who, it will be rereported in the World Outlook. and the challenge of the present membered, killed three mission- Almost every country school has day to young Christians. Three aries (the "three Freds") in a little store which the children things stood out: first, interest 1935. themselves manage, thus learn- in a g g res s i v e evangelism; ing how to buy and sell and order second, a passion for closer co- -International Review of Missupplies, such as pencils, tablets, operation in Christian service, sions. crayons, cookies, etc. Some have irrespective of denominational kitchens where the children differences, and a sense that After the Earthquake in Chile learn how to prepare many vari- Protestant Christians are bound eties of food. One school visited by a common loyalty to Jesus Reconstruction work is under maintained a barber shop, while Christ; finally, a desire that way in Chile, following the dispractically all of them raised Christian forces may reach out astrous earthquake, and at pressome living thing -chickens, into the realms of popular litera- ent there is a huge construction rabbits or pigeons. ture and social life. camp at Chillan, located there for months. Military authorities Nearly every school has an an- In these two republics, young have permitted Mr. William M. nual exhibit of needlework, and people's work is organized under Strong to open a center for rest there are special projects to be two national federations. Each and evangelism right in the undertaken by high school girls; publishes a religious monthly, in- heart of this vast encampment, perhaps a layette for a baby formative and well edited. For -its only place of diversion. brother, or her graduation out- several years the Argentine fedfit, while manual training is of- eration has maintained a bi- Evangelical workers were left practically unharmed by the [373 ] earthquake, says Mr. Strong. He
adds that when in 1757 half of Franco occupied Catalonia, evan- Church shall transfer the right Concepcion sank beneath the gelical churches were not inter- of the use of certain cathedrals, surface in a similar cataclysm, fered with, but it is reported that yet to be named, to the Hitler blasphemy, drunkenness and in- those in Barcelona are closed, Elite Guard for their neo-pagan decency were put aside for a though it is believed to be only ceremonies. long time; and asks if perhaps a temporary measure. a similar result will follow this All three demands were relatest catastrophe. -The Christian. fused on the ground that the Di- rectorate was not empowered to EUROPE The "Church of the Den" make any such decision. The demands were issued by the On the Montmartre, Paris Long before Wycliffe and chief of police over the head of Hus were born, the Waldenses the State's church minister, who The Tabernacle Church on the preached the Gospel which re- is reported to have fallen into Montmartre has a corps of de- formers afterward taught in disfavor among the radical elevoted workers. M. Charlet, an Europe. A few months ago a ment of the government; a reevangelist, was a merchant, a group of British tourists visited port that is coupled with the Parisian skeptic, whom God the great cavern known as "the statement that the "Gestapo" called to the ministry of preach- church in the den.". During the (secret police) are sick and tired ing. Andre Fune is son of a time of the persecution of the of the whole church business. French farmer, who is working Waldenses this cavern was used at real financial sacrifice with as a secret place for worship and Encouragement in the Ukraine his wife, a registered nurse. In study of the Bible. Access to it 1925 a young Swiss engineer, Al- is obtained by crawling through September 25, 1938, was the fred Escher, gave up a career to a narrow tunnel formed in the 950th anniversary of the foundserve this mission church. Fif- long past by a terrific upheaval, ing of the Ukrainian Lutheran teen Hollanders have found when the great rocks fell into Church. At that time a Harvest Christ in these meetings. M. the position which they occupy Festival was celebrated in Stan- Jacques Blocher, trained in the today. From the tunnel one islau, when people came from University of Paris and in the emerges into an immense nat- every direction, by wagon, train Bible Institute, Minneapolis, is ural cathedral, the only shaft of or on foot. All Evangelical Luanother worker. M. and Mme. light coming through an aper- therans participated in a com- Dumesil sold their property at ture in the roof. In this spot munion service, creating a pro- Dieulefit to serve as unpaid vol- hallowed by the prayers of mar- found impression upon all those unteers. M. Memmert came in tyrs a feeling of awe came over present. The Stanislau pastor, 1933 after careful preparation the visitors-a feeling that ex- Rev. Theodore J arczuk, writes in the Bible school of Pastor tended to the muleteers who had of the victories of the Gospel of Saillens at Nogent-sur-Marne guided them to it. They rever- Christ among these people: "The and in Glasgow. This does not ently removed their hats upon results of this Harvest Festival exhaust the list. entering. One of them ap- led to arrangement for a similar proached the leader of the tour- service for the Reformation An effective agency is the Gos- ist party and said, hesitantly, Festival on October 2:0. Attenpel poster; 500 of these have "If Monsieur prayed?" And so, dance was even greater. Those been put up in Paris and sub- with bowed heads and hearts up- who passed the chapel were asurbs. Many persons have bought lifted to the Saviour of all, Eng- tonished at the crowd of people, copies of the Scriptures as a re- lish, Irish and Italian, each and said: 'These Lutherans besult. Sometimes professional praised Him there for the past, lieve in God.' The Festival conbill pOosters tear them down; and asked His help in the future cluded with the singing of 'A sometimes unexpected results for the Waldensian Church. Mighty Fortress Is Our God.' In are produced in connection with many different ways the work other posters. For example, a Confessional Church Crisis was advanced." poster announcing a grand ball, had this significant addition at- Three new demands made on Pastor J arczuk writes further: tached: "And after it is over?" the Confessional Church by the Most of this work is done by the German chief of police, Hein- It has long been the custom of young people of the Tabernacle. rich Himmler, indicate that the Lutheran Ukrainians to worship on struggle between the Church and Epiphany at the bank of a river, in -So S. Times. State is nearing a decisive phase. commemo"ation of the preaching of These demands, as reported by John the Baptist at the River Jordan. Gospel Work in Spain the New York Times, were: 1. A few months ago such a service was The Confessional Church shall held on the banks of the Dniester. Reports vary considerably in relinquish its claim to a share of The crowd was constantly augmented, regard to the prospects for evan- the church tax. 2. The Confes- the nearer it came to the river. From gelical work in Spain, now that sional Church shall surrender its all neighboring villages came the folthe war has ended. Protestant status as a corporation of pub- lowers of the Gospel and the curious. churches are permitted to open lic right. 3. The Confessional At the place where the service was to in some centers, in others they be held, thousands of persons had alremain closed. When General ready gathered, listening with the greatest interest to every word of the service. Among those present were some who had come to disturb the serv-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ice. From the other side of the river at Memia, found no sale for her to work with God in the planta group of agitators came across in a pictures and turned to fruit cul- ing and working of their garboat. As they were crossing one of ture, finally gave that up also; dens.-American Board News. their number cried out: "Either I and offered her home to the Miswill throw the Lutheran pastors into sion. There was no money to "Separatist" Groups the water or will drown myself." But buy, but she agreed to rent and when the service began they listened, now the Mission is established These religious. groups in the and the longer they listened the more there. Union of South Africa number attentive they became. Soon the an- over 500, ilccording to official ger faded; they took off their caps The entire Bible is available figures. Similar movements are and began to nod approvingly. At in Kabyle; portions have been found in other parts of Africa. the close of the service the young man put into the Berber dialects of Whatever may be the underlywho avowed that he would throw us Morocco. So far, the Scriptures ing cause of the rise of these into the water joined our brethren and are almost the only literature in sects, they are hindering the began to make known his sympathy. these dialects. spiritual growth of the African Church. In general, the separa- AFRICA School in Elephant Land tist groups are formed by those who are moved by personal am- The "Book of Manne'rs" Children from the kraals of bition or who wrongly interpret southern Rhodesia attend schools the Scriptures; by those who are Mrs. E. M. Bailey, of the which are merely thatched roof seeking to avoid discipline or United Presbyterian Mission at sheds, and these are often de- have been disciplined by the rec- Minia, Egypt, writes that one stroyed by herds of roaming ele- ognized churches. Sometimes the of the most encouraging things phants. In these so-called "light movements spring from reasons that has happened in the Chris- houses" it costs about $1.40 which are racial or political, or tian school in a long time is the apiece to give the children an from the hope that in the ecclesivoluntary request of some of the elementary education, and is astical sphere the African will graduates for a special Bible their only chance to secure one. be able fo obtain a freedom of class. They are now in a gov- Of this sum, the government action which is denied him in ernment secondary school and supplies 68 cents, the American the political. Owing to the high they find there an atmosphere of Board contributes 30 cents and proportion of illiteracy among profanity and rudeness very dif- the pupil must somehow find the the rank and file of the African ferent from the Christian school other 42 cents, and also buy his people it is always possible for where they grew up. They are books. This would barely sup- a leader of strong personality, coming on a free afternoon to ply movie tickets for the Amer- by specious promises to carry study the Bible and have brought ican child, but we read of one numbers of people with him into several of their new Moslem lad who walked six miles.. each the body which he forms. schoolmates with them. One of way, to cut grass for six cents them, when the Bibles were a day; sold tomatoes from his -Congo Mission News. brought out, asked what they mother's tiny garden, and finally, were. A Moslem girl from last to complete the 42 cents walked WESTERN ASIA year's graduating class replied: six miles with a bunch of bana- "That's the book we get our man- nas on his head to sell them for a Another Side of Palestine ners out of." few cents. Picture Among the Berbers In the same section of Africa It is heartening to sight some there is conducted each year an islands in the sea of trouble Monsieur Warren, of the Paris interesting ceremony called "The which is Palestine. One is what Evangelical Missionary Society, Seed and Hoe Consecration has been described as a "boom" has recently visited the stations Service," a blending of long es- in Christian education. The of the North Africa Mission in tablished African custom and C. M. S. Girls' School at Amman Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Christian practice. Men, women has the confidence of prominent In The Link he describes the and children come with seeds Moslem families, and is looking curious Berber villages of flat- and hoes. The pastor recalls how toward a boarding department roofed houses, reminiscent of the the people would bring grain to for village girls. The Bishop's adventure of the spies in Jericho the chief to be blessed so that it School for Boys in the same (for Berber tradition has it that might be productive. "Here," town is becoming a cultural centhe Berbers are the descendants he points out, "we are bringing ter, and pupils of the different of Canaan's inhabitants, driven grain and hoes to God for His communities are mixing without out by Joshua). This sturdy blessing on our work." At Chik- strain in these schools. A race is not deeply grounded in ore, Rev. Frank T. Meacham re- marked increase of interest in Mohammedanism, and therefore ports that the Community Dem- social work is noted; large nummore or less open to the Gospel. onstrator spoke on the parable bers of the elder boys and girls More than fifty years ago, the of the Sower and then represent- volunteered to teach in daily vafounder of the North Africa atives of the congregation stood cation Bible schools during the Mission was interested in them, before the altar and repeated a summer holidays, and took a but the door was not open for pledge consecrating themselves deep interest in the thousand or evangelization. Years later, an English lady-artist built a home
more children who attended the taught that there is no God, no tees. An interesting experiment score of schools held. use in prayer, and that educated calculated to abolish purdah was people have ceased to be be- the formation of a "family cir- Christian medical work stands lievers. cle" in one constituency, with a out. There is a new hospital at view to promoting inter-commu- Es Salt, and a small temporary On the other hand, there is nal friendship and inculcating a clinic is at work in Jerash. Other developing a more open-minded healthy sense of freedom among hospitals and dispensaries report attitude towards many matters, the sexes, and to encourage increasing work. It seems cer- including religion; and although sport. tain that the spirit of Christ is there is no wide-open door for at work, and new hope has arisen Gospel preaching in Turkey, the Thus Hindu, Mohammedan, that the land sacred to three re- evangelist can get a hearing if Sikh, Parsee and Christian womligions may again become a land there is no suspicion that his en are cooperating for the uplift of peace. message has any political bear- of India's Women. . -International Review of Mis- ing. There is a free field for -Women's Missionary Maga- the circulation of Christian liter- sions. ature; and the Scriptures, which zine. have been published in Latin Palestine After Eighteen Years script, are selling readily. In Soviet Combats Missions the Istanbul area it has been Moses Bailey, writing in The found that the establishment M The Bombay Press Service re- American Friend, describes the small, scattered prayer groups ports': changes he observed in Palestine among the members of the Evanwhen he returned after an ab- gelical and Oriental churches has The Soviet Russian Godless League sence of 18 years. Better roads, served to strengthen and encour- has decided to establish international more land under cultivation, in- age them in life and witness. schools in Moscow to train propacreased orange groves, shade ganda experts to combat the missiontrees, irrigation systems, modern -International Review of Mis- ary work of the Christian Church in ways of doing things, were su- sions. the colonies, especially the humanitarperficial changes first noted. Per- ian and cultural work. Indians, Nehaps the tremendously increased INDIA AND BURMA groes and Arabians will be among the hatred, fear and economic insta- candidates to be trained in these bility might also be signs of Years of Progress :schools. modernity. In the midst of all this it is difficult to train boys The All-India Women's Con- The Bulletin adds: and girls for a useful life. Fiery ference is the acknowledged adnationalists' idea of education is vocate of the women of India, According to information received to have their wits sharpened the without any distinction of creed, in London, special propaganda cambetter to supplant their oppo- caste or class. It has a mem- paign for British India is announced nents. bership of over 8,500. At its by the Riga press bureau of the God- 13th session, about 200 delegates less League. The campaign includes, Mr. Bailey finds two outstand- were in attendance. The criti- among other things, the scattering of ing attributes in the Arab mind: cism that the Conference was 10,000 Russian atheists throughout a genius for friendship and a only for ladies of leisure was re- India. keenness for hard study, not futed, for the delegates were surpassed in any other race, so mostly teachers, doctors and oth- The same facts have been notfar as he has observed. Friend- er workers. ed in European papers. liness and ability form a combination that can go far. There The work of the conference Plea for Economy are two disadvantages, however, during the past year has been as Mr. Bailey sees it; religion, constructive and extensive. Pub- The Soc i a I Reconstruction whether Christian or Moslem, is lic opinion has been enlightened Committee of the American materialistic; and the fact that as to divorce, polygamy and the Marathi Mission presented to the the Arab feels first and thinks legal disabilities of women. Ag- Annual Meeting of the Council afterward; this makes them a ricultural improvement and a recommendation on family fertile field for the demagogue. home industries, such as leather problems, among them the ex- work, clay modeling and needle- travagant marriage c u s tom s Materialism in Turkey work, have been organized in prevalent in the Indian Chris- several centers. Considerable tian community. It was urged The westernization of Turkey attention had been paid to ma- that all Indian Christians and goes on apace; so much so that ternity and child welfare, and especially mission workers armissionaries are saying that it is clinics providing free medical range only simple and inexpennot primarily Mohammedanism, treatment, and in some cases sive weddings, without giving but materialism with which they free milk and clothing, had been dinners to the community, or have to deal. In many govern- established at some centers. The spending money on bands, on ment schools there is not only insanitary condition of certain processions, on lights or on rich no religious. and moral teaching schools and mill areas had been clothing for bride, bridegroom given, but distinct anti-religious tackled by a few health commit- or relatives; and without borteaching. The children are rowing any money for the occa- sion. To encourage those who would prefer to arrange wed- dings within their means, but who yield to the pressure of so- cial opinion, it was recommended
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
that Christians should not attend reminded of it by one of the augurate a New Life Movement, extravagant wedding festivities. women, a fact in itself encour- with the following objectives as aging. So a meeting was called their goal: It was further recommended to plan the campaign, and in- that all mission schools and in- stead of the six women expected, No filth in the house or around it. stitutions should introduce prac- eighteen presented themselves Every Christian wear clean clothes. tical projects which through ex- for Instructions. No debts contracted through mar- perience will teach all students riage, and workers the value of money The women were divided into No excessive interest. and how to use it; and will also groups of three or four, and each No expensive feasts. definitely discourage them from group was assigned a definite All disputes settled out of court. going into debt. number of homes to visit; thus Punctuality, all the homes in one village were Cleansing of tobacco from personal -Dnyanodaya. visited in an afternoon. In two and social life. homes the workers were asked No liquor. Bhil Christians to pray; those who asked for Adoption of a salutation-folding this said they had faith, but to hands and saying namascaram. The story of Christian Work accept Christ openly was a dif- At least one-tenth to Church, Chris- among the Bhils goes back to ferent matter. tian work and charity. the year 182'8, when a British Wiping out the remnants of caste. officer, an earnest Christian, was Mrs. Whitcomb went with a Family devotions every day. in charge of Rajputana, and in different group each day, and No recreation that cannot be taken his administration of the district was deeply moved by the ear- in the name of the Lord Jesus. prayed for the day when these nestness of these women in giv- A cooperative in every village people might hear the Gospel. ing their testimony. Their spirit (Kagawa method), But it was not until 1878 that of good will was contagious, and Wiping out of illiteracy. steps were taken to found a Mis- great benefit came to the work- Cottage industries in every home. sion among these aboriginal ers themselves, for they con- tribes. The C. M. S. put an ap- trasted the hopelessness of the -National Christian Council peal in the church papers for a villagers with the blessings of Review. missionary to go to the Bhil Christianity. country, and two years later a CHINA young recruit went out. After -Outlook of Missions. ten years of uphill work, results A Visitor's Impressions began to appear, and by 1892 Political Advance Helps there was a small Bhil Christian Evangelism A traveler visiting nine out- Church. Coming down to 1939, stations and one main station how has this Mission fared? A A writer in the Missionary of the China Inland Mission, re- recent report says that churches Herald argues that the obstacle marks that three things im- have been .established in nine to progress represented by finan- pressed her especially: the ear- main centers with a total mem- cial retrenchment will turn into nestness of the women, their de- bership of 1047. Schools have a stepping stone to indigenous s,ire to learn and their extreme been opened and there are now evangelization, and the steady poverty. In every place women over 500 pupils in them. building up of an indigenous walked from one to four miles church, because of the political in the early morning, bringing There is also a well developed development of the past year or just a few pieces of dry bread medical work. Presbyterians two. India has taken a long for the noon meal, and would sit have a mission among the same stride toward independence, and on hard benches all day study- people, and many thousands have from now on is ruling herself as ing a hymn, memorizing a bit been baptized in the last few never before; so also she is be- of Scripture, struggling over a years. ginning to realize that she must few characters. When the last also evangelize herself. This is meeting was over they would The work is quiet and inten- the trend of India's Christian trudge back 3 to 8 l~-not only s i ve; sporadic persecution movement; self-government not complaining, but pathetically . breaks out from time to time, but must be paralleled by self evan- grateful for the privilege of the missionaries carryon faith- .gelization. coming. Wind, cold, heat, in no fully the activities of schools, way deterred them, and they hospital, evangelism and pastor- In the light of this conclusion, s,eemed never to tire of meetings, al care. -C. M. S. Outlook. the United Theological College seldom less than two hours long. of Western India is redoubling They have a very real faith. and Women Volunteers its efforts to supply a trained to listen to their stories of an- ministry, and thus do a work of swered prayer is impressive. For some years at Baitalpur, strategic importance for India's Many are in direst economic it has been the custom for Chris- future. straits, yet not one asked for tian women to volunteer for financial help; many eve n evangelistic service in the neigh- Indian "New Life Movement" brought gifts of eggs or sweet boring villages. Mrs. E. W. potatoes to the Mission. Whitcomb who went to Baital- As an outcome of the Mara- pur after furlough knew noth- mon Conference, Christians of The visitor mentions the prev- ing of this custom, but was Travancore have decided to in- alence of demon possession. One saw and heard much of the pow- ers of darkness. In one instance
two Christian workers knelt for now is to institute a movement tians gave cause for alarm, as it two hours beside the afflicted for socialized reform compatible extended to local shops and even person in continuous prayer be- with the aspirations of all pro- necessary food was unobtainable fore release was finally given. gressive people. Portraits of for a time, but happily normal Lenin ruld Stalin have been re- conditions have been resumed. -China's Millions. placed by those of Sun Yat-sen One unfortunate result was the and Chiang Kai~shek. This has apostasy of a whole family of Reveals War Conditions been amply corroborated by oth- Christians with the exception of ers who know China; and this one of its members; and this cir- The Presbyterian Mission in destroys the point of J apanes.e cumstance was the more painful Peiping received the following assertion that they are fighting since the head of that family had letter in Chinese, written by an bolshevism. professed Christianity for nearevangelist living 30 miles outside ly forty years. of Peiping. This is the trans- Future of Medical Missions lation: More Gospels are entering Dr. K. C. Wong, Secretary of Tibet than ever before. Last Do not turn your face away from the Council of Medical Missions, year, with the financial support this my letter. But incline your ear says that of 217 mission hospi- of the National Bible Society of to your evangelist, a man filled with tals 81 were (in March) in "oc- Scotland, an adventurous jour': grief. Since my eyes last saw you I cupied areas," 82 in "fighting ney of two months was underhave been as a tree without leaves. I zones" and but 54 in "free Chi- taken by two evangelists who rehave suffered from one new moon to na." A survey made some ported the acceptance of hunthe other. The church members have months earlier showed that of dreds of copies of the Gospel. passed through four calamities: war, 34 mission hospitals in east Chibanditry, flood and famine. In this na 11 had been bombed or de- During the first three months our country there is no law, there is stroyed, 12 had been damaged of its existence, the "Gospel no peace. Bandits entered our town. or looted, 7 were "occupied" and Inn," of which mention has been They came with big shouting, they left 4 were closed. Since this re- made in these columns, more in clouds of black smoke. As a whirl- port some have been recovered than 800 travelers and pilgrims, wind they went over the land. Spoil- and opened, but almost every 700 ponies, yaks and donkeys ing and violence was before them. At week one or more has been dam- found shelter and more than 2'00 random they killed young and old. aged or destroyed. patients were treated for minor And they considered it but nothing to ailments. A capable Bible womrope seventy of our men together and Dockors and nurses are sadly an and her husband are in throw them into the river. In a well overworked, with most of their charge of the Inn. Beside the near our church twenty-eight women Chinese staff gone. However, daily Gospel talk, each lodger reand girls found death in escape from European refugees have ren- ceives a tract, or buys a Gospel their hands. Young Mrs. Wang, the dered ass,istance. So overwhelm- before he leaves. A public liwife of him who tends the sick in the ing are immediate demands that brary and reading room have mission hospital, was one of them, there has been no time to plan been established, where daily also Mrs. Yang and her daughter, for the future. Relief funds will papers and magazines are availwhom you know. In wartime life is not last forever; doctors cannot able. Another plan to extend the truly cheap. The iniquity of our time run one-man hospitals indefinite- usefulness of the Inn is that of is fiercer than evening wolves. The ly with from 100 to 200 clinical opening a grocery, where tired bandits trampled down the harvest, patients daily besides their in- pilgrims may buy such necessiburned our homes, kidnapped the girls, patients. Before the war many ties as tea, butter, flour and keroand plundered the stores. They took of these hospitals were practical- sene. Judging from the extent away our donkeys and drove our pigs ly self-supporting but for the to which this has been used, the before them. missionaries' salaries. Now the new venture is a success. supporting constituency has fled. Thou, Shepherd-teacher, will re- -Moravian Missions. member how the people used to sing 'One conspicuously efficient as taught at the evangelistic meetings. hospital recently was approached JAPAN -CHOSEN Now everyone is quiet. The men look by the Japanese to rent or to worried, the women have forgotten sell the plant to them, and it is Christianity Gets Official how to smile. For many, death seems reported that a refusal will be Status more desirable than life. A great met by the challenge of a new many have no home, no clothing, no hospital designed far to outshine The 74th Japanese Diet has remoney. 0, thou who art safe out of the mission institution. cently passed all the 89 bills inthis spot of calamity, incline thine ear troduced, not one being rejected and knit the little thread of our hope -The Christian Century. or even altered materially. The into a rope of victory. enactment of the "Religious In Western Tibet Bodies Bill," which in one form -Evangelical Christian. or another has for 40 years been Rev. Walter Asboe, Moravian a bone of contention in legisla- What About the Communists? missionary, reports both encour- tive circles, may have great or agement and disappointment in little significance for Christian- One who has lived long in Chi- the Tibet field. A severe boycott ity depending on what happens na, in a personal letter to a of missionaries and native Chris- in other respects. While acfriend, throws light on a question often asked: Is China going "red"? This writer says that Chinese communists have abandoned many of their ideological concepts, originating in Russia, and much of their violence ; they are now Chinese, first and foremost; their aim
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
knowledging the right to reli- anese laymen and of mission- and surgical work is done by one gious freedom guaranteed by the aries; one half are to be chosen foreign and one Korean doctor. constitution, the bill puts all re- from eastern Japan, and one ligious organizations under the half from western Japan. In 1938, the company spent regulation of the Ministry of over 60,000 yen for this medical Education. Creedal positions and Large Bible rallies in Tokyo service. There were treated in forms of worship must be ac- and Osaka give evidence of a de- the wards, dispensary and the ceptable to the authorities; ad- termined spirit in this move- surrounding villages more than ministrative, legal and property ment. -Bible Society Record. 40,000 patients (this is a record affairs must conform to regula- of treatments-not different pations, and all changes must be Chinese Y. M. C. A. Suppressed tients) . There were more than promptly reported. 400 major operations. Of the The Tokyo correspondent for treatments more than 10,000 Some Christians say that the The Christian Century made a were for outsiders. No charge new bill merely legalizes condi- visit to the parts of the city is made to anyone, but patients tions long in force; that Chris- where formerly many Chinese not employed by the company tianity is now specifically recog- resided and where the Y. M. must pay for their own drugs nized as one of Japan's' three C. A. and other cultural institu- and operating material. The accepted faiths, hence prejudice tions sought to serve those from company has never been known on the part of petty officials can the Celestial Kingdom. Chinese to refuse to send their doctor to no longer be a handicap; that are there still, but both Chinese distant villages to see seriously the new legal status accorded and Christian institutions as sick Koreans. both denominations and local such have disappeared. There communions will prove of advan- was a great exodus of Chinese -Korean Mission Field. tage in penetrating conservative students from Japan in the sumand bigoted regions; and that mer of 1937. Now hundreds of What Medicine Has Done for the bill will discourage the devel- Chinese youths are again com- Chosen opment of superstitious faiths of ing to Tokyo for study-this all sorts. The danger of state time from the occupied regions To form a correct appreciaregulation is minimized. of China. But who now will tion of the part played by medi- help them as did the Y. M. and cine in the regeneration of Ko- -Christian Century. Y. W. C. A. and the churches in rea, says Dr. O. R. Avison, one the days when Sun Yat-sen, Chi- must know what were the con- "Nippon Seisho Kyokwai" ang Kai-shek and C. T. Wang ditions when Protestant missions were occasional sojourners there entered the country in 1884. This is the name of the Japan and had many friends in Tokyo Even forty years ago, practical- Bible Society, recently organ- interested not in the politics but ly everybody was pock marked. ized. It marks another step in in the souls of these youthful All children were expected to the cooperative plans of the seekers after truth? have smallpox before the age of older Bible Societies, and reveals two; so many of them died that the courageous way the younger Medical Work in Mines mothers thought it hardly worth churches are rising to increased while to count a child as a memresponsibilities. One of the Th e Oriental Consolidated ber of the family until he had things that stood out clearly at Mining Company in Korea is survived this disease. An epithe Madras Conference was the known as the American Mines. demic of Asiatic cholera was exfact that these younger churches Its president from the beginning pected every five or six years. have made great strides. Many until he died in 1927 was Henry Both diseases were attributed to of them have grown up in lands C. Perkins of New York who, the power of demons. There was where Christianity was unknown throughout his life, had a deep no knowledge at all of sanitaless than two hundred years ago. interest in the lives of the min- tion ; vermin were abundant; ers and their families, one evi- excrement from human beings Many Japanese Christian lead- dence being the maintenance of infected with all sorts of intesers have been concerned that the medical care for these workers. tinal parasites was used as fer- Scriptures in use in Japan bore tilizer, and raw vegetables eaten the imprint of foreign Bible So- Much could be said of the gen- unwashed, or washed in polluted cieties; and after a number of eral policies of this company; water. Flies had access to conconferences of representatives how it has never been in the taminated places, and to good; of the foreign societies and their courts, has always paid at least mosquitoes were uncontrolled. Japanese advisory committees, a one yearly dividend; never fluc- Those ill with contagious disconstitution was drawn up and tuated prices nor padded its re- eases were not isolated. ratified last October. The essen- ports, but there is space only to tial objectives are the same as speak of the medical work. The One day Dr. Avison was walkthose of Western societies: the company maintains a little hos- ing outside the city gate when translation, publication and dis- pital with room for 25 to 30 in- he saw a strange sight-the tribution of the Scriptures, with- patients. Through a dispensary corpse of a child that had died out note or comment. The gov- and clinic connected with the of smallpox. Here was an operning body is composed equally hosuital 75 or more patients go portunity to pit the strength of of Japanese ministers, of Jap- daily except Sundays. Medical vaccination against the power of
a demon, if only he could be al- and have no Christian influence. from the war scene in Spain, or lowed to try. At first, all offers There are about 4,000 Japanese again it might fit the picture of were refused. Finally, a Chris- Christians living in Formosa. a Jewish refugee group on the tian mother agreed to let him see One hopeful sign for the future border of Czechoslovakia. But what he could do. Her child is the keenness and activity of no, it happened in the U. S. A.; passed its second year and then the Christian youth in Formosa. the pitiful procession was made its third without taking small- up of "sharecroppers" in Mispox; after that other mothers -International Review of souri, evicted from their shanwere anxious to try the new way. Missions. ties because, allegedly, landown- This incident opened the door to ers wished to change from tendisease prevention, and in time In Netherlands Indies ants to day laborers. the government made vaccination compulsory. Today, small- . The first Christian book in One More Poll Needed pox is rare. Javanese, other than the Bible, appeared in 1938. It is a child's We have "had plenty of "polls." -Korea Mission Field. Life of Christ entitled "The King Weare asked how we shall vote of Love." It originally appeared in 1940; even personal habits ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC in Arabic, then in Urdu, then are inquired into, so that we Persian. Christian work among know how everybody feels; but "For Value Received" young people in both Java and why not have a poll as to what Sumatra is being steadily pro- the churches intend to do about Filipino Christians are assum- moted. Annual conferences and the missionary enterprise? ing more and more responsibil- a Christian newspaper are some Would it not be possible to ask ity for work, which a few years of the means used. Autonomous 100,000 people in typical churchago had to be done, if at all, by churches are to be found in dif- es some such questions as: the missionaries. For example, ferent areas of the Indies, but in the wife of a Filipino professor some sections missionary work (1) Do I really believe that Jesus at Silliman University is teach- is forbidden by the government; started the missionary method, and ing music while the missionary in northern Sumatra and in Bali, believed that. His Gospel would evenhead of the department is absent for example, but Christians from tually win the world? on furlough. "Don't worry about other localities settle in these salary," she said. "Silliman gave areas, bringing their faith and (2) Do I really believe that my anme my education, and if I can witness with them. The fact cestors received civilization and every be of service I shall be glad." that now for the first time in uplifting ideal they possessed through One of the assistant professors Borneo the Asiatic ministry of Christian missionaries? Clearly this has started a flourishing cooper- the Church exceeds the Euro- seems true, and how anyone can doubt ative in Dumaguete; while an pean holds out hope for the fu- our obligation to share similar lifeinstructor is teaching local farm- ture. giving and level-lifting Christian ers how to make better use of ideals is beyond understanding. their resources. Still another -International Review of goes regularly to the small Missions. (3) Despite taxes, losses, fears, but churches to help with the music. admitting most of us still live in com- NORTH AMERICA fortable homeR and eat thrice a day, -Monday Morning. do I really believe that an annual per Where Did This Happen? capita gift of fifty cents per member Christianity in Formosa in our denomination proves our part- Last January the New York nership in a progressive and victori- Restrictions have been placed Times published a news story ous enterprise like winning a world on Christian work in Formosa, from which the paragraph be- for the Gospel of Christ? as elsewhere in the Japanese low is taken. Missions reprinted empire. Efforts have been made it and asked its readers to guess (4) Do I really believe that our to force all Formosan household- what part of the world the story missionaries exert important influers to set up miniature Shinto came from. ences for world peace, and that shrines, and neglect to do so has through them we are aidinp.: in the led to trouble in some districts. Along two highways more than progress of the Kingdom of God? This order is as unacceptable to 1,000 men, women and children non-Christians as to Christians, camped in the open air. They hud- -American Board News. since the former regard the sub- dled around camp fires, or makeshift stitution of new emblems for old stoves, along desolate rights of way, "Temperance Trailer" as destroying their own ances- sharing the contents of huge steaming tral religion. kettles. The number of camps was A "Temperance Trailer," still growing at nightfall as new- sponsored by the Friends' Tem- In 1936, the Canadian Mission comers straggled in on foot, or in perance Association of Philadelwithdrew from the Tansui Mid- dilapidated vehicles. The camps dot- phia, has made a transcontidle, and Girls' Schools in For- ted the road all the way to the border nental tour of over 10,000 miles, mosa, because of government re- line. Men feeble with age, one woman stopping in more than a hundred quirement in regard to shrine so ill that she had to be carried on a towns in twenty-eight states, and attendance. These schools are cot, and babies crying from fright and carrying a temperance message now under local management, hunger, added to the distressing pic- to over 150,000 persons. The ture. trailer is fitted out with various exhibits, including a "drunko- It might describe the plight meter," designed to dramatize of the Chinese; it might come the dangers of alcohol. Tem- perance lectures are given, and questions from the audience are
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
answered by the crew of three. missing from my daily life. In which he demonstrates the pos- There has been no acrimonious that immortal masterpiece of sibility of the miraculous by scidebate, or hostility. literature I find new inspiration. entific analogy. Up to March, That is why the Holy Bible is many thousands had listened to -The American Friend. my favorite book." these demonstrations; sometimes the lectures start thirty minutes Immanuel Mission to Seamen -Lutheran News Bureau. early because the auditorium is jammed. The audiences are Laden with Scripture por- Organization Changes Name about ninety per cent untions, workers of Immanuel churched. There have been defi- Mission to Seamen enter cabins The "International Save the nite conversions. A San Franand crews' quarters on vessels Children Fund," as this agency cisco daily observes that these of all types and nationalities has been called since its organ- lectures leave the audience less along the Pacific Coast. Oppor- ization in 1931, is now to be cock sure of their own wisdom, tunity to read at sea, the absence known as the "Save the Children and with a feeling that the mirof opposition and a lack of di- Federation." The President, acles of the Bible are not so imversion ensure a friendly recep- Dr. John R. Voris, says that the possible as they had supposed. tion for these workers. The name Federation is adopted be- Alaska salmon fleet carries a cause this is a movement, or as- Institutions Closed mixed group of Americans, Chi- sociation, and the name "Fund" nese, Italians, Scandinavians, no longer describes its functions, Because of financial strin- Mexicans and Filipinos. They as it did in the beginning. Drop- gency the Presbyterian Board. beg for reading matter, for ping the word "International" is of National Missions has voted Alaska is almost a spiritual of no significance, except to to close three of its institutions: wilderness. shorten the name. The Federa- the American Indian Institute, tion will continue to maintain Wichita, Kansas; Ingleside-Fee Malay and Javanese Scrip- relationship with the Save the Institute, Burkeville, Virginia; tures find their way to the crews Children International Union of and Brainerd Institute, Chester, of Dutch East Indies boats, and Geneva, of which the fund has South Carolina, in the Negro. Spanish booklets are used with been the American member ever field. All three have been givgreat blessing on various ships since its founding. The question ing splendid service, but their coming in to San Francisco from of changing the title of the agen- discontinuance was the only al- Puerto Rico. American liners cy has been under consideration ternative to a general retrenchsailing across the Pacific are for more than two years. Effort ment, which would have crippled supplied with Bible portions and has been made to find a still the entire program of the Board.. booklets. For a period of more shorter name.-The Churchman. than 24 years this work has been At the same meeting at which carried on among seamen. The Radio as a Missionary this decision was made it was Voice voted that the new hospital be- -Scripture Gift Mission ing erected to replace the over- Bulletin. The "Lutheran Hour," a Sun- crowded Brooklyn Cottage Hos- day afternoon coast – to – coast pital at Dixon, N. M., be named The Bible in the CCC broadcast, can claim a mission- the Embudo Presbyterian Hospi- ary bearing. Dr. Walter A. tal; and that the staff home be When CCC boys were asked Maier, of the Concordia Semi- called the Brooklyn-Nassau Cottheir preference in reading mate- nary Faculty in St. Louis, who tage. Embudo will be the post rial, a large majority indicated broadcast over 66 stations from office address of the new hospithat the Bible is their favorite October to Easter Sunday has tal. The name of the staff home book. The reasons given for this been heard by sailors on the high is the Board's expression of appreference were varied, but first seas, by isolated men in lumber preciation for the continued prize, if one had been awarded, and mining camps in the north interest of Brooklyn – Nassau would go to Wayne Berkshire of woods, by distinguished person- Presbyterial Society in this Company 793, Hill City, S. Da- ages high in the business, pro- project. kota, for the following reply: fessional and social life of the "My favorite book is the Holy nation – by a vast audience Indians Set Example Bible. Why? Because it is my whose number can be estimated mother's and my own wish that only from the tremendous num- In proportion to their means, I develop a more wholesome, sin- ber who send in their comments, the Sioux Indians give more for c ere and faithful religion. totaling 133,000 last season. the promotion of Christian activ- Through the Bible and, of course, ities than any other church the Church, I am striving to Treasure Island Gospel Project members anywhere. Once they reach that goal. I have discov- were the fiercest, most war-like ered and constantly rely upon Mention has been made of the of all North American Indians. the magic powers of prayer when San Francisco Christian Busi- They were the ones who wiped in trouble, in doubt, and at the ness Men's presentation of the out General Custer and his cavclose of every day. If I could Gospel at the Golden Gate Expo- aIry; now, every member of the not have access to the Bible each sition through Irvin Moon's tribe is a professed Christian, day, I would feel that something "Sermons from Science," in important and necessary was
All of them are peaceful farm- MISCELLANEOUS Persia …………….. . 40,000 ers. 40,000 Fifty Years-Past and Future Brazil …………….. . 24,141 A few years ago when grass- 23,553 hoppers and drouth practically United Presbyterian young India ……………… . 20,000 ruined farmers, many church people have been celebrating fif- Australia ………….. . 19,850 people advocated withdrawal ty years of organized work in from the South Dakota field, but their denomination, and are con- Mexico ……………. . 7,800 the Sioux Indians held a mass sidering the situation of today in China …………….. . 4,000 meeting, pledged a fifty per cent its relation to that of fifty years 2,591 increase in their giving and hence; facing a world of today, Cuba ……………… . adopted the slogan, "Move For- terribly disorganized economi- Spain …………….. . ward."-United Presbyterian. cally, socially, internationally, religiously and morally. They New Zealand ………. . The Church in the Arctic realize that there probably nev- er was a day of greater oppor- World O. E. Advance The aeroplane and the wire- tunity for youth to make an imless have caused tremendous press on their world. The older Two important changes in changes in mission work in the generation is looking on with Christian Endeavor activities Arctic regions. Last year Bish- keen interest as it sees young have taken place across the op Fleming traveled from 15,000 people ready and eager to spend Pacific. The Methodist Episcopal to 16,000 miles through the east- a large part of their summer Church of southern Asia has ern Arctic, covered much work vacation period in listening at- voted to discontinue the Epwhich had never been done be- tentively to leaders who try to worth League to permit its youth fore, and could not have been direct their energies in the path organizations to unite with the attempted but for the aeroplane. of Christ's Kingdom. While this Christian Endeavor Union of Plane travel is not expensive, fiftieth anniversary celebration India, Burma and Ceylon. This considering the e nor m 0 u s has paid tribute to the "giants is another step toward union of amount of time saved thereby. there were in those days," it Protestant missionary programs For the better spiritual care of makes clear that the younger in southern Asia. The Methodist the 11,000 people-Indians, Es- generation has a whole army of Church has nearly half a million kimos and white folk-within possible "giants." members in India, and more the Arctic Circle and a distance than 54,000 are registered in below it, the diocese of the Arc- -United Presbyterian. Methodist schools. tic was constituted in 1933, and comprises one-third of the whole Where Can the "Wandering The second move was the for- Dominion of Canada. Jew" Wander? mation of a Pacific Region of the World Christian End e a v 0 r There are two hospitals in the Union, to include China, Japan, diocese: All Saints, at Aklavik, Korea, Manchoukuo, New Zeaand St. Luke's at Pangnirtung. land, Australia, the Philippines, Remembering that the diocese the Fiji and Samoan Islands, and comprises over a million square other Pacific island groups. miles, one understands why Bishop Fleming is seeking to found From his original home in Pal- Youth at Amsterdam a third on the north shore of estine the Jew has wandered far Hudson Strait. The existing and wide. He has indeed been There is an alarming regimenhospitals are fully equipped with "the wandering Jew." The tation of young people in many electric light, X-ray apparatus, Christian Evangelist has given parts of the world in movements operating theaters, and other de- that are anti-Christian, or at sirable and necessary features·. an interesting tabulation to show least non-Christian. A World The government supplies the the present distribution of Jews Conference of Christian Youth doctors: the Church provides throughout the world: to be held at Amsterdam, Holthe staff and upkeep. land, July 24-August 3, is United States ………. . 4,228,029 planned to make the Christian Primitive animism is the re- 3,028,837 youth of the world more aware ligion of the native, Eskimo and Poland ……………. . 2,676,109 of their heritage in the Chris- Indian alike. Nineteen clergy- tian faith, and more forceful one an Eskimo deacon-and six- Russia ……………. . 728,115 and courageous in applying the ty or more lay workers assist Rumania …………… . 514,269 message of the Church in a Bishop Fleming. There is also Near East …………. . 499,682 world whose disintegrating forcwork for white people. Each 444,567 es are placing Christianity benorthern settlement has its Hud- Germany ………….. . 356,830 fore one of the greatest tests of son's Bay Company store, the Hungary ………….. . 300,000 its history. barracks of the Royal Canadian 260,000 Mounted Police (the "Moun- Czechoslovakia ……… . 240,000 The conference program is the ties"), and the wireless. station. Great Britain ………. . 191,408 result of two years of consulta- 161,312 tion among youth leaders from -Life of Faith. Argentina …………. . 156,817 all parts of the world. The 155,614 daily worship service will enable France ……………. . 155,125 all delegates to attend the type Austria ……………. . 110,127 of service to which they are ac- customed, and also to experience Morocco …………… . 95,000 other worship customs. 81,280 Netherlands ………… . 72,791 Canada ……………. . 72,550 Lithuania ………….. . 60,000 Algeria ……………. . 59,485 South Africa ……….. . 51,000 47,825 Turkey ……………. . Greece …………….. . Egypt …………….. .
Belgium …………… .
Tunis …………….. . Abyssinia ………….. . Italy ……………… .
~==~======~============~l'~
Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Cry Dance. A Novel of the Ameri- It is an attempt to provide a While the main emphasis in can Indian. By Coe Hayne. 8 Yo. guide to the solution of life's dif- "This Business of Living" is 255 pp. $2.00. Harper & Bros. New ficult and often tragic problems. upon personal and individual York. 1939. Who among us would not wel- problems, the author pauses come assistance at this point and more than once to point out the The American Indians are a who is there without some friend application of his proffered solupicturesque and romantic people. or acquaintance whose need for tion to the larger social and na- They have been exploited, exhib- wisdom and guidance is great tional problems as well. "There ited, abused and protected for is no problem that is not in printwo hundred years. They sur- indeed? ciple a personal problem," he vive but are not yet made a civi- But will this book meet that truly says. And here are a few lized, Christian and integral part other wise observations: "Any of the nation. Many are strong need? Undoubtedly it will for victory won by force is a defeat" characters and capable of becom- the more intelligent reader, for ing highly educated and efficient the person who is equipped to "An agreement reached unde' r leaders. understand and appropriate that which is not always easy read- pressure is not an agreement, but As Secretary of Research of the ing. But it is a question whether the perpetration of a disagree- American Baptist Home Mission the common man, untrained in ment." "All war is defeat." "We Society, the Rev. Coe Hayne, philosophical and psychological must never surrender to the behas had many opportunities to lief that force has the last word." study the Indians on the reser- terms and methods, will find These words are true for the invations and has come to love and much of this helpful book avail- dividual; they are no less true admire them. Here he has told able for his needs. This is to be for nations. a stirring story of a young In- regretted since the common man dian, "Yosemite," who gave up is often the one who most des- VICTOR G. MILLS. his college course, and fine pros- perately needs the help which pects of a professional career, to Dr. Grensted offers. If the meth- Dynamic Christianity and the World throw in his lot with his people od and style of the book as a Today. By Samuel M. Zwemer. 8vo. in the Sierras and champion whole had been closer to the free 17? pp. 28. 6d. Intervarsity Fellowtheir cause in the struggle and easy spirit of the title it shIp. London; Zondervan Publishagainst poverty and wrong and would be more useful where ing House, Grand Rapids, Mich. in behalf of their rights in Amer- most needed. 1939. ica. A young white woman joined in the fight for the Red Yet with this one limitation, There are good reasons why man. "Cry Dance" tells the let it be said that for many, es- only earnest, believing followers story of the struggle-which pecially for those who would still continues. There are ad- help others in meeting life's of Christ are interested in proventures, bitter fights, and two moting Christian missions. One love stories woven into the nar- problems and crises, this book must believe in the importance rative. It is an incompleted tale will provide very real assistance. but the author shows good judg- Workers with troubled minds of a cause and in the claims of ment in his outcome of the love and hearts will be bet t e r its leader before one will give stories of white folk and Indians. equipped for reading it. It notes time and strength and money to Young people will find the novel advance that cause. Dr. Zwemof particular interest. It has a the nature of life's most common er has proved his faith by his definite Christian tone. problems, always stressing the works for he has spent nearly fifty years in many lands seek- This Business of Living. By L. W. fact that in the last analysis all ing to win Moslems to Christ- Grensted. 187 pp. $1.75. Mac- of these problems come back to by voice and pen and life. He millan. New York. 1939. the problem of self. The inef- knows that the only kind of Christianity worth following A cover notice calls this "a fectiveness of the common meth- and worth propagating is "Dy- book for everyman." One can- ods of help is made clear. And namic Christianity." This is the not but wish that this were more then the author points out the Christianity of the living Christ nearly the case, for every man one adequate answer which is who is the ever present Head of needs what this book has to offer. found through religion, when His Church and the motivating rightly conceived, and preemi- and achieving power of the Gos- nently through Christianity. The pel. chapter on "The Way of Release" is especially worth while.
[383 ]
The author has given us here wealth of Christian doctrine, scenes are laid, gives additional a dynamic book. The Gospel that and the last three which deal he proclaims is the same that with Christian experience based value to leaders of children's came through Jesus Christ and on that doctrine. Her analytical that "turned the world up-side- mind does not prevent her from groups. H. H. F. down" in the days of the Apos- seeing the beauty of the truth tles. It is the Gospel founded on she presents nor do her outlines Mary Reed of Chandag. By Lee S. faith in the Bible as the inspired obscure the life and power. One Huizenga. 37 pp. Paper, 35 cents. Word of God and in Christ as the wishes that she had drawn more Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Son of God and only Redeemer largely on her rich experiences Rapids, Mich. 1939. of men. This is the heart of to illustrate the truths presented. Christianity that has proved its But there is a reality and a glow Almost everyone knows the truth and power and that is dy- in her Christian life that is con- story of Mary Reed, who went namic today among all peoples tagious. These studies in Ephe- to India in 1884; became a leper; to whom the Gospel is pro- sians will richly reward any was healed through prayer and claimed in the power of the Holy student-preacher, teacher, mis- for forty-seven years has di- Spirit. sionary or layman. rected the Chandag Leper Home in the foothills of the Himalayas. Dr. Zwemer shows clearly that They Dared to Live. By Robert M. She recently celebrated her 83d this Gospel is everlasting; that Bartlett. 12mo. 135 pp. $1.25. birthday. This little, illustrated it has not changed; that it is Association Press. New York. book retells a story and gives absolute and is vitally linked 1939. important facts about leprosy with the "Changeless Christ." and its modern treatment. He shows that, while this Gos- This series of thirty-five tenpel is neglected and repudiated minute biographies are very H. H. F. by many who refuse to believe, brief stories of explorers, scienit is the Gospel that the whole tists, teachers, reformers, stu- Meditations on the Holy Spirit. By world needs today. The work of dents, social workers, artists, Toyohiko Kagawa. 167 pp. $1.50. Christ has made great progress, authors, doctors, political lead- Cokesbury Press, Nashville, Tenextens.ively and intensively, and ers and missionaries and Amer- nessee. 1939. mankind is accessible as never icans. They include British, before, but there are still great French, Chinese, Japanese, Ger- The world famous Japanese regions of the world and vast mans, Swiss, Russians, Czechs, Christian has given us an attracareas of humanity that are un- Africans, Norwegians, Indians tive statement of some great enlightened by a knowledge of and others. There are well- principles of the spiritual life. "the Light of the World." known names like Helen Keller Throughout it the author shows and President Masarayk, and ob- a strong mystical tendency. He This is not only an intensely scure persons like Roland Hayes is definitely Trinitarian and interesting and informing book, and Pierre Ceresole. The great clearly stands for the Personit is inspiring and dynamic. disappointment is t hat the ality of. the Holy Spirit. What would be the result if sketches are too brief, but they every Christian minister should make one wish to know more Readers who accept the inread it? about these men and women who errancy of the Bible will be dis- dared to work against obstacles turbed by Dr. Kagawa's tend- The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of and for a high purpose, and suc- ency to rationalize some of the the Christian. By Ruth Paxson. ceeded. miracles. He also appears to ac- 8vo. 222 pages. $1.50. Revell. cept Darwin's views of the New York. 1939. Far Round the World. By Grace W. "Origin of the Species" quite un- McGavran. Illustrated by Mar- critically. Another questionable Miss Paxson is already well garet Ayer. 118 pp. Cloth, $1.00. point is a rather naturalistic known through her spiritual Friendship Press, N. Y. 1939. view of the personal spiritual presentation of "Life on the experience of the Lord Jesus. Highest Plane." She is a devout Miss McGavran, the REVIEW'S With such reservations it is only and intelligent Bible teacher and Editor of "Effective Ways of fair to say that there is a great an evangelist of rare gifts and Working," and the author of deal that is searching and helpgraces; she has been widely and "Missionary Stories for Chil- ful, for the book evidently comes wonderfully used of God in dren," gives here eleven splendid out of deep personal experience. China, in Europe and America. stories showing the improve- The supernatural view of the ments of social conditions, de- Holy Spirit is accepted. In the present volume Miss cline in race prejudice, braving Paxson gives us some fruitful re- danger in Mexico, India, Africa, F. E. G. sults of her study in the letter Japan, China, Paraguay, Ceylon to the Ephesians, which she calls and the Philippine Islands. They Studies in First and Second Kings the "Grand Canyon of Scrip- describe events that actually and First and Second Chronicles. ture." It is remarkably rich, happened. A section at the back Arranged by Grace Saxe. 35 cents. suggestive and stimulating. She of the book, supplying facts 112 pp. Bible Colportage Assn. points out the connection be- about the countries in which the Chicago. 1939. tween the first three chapters, which deal chiefly with the These twenty-three studies in Old Testament history are de- signed for individual or class work. Exposition and applica- tion are well balanced. The mor- al lessons seem to flower forth
Encyclopedia of Religious
"How many baptized Christians in Burma?" "Where is the headquarters of the Evangelical Church?"
"How much does the average Baptist give to his church?" "Name three Christmas dramas suitable for church presentation." "How many denominations in the United States?" ''What are the best available books on the life of st. Paul 1"
"How many Christian missionaries in Egypt?" "What is Kingdomtide?"
"Is church giving going up or down 1" "Where is Washburn College located?"
"To what church does the Governor of Ohio belong?"
You can answer these and many more by turning to the proper pages in CHURCH MANAGEMENT DIRECTORY for 1939, now available in your book store. The price is but 65c. (by mail 75c.). If your bookstore cannot supply you, send the proper remittance to address l;Ielow. This directory offers the most complete almanac for the Protestant field.
CHURCH MANAGEMENT : Auditorium Building : Cleveland, Ohio from the Scripture itself. God Launch Out Into the Deep. By An' The New Sovereignty. Reiinald is clearly seen to be at work be- drew Gih. Edited by J. Edwin Orr. Wallis. 93 pp. Is. Pickering & hind the scenes. The great uni- 119 pp. Cloth, 40 cents. Zonder- Inglis. London. fying message in Kings and in van Publishing House, Grand Rap· Chronicles, Miss Saxe makes ids, Mich. 1938. One Gospel for Mankind. Hugh abundantly clear, in the impera- Vernon White. 72 pp. 35 cents. tive need of trusting God and Among the consecrated Chi- Friendship Press. New York. obeying Him. The book would nese soul winners is Andrew be still better if the author did Gih, now on an evangelistic tour Right Here at Home. Frank S. not lean so heavily upon a very in war-torn China. Previously, Mead. 183 pp. $1.00, and 60 cents. limited number of Bible scholars he made a three months' tour of Friendship Press. New York. for her quotations and if she had Australia with J. Edwin Orr, included more thought-provok- who says he was second to none Studies in I and II Kings and I and ing questions, along with the list for effectiveness. This book is II Chronicles. Grace Axe. 112 pp. of fact questions, at the end of in two parts: the first half be- 35 cents. B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. each lesson. ing s tor i e s of conversions through the Bethel Evangelistic When I Awake. Jack C. Winslowe. C. NORMAN BARTLETT. Bands, and the second half a 78 pp. Is. 6d. Hodder and Stough- collection of Bible readings on ton. London. The Doctor Comes to Lui. A Story such subjects as "The Dry of the Beginnings in the Sudan. By Bones," "Catching Fish," and The Wealth, Walk and Warfare of Eileen Fraser. Illus. 71 pp. Is. "The Way to Victory." "His vi- the Christian. Ruth Paxson. 222 Church Missionary Society. Lon- tal exposition of the Word of pp. $1.50. Revell. New York. don. 1939. God captivated both the saved and the unsaved," says Mr. Orr Yesterdays in Persia and Kurdistan. The reviewer and his wife in the preface; "Not a single Frederick G. Coan. 284 pp. $2.50. spent some years in the Sudan theme will be easily forgotten." Saunders Studio Press. Claremont, enjoying the personal acquaint- Calif. ance of the author and Bishop H.H.F. Gwynne who wrote the intro- Cry Dance. Coe Hayne. 255 pp. duction to the book. The story New Book. $2.00. Harpers. New York. of the establishment of many bush schools in darkest Sudan; The Acts of the Apostles. Studies The Greatest Words in the Bible and cutting down the jungle and let- in Primitive Christianity. W. H. in Human Speech. Clarence E. ting in the Christ; these are in- Griffith Thomas. 93 pp. 30 cents. Macartney. $1.50. 103 pp. Cokescluded, with some stories of the B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. bury Press. Nashville. mauling of African natives by buffaloes, lions and leopards and The Faith We Declare. Edwin Homeland Harvest. Arthur H. Limtheir recovery under the skillful Lewis. 236 pp. $2. Cokesbury ouze. 211 pp. $1.00 cloth, 60 cents care of Dr. Fraser. One feels Press. Nashville. paper. Friendship Press. New that the reader stands in the York. presence of a great and modest Far Round the World. Grace W. servant of Jesus Christ. Mrs. McGavran. 118 pp. $1.00. Friend- One Family. C. M. S. Review of Fraser's self-abnegation in writ- ship Press. New York. 1938-39. 62 pp. 6d. Church Mising of her talented husband and sionary Society. London. herself is remarkable but we The Gospel, in the Pentateuch. Herwould like to know more of bert Lockyer. 125 pp. 50 cents. Personality and Character Developthem. A minor criticism might B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. ment. J. D. Messick. 192 pp. $1.50. be that the narrative skips back Revell. New York. and forth in a way that makes God's Purpose. A Book of 365 Serit bewildering to follow the monettes for Home Worship. 366 The Remarkable Jew. His Wonder~ dates and, sequence of events. pp. 50 cents paper; $1.00 limp ful Future. L. Sale-Harrison. 224 fabrikoid; $1.50 art leather. Win- pp. 28. 6d. Pickering & Inglis. T. A. LAMBIE. ston. Philadelphia. London.
The Meaning of War. James W. The Rural Church in the Far East. Johnson. 57 pp. 75 cents. Revell. Ralph A. Felton. 258 pp. $1.25. New York. Friendship Press. New York.
The S. P. G. Story. 1939. 156 pp. 6d. Society for Propagating the Gospel. London.
Builder of Dreams. The Life of Robert Edward Chambers. Ruth Carver Gardner and Christine Cof- fee Chambers. $1.00. 200 pp. Broad- man Press. Nashville.
Day Dawn in Yoruba Land. Charles E. Maddry. 217 pp. Broadman Press. Nashville.
MOSLEM
PUBLISHED BY THE HARTFORD SEMINARY FOUNDATION Editors: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, EDWIN E. CALVERLEY Some Articles in the July Number Broadcasting Our Message Samuel M. Zwemer After Madras Paul W. Harrison The Theological Approach Al Sha'ranI the Mystic lens Christensen Our Debt to Moslem Arabs Margaret Smith An East African Experience An Ordeal in Central Asia lohn Clark Archer Mission Frontier in Palestine A. Rowland Pittwa'Y International Relations G. Raquette Book Reviews Survey of Periodicals E. Theodore Bachmann Robert S. Darbishire Current Topics Sue Moll~son Foster ._-•• SUBSCRIBE NOW ….- __ 150 Cents a Copy. $2.00 It Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTl', 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net 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 MUllIlAY, 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 be went, representative ligure. And what a lesson in apparent failure! and bad enough to know the meaning of salvation. One by. product of his experience was his wonderful bumility-noth. . • . I feel strongly that' every student and alumnus of our ing in the show window and himself in the remote back. ground. It is inspiring. Seminary needs this book. Wbat better book to lead them to DR. GBORGI! P. PIERSON, formerly of Japan. feed on the Bible. One bears so much "vestibule religion"- We must all be grateful for this revealing of the main· men pointing to the door and taking their people as far as the springs of Bowen's character, his abiding faith in God, his threshold, but no opening up of the treasures within the earnest purpose to be a true and faithful follower of Jesus Christ; and his deep.seated conviction that the Gospel of Father's House. Read the topics of current sermons, and Christ could meet the religious needs of India's people. Bowen's expositions are precisely what Christians need in order to grow from puerility into spiritual maturity. Here is no WILLIAM HAzEN, adolescent, but a man in Christ. This is no volume to be Missionary in ShoJapur, India. read and dismissed, but to be marked and to be turned to repeatedly. A biography of one of the saintliest ligures of the nine. teenth century. I could not put the book down. There is a HBNRY SLOANB COFFIN, fascination and a depth in this man's soul which held me in President of Union Seminary.
devout attention. I found myself marking his moving sayings The Memoirs of George Bowen will continue to be for which would serve as starting points for chapel talks. He years to come a searching manual of devotion. He has set before me an ideal which few could attain; his life is a scath· ing rebuke to our ease, comfort, self.indulgence and ind- J. Ross STEVENSON, liciency.
President Emeritus, P,inrelon Seminar,.
Send $2.00 to.day for your copy of this latest book by Dr. Speer THE MISSIONARY REVIEW PUBLISHING CO.
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The Missionary Review of the World — February 1939
1939
About Shinto Shrine Worship A Japanese Christian How One Mission Works in Chosen A Missionary Report Conversion of a Pagan American Lena Blowers Janowsky Preaching Christ to Students in China Stanton Lautenschlager The Chinese Dragon No Longer Sleeps Mrs. Gerald R. Zimmer Save India Through India's Women . Anbu M. Azariah , Closer Cooperation in Missions Alexander McLeish 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
D.te. to Remember Seminary; He became a local preach- was Honorary Secretary of'the
er upon his conversion in 1906. January 23-February l8-Iowa School India Tract Society. He served for a for Missionaries. Iowa State College, considerable time on the faeulty of Ames, Iowa. * ob*erts*has Mr. been elect- the Theological Seminary in Saharan- February 2-4–Conference on Siam at Thomas R pur. 156 Fifth Ay,e., New York. ed secretary-treasL/rer of the New After his retirement he served for February 6-l4:'-International Council York Seamen's Church Institute, to of Religious Education, Chicago, Ill. fill the vacancy caused by the death of sixteen years as an honored and greatly beloved adviser for almost February 7-March 31 – Teams of Mr. Frank T. Warburton. Mr. ROb- every phase of missionary life. speakers from the Madras Confer- erts is well known as financial ad- ence are to visit a number of cities visor to many organizations. He is survived by two daughters in the United States and Canada to * and one son, Rev. Edmund D. Lucas, report on the most important fea- 'I< 'I< Ph.D., vice-principal of Forman tures of that conference. One team will consist of Professor G. Baez Mrs. M. D. Eubank, retired mission- Christian College at Lahore, India. Camargo of Mexico, Dr. P. C. Hsu ary of the American Baptist Foreign of China, and Miss Ila Sircar of * 'I< India. The second team will con- Mission Society, died in Kansas City, 'I< sist o.f Dr. Rajah B. Manikam of India, Dr. Hachiro Yuasa of Japan, Mo., September 24, 1938. With her Helen Miller Gould Shepard, the and Miss Minnie Soga of South Africa. husband, Dr. Eubank, she sailed for wife of Finley J. Shepard of New Huchow, East China, in 1899. They April 26 – Uniting Conference of York and Tarrytown, died on Decem- American Methodism, Kansas City, continued their medical, educational Mo. and evangelistic service until 1915; ber 2lstat the age of 70 as a result of an apoplexy stroke.. She was the FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- and since their return Dr. Eubank has ARY ASSEMBLIES daughter of J.ay Gould, the railroad been field representative of the Mis- February l-3-Palm Beaches. sion for Missouri; magnate who willed her a large share February 4-8-0rlando. of his fortune. She received this gift February 5-7-De Land. as a steward to ,be used for God in February 8-lO-Ft. Myers. *** February 9-10-Sarasota. His work for man. Her contributions February 11-l6-St. Petersburg. Miss Mary C. Helm, Presbyterian to various cause's were many and February l2-l5-Clearwater. ll'ebruary l7-l8-Southern College. missionary in the Punjab, died in the large, including work for soldiers and February 19-2l-Tampa. Deaconess Hospital of Boston, Octo- February 19-21-Winter Haven. ber 15, 1938. She was, successively, sailors, for Bible instruction in col- February 22-23-Quincy. February 23-24–Tallahassee. principal of the Boarding School for leges and for missionary and philan- February 24-26-All College. thropic work in many lands. In 1913, Girls in J agraon, teacher in the Mary at the age of 55, she was married to E. Pratt School in Ambala City, as- Mr. Shepard, then a manager of the sistant principal of the Boys' Board- ing School in Khanna, and from 1923 Gould system of railroads. Mrs.
until her death, principal of the Sarah Shepard was on the boards of many philanthropic and Christian enter- M. Wherry School for Girls in J a- prises, including the American Tract graon. She was keenly interested in Society, American Bible Society" the literacy campaign which has been American Christian Literature So- developing in the Punjab. ciety for Moslems, and the World Do- * * 'I< minion. She was a member of the Dr. Henry Beets" the Secretary of Reformed Church in America. She is the Christian Reformed Church Board survived by her ~ husband and three of Missions to the Heathen, and Stated adopted children and one ward whom Clerk of that denomination,and Edi- she educated. tor of The Missionarry Monthly * * 'I< (Heidenwereld), retired in January as Secretary· of Missions, having Dr. A. E. Burrows, the editor of the Rarm's Horn, died on November 13th, Personal Items reached the age of 70. Dr. Beets con- tinues his work as Stated Clerk and as a result of an automobile accident followed by an apoplexy, stroke. The Dr. Emory Ross, secretary of the Editor of the Monthly which he has publication of the Ram's Horn will be Africa Committee of the Foreign Mis- carried on effectively for so many sionsConference, of the African Wel- discontinued for the present at least fare Committee of the Federal Council years. and will be missed by its many of Churches, and of the American Mission to Lepers, returned in December readers. .. * * from a lleven months' trip through Africa, from one end of the continent Obituary Notes Mrs. Katherine, Ellis, senior C. M. S.
to the other. The Rev. J. J. Lucas, ·D.D., an hon- missionary in Palestine, lived almost uninterruptedly in the country since *** orably retired missionary· from the North India Mission of the Presby- she first came in 1884, with her Mrl!. F. S. Bennett, in whose honor terian Church in the United States of mother. Seven years later she was a bell was placed in the tower of the America, died in Lahore, India, Jan- Central Church of Santo Domingo, has uary 7, 1939. (Concluded on piJ,ge 65.) again been honored in the naming of a new unit of the· Presbyterian Hos- James Joseph Lucas was born in A Scriptural Stud'Y Each Week-52 Lessons pital in San Juan, P.R. A gift of Dublin, Ireland, August 21, 1847, and $23,000 to the Hospital had made poS- came to America with his parents A practical, effective course in methods sible the addition of a new clinic, when he was a small boy. He received of Christ1an work and soul.winniD.!l. additional private rooms and two op- his education in Danville, Kentucky, erating rooms; but the equipment for and Princeton Theological Seminary. Send 15c in stamps for current iUu.. the operating unit had waited for ad- In ~870 he was appointed asa misditional funds. In December the Pres- sionary to India and two years later RISTIAN PUBLICATIONSJNG byterian Board of National Missions married Mary Eveline Sly, a mis- .allocated $5,000 for this purpose, and sionary. ~n 1884 they went to Alla- Hlrrlsburg, PI. Mrs. Bennett has been asked to repre- habad, where they remained until sent the Board at the dedication. honorably retired in 1922, ·after fifty- two years of active service. Mrs. Rev. Chong *00.* * pastor of the Lucas died in 1931.
Kim, For years Dr. Lucas had o¥crsight of evangelistic work in a large field, First Methodist Church of Seoul, Ko- was head of the boys' school in Alla- habad, where he taulfht Hindu, Morea, has been elected General Superin- hammedan, and ChrIstian students. He was the author of many books, tendent of the Korean Methodist commentaries, and tracts in the Indian Church. Bishop Kim was educated vernaculars and for a number of years in the Pierson Memorial Bible School and the Union Methodist Theological
MISSIONARY Thursday of February each year, will
REVIEW OF THE WORLD be postponed until further notice on account of the absence of several of By mistake the death was reported DBLAVAN L. PIBllBON, Bent.". the Directors at the Madras Con- (in the January issue) of Thomas ference. Moody, who served many years in VOL. LXII FEB., 1939 No.2 Central Africa as a missionary of the Obituary Notes American Baptist Foreign Missionary Publication and Business Office– Society. We are thankful to say that Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. (Concluded from 2d cover.) Mr. Moody, while retired as a mission- ary, is still living at Closter, N. J. Editorial and Executive Office– accepted as a C. M. S. missionary. 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. She married Mr. F. T. EUis, head- In the brief a*rtic*le *on Dr. Imad-ud- Entered as second-class matter at master of Bishop Gobat School in 1894. She died in Palestine on No- din, reprinted in our December num- Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under vember 17th. Few people have a con- ber (page 573) from The National Act of March 3, 1879. tinuous record of fifty years' service Missionary Intelligencer of India, ap- in the Moslem world. pear two errors as to dates, Dr. Imad- 25 cents a copy-$2.60 a year. ud-din, the famous convert from Islam Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. *** was baptized in 1866 at the age of Publlsbed monthly, except August. forty-four (not sixty-four) and was All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. Rev. Ezequiel D. Torres, of San ordained to the ministry in 1868. He British agents – Marshall, Morgan Miguel de los Banos, Cuba, a Presby- was descended from the famous Mos- and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, tenan leader, died suddenly on Jan- lem Qutub (not Gutale) Jamal, a London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, uary 6. He was born in Cuba on descendant of the royal house of 10 shillings a year. April 8, 1887, and came under evan- Persia. gelical influence early in life. At the MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- close of the SpaniSh-American War *** LISHING CO., INC. when Protestant missionarIes went into Cuba, Dr. Torres' mother at once The "Fourteen Points for Foreign BOARD OF DIRECTORS enrolled him in a mission school. He Missions" quoted in our June number ROBERT E. SPEER, President was graduated from La Progresiva at (page 262) was credited by mistake A. L. W ARNBHUIB, Vic"-Pr,,.id"'" Cardenas, and entered Westminster to Dr. William Adams Brown. The W ALTER McDOUGALL, Treasurer College, Missouri, from which he re- correct author is the Rev. William A. DF.I.AVAN L. PIERSON, Secretor'll ceived his A.B. degree in 1909. He Brown, founding pastor of the studied for the ministry at Union The- Friendly Mission at Cave Junction, PAUL J. BRAISTED ological Seminary, Richmond, Vir- Oregon. SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT gima, and returned to Cuba to take a D. J. FANT pastorate at Camajuani. He opened An Effect of Tithing MRS. ORRI~' R. JUDD a mission day school to give children the advantage of daily religious train- Whereas the total per capita gifts W14. B. LIPPHARD ing and contmued in educational work of American churches, for both out- from that time until his death. After side benevolences and congregational ERIC M. NORTH 1930, he was principal of the Kate expenses, averaged only $13.02 per SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Plumer Bryan School at Guines, Cuba. member last year for 20 large Prot- Dr. Torres was a gifted orator, with estant denominations, the four leading Editorial Chat a brilliant mind, and was well-beloved churches of Long Beach, California, by church groups in Cuba and the last year gave $13.47 per member to The special home and foreign mis- United States. benevolences alone. The average besion study topics for the year 1939 and nevolent gifts reported for all leading 1940 will take up subjects that deal *** American churches was only one sixth with the needs, the progress and the this amount, or $2.23 per member. At program for promoting the Christian Rev. George A. Landes, an honor- the same time the Long Beach enterprise at home and abroad. The ably retired missionary from the churches are paying off their "Earthforeign missions textbooks will deal South Brazil Mission of the Presby- quake Loans" and are engaged in with the subjects discussed at the re- terian Church in the United States of building programs. One secret of the cent Madras Missionary Conference America, died after a brief illness in fine showing of the four Long Beach (December 13-30, 1938), These relate Pasadena, California, December 30, churches is that they are tithing to the Church and its opportunities, 1938. churches. They give 40 % of all their methods and program in mission fields contributions to local home and foraround the world. He was born in Milroy, Pennsyl- eign mISSIOns. Tithing evidently vania, February 17, 1850. He grad- brings blessed results both to givers *** uated from Pennsylvania State Col- and to the work of Christ. The po- lege in 1877, and from Princeton Theo- tential giving power for Protestant We plan to publish a series of logical Seminary in 1880. On August Christians in the United States is papers in THE REVIEW to give views 3, 1880, he married Miss Rebecca estimated at about $3,000,000,000 a of delegates as to the importance and Margaret Newell Shoeder and they year, or ne"l'ly ten times the present probable results of the conference. left for Brazil, commissioned by The reported gifts. Papers are expected from Dr. Paul Board of Foreign Missions of the W. Harrison of Arabia, Dr. John R. Presbyterian Church in the U. S. A. Dramatic Portrayal of Life Mott, Chairman, Mr. B. L. Rallia in India Ram of India, Prebendery W. W. Cash First stationed at Rio de Janeiro, of London, and others. Later papers later they moved to Curityba, Florian- Mr. and Mrs. Ramkrishna Shahu and photographic illustrations will be opolis, and were the first missionariE:s Modak of Ahmednagar, India, are ofpresented on the most interesting and to establish work in Curityba. He fering a dramatic program in costume important topics discussed. made extensive journeys on horseback showing everyday life in India. Mr. over almost impassable roads, travel- Modak is pastor of a large, self-sup- *** ing hundreds of miles to reach the re- porting Christian Church and Mrs. mote areas of his field. Several groups Modak, formerly Marguerite Grove, a The home mission text books for the of evangelical Christians were estab- missionary of the American Congrecoming year are to deal with "The lished as a result. gational Church. They are very active World Community at Home." We plan in Christian work in India. Mr. and also to present in THE REVIEW a num- Mr. and Mrs. Landes were honor- Mrs. Modak can be addres~ed at 47 ber of articles by outstanding leaders, ably retired in 1923, after forty-three Allenhurst Road, Buffalo, N. Y., by dealing with this and related topics. years of devoted service on the field. those interested in their portrayal. In 1927, they returned to California. *** Mr. Landes is survived by his wife and several children, one son, Philip, There has been a large demand each being a member of the South Brazil year for our special numbers dealing Mission. with the mission study subjects. Mrs. F. F. Hutchins of Indianapolis writes: [65 ] "The October number is an invaluable help on India." This year the special articles will be distributed through the year.
*** The Annual Meeting of THE RE- VIEW, regularly held on the second
CITY OF PAHSIEN (CHUNGKING), SZECHWAN, WHICH IS NOW THE PROVISIONAL CAPITAL OF CHINA
HEAVY FOGS HAVE MORE THAN ONCE AFFORDED THIS CITY A NATURAL PROTEC'TION FROM JAPANESE AIR ATTACKS Photograph by E. Warren Knight, M.D. CHINESE REFUGEES LISTENING TO THE GOSPEL IN FRONT OF THE MEN'S HOSPITAL, LINFEN, SHANSI. A BRITISH FLAG IS SPREAD ON THE ROOF BESIDE A PAINTED RED CROSS, SE'RVING AS A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION AND PROTECTION AGAINST AIR RAIDS SCENES CONNECTED WITH MILITARY AND SPIRITUAL CONFLICTS IN CHINA (These plates are used by courtesy of Ohina's Millions, Germantown, Pa., January, 1939)
NARY
ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 2 FEBRUARY, 1939 Topics of the Times FORWARD IN FOREIGN MISSIONS advance. The goal is world-wide evangelization and the establishment of Christian churches, with What has been achieved by the Christian trained Spirit-filled leaders in every land, ready to Church in nineteen centuries of missionary work? carryon victoriously in the name and power of The forces against Christ and His program of Jesus Christ.
love and righteousness have been many and active. Among the advance steps to be taken in Chris- They have usually been foolish or diabolical. But tian missions, in order to make the work more the forces for good have been stronger, for God effective, may be mentioned the following: has marshalled and inspired them. As one result the Bible (in whole or in part) has been now First: A new study of the areas yet to be evantranslated in 1,000 tongues so that nine-tenths of gelized and at least given an opportunity to see the earth's population, if they can read at all, can Christ and receive Him as the living Lord and read God's message to man in their own language. only Saviour. This includes not only the unoccu- In every land and to every race the Gospel of pied and unevangelized geographical areas, but Christ has been proclaimed; and in practically the areas in social life in so-called Christian lands. every land the Church of Christ has been estab- There is need for advance today in evangelistic emphasis and activity. lished and prepared to carry forward the work Second: An appraisal of missionary message, of evangelization. Hundreds of thousands' of personnel, assets and methods at home and abroad Christian witnesses of every race and tongue and to discover which are the most productive in abidnation testify to the grace of God~most of them ing spiritual results. Is our work sufficiently for love and without any thought of personal gain sacrificial? Is more courage needed in meeting from this service. The largest number of the opposition? Is evangelism ineffective in instituearth's inhabitants now are called Christians- Honal work? Is the Holy Spirit given the right though they are divided into Protestants, Roman of way in guiding young Christians and young and Greek Catholics, Abyssinians, Copts, Gre- churches in mission fields?
gorians, Nestorians and other sects. While they Third: What steps should be taken to clarify outnumber the Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems, Tao- the essential Christian message and to purify the ists and other non-Christian sects, many of them Church life? Many miss,ionaries today are critiare still weak and ignorant and know not the cized because they are not first of all true "ampower of God in their own lives. The amou~t bassadors for Christ." At home and abroad both done in fulfilment of our Lord's last command IS churches and Christians are inclined to be too selfvast, but the work is still incomplete. indulgent and to adopt other standards of life We look backward to learn from experience; we than thos,e set for us in the Word of God. Fourth: There is need for more Christian fellook around in order that we may see the present lowship and cooperation among all those who aclnoeoekds~pffoorrcegsu, ideannecmeieasn,d and opportunities; we cept Christ as Lord and Saviour. This may not strength; if we wish to mean organic church union, but it does require spiritual unity and cooperation with other memgo forward and make progress, we must look bers of the body of Christ. How can this be ahead. Christians press on toward a definite goal -in spite of difficulties and discouragements.
The foreign mission leaders at Madras have effected so as to avoid duplication, conflict and been looking forward in preparation for a new confusion? How can such a united front be pro- [67 ]
moted without weakening Christian testimony in Naturally this affects their religious philosophy evangelism and in education and service? and life. They see that Buddhism and Buddhist Fifth: Greater emphasis must be placed on the priests are antiquated, and there is a search for a training of native Christian leaders in every land. better way of life. The war in China is today In the past too much energy and money have been driving many illiterate Tai from southern China spent, proportionately, on the general education of across the border to seek a home in Siam.
non-Christians. The greatest need today is for The great present day need is the promotion of Spirit-filled, well trained Christian leaders and enlightened Christian ideas and the development teachers in every field-especially volunteer lay of strong Christian leaders in Siam; otherwise workers. the country may go the way of other lands, seek- Sixth: More emphasis must be placed on the ing to gain strength through communism or by production and use of Christian literature. With dictatorship. The Christian missionaries are growing literacy all over the world, new and highly respected in Siam because of their valuable larger fields are opened; with the increase of contributions to educational and medical progress.
cheap and harmful literature, more must be done They have sought to supply Siam's greatest needs to counteract this evil by wholesome books and and are recognized as unselfish, enlightened bene- papers. Mission Boards have not yet devoted factors and statesmen. As a result there has been sufficient attention to the power of the printed for some years, and is today, a great response on page-with a message skilfully presented. the part of the Siamese to the Christian Gospel, Seventh: The members of the army of Christ especially among the Lao and Shan tribes in the must advance on their knees. The need for this North. A national church has been formed and is has always been recognized but not sufficiently making encouraging progress.
practiced in spirit and truth. Prayer sometimes One peculiarity about Siam as a mission field is made subordinate to programs. Is not the is that only one Protestant church is working Spirit's guidance too often sought after steps have among the Siamese and Lao – the Presbyterian been taken, rather than before? Church in the U. S. A. which opened work in Christ's challenge comes to His Church to ad- Bangkok ninety-nine years ago. This Church has vance. There is reason for thanksgiving for the now seventy missionaries in thirteen stations, and progress made, but while 60 millions in India are 412 Siamese full-time Christian workers. still considered Untouchable; while 100 million in Africa have not yet heard of God's love for A special conference on "The Present Day Opman; while militarism holds sway in Japan, and portunity in Siam" is to be held in New York, China is suffering the extreme horrors of warfare; (February 2 to 4) in which three Siamese Chrisand while even in more privileged countries antigod movements are active, there is clearly no rea- tians and eighteen missionaries from Siam are to son for self-satisfaction because of the past take part. In Siam the present door will not reachievements of the Christian Church. There is main open if atheistic, materialistic, communistic a clarion call to more earnest prayer and more or totalitarian forces gain the ascendency. Her~ united service in the Cause of Christ. is a friendly, receptive country located in a stra- tegic position in Southern Asia. It is a unique opportunity in a unique mission field.
SIAM, A UNIQUE FIELD MISSIONARY UNITY IN MADAGASCAR Siam, called by the Siamese Muang-Thai, or The great island of Madagascar is famous in "Kingdom of the Free," is one of the last liberal, missionary history for the remarkable conversion constitutional monarchies in Asia. Its area is of the people, followed by terrible persecution un- 200,000 square miles, or twice the size of New der Queen Ranavalona lone hundred and ten England. The population is growing and now years ago. There were many martyrs but the atnumbers about 10,000,000, or one half that of tempt to blot out Christianity failed. Today the New England. While Buddhism is the prevailing church is making real progress with 3000 organreligion, there is full religious liberty; ninety per- ized churches and 212,000 Protestant Christians cent of the schools. are still located in Buddhist connected with two British, two American and temples. two continental societies, in addition to the Roman Catholics. Today Siam seems to be awake and ready to step out on a new program. The spirit of nation- This East African island, which was taken over alism is felt and national leaders are studying for- by the French in 1896, has an area of 241,000 eign ideas in medicine, education and modern im- square miles (one fifth larger than Siam) and a provements to adapt them to the country's needs. population of 3,604,000 (the same as Cuba which The people are seeking new education and the ad- has one fifth the area). Recently the five leading vantage of Western discoveries and inventions.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
Protestant missions have come together in har- the Christian worship, the opening of new places, monious cooperation and division of territory. and liberty to preach and teach the Gospel in all Twenty-five years ago the first conference of the prisons. of Madagascar. .
all the Protestant missions was held in Madagas- 3. The chief of public instruction was to be recar. Last August we held the fifth inter-mission- quested to abrogate the school law that rules out ary conference. teaching the vernacular. The former meetings were held at Tananarive but this time Fianarantsoa was chosen, with the 4. The French Mission was asked to consider Inter-Lutheran Theological Seminary at Ivory as permanent mission work in the prison colonies at headquarters. St. Marie and Nosy Be. All missions are to sup- port this work financially since the prisoners at The delegates included 56 voting members, be- these colonies come from the whole island. sides advisory ones-from American, Norwegian, British and French missions. Dr. M. J. Stolee 5. The same mission was asked to open a home from America spoke in fluent Malagasy, although and a school for the metis children as soon as he had been away from Madagascar for 29 years, possible. All the Protestant missions are to take and gave some of his impressions about the chang- their share in carrying the expenses of this new es he observed in Madagascar. home and school.
The Inter-missionary conference is made up of 6. In order that all church workers may have an equal number of missionaries and native church free access to the present church and school laws, workers from the three Lutheran missions, the a member of the conference was asked to gather London Missionary Society, the French Protestant and publish these laws.
Mission, and the Friends. The Anglican mission 7. A Gospel Campaign by all the missions was withdrew a few years ago. agreed upon, to be launched in 1939 preferably in The aim of the conference is cooperation in such August or September, with Gospel teams prepared enterprises and problems as call for combined ef- for the work.
fort. There is a general agreement that these 8. Each mission was asked to encourage and • missions will not take up missionary work in the train Christians for different kinds of laymen's fields assigned to another mission. This has been work.
a wonderful blessing, and has saved overlapping 9. Standing committees, with members from and strife. Any Christian, upon the presentation each mission, were recommended on the followof certificate of membership from one church, is ing lines: Theological text-books; Malagasy meloreceived as a member in good standing in any church in the locality to which he moves. dies adaptable for religious use; tracts and re- ligious posters. The programs, of the conferences avoid doctrinal differences in order to prevent unnecessary dis- 10. Emphasis must be put on the propagation of cussions and to promote the spirit of Christ-like the Gospel by mission s.chools. It is better not to cooperation and unity in the Holy Spirit. have any schools if they are not strictly Christian.
All the topics tliscussed were either religious, 11. A good Protestant weekly newspaper was social, or educational, or were topics presented by recommended in order to counteract the present the Inter-missionary council. These are evidently communistic tendencies.
to be further discussed at the International Mis- 12. The Malagasy Protestant Church was asked sionary Conference at Madras, India. Papers to send two delegates to the International Miswere read on the Sunday School, the Young Peo- sionary Conference at Madras, and Mr. E. Burton ple, Laymen's Work, on Church Music, the Fam- of the L. M. S. and Prof. Johanes Rakotovao of ily Altar, Christian Literature, Evangelization, the the Norwegian Lutheran Society were elected.
Social Evils and their Consequences (such as alco- An open air meeting, held at Ivory, was unique holism, slums, etc.), and Leadership Training. in the mission work in Madagascar. It w,as esti- Representatives from each mission reported on mated that between 3000 and 4000 people were the progress of the work in their respective fields. present. Eight speakers were picked from the The following are the substance of the most best missionaries and native preachers and the important resolutions adopted: Malagasy choir sang. This meeting was an in- displltable demonstration of the strength and in- 1. Christian work should be taken up among fluence of Protestantism in this Island. the natives of the Comore Islands (a dependency of Madagascar). This new field was turned over This Inter-missionary conference closed with the Lord's Supper, held at the Norwegian Lutherto the French Protestant Mission. an Mission. A general feeling prevailed that all 2. The central committee should approach the were one in Christ Jesus, our Saviour. Governor-general with the request for a more liberal interpretation of the laws pertaining to M. G. C. VAAGENES.
PRAY FOR TROUBLED KOREANS Since the Japanese invasion of China began, the Strict Japanese censorship makes it difficult for difficulties in Chosen have greatly increased. Americans, or even Japanese Christians, to know Under police instructions the Korea Sunday the facts about the present situation in Chosen School Association, the Christian Endeavor Sowhere there are over 500,000 Protestant adher- cieties and the National Christian Council have ents of the Christian Church, in addition to the been forced to disband "voluntarily" on the pre- Roman and Greek Catholics. Many of the Korean text that they are no longer needed. The Korean Christians are noble-minded, well-educated lead- Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. and the W. C. T. U. have been united with the Japanese orers, and most of them are courageous, intellige.nt ganizations. A group of Japanese pastors was sent to Chosen, under the auspices of the Governand God-fearing men and women, not easily In- ment, to organize associations of Korean and J aptimidated. The Japanese, who are forcing their anese pastors with a view to winning the Korean way in Manchukuo and China, are determined to churches over to the Japanese point of view and form a totalitarian state in Japan and Chosen, to make them willing to participate in shrine worone in which the people will acknowledge no au- ship. Great stress was laid by the Japanese repthority as superior to that of the Emperor. They resentatives on the need for the Korean churches therefore require all subjects to attend and bow to weaken their connections with foreign missionat the national Shinto Shrines, dedicated to the aries and to come more under Japanese control. Sun-Goddess, Ama-terasu O-Mikami, who is re- Systematic propaganda is now being carried on to puted to be the grand ancestress of the Japanese foment anti-foreign and anti-missionary sentiimperial family. The Koreans lost their national ments throughout the Korean Church. No deleindependence by annexation in 1910. They are gates were allowed to go to the Madras Confernow threatened with the loss of all liberty of ence unless they would agree to favor Japanese thought and action in matters which do not harmonize in the program of Japanese dictators. policies.
The Constitution of the Japanese Empire guar- On account of the present situation and the unantees religious liberty, but this guarantee is of certain outlook, it was decided not to open the • little value if the officials can decide what is reli- Theological Seminary in Pyengyang, and to omit gion and what is not. Who is lord of the con- holding some of the Men's Bible Institutes. Misscience, God or the militaristic government? In sionaries have been advised to give up visiting Korea, at least, the Government is divided into their country churches inasmuch as these visits compartments-civil, military and the police-and result in increased pressure and bring new diffithe greatest of these is the police. These three culties upon the church members. For this reason departments very largely act independently. The much of the Christian work, which has been so educational authorities say that the Government promising, is now almost at a standstill and the does not force citizens to do obeisance at the organized work of the Church has been greatly shrines, but that only the pupils and teachers in hampered. Many of the Church leaders have been schools must go. When a delegatio!}. of mission- imprisoned and some have suffered tortures. In aries waited on the Governor-General he declared past years the Korean Christians have gone that it was not his policy to force religious or- through times of severe testing, when their whole ganizations to go to the shrines. At that same future seemed to be threatened, but the Spirit of time the police in Pyengyang were forcing repre- God, quietly working in Christians, has overruled sentatives of the Church to attend shrine cere- each trial in the past. This has led to the strengthmonies. ening and purifying of the Church and has pre- For over two years Japanese detectives have pared for greater growth.
been present at nearly all Christian church serv- The present situation is the most difficult and ices and have been ready to report anything the most threatening in all the history of Chris- said that might be interpreted as "Dangerous tian work in Korea. Many are confused and Thoughts." Since the order that all schools must troubled. Earnest prayer is needed on behalf of do obeisance at the shinto shrines, any discussion the missionaries and church leaders, and for of the question has been forbidden and declared Korean Christians, that their faith may not fail, to be lese majeste. All church and mission eom- but that they may be sustained amid conditions mittee meetings receive police permits only after which often seem heart-breaking. In spite of the pledges have been signed promising not to discuss apparent hopelessness of the present situation we the shrine question. Usually English-speaking believe that God will over-rule the present diffi- detectives have been present to see that this de- culties and will prepare for clear testimony to the mand was obeyed. It was therefore with great supernatural power of God. This has often proved difficulty that the decision to close the mission true in the past. God's arm is not shortened that schools was passed by the missions. it cannot save. Pray for the Christians in Chosen.
TEARS
Ah, tears, unbidden tears! Familiar friends since childhood's lonely years, Why do ye come again to dwell with me? Ye come; nor wait your coming nor delay; Nay, fearless with what scorn, Ye picture China by my brothers torn. The scorn I must accept, But I'm no coward; pray heed ere more ye've wept; I love Japan so fair, And China too; this war I cannot bear . .
TOYOHIKO KAGAWA.
Facts About Shinto Shrine Worship __ <!III By a JAPANESE ClffiISTIAN II~– [This authentic statement, translated and condensed the people worship at the shrines religiously. In view of from a paper written by a Japanese Christian, shows how this fact the Government measure requiring the people to obeisance at Shinto shrines was regarded in Japan before pray for victory in war is recognized as constituting no the matter became a political and totalitarian issue.- small obstacle to evangelistic work. This is the reason for the present resolution. EDITOR.] n..A FTER the restoration of the Emperor to his At the Convention of the Christian Church of throne in 1868, and up until 1882, the Jap- Japan, and in the Federation of Christian anese Government did not attempt to foster Churches of Japan, the following resolution was State Shinto shrine worship. Indeed the opinion also adopted: prevailed among the authorities that all religion was useless. In 1882, however, possibly to arouse The festivals at the shrines are held today in a purely greater patriotism through ancestor worship, the religious sense and with religious rites. It is recognized Government began to revive Shinto and, at the therefore that the authorities, in encouraging worship at instigation of Marquis Okurma, began also to de- the shrines and in frequently forcing school children to clare that State Shinto is not religious. attend them, are evidently violating the Constitution of the Empire and are impairing the freedom of religious belief. Later, after the China-Japan and the Russo- Japan wars, the authorities became keenly aware Three years later (October, 1917) the Federaof the need for religion. This attitude grew tion of Christian Churches of Japan distributed stronger so that in 1911 the Government issued to all the Christian churches of the country a reorders that all primary school pupils throughout markable declaration in commemoration of Marthe land should attend the shrines. When, on tin Luther's posting of his Ninety-five Theses at August 23, 1914, war was declared on Germany, Wittenburg. the prayers for victory and speedy restoration of peace were commanded to be offered at all the October 31, 1917, is the four hundredth anniversary of 49,000 State shrines above village grade. the posting of the ninety-five articles by Luther at Witten- burg. Nothing that we could do would be too great to Immediately ;:tfter these orders, the following commemorate his grand work of making clear to all the resolution was introduced at the Convention of meaning of Christianity, of advocating the great principle the Congregational Churches of Japan, held at of freedom, of dispelling the dark clouds which had ob- Kobe, October, 1914: scured religion, of denouncing superstitions and of break- ing up evil customs of society. The Government encourages shrine worship mainly for the purpose of ancestor worship, and a large number of In commemorating this day we realize that the general condition of this Empire (Japan), the inclinations of so- ciety and particularly the conditions affecting religion, are in many points similar to those obtaining at the time of the [71 ]
religious reformation in Europe; and we cannot but feel minded parties are spreading the idea that shrines the responsibility to awake and rise up to advocate these "are superior to" religion, and that opposition to great principles throughout the world. the shrines is opposition to the nation.
1. The Japanese people are, in religion, like sheep with- As proof that shrine worship does not constiout a shepherd. Their spiritual power has disintegrated, tute religion, the Government calls attention to the power of faith has declined and, therefore, they do not the fact that shrines and religion are supervised know what to follow. They are destitute of piety, they by different governmental bureaus, although forhave become rude and shameless; their haughtiness, ex- merly they were under the same bureau. This travagance and lewdness are growing worse day by day. contention of the Government, however, utterly There has never been a time when spiritual reform was disrega~ds a history of many hundred years durso urgent as it is today. ing which the shrines developed as religious in- stitutions invented by the Japanese. No Govern- 2. Evil gods, superstitions and other accumulated evil in ment proclamation that shrine worship does not religion impair society and poison public morals to a ter- constitute religion would be worth anything. Not rible extent. We believe that to remedy these evils and the arbitrary and political interpretation of addevelop sound religion, to arouse a sense of piety, to build ministrative officials, but only the impartial and up strong and good belief and to improve social spirit and disinterested judgment of qualified theologians, taste is very urgent indeed if we would meet the needs of can be conclusive. In actual fact there has not the times. been one scholar in our country-indeed there has not even been one among the theologians of the 3. The only true personal God, who is Father and Ruler whole world – who has declared thfl,t Japanese of all the people in the world, is the only one who should State shrine worship is not religious. be worshipped. The fact that the shrines are religious is fully This declaration, after comparing the situation demonstrated by their historic origin, the nature in Japan to that in Europe at the time of the of their festivals and the attitude of devotion that Reformation, stated that the Japanese people, in must be observed. Moreover, charms or amulets religious affairs, are like "sheep without a shep- sold by the shrines confirm this conclusion and herd," that evil gods, superstitions and other reli- the prayers which the Government causes its gious evils poison public morals, and that the only priests to offer to their gods, make it altogether true personal God (Jehovah) should be wor- impossible to doubt that shrine worship does acshipped. In regard to Shinto the Federation de- tually constitute a religious rite. The following clared: are actual Government instructions as to such prayers: 4. There is a clear distinction between veneration for ancestors, expressing itself in the exaltation of historical 1. Prayer for a good year; that there may be no damage benefactors who performed distinguished service for their country, and religion. To hold ceremonies full of religious through storm or flood; that crops may be good and rites (on the plea of venerating such persons) is not only unreasonable but also it adversely affects education and abundant; that the country may be prosperous. impairs national development. It is the duty of loyal subjects to cut off such evils, abolish the evil practice of con- 2. At the harvest festival (niina1nisai); to return thanks fusing purple and red, remedy narrow-minded habits and thus greatly encourage the spirit of the world. for good crops and to invoke peace and prosperity for 5. Freedom of religious belief is guaranteed by the Con- the country. stitution of the Empire. We must exert ourselves to defend this right, for there are today many things taking 3. At regular festivals; to pray for the prosperity of the place in violation of it. Such are the recent enactments and events relating to shrines, the relation between educa- country. tion and the shrines; various customs in villages and even in large places which are almost compulsory. It is the 4. At the time of Saidansai, Genshisai and Kigensetsu; duty of subjects of the Empire to correct all that is wrong in these practices. to pray for the tranquility of the country, abundance Although the Japanese Government encouraged of grain, prosperity of industry and expansion of nashrine worship, it took the position, for a time, that such worship ought not to be forced. This tional glory. . may have been because Christians objected, or because Buddhists did not like it, or possibly for 5. In the "purification ceremonies"; the prayer reads, "If fear of violating the Constitution which guarantees religious freedom. the priests have unwittingly committed sins, keep evil This cautious attitude, however, has now been spirits from them and purify them." superseded by one which increasingly compels shrine worship. This has come in the wake of No one objects to efforts to foster respect for the demand for revival of "the spirit of Japan," ancestors. However, since ideas and beliefs vary and may be owing to the growing power of the in different persons, methods of showing respect military, the use of rightist parties, or may be also vary. It is a great error to think that the due to the authorities taking the chance of our only way to honor ances,tors is by the Shinto cere- being weak and unprincipled. Wilful and narrow- mony. Even in ancestor worship it would not be desirable to have different races and peoples par- ticipate in the same ceremony. Germany or Italy, which each consist of but one race, may unite in one such ceremony, but our country (Japan) com- prises, besides Japan proper, Chosen (Korea), Formosa and Karafuto, and is therefore a country
FACTS ABOUT SHINTO SHRINE WORSHIP
of four peoples. Japan is now making great prog- as a useless thing fQllowed up by an attempt to. ress as one o.f the great nations. The ideas and enfQrce religiQus practices under the name Qf beliefs of these different peoples ·therefore will patriotism. Pray fQr the Japanese Christians. not readily be given up so that they will embrace a universal relIgion by governmental edict. The Appendix Added March 1936 idea that the peoples of Chosen, Formosa and Karafuto will adopt the same attitude of mind What attitude did the authQrities and the peQple toward the popular Japanese gods as the people take toward, and what criticism did they make Qf, of Japan, is an exceedingly foolish self-deceptiQn. the military o.fficers who. as,s'assinated Premier HQwever much the Government authQrities may try to. aVQid the name "religiQn," if the shrines Inukais.ome years ago! [It was notorio.us that are regarded by the people as religious. institutions, they come within the prQtectiQn of the Con- they too.k no. adequate action whatever.-ED.] stitutiQn (article 2'8) which grants freedQm Qf religious belief. The Supreme Court (of Japan) Then (February 1936) they hesitated to call in October 1901, rendered a decisio.n saying that State Shinto is religious. Therefo.re to fQrce such those tr.oops traitQrs o.r insurgen.ts, o.r riQters who wQrship on the people, for whatever reaSQns and by whatever eloquence, co.nstitutes an interference attacked and murdered many elder statesmen and with the guaranteed freedom of belief and tramples upon the rights of the peQple. It is our duty high ministers, seized and held for four days govto compel a reform of wrQng administratiQn which disregards the spiritual life of the people; ernment o.ffices and principal streets in the Imand we should uphold the great principle Qf freedom Qf belief. perial metroPQlis and made necessary the prQcla.- To. speak mo.re particularly, it has beco.me the mation of martial law! Instead they used very fashiQn in recent years to. pro.mo.te "the spirit Qf Japan," and even to. subvert constitutiQnal gov- mild terms to describe them. ernment. DesPo.tic militaristic parties are rampant. Even disturbances by soldiers in which We Christians have been greatly cQncerned lest, elder statesmen and high ministers o.f state have been murdered have been kno.wn. Under such co.n- if the people be nQtawakened to. the religiQn which ditio.ns freedom of speech so. Io.ng enjoyed, will be lost, freedQm o.f belief will share the same fate teaches respect for and belief in the supernatural and thus the rightful authQrity of the WQrld Qf GQd-excluding belief in natiQnal go.ds and wo.rthe spirit will be dethroned. ship Qf ancestQrs – the cQuntry shQuld fall into. There is no doubt that all this is the result of an erro.neQUS educational PQlicy ado.pted at the time decay and decline. Qf the Meiji RestQratio.n which regarded religion Our anxiety has: been justified. A great insur- rectiQn has taken place, invo.lving a shame that can never be blotted o.ut from the history Qf Qur country. This exposes the errQrs, Qf the educa- tiQnal policy adopted at the time Qf the Meij i Res- tQration. TQday extreme young military Qfficers may be said to. be spiritually paralyzed, s.o much so that they, in the name of the country, disregard justice and humanity, violate the laws o.f the state and know no. shame. .
There is but Qne way to save the present age- and that is thro.ugh belief in Christianity, the only true religiQn to which end we now appeal again to. the public at large.
KAGAWA IN TROUBLED TIMES Many are wQndering what TQyohikQ Kagawa is doing in these troubled times. In spite Qf the difficulty which every o.utward expressiQn of Christian effo.rt in Japan has met this past year, Kagawa's numerous activities have been incorpQrated into. a juridical bQdy as the "Pillar of CIo.ud FQundatiQn." In hQnor of the silver wedding anniversary o.f Dr. and Mrs.
Kagawa their friends thrQughQut Japan presented them with a substantial mQnetary gift as a start toward the endo.wment o.f the new FQundatiQn. It is hoped that $150,000 may be secured to. relieve Kagawa o.f his literary hack work.
In spite of ill health Kagawa is active in writing, promQting cQo.perative ventures and carrying a heavy program of preaching. Sensing the spirit of the times, he now asks all per- SQns whQm he receives into church membership, in additio.n to. the usual questiQns, wheth- er they are willing to suffer persecution, and if necessary go to death fo.r the sake Qf the GQspel.
When criticism of army plans was being construed as treason and men Qf pacifist inclina- tions were being apprehended and, imprisQned, Kagawa published in his Fellowship Bulletin the PQem on page seventy-one.' Heis now in India, making post-Madras CQnference addresses. . /' " ….;,;: ~'…~' , …..~,
One Mission Works in Chosen*
C HOSEN is a small field of about 85,000 2,022. For the first time the c.ontributi.ons from square miles and a population of 22',000,000. the churches connected with .our mission al.one The American Presbyterian Mission is re- totaled more than Y 1,000,000, showing a gain .of s'Ponsible for about half.of this field. There are now 880/0 over the year 1932."
eight stations in Chosen; three in the northern, Closing the Mission Schools two in the central, and three in the southern part.
Seoul and Pyengyang, the oldest and largest sta- In the field .of secular educati.on, conditions were tions, contain all the union institutions; Kangkei n.ot normal during the past year because the mis- and Andong, the youngest stati.ons, alth.ough sion was in the process, of withdrawing fr.om sec- each more than 28 years old, still .offer some of the ular education (due to the shrine problem).
physical hardships and thrilling experiences of Nevertheless, f.our girls' and four boys' schools of pioneering days. Kangkei heard the whistle of a middle grade ran all or part of the year. In Pyeng- locomotive for the first time during the past year. yang, n.o students. were received in the entering The other four stati.ons are Syunchun, Chairyung, class .of either the boys' or girls' school in March Chungju and Taiku. There are now one hundred 1937 so that the enrolment was greatly reduced, and twenty-eight missionaries of the Presbyterian and in March 1938 both scho.ols were closed. The Church of the U. S. A. in Ch.osen. Our 1,998 g.overnment took over the pupils. and is using the Korean workers, though not strictly a part .of the property of the boys' school temporarily until it mission personnel, are an indispensable 'Part of can provide other quarters.
our active force. Of these, 324 are .ordained min- The other six schools took in new pupils, though isters and these K.oreans have, for years past, it was not the mission's wish that this be done in done most of the work and controlled the official five of them. Until March 1939 these schools will organs and c.ourts of the church in Chosen. Both continue toO run under the j.oint auspices of mis- missionaries and nationals are the laborers UP.on sion and KDrean groups. as provided by their con- wh.om God looks in love, as they suffer for Him, stitutions, after which the missi.on will withdraw w.ork in His vineyard, trust His pr.omises, and from all except the girls' school in Seoul (which rely on His power. will continue another year). The future of the The activities carried on by this working f.orce schools and the disposition .of the prDperty will include church, scho.ol, hospital, s.ocial service, be determined by the special conditi.ons. In both Kangkei and Chungju, serious property problems agricultural, and literary work-all with an evan- have been created by the taking over of church gelistic emphasis. schools by non-Christian bodies who refuse to va- Although most missionaries have an assignment cate the buildings belonging to our missi.on. to work in some local church, the major part of the work .of a strictly evangelistic WDrker is with The strictly religious, or Biblical, education has the churches in the country districts; itinerating, fared better, though how long they can escape the holding Bible classes, preaching to the unsaved, fate that has befallen the other schools .only time organizing new groups, etc. Such work has been can tell. Large Bible institutes and normal traincarried on about as usual during the year, though ing schools were held in all the stations of the in some cases, either because missionaries were mission with attendance ranging from 200 to unable to meet the shrine requirements of the offi- 2,000; Bible conferences were held in all country cials, or because visits of missionaries made new districts and in many individual churches. If condifficulties for the churches, these visits were dis- ditions permit, we hope to put even more emphasis c.ontinued temp.orarily. But in church attendance, on this type of education, now that we cannot zeal f.or Bible study, .organization of new groups, longer carryon secular education. reception of new believers, and even in the CDnstruction of new buildings., the past year was very The Women's Biblical Seminary in Pyengyang successful. The statistician says, "All .our stati.ons is the capstone of our work for women and may show a gain in the average attendance at the prin- serve as a typical example of the work done in cipal service. F.or the f.ourth c.onsecutive year a other institutes. During their three years of gain is shown in the total communicants. The study, the pupils engage in hospital visitation, t.otal gain f.or the wh.ole Presbyterian mission was street chapel preaching, holding noonday meet- ings in fact.ories, c.onducting Bible clubs, Sunday school teaching, and many other tasks in and near • Extracts from the Presbyterian Mission Report tor 1938. the city.
[74 ] Hospitals and Social Work of our younger missionaries are giving consider- able time to the Morning Calm products plant and In spite of the fact that four of our six mission a demonstration dairy; to the publication of the hospitals were without any foreign doctor during Farmers' Life magazine; to animal husbandry; the past year, all show increases in the number of and to plant and tree culture. All these enterpatients treated. Two of these hospitals have not prises serve to supply demonstrations, inspiration, had any foreign doctor in charge for some years; and information to the whole country. the other two have doctors who were on furlough. Whether we shall ever be able again to staff all Producing Ohristian Literature these hospitals we do not know, but it is exceedingly difficult for lay missionaries to supervise the Many missionaries are active in the work of work. Such supervision, however good, is not producing and distributing Christian literature. satisfactory, and besides it detracts from the work Our Mission also supplies the editors and business that such missionaries should be doing in the fields managers of some of the magazines published in for which they were prepared. Either more mis- Korea. sion doctors or fewer hospitals will probably be the way out. Language study is assuming a larger and larger place in the life of all missionaries, both new and Social welfare activities of many kinds are find- old. This country has become bilingual to such a ing an increasing place in the mission program. degree that it is imperative that all new mission- Almost every station reports some such work, aries become proficient in both Japanese and though most of it is done in the two large cities of Korean. Many of our missionaries conduct lan- Seoul and Pyengyang. This work includes tem- guage classes (both Korean and Japanese) and perance; tuberculosis stamp sales; work for many are studying Japanese with private teachers. blind, deaf, and dumb; baby clinics; work in factories and with employed girls; and visitation Some missionaries devote nearly all their time in cafes and restaurants and even brothels; to say to the work of union enterprises in which our misnothing of the share our mission has in the work sion cooperates, and still more give some time to for beggar boys, fallen girls and travelers carried such institutions. Strictly speaking, all our evanon under the auspices of the Salvation Army. gelistic work is union in as much as there is but one Presbyterian church in Korea in and under After nine years of effort, a great victory was which the Northern Presbyterian, Southern Preswon for temperance in Chosen when on April 1, byterian, the Australian Presbyterian, and the 1938, the law prohibiting the sale of both liquor United Church of Canada missionaries work. The and tobacco to minors (which has been in force in Presbyterian Board of Christian Training con- Japan proper for some years past) was made to tinues to function, and, among other things, pubapply to Chosen. lished the Childs' Life magazine, supervises the Bible Correspondence Course, and the Christian The value of the work among laboring classes, Herald, and conducts Daily Vacation Bible especiaIIy women is revealed in a year-old project schools. The Bible Course enrolls about 10,000 in Seoul in work with bus and street–car girls. pupils, and has some 800 graduates; there were This work is done by a Korean woman with the 880 Vacation Bible ,schools held by 4,364 teachers assistance of some of the missionary ladies of the for 64,146 pupils. Both the Korea Sunday School station. Some twenty suoh girls. meet regularly Association and the Christian Endeavor National once or twice a week in a missionary home where Union w,ere temporarily disbanded during the they study Bible, English and sewing, and sing year. When and under what conditions they can and play and pray together. Already twelve of resume their organization and activities we do not these girls are attending church regularly, and know. they have asked for an English Bible class teacher. Union Institutions Work for blind, deaf, and dumb is done both in Seoul and Pyengyang. In Seoul it is strictly evan- In union education, our Presbyterian mission gelistic and is confined to the blind among whom cooperates in four institutions, viz., Union Chrisa blind evangelist preaches and teaches. holding a tian College and the Theological Seminary in Sunday morning service at the Central church at Pyengyang, and Chosen Christian College and which the average attendance is about twenty. Severance Union Medical College in Seoul. The In Pyengyang a blind-oral school has been de- first of these was closed in March 1938 and the veloped during the past year, wholly under Korean other three have carried on only under the greatauspices and largely self-supporting. est of difficulties.
Although the first days of enthusiasm for the No entering class was received in the Union rural work and the agricultural program are over, Christian College in March 1937 and the college there is still need and opportunity for practical came to an end March 31, 1938. Most of the pupils efforts along well-defined lines in this field. Some were transferred by the government to other
schools. All the land, buildings, and equipment work; and the growing spirit of nationalism and reverted to the Presbyterian Mission which had self.,sufficiency of the Koreans, all combine to provided them. The college had rendered out- create a spirit of unrest. But, despite these acstanding service to Chosen for 32 years. Nothing knowledged difficulties, distinct progress has been but absolutely impossible conditions under which made both in services rendered and in the imto operate could have caused the abandonment of provement of the plant. In the medical college, so valuable an enterprise. there are now 192 pupils, and in the nurses' train- ing s'chool there are 146 pupils. During the year, The past year has been, perhaps, the most diffi- the hospital served 2,921 new cases in the in-pacult yea!r in the history of the Chosen Christian tient department, of which 15 ro was free service. College. With the vice-president, dean, heads of The out-patient department served 23,955 new all departments, and nine members of the regular cases with a free service of 12ro. At present, our teaching force under detention by the police a mission has but one medical doctor, two dentists, good part of the time, and later forced to resign, and three nurses on the staff." it has been almost impossible to maintain the regular teaching schedule. Nevertheless, the college Our mission has a large share in the work of did carryon with considerable success. After the Christian Literature Society of Chosen, even graduating 103 pupils in March 1938, bringing supplying the Acting-Administrative Secretary at the total number of graduates to over 800, and the present time. A report for 11 months reveals receiving an entering class of 170, ,selected from a total of 2,073,485 copies of new and old titles. 369 applicants, the roll stood at 475, eighty per The Korea Mission Field put out 13,000 copied cent of whom are Christians. this last year. The closely related British and Foreign Bible Society also serves the whole of Even the Theological Seminary has not been Korea. The past year saw the final revision of without serious problems, but God wonderfully both the Old and New Testaments completed on blessed it this past year. Forty men were grad- September 22, 1937-a notable event. In the disuated in March 1938, and the new term began in tribution of Scriptures there was an increase of April with 191 in attendance. 10,373 over the previous year, the total number of volumes circulated reaching 872',821 a year. The medkal work, both in Seoul and Pyengyang, is union. These two hospitals serve more In this great mission, as in the days of the patients than all six of our other mission hospitals early Church, "there are diverse gifts, but the combined. The Severance Union Hospital re- same spirit; diversities of administrations, and the ports: "The year has been a difficult one. The same Lord; diversities of workings, but the same peculiar times in which we are living in Chosen God, who worketh all things in all. But now they keep everyone on tension; the swing away from are many members, but one body. Ye are the western ideals and the inability to import neces- body of Christ, and severally members thereof." sary drugs make it difficult to do satisfactory TOYOHIKO KAGAWA ON THE CHRISTIAN LIFE "As the sculptor devotes himself to wood and stone I would devote myself to the living soul. But I am solemnized by the thought that the sculptor cannot carve Either on wood, or on stone or on the living soul, Anything better than himself. All the lines of my carving Will but reveal my own portrait. Gazing at my hand, at my chisel, I shudder. How long will it take for this human sculpture, Which can not be carved by me better, finer than my own soul, To escape! To escave from my pitiable and limited domain, And to advance to the position of a carving of God?
Happily, there is a Guide for me. lt is He who has broken open the door of the Sanctuary And made a molten cast of God's Portrait in His: own. flesh."
Conversion of a Pagan
_'~I,–====B_Y """1_ _L_ENS=aAl_aBm_La_nOc_a_W, E_RN_Se=wJANY=Oo_rWk=S_K;;;;;Y;;;;;'==;;;;;;;;;.Jllo1.7.•.- SET back toward a wooded hill, on the road the dance continues until about 10 o'clock at night, that runs past the winding Allegheny River each hour growing more intense as the Indians near Salamanca, New York, stands an Indian warm to the spirit of the celebration. It takes Long House. To it come the pagan Indi'ans of the three days to recite the Gai'wiio (pronounced as Seneca tribe at least twice a year to attend the "guy-we-you," and meaning "Good Message").
"Green Corn Dance" in September and the mid- As the bus turned homeward to Canada, the winter "New Year" festival of the Iroquois, be- Chief of the Mohawk tribe decided to ' remain on the Allegheny Reservation to tryout the hospi- tality and friendliness of the Senecas. All are brothers of the Six Nations of the Iroquois.
Between the pagan ceremonies held at the Long House in September, .and the Revival Meeting held in the little white church in November, is only a short interval. In the church a group of Christian Senecas gather to worship. Upon their knees they testify to the saving power of Jesus' blood through His death on the Cross; they make humble confession of their failures and pray earn- estly for victories. Among these worshipers was KENJOCKETY ADDRESSING THE INDIANS the Mohawk leader of the pagan dances. He could not easily understand or speak English but, at tween January 15th and February 15th. At such the invitation of friends, he knelt in prayer. One times the "old time" Indians send for an "Ex- ray of the light of Heaven must have penetrated pounder," paying his traveling expenses and en- his heart, darkened by sin and superstition, for tertaining him during his stay. when he retired for the night at the home of one of the Christian Indians he was asked, "Which Last autumn, a large, rather grimy, batter~d looking bus might have been seen making its way along this road, in the direction of the Long House.
The bus bore Canadian license plates and the faces that peered out at the windows were Red. In- dian religious officials were coming to celebrate the Green Corn Dance-the ceremonial Thanks- giving to the Creator.
Among the leaders from Canada was a small wiry, hard-faced Indian of the Mohawk tribe. It was his duty to shake a horn rattle for the chant, which the speaker starts as the company of danc- ers circle around the benches, intoning sections from their religious ritual. The gathered assem- bly offers thanks for all things "from below up to the Creator Himself," starting with the fish, wild beasts, sweet water of the maple tree, herbs, fruit, forests, nuts, rain, thunder, stars; for the sun, "eternally dutiful,"-for the moon, "our grand- mother, the night shining orb,"-and for "Hand- some Lake," the Seneca Prophet whose teachings they profess to follow. The stamping of feet in THE DOWDY FAMIl,.Y—-<JHRIS'rIAN SENECA INDIANS [ 77 J
AN INDIAN PROPHET WITH MASK CARIVED OUT OF WOOD. CLIFFORD HALF-TOWN AND HIS FATHER, JEFF HALF-TOWN. THESE MASKS, USED IN THEIR CEREMONIES, THEY ARE CHRISTIAN INDIANS WITH FINE ARE SACRED VOICES FOR SINGING way do you think is best?" To this he responded gins ten days after burial. The bereaved family with a fervent ejaculation of the Christian and friend offer thanks to the one who cared for "Amen!" the body and dressed it for burial and to the one who dug the grave. The property of the deceased The Chief was also present at the night of the is distributed and all must eat of the death annual Thanksgiving feast at the Council House. feast. After the ceremonies were ended, the This was held in commemoration of the time when young Chief returned to the States his mode of White and Red men first ate together. The Chief travel being to point with his thumb at motorists seemed heartily to enjoy the good things and lis- along the highway. tened attentively tothe earnest exhortations of the evangelist after the feast. Then for several So it came to pass that the missionary of the litmonths he was not again seen in the Christian tle flock of Christian Indians, coming along the services and only occasionally did we see his road from the camp grounds, recognized the Instolid face as we drove through the reservation. dian Chief of the Mohawk tribe standing by the Force of habit had led him back among the non- wayside, thumbing his way. Sensing an oppor- .Christians, to the gambling and vice so prevalent tunity, the missionary invited him into the car and among them. asked him to go to the camp ground and remain for several days. Dirty, hungry and travelworn, Summer came and with it the denominational the Indian was glad to accept the invitation. An camp meeting for the Christian Indians a few empty tent was offered for his use, a cot and a miles distant from the reservation. Word came blanket or two were secured for his comfort and that an uncle of our Mohawk Chief had died, he his meal ticket was provided. The Indian was was called back to Canada to attend the funeral well pleased to have a Seneca dwelling so nearly and the death feast. The Code of "Handsome like those of his ancestors. But the Bible studies, Lake," the Seneca prophet, decrees that "It is evangelistic meetings and form of worship were right to have a feast for the dead" and this be-
THE CONVERSION OF A PAGAN AMERICAN
still an enigma to him. Brotherly young men of tributing Christian literature to those who can the camp loaned him clean clothing and took him read. He often spends almost whole nights in with them to play ball at the recreation hour. In prayer for them and uses practically all his money this atmosphere of love his heart began to melt keeping his old Chrysler in repair and buying gasand when an invitation was given one evening our oline so that he can take his people to and from Chief went forward for prayer. There he wept the services. and prayed; but soon his countenance seemed to clear and he was seen to laugh. When a lady Spiritual truth seems to dawn slowly on Indian evangelist, kneeling near by asked if the Lord had minds. Their habits of lying, stealing, drinking saved him, the Indian answered affirmatively. On and adultery are hard to break. But numbers of further questioning he said that he knew this to them become true Christians after they have be so because "The Lord made me laugh." grasped the meaning of who Jesus Christ is, and Afterward in his testimony he said that God CHIEF HUBERT KUSICK OF THE had taken him into "a beautiful room," where the SENECA INDIANS old furniture of sin and vice had been cleaned out; the house was swept and garnished and the new what He has done for them. New grooves of furnishings of Heaven had been moved in. Later thought are gradually established along the lines he said, "I met brothers and sisters there who told of righteousness as taught in the Word of God. me things for my good. I have just waked up." Some of our Christian Indian boys are being sent to college and are making good use of their op- Perhaps some self-satisfied religionist "at ease portunities. We hope that at least one will come in Zion," with few difficulties to face and no spe- back to help his own people. There is great need cial persecution to undergo because of his Chris- among these Indians for a real experience of tian stand, may ask: "How long will his experi- Christ in their lives. This calls for much earnest ence last?" S.ome have said with a sneer that the prayer, faithful testimony and sacrifieial service. only way to get an Indian to Heaven is for him to die immediately after his conversion. But experience has proved that this is far from true. Some slip back as do many of the white race who have once "tasted of the grace of God and the power of the Wlorld to come." We must remember that, while we have centuries of Christian background, our Red Brothers are only three or four generations out of savagery.
It is necessary to be patient, to build slowly and to lay a good foundation. It is often necessary to rebuke and reprove in all long-suffering, forgiving those who slide back, knowing that Christian Indians are often unconsciously influenced'by the superstition and unbelief of the pagans. It is hard for a Christian Indian to be called a traitor to his. race, one who imitates the white man and is ashamed of his ancestors and their religion.
God who can "bid raging winds their fury cease," can also "calm the savage breast to peace." It is true of the evil spirit in the Indian, as in the demoniac boy of old: "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."
Our local Indian preacher, Frank Pierce, is very faithful in visiting the homes of these people, dis- JEWISH NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS Rabbi Heller, speaking at the opening of(the Jewish New Year, suggested the following resolutions: "Though men may hate me and mine and wreak their enmity upon me, I shall not give them hatred for hatred. I shall not permit their dark intolerance, their depravity, their inhumanity, to take possession of my soul. I shall strive to see in them misguided children of God, and to pray for the day when they will return to reasonableness and brotherly love. I shall strive always to hate the sin but not the sinner. I shall never let the realization leave me that I am not alone in my problems. I shall strive to cooperate with all men of good will, and with all faiths."
Christ To Students in China*
By REV. STANTON LAUTENSCHLAGER, -otEt Tsinan, Shantung ~- Associate Professor of Sociology, Cheeloo University THE crucified Christ is always the greatest difficult to carryon Christian schools there. In possible challenge to any youth. This is espe- occupied territory, schools are forced to take part cially true when injustice seems to be on the in Japanese victory parades and in public demonthrone, and righteousness on across. That is why strations against the present Chinese national preaching Christ crucified tQ students in China government. Christian schools are not allowed today is probably the greatest privilege which even to be neutral in the war, much less to teach can come to any man. patriotism. Some which refused to take part in Under the auspices of the China Christian Edu- pro-Japanese dem'Onstrations, have had their prin- catiQn AssQciation, this privilege came tQ me re- cipals dismissed and their students 'Ordered to cently in a two months' evangelistic tour in the transfer tQ other schools. If students. are forced Christian schools 'Of South and Central China. to take part in such demonstrations contrary to This tour took me more than a thousand miles by their cons>Ciences, they become invoOlved in hypoc- sea, from the Japanese occupied territQry of risy. Therefore it seems to many that where both Tsingtao in North China to British cQntrolled Christian prin>Ciples of loyalty to country and to Hongkong in the South, and then another thou- conscience are impossible, we should sacrifice our sand miles by rail and steambQat via Canton, institutions rather than .our principles.
Macao, Hengyang and Changsha to the three gre-at Tens of thousands 'Of students have fled from cities of Wuchang, Hanyang and Hankow. occupied territQry to free territory, to the South, On the second thousand miles, I preached on an Southwest, Northwest, or toO Central China. Here, average of three times a day, in eleven cities, and both in the new schools and in the old, doors are in more than thkty Christian middle schools and wide open to the preaching of the Christian Gos- colleges, as well as in a number of government pel. The national crisis- has forced students to schools, Y. M. C. A.'s and Y. W. C. A.'s, and in rethink, not only the foundations of the nation, many churches of all Protestant denominatiQns. but the very meaning of life. Some have lost their In most schools, I was invited to speak to the parents; many have lost their homes and most whole student body on some political or interna- of them have lost their source of income. They tional subject. When this was done first, prac- traveled a thousand miles to free territory only tic,ally all the students came to the evangelistic to be bombed again.
meetings later. Everywhere, there was the most Faced with the annihilation of their nation and inspiring cooperation between the Christian with a threat to their very physical existence, the sehoQls, the national churches, the missionary students are gripped in a new way by the chal- bodies of all denominations, and other Christian lenge of the cross. During my recent evangelistic and even non-Christian institutions. tour in the free territories of South and Central Due to the terrors of war, which accompany the China, I have seen hundreds of students accept present invasions of China, the bQmbings, the Christ and His cross as the way and inspiration flight of refugees, the rape and the loot, the for the s-acrifices they feel called upon to make at slaughter and destruction, Chinese students have this time of personal and national crisis.
a new understanding and a new apprecia;tion of It was my privilege to lecture and to preach in the meaning of the cross. Perhaps that is why abQut thirty scho'Ols and to nearly ten thousand they have everywhere responded to its challenge students, not in great mass meetings, but always in such an unpre-cedented way. in individual schools. Only in tWQ or three schoQls In Occupied and in Free Territory were there as many as three or four hundred stu- dents at one meeting. Where decisions were made, Student evangelism is more difficult in territory discussion grQUps were held, and the school prinoccupied by the Japanese military, because it is cipals and teachers promised tQ follow up the de- cisiQns with Bible classes and with other prep- • Condensed from The Ohine8e Recorder for October, 1938. aration fQr baptism and for Christian service.
[80 ] Only a Christ-centered and a cross-centered gions. We are Christians; not godists (in a genmessage is adequate for the spiritual and social eral sense). We find God in Christ. He i,s the needs of Chinese youth today. Where time did Way-the way by which we go to God and the not allow more than three evangelistic appeals, I way by which God comes to us. He is the vine. spoke first on the challenge of faith, second on He is the door. He is the bread from heaven. the challenge of patriotism and third on the chal- He is the water of Life. He is the truth and the lenge of Christ and His cross. He was presented light. He is the Saviour of men. It is God in from the human side as the courageous youth, the Christ who died on the cross, and who rose again. carpenter's son, the noblest revolutionist, the true Jesus is truly both God and man."
son of man, challenging wi,thout fear or favor all Results of the Christ-Centered Message the selfish social and political forces and all the hypocritical religious forces of his time, with a The challenge of the Cross always becomes the vigor and a determination which sent him to the triumph of the Christ. After the final mes,sage cross. He was also presented from the divine side on the cross, I alway,s gave an opportunity for as the true son of God, the vine, the bread from three kinds of decisions. First, for Christians to heaven, the Lamb of God, the Saviour of sinners, be better Christians, to know Christ more and to who gave His life as a ransom for many. serve more unselfishly. Second, for believers to I tried to make students understand the cour- prepare for baptism and for Christian service; age and the conscience which made Jesus attack third, for non-Christians to accept Christ as every wrong. I tried also to make them under- Saviour and Lord. An opportunity was also given stand the love which made him willing to die to for students to present their problems, which they move men's, hearts to repentance, to s,ave s,inners, wished to discuss with a friend.
which was the divine reason for the Cross. At the first few meetings, students were only On the one hand, it was Jesus' attack on the asked to raise their hands or to come forward and social, political and religious wrongs of his time, give their names to the religious instructor; later which unified his enemies into a demand for His a Christian principal suggested the card method. death. It was the organized institutional, social, This method gave the principal and the religious political and religious forces of His time and na- leaders a better census of the students' religious tion, which nailed Him to the tree. On the other needs and ideas. As soon as we used the card hand, it was Jesus' love for sinners, for His method the decisions at once doubled, for the stuchurch and nation, which drove him to Jerusalem dents then each had some definite propositions to face His enemies and His cross there. Jesus which challenged their consciences.
was slain on the cross by our sins and for our Only a few individual schools, and some of the sins, but it was also His great love for us sinners, more unique experiences; can be mentioned here.
which finally broke not only His hands but also In the Canton True Light School for Girls, now a His heart. On the cross, deepest sin and highes't refugee school in Hongkong, twenty-eight made love met. Love conquered. Sin was defeated by decisions to become Christians. About half of doing its worst and by being forgiven. After these were baptized at the end of the term. In Jesus' "Father forgive them," there was hope for St. Paul's Girls School in Hongkong, although every individual sinner and for every sinning there was time for only one brief chapel talk, six- group. teen girls, came forward to accept Christ.
I tried to show how even a meagre knowledge In the Canton Girls Union Normal School, now of this Jesus of history drives us to real repent- in Macao, there were thirty-two decisions for ance. It makes us repent of our uncleanness, of Christ. Fourteen of these girls were seniors.
our faithlessness, our selfishness, our cowardice Nearly all of these seniors said they wished to and our laziness. True repentance brings the joy practice their new faith and to realize their new of forgiveness; Christ received in faith gives us vision by going into the country villages to teach new courage, new power, new love and new life. and to preach as soon as they graduate.· In the To build our new lives and the new world, we American Presbyterian Boys School in Hengyang, must receive and worship Jesus as Lord so that Hunan, where the card system was used for the we may have His new life and His spirit; but we first time, there were sixty-eight decisions to ac- must also follow Him, to do what He did and what cept Christ in a student body of one hundred and He clearly told us to do. ninety-four. Thirty-seven were already Chris- A bright girl student in a discussion group said, tians. These decisions changed the average of "Why do Christians talk so much about Jesus as Christians in the school from one-fifth to more if He were more important than God?" "You than one-half.
have hit on a great truth," I said. "That is what In Yale-in-China, the only senior Christian Boys makes Christianity unique in the history of reli- Middle School in the province of Hunan, one hun,..
dred and twenty-nine in a school of four hundred treat. Not many of them were Christians. I made decisions to become Christians, while nearly spoke on the Cross of Christ as we sat on the hillone hundred expressed their determination to be- side overlooking the sea. The glory of the setcome better Christians. Of those who accepted ting sun shone on the mountains and on the faces Christ, seventy-nine made a further decision to of these young leaders. It also shone upon the prepare for baptism. Twelve of these were bap- "carriers," just beyond our vision, from which tized a month later, just before the close of the bombers daily rained death upon the civilian popspring term. In the Fu Hsiang Girls School, also ulation of Canton, less than one hundred miles in Changsha, and the only senior girls school in away. Hunan, there were eighty decisions to follow Christ, thirty of whom wished to prepare for bap- I challenged these student leaders to accept tism. Another ninety made decisions to be better Christ as their Saviour and as their power to Christians. build their new lives and the new China and the new world. It was my first invitation to students At Yiyang, Hunan, the response in the Lutheran to accept Christ on this three months' tour. As Schools was equally great. In the Girl's School, we waited a moment before prayer, one by one, although there was only time for one address, over nine hands went up. Then the general secretary 20 girls made decisions to be better Christians. of the Hongkong "Y" said, "Tonight, when we In the Boy's School, the decision cards were dis- divide into discussion groups, we will add another tributed at the last meeting. The students were asked to think it over and to hand in the cards the group for those who wish to know how to become next day. This was to prevent decisions too lightly made, under the influence of emotion. In spite of Christians. Thirty-two, about one-third of the this, the number of decisions were as great or total number, came to this group, and after we greater than in any other school. Thirty-four talked to them for an hour about the meaning of said they wanted to be better Christians, which the Christian life, twenty-five signed their names was almost the total number of Christians in the to join a new Bible class to learn more about the Boy's School. One hundred and two made de- Christian Way of Life. cisions to believe in Jesus and follow Him. About half of these made additional decisions to prepare In the three Wuhan cities, Wuchang, Hanyang for baptism, while another hundred decided to and Hankow, although the meetings had to be enter classes to study Christianity. held in the two weeks of final examinations, there were one hundred and eighty decisions to accept Bombs Make a Nation of Singers Christ and more than two hundred to be better Christians. In Hongkong twelve hundred students meet weekly for patriotic singing. After an hour of While our work was mostly in the middle singing they divide into groups to do social and schools, there was excellent response in five unipatriotic work. There are also hundreds of clubs versities. Two of these were Christian, Lingnan which proclaim the Gospel of patriotism and of University, Canton and Central China University social justice in song and drama. This kind of in Wuchang. Three were government universithing is going on all over "free" China. The roar ties, the University of Hongkong, Chung Shan in of Japanese bombers has made "free" China into Canton, and Hunan University in Changsha. In a nation of singers. The aim of this mass sing- some of these there were decisions to become ing is to stir the soul of youth to true patriotism Christians. and to unify their spirit. In these three months of preaching in the Some years ago a Chinese youth, who in a schools of South and Central China more than moment of despair had decided to commit suicide, eight hundred students made decisions to be betwas saved by hearing mass singing in a Christian ter Christians and more than seven hundred to school in Tientsin. He wondered who could sing accept Jesus as their Saviour and to follow Him in such· a dark world. He investigated and didn't in a new life of unselfish service. More than three commit suicide but became a Christian and gave hundred made additional decisions to prepare for baptism. More than three hundred, individually himself to education. He founded a middle school or in small groups, discussed with me the prob- lems which weighed heaviest on their hearts. of three thousand students and a university with six hundred. Japanese bombs have destroyed both Questions Chinese Students Ask Today his schools. But he has gone West to "free" China, and has created other schools. A man, who The questions which students asked can be dican still sing, cannot commit suicide, and a nation vided into four groups, individual, social, political of singers can never be destroyed. and religious. Only a few of these questions will be mentioned here, without suggesting any an- On Easter Sunday, ninety singers, mostly lead- swer. Here are some: ers, met on the mountains of Hongkong for a re- Is there really a God? If so, what and where is God? How can God be all-powerful and all-loving and yet
PREACHING CHRIST TO STUDENTS IN CHINA
allow such suffering and injustice as the present invasion Qwn. He also. promised to. invite his wife to. re- has brought on China today? turn to. China to. help him live on this new basis. Why do the Christian nations do so little to help China? In abQut two. weeks I received a joyful letter say- If Christianity makes nations more righteous, why do ing that two. days after he wrQte to. his wife, and IQng before she could have received his letter, he the Christian nations not help China more than non- Christian Russia?
Why do the nations, which have declared Japan the ag- received an air-letter frQm her saying that she gressor, still send war materials to Japan? was to. blame fQr some of the trQuble, and that she Why do nations, which protest the bombings, still sell also. wanted to. begin life Qver again Qn a new basis. GQd's spirit had been working in America, planes to continue the bombings? while we were praying in HQngkQng. Why do Christian nations send munitions to Japan and only communist Russia does not do so?
Why do more communists than Christians in Japan run A Hero's Grandson Accepts Christ the risk of prison and of death in protesting against Jap- anese militarism? In my address, "The Challenge Qf the Cross," I Is there any real conflict between communism and Chris- Qften used the illustratiQn Qf the herQic death Qf the famQus Chinese revQlutionist, Tan Tzu T'ang. .tianity? If so, what is that conflict?
What is the difference between socialism and com- munism? When warned to flee, he said, "I can die but I Should we organize a Christian socialist party to advo- can't run away." He wrQte a letter to his fellQwcate Christian socialism, democracy and internationalism? revQlutionists in which he said, "China is nQt be- ing saved because no. Qne is willing to. die for What is the real meaning of life? China. We cannot all die, if we all die, who will How can the cross save men? carry out the principles o.f Qur revQlution? But How can we get Jesus deep into our hearts? How can we get his courage and his noble spirit?
How can we get rid 01 social injustice, aggression and someone must die to. move the hearts Qf Qur people. war? YQU may live and carry Qut the principles Qf Qur What are the social and political duties of a Christian? revolutiQn, and I will take on myself the Qther The Problems of a Governor's Son duty-that of dying. But if I die fQr China, yQU a A bright, fearless student, a governor's son in can no. IQnger live for YQurselves. If I die fQr China, yQU must live fQr China." Yale-in-China, said, "I admire some of the Christians, and I am much interested in what you say, This stQry was used as an illustratiQn of Jesus, but when I try to read the Bible, it seems like who. steadfastly set His face to go. to Jerusalem, mess of contradictions and superstitions to me. the centre Qf all selfishness and of opposition to. Also while I admire Jesus, I cannot believe in the His GQspel, and who. knew that Qnly by dying fQr existence of God." His cause CQuid He becQme a SaviQur and move hearts to. repentance. I tried to explain what intelligent Christians The Wounded Soldiers mean by God. I told him that the Bible, besides being the Word of God, was also the history of the The Province Qf Hunan has six thQusand Hebrew people. If he remembered that, the seem- wounded soldiers frQm many battle-frQnts. At ingly contradictory ideas about God in the Old Changsha, I had the privilege Qf speaking to. abQut Testament would disappear. His final reSPQnse three hundred Qf them. When I used the picture was, "I can believe what you say. It seems quite Qf Christ Qn the cross, the soldiers crQwded around clear and reasonable, but why don't the preachers and asked many questiQns abQut Jesus himself, say it that way?" abQut the bandits Qn the Qther cro.sses, about the Not only did hundreds of students accept Christ, WQman at the fQQt Qf the cross and especially but older Christian leaders refound him. At about the RQman soldiers in the background.
Hongkong, a college graduate, who had long been NQt many Qf the sQldiers were Christians. After a Christian leader, told me that he was in great speaking of Jesus' struggle against injustice, distress. His family life was bankrupt. Quarrels which tOQk Him to. the crQSS, I said, "Do you and jealousy had almost broken up his home. His understand the meaning of the cross?" "Yes,"
wife had taken the children and had gQne to. Amer- they said, "We knQw the crQsls." "What cross do.
ica. His family life was a continual clash of wills. you know?" I asked. "We knQw the Red Cross,"
He had also lo.st God Qut Qf his own life. My ser- they shQuted. "What does the Red CrQss mean?"
mon to the singers had aroused in him a deep I asked. "It means save life," they answered.
sense of remorse and a great desire to be different. "YQU are right," I said, "the Red Cross means We shared some of our failures and victories and save life." prayed that the clash of wills WQuid disappear in I explained that befQre Jesus died on it, the a new acceptance of GQd's will. He promised to. cross was an instrument Qf torture, the black crQSS write to his wife, confessing his share of the blame Qf death. That is why the sQcial forces, which and telling her that he wanted to. begin life again ruled in Jesus' time; nailed Him to. it. They Qn the new basis of Christ's will instead of his thQught the black crQSS Qf imperial Rome WQuid
destroy Him forever. But the Galilean was too for his spirit. We give our all to him. We regreat. The black cross of death could not destroy ceive him. He gives us power to become the sons him. His death changed the cross into the symbol of God. Sinners of weakness, become saints of of life-giving and life-saving, into the symbol of power. The spirit of the divine carpenter becomes sacrifice and service. It was the blood of Jesus our spirit. Our all given to him is transformed which changed the black cross of death into the and to our all is added His all. Our all is not Red Cross of life-saving. So the Red Cross of enough, but our all and His all is enough. Christ saves the bodies of men, and the Christ of the Red Cross saves the souls of men. Jesus came to make the blind to see, to set the captives free, to give liberty to the oppressed, to The soldiers were greatly impressed and nodded bring glad tidings to the poor, and to give His life their approval. An officer thanked me for the a ransom for many. He came to abolish human message and urged the men to believe in and to suffering, both physical and spiritual. He saw this follow Him who died on the cross and whose blood was not possible under the selfish social, political. made the black cross red. and religious system of His time. Therefore He attacked these systems with all His might. This Chinese students are determined to struggle for attack took Him to the cross where He died. He a just social order, a free nation and a peaceful became a Saviour and He sent His disciples out to world. A Gospel which is unrelated to society make disciples of all nations, to teach all He had has no meaning to Chinese youth today. Students taught and to do all ,that he had done. He said, are socialists, democrats and internationalists. "What I have done, ye shall do also, and greater Nearly all Christian students wish that the Church things than these shall ye do, because I go unto was even more socially minded than it is. Many my Father." He also said, "Go, I am with you students and college professors would like to or- always, even unto the end of the age." ganize a Christian-Socialist party or group, which would be Christian in its spirit, socialist in its This gospel of Jesus is both evangelical and soeconomics, democratic in its politics and interna- cial. It is the gospel of repentance, and of the tional in its outlook. Most Christian youth realize Kingdom of God. It is that gospel in which all that the Church, as such, cannot itself become a is given to men by giving all to God, and in which political party, but they want the Christian spirit all is given to God by giving all to men. It is the to be more definitely expressed in social and po- gospel of socal evangelism, in which the Lord of liticallife. They want Christianity to take a more our worship is hungry as long as men are hungry, definite stand against the present unjust economic and cold as long as children freeze, and in untold order. They believe that a Church which can be agony as long as men are torn with strife, and silent in a world of such cruel injustice is not women and little children are bombed in war. following Jesus. The Church should now arise and declare itself Challenge of Evangelical Socialism unequivocally, as Jesus did, on these great social issues. If she does, she can win the allegiance of Chinese youth is best gripped by a gospel which whole armies of Chinese youth. If she does not, is both evangelical and social. Youth believes that she will unconsciously abdicate in favor of other Christianity should take on more of communism's philosophies, as far as Chinese students are conpassion for social justice, and that communism cerned. should take on more of the spirit of Jesus. Chinese youth is ready for the full Gospel of evan- Hundreds of students in China are accepting gelical socialism. They insist on a Gospel of Christ today. These students believe that the cross-carrying and not just a Gospel of cross- Church is more and more awakening to both its worshipping. The students are ready to give their social and evangelical mission. Students are arisall for their nation, for a just society and for a ing to welcome Christ as the Lord of all life. Will new world of peace. Any philosophy which does the Church also arise, as never before, to follow not challenge them to give their all ,cannot get Him in all things? If so, the vision for a new their allegiance. China can be realized, and the new faith of Chi- nese youth in Christ will not be disappointed. The full Gospel of Christ challenges us to give more than our all. Real Christian communism is The challenge of Chinese youth to the Church is a greater challenge than Marxian communism. as unequivocal today as that of Christ to Chinese Christian communism says that our all is not youth. The evangelical-social gospel, the whole enough to create the new world. It takes our all gospel of Christ for the whole of life, is what and Christ's all. We are sinners. We are too China and the world needs today. And in China, cowardly. We are too lazy. We are too selfish. at least, when this gospel is preached, even in We are too unclean. Before the majesty of the weakness, hundreds of youth everywhere in a new cross, we see our true selves. We see what we way respond to its challenge. Will the Church are, and what we might be. We repent. We ask equally respond?
Chinese Dragon No Longer
By MRS. GERALD R. ZIMMER, Tungjen, Kweichow, China Missionary of the Evangelical Church I N EARLY Chinese art there was frequently entire group must walk. In the fall some of them pictured two swirling dragons grasping for the will return while others go to the front as nurses, flaming pearl, which always remains beyond officers and to serve in other capacities. In the their reach. This is the parable of man's striving near future one thousand more refugee students for the unattainable. China has been compared are expected here from Hankow and vicinity. to a sleeping dragon. But the dragon no longer sleeps! China is united and, even though torn by Tungjen is also to be the training center for war, her people are working together and are ac- twenty thousand new recruits from the counties in this section. Although Kweichow province is complishing what was considered the impossible declared to be free from professional bandits we a few years ago. are troubled by local bandits. When a troop of soldiers left for the front, leaving the city prac- Kweichow province is often called the Switzer- tically unprotected, bandits entered and kidnapland of China. Tungjen, a city of twenty-four ped a wealthy merchant's son and fatally wounded thousand people, is fourteen hundred miles from another, holding the son for $20,000 ransom. The Shanghai. The living conditions are twenty years government would not permit the family to pay behind those in down-river towns where the in- it because this would encourage other kidnappers. fluence of education and modern inventions have Food shortage means famine, disease and inbeen felt. Kweichow has been one of the most creased banditry. backward and undeveloped provinces but now every effort is being made to develop it along agri- In a recent letter to us Madame Chiang Kaicultural and educational lines. Where tall, bril- shek said in part : "We are trying to do the best liantly colored poppies formerly grew, golden we can for the salvation of our country. China headed wheat and other food products are planted. is now passing through a terrible crisis, and what The government is succeeding in the suppression the end will be, no one can foretell. We will conof opium, and the mission hospital is filled with tinue resisting to the best of our ability, but we men and women taking the opium cure. Opium know that great pain and suffering will have to users are given a stated length of time to quit be endured owing to the terrible ruthlessness and smoking or be punished by imprisonment or death. barbarity of the Japanese. . . .
Tungjen has been suddenly jolted awake by "The morale of the troops is high, and the spirit thirteen hundred refugee high school students and of the Chinese people has never been greater. The two hundred teachers and their families coming philosophy of the refugees is helping them to bear to the newly established government school. The the impoverished condition with goodwill and comstudents and teachers, from all parts. of China, parative cheerfulness. are readily distinguished because of their sophisticated air and mode of dress. Many are homeless "Everywhere efforts are being made to take and friendless. Some have no idea where their care of the refugees and the orphans and the lost parents and relatives are, many of whom have children. . . . The Generalissimo and I have pubbeen killed in the war. Because of the unsanitary licly expressed our great admiration of the misconditions, and lack of proper care and food dur- sionary body, and our abiding gratitude for all ing the past months, many of these students are they have done, and are doing, for our people. ill. They are crowded into the former government The example of the missionaries has been a great buildings and large temples where they are quar- inspiration to many of our people. . . ." tered too closely for good sanitary and health conditions. The work this great, courageous, Christian woman and the Generalissimo are now doing is August first, four hundred seniors, both boys heroic. They have the strength which comes and girls, left here for Kweiyang, capital of Kwei- from the determination to give all for the greatest chow, for military training. It takes five days to cause in the world-that of building a united and make this trip by bus but as none are available the Christian nation.
The Christian Church in China is faced with [85 ]
the greatest PQssibilities in the histQry Qf the within the walls at night because Qf the activities Church. Our desire is to. help Qur Chinese friends Qf the Chinese guerilla bands. t'O a kn'Owledge Qf Christian peace and JQY. We thrill at the QPPQrtunities fQr service each day. We believe that China will be victQriQus in the end. When that time will cO.me we do. nQt knQw, In· the "Qccupied" parts 'Of China the Japanese but this we do. kn'Ow, Japan is fighting a losing are not really in cQntrol. Many villages are prac- battle. But whatever CQmes we stand in admiratically empty, shQPs are clQsed and peQple have tiQn and IQyalty to. these faithful and persistent fled to. safer districts. When Japanese troQPs QC- Oriental brQthers Qf Qurs. The DragQn awakes! cupy the walled tQwns, they are fQrced to. stay China will attain the flaming pearl!
Hu Shih on China's Progress* DR. HU SHIH, the new Chinese ambassador they will admit that in quality and quantity the to. the United States, is nota Christian but new system has excelled the old many times over. is, an ardent patri'Ot and a pr'OfQund sch'Olar With the Qld system Qf educ.ation, there have in China's histQry, literature and philosophy. He fallen the absurdities. Qf the 'eight-legged essay,'
strongly 'Opposes the recent attempt of some Chi- and the mechanical forms Qf blank verse and nese leaders to. stimulate nationalism by a revival PQetry. The new system has not yet achieved 'Of CQnfucian culture and semi-annual SlaCrifices to. much, but it has already increased knowledge, thes.age. Dr. Hu Shih is c'Onvinced that China imprQved skill, ref'Ormed the written language, must I'Ook t'Oward ,the future rather than the past, advanced physical educatiQn, and popularized na- and must face reality. In a recent address, pro- tiQnal CQnsciQusness.
testing against dependence Qn Confucian cere- . 3. "The cMnge of the family system. Recent monies to. bulwark the national spirit, he recites industrial, commercial and educatiQnal develQP- the evidence 'Of progress in China during the last ments started the prQcess Qf c'OncentratiQn Qf Po.P- twenty years, befQre the invasiQn by Japanese ulatiQn in the large cities; the first instituti'On to armed fQrces. He wrQte in Chinese f'Or Chinese, be affected by this transfQrmatiQn is the family, and not fQr foreign propaganda. which has been reduced in size. Parents, parents- The number Qf elementary schQol students in in-law, ,and heads Qf clans have l'Ost much Qf their China increased fourf'Old in the last twenty years; aricient powers. and prestige. Sons and daughters the number Qf seco.ndary school Sltudepts tenf'Old, have declared their independence.. The elevation and the cQllege and university students a hundred of WQmen and the improvement Qf the marriage fQld. There were in 1937 abQut twelve and a half . system that haveaccQmpanied this change in the milliQn students in the mQdern sch'OQls Qf China. family QrganizatiQn can be regarded as the great- Hu Shih says: est refQrm. of the last five thQusand years., "China has made wonderful strides in the last 4. "The reform of social customs. The abQlitwenty years. The prQgress during these years tiQn of f'OQtbinding, male pr'OstitutiQn, judicial in intelligence, m'Orality, nati'Onal spirit and char- t'Orture and Qther refQrms are nQt positive deacter, sQcial custQm, P'Olitical QrganizatiQn and velopments, but the emancipatiQn Qf women, the self-respect has surpassed any Qther generation attempts to. reduce the expense Qf funeral and in the histQry of the cQuntry. Of course this periQd marriage ceremQnies; the enthusiasm Qf y'Oung has n'Ot been withQut its Qbno.xiQus features and people fQr athletics, and the extensiQn of sdentific weaknesses, but these do no.t cancel the gain. We medicine and public health wQrk are all achievemay PQint Qut some of the 'Outstanding evidences ments beYQnd the dreams of the ancient sages. Qf progress. 5. "New developments in political organization 1. "The overthrow of despotic government, with are the direct result 'Of the passing of ·the old desPQtic gQvernment. NQt all these experiments all its parasitic systems, imperial cQncubines, have been successful, but many Qf them, such as Qur mQdernized judicial, PQlice and military syseunuchs, hereditary nQbles, yamen-runners, the tems, and the advance from a yarnen-centered to. a schQlar-centered gQvernmental machinery have purchase 'Of government PQsitions and other evils, prQduced unusually satisfactory results. Our re- cently promulgated civil law, which embQdies has been a great achievement. , many impQrtant imprQvement~, has been in itself 2. "The reform in education. Ther.e are still superficial observers who. attack the failure 'Of the new educatiQnal system, but if they stQP to. think what the old system was, and what it had to. offer, • Forwarded by Dr. Geo. W. Hinman. a blQQdless revQlutiQn.
WHEN HINDUS BUY GOSPELS IN INDIA
"These are indi,sputable historical f,acts. The attitude, freedom of action and sublimity of charsucces1s of the revolution against the old regime, acter. In classical scholarship, ih polish and and the achievement of modernization in China, worldly wisdom, and in punctiliousness in little are facts. Has there been progress in character- things, Dr. Sun Yat~sen may have been excelled building, self-confidence and strength of the people by Tseng Kuo-fan. Neverthelessl in courage of during the years between 1917 and 1937? At this thought, greatness of personality' ,and fearless time when the habits and behavior of men are action the revolutionary leader has greatly surexposed to the influence of forces both old and passed the earlier philosopher statesman. Acnew and trends of thought, both Western and cording to my observations during the last decade Chinese, it is very difficult to decide which com- or two, the personalities of those who have been bination of forcesl produces which type of char- most influenced by modern culture not only comacter. But without hesitation we say that because pare favorably with those of the great men of the leaders of this age have lived in a new world any other age, but have frequently excelled them. and under new currents of thought, they have sur- The new type of character, which is manifested passed their predecessors in thoroughness of by Generalissimo Chiang, adds much to the glory thought, richness of knowledge, magnanimity of of the age and convictions that produce it."
When Hindus Buy Gospels in India -~ I By MARGUERITE MODAK, Ahmednagar, India I }!lE-•.- T HE first sales-of twelve Gospels-were the city, a few Gospels in my hand and a boy with made by an eleven-year-old Indian girl, the me to carry the extra supply. To each one I met daughter of a member of our church in on the way I offered a Gospel in his own language, Ahmednagar, India. She sold them to those she saying that as I read other Indian religious books saw on the street, between the church and her in order to be informed for, the same reason they home. The first man to buy was a Hindu milk- should read mine. Almost every person purman carrying quart cans of milk on his bicycle. chased a copy and within an hour I had sold The next purchaser was an elderly Mohammedan fifty-five Gospels to non-Christians. The only obwhom she saw in front of his dye-shop, hanging jection to the sale of these books occured when out a bright red turban-cloth which he had just I approached three Hindu ladies sitting on their dipped in the dye. Indian girls are generally shy door-step. A Hindu gentleman passer-by interand timid but this young girl was fired with a ferred and told them not to buy. zeal to sell more Gospels than anyone else, and to follow the instructions given her, that they be Five hundred people had in their hands, many sold to non-Christians. for the first time, the words of Christ to speak to them directly. While many Christians may be Five days in the early part of 1938 were al- unworthy of the name they bear, Christ himself lotted to the sale of Gospels by the First Church and His words meet little opposition from nonof Ahmednagar (The United Church of Northern Christians in India today. A Hindu or Moslem India). The British and Foreign Bible Society of may not be willing to leave his social group, as his Bombay sent one of their representatives to teach family would no doubt force him to do if he were our church members the best methods of ap- baptized, but he wants to know more about Christ. proaching non-Christians. He was a young Indian gentleman, modest in appearance and effi- Gospel selling week was a part of the year's cient in his work. Fifteen of the men of the work for the Ahmednagar Church. The calendar church and our most enthusiastic young people for the church was drawn up in December for met in the church and then went out singly and in the ensuing year, and called for two periods of twos to do this important piece of evangelistic Gospel selling, as well as for a retreat, a series of work. My husband, the Rev. Ramkrishna Shahu special meetings, picnics, one day of commemora- Modak, pastor of the church, sold fifty copies in tion of the dead, Bible reading, a church birthday two hours in the bazaar where tradesmen of all celebration, a village preaching campaign, and kinds, and gentlemen of the city were transacting the annual religious festivals., The retreats of business. I went down one of the main streets of our church are days when the people sit in silence before God and mediate upon Him.
of "Spirit of Missions," New
A CHRISTIAN HOME IN AN INDIAN VILLAGE'
Save India Through India's Women -<III By ANBU M. AZARIAH,' Domakal, Ceottal Iowa IIJIo- O UT of the whole population of India, "some coolie work with her husband and children. She 352 millions," more than eighty-nine per does not return until dusk, when she again cooks cent live in villages. In the Telugu coun- a meal for her family. For nine months in the try, there is not even one city of major import- year, this is her life; the remaining three months ance, or any militwry station. Hence, to give a in the hot weather are less occupied, but are pro- typical picture of the life of the average Telugu portionately "lean."
Christian family, we must look closely at one or The village women toil all the day long but, like two villages. the rest of their family, they are underfed.
Many efforts are being made by the present Not only the depressed classes but the sudras Government at rural reconstruction. Yet the (farmer caste) also live under insanita.ry condi- backward conditions under which most village tions. They and their cattle live under the same women live at present will probably strike Amer- roof. One village is noted for intestinal di,sorders.
ican Church people as surprising. Until recent The filthy condition of the neighborhood, the cow years, nearly all the village Christians were drawn dung heaps close to the houses, and the number from the "depressed classes." These still live of flies, are the root cause of this common malady.
outside the village proper, in hamlets of thatched Propaganda work is being done by talks on the huts. In the hot weather these hamlets are sub- laws of health and by health song;s composed in ject to devastation by fire so that every year many Telugu.
homes and all their contents are reduced to cinders One caste woman who had been to a hospital in a few minutes. One room or at most two are for an operation and who used to live in a house all that a family possesses. Earthen cooking pots, with no proper ventilation, had another house with one or two brass vessels for water, large built to live in, with large windows and doors as baskets for storing grain and other food stuffs, a result of what she learned at the hospital. a coir (rope) bed or two, and some mats of wild date palm leaves are all the furniture they possess. And yet there i,s a brighter side to the life of The wife and mother rises at dawn, pounds her the Christian family, even living in these condigrain, does some hasty cooking and departs for tions. Christianity lets in light, even in the dark- est places. There is, first of all, the village Chris- * Wife of the Bishop of Dornakal, the Rt, Rev. V. S. Azariah, tian schools for the children; to these the boys, contributes this paper to The Spirit of Missions, Protestant Epis- and an increasing number of girls, are sent. There copai Church, New York.
[88 ]
SAVE INDIA THROUGH INDIA'S WOMEN
is the evening service, late in the evening, when number of adult literates rapidly in each congrethere is a joyous service with hearty singing. The gation. This is true not only of the depressed truths of the Chdstian religion are simply taught, classes but of caste people also who gladly avail including preparation for Baptism and the Holy themselves of this opportunity to learn to read. Communion. All these truths give a new meaning to downtrodden lives. There is on the faces The Diocesan Guild for Christian girls (Andhra of some Christian men and women a look of in- Christava Balika Samaj) is another auxiliary orward joy and peace, and outward cleanliness, ganization which enables us to serve village girls. which cannot be mistaken, when they are com- This guild aims at helping unmarried girls in the pared with their non-Christian neighbors. villages. and towns. The village girls have never had the chance of going to school; they have al- The Mothers' Union, in spite of all difficulties ways worked in the fields to contribute to the caused by illiteracy and ignorance, has been a family income. In the Samaj, they learn to live means, of strengthening the faith of these village a simple life, say a prayer each day, and celebrate women, of improving their standards of life, and a joyous Christian festival once a year. They are of giving them a sense of fellowship with other gathered into night classes where they learn to Courtesy of "Spirit of Missions," New York FUTURE WOMEN LEADERS AT THE DIOCESAN GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL This Is one of four girls' schools in Bishop Azariah's area of Dornakal. About five hundred Christian girls are enrolled in this school.
Christian wO'men. The Mothers' Union members read, to sing, to sew or anything else that will help are also able to preach the Gospel to others. During the "Week of Witness" in May, 1938, in many them to better their lives. . villages they went out to their caste neighbors with the Good News and witnessed for Christ In some villages, this year, the Balika Samaj under the leadership of teachers' wives. girls presented an Easter drama, "Seeking the But we must look outside the village itself to see what Christ has done for the women of the Body of Christ," and thus taught in a beautiful depressed classes. Out of some of the most depressed hamlets have gone girls who,. passing way the meaning of Easter. The girls,' boarding through the Church's boarding schools, have become teachers, nurses, doctors, wives of the clergy schools have branches of the Samajand the girls and Government officers. These are giving to India today many instances of the ideal Christian who were originally drawn from the villages, now home worked out in practice. having O'btained the privilege of a Christian edu- The "Laubach method" t of adult instruction, cation and training, pledge to help their village used in this diO'cese, enables us to increase the sisters by fellowship and service, especially dur- t See article by Dr. Frank C. Laubach in our January, 1939, ing the summer vacation when they go home. REVIEW. The Christian women leaders are those who thus get their training at the girls' boarding and training schools. These schools, are an important adjunct to' the work of the Church, under the man- agement of women missionaries. There are four such institutions in the diocese with about five hundred Christian girls enrolled in them.
There is a training center for women in a vil- three years. As Dornakal is wholly rural, it is a lage in Kurnool District where two women mis- good training ground for rural service. Their sionaries live in a simple thatched house, with the wives are required to prepare for the ministry of students in similar simple huts built all round their their husbands. The spiritual preparation and house. Here the women have a thorough course the consecration of their whole being to Christ's of training in the Scriptures, Church doctrine, and service are important factors in the ministerial practical social and evangelistic service. service of their husbands. To help them in their spiritual life, early morning devotions, morning In a village, the teacher and his wife are looked and evening services are held, with Holy Comupon as the leaders of the people. Where the munion on week days, and a quiet day once a quarter. Courtesy Of "Spirit of Missions," New York AN INDIAN MOTHER AT WORK The women have regular classes daily, from one o'clock to two forty-five, when the babies and chil- She rises at dawn to pound her grain as the dren are left at home in the husbands' charge. first task in her long day ot toll They learn a short outline of Old Testament his- tory, the Life of Christ, and the Acts of the teacher's wife is a very earnest woman the women Apostles. Once a week, they go out to preach to of the congregation follow her example. Study non-Christian women. They also go out another schools for the teachers' wives and the wives of day to do social and welfare work among village the clergy are conducted by the women mission- women in the neighborhood. Every noon, interaries, often assisted by the officers of the Mothers' cessions are led by the women in turn. Union. They also write essays on home life, training Candidates for ordination (as clergy) undergo of children, village service, and kindred subjects. training at the Divinity School for two or three They do Sunday school teaching for the local vilyears. They come to Dornakal with their families lage men and women. Thus they are trained to and live at quarters provided for them for about take upon themselves the responsibility of the leadership among women.
These classes, now completing two decades, have long since proved their worth. Most of the women who have been in Dornakal with their husbands are helping in the villages by their work among women. Some are able to visit in the pastorates with their husbands. The village women look up to the clergyman's wife as their pattern in every- thing, in social, physical and spiritu.al life.
The Lord giveth the word: The women that publish the tidings are a great host (Psalm 68: 11) .
These words receive literal fulfillment today in the misision field. If you want to transform the nation, transform the mothers. If you desire to transform the mothers, transform the girls. If you want the girls, catch the children. The child, the girl, the wife and the mother afford great op- portunities of service for India. Save the women, and so save the nation.
THE CRY OF A TAMIL POET Lord, in the darkness I Wlander; Where is the Light? Is there no Light? Nothing know I, but I wonder Where is the Way? Is there no Way? How may I reach Thee, I wonder; Is there no way? Where is the Way?
(Tamil poet, 1,000 years ago; quoted in "The Women's Missionary Mag- azine.")
Cooperation in Mission
By the REV. ALEXANDER McLEISH, London Survey Editor of "World Dominion"
THE last twenty-seven years have been marked This whole movement towards cooperation in- by the growing cooperation of missionary dicates that this method of work has come to stay, societies and churches. World Christian and having gone so far it is clear that we must Councils have been formed in nearly all the mis- go further. Recently in India cooperation has sion fields and these have done much to give to been entering a new field. Owing to the growing Protestant missions a united front as they face emphasis on the preeminence of evangelism in the the problem of evangelism in their respective work of the Church, the field has been viewed fields. As was to be expected, this spirit of coop- from a wider point of view, and the ideal of a erative helpfulness has resulted in the emergence united Indian Church in the various areas has beof many projects. In reviewing the work of a gun to dominate policy. Some of the Provincial whole area much overlapping has been avoided by Councils, in view of the urgency of the present cooperation in various activities. This has been situation, have brought about a new cooperation the means of economy in men and money, and among missions in evangelistic work. Mr. J. Z. has secured a greater degree of efficiency. Hodge, Secretary of the National Christian Coun- cil of India, gives one example of this in the case These projects, however, should not be confused of the missions working in the Bhil country in with "Church union." Undoubtedly the atmos- Central India. This people is one-and-a-half milphere of cooperation has greatly aided the nur- lion strong, and on the advice of the Mid-India ture and completion of many schemes of union. Christian Council, which had previously surveyed These, however, have taken place almost exclu- the field, the mi·ssions in the area have formed sively along the line of denominational affinities, themselves into a council of work among the Bhils, the widest union being that of the Church of pledged to seek as their objective a united church Christ in China. This includes almost all denom- in the Bhil country. This action has made posinations and Christian bodies with the exception sible the interchange of workers and, where necesof the Episcopal Church, the Scuthern Baptists, sary, the readjustment of territory. and the China Inland Mission. In Japan many unions have occurred between the separate The study of many of these cooperative enterchurches of different denominations; in India, prises reveals one great weakness. This arises the Church of North India and the Church of from the nature of their development and their South India are mainly Presbyterian in character, relationship to the normal work of mi,ssions. They while the Lutheran and Baptist unions have been have tended to be viewed as an extra or additional .more exclusively along denominational lines, as commitment outside the main budget, and have also is true of the Church of India, Burma and not been considered as an integral part of the Ceylon. But all these unions within the various work. But it is clear that if this type of activity camps have laid the foundation for further union. is to develop it must be viewed by the mission boards as just as much an integral part of their In cooperative projects. a still greater degree of activity as any other and more particularly decommon action is found in many places. Chris- nominational interest. A readjustment is needed tian colleges exhibit a wide degree of cooperation in the point of view of the relative importance of in India; the work of the Baptist Mission and the .our various activities. Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Delhi is a cooperative effort that promises well This growing cooperative activity should be for the future. It is probably not generally real- placed in the centre of our purposes, planning and ized how great has been the growth of union in- budgeting. stitutions. during the last few years. As an example of this, there are now twenty-six union Very closely connected with this is the educaenterprises in India, apart from those general tion of our respective constituencies as to the need, movements that may be described as interdenom- the value, and the results of cooperation. One inational. finds in most mission reports little or no adequate reference to the work of these cooperative [ 91 ]
schemes. It is' very important that full particulars (h) In all such projects the financial side, once should be broadcast to show the significance of settled, should not be allowed to obtrude itself these cooperative movements; projects in which continually, and the real object of the scheme missions may have a share should be reported in should command all the energies of those working annual report,s and other periodicals as truly the it. The spiritual objective and the fellowship of activities of that mission. The education of our endeavor should be kept first. supporting constituencies is a crucial matter. The cooperative field, more even than the denomina- The organization of cooperative councils is now tional field, needs the fullest publicity, and those fairly complete throughout the world. The coengaged in such work should be more alive to this operation between missions that resulted from the necessity and obtain publicity from home commit- Edinburgh Conference of 1910 has been gradually passing in most fields into cooperation between tees. mission and church. Cooperative activities have greatly appealed to This development has changed the whole situa- Christians with large vision as to the needs of tion; in India it has been marked recently by the definite fields; and from time to time individual amending of the constitution of the National Christian Council. The two new factors embraced givers have been found to help inaugurate these in the scheme are of supreme importance. They schemes. In other cases one society has associated are: others with it in some activity, and has had to (1) To review periodically the progress of the bear the brunt of the support of a cooperative project. Recently much of this support has been Christian enterprise in India, Burma and Ceylon withdrawn. The men loaned to cooperative work in cooperation and consultation with the Provinhave been withdrawn, or the building has been cial Christian Councils, and to suggest plans for required by the society; no financial equivalent has been forthcoming, so that many cooperative further advance. projects have fallen into a perilous financial (2) To take all possible steps. to give-effect to situation. the principle within the Chri,stian enterprise that Some Needs in Reconstruction the church is central and permanent.
This decision means that the future business of the annual meeting of Provincial Christian Coun- A good deal of reconstruction is required if cils will be to review the progress of the Christian cooperation is to make adequate progress. From movement in its area and to plan accordingly.
the experience of the last few years I would sug- The Provincial Councils know with some certainty gest certain requirements: what the needs of the area are, what are the (a) The need of broadening the basis of sup- available resources, what reinforcements are re- port and so decreasing the individual grants-in- quired, and how they should be distributed. The aid. This would, at the same time, widen the point to emphasize is that cooperation is to centre interest in the project. around the church and its activities. This' coop- (b) Every scheme should be supported by a eration in the' church and mission institutes a budget covering a definite period of years (three definite procedure to what were exclusively mis- or five have been suggested). sion activities. A policy of greater "give and (c) Supporters of the [scheme should be kept take" is needed. In many fields too definite a line particularly well informed of its progress. has been drawn between church and mission.
(d) In order to command the fullest confidence Burning Questions such projects should have a good executive with the requisite knowledge. From my recent visit to India I have found (e) Gifts of men and property to help the that there are many burning questions in the project, in lieu of money payment, always present minds of Indian church leaders which require a difficulty, for when the man or property is with- handling by missions with greater sympathy and drawn it is not likely that the equivalent in money understanding. A few of these might be men- will be forthcoming. If possible, every project tioned: should be so financed as to pay for its own staff. First, there is the administration of money as and equipment. between the mi,ssion and the church. As things (f) There should be equality of status among stand, the indigenous church has been operated the cooperating groups; all should pull their on a too limited self-support policy, a policy which weight, and not let the others down. can barely keep it in existence. It appears to the (g) The various cooperating councils have a church leaders that they are a poor, struggling special duty to keep in close touch with the work- body, while the mission seems to be a wealthy or- ing of these projects and to keep the supporting ganization. Yet increasingly the church is being churches and mis,sion bodies well informed of the called upon to face the whole Christian task, and progress, as they affect the interests of each. it is being admitted that the church and not the
CLOSER COOPERATION IN MISSION WORK
mission is the main factor in future evangelistic prises where the support comes mainly from forefforts. Nevertheless, evangelistic activities, eign countries. There is a growing feeling among owing to the pos,session of the necessary finance, some that financial support ought not to give the are largely undertaken by the mission. The right of control of work conducted in another nachurch leaders feel that there is something wrong tional area; there is much to be said in support about all this. of this contention.
Financial support cannot be separated from In a lengthy vi,sit to India and the Far East I other factors in the situation. An amazing was struck by the fact that while there is wideamount of self-support can be carried on a wave spread acknowledgment of the centrality of the of spiritual awakening, but should this spiritual Church in the Christian enterprise, there seems, fervor decline, the effort to maintain self-support from the practical point of view, very little grasp may be found quite inadequate to the task. No of the significance of this truth. Many say, "Yes, one will deny that the church must be further the Church must increa,se and the mission deenlisted in the evangelistic movement. A case in crease"; but in many quarters it was not recogpoint is that of the opportunity presented by the nized that this is an exceedingly revolutionary Mass Movement in India. If, at this stage, the proposition. It affects not only the question of missions were to seek exclusively to cultivate this policy, but the whole personal attitude of the misopportunity and to rush forwaFd with what mone- sionary to his indigenous colleagues.. It affects tary help they can obtain, the position of the his standard of living and his relationship to the Church would be a very difficult one. It would feel prevailing economic situation. It is very regretthat it had taken no effective part in the move- table that so many quarrels exist between the ment and yet was likely to be called upon to take local mission and the local church. Of course, it up the responsibilities of the infant church gath- is inevitable that it is difficult to establish the new ered as a result of the missions' evangelistic ef- relationship, and it is just here that the demand forts. To avoid any such result it is vital that for allocation of foreign workers in the field of the church should be taken into full cooperation the church becomes acute. The leaders of the with the mission in facing any evangelistic oppor- church feel that they must be able to say who tunity that may present itself in the mission field among the foreign missionaries they wish in the today. The time has gone when the mission can service of the church and where they would like act alone. The church that has been established to see them employed. is the central consideration. Its interests must be regarded in a new way that will involve a read- These questions show how vital it is that a: real j ustment in the allocation of foreign money for the fellowship should exist between the mission workprosecution of the Christian enterprise. ers and church workers, and how necessary it is at the present specially critical stage to preserve In the second place, a good deal of misunder- the spiritual value of the relationship of the misstanding is being caused, rightly or wrongly, in sion to the church. If that relationship is obconnection with the question of the holding of scured, the mission will not be in a position to help property. Where the mission has acquired prop- and cooperate with the church in shouldering the erty in any particular area for the prosecution of future task of evangelization. It is an undoubted the Christian enterprise, the native church leaders fact that here we find the reason for stagnation in think they have a right to remand that this prop- many, fields today. erty should remain in the service of the Christian enterprise of that area. Many may hold that a The new position into which the church has mission, .having spent money on land or property, come in the cooperative councils of the world has a perfect right to dispose of it by sale or makes the question of cooperative mission projects otherwise. This seems to be reasonable, especially still more important. The interest of the church when there is a deficit in the work conducted in must be secured in the project; it must feel that that area. Nevertheless, the question is not so the matter is one that intimately concerns its own viewed by the indigenous church. Mis,sionary welfare, and if possible the church should be asleaders may think that this is wrong; others may sociated with the group of missions that are comthink that selfish motives are at play. What has bined in the particular project. to be faced, however, is that this feeling is widespread, and to ignore it is to do irreparable dam- Viewing the whole field I' have not merely been age to the relationship between the indigenous impressed with the variety and extent of cooperachurch and foreign mission. tion already achieved, but also by the wholly un- developed possibilities. Everywhere new vistas In the third place much misunderstanding has of possible cooperation open up. This is especially resulted from the effort to assert control of work so when we realize, as Dr. Mott points out, that financed from outside sources. The very word the Christian mission today is confronted with an "control" is "a red rag" in many indigenous enter- intensification of the forces of opposition, with the organization of religions against the Christian
cwliatinmeisns~ and with the success of the many isms Faith in Christ has been discerned in a new di- the allegience of men. In answer to this mension in the fellowship of others representing all sections of the Christian Church. Where these world situation the missionary enterprise must conference and councils have included Christians of all nations this discovery was even more sigalso intensify, organize, and make more efficient nificant. Faith has enlarged its boundaries and has overstepped divisions; in very truth Christ its organs of cooperation. has been found by all in a new way.
In view of this necessity, it is regrettable that The faith of the Church as a whole has thus so many missionary cooperative councils are crip- taken on a new significance; this has not been pled for lack of adequate financial support. It because of organization and manipulation, it was stands to reason that the cooperative projects al- a real discovery. This wider and deeper faith, ready functioning will be greatly endangered if which the Church has entered upon in this way, these councils are not strengthened. Is it not a has opened up new possibilities; these possibiliwrong policy to be concerned chiefly about the ties are not confined to committees, the Church support of this or that project when the mission- has discovered that it had a more adequate Mesary council itself is, in serious financial difficulties sage for the world. What Christ might mean for and is largely rendered inoperative? In spite of Christians and for non-Christians has been set all handicaps, however, it is amazing how these forth more clearly, and the whole witness of the councils have functioned through times of recent Church is definitely linked up with the needs of difficulty and how extensive have been their opera- men everywhere. The life and witness of the tions and how vital the emphasis they have placed Church necessarily involves a world outlook, as upon the centrality of evangelism. has been demonstrated beyond all gainsaying.
Two dangers have been present in the develop- On the practical side the experience of these coment of cooperative projects. On the one hand operative councils has thrown increasing light on schemes have been promoted by specially inter- the problems of world evangelization and on the ested groups, which have not been properly dis- whole mission of Christianity. The experience cussed by the missionary community. This danger gleaned from other parts of the mission field, and is the greater where the group interested can from other sections of the Christian Church, has usually provide initial finance. Development once been brought together and has been applied to the begun may wrongly direct a great deal of mission- whole enterprise. Solutions otherwise impossible aryactivity. have suggested themselves for long-standing diffi- culties, and the Christian forces have found them- On the other hand there is the danger of pre- selves facing the task presented by its information paring plans from the top, and not sufficiently throughout the world with fresh vision, rejuvepreparing the ground and nurturing them from nated faith, and conscious power to apply the below. The result is that often the schemes are Christian interpretation to the life of the world. superimposed upon an uninstructed constituency It can safely be said, therefore, that we have whose interest has not been captured. Another reached a point where it has become clear that necessity in all cooperative projects is that while cooperation in the missionary enterprise' has come they should be devised on a thorough business to stay, that it must become an integral part of our outlook, plans and budget, and that we must basis, we should never lose sight of the spiritual embark upon a process of education of constitu- encies in order to show unmistakably the signifisignificance of the project. It should constitute cance, the need and the value of cooperation. for all concerned a call upon their faith and sacrifice. It is the growing conviction of those who have much experience of cooperative projects and the This subject of closer cooperation formed a part work of these Christian councils that they have of the program of the World Missionary Confer- a significance for the missionary enterprise ence in South India. The time has come seriously greater than that devoted to parochial or denomto reconsider the whole question of cooperation inational interests. This, in fact, stands to reaand its financial support, and to integrate it in the son, and there undoubtedly seems a special blesseveryday plans of missionary councils and com- ing attached to all such endeavor. It demonstrates mittees. The experience that has, attended such the existence of a unity for which we all pray, and cooperation has revealed to those participating is the closest approach we have yet been able to something unique. It has been found that what make in the present circumstances to the fulfilwe hold in common is much deeper and more sig- ment of Christ's prayer, "That they also may be nificant than that which separates Christians. one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou This is a great discovery! The magnitude of the has sent Me." issues at stake, and the demands of an increasingly difficult situation may have drawn us together, but it was not these which kept us together. The spirit of Christ has been found to be the unifying factor, and this was a real discovery.
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I Effective Ways of Working crested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home 'v. EDITED BY MISS GRACE .;yICGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ~'=i======================~====~~ Enthusiasm is something home after the Sunday evening chance to meet thus. Spontanewhich can be caught. Ten min- service and called a men's meet- ous or pre-planned, it accomutes with someone who is ac- ing to hear him. I never saw plishes something that a mixed complishing something is worth men as captivated as were the group will not do. ten hours reading about him- men at this conference."-M. E. provided the ten minutes is used Obviously their mISSIOnary effectively. Weare deeply con- Very well; look at what hap- had a winning personality and a cerned in developing the interest pened. Labor Day-a week-end real message. But so do many of our laymen in the missionary when men would be free. His other missionaries who are never task of the Church. Are we approach-refreshing to say the given half a chance to put them making effective use of the times least; and vital. We venture at your service. when our missionary is, for a that those who arranged the conbrief period, with us? Is the ference gave deep thought to the Two-Way Contacts enthusiasm which dominates his question of what phase of the (or her) life to the extent of work they wanted their mission- We have often heard of readkeeping him at work in a foreign ary to present. It is necessary ing a letter from our missionary environment being transferred to study out what a group needs. once a month at the meeting. to those who are responsible for To say, "Just speak to us upon Here is something different. It his being there? anything that is in your heart," comes from a church in Louis- is a lazy and ineffective method, ville, Kentucky. Almost as valuable, and in some cases more so, are the con- calculated to result in nothing. "Our Young Matron's Guild, tacts with the National Chris- (Parenthetically may your edi- our Business Young Women's tians from mission lands. Guild, and our Women's Mission- tor remark that within this past ary Society each write a letter And to a varying degree, the year she listened to an address every month to our missionary same is true of opportunities to given by a world famous mis- in India. Our pastor also writes meet Mission Board secretaries occasionally. We keep up a suband other official liaison-people sionary at an interdenomina- scription to Good Housekeeping of the various boards. tional gathering of thousands, for her and once in a while send which was but futile piffle. her patterns of dresses, as some We have received and present Probably because no one had of our women wear the same to you some interesting accounts troubled to discuss with the size." They find many ways of of effective use of such opportu- speaker possible background and sharing in her work and of keepnities. They compose but a frac- needs of the group to be ad- ing her assured of their contintion of the ways in which we dressed.) uing interest. "In fact," the acshould be making better use of count closes, "we are all crazy personal contact with those on Arrangements were made for about her and do all we can for the far-flung battle line of Chris- her."-E. S. tian progress. close contact with three laymen -not with a family or a married The emphasis, in that church, As Man to Man couple. Those three men may we note, has been almost entirely on its responsibility to their mis- "An adult conference in Iowa have been chosen because of sionary. The personal contact over Labor Day week-end was what the experience would mean was made while she was on furarranged to take advantage of to them, and through them to lough. Now their affection and the presence and participation of the local church; or it may have expression of interest follow her. a missionary home from Africa. been a deliberate setting of the It does not take much imagina- His approach was from the point stage for just what happened tion to picture the difference beof view of the African who ac- spontaneously. tween the atmosphere in which cepts Christ; and revealed the that missionary works and the changes that must necessarily There was a spontaneously one in which the unattached come in his whole scheme of liv- called meeting of men-where as worker labors. Upholding the ing. The missionary stayed with hands of those afar off to give three laymen, who took him man to man the subject could be them power to achieve is no followed further. Men gather for serious discussion in almost every organization except in re- gard to the missionary work of the Church. Men need to have a [95 ]
sentimental imagery. We called become set into a form. Con- the place where her abilities it morale in the days of the Great sider this year having at least could serve. She is a success and War. one dramatic element is your a piece of work is being well Do not be content to be on the service. The following report done. receiving line. Make a two-way gives an excellent suggestion. How often have we tried to contact with some worker and With the world in its present force every member of the misenter into his or her work with state, what more forceful than sionary society into a pattern of appreciation and intelligence. the symbolic recognition of the giving? How often have we Presents are all right. One gives fact that only Christ can draw measured the success of our where one's heart is. But under- the peoples of the world together stewardship by what we have standing and interest is the jewel in friendship. Use nationals if accomplished along one or two beyond price that lies in our possible; it will give reality to lines? hands to bestow. the service. But the nationals Why not try, instead, to A Continuing Contact must express their own convic- search out the realm of every tion as to the power of Chris- member's greatest interest in A state missionary leader in tian living. It must be real, not giving and then demand "Full Georgia writes of a series of con- assumed. We are in a service of measure, pressed down and runtacts with a missionary which prayer, not in a playhouse. ning over," of everyone in her she is using to secure that con- This year the international service chosen field. The total giving tinuity so often lacking in our was held in the Community Church, when unorthodox avenues re- with the wife of the sub-dean of Holy ceive recognition and encouragemissionary education. Trinity Church presiding. Twelve ment will amaze you. And there Three steps are noteworthy. different nations were represented in will be an increase also in your First, a series of contacts in the audience. Each one prayed in her regular avenues of stewardship, which a missionary was person- own language. The earnest prayer ally escorted from church to offered for the sufferers of the war for increased interest always rechurch by the state worker who by a Japanese woman will long be re- sults in better general support.
was quite familiar with those membered. The high peak in the Here is one way of finding out churches. What a splendid way service was the candle lighting service interests and abilities and get- when women, representing the differ- for a first contact to be made! ent nations, approached the central ting them into harness. Be sure The missionary was free to give candle with their unlighted candles, herself; and received so much each team has a driver who, in her companion's interpreta- from opposite aisles, to return with them lighted to spread their light. even if the road is new, is will- ing to work along and find its A holy hush fell on the audience as tion of the situation in each the Japanese and Chinese women from goal. opposite aisles approached the cen- Make a sheet, or sheets, church as to be able to give tral candle and at the same time preferably mimeographed, with what it needed most. Second, a lighted their candles to return to project of providing things for spread their light. It was evident something like the following on the missionary's use in the field that the only way out was for the them, leaving space at the botwas arranged through Board love of Christ to lift us all above the tom for any member to write in Headquarters. The necessary narrow nationalism which is darken- any other special ability she follow-up study of that mission- ing our world. We were challenged to might care to offer for service. spread the light of His love as the ary's work was a natural accom- only way out of the darkness which Place a copy in the hands of paniment of such a plan. Third, is fast enveloping us. . each member of the missionary and this is especially interesting, Harness Hidden Abilities society, asking that one or more this contact and the project were of the items be checked, that the deliberately planned long enough The director of a welfare or- slip be signed and returned to ahead to be the build-up for the ganization with a million dollar the officers. * From a study of endowment remarked, "I don't the returned sheets, interests of present India study. The same sort of thing is pos- know why we keep Miss X. She members will become apparent, sible in any group. Too often violates every rule for procedure and abilities hitherto neglected we study frantically a certain that we have drilled into our may be put to use. country or racial group and after workers." He paused thought- 1. I feel the need of a bit of the six months is over, we drop fully and added, "And yet she serious study. I would like somethem like hot stones while we can, in her own way, accomplish time during this year, to join a pursue a new interest. New results in this group of contacts leadership training class on studies keep us alert. But let that has baffled our best work- methods of effective missionary us so plan our approach, our ers." work in the church . . . contacts, our service projects, That organization is to be our study, so that along a few complimented. Although Miss 2. I am interested in needle major lines at least we build up X's talents lay outside the pre- • Before preparing the slip. the officers a continuity of interest and ac- should consult anyone directly involvedtion. scribed set-up, she was allowed such as the leader of a Junior group. or to serve in her own way and the superintendent of the Sunday school- The World Day of Prayer given a problem the orthodox so as to have some idea of what types of could not solve. They used her service may be rendered. The possibility of The observance of the WorId inability to work in routine a few weeks of help may encourage the Junior leader to take up a mission study with the children. Or it may reveal the fact that she is not cooperative. and so lead to Day of Prayer can all too easily ways to advantage by finding the decision that that item should be omitted.
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
work. I might be able to join a 7. I like giving book reviews. ward older members who can small group of women who I shall be glad to read and pre- not otherwise come. I would would meet occasionally, to pare introductory book reviews like to have a regular group of make garments for some mis- on several books which would be passengers so that we can desion center, such as those for stimulating reading for our velop a fellowship-so these Migrant workers under the members. . . . members will not feel they are Council of Women for Home imposing on me for an "occa- Missions. . . . If such a group 8. I have directed dramatics. sional" ride. . . . meets I think it would be inter- If playlets for the meetings are esting if a chapter or two at a to be given, I shall be glad to A Garden Meeting for Bab y time of some one of the lighter help direct, costume and stage Bands: As children and leaders mission study books might be them . . . If a missionary play gather together, two lovely read out, – something which for public presentation is to be verses were read from the memnone of us have read…. given, I should be happy to un- bership cards and mothers and dertake its production. . . . or babies sang, "Jesus Loves Me." 3. I enjoy telling stories to to help in its production. . . . Four tiny members then apchildren. I should be glad to peared dressed as the little gift undertake the preparation and 9. I have had some experience box friends, Sita, Lillian, Taro telling of a group of stories in in directing music. If new mis- and Danny, and in a few words one of the children's story hours, sionary hymns, are to be used, I told something of these little or study periods for "missions. It will be glad to learn them and to folks. In response to the roll would give me a fine excuse to plan for interesting learning call each child presented his or be with the children in one of periods in which I shall guide her kodak picture to be used in their units of mission study, and our members in learning them. a Family Album being started it would bring me up-to-date on in the Baby Band. The speakers the methods and materials being 10. I like to cook and to ex- were the ministers of the church, used with children today. Be- periment with new dishes. I who gave the mothers a thoughtsides, "it would encourage the shall be glad to tryout recipes ful talk on child training, and leaders of the children's group for foreign foods and to plan re- the branch secretary of Baby to have an extra helper once in freshments or dinners using Bands an interesting address on a while…. them, supervising or undertak- the work done for Japanese chil- ing their preparation. . . . dren at one of our schools. The 4. I find I would like to do S. S. superintendent provided a some special reading on –. I 11. I have had some training very happy surprise in the way would like our librarian to make and experience as a teacher of of moving pictures. A brief out a list of several good books adults. I would be willing to program of games followed, the on the subject and give it to me. prepare to lead a group of our children having been told that If she will indicate whether the members in a leadership train- other little boys and girls all books are from our own library, ing course on missions . . .; around the world were running, are personal copies or are in the in a study of the current home skipping, playing ball just as we public library, I will try to read missions book . . .; in a study at least – – of them during the of the foreign missions book were. For the refreshments the year. table was spread with pink and 12. I like going to Confer- blue paper-Baby Band colors- 5. I have become interested in ences. I am willing to consider and flowers to match. Bread the political aspects of some of giving several days to go to a and butter or little sandwiches our city problems. I am willing missionary institute, summer with peanut butter or jelly were to investigate any such thing as conference or something similar offered, cocoa or milk given to Juvenile Court, Playgrounds, during this year. . . . drink, and ice cream was served, Color Lines and restrictions, made" attractive with animal which would help our society to 13. I enjoy making out bib- crackers (bears, elephants, etc.) find out what our nearest city liographies. When our mission- climbing up the mound. – Misconditions really are . . . I ary group wants to do some sionary Monthly of the United might be willing afterward to reading on a special subject, I Church of Canada. serve on an interdenominational shall be glad to browse thrcugh committee to attack some one our own and the public library Unique Report: The secretary for phase of the contributing cause and make out an annotated list national and overseas sewing of Los of trouble at its root, in the at- of books and magazine articles Angeles Presbyterial, in presenting tempt to destroy or modify it. to be circulated. . . . her report at an annual meeting, used a chart to illustrate the number of 6. I enjoy entertaining. I 14. I have some artistic abil- articles sent to the field. She had should be interested in helping ity and would be glad to plan written on a roll of wide shelf-paper, to arrange for interracial social and make posters and announce- fastened to a curtain rod, the numbers affairs, . . . in entertaining ments for special meetings . . .; of the various articles made, the some guest speaker of another or place cards and table decora- smallest figures first, and the largest race . . ., in planning special tions for special dinner or lunch- last. As she rose to make her report, times of fellowship and recrea- eon meetings. . . . she unrolled the chart to its full tion for our group. . . . length. The effect was very dramatic. 15. I have a car and shall be -Women and Missions. glad to call for and bring to the meetings and return home after-
A Story for the
By VIOLET WOOD, Missionary Education Movement THE LITTLE HYMN She was in despair because she MAKING USE OF THIS wanted her voice to be as beau- SINGER tiful as possible. Mrs. Anderson STORY tried to comfort her daughter Marian had one joy, which with the hope that a way would Tell the story of Abraham Lincoln was not many for a little Amer- be found. and his struggle to free the American ican Negro girl living in the Negroes from slavery. Explain that poorest and noisiest section of The minister, the organist and he knew that freedom for them was South Philadelphia. She loved all the friends at Marian's only half the battle and that the other to go to church, for there she church knew of her problem, and half lay in making it possible for them could sing as much as she wanted wanted to help her. One of them to have an education. Out of illusto, without fear of disturbing said, "It seems selfish to keep trations from the work of your own sleeping babies in adjoining Marian to ourselves. How proud denomination show how Christian tenements at home. Standing up we Negroes would be if white home missions are carrying on the between her mother and older people could hear her sing !" work that Lincoln started. Round out sister she would pour out her the child's understanding of the term heart in "spirituals" (Negro "Yes," said another friend, "it "Home Missions" to include Christian hymns) . The other people in might help white people to real- schools, colleges. community houses, the congregation often stopped ize that God gives beautiful gifts traveling hospitals, clinics, clubs, singing just to listen to Marian. to us as well as to them." churches, social workers, nurses, doc- tors, teachers and pastors for the "Did you ever hear such a As a result of their talk to- Negroes in rural and metropolitan voice as that?" one of the church gether it was suggested that they America. people would say to others; "that arrange for a big concert at child of Mrs. Anderson is the which Marian could sing. Tick- In building up a picture of the backbest little hymn singer I ever ets would be sold to members of ground of the South from which most heard." all Negro churches so they could Negroes come, make the scene vivid raise the needed $125.00. Marian by describing sorghum cane, cotton It was small wonder that be- sang that night in her rich con- bales, Mississippi paddle-wheel boats, fore Marian was eight years old tralto voice to a full house. The paper-shell pecans, Spanish moss, she was singing solos in the people sat spell-bound and called Negro spirituals, sage brush brooms, adult choir of the Union Baptist for encore after encore. It iron kettles, and other things con- Church. Many people came to seemed as if they would never nected with their life. church especially to hear her let her go. sing, and finally the organist A True-False Test for Children arranged a concert so that many That was the beginning of a more could hear her. Admission great career. Today Marian (When the child has written his anwas charged to help raise money Anderson is one of the world's swers, or given them orally, the parent for a community project. famous singers. She has sung or teacher should follow up each item in the capital city of almost with "We know this is (or is not) After that, almost every every country in Europe, in Rus- true because . . ." month she sang at some church sia and in South America. She social in her own or in other gave a concert in the White 1. George Washington set Negro communities. She was House, and she sang before the free the slaves in very poor and had to work to King and Queen of England. Jan America ………. T- False help her mother, but with her Sibelius, the famous Finnish earning, of from fifty cents to musician, admires her so much 2. Negroes do not admire two dollars each Sunday, she that he has written songs of Abraham Lincoln .. T- False sang her way through grammar great beau~y especially for her. school and high school. Her fa- 3. A Negro dance is called ther was dead, and life was not Marian has not forgotten that a spiritual …….. T- False easy for Marian, her mother and her two sisters. she was once a little hymn singer 4. Negro boys and girls can go to any school T- False One day her mother realized in a Negro church. As the clossadly that Marian could never 5. Roland Hayes is a fabecome a better singer unless ing part of her concerts she al- mous Negro singer . True Fshe could take lessons from a teacher who could help develop ways sings three or four Negro 6. Marian Anderson is an her voice and inspire her to hard spirituals. Some day you may English singer ….. T- False work. This would cost much hear her over the radio, on your more than Marian could pay. phonograph or at a concert when 7. A Community C h est she sings "0, Lord, What a helped Marian An- Morning, When the Stars Begin derson ………… T- False to Shine." 8. Jan Sibelius does not [98 ] permit Marian An- derson to sing his songs …………. T- FaIlle Music "African Hammock Song" -first English printing of song of native African men bearing the hammock of the white missionary and incorpora- ting the rhythm of the marching feet on the forest trail. Both English and Buluba words. (5 cents per copy or 3 for 10 cents.) Order from the Missionary Education Movement, 150 Fifth Ave., New York. BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~==–=============I~ The Women of the Church sion of these Boards in order good will are vital factors in in- Seek Peace that women of all denominations ternational relationships. may use it if they so desire. The The Christian Church in these complete program may be ob- As citizens of the United days is in the vanguard of that tained from the headquarters of States we join in the renunciagreat movement driving the peo- these Boards, 25 East 22nd tion of war as set forth by the ples of the world away from war. Street, New York City. Kellogg Peace Pact which our Amidst the tension of the hour nation has signed. in international relations and *** the confused thinking as to how Finally, we seek Peace because to preserve the peace of the Call to Worship: Glory to God we have seen the fruits and fuworld one fact stands out in bold in the Highest, and on earth tility of war. Its cost in money characters, and that is the de- peace, goodwill toward men. was the smallest price of the sire of the common people to find Blessed are the peacemakers; World War. It cost 33 million a way to keep out of war. The for they shall be called the chil- human lives. Church is making its contribu- dren of God. The day spring tion in its declaration that war from on high hath visited us, to The end is not yet; the fruits is sinful and contrary to the way give light to them that sit in of life as revealed by Jesus darkness and in the shadow of are still with us, in broken Christ-and in its effort to lead death, to guide our feet into the homes, shattered lives, economic Christians in their attempt to way of peace. And He shall achieve a peaceful world built speak peace to the nations. Glory burdens, increased bitterness upon justice and brotherly love. to God in the Highest, and on and distrust among nations. In this movement the women of earth peace, goodwill toward The last word of a war is never the Church through their organ- men. (Luke 2: 14; Matthew spoken. ized groups, and as individuals, 5: 9; Luke 1: 78, 79; Zech. 9: are taking a leading part, and in 10; Luke 2: 14.) We seek peace because the increasing numbers are seeking way of war has failed. Why not peace and pursuing it. How are Hymn: In Christ there is no try His Way? Love never they doing it? Through wor- East or West. faileth. ship, first of all, believing as they do that God is wisdom and Scripture Reading: Isaiah 52: Meditation: How shall we that only through communion 7; Zechariah 9: 9-11; Isaiah 11: pursue Peace? with Him will the true solution 2-6,9; Micah 4: 3. be found. It is not enough to seek peace; Prayer. "Seek Peace and Pursue It" we must pursue it. World peace Hymn: Jesus shall reign is an ideal still far from real- A WORSHIP PROGRAM where'er the sun. ization, but it is our part to fol- low the gleam. To achieve peace This peace program, extracts Reading: Why do we seek we must follow hard after the from which are here given, has Peace? things which make for peace. been recently published by the We know the things that make Women's Boards of Domestic As Christians we have chosen for peace with our neighbors; and Foreign Missions of the Re- to follow the Prince of Peace. the same laws operate for naformed Church in America. It As loyal followers we believe in tions. Love is the fulfilling of emphasizes the relation between His teachings and spirit, and He missions and peace and is in- taught and exemplified the the law. Mayall that we do be tended for use by women's mis- power of love. He showed us done in love. sionary societies or other groups the Father, and all men as our of church women. It is given brothers. We seek peace because *** here in outline with the permis- it is His Way. Prayer: Dear God of Love, As worn e n in the home and King of Peace, we know that churches we have become ac- out of the heart are the issues quainted with God's children of life. Disarm our hearts. Take around the world. We believe from them all things that make that understanding, respect and for strife, all hatreds and preju- dices, all suspicion, and self- [99 ] seeking, and self-righteousness, and give us hearts sensitive to the sufferings and the needs of all our brethren, of whatever
color or race or nation. Make people of a community are being "Eleven hundred luncheons held us ever anxious to aid, eager to aroused to the need for intelli- by eleven hundred women each share. In our own lives, and as gent study and responsible ac- entertaining eleven guests at far as we can project our in- tion in this field of foreign af- eleven minutes before eleven on fluences, may we follow after the fairs. Never have the people of the eleventh day of the eleventh things which make for peace. the United States been so inter- month" was the goal set by the May we who dare to call our- nationally minded as at the presselves by His name, dare, too, to ent time, nor so confused by the Council, and the church women try His Way, the way of love. trend of world events. To create of the city took an active part an intelligent public opinion in the project. At eleven o'clock In the name of the Prince of from the point of view of the Peace. Amen. Christian citizen is the work of there was a radio broadcast con- these groups of church women ducted by some of the religious Hymn: 0 God of Love, 0 who are cooperating with men leaders of the city. The time King of Peace. and women in other organiza- tions who are equally aroused to from that hour until luncheon The Church Woman's Deca- the need of the hour. was served was given to a dis- logue of Peace cussion of the world situation, And what are some of the and after luncheon a ballot was A statement of beliefs has taken to register the opinion on evolved from the thinking of things which these women are American foreign policy. The groups of church women who interest was very great and it is through study and dis>cussion doing? The Woman's Auxiliary have come to the conclusion that of the Diocese of Newark, New the hope of St. Louis that other they must base their work for cities will follow their example peace upon the principles here Jersey, sent out a call for a one next year. set down. The National Com- day Institute on Peace Education mittee of Church Women be- for which they asked the coop- These are but samples of the lieves that this Decalogue ex- eration of the New Jersey State many ways in which the women presses the point .of view of the. Committee on the Cause and of the churches are working. If maj ority of the church women Cure of War, the first time that you are convinced that your with whom it has come in touch. a church group had appealed to Does it represent your convic- that committee for help in set- church should have a share in tions? Write to the editor for a ting up such a program-a fine this great task and would like to free copy. Study it and decide. example of cooperation between know how to get started, send to church and secular agencies. To the Church Peace Union, 70 Gleanings from the Activities quote from the letter sent out by Fifth Avenue, New York City, of Church Women in the the President of the Woman's Peace Movement Auxiliary of the Diocese: "The for a leaflet called, "Building a findings of the great World Con- Peace Committee in the Church," The organized women of the ferences at Edinburgh and Ox- and you will find much help. Or, Church are taking an ever in- ford have so appealed to our increasing interest in public af- clination toward church unity write to the National Committee fairs. Witness their activity in that we have perhaps missed an of Church Women, Room 63, 297 interracial and social pr.oblems equally important emphasis in Fourth Avenue, New York City, which are so closely aligned with the program of the church cooptheir mission study, and the eration with existing organiza- which represents the Council of growing realization that inter- tions and agencies in the interest Women for Home Missions, the national relations are so bound of world peace. This is, there- Committee on Woman's Work of up with the missionary enter- fore, more than' a date on our the Foreign Missions Conferprise that the building of the calendars. It is an expression ence, and the National Council Kingdom of God on earth de- of faith that, in spite of the sense pends to no small degree upon of futility induced by present of Church Worn e n, through the solution of the problem of world conditions, it does matter which the organized women of peace and war. Studies in inter- that the church women of the the Church are related to the national relations are being put Diocese of Newark believe in peace movement. into the programs. of missionary peace." The program included societies, and .other church among other topics a discussion "Seek Peace and Pursue It." groups, and this-is leading to an of peace education in parish pro- This theme represents the ideal active participation in the peace grams, and from that institute movement through church agen- there no doubt was carried down which moves the women of the cies or through one, or more, of into the churches of the diocese Church today as through worthe various peace organizations. a new enthusiasm for this phase ship, education and action they of the work of the Church. seek to put the Christian motive Many stories could be told, into the heart of the great cause would space allow, for in one Another instance: The Peace for which they work-"on earth way, or another, word comes of Council of the City of St. Louis peace, goodwill to men." the many methods by which the planned a huge demonstration ELINOR K. PURVES, for peace on last Armistice Day. Chairman, International Re- lations Committee, Na- tional Com mit tee of Church Women. * * The National Committee of Church Women is the coordinating Committee of thE'
Foreign Missions Conference, the National Council of Church Women, and the Council Of WOmen for llome MissionS, .
• Our World–wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ,.
================================I'~ CHINA set with diffi,culty in such areas, Nothing of the kind had ever because students are compelled happened before. The majority Spreading the Gospel by Radio to take part in Japanese pro- of those aroused from sleep and moted parades and demonstra- carried off for ransom were The Shanghai C h r i s t ian tions against Chiang Kai-shek young girls; the others were Broadcasting Station is in many and the central government. In three men, some married women cases the only means by which schools which refuse, teachers and several children. Tied tothe Gospel is heard in China. are dismissed and students are gether with ropes, they were Additional factors favor this transferred to other schools. forced to wade through a river method of spreading the message Some feel that institutions should waist-deep. Nevertheless, they of Christ. be sacrificed, rather than ideals; refused to be' frightened and others think it their duty to car- went serenely with their captors, The people of China are from ry on as, best they can. Paced confident that they were in God's 80% to 90% illiterate, but no il- with such a desperate situation loving care. At first, their capliteracy prevents them from Chinese students are gripped in tors taunted them with the fact hearing. Even a lack of educa- a new way by the challenge of that they did not believe in God, tion does not prevent their Christ and the Cross; hundreds that their church had not been understanding the story of sal- are accepting Him and hundreds able to take care of them, that vation through Christ. more are ready to do so. God had not helped them; but this taunting did no damage to Many who would be afraid of -Foreign Affairs Bulletin. their faith, and soon the bandits "losing face" should they be seen began ,to be impressed, whether going to a Gospel Hall, do not Love of God in Action they would or no. Then began hesitate to Hsten over the radio. an experience for these ex-sol- A China missionary on fur- diers as to what ChrisHans were The worse the weather, the lough in the United States. says like. They could trust themlarger is the audience around that more progress has been and this resulted in more liberty. the radio so that storms do not made in Christian work in the They spent much time in prayer, hinder the work. last six months in the a,rea where and couldn't be intimidated. Fi- he has been doing relief work nally their captors said: "Truly, This is also the quickest and than in the previous ten years. your prayers have power to open cheapest way to reach large The love of God shown in the the heavens." They returned areas with the Gospel Message. heart and life is more convincing them in safety, some even saying than sermons·. wistfully that they would like to Christian unity is promoted, become Christians too. "Come for from 80 to 90 speakers from All of the thirty-nine Presby- with us to our compound," was different missions and churches terian mission stations areoccu- the reply. "We would be given take part in the program each pied and active. For the most ropes and told to hang ourweek. At the end of 1937 there part, missiolliary mothers and selves," was the answer. "No, were at least 1,500,000 receiving children are in protected areas, Christians forgive," was the resets in China, and the number while the men remain at their ply. "They do not want reis increasing. There are very posts or service. Two mission- venge." Probably it was their few programs on the air in Chi- aries have recently been allowed guilty consdences that did not na, so that the Christian message to return to Soochow, the an- permit the acceptance of the inis listened to more readily by cient capital, which was almost vitation, but who knows but that those who have radios in their destroyed by the Jlapanese. in happier times some of them homes. -Alliance Weekly. will find the better way? Forty Christians Bear Witness Students and Christianity -World Dominion Press. Forty Christians at the United A Presbyterian college pro- Church of Canada Mission in All Seek a Better Order fessor in China says that preach- Changte, Honan, were carried ing Christ to students in China off last August by 160 armed A writer in the Missionary Retoday is probably the greatest men who broke into the com- search Library Bulletin reminds privilege that can come to any pound. Later, all were safely us that whereas one country follower of Christ. This convic- returned, and had a tale to tell. tion came after a two-months' .evangelistic tour among students [101 ] in Japanese-occupied territory. Student evangelism is more be-
turns to Communism, another to supported by national and inter- Two native evangelists pene- Nazism, another to Fascism and national student organizations trated the interior of Tibet, disstill another to old age pensions to meet the acute needs of stu- tributing Gospels to the wander- -all in the pursuit of a better dents in China, to demonstrate ing tribes they met on the arid social order-not one has shown student solidarity around the Pa- plateaus of that country. They sluch inclination to turn to Christ cific, and to strengthen the forc- encountered little difficulty in as the solution of its problems, es of reconstruction in the their travels, partly because they as has been revealed in China in war-torn Far East. Last year, had toured that district on a preher crisis. The germ of a mighty C h r i s t ian Associations and vious occasion, and partly benational movement is there. The church groups raised $18,000 for cause they carried a medicine Japanese invasion has shattered the same purpose. chest with them which proved the placidity of the Chinese invaluable as a means of creatmasses, so that the missionary Funds are distributed through ing a friendly spirit. Longer program must follow a new path. nine local committees in key stu- tours are arranged at times dent centers of China. Trained when the rivers and passes be- Hitherto, the chief emphasis has secretaries, gIvmg volunteer come more or less easy to negotibeen on training the intellec- service, make possible wise se- ate, though travel at any time in tuals,and the success of this em- lection of those receiving aid and the Himalayas is fraught with a phasis is well demonstrated by a personal relationship with certain degree of difficulty and the large number of Christian them. There is no discrimina- considerable risk. leaders in every department of tionas to sex, religion or politithe nation's life. It is this group cal views. Help is given to any The poverty of the average of the nation's Christian leaders student in good academic stand- Tibetan Christians and the fewwho are urging ,a program for ing who is in desperate need be- ness of their number are factors cause of the war. that stand in the wlay of selfcarrying the Gospel of Christ to support for the churches; yet the the awakened masses as the ob- -Presbyterian Tribune. fa,ct that they are attempting to jective of future missionary face the problem is a step toward work. Literature for Refugees the goal. -Life of Faith.
Missionaries vs. War The Christian Literature Soci- Chinese Hospital Merger ety for China reports that after A significant development in Presbyterian missionaries at months of disturbance and un- medical education has been the Shanghai have sent the following certainty, they are going ahead merger of three large mission appeal to the readers of Monday in their Shanghai headquarters hospitals in Chengtu, capital of Morning: with something resembling a Szechuan Province into a teach- ing hospital for the medical The members of the Shanghai Sta- normal program of printing and schools of the three universities tion of the Presbyterian Mission in distribution. In the refugee in that city. The three hospitals are the Canadian Mission Hos- China would appeal for social action camps-for Shanghai is still a pital for Men; the Canadian Mis- sion Hospital for Women ; and to the Presbyterian ministers of the city of refugees, with 100,000 in the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat the shelters-at least 10,000 took Hospital. Each has a history of United States. We ask that they or- literacy tests, preliminary to en- more than twenty years. The ganize the men of their churches, and tering the classes organized in three universities are Central University, Cheeloo University the women, for action against war; and the West China University. that they send letters or telegrams to The medical colleges. of these three universities have a total of the President of the United States, to . these centers. These destitute more than 200 students. the Secretary of State, and to representatives in both houses of Congress, people welcome books and maga- -Chinese Recorder. demanding that the United States no zines, though war has so filled JAPAN-CHOSEN longer be a partner to the invasion their minds that they cannot set- Contrasts-China and Japan of China through supplying the means tle down to anything but brief pamphlets and magazines. "Pil- Dr. Fred Field Goodsell, of the of aggression to the Japanese invad- grim's, Progress" is one of the American Bo'ard ,sent an article ers or through the loaning of money most popular books. for Advance from Hongkong, in which he points out marked diffor the so-called reconstruction of "oc- ferences between Christians in cupied areas." China and Christians in Japan. Christians in Japan, for the most We want peace for the United part, are urban, middle class folk. Their churches are usual- States, a peace that is not only legally Christian Growth in Tibet correct, but that is also honorable in its relationships to other countries. Although progress is neces- Our latest information is that 54 per s'arily slow in a land of age-long cent of the war supplies purchased by darkness and prejudice, such as Japan have been secured from the Tibet, yet one finds much encour- United States.
We ask that the United States of agement. For example, at Sheh America make no further such contribution to the armed agression of there are now four Christian another nation in China. households; a Tibetan evange- list has gone to live there so that (signed)-Members of Shanghai he may teach the people to read Station Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. and give them Christian train- Student Aid ing. This little company has shown so much growth in grace The Far Eastern Student that it is hoped to build a church Service Fund of $50,000 is being at Sheh in the near future.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
ly simall and coherent, growing with dis,trust by the Japanese with you to be unresentful, faithvery slowly. It is assumed there can be no conflict between reli- Government, and are threatened ful and loyal till the end." gion and the state, so that J apanes'e Christians, with few excep- with serious curlailment of their He was calm, s,elf-possessed, tions, do not feel that they are untrue to their Christian princi- religious and personail freedom. dignified, but meek and unreples when they support the policies of their government, even -Pageant. sentful. One could see the flowwhen it invades China. Dr. er of Bushido baptized into a Goodsell heard one Japanese Christian say: "Of course we Spiritual Mobilization Japanese Christian gentleman. don't like this war business, but Nobody could lay hold upon him since the government has gone Japan's present emergency at that time. Later, however, the into it, we must see it through." has forced religion upon the at- pressure wa's brought upon him, tention of the Government, hith- because of his Christians views The Chinese in contrast to the erto indifferent to all religion. on many critical issues. For the grim seriousness of the J apa- Great efforts are being made to peace of his university where he nese, are naturally exuberant secure the understanding and co- had taught over seventeen years, and enthusiastic. There is a gap operation of religious leaders in he resigned his chair. between Christian intellectuals promoting the "Spiritual Mobiliand Christian peasants in China, zation Movement" of the Gov- – World Dominion. such as is not so apparent in Japan, probably for the reason ernment. Recently, a week's A Novel "Experience Meeting" that there are fewer Christian Training Conference was held at pea's.ants in Japan. which Government officials and Around the dinner table at a specialists presented national missionary's home in Chosen, Under Government Control problems for consideration. some guests related the manner These included the nation's ec(}- of their conversion. When the proposed mobiliza- nomic life, thought life, objec- An elder of thirty years' tion is completely effected, Ja- tives on the Asiatic continent standing had been a dissolute pan win rank with totalitarian and future policies. Buddhist youth. After much urging on states. Speech and press are and Shinto priests, predominat- the part of a Christian older rigorously censored. Textbooks ed, but 'sixty Christian pastors, ' brother he went to church, merehave been rewritten. Universi- representing all the denomina- ly to please his brother. There ty and college professors- tions, were present. The crisis he was fascinated by the clock among them a number of Chris- is forcing the followers of all re- on the wall, and went back time tians-who. professed liberal or ligions, and especially their ~ead and again to observ-e this redemocratic opinions, have been ers, seriously to grapple with the markable foreign contraption removed from their positions questionings and problems which that had the power to move its and held for trial. The bill for ass,ail the nation. Therefore, a hands itself, and by which one the control of religious organiza- Buddhist-Shinto-Christian Coun- could tell the time-if he knew tions, if enacted in its present cil has, been formed to enable the how. It couJd be nothing less form, will extend government leaders of these three faiths to than spirit-controlled. Fascinatcontrol of churches and temp~es take united action where possi- ingas it was, he could not coneven to such details as the ap- ble, if no compromise of religious centrate on the clock all the time, pointment and dismissal of re- so that gradually he became ligious workers. principle i,s involved. more interested in what the Japanese Christians number -World Dominion Press. preacher had to say, and after less than 300,000 ina total population of approximately 67,- Japanese Professor Speaks that it was not long until GOod's 000,000. In their outlook on the Truth took hold of him. world, their sympathies lie with the democratic states of the west When a Japanese professor Another man said that when rather than with Japan's new European allies. They profess a addressed a large audience on he had gone to market he was religion which is strongly identified in the public mind with in- "The Christian Idea of Right- asked to buy a smalJ book. He ternationalism and movements for world peace. In recent years eousness," facing him were seat- was not interested and had no their leaders have been striving earnestly to realize a common ed some twenty secret service intention of buying, but he could viewpoint with Chinese Christians on a basis of fellowship to men ready to jump at him if he not be impolite enough to say a "remake the world." This explains why they are looked upon uttered any sentiment against curt "no" so he asked the price.
the national unity movement. When he learned it was only two "0 Holy Spirit," he prayed aloud sen he felt sOorry for the man before his lecture, "stand bes,ide whom he thought must be in me and give me power to be very reduced circumstances to Thy witness, Amen." Again and be selling anything as cheap as again he appealed fervently to that, so he bought one. But this the audience, saying, "You who did not mean that he had any in- are not Christians, I assure you tention of reading it. He had that Christianity raises up true charge of a sewing machine in a patriots in every land. Search clothing shop, so stuck the book history. Christianity makes us in the drawer and forgot about the best citizens, the best Japa- it. Eight years later, when work nese. You, Christians, I plead grew s,lack he sometime,s glanced
at the little book, so long out of northern and southwestern part NORTH AMERIOA sight and mind. Finally, his in- of Dutch New Guinea has been teres,t was gripped; he began to offered Captain Skolfield. Present Day Demands on wonder if this thing was worth American Missions inquiring into. He sought out a The present population of the Christian group, was given in- Dutch East Indies probably ex- Two conferences were held in struction, and now, for many ceeds 75,000,000. On this basis Pittsburgh by United Presbyyears has been a Chris,tian help- it appears that there is not one terian le,aders last October. er in his district. white missionary or Christian There was a courageous facing worker, (including Roman Cath- of realities and responsibilities -Presbyterian Board News. olics) to each half milHon people. in this day when every system, A section of Central Sumatra, social, political and religious, is ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO inhabited by more than a million being tested by fire. Definite ob- people, has never seen a mission- jectives include taking CDmmu- A Memorial Day in Papua ary. There is a highly developed nity census at proper intervals; civilization, supervised by Dutch enrolment of communicant class- The birthday of Charles W. officials, without one Christian es; where possible, series of Abel, founder of the Kwato Mis- among them. -The Message. evangelistic meetings fDr winsion in Papua was celebrated as ning of life. a memorial day. Events indud- Philippine Oooperation Aded a cricket match; a dedication vances Dr. W. Bruce Wilson, before service when 40 babies were the conference, had completed a baptized, among them the first During the past five years, 10,000-mile tour of western sta- Dorevaidi baby, from the inter- and notably during 1938, definite tions; some in the "dust bowl," ior. Chief Sibodu brought his others in mountain fastnesses 14-month son, and in his own forward steps have been taken where the Jmrty stuck in a snow gutteral tongue promised to in a 40-year old cooperation drift nine feet deep. In that negbring him up to love and serve lected, one-time important gold God. among the missionary boards in mining center, a promising North America and among the group was brought together. In At women's and men's meet- institutions set up by them in the second largest county in the ings, great surrenders were the Philippines. Asa result of Uni,ted States, not many miles made, in' which Papuans re- what was formerly the Ameri- from Los Angeles, Cal., is a disnounced pride, unwillingness to can Council of the Philippine trict without a Christian minislet God convict of things they Federation 0 f Evangelical try and typical of 10,000 comdidn't want to let go, unwilling- munities in our boasted land ness to be really unselfish in the Churches there is now the Phil- without religious instruction, home. They expressed a desire ippine Committee of the Foreign Protestant, Catholic or Jewish. to live, instead merely to preach, Missions Conference of North There are 60,000,000 of our felin difficult situations. Many said America; a secretary has been low ,citizens without definite asthat they had caught the vision added-for at least a year's serv- sociation with religious faith of God's plan for Papua, but had ice-to the Foreign Missions and culture; more than the milshirked the cost and preferred Conference staff to be also secre- lions in fields in India, Egypt the easy life ofa nominal Chris- tary of the Philippine Commit- and the Sudan. tian to the revolutionary life of tee during much of his time; and complete God-control. the Philippine Committee is" by -United Presbyterian. action of the American Council Mr. Cecil Abel gave a story of of Missionary Boards agreed Men and Missions Sunday the Mission to help the young upon last spring, cooperating people realize their heritage and with the Philippine Federation The Laymen's Missionary responsibility. of Evangelical Churches in a Movement-in case anyone has number of aggressive enterpris- forgotten-is a voluntary fel- Expansion into Dutch East es. lowship of Christian laymen of Indies all denominations, whose objec- Among these cooperative ac- tive is to enlist the interest of Captain Skolfield, in command tivities are the following two: men in missions at home and of the Independent Baptist Gos- "A more adequate presentation abroad; and to stimulate their pel Ship in the Philippines, has to the American people of the support of missionary work in been looking into the missionary strategic position of the Philip- the churches with which they situation in the Dutch East In- pines in the Far East, and are connected. From their headdies, with a view to expanding America's Christian responsibil- quarters in Chica.go comes the work into that field. He says ity and opportunity there"; and report that "Men 'and Missions" that this is the neediest, least "continuous study of the needs, Sunday was observed in 1341 evangelized field in the world. progress and opportunities of cities and towns from coa.st to As a result of conferences with the evangelical Christian move- coast in the United States. Every the Missionary Consul there, Mr. ment in the Philippine Islands, State in the Union was repre- Van Randwyck, territory in the with a view to the development sented. Each year the partici- of a more adequate and effective pation has increased, and this program of work."
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
year's total is the largest to date. ganization is spending some $1,- four years ago often refused to Fifty-three denominations co- 500,000 a year on 5,500 mission- come to the door when visitors operated with the National Com- aries, Bible women and other called. She now spends many mittee of the Movement in pro- workers in 17 lands. It is the hours talking with her friends moting the enterprise. Plans largest UnUed States organiza- about the meaning of church are already under way to secure tion of its kind. It now faces membership, and urging them to an even wider observance of the the prospect of losing its identity join.
day in 1939. in the merger of the three main A small group of young peo- branches of United States Meth- ple meet about once a week to odism. One problem that must Are We a Nation of Gamblers? be decided is how best to merge share opinions and convictions seven boards all doing related about fellowship among people Dr. George GaUup, Director tasks. Probably four boards of various races. At one of these of the American Institute of will remain: Education, Home meetings, a Negro lawyer spoke Public Opinion whose polls on Missions, For e i g n Missions, to the group, and on one Sunday various subjects have proved ac- Christian Work for Women. The morning breakfast was served curate to a high degree, has com- Woman's Foreign Missionary to fifty people of eight different pleted a study of the gambling Society will have to join with Qne races. habit which leads him to assert of the last twO'. -Watchman-Examiner. that 50 per cent of the people in Syrian Church Enters Federal Council In Mormon Theological the United States indulge in Seminaries games of chance, by which fabulous sums of money are squan- Every High School in Mordered. Included in this are lot- teries, slot machines, raffies, The first non – Protestant mondom has one of these, a thesweepstakes tickets, racing, elec- Church to enter the Federal ological training department tion bets and sport gambling. Council of the Churches of which every boy and girl is ex- Church lotteries, bingo, and raf- Christ in America, the Syrian pected to attend for one hour a fles of one SQrt or another have Antiochian Orthodox Church, day in their graduating year; become amazingly common, even was received into membership at members of lower classes one in some Protestant churches. the thirtieth biennial meeting hour or more a week. They are Once this fever grips a per- in Buffalo, December 6-9. Other taught much of the Bible, meson, moral and spiritual degen- features of this meeting were chanically if not spiritually, and eration is sure to follow. Many vigorous denunciation of anti- Mormon books rate even higher people are driven into financial Semitism and similar racial en- in authority. difficulty which sometimes leads mities; appeals for prayer and to suicide. aid for refugees; a call for world- Sometimes these "seminaries" wide cooperation among the have asked Protestant mission- -Watchman-Examiner. churches. aries to' talk to the classes; pre- sumably, to give the opportunity A request was made to the De- afterward to refute what has Methodists Study Merger partment of State at Washington to exert influence to persuade Time observes that the 19th sellers of war supplies to Japan been said. But many mission- Century saw the women of the aries have spoken so plainly and United States emancipated in to cease such operations volun- logically that orders have now many fields-but not in religion. tarily. Arrangements were made been issued that no longer will When, in 1869,eight Methodist they be allowed to address the women formed the Woman's to form a commission to study students.-Light on Mormonism. Foreign Missionary Society, an measures by which the Church independent bQdy, churchmen can remove economic injustices Coordination in Alaska between nations, and a call was tried to persuade them to let it issued for a spiritual revival A new cooperative piece of be administered by men, who among the churches in order to missionary work in southwestknew about such things. But meet the challenge presented by ern Alaska, called the "United the women stuck to their pur- Protestant Conference of Southpose, which was "engaging and "new secular rivals." western Alaska," is reported in uniting the efforts of the women Friendliness Wins Monday Morning. Its first meetof the Church in sending out ing, held in the spring of 1938, and supporting female mission- Volunteer workers in Berke- was attended by missionaries of aries, native Christian teachers ley, California, who call in for- the Presbyterian, Methodist and and Bible women in foreign eign homes, are delighted that Baptist Churches, Allocation of lands." they are now beginning to see territory among the different de- The society sent to India one some outward results. Twelve nominations was suggested for of the most famed missionaries Chinese have joined the Church, approval by the Home Missions of all time, Isabella Thoburn. at least half of these came Council. Rev. Bert Bingle, Pres- It sent to the East the first wom- through influences working in byterian missionary in the Mat- an doctor from the U. S. A., the Chinese-American Club. The anuska Valley, was' elected pres- Clara Swain, and today this or- Chinese President of this Club ident. Annual meetings will be
held, and all matters pertaining tral Plateau. Thus students in 20,000 square miles, possible to to the coordination of Protestant training are making a contribu- be covered only on mule back. mission interests in southwest- tion to the evangelization of Part of it is in a low, wet area, ern Alaska will be deared Costa Rica. which in the hot season is a pest through this organization. -Latin American Evangelist. hole for malaria; but the east- ern pa,rt is in a high, healthy Religious Education in Domin- Changes in Ecuador location, and his home is estab- ican Republic lished there. Mr. Reasoner tells Last summer the Board of The spiritual progress evi- of holding a meeting in a farm Christian Work in Santo Domin- house, where a man got up durgo held its seventh annual Insti- denced in Ecuador in the past ing a prayer and said in a loud tute of Religious Education. It three years is noted by Mr. and voice, "I'm not in agreement with was attended by eighty dele- Mrs. J. D. Clark, of The Chris- this, I am of the other religion, gates, representing the 80 con- tian and Missionary Alliance, I'm an illiterate." Another time a gregations in the Republic. So who have recently returned af- man said, "I believe in God but keen was the interest in one of ter a furlough. They note that will not swear that there is one. the courses, "New Orientations the people are more open to the I have never seen God nor found in Education," that public school Gospel, that it has taken deeper anyone that has seen him." Afteachers asked one of the staff ro.ot in their lives, and that it ter showing him that we know to give a series of lectures on ed· exerts a wider influence in the things through other means than ucation in Central Church, and country. The radio has played by sight, Mr. Reasoner told the over 100 attended. man that he was willing to its part in this; native witness- swear there was a God, because If a new day is dawning in the ing is another factor; there is he had experienced Him, and educational life of the Domini- greater stability in wo.rk begun. had seen His power change can Republic, the Evangelical lives. The greatest challenge is the na- Church is providing some of the tive ministry; new recruits' are urgently needed.
light. These annual institutes D.V.B.S. in Colombia Brazilian Broadcasts offer Dominican youth one of the Bahia, Brazil, has a broadcastfew opportunities available for Daily Vacation Bible Schools ing station powerful enough to definite study in new fields, un- in Barranquilla report that they der competent instructors. Six- are impo.rtant instruments for reach two-thirds of the people of teen were recently graduated in bringing the Gospel to many that country, which is larger Religious. Education. The Na- than the United States. The tional Department of Education children. The first such school Presbyterian Mission School in recognizes the value of these in- there was held in 1933. The fol- Bahia has been on the air three stitutes. -Monday Morning. lowing year there were two times with a program of mu- schools, and the increase has con- sic, a Gospel message by a Bra- LATIN AMERICA tinued steadily until this year a total of eight schools were held zilian teacher at the school, and Student Evangelism in Costa in this area. Five of these were the offer to send the evangelical Rica in the city itself and the others monthly Light and Life, free, in near-by villages. One of the Practical experience in evan- to anyone sending in his name gelistic work is part of the train- directors writes: "In spite of the and address. Requests have ing received by students at the fact that three public primary come from as far away as the Bible Institute of Costa Rica. Amazon in one direction, and Open air preaching and work in schools were still in session near Sao Paulo-1,000 miles distant public institutions are closed to our center, we had an average -in the other. The school hopes them, but much has been accom- attendance of 43. The general to be able to continue the pro- theme was 'Service'and the chil- gram for six months. dren were genuinely interested.
plished by house to house visita- In order to. attend the school, Outward Religion in Peru tion and distribution of liter- one ten-year-old girl had to preature. Workers can be seen any pare food for her father who was No country in the world Sunday morning coming out of sick, leave the house in order, seems to present the outward the Institute swinging their and get ready three little broth- symbols of religion so conspiculunch bags, to set off by twos ers who came to the school with ously as does Peru, where the for villages and towns. The her. The mother was employed Pan-American Congress recentmorning will be spent evangeliz- outside the home. The Lord ly met. Visitors are confronted ing along the roadside or visiting has richly blessed the work in by images of the crucified Christ on every hand; and one can from house to house. Sunday this section of the city." scarcely round the corner of any schools are held wherever pos- street without seeing a statue of sible in the afternoon befo.re the Itinerating in Brazil a saint, the Virgin or the crucirains set in. During the past year, students have conducted Rev. D. T. Reasoner, Presby- fied Christ. But there is little about 15 different Sunday terian missionary in South Bra- evidence of any consciousness of schools, scattered over the Cen- zil, has a field comprising over a living Saviour, the Hope of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
mankind, who has the power to Recently 2,000 Scottish fisher position, but has hitherto withtransform lives. His teachings girls made a protest against Sun- stood ever-recurring attacks of of love, truth, honesty, brother- day fishing-not in Scotland, but apathy and despair. Dr. Martin hood, seem to have been missed, in England. As the English fears that the Confessional cler- -so completely overlooked that boats put out to sea on Sunday, gy, deprived of Neimoller's leadboys and girls in mission schools they have an advantage over the ership, will have less resistance are surprised and mystified that Scottish fishers who do not go to Naziism; and Dr. Karl Barth acts of truthfulness and honesty out that day. The girls claimed has seen the advisability of sendare considered essential attri- that the conditions were unfair ing a circular letter to the Counbutes of Christian behavior. To and went on strike, refusing to cil of the Confessional Church their way of thinking, a wrong clean Sunday-caught fish. Their and to many of the clergy urging is not wrong unless one is caught effort drew public attention to them not to give up the struggle; in the act. Such is the result of their grievance, although they as the concessions they are. ofa religion whose teaching goes have not as yet won their point. fered, in return for taking the no farther than outward rites oath of allegiance to Hitler, are and observances. -The Presbyterian. slight and practically meaning- less. -Christian Observer. An Unfinished Task Hitler Requires New Oath South American Missionary The founders of the Belgian Society Gospel Mission, Mr. and Mrs. German Evangelical pastors Ralph C. Norton, had a great The annual report of the work vision for that small country. are now being called upon by of 1937 in the Chaco, (Para- Counting all Protestant groups Hitler's National Socialist State guay) tells of some recent ac- at work in Belgium, their adher- to give the following oath which complishments: ents do not yet number one per cent of the population. But there is identical with that required of On every station the tide has flowed are encouraging facts to record. all State officials: "I swear I Books and tracts in French and will be loyal and obedient to the the same way, sometimes quicker, Flemish, as well as the monthly Gospel papers, have penetrated Leader of the German Reich, sometimes slower, but surely never- as far as the Congo and Haiti, Adolf Hitler, obey the laws and the Dutch East Indies and theless. It is rare for an Indian to French Indo-China. Subscribers fulfil the duties of the office I in ten different countries have hold, God being my helper." The live long in anyone of our stations taken Bible Courses by Corres- pondence. Young Peoples' So- pastors were given a month to without making tentative attempts to cieties have been organized, and decide whether or no they would progress is being made with take this oath. Advice was join the ranks of the inquirers; some- Summer Camps. In addition to sought from Dr. Karl Barth, Sunday School and Thursday exile in Switzerland, and this is times, after questioning, he is put Schools, Children's Meetings are his reply: held during the tent campaigns. back till he appreciates better what Young people are urged to take My opinion and my counsel amount Bible Correspondence Courses to this, that the oath should not be the step means; sometimes he is ac- which will fit them to train the taken either with or without reserva- little ones. Self-support has been tions. . . . The question before mincepted, and enters on a period of pro- attained by some of the stations. isters today cannot be how they would One Belgian couple, M. and Mme. or could interpret the oath, but how bation and instruction, the length of Mayeur, have offered their lives National Socialism requires it to be for service in the Belgian Con- interpreted. Every other way of exwhich varies according to his appre- go and, after additional training plaining the question would mean an in England, plan to sail next au- evasion of the decision required and ciation of the teaching and visible tumn. Belgian missionaries are ultimately an evasion of the Christian in great demand there. witness which God demands…. This growth in grace as testified to by oath demands that Adolf Hitler should About Pastor Niemoller become the law, conscience and standthose who live with him. These week- ard of the one who subscribes to the Dr. Julius Martin, in a letter oath in every relationship. . . . He ly classes are a regular feature of to The Spectator, in London, says who takes the oath in this the only that Dr. Martin Neimoller, who possible way has at the same time mission life; the attention is usually is suffering from intestinal ca- under solemn invocation of God ex- tarrh, is being subjected to the pressly contradicted the First Comexcellent; the attendance is good, and relentless process of slow demen- mandment. . . . In 1935 the National tation reserved in Nazi Germany Socialist State punished me with disoften considerable inconvenience is for recognized leaders of the op- missal because I intended to make ad- ditions, such as those which today cheerfully borne in order not to miss stand in question, to the oath required of me as a State official. . . . I can a class. . . . Today in the fully es- see nothing but a temptation in taking the oath in any form whatsoever. In tablished missions . . . and in the a spirit of true friendship, therefore, I desire to warn everyone against this extensive rural schools of the districts temptation, and pray God that many may have strength to resist. served by those stations, we have a -Dnyanodaya. permanent bulwark of faith to con- vince the casual inquirer of the im- portant results of mission work among such aboriginal peoples as the Map- uches. -The Christian.
EUROPE Scotch Sunday Fishing Problem The Church of Scotland maintains an efficient ministry among the 10,000 Scottish men and women engaged in the English herring industry, and follows them up with care for bodily ills. as well as soul needs. The staff of twenty-seven workers includes ministers and skilled nurses who speak Gaelic.
Expanding Work in Italy Jews in Czechoslovakia gion. "Teaching must be so con- The Spezia Mission faces the Rev. 1. E. Davidson, Director tlucted," says an article in the bitter hostility of the Vatican at of the Barbican Mission to Jews, official organ of the commissarvery close range; and the trend tells of the readiness of Jews in iat of education, "that by the end of Fascist political life has a Czechoslovakia to hear the Gos- of his schooling the pupil has a strong anti-Christian influence. pel. He explains that he cannot clear understanding that, though Tact, good judgment, courtesy give particulars, because only religions differ in form, they all and infinite patience are con- one page to foreign countries is in essence lead to the same end, stantly needed, and without firm permitted and letters must be all are ideologies of slavery, all faith it would be impossible to left open. "When I tell you," he implacably contradict science go on. Rev. C. H. H. Pullen, gen- says, "of the number of Jews and all are directed against the eral director of this Mission, who are asking for baptism, per- interests of toilers." thus describes the situation: haps you will think that I exag- gerate; but I assure you what I AFRICA Here in Italy we labor among a am reporting is true. I am in very fine people-keen, intelligent and, Whole Clan Converted in the great centers, highly educated. touch with 12,000 to 15,000 Their history and their experience, Jews who are asking to be bap- A special mission was con- and more especially the assiduous tized. I am giving instruction ducted in the upper Nile region working among them of the Roman to hundreds every day; some last year under C. M. S. direc- Catholic Church, while they have times I go a whole day without tion, and one result was that . made the rustic populations supersti- forty-two old men and sixty-two tious and bigoted to the point of fan- a meal. The anti-Semite land- old women in one small village aticism, have driven the thinking and lord, seeing so many Jews come have been admitted to the cate- more influential parts of the nation to to the house, gave me notice to chumenate. The Rev. H. F. cynicism and scepticism, and they are leave the flat by January 17, Davies writes: "The church was very hard indeed to reach on religious 1939. His brother, quite a dif- too small, so we held the service matters. ferent man, told me to remain under a tree. We were very in the flat, and said, "The Jew is touched when the old men and It is evident that the efforts of the also our brother," but I think it women stood up to make their Mission are bringing results, for many promises. First were the old have recently been baptized and joined will be better for us to look out women, most of them grand- the Church. Before a convert is bap- for other mISSIOn premises. mothers, many with grey hair tized, the greatest care is taken to en- These premises, in any case, are and failing sight. Then came sure that the change of heart pro- too small. God is blessing this fessed is real. Those who have found work in a wonderful way." Christ are gathered into classes by the pastors and carefully taught and pre- -Life of Faith. the old men, grey-headed elders pared.
The distribution of the Scriptures accomplishes a great deal. Colpor- of the tribe. It appears that a teurs make contacts with people on the highways and on doorsteps. Religion Dies Hard in Russia whole clan has come over in a body. We asked what was the -Life of Faith. The Christian Century ob- cause of this movement, and Repression in Rumania serves that the corpse of slaugh- were told that during the last tered Christianity in Russia mission a teacher went to the King Carol of Rumania, visit- keeps on moving, "occasionally village and visited and preached, ing London, was waited upon by lifting its head and even opening and as a result these people have a deputation representing the come in. an eye." Then it must be killed Evangelical Free Churches and again-if possible. Recent re- Now they must be taught, and including some Anglicans, to the only teacher available is not ports tell of "deplorable" mani- highly trained. Perhaps while protest against the suppression festations of religious sentiment he is trying to explain the Gosof Protestants (almost all of and practices in many districts. pel to others, he will gain a betthem Baptists) in Rumania. The Last year children went about ter knowledge of Christ himself. King was petitioned to use his singing Christmas carols, even influence and authority to en- on collective farms; and at Eas- -C. M. S. Outlook. ter they went to church and car- sure: (1) That the Baptists ried candles; and on religious Refugees in the Sudan and others now in custody or in holidays some of the schools are prison should be liberated; (2) half empty. Accordingly, the Missionaries are not the only That the administrative decree commissariat of education feels refugees from Ethiopia who published by the Rumanian Min- he must again exhort all teachers have sought safety in the Sudan.
istry of Cults should be with- to redouble their efforts to "con- Many Ethiopians have gone drawn; (3) That the Baptists of vert all Soviet school children in- there to live, one of these is Rumania should be acknow- to convinced, active fighters Banchi, (former pupil of Gorei ledged as members of a legally against religion." Whatever re- School.) Mrs. R. F. Shields, recognized communion. The ligion is strongest in a particu- United Presbyterian missionary King's foreign minister, who re- lar district, that is the one to of Khartum writes in the Womeeived the protest, promised to fight most fiercely, but the war is en's Missionary Magazine: recommend favorable action. a general one against all reli- "After our la·st missionaries
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
left Gorei she continued to teach villages, and on the day appoint- Here is what one finds today: the Gospel. Because their house ed for volunteers to meet at a a central church numbering over was neat and clean they were central point, 160, young and 5000, divided among 16 local suspected of being servants of old, came forward. That day was churches, of which eight are foreigners and she was told that spent in prayer, and the week self-supporting; more than 200 she must become a servant of following in plans for action. teacher-evangelists who instruct Italians. But by night Banchi From reports that have come in, 10,000 village children in almost and her husband started for the it was found that more than 4,- 200 villages, conduct morning Sudan. She had shaved her hair 000 people had burned their and evening prayers and special off and dressed in men's clothes idols. Not only this, but church Sunday services; a rising educa- and together they came to Kur- members have been revived and tional standard and an increas- muk with a group of carriers, reconsecrated. ing number of those who request walking eight days. . . . Sev- the marriage ceremony. eral times she has gone over to News from Central Africa Khartum and gathered a few of The C. M. S. Outlook reports Facing Problems in S. A. the Ethiopian women together to that Christianity has taken root teach them a Gospel story. Ban- in Uganda, and the Church is be- During the darkest hours of chi has been faithful to her Lord coming increasingly i n dig e- the international crisis in Sep- and has trusted Him through nous. In Kenya Colony, within a tember, more than 1000 minis- many hard times. She told me few years, the number of com- ters and laymen of the Dutch of how she was in a place with municants in the Church of Reformed Churches gathered in bombs dropping all around, and Scotland Mission has increased Bloemfontein in the largest Mis- while others were afraid, she from 1,000 to 4,636; and there sionary Conference South Africa opened her Bible and read, una- was an increase in giving. Dif- has known; and earnest prayers fraid, because she had faith in ficult problems are raised by the for the peace of the world Christ and it mattered not to impact of Western civilization, mingled with the discussion of , her whether she lived or died. and the demand for education. plans for a wide extension of the She is now working in the Eng- Church's missionary work. lish Mission Hospital. Her hus- There is reported a steady band is stUdying Arabic, with growth of African ministers, re- This Conference was not mere- the small boys, in the Mission sulting in more conversions and ly a gathering of missionaries. School, and trying to learn Eng- more adequate pastoral care of The 150 mission churches were lish in the evening, with Banchi Christian communities. The Mo- each represented by a European as tutor." ravian Church has opened a new missionary, and no less than clinic at Usoke in Tanganyika, 4 0 0 European congregations Chiefs Destroy Idols while the Mennonite Mission were also represented each by its now has four stations and four- minister and a chosen lay mem- In 1937, field executives of the teen missionarie~ of whom two ber. Qua Iboe Mission decided that are doctors. SOWle disturbance intensive Gospel campaigns is reported in Nyasaland, due to A good deal of attention was should be inagurated at each a number of separatist move- given to native education. It central station during 1938, with ments, seven such sects having was emphasized that schools are a view to carrying the Gospel to been organized. of great importance to the all the heathen compounds in Church; that secularization of every town. Reports have come Moanza-Yesterday and Today teaching much be opposed, and in from several stations that are that education must not "dena- most encouraging. Never in the Writing in the Watchman-Ex- tionalize" the native. history of the mission have so aminer, Rev. T. E. Bubeck pic- many idols been burned in nu- tures what the visitor to the Bel- Another problem considered merous cases by heathen chiefs gian Congo would have found was the degree to which heathen who, in the evening of their days, there twenty-five years ago. customs should be recognized. have turned their backs on the There would have been, to begin Some held heathenism as the old ju-ju worship, and have come with, no teachers, no pastors, no Gospel's deadliest foe, seeing a to Christ. evangelists, no Christians, no danger that heathenism might followers, no churches, no village adapt itself to Christianity in- Two elderly men who had nev- schools, no school children, no stead of being rooted out; others er faced an audience before be- medical work, no medical in- held that Western civilization came very eloquent, and were in struction, no trained in/irmiers, was replacing by its evils the great demand as evangelists. no Christian worship, no Chris- old paganism of the tribe, with- One had been a witch doctor of tian homes. The visitor would out imparting religion, the only safeguard.
great repute; the other had been have found tribal wars, social Discussion of controversial a member of all the heathen so- isolation, spiritual desolation, matters was not allowed to ob- physical suffering, fetish wor- scure the ultimate aim of estabcieties. Preparations for this cam- ship, belief in animism, the prac- lishing an independent, self-suppaign began with an appeal to tice of slavery and in some parts, porting native Church.
those willing to travel among the cannibalism. -South African Outlook.
WESTERN ASIA asm. When the people expressed Arabs of the Shiah sect, though surprise at these exa-mples of there are many Sunnis among Religion in Turkey unselfish service, and asked the them. Outstanding character- Turkey has not suppressed re- reason, they were told it was J e- istics are hospitality and a caligion, but it has ended the au- sus' command. "How good this pacity to endure hardship. The thority of the State over religion. man must have been!" they said. more than a hundred families When republican Turkey de- "These expressions encouraged of Jews there are probably desposed the sultan and abolished us," said Mrs. Younis, "and made cendants of the Babylonian capthe caliphate, the clergy was us see that kindness is more ac- tives. There is also a small stripped of authority and stand- ceptable than speeches. I then group of Christian converts ing. The regrettable result of began to teach the girls how to from Islam, but the Christians all this has been the neglect of weave rugs, and other handi- one finds are of various sects, religious training for children, crafts. Children kept coming to and not a united group. except what they may receive in our home, so I started to train their homes from their parents. them in politeness, cleanliness New forces are acting upon all Mission Sunday schools, known and truthfulness. Their parents these people. Motor cars, teleas Services of Worship for Chil- noticed a change in their conduct phone, electricity and telegraph dren, have, therefore, a large and were pleased. Other little are changing life and thought. and fruitful field of activity ones began coming, so I got a Irrigation is extending the araamong Turkish children. A re- few ·supplies and started kinder- ble land, and there are new vival of religious interest is ap- garten methods. We have rela- roads, new buildings, new towns. parent in many directions. The tions with about thirty-five fami- Also, the educational system has Christian Scriptures, especially lies whom we visit and who come been greatly extended, and esthose in the new Latin script, are to visit us." pecially noteworthy is the inin demand, and Christian litera- crease in the number of schools ture has free circulation. Re- -Syria Mission Quarterly. for girls. Much of the fanaticently, interest has been aroused cism of former days has disap- ' by publications dealing with The Palestine Problem peared. the early introduction of Christianity among the Turkish tribes. Rev. A. S. Morrison, of the INDIA Church of Scotland Mission in Religion is everywhere re- Jaffa, gave an address in Edin- Mass Movement Figures spected in Turkey today. In burgh last October in which he thousands of mosques and in said there is only one solution of From distant jungle villages, hundreds of churches and syna- the present dilemma in Palestine, about 15,000 people traveled to gogues worship goes on unhin- and that is the spiritual solution. a recent Christian Convention in dered. Four evangelical church- Arabs and Jews must learn the Dornakal, where loud speakers es in Istanbul hold services as way of brotherhood. A German were installed so that all might usual.-World Dominion Press. Jewish lawyer, recently convert- hear the addresses. Village ed to Christianity, expressed this Christians put by small sums Evangelical Venture view as follows: "I have had a throughout the year in order to hard life. I belong to a perse- cuted race, and it has forced me To move from a Christian to to think. I have been up against attend these annual meetings. a Moslem town is something of the German problem, the Jewish Following this Convention, 33,- a venture, but to go there as an problem and the Palestine prob- 000 communicants took part in a evangelist r eq ire s courage. lem, and the solution of these "Week of Witness"; an increase Last year, a young Syrian evan- problems contained in the Gos- of 10,000 over the previous year.
gelist and his wife were sent to a pel seems to me to be the only Reporting on the results in virgin field in the Alaouite Dis- way out." one of the areas, Archdeacon trict, and they went in consider- Mr. Morrison believes that Tanner, of the C. M. S., writes: able trepidation. His first move conferences, pacts and disarmawas to secure government per- ment programs will not bring As regards the visible results, mission to transplant about 4,- peace; and that men or nations eighty-two villages asked for a teach- er. There were 4,969 definite deci- 000 olive trees from an aban- will not stop fighting merely be- sions to become Christians, including doned grove,-an odd way to cause guns are taken out of their 1,037 Sudras. This is a rise of fifty per cent on last year's results. An preach the Gospel, but it proved hands. even larger number of persons-6,553 to be an entering wedge. The The Church of Scotland is sup- -promised to become Christians later next move was to secure a model porting Missions to the Jews in on; these included 1,658 caste folk. bee hive, and start raising bees Budapest, Prague and Cluj in What are we going to do about it? After removing the names of unsatisscientifically. Not only does all Europe; Alexandria in Egypt factory inquirers, we had 27,136 this work make friends, but it and in Jaffa and Tiberias in Pal- names on our Kistna list to be preserves a real need of the people estine.-E. M. M. S. Quarterly. pared for baptism. At our present rate, it would take about nine years whose way of living is primitive Problems in Mesopotamia to baptize all of them. Now nearly and degraded. Since this was a another additional 5,000 have asked large town, a reading room was The majority of Mesopotam- us to prepare them for baptism, and opened, and met with enthusi- ia's inhabitants are Moslem that in one week.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Hyderabad Mission Then there is Philip Bhai B. A Non-Christian Testifies Christian, who used to read the The bi – monthly H yderabad stories of David Livingstone in An Indian woman doctor of Bulletin says there are 800 his home school at Baroda, and great prominence, a non-Chris- Christian congregations with a is this year leaving with his wife tian, touring India on an educacommunity of 109,885 people in and child for Old Umtali, Africa, tional commission, discovered the Hyderabad (British) Meth- where he will be an Indian-sup- the widespread influence of odist Mission. In the villages, ported missionary among the Christian missions; and in the 690 evangelists and 667 Bible- Indians of Africa. There is a course of an address before the women are at work. In 1937, the member of the British army at All-India Women's Conference total number of baptisms was Leonard, who left the ranks and said: 8,923. There are 715 Sunday plans to become an Indian evanschools, with 983 teachers and gelist. -Christian Advocate. I feel I would be failing in my duty 16,296 pupils. In the Theologi- if I do not offer a tribute to the miscal School, 128 students are in A Life of Service sionary education organizations which training. It is now over ten have been the pioneers in every provyears since the first caste-con- A Jain, former pupil in a Kol- ince in the cause of female education. verts appeared for baptism. apur High School, spent three The female population of this country Since that day, there has been a years in residence in the palace has been placed under a deep debt of constant stream of enquirers and of a Maharajah, of West India, gratitude to the Christian missionary "the movement" seems to be and there was imbued with a de- societies for their valuable contribumore vital and determined than sire to serve his people. He tion to the educational uplift of Indian ever. gives all the credit for this ideal women. I honestly think that they to Christian missions. A writ- have done more for women's education Training a Native Ministry er in Western India Mission in this country than the Government Notes outlines the result of this itself. . . . Even more than the edu- Leonard Theological College desire on the part of Mr. Patil, cational and the cultural contribution at J ubbulpore recognizes that a the Christian Jain. made by these missionary societies trained native ministry is the to the Indian people, the noble and means for evangelizing the mis- "A hostel in Satara where self-sacrificing examples of the men sion field. They also realize that there are now 183 boys from 100 and women who, infused with a spirthe type of training in the West villages from all castes, who cook it of love and service for suffering does not adequately equip stu- and eat together in friendliness humanity, and true to the teachings dents for service in the Oriental which is continued when they re- of their Master, face obstacles and Church. The curriculum at turn to their villages. They live very often a single, lonely life, Leonard includes practical work promise to cease to observe caste cannot but have a very beneficial efin villages. The students make 'wherever.' fect upon the men and women of this surveys, conduct reading rooms, country. study indigenous handicrafts "A Normal Training School and industries, travel to fairs for teachers has 40 students this -Christian. and melas for the purpose of ex- year. There is a Practising hibiting higher standards of vil- School up to the 4th Standard. Sundar Singh Ashram lage life. In the midst of a Hin- In the home of Mr. Patil are du mela, held near Jubbulpore nine or ten small boys who live Christian circles all over Inrecently, was a working exhibit and eat and study under his di- dia are awaiting developments of village industries. Christian rection. The house in which they of the proposal to establish a boys from Leonard were show- live was built by the hostel boys Sundar Singh ashram at Subaing the pilgrims how to improve themselves. Next year Mr. Patil thu to carry out his expressed their lot with household weav- plans to open schools in 50 vil- wish and to consolidate the work ing, spinning and planned agri- lages of the Satara District he started. A writer in The Naculture. where there are now no schools. tional Missionary Intelligencer The teachers will be sent from of India thinks the Sadhu's most Among the students this year his own training school. important piece of work was the is Joseph Johannes Khan, a con- adaption of Christian missionary verted Moslem, who escaped "A recent project is that of methods to the needs of his from hanging after fifty-seven selling grain at cost to the vil- country. Hindus and Moslems strenuous days in jail in the lagers, in the midst of a bazaar heard through him a truly In- Turkestan country north of the where profiteering is rife. Boys dian version of the message of Himalayas. Incarcerated for his from the school will carry it on. the Gospel. His success was phe- Christian preaching, the Mos- Land has been secured for nomenal, and Christian ashrams lem rulers threatened him with permanent hostel, schools, etc., have sprung up at Tirupatur, poison, hanging, and all kinds of and the boys are to do the build- Poona, Sat Tal, Coimbatore and bodily harm. Later released, he ing. Farming is the chief in- other places, and is carried on ran away across the pass to In- dustry taught." by real sadhus in every sense of dia and Jubbulpore. the word. Mr. Patil himself lives on 20 rupees a month and puts 100 ru- The writer of the article sug- pees a month into the work. gests an ashram with a two-fold purpose: first, "a center for the deepening of the spiritual out- look of our people and provide ample means and devise methods for doing SQ." Secondly, it should
serve as a school for the prepara- "Freedom of worship, lawful Only 10 swift days direct to tion of sadhu missionaries im- liberty, equality of economic and Yokohama when you sail by bued with the spirit of sacrifice social opportunity were among Empress to the Orient. Only to carry the Gospel message to the worthy objectives of the 3 more days to visit lovely all corners of India. founders of this RepUblic. . . . Hawaii en route by Empress oj The value and importance of the Japan, largest and fastest liner Educational Adventure Church in every city, town and on the Pacific, or Empress oj hamlet must be reemphasized. Canada. From California With social customs what they . . . The teaching and practice ports connect at Honolulu. are in India the admission of of the New Testament standard women students to college class- of stewardship, and the larger Empress of Japan es is something of an adventure. recognition of youth in all the The Church Missionary Society, plans and programs of the Frequent sailings from both which was the first agency to Church are essential if we are to Vancouver and Victoria to provide education for girls in fulfil our God-given mission… Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, Travancore, announces this im- Shanghai,HongKong,Manila. portant development at the C. M. "We call upon our church peo- Consult YOUR OWN TRAVEL S. College at Kottayam. It is ple to give more earnest atten- AGENT or Canadian Pacific: intended that all girls admitted tion to prayer, the devotional 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. to the classes shall live in a hos- reading of the Word, personal tel, with a woman missionary as evangelism, and such other forms Facilities available warden. There they will have of Christian service as will make for the celebration of their own social activities and the Christian Church once again games, and should gain valuable a witnessing Church to the sav- Holy Mass experiences in the art of living ing power of Jesus Christ." together in a Christian atmosphere. This hostel began with -Christian Advocate. twenty women students. Braille Missionary Union -C. M. S. Outlook. This valuable adjunct to the MISCELLANEOUS missionary enterprise makes the Scriptures and Christian litera- Race Relations Sunday ture available to the blind in many lands. A special appeal for the observance of Race Relations Sun- The Union's organization is of day (February 12th) says the the simplest. The work is volday has never rolled around with untary, and is essentially an insuch crucial importance as in dividual one, since the various this troubled year. The message operations of producing braille reads: "The world appears to books is carried on by workers in be drunk with fear and hate, their own homes. The first obcrazed with desire to persecute ject is the supply of free Scripand crush racial minorities." tures; then grants toward the support of teacher evangelists Such is the theme of the chal- and pupils, and for the provision lenge to Christian people from of equipment whereby copies of the Federal Council of Churches, various publications can be mulas it issues through its Depart- tiplied on the field. ment of Race Relations a new set of programs for various depart- There is also a library departments of the Church for the 17th ment, in which devotional books annual observance of Race Rela- of an evangelical character are tions Sunday, to be followed by prepared. Interracial Brotherhood Week. It is possible for workers to How to Make Democracy Safe transcribe into braille charaHers books in any language employing In a statement issued by the the Roman script, without knowl- Methodist Board of Home Mis- edge of that language. sions, attention is called to the grave dangers that confront our The Union is entirely dependnation. "America for Christ," ent on missionaries for the teachsays the appeal. "Our democra- ing and supervision of the blind. cy will be safe only in proportion It is anxious to get in touch with as it is Christian, because the hu- retired missionaries who are man content of Christianity and willing to make use of their democracy are the same. knowledge of other languages in preparing Braille Scriptures for copying. -The Life of Faith.
Reviews beliefs and hopes. The book is New
divided into sections, dealing Horizons of Stewardship. By Her- with such subjects. as The Search Directory of Christian Missions and man C. Weber. 8vo.. 119 iJp. $1.25. Churches in India, Burma and Cey- Fleming H. Revell CQ. 1938. for God, Existence of God, lon. Rs. 2-8. National Christian Faith, Prayer, Worship, Nature, Council. Nagpur, India. Probably no one is better fitted to write on Christian steward- Sorrow, Life, Death and Immor- "Heaven Knows." Margaret H. ship than is the president of the tality. Any reader may find Brown. 168 pp. $1.00. Friendship United Stewardship Council of Press. New York. North America. Dr. Weber has here food for uplifting medita- The Horizons of Stewardship. H. C. tion, faith and hope. It is a book Weber. 120 pp. $1.25. Revell. worth owning and will repay New York.
made a thorough study of the very thoughtful reading. Highways and Hedges. William Wissubject and has presented it to tar Hamilton. 120 pp. $1.00. Prisoner of War 31,163 – Bedros M. Broadman Press. Nashville. many churches allover the land. Sharian. By Ernest Pye. IIlus. Here he discusses many philos- 8vo. 202 pp. $1.50. Fleming H. The New Man. A Play in Four Acts. phies and problems associated Revell eo. 1938. Margaret Cropper. S.P.G. London.
with money-including¥Ceti- Here is an echo of the World Ra-Ha-La-Hi-Ho (My Brother in cism, materialism, greed, r1cket- . War, gathered from a soldier's Madagascar). Andrew Burgess. 224 pp. $1.00. Augsburg Pub. e e r i n g, gambling, wasteful war journal, and sent out by the House. Minneapolis. former president· of the School 25 Years Mission Work Among the spending, the tithe, stewardship Lepers of India. Wm. C. Irvine. and the every member church of Religion at Athens. Bedl'os 143 pp.. 2s.6d. Pickering & Inglis. canvas. The book is illustrated Sharian was born in Cilicia by some very suggestive charts, about 1862 of Christian parents London.
statistics and interesting experi- and was educated in a Mennon- Who Claims the World. Cecil Northences. Any pastor seeking to cott. 100 pp. Is. Livingstone Press. educate his congregation, and ite school. He was drafted into London. any Christian desiring to be a to World War. by the Turks, The Heritage of the Indian Chrisfaithful steward will. find here served in Gallipoli and later was tian. The Story of the Christian captured on the Mount of Olives Church and the relation to' it of the some excellent principles and in 1917. The story of his exper- Church in India. By a Member of the Church of India. 179 pp. Maps. practical suggestions. Here is iences is vividly told-as soldier, Rs. 1-4. S.P.C.K. Madras. store-keeper, interpreter, prisonnot a bibHcal study· but it is Couriers of the Dawn. R. H. Boyd. based on Bible teachings. It er of war and latera cavalry 255 pp. Illus. 2s.6d. Church would serve as a very useful man in the British Army. Under House. Belfast.
text book on the subject. all circumstances Bedros showed The Real Conflict Between China and his Christian faith and courage. Japan. Harley F. MacNair. 216 The World's Great Religious Poetry. Today he is living in America; pp. $2. University Press.Cam- Compiled by Caroline Miles Hill. an industrious, successful and bridge. 8vo. 836 pp. $1.69. The Macmil- respected citizen. lan Co., New York. 1938. The Chinese People: New Problems Seventy Less Known Bible Stories. and Old Backgrounds. George H. It is a difficult matter to com- By George Goodman. IIlus. 8 vo. Danton. '312 pp. $3.50. Marshall· pile an anthology of religious Jones. Boston.
poetry, or of any verse. Idea.s 333 pp. 3s. Pickering & Inglis. What about Ipdia? L. F. Rushbrook and tastes differ and the mate- London. 1938. WiIIiams. (Discussion Books Series, rial is almost unlimited. Dr. Hill, no. 4). 176 pp. 2s. Nelson. Lonthe compiler in this case, has The author of these stories, don. done her work well, in the wide retold for preachers and teachscope and variety covered by the ers, has written several stimu- The Bible in I·ndia. J. S. M. Hooper, lating books and is the editor of Illus. 152 pp. 3s.6d. Oxford Uni- versity Press. London.
verse. Some are not poetry ac- Daily Bible Notes, widely used An African Survey: A Study of in Great Britain. There are Problems Arising in Africa South cording to the generally accepted twenty-two illustrations from of the Sahara. Lord Hailey. 1837 standards, and many verses are photographs of Biblical scenes. pp. 218. Oxford University Press. not religious. The seven hun- London. dred or more selections from Mr. Goodman also adds a helpful some four hundred authors in- chapter on "The Wonders of the Pioneers In Pondoland. Godfrey Cal- laway. Illus. 199 pp. 5s. Love- Bible" and a·· poem on "The clude, Jewish and· Zoroastrian, Value of Memory." His Bible dale Press, Lovedale, South Africa; Chinese and Indian, Greek and Livingstone Press, London. Latin, American Indian and stories are chiefly in outline and Christian. Both omissions and are homilies-with texts, lesson The Native Tribes of Central Ausinclusions cause surpris.e but tralia. Baldwin Spencer and F. J. and application pointed out in Gillen. Illus. 671 pp. 258. Mac- millan. London.
the selections are intriguing and each-rather than retold stories. The Philippines: A Nation in the They include the stories of Mel- Making. Felix M. Kessing. 137 lead a reader to realize the way chizedek, Jethro, Caleeb, Jeph- pp. 6s. OxfO'rd University Press. in which the unseen, the eternal thah, Ishbi-benob, J ezebel, To- London. and the spiritual aspects of life biah, Barnabas, Tabitha and a and thought have captured the number of Jesus' parables. Over The Christian Handbook of South Africa. 289 pp. 4s. Lovedale attention of men's minds in all Press, Lovedale, South Africa; ages. There is a distinct advan- one thousand Scripture texts are World Dominion Press, London. listed. Preachers and teachers Evangelism for the World Today: tage, too, in noting the contrasts will find these outlines very help- As Interpreted by Christian Leadand similarities between ancient ful but they must be adapted to ers Throughout the World. Editand modern Christian and non- ed by John R. Mott. 295 pp. $2.50. Christian thoughts and emotions, pupils or audiences. Harpers. New York. PREVIOUS RECORDS BROKEN!
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The Missionary Review of the World — January 1939
1939
The Years Past and to Come Robert E. Speer God's Voice from China Mrs. Howard Taylor How Interest Men in Missions Various Authors Missionaries at Work in Africa West Africa Missionaries The Challenge of Venezuela William H. Rainey A Christian Approach to Moslems Frank C. Laubach Christian Bands in War-Torn China Andrew Gih 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember students to the United States and Personal
Canada for technical training. January 7-10, 1939 – Home Missions Council, Baltimore, Md. *** Miss Muriel Lester, founder of January 21-25 – Cause and Cure of The Rev. William James Drum- Kingsley Hall in London, is now a War Conference, Washington, D. C. mond, the oldest Presbyterian mis- full-time .Secretary of the Interna- sionary in China, died at Santa Bar- January 23-February 18–Iowa School bara, California, on November 26, tional . Fellowship of Reconciliation. for Missionaries. Iowa State College, from an illness that followed suffering She wIll travel in Europe, the Orient Ames, Iowa. from the Japanese invasion of China. and the United States in the effort to February 6-14-lnternational Council He was born in Ontario, Canada, establish a line of connection for in- of Religious Education, ChicagO, nI. seventy-four years ago and his Chi- nese service covered forty-seven years. ternational peace. She planned to go April 26 – Uniting Conference of He performed heroic service in the American Methodism, Kansas City, Boxer Rebellion and was one of the to India in December and thence to Mo. two American missionaries decorated by President Sun Yat-sen. Palestine. * • … FLORIDA CHAIN OF MISSION- ARY ASSEMBLIES *** Dr. George A. Buttrick, pastor of The Rev. Edgar P. Hill, educator the Mad i son Ave. Presbyterian January 24-26–J'acksonville. and clergyman, died on November ~ 26 Church, New York, was elected Presi- January 25-27-Daytona Beach. at his home in Los Angeles. His dent of the Federal Council of January 28-February 1-Miami. Churches at its annual meeting in January 29-31-Ft. Lauderdale. was seventy-seven. Buffalo in December. Dr. John R. February 1-3-,-Palm Beaches. Born in Pontiac, Ill., he held many Mott was elected Vice-President, Dr. February 4-8–0rlando. Charles H. Sears, Recording Secre- February 5-7-De Land. positions in Chicago educational and tary, and Frank H. Mann was again February 8-10-Ft. Myers. February 9-10-Sarasota. religious institutions. From 1906 to e,lected Treasur•er. * … February 11-16-St. Petersburg. 1918 he was professor of Homiletics February 12-15-Clearwater. Dr. George William Brown, Gen- February 17-18–Southern College. at "McCormick" Theological Seminary eral Secretary of the American Bible February 19-21-Tampa. and for ten years was superintendent Society for the past ten years, has February 19-21-Winter Haven. February 22-23-Quincy. of the churches of the Board of . . resigned to accept a call to become February 23-24-Tallahassee. February 24-26-All College. Church Extension of Chicago Presby- pastor of the West Presbyterian tery. Mr. Hill was the first general sec- Church of Binghamton…, New York. retary of the Board of Education of Dr. John McGuire, Baptist mission- the Presbyterian Church, serving until ary to Burma, was ten years past the age .of ~etirement when he left the the Board was merged with the Board 8erVlce m 1934, after 42 years of .of Christian Education. evangelism at Mandalay, Rangoon and * .. • Maymyo. Dr. and Mrs. McGuire have ePsotratbolis~hiecdo,thweiirthhotmheeinr ecahrilSdarnenJuaannd Obituary Note. Rev. Myron C. Wilcox, Methodist grandchildren. Dr. McGuire cele- missionary in Foochow, China, died in brated his eightieth birthday on No- Dr. Edwin B. McDaniel, formerly San Antonio, Texas, October 17. He was one of the editors of the Chinese vember 11. … … … a member of the Siam Mission of the Christian Advocate, and book editor Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., died of Methodist publishing activities in Shanghai. Mter his retirement he in Los Angeles, Cal., on November 2, continued to translate English works after a seven months' illness. He was into Chinese. Rev. W. Reginald Wheeler,. D.D., born in 1873, and reti~ from active has accepted appointment under the service in 1937. Many years were * * … Board of Foreign Missions of the Pres~yterian Church in the U. S. A., spent at Petchaburi, in charge of a Rev. Frank Paton, M.A., B.D., son as DIrector of the Division of Special of John G. Paton, one of the greatest Gifts and Annuities in the Home Base hospital; later he went 500 miles names in missionary history, died at Department of the Board. Dr. south of Bangkok to take charge of Melbourne, Australia, September 28, Wheeler has lived or traveled on five as the result of an accident. Frank continents in the interests of mission a mission hospital in Sritamarat. He Paton was born in the New Hebrides ~orK !l-nd has seen missionary service was known as an expert in sanitation, where his father began work ove; In Chma. and also built a Leper Home, which e.ighty years ago. A recently pub- lIshed statement expresses his motive now includes 20 buildings that care in taking up work in Tanna: "I saw • • for 400 lepers. . my father and mother with no aid but God's, facing the pitiless cruelty • of heathenism and banishing it from Lady Anne MacClanahan Grenfell, the !sland I saw a n~w ~ociety spring up In less than a lIfetime, with the wife of Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell of idyllic happiness of New Testament Christianity, and I resolved, God willthe Grenfell Mission in Labrador, died ing, to give my life to such work." no YODH S.S.PAPERS ~ December 9 in Boston at the age of • … * fifty-three. Her husband, a son, Wil- BIBLE THUTH?
fred T. Grenfell, Jr., an instructor and 4CioDrm,m;WF athletic coach at St. Mark's School, ~ For YoungPoopIe Southboro, Mass.; Kinloch Pascoe Grenfell, an engineer, and a daughter, JIOOORBOYSA1l1l ems Rosamond Loveday Grenfell, survive. For Jucian. aad lnleJ1'ftediarnt She was born in Lake Forest, nI. on November 11, 1885, a daughter of Thomas Moody, D.D., an American Baptist missionary, died November the late Colonel Edmund B. MacClanahan, was graduated from Bryn Mawr 17, after forty-four years of evan- gelistic service in the Belgian fCoronhgo~ College in 1906. She met William He will be best remembered Grenfell while she was traveling in pioneering at Sona Bata. Ownitah10M0r0s0. Europe. They were married Novem- square mile field, alone ber 19, 1909, in Chicago, and there- Mo!>dy, he was in charge of the eduafter they shared the hardships and catIOnal, evangelistic and medical work when in 1921 a marvelous movement work of the Labrador. toward Christianity began. More than In recent years and especially since ~ thousand people were baptized dur- mg that memorable summer, and the 1934, when a chronic heart ailment movement has continued unabated since then, with hundreds of converts compelled Sir Wilfred to abandon his added to the churches each year. trips to the North, Lady Grenfell had assumed many of the administrative burdens. She founded the educational fund which provided the means for (Concluded on tlvird cover.) sending Labrador and Newfoundland
Chat VIEW gets better all the time. I
want to read it through." THE MISSIONARY The New Year brings with it a MRS. GLENN B. OGDEN. REVIEW OF THE WORLD sense of the tremendous and unending need of all men for the secret of peace Ka,sganj, India. VOL. LXII JAN., 1939 No.1 and the will to peace; for the spirit of unselfish love and the expression of *** Publication and Buslnua omce– that true love in fellQwship between Third and Reily Sta., Harrlaburc, Pa. men and God and in all human rela- "The October number of THE RE- tionships. There is good reason to de- Editorial and Executive omce– spair of any purely human solution to VIEW gives more for deeper study of 156 Fifth Avenue, New York CIt7. the problems that face us; but there situ8>tions and conditions in India to- Entered as aecond-cla.. matter at is no despai;r"'-Only hope, courage <and day in the missionary enterprise, than good cheer~':"'" in the hearts of those anything I have read. And I have Post Omce, Harrlaburc, P&., under who have faith in God. read most of our study course and Act of March 3, 1879. reading lists." His spirit, His program and His 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. working are most clearly· seen in the MRS. FRANK F. HUTCHINS, Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. lives and work of His ambassadors at Indianapolis District Counselor Publlabed montlil)", except August. home and abroad. The story of hu- All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1939. man need, and many places and meth- of the Methodist Young PeQ.. British agents – Marahall, Morgan ods in which and by which this need is ple's Foreign Missionary So- and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, being met, will be recorded in THE ciety. London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, REVIEW during the coming months. 10 ahllJlngs a year. It will be worth while and very cheer- *** ing, in these days of strife and uncer- MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- tainty, to read .in THE REVIEW the "The REVIEW arrived today (Nov. LISHING CO., INC. story of what is going on"'-Often in BOARD OF DIRECTORS obscure corners, at home and abroad, 15th), the issue in which appears the to carry out the program of Christ. ROBBRT E. SPBBR, Pre_'4em article on the 'Practical Value of Mis- *** sions to Pastors.' What a revolution A. L. WAlUfBHUI., V40B-Pr..ufllt WALTER MCDOUGALL, TrBlHvrer Many readers find great help in it would cause in the churches if there DBLAVAN L. PIBRSON, 8Boretaf1l THE REVIEW. Will you bring it to the were a similarly conducted course in attention of others? Here are some PAUL J. BRA.ISTBD recent comments : every theological seminary, and if SAMUEL McCmu. CAVBRT "We feel that THE MISSIONARY RE- such a course were required for every D. J. FANT student!" GEORGE SCHWAB, Presbyterian Mission, Sakbayeme- MRa. ORRUl R. JUDD Edea, Cameroun, West Africa.
WM. B. LIPPlLUID "For over * y*ear*s we have taken ERIC M. NORTH forty SAMUBL M. ZWlIMJIB and have enjoyed the MISSIONARY RE- The Church may be doing too much VIEW and we continue to profit by its for young people and too little with them.-Professor Georgia Harkne88. high spiritual level. Often we share our copy with others."
FRANK G. MASON. Montclair, N. J.
Jesus Set the Example of Early Morning Devotions (Read Mark 1: 35) "Begin the day with God" is the oft-repeated exhortation. Mark tells us that Jesus went apart, early in the morning, to pray and to commune with the Heavenly Father. If our Lord and Master felt the need of a spiritual undergirding for the day, how can we expect to fulfill our daily responsibilities without fol- lowing his example.
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[1]
Al"RICA SEEKS INFORMATION FROM THE WEST Photo f.rom Janet
AN AFRICAN SEEKS INFORMATION FROM THE "MEDICINE MAN"
AN AFRICAN MOTHER AND HER CHILD INDUSTRIAL TRAINING A'r THE MISSION FORGE WHERE WEST AFRICANS RECEIVE THEIR TRAINING (See articles, pages 20 to 28) Photos from the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions REVIB ORLD VOLUME LXII AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 1 JANUARY, 1939 Topics of the Times HOPE FOR THE NEW YEAR Jesus had been crucified and the disciples were There are many discouraged people today in surrounded by religious and political enemies; the world-many to whom the outlook seems dark in the Reformation of the Middle Ages, when -in Korea with its Shinto shrine problems; in those who contended for spiritual ideals seemed China with the continued wanton destruction of few and weak-all through history times of diffilife and property; in India with its fight against culty, indifference and opposition to God's propoverty and its struggle for independence; in gram have not been days for discouragement but Europe because of the growth of godless Com- have presented a challenge to faith and courage; munism and Fascism; in America with its racial they have called for an upward look and a for- and political, its economic and religious or anti- ward march. religious conflicts. A recent statement by Dr. H. Today, as of old, those forces that are for us C. Link (author of "The Return to Religion"), are greater than those that are against us; one issued as a result of surveys, reports that of nearly with God are still a majority. As we look for- ward into the New Year we see many causes for 10,000 representative American citizens ques- encouragement – in the fact that men are not satisfied with the fruits of selfish materialism; tioned, less than 25 % believe that religion is gain- there is still a constant warfare against vice and ing ground in the United States and over 45% say that moral standards are declining. Among the possible causes for this decline, as viewed by dishonesty and oppression; there are multitudes the National Committee on Religion and Welfare in Germany, like Pastor Niemoller, and in Russia, Recovery, are mentioned the 30% decrease in the' who refuse to deny God or to be intimidated in support of religious and welfare work (in four their acknowledgment of His supreme authority; .
years) compared with a nearly 4000% increase great numbers of Christians in Korea go to prison in the earnings of 105 industrial corporations; rather than worship at Shinto shrines; the Chialso there has been in the same period a 300 % nese, in the midst of cruel warfare, are seeking increase in amount spent for beer and whiskey. God as never before; India reports thousands of While gifts to colleges, community chests and gen- new converts coming to Christ every day; Moseral benevolences have decreased, the amount lems also are seeking the way of the Cross rather spent on jewelry, armaments, theatres, cigarettes than that of the Crescent; from Africa and the and automobiles have increased by 25% to 203% Islands of the Sea also multitudes are turning to in the same period. The average .of voluntary God. In America and England, what a multitude gifts to benevolences, charitable and educational of forces for righteousness are working, quietly and unostentatiously – in city missions and work is only about 2% of American taxable in- churches, in street meetings and Bible classes, in jails and hospitals. Recently in Newark, New comes, according to the statistics furnished by the Golden Rule Foundation.'
But in spite of many causes for disquiet and Jersey, eight hundred Christians gathered whose deep concern, there is no reason for discourage- great interest is in evangelizing the unreached ment. In the days of the children of Israel in multitudes in the city. All over the United States Egypt; in the time of Joshua, after the death of and Great Britain there are Christian gatherings Moses, as the Hebrews faced the Canaanite foes; where thousands meet for earnest Bible study and in the time of Elijah and the prophets of Baal for the quickening of spiritual life. Not only is and of Elisha when the Syrian armies threatened the University Christian Mission in North Amer- Israel; in that day of the early Church, when ica now seeking to bring Christ to students and [3]
students to Christ, but there are countless other as the only Saviour, that man is potentially en- agencies working to the same end, but without listed in Christ's world-wide campaign of conquest publicity. through the proclamation of the Good News and Much of modern mission work has been criti- by Christlike service. cized as being too institutional and secular and The consciousness of my personal debt to God unfruitful in spiritual results, but the recent because of what Christ has done for me will lead Madras International Missionary Conference, and me, as it led the Apostle Paul, to be eager to make missions as a whole, have come to see that, while known to others the remedy for sin and failure world peace, social reform and economic better- and the new Life that Christ offers to all. Withment are greatly needed, the most important and out this commitment, and a sense of personal hopeful work is Christian evangelism leading to debt, it is useless to expect to interest men in the personal acceptance of Christ as Lord and missions. Saviour, if any permanently transforming work Second: Men must be informed as to facts if is to be done. Student movements, churches, they are to be interested. But how many are woemissions, and social and political agencies have fully ignorant of the vital need of other men, tried other methods and have found them waijt- women and children for Christ and His Gospel? ing. The hope of tomorrow, as in the past, is in Every man with human sympathy will be interlooking to God for guidance and power, in exalt- ested in helping to remedy· situations. caused by ing the crucified and risen Christ and His Way famine or plague or crime; but he must know the of Life as the one remedy for sin and death and facts. So men must be informed and convinced as to the deadly spiritual diseases that are destroythe one God-given source of life and peace. ing men everywhere, if they are to be enlisted tp help make known the One effective remedy. No, we are not discouraged in these days when many men's hearts fail them for fear. It is still Men must also be informed as to the transform- God's world and His purposes and forces are cer- ing results of missionary work, where Christ is tain to be victorious. On which side are we going made known and truly followed. We may not to line up during this coming year-with our time, agree with some missionary methods; we may not influence, talents, material possessions and per- be willing to cooperate with certain organizations; sonal testimony? "If God be for us, who can be we may not approve of all missionary workers. against us? He that spared not his own Son but We do not approve of all doctors, lawyers. and delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with business men, but nevertheless we acknowledge him also freely give us all things?" the great value of these lines of service and we MEN AND MISSIONS are ready to promote the best in medicine, law and commerce.
How to interest men in missions and how to The story of missionary progress is thrilling keep them interested is a problem that is always ·and convincing to any honest student. What has . with us. But why pick on the men? Evidently already been accomplished, in spite of human they are "harder nuts to crack" than the women, failures, is an evidence of the power of God work- in this respect at least. Is it because men in gen- ing in the world. Multitudes of statesmen, trav- eral are more materialistic, more selfish, more ab- . elers, professional and business men and women sorbed in "money-making," and less informed on testify to the wonderful results achieved in all missions than the women? Experience proves lands, through the work of Christian missionaries.
that at least three things are necessary if a man Much, too much, remains to be done; but those or a woman is to be truly interested in spreading whose confidence is in God will not doubt the vic- the message of Christ and in promoting the rule torious outcome. Men must be informed.
of God among people of all classes, races and Third: To be truly interested in world-wide conditions. Christian work, men must make a real investment First, a man must be a believer in Christ and in the cause. They become vitally interested in in sympathy with His program. How can we ex- stocks and bonds, in automobiles, and in other pect to enlist men in the service of Christ if they lines of business, in proportion as they invest have never truly yielded to His claim on their money, time and thought in those things. If a lives. Attempts have often been made to capture man makes an intelligent, sacrificial investment in the "man on the street" for missions, but every some missionary or mission enterprise, that man's attempt has failed, unless the man has first been interest is assured. His investment may consist captured for Christ. Naturally no one is inter- of money, effort, prayer, a child, or all of these, ested in promoting any campaign – political, so- but it must be sacrificial. Continued contact with cial or economic-if he does not believe in the Christ and His work will keep the fires burning cause. But if a man is wholeheartedly committed so as to warm a man's own heart and will make to Christ as His divine Lord and believes in Him him wish to spread the light and warmth to others.
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
If these three essentials are met-commitment faith and education." Various groups interested to Christ, information as to the work, and a sacri- in the spiritual welfare of students and their ficial investment in the cause – there will be no teachers are uniting in this appeal for the surdifficulty in enlisting and maintaining a man's in- render of life to the Will of God and to the service terest. It has been done. Great men of all ages of Christ. Dr. Jones reports that the evidences of have been deeply concerned in missionary promo- the hunger of students for spiritual help, and for tion. The s~me is true today. Men of Christian definite life objectives are very remarkable. These faith ~ men of world vision; men of sacrificial young people are eager to make their lives count spirit; and men who have sympathy with God and in service. The most difficult but most important mankind, will be interested in promoting Christ's thing will be the follow-up work to conserve rework throughout the world. sults. The National Preaching Mission scarcely touched students and the need for reaching them EVANGELIZING COLLEGE STUDENTS is pressing if the Church is to grow. The days when the Student Volunteer leaders stirred the While some writers warn us of the growth of colleges and when the Student Christian Associaatheism, irreligion and immorality in American tions led many to Christ and enrolled them in high schools and colleges, the University Chris- Bible classes, has passed. Spiritual life in schools tian Mission is now seeking to bring Christ to the and colleges has suffered and a true revival is 150,000 students in colleges and universities. needed.
There is no doubt about the low moral stand- In each center the leaders, with the cooperation ards, and the religious ignorance, indifference or of local student and faculty members, are adapt- ing their program to the special needs of students. hostility of many students. Materialistic, athe- Instead of mass meetings, the informal conferistic and anti-Christian forces are active. "Anti- ences in dormitories, club rooms, fraternity and God" or "militant godless" societies are reported sorority houses and other student centers provide in some institutions. Usually their activities are the chief points of contact with inquirers. There secret and subversive but at times they are openly are also daily sessions with faculty members, lecanti-religious. All this is too true; but the youth tures in classrooms and opportunity for personal are more sinned against than sinning. Many of interviews. Breakfast meetings are held at seven them come from practically godless homes; they o'clock and often student interviews keep the vis- iting workers up until past midnight. are catapulted into a society full of pitfalls and traps; in high school and college they too often The lntercollegian and Far Horizons says: meet teachers who undermine and destroy faith The present is a logical and fortunate time to bring into in God and advocate certain forms of immorality. the center of campus life a straight, plainly spoken ex- position of the claims of Jesus Christ. No subtlety of The results are seen today in business and social oratory nor of intellectual defensiveness is necessary in life. talking with students today about religion. In fact the gun-shyness today is of the man with subtleties, not of the To counteract these destructive forces in a con- man with religion. If he has discovered something real, structive way, the University Christian Mission, students want it or at least respect it. under the auspices of the Federal Council of Churches and other organizations is conducting a We are glad to see that the Mission is on this forthcampaign in over twenty leading American col- right basis. It is directly and openly evangelistic; viz., it believes so strongly in the Christian Gospel for our day leges and universities. They report some remark- that it wants to share it as clearly and persuasively as it can, so students may have a chance to mak~ up their able experiences. eTr shiet ymoefetOinrgesgl obne,gaann on October own minds about it. But make no mistake, this mission 2nd, in the Univ d continue has a perfectly clear objective, and that objective is Chris- tian evangelism. We think we know students well enough until March 17th when they are to close at the to be sure that this statement, which a few years ago University of California at Berkeley. The work would have been impolitic, will only whet their interest in meeting these men and women who come to the campus is being conducted in these leading colleges and with something to say! universities and the Director of the Mission is Rev. Jesse M. Bader. The forty-four speakers include Will the Christian agencies, which so far have united E. Stanley Jones and Sam Higginbottom of India, in such harmonious unity, be able to forget their units T. Z. Koo of China, Margaret G. Bonfield of Lon- in a real. crusade to meet students and their problems don, Bernard C. Clausen of Pittsburgh, George A. where they aTe? That is vastly more important than for Buttrick of New York, Arthur Lee Kinsolving of students to know where the agencies are. And will stu- Boston, and Henry H. Sweets of Louisville. dents themselves really take some evangelistic responsi- bility themselves? Revivals of religion or education or A team of fifteen spends six days on each football don't get imported. They spring up from the campus where they hold popular evangelistic meet- grass roots of the concern of individual students. They grow. If there is to be a student religious revival, stuings, group conferences and personal interviews. dents themselves will have to get off their academic dead- The aim is to win college youth to Christ and His centers and start it. Way of Life. One purpose of this present effort is to "close the wide gap between the Christian
It is as yet too early to appraise the results of in Hungary, 984,000 in Rumania and 3,000,000 this mission but if one man or woman is awakened in Poland.
-like Wesley or Spurgeon or Catherine Booth; Today Palestine, the land that God gave Israel if even a few colleges or universities are brought for an everlasting possession, is a bone of conten- into vital relationship to Christ and are set on tion. The Arabs claim it by conquest, the Jews fire for God, the time and money will be well ex- by covenant. The efforts of Great Britain to solve pended and abundantly worth while. Naturally, the problem by a division of territory between with such a variety of speakers, there will be a Jews and Arabs, has proved a fiasco and even an great difference in the amount of living truth pre- impartial and righteous government under the sented, in the incentives and appeals; but if Good Mandate to Great Britain -is unacceptable. The Seed is sown and the field and workers prayer- Arab revolt has recently spread to all classes.
fully prepared, so that students are truly aroused The people of Palestine are impoverished; busi- by the Spirit of God and are led to a vital relation ness is at a standstill; tens of thousands are un- to God through Christ, and if effective follow-up employed and the country is being plunged deeper work is carried forward by intelligent and conse- and deeper into debt. To political, economic and crated personal workers on each campus, God social questions the religious element has been will give the increase. added and is pitting the Jew (and the Christian) against the Moslem in fierce antagonism. Even THE JEWS-A "PECULIAR PEOPLE" Christian Arabs are attacked by their Moslem compatriots. The religious element has added to Everyone will admit that the Jews are a "pecul- the bitterness of the strife. The whole Moslem iar people." They are credited with being pecul- population seems to be behind the revolt and there iar in their appearance, their language, their is a new effort to declare a universal "holy war"
traits of character and their habits; "peculiar" against both Jews and Christians. Repressive in their history and religion, and in their sad ex- measures by the British add to the bitterness of periences among other races. They are "peculiar" the fight. The Pan-Arab Islamic aspect of the in the fact that, though they are without a na- revolt has been strengthened so that even the place tional government or country of their own, and of the Jews in Palestine is becoming secondary although over sixteen million of them are scat- to Arab opposition to Great Britain in the Near tered over the earth, they still are a "separated" East. Palestine seems to have become merely a people, looking back on a remarkable past, hoping testing ground for Arab strength. Unrest is in- for a return to their national home and temple, creasing in Iraq, Syria, Transjordania, Arabia and look forward to a great future. and Egypt, but Turkey and Iran are governed by Six times they are called a "peculiar people" in dictators who still rule with a strong hand. The the Bible, four times in the Old Testament and British cannot afford to yield to Arab demands, twice in the New. But the word as applied to much as they desire peace.
them does not refer to their racial characteristics In the meantime Great Britain, America and or to their history; it refers to them as a "pecul- other nations friendly to the Jews, are seeking a iar" possession, acquired, purchased, preserved solution for some phases of the Jewish problem and treasured by God, who promised Abraham a by providing havens of refuge for them in Africa, land which his descendents should possess; who North and South America, Australia or elsewhere released Israel from Egypt and brought them into that is not already overcrowded. The end is not the Promised Land; who established His temple in sight but there is reason to believe that, as in in Jerusalem, gave the people His laws, disciplined the days of Israel in Egypt under oppression by them but preserved them through many centuries, the Pharaohs, God has not forgotten or cast off through them sent the Messiah to bless all nations, His "peculiar people." Jews have their serious and has promised to restore all things and estab- faults but nations that have fought against them lish the reign of righteousness, truth and love. and have persecuted them have always suffered in But today the Jews are "peculiar" in the world- the end. They have lapsed into extinction or ob- wide ostracism and in their sore trials. In the scurity-Egypt, Midian, Moab, Syria, Babylon, past they suffered many things in Russia, Poland Assyria, Greece, Rome-while the Jews have re- and other countries of Europe; today 750,000 are mained, denationalized and homeless wanderers, being persecuted, robbed and banished from Ger- perhaps, but still a remarkable race and a "pecul- many and Austria. Even Christian Jews and iar people." Men and governments cannot suc- those with a fraction of Jewish blood are deprived cessfully fight against God. His promises and of citizenship and of fair opportunities for edu- plans will yet be fulfilled. When will the time cation, as well as in business and in professional come that Israel will see and acknowledge their life. Italy is following in the same path; it Is yet Messiah, experience a new emancipation and enter to be seen what will happen to the 441,000 Jews into their inheritance?
Years Past and to Come*
By ROBERT E. SPEER, Lakeville, Connecticut Author of "The Finality of Jesus Christ," "George Bowen of Bombay," etc.
O UR country is so young that it is only now asked him why he chose rowing for his sport, a that we are coming to realize that it has had tame and effeminate affair, instead of some a past. Heretofore the past and present verile game like football with its body to body have been so close together as to appear as one. personal encounter. He answered that he pre- Now, at last however, our centennials are begin- ferred to take his exercise sitting down, and added ning to make us aware of time and of far off be- the rather pointed and pertinent remark that he ginnings which we do well to recall. would "rather belong to a crew that looked back During the last three years we have observed and moved forward than to a team which looked a number of these significant anniversaries. In forward and moved back." Which thing is a 1936 we had the Whitman Centennial, commem- parable. In a shell there are nine men. Eight of orating the heroic venture of Marcus Whitman them who furnish all the power look backward. who set out in February, 1836, to establish the There is only one, the coxswain, who looks formission at Walla Walla which planted the Chris- ward and he would be a still better coxswain if he tian Church in the far Northwest and helped to had eyes also in the back of his head. prevent the yielding of the territory to Great Britain. In 1936 also the Southern Presbyterian Or consider a gun. Where is the pawer which Church celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary hurls the projectile? It is not in a magnet or any devic~ in front of the gun. It is in the explosion of the establishment of the Church in the beauti- behind. The energies which drive us pour out of ful old building in Augusta, where their first As- the past. Even when we pursue a distant future sembly met under the shadows of the Civil War ideal, it is the past which gave it to us and which thrusts us after it. in 1861. Last year our Northern Presbyterian The second great use of the past is as a teacher. Church celebrated the centennial of the Board of Foreign Missions which, indeed, was also the It is in the school of the past that we learn our Board of the Southern Church, for the quarter lessons: as to essential realities, as to abiding century preceding the division that came in 186!. values, as to the possibilities of achievement, as Now this year we are observing the Sesqui-Cen- to vital resources, as to true direction, as to the tennial of the adoption of the constitution of the Will of God, His trustworthiness, and our duty. It Presbyterian Church and the establishment of its is of some of these lessons that I am to speak in General Assembly. In the midst of these anniver- the matter of the foreign missionary enterprise saries we are happy and grateful in commemorat- of the Church during the century of this Second ing the founding of the Second Church in St. Church's history.
Louis one hundred years ago. What Christianity Is Sometimes we are told that we waste time in First of all we are taught the fundamental lesthese historical commemorations. "Of what use son of what Christianity is. The foreign missionis the past," men ask, "when the present with its ary undertaking is the expression of the essential problems and its tasks demands all the thought nature of the Christian faith. It embodies the and energy that we possess?" conception of the adequacy, the uniqueness and the finality of Jesus Christ and the Gospel. Chris- There are at least two of the many uses of the tianity is not one of the world's great religions, past which stand out clear and indisputable. each of them the expression of the religious gen- ius of one race and adapted to the experience and For one thing, we draw inspiration and power needs of that race. Christianity is solitary, not from the past. I recall a shrewd saying of Dr. comparative, universal not ethnic. Christ is not Duncan Spaeth, who is one of our leading Shakes- one of many great religious teachers; and Chrisperean scholars and was for some years professor tianity is not the religion of the white race. Christ of English in Princeton University; at the same stands alone; His name is not to be included in time he was the inspiration of the revival and any list of names. And the white race did not maintenance of rowing at Princeton. Some one • An address at the Centennial Celebration of the Second Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, MissourI.
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originate Christianity. It originated in As i a humanistic spirit of the community. The organic among Asiatics; and it has always been and is relationship of all unselfish philanthropy to the now not the natural expression but the supernat- Christian motivation has been obscured and for- ural condemnation of the ethnic spirit of the whilte gotten. On the foreign mission field we see char- race. ity in its primitive reality. The orphanages, leper One must go further. Any definition of religion asylums, hospitals, schools for deaf and blind, all which covers Christianity excludes all' other so': the unselfish charities of the non-Christian world called religions. Or, if they are religions, Chris- are still seen as having sprung from a lesson still tianity is not. This, indeed, is the fact. Chris- maintained by the Christian Church. The late tianity is not a "religion." It is a revelation. It . F.W. Stevens, professor of law in the University is not man's quest for God. It is God's quest for of Michigan and American member of the Bank- man. Webster's dictionary defines religion as "the ers' Consortium in China in 1920-23, saw this and recognition of God as an object of worship, love bore his competent testimony to it. "I have come and obedience; piety; any system of faith and to believe," he said in an address in Peking to worship. Religion is subjective, designating the returned Chinese students, "that America's great- feelings and acts of men which relate to God." est contribution to China, greater even than "Much that belongs to religion," says. John Mac- America's political friendship is the work of the murray, the English philosopher, "permeates American Christian missionaries in China. This what we call Christianity." But he adds, "I have statement may indicate the importance I attach a conviction that the points which the various to the need of moral regeneration which must pre- world religions have in common with Christianity cede any great political or industrial improve- are in large measure the points which are not ment. In all China there is not a single organiza- specifically Christian, but merely religious." tion on a scale of importance, that aims at moral What is specifically Christian? The glorious improvement or that is calculated to bring it fact of the Incarnation and the Good News of Sal- about, that is not traceable in its origin to the vation and Eternal Life offered by God through Christian missions. I have inquired among all His only Son, Jesus Christ. It is this conception kinds of people from all parts of China for such that makes Christianity missionary. "The·true an activity of non-Christian origin without findstate of the case," as Dr. William Newton Clarke ing one." And the widest possible meaning must said, "must not be forgotten, namely that Chris- be given to Mr. Stevens' word "moral." It covers tianity sets out for victory. The intention to con- the whole ideal of man's deepest and fullest wel- quer is characteristic of the Gospel. This was' fare, both of body and mind. Of the latter I will the aim of its youth when it went forth among speak in a moment. My point now is that in the the religions that then surrounded it; and with missionary enterprise we have seen the inevitable this aim it must enter any field in which old re- relationship between the love of God and the love ligions are encumbering the religious nature of of man: we have seen Christianity revealing its man. It cannot conquer except in love but in love true nature in seeking, side by side with the oral it intends to conquer. It means to fill the world." proclamation of the truth, to heal every human This conviction is incarnated in the missionary hurt. It has been, as it was at the beginning, undertaking. It is equally essential if Christianity the fountain of the stream of philanthropy, of the is to be vital and effective at home. healing of disease, of the care of the unfortunate A Ministry of Love and needy, of charity and compassion and love.
There is also a lesson for us to learn here for In the second place the missionary enterprise our situation at home. Let the Christian convic- reveals the basic nature of Christianity as a min- tions and loyalties die down and we shall soon istry of unselfish service and of love. Its primary discover the utter inadequacy of our reliance upon aim was to preach Christ as the only Saviour of community goodwill and humanistic philanthropy.
the world; but the Christ whom it preached could The real driving force in all our apparently sec- be no other than the Christ whose first sermon ular civilization is not secular. It is the hidden in his home synagogue was from the text: "The and unostentatious Christian valuation of Christ spirit of the Lord is upon me; because He hath and the motivation of Christ's love and the love anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He of man for Christ's sake.
hath sent me to heal the broken hearted, to preach Relation to Education deliverance to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are In the third place, we see in the missionary en- bruised." Here in the West our charities and terprise of the century the fl,mdamental relation- philanthropies have largely passed out from the ship between Christianity and education, between control of the Church, and seem to rely upon the Christ and the freedom. and expansion of the
THE YEARS PAST AND TO COME
mind. From the beginning with William Carey ated freedom suffers. All true education is the and Alexander Duff, the missionary has been the child of the Christian spirit and will suffer when founder of schools. He began the first elementary divorced from the source which produced it, and schools in non-Christian lands. He founded the from which it mus,t continue to draw its life. Let colleges, the medical and industrial schools. He one tragic contemporary illustration suffice. Ger- or she was the pioneer of education for women. many was once the leader in thought, invention In many lands the same thing happened that has and discovery. And today-!
happened in America. The state took over or The Bond of Union and Peace built upon what the missionary began. The Im- perial University of Tokyo had its origins with This school of the past missionary century is a Guido Verbeck and Divie McCartee. The Nation- rich school but I will speak of only one other of al University of Peking, now destroyed, began its lessons. It has disclosed the one possible bond with W. A. P. Martin. David Murray guided the and basis of a united and rationally ordered hu- establishment of seoondary education in Japan. man society, namely the Holy Catholic Church.
In many cases, however, the missionary enter- Every other proposed basis of a peaceful world prise is still carrying on its institutions, equal or order has broken down; diplomacy, international superior to those of government. All the medical organizations, "nine-power treaties," leagues and education of the Chinese began with missionary covenants, ententes, alliances, "axes," all world medical schools. Eighty-five per cent of the associations of whatsoever sort. Even greed has schools of Africa are still conducted by missions. failed. Indeed greed has worse than failed. Men The outstanding modern educators of India have sell to their nation's enemies the very instruments been missionaries, honored by the government for their enmity. No words seem more pitiable with Knighthood for their service,-Sir William today than Mr. Kipling's "Peace of Dives"
Miller and Sir James C. R. Ewing. Even where "The word came down to Dives in torment where he lay, government with its resources begins to monopo- 'Our world is full of wickedness, My children maim and lize the educational field, the missionary enter- slay; prise has found its opportunity in pioneering And the Saint and Seer and Prophet enterprises, the originating liberty of the Chris- Can make no better of it tian spirit fulfilling its function of freedom and Than to sanctify and prophesy and pray.'''
creativeness. So Dives rose up and bound the world together in The present victory of India has borne tribute irrefragable peace.
to this service of the missionary spirit. In his "With gold and fear and hate report in 1928, as Chairman of the Royal Com- I have harnessed state to state.
mission on Agriculture in India, he said, "We can- And with hate and fear and gold their hates are tied. " "And behold all earth is laid not leave the subject of the teacher and his In the peace which I have made." training without referring to a movement which offers bright hopes. for escape from the difficulties Ten years after Kipling wrote, Dives' peace which clog the progress of education. The new was burned ashes and Dives had no need to go scheme for training teachers which has been back to hell. worked out by the Presbyterian Mission at Moga, has been adopted and extended by the Punjab There is only one world fellowship that is real Education Department and now prevails in every and that can bear the strain. That is the world training institution for vernacular teachers in the Christian Community. For a hundred years the province. This system of training at Moga is but missionary enterprise has preached it and has one example of the valuable pioneering and ex- been busy building it. Our Church has had its perimental work accomplished by missions, to glorious share in it. In a dozen lands it has led which education in India owes so great a debt." in the founding and development of independent national churches with leaders of whom I could In America education, like philanthropy, has tell you, the peers of any in our Church at home, slipped from its relationship to the Church. The whjch hold fellowship with sister churches across Roman Catholics, to a lesser degree the Lutherans all-boundaries of nation and race, across the gulf and to a still lesser degree the other Protestant of nationality between China and Japan, across Churches, are seeking to maintain Christian edu- the gulf of race in India. The goal of world unity cation in relation to the Church but it is a hard may still be far away and the Christian unities struggle against the State with its power of taxa- may still be too weak to overpower the human sus- tion. In Russia and Mexico Church education is picions and rivalries and hates, and the coercive extinct; in Germany it seems to be doomed. We powers and pessimisms and paganisms of govern- are in danger of forgetting the lesson of the past. mentsmay stm.defeat the feeble instrumentalities Where distinctively Christian education is obliter- of Christian fellowship. But, soon or late, the
choice must be made between the unity of Christ man intercourse the nations burden it with even and the Satanic sin of a divided humanity. If we heavier limitations of travel and trade. Missionlearn aright the missionary lesson we shall not aries may be as ready for martyrdom as ever but despair but wait in hope and love till the martyr cannot get his passport vised. The difficulties which the missionary met in earlier Nation with nation, land w1th land years have vanished but they have been replaced Enarmed shall live as comrades free: by new ones. But what are difficulties for, except, as General Armstrong used to say, to be overcome In every heart and brain shall throb by the grace of God? Twice in "The Influence of The pulse of one fraternity. Sea Power upon History," Captain Mahan speaks of "the glorious disadvantage of numbers." And Some may say, "It has been a great past, and St. Paul shows how he regarded difficulties when you are justified in what you claim for it, but it he said "and," not "but": "I will tarry at Ephesus is gone and cannot come back or be reproduced. until Pentecost for a great door and effectual is We have come to a new and different day. The opened unto me and there are many adversaries." old motives which produced and sustained the missionary enterprise are dead. The sacrifices And the opportunities are greater than they which it required cannot be obtained in the world have ever been. The national churches in every in which we live." mission field are inviting help and offering asso- ciation. In China there is such an open door as I do not believe it. There have been changes, has never been known since Robert Morrison and there will be more changes, but they make the landed in 1807. One missionary writes: enterprise only the more necesary. Bible teaching is now permitted in all schools, and na- The Gospel has not changed. Jesus Christ is tional leaders are by their example and words urging the still the same, yesterday and forever. If our youth to find the secret of the power of the Christian relithoughts about Him and the Gospel change they gion. Never has the atmosphere of our schools been more only change truly as they see Him and His Gos- Christian. This is indeed the flood tide of mission work pel as something still greater than men have con- in China. Similar opportunity came after the Revolution ceived. His is still the Only Name. He is still in 1911 when China became a republic. There is a tide the only Light of the World. He alone is the in the affairs of Christ in China which taken at the flood Way, the Truth and the Life. Now, as ever, no leads on to victory. The ebb tide will later set in, for man comes to the Father but by Him. The world time and tide wait for no man. Now is the time to bring is worse lost without Christ, if that be possible, the ship into the harbor. A missionary today can with the then it has ever been. Its need of Him is greater help of the tide and favorable winds make more progress than ever in the past. If its flight was such that in a day than in a month when the tide is changed. it required His coming nineteen hundred years ago its desperate hopelessness today requires Him And so everywhere the tides run with us or even more. Of the seven nations which are de- against us but our duty abides, the duty to protermining the fate of the world today four either claim Christ to the whole world and to every man openly reject Christiani<ty or tolerate it only as as the only hope. an instrumentality of the State. Of the other three one is frankly secular and in neither Great Christ is our sure hope. What the conditions Britain nor America is the Christian spirit set in may be is a matter of subordinate consequence. supreme authority over the national. In one of They may affect the times but they will not deterhis last utterances Henry Watterson declared: mine the issue. What th8lt issue will be St. Paul declared in the clearest and boldest way long ago. The future looks black enough, yet it holds a hope, a The time will come, he said, when Christ's Name single hope. One power and one power alone can arrest will be above every name, when "at the name of the deseent and save us. That is the Christian religion. Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue con- Democracy is but a side issue. The paramount issue, fess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Where was Paul underlying the issue of democracy is the religion of Christ when he said this? In prison, chained to the wrist and Him crucified. If the world is to be saved from de- of his jailer; forsaken by friends; the victim of struction, physieal no less than spiritual destruction, it the ill will of insincere fellow Christians; anticiwill be saved alone by the Christian religion. That elim- pating a martyr's death at the end of his way. If, inated leaves the world to eternal war. under those conditions, Paul could have this faith ought we not to feel shame if we waver in it? The difficulties are greater than ever before. Weare at least nineteen hundred years nearer Man has created machines which now tyrannize this consummation than Paul was. If he were over him. He has produced an environment standing where we stand, with what overflowing which he has not learned to control. His most gratitude would he survey the century past and boasted inventions are as capable of working ruin with what glorious riew faith and courage would as of doing good. He is exalting inferior values he advance into the century to come! over the value of man. An age which overestimated man is succeeded by an age whkh degrades him. Instead of simplifying and enriching hu-
God's Voice from
With Glimpses of His F.aithfulness in the Experience of the China Inland Mission By MRS. HOWARD TAYLOR Author of "The Life of Hudson Taylor," "By Faith-Henry W. Frost and the China Inland Mission," and other volumes f". ALONE in his Toronto office, a young man was "Be definite, young man, be definite! What is facing a situation that might well cause it that you need? What are you really asking?" concern. He was the newly appointed sec- Startled, Mr. Frost rose fr.om his knees, went retary of a movement which had come into being to his desk and began to consider the matter, pen largely through his prayers and eff.orts. Carried in hand. One after another he wrote down the on a full tide of spiritual blessing, he had taken pressing financial needs and was dismayed to find part in the establishment on this continent of a that they came to a total of six hundred dollars.
Mission, begun in England, which had for its aim Could he ask definitely for so large a sum? It the evangelization of inland China. But now its was a critical moment for himself no less than beloved leader, Hudson Taylor, had gone on to for the Mission. But faith triumphed by the grace Shanghai with the first reinforcements from of God. Spreading the paper on the chair before North America, and Henry W. Frost was left re- him, the young man knelt again and definitely sponsible for the home side of the work in the asked, in the Name of the Lord Jesus, for the United States and Canada. For years, the lead- whole six hundred dollars.
ing of God in his life had been preparing for these "So real was the transaction," he recalls, "that developments-as the biography just published when I rose from my knees the sec.ond time it was graphically records ;*-but with the newly-formed without a burden of any kind. With complete rest Council he had now to deal with no fewer than of heart, I went through my corres.pondence and forty missionary candidates and a home-centre to other: work for the day, though as hour by hour provide for the Mission, S.o that the problems that went by nothing happened."
pressed upon him were neither few nor small. Nothing happened in that office- but many, All this had been foreseen and considered with many miles away a friend was led to think and Mr. Taylor in helpful hours of fellowship and pray about the Mission. Under a sense of divine prayer. "No debt" and "no appeal for funds" guidance, this friend wrote a letter which reached were principles of the Mission with which Mr. Mr. Frost the following morning. At the desk Frost was in full agreement. The life of faith where his list of needs had been made, the latter for things temporal as well as spiritual was not opened the letter to find a check enclosed for six new to him. With his young wife, he had already hundred dollars, to be used at home or in China, launched out on the promises of God, proving in as it might be needed. This experience opened to experience that as we seek first His kingdom and the young secretary new vistas of the power .of righteousness all things needful are indeed prayer and the faithfulness of God. He wrote: "added" with a Father's loving care. Fifteen Did I pray more in detail after that? I certainly did!
missionaries in China, h.owever, and increasing I remember that I used to breathe prayers in those days needs at h.ome put faith to fresh tests. Without that I would have laughed at before, as childish. Somethe backing of any church or denomination-for thing came back to me then that Mr. Taylor had said when the Mission embraced all evangelical Christians we were together at Northfield. in its fellowship-and without reserve funds or "Have you ever thought," he asked, "of the difference between a father's and a mother's care of their children?
pledges of supply, prayer to God was. the only re- The father goes to business, whatever it is, and works source. And on his knees in his office that day hard to provide for his family, but it takes a mother to the young Secretary was unburdening his heart mend the children's stockings. And in a very real sense, before God. God is a Mother to his people, as well as a Father."
And then a strange thing happened. It seemed And truly I have found it so, in all the years since then. as if a voice spoke in the silence: By this time (1890) the China Inland Mission was twenty-five years old and had reached a posi- • "By Faith-Henry W. Frost and the China Inland Mission." ti.on froni'which rapid growth was possible. Start- CBhyinDar.InalnadndMMrsi.SSHioonw, aPrdhilTaadyelloprh. ia,Il1lu9s3t8ra. ted. 8vo. 364 pp. $1.25. ing in England in 1865, l·t had spread to N.orth [11 ]
America, but still its home-base was inadequate for the developments that were to come. The growth of those early years had been remarkable and full of promise. The Mission's first objective, that of placing pioneer evangelists in all the inland provinces of China, had been attained in little more than a decade, with the sole exception of the province of Hunan. To enter any of those great regions marked black on the first of our little maps had seemed impossible. The very name, "China Inland Mission," had been a laughing stock to many who did not know the power of prayer. But the eighteen pioneers asked of God CH'NA 18Y4 EXPANSION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION-FIRST DECADE Extension of the work to 1876; still unoccupied provinces in black EXPANSION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION-I teach precious lessons of the faithfulness of God. Up to 1867, no Protestant missionaries in Financial needs were never mentioned, save in eleven provinces (black) 'the inner circle, where they were constantly spread before the Lord in prayer. Walking before were hardly ready for their task before the long- Him day by day, why look to man for the succor closed doors were thrown open by the Chefoo Con- He has promised? But the inspired prayer, "Give vention (1876), and the young evangelists w~re us this day our daily bread," often took on new the first to avail themselves of the new situation. meaning. Such was the morning, for example, In two brief years they traveled over thirtythou- when there was nothing to put on the table for sand miles in those unreached provinGes, preach- breakfast when the first bell rang. The interval ing the Gospel, scattering Scriptures and, tr!l!!ts of ten minutes before the second bell changed the and even opening settled mission stations. ,A glance at the China of 1866 and that of 1877,will situation providentially, for a hamper arrived show the advance that had been made,:a.tJhe latter from some unknown friend with a generous supdate only one province still excluding :r1l.essellgers ply of groceries and provisions, and the large of the Gospel-the province of Hun~J.JamOlisto- household sat down with thankfulness to a wellday for its Christian preaching-band'S,;,: . spread board.
And the ground gained was nevet 'lost; fot the CHINA vital work of evangelization went' on, reinforced more and more by missionary women,until in .817 1890, the four hundred members of'the Inland Mission were settled in seventy-five stations, EXPANSION OF THE CHINA INLAND MISSION-III chiefly in the interior. All provinces occupied in 1877. Hunan opened later. . 'Kwangsi and Mongolia developed by other missions *** Back in Toronto, the work had taken deep r{)ot, Mr. Frost's spiritual ministry being much, valued. Tests of faith were many, but,theY:.{l.ll ~el'vedto I. .
GOD'S VOICE FROM CHINA
:sao G"OWT>~ GtOWTK h. THl NUMBi:f IN TriE. HUMSEI oJ 0' C.l.M. lIAPi'SMS i" STAT10M& C.I.M. DISTR.ICT5 ….·100 ilEaL – 19~'
199 IU '1$ STEADY GROWTH IN CENTERS OCCUPIED BY THE C. I. M. INCREASE IN BAPTISMS IN c. I. M. Special growth after times of special suffering. There are also two thousand out-stations. IN ANSWER TO PRAYER Special growth after Boxer Outbreak, the Revolution, the One is tempted to dwell upon many of the answers to prayer recorded in the recent volume Evacuation period, and in the present war ("By Faith"), but one other must suffice. saw by the handwriting, was from a member of The rather gruff landlord of the first home of the Council who knew nothing about the immethe Mission in Toronto was in the habit of calling diate situation. Thinking it concerned some busiregularly for his rent. He made no profession of ness, Mr. Frost put it in his pocket, but half way being a Christian, and Mr. Frost was the more to the office was impelled to open it. To his suranxious to be always ready with the full amount. prise, it contained a check. And there, when he But one month, through an oversight, the money looked at it eagerly, was the ·one and .the five of laid aside for the purpose proved to be fifteen dol- the sum so much desired, but it was not fifteen lars short. Twenty dollars were in hand, but not dollars 1 To the figures that stood out from the thirty-five; and the treasury was empty. The check a naught had been added – it was for morning came when the rent was due, and still $150.00. Almost overwhelmed at such an anprayer seemed unanswered. Not a little dis- swer to prayer, Mr. Frost hastened back to tell tressed, Mr. Frost was up with the first trace of his waiting wife that the Lord had indeed prodaylight, haunted, even as he waited upon God, vided. by persistent suggestions of unbelief: "I knew He would," was the quiet though "Oh, yes, you will get the money, but not to- rejoicing reply, for Mrs. Frost's faith had been day-not before the landlord comes I" unperturbed.
Stopped in the hallway as he was leaving for With a full heart, the young Secretary arrived his office, Mr. Frost was told that a letter had been at his office to find that the episode was not finhanded in and was lying on the piano. This, he ished. . The Lord had something further to teach him about His watchful care. In the mail-box was another letter, 'placed there by hand-for it
had no stamp or post mark-and imperfectly ad- sular orders for the evacuation of British and dressed. Evidently it was from someone who American nationals from the interior of China. wished to remain unknown. For on opening it, That crisis of 1927 can be better imagined than Mr. Frost found a blank sheet of paper-not a described. More than six hundred C. 1. M. misword of writing-and folded within it were three sionaries were obliged to come down to the seanew five-dollar bills. What could it mean-the coast, leaving their loved work, and with no homes fifteen dollars over again! to go to, save as the Lord provided. But provide He did, and in such wonderful ways that no one "This time I did not rush back to Mrs. Frost. was without a true C. 1. M. welcome to temporary She was too far away. But I did hurry up to the quarters, and every account for traveling and office, where my overcharged heart found relief other unforeseen expenses was paid the day it was in praising the God of all grace. Since then, I presented. Truly, "God is our refuge and strength, have often thought that the gift of a hundred and a very present help in time of trouble." The chief fifty dollars was to show how ample the love of point is that every time of crisis was followed by God is, and the gift of fifteen to show the exact- greatly enlarged blessing. ness of His understanding care." To these three periods of crisis is now added *** the present war-situation in China, in which the Mission is facing greater perils and perplexities But tq come to the enlargement of the Mission's than ever before. But our Omnipotent Leader is home-base which followed the extension to North "the same, yesterday, and today and for ever." America. Troublous times lay ahead. Unknown This is why we have been and are enabled to adto any but the Supreme Director of the work, His vance rather than retreat and to send out large servants were to glorify Him in the terrible suf- reinforcements to meet the adversary's challenge ferings of the Boxer Outbreak in 1900. No fewer in this hour of his seeming triumph. than fifty-eight of the missionaries to win a martyr's crown, that summer, were members of the It is appropriate that in this Jubilee Year of the C. 1. M. More prayer, more faith, more love were Mission's history-half a century from the sailing needed to strengthen the whole Mission, at home of the first American party – the complete story and in China, for its baptism of fire. And in His should be published under the revealing title, "By own wonderful way the Lord prepared for the Faith," which emphasizes the secret of victory. crisis that He only could foresee. Before us lie greater opportunities and more urgent needs than ever before. God's voice from Those years from 1888, when the North Amer- China rings out a new and perhaps last call to ican branch was founded, witnessed extension to faithful following in the steps of our crucified, other lands also, until some time before the year ever-living Lord, the world's only Redeemer. This 1900 the Mission had become international as to is no time for fear or for retreat. Forty-two new its home constituency. The Prayer Union com- missionaries sent out this fall, including eight menced in North America spread with the growth fully qualified physicians, surely means that beof the work, gathering many into its fellowship fore us is still set an open door. in Europe and Australasia as well as in the United States and Canada. And surely it was this world- "No man can shut it" as long as God gives us wide intercession that sustained the Mission in the privilege of being "workers together with that overwhelming flood of suffering, and carried it through to the bleslsed aftermath of following Him" in and for China.t That great land is seeing years. Up to 1900, the baptisms in connection with the C. 1. M. had totalled about 14,000, that is Jesus as never before-seeing Him in the sacriover a period of thirty-four years; but the single ficial love and labors of His children. And Christ decade that followed, witnessed 22,000 baptisms -the suffering, dying, everliving Saviour – is in C. 1. M. stations, and a corresponding increase drawing countless hearts to Himself who alone in the centres occupied, as may be seen from the can meet China's need. accompanying diagrams. Have not they a right to know of His redeeming Since then, the record has been the same love? Has He not charged us with the saving mesthrough the years, for the story haS been one of sage, promising His own presence and enablement crisis after crisis, right up to the present period "even unto the end of the age"? It is our day of of warfare. Following the Boxer troubles came the opportunity, priceless opportunity, of which we difficult period of the Revolution, when large parts shall e.ach one have to give account. We call him of China were devastated by the armies of "White "Master and Lord." Oh, to see what He would Wolf" and other brigand leaders. Then i;ame the have us see, that we may do while we can what World War, with its inevitable repercussions; He would have us do! the rising power of Communism and Russian influence; the fearful sack of Nanking, and Con- t Including these reinforcoments, the staff of the Mission now numbers more than thirteen hundred foreign missionaries and four thousand Chinese workers.
To Interest Men in
Some Practical Methods from Experience with Men of Our Churches HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE cult to discover which is cause and which is effect.
CALL OF CHRIST If men become genuinely committed to the service By BISHOP RALPH CUSHMAN, DENVER, COLO. of our Lord they will, as a matter of acoreurfsoe~nbd.e devoted to His interests wherever men Resident Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church If men become interested in serving their fellows If I am to interest men in missions I must, first in the spirit of Christ, near and far, they are of all, have a conviction myself as to the authority bound to have a deepening fellowship with their of the Great Commission and the reasons behind Lord, which is sure to express itself in every it. I must believe that the Lord Jesus called us, avenue of life. His disciples, to preach and practice the Kingdom of God on this earth. I must believe this so pro- But how shall we begin to interest men in misfo.undly that I will either stop praying, "Thy sions? Kmgdom come on earth," or will set out to cooperate with Christ in bringing it to pass. I do My own experience, and that of others that I not believe that there is any substitute for this have observed, is that the beginning of a growing interest and concern is to get people to give money to some specific missionary project or person.
burning conviction in my own mind and heart. While missionary administrators may have trouble with those who wish to give to special Second, I must clearly see how tragic are the persons or projects, there is no doubt that people results of failure to preach and practice the King- grow in missionary concern when they have direct dom of God on earth. In all of our churches, and contact with some individual or group about in the lives of individual church members, this is apparent. Our people perish for lack of vision. whose work they receive first-hand information. This conclusion is based on actual first-hand ex- Even if we hold that the chief business of the perience and close-up observation. Church is to acquaint its members with God, it is impossible to do this apart from the missionary But how can we persuade a person who while nominally and probably really Christian, has no vision. It is not by searching but by following great zeal for the work of Christ, to make a bethat men finally find God. Obedience is the organ ginning in giving money? It is here that the in- genuity of Christian love has a chance to operate. of knowledge. Years ago I heard Dr. George A. Gordon say, "Our churches are full of people who have never No spiritual education is likely to be easy. We understood what the call of Christ really is." This must seek to keep the work of Christ before peo- ple until they begin to see the sheer fun of having is true now. The majority of church members partnership with God. project the Kingdom of God almost entirely into Of all methods for arousing and deepening such the next world, and give almost no thought as to an interest there is nothing like the study of the Christ's plan that his Kingdom shall come "on earth as it is in Heaven." Until we get this larger New Testament. A careful study of the life of vision there is little hope that we can have closer A. A. Hyde, of Wichita, who became one of the great givers to missions of his life time, clearly communion with· Christ. demonstrates that his passion for giving money to Therefore it seems to me that the business of help forward the cause of Christ began when he interesting men in missions is only secondarily a made an intense study of the Bible, and especially matter of methods, it is primarily a matter of a the Sermon on the Mount. He said that he there conviction as to the imperativeness of the build- discovered no justification for a Christian laying ing of the Kingdom of Christ in all the earth. up a fortune and from the time he made that dis- THE CAUSE AND THE EFFECT covery "literal obedience was determined upon." It is a dangerous thing to read thoughtfully our By REV. GEORGE IRVING, PHILADELPHIA Christian Scriptures if one does not want to give Author of "A. A. Hyde-Master of Money" with enthusiasm to the cause of Christ, without geographical or other limitation. My two specific The primary question is, "How can we lead men suggestions then in answer to the first question to commit themselves to our LordJesus Christ are: and to His K~ngdom?". . 1. Endeavor to establish an interest in the work In attemptmg to arrIve at an answer it is diffi- of some missionary person or group.
[15 ]
2. Major on persuading people to make an hood and national growth equals that of any other honest, intelligent effort to know the Christian group. Those were strong men, those pioneer Scriptures, especially the clear testimony of our missionaries, interested in every phase of a good Lord and His apostles. life. This same is true of hundreds of men on our mission fields today.
BY A SENSE OF PERSONAL OBLIGATION In the case of Home Missions, we must show what is being done for the support of the best By REV. MERLYN A. CHAPPEL, NEW YORK form of democratic government. Home mission- Board of National Missions, Presbyterian Church, U. S. A. aries are at work in the "crisis areas" of Amer- Tens of thousands of American Christian men ican life where the going is hardest, the economic are giving to the support of missions, but the co- conditions are most trying, educational facilities operation of many thousands more must be won are least likely to be good, and opportunities for before the missionary enterprise receives ade- uplifting fellowship are not numerous. Church quate financial support. How may we interest men should know that our missionaries are great more men in missions? The following suggestions exponents of Christian democracy, emphasizing have been gathered from experience in the work by word and life the value of every human soul of missionary promotion in the home-church. in every area of our land. It can be said truly that Home Missions Societies are the greatest We can help our men of the church to develop force for true Christian Americanization in the the sense of social responsibility. They already entire country. have this to a larger extent in the field of community service. The distinctly Christian mission- Missionary speakers soon learn that they must ary challenge, when squarely faced, adds breadth win men to themselves as a preliminary to winand fulness to a man's social vision. The implica- ning them to their cause. There is no distinction tions of this truth came home to me recently in of sex at this point. Women speakers can do this the form of a challenge at a luncheon of many as well as men. Earnestness and a complete deservice and welfare organizations at the launch- votion to the missionary enterprise are essentials ing of the annual Community Chest drive in one to winning strong men to missions. Speakers of our progressive middle western cities. The must be recognized as the voice of the mission churches were well represented at the speakers' field.
table, as well as throughout the dining room. As We must show the men that when they invest I noted the feeling which the speakers, all men, their money in missions it is well invested. Mis- put into their appeal for the less favored citizens sion funds are handled by men who employ good of their community, I could see that they were business methods. Missionary money is not pleading for several prominent features of the wasted in denominational competition, but is missionary program. Surely it should not be dif- rather used for the purpose of making the nation ficult to enlist those men who were speaking, and Christian.. Many a man has become interested in the men who were listening to them so intently, missions by hearing the story of the birth of the in the active support of the world-wide missionary National Church in China and the equally roman- enterprise. tic story of the interdenominational success of the We can make a much wider use of the pulpit Board for Christian Work in Santo Domingo.
for the presentation of missions. Men are most Men are drawn to missions when we appeal to likely to be found at the Sunday morning service. their sense of fairness in the recognition of a debt.
Pastors who include missionary illustrations in In the United States we owe our religious life to their sermons Sunday after Sunday know full the missionary, foreign first, then national.
well the value of this in making missions seem a More than 90% of our churches have, at some natural thing for presentation to a Christian con- time in their history, received Home Mission gregation. Splendid missionary material is avail- funds. Sunday school missions are responsible able today in great quantity and concise form. for the building up of thousands of American Mission Board representatives who come as speak- churches. We must make this fact known and ers endeavor to make their sermon a part of the then challenge our men to give other people the service of worship, just as truly as the pastor chance to hear the Gospel, to become acquainted does. with Christ, and to find salvation through Him.
We can acquaint the men of our churches with Men respond to such an appeal.
the strong men who pioneered in establishing mis- The tragedy is that not more than one third of sion stations at home and abroad. In America the members of our men and women give to the the missionary was as truly a pioneer as was the benevolent causes of the Church. The hopeful settler, the merchant, and the soldier in the early thing is that many men are now reading mission days. His contribution to the foundation of state- literature as never· before.
HOW TO INTEREST MEN IN MISSIONS 1'7
ONE PASTOR'S EXPERIENOE says, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you." By putting REV. OSWALD J. SMITH, D.D., TORONTO world evangelism first we find that all things needed are added, for God is true to His Word. Pastor of The Peoples Churck INFORMATION AND MOTIVATION In the Peoples Church, Toronto, we do not have a Women's Missionary Society. No money is By REV. CHARLES E. SCHAEFFER, D.D., raised through concerts, bazaars, entertainments, sales and similar devices. Nevertheless – or as PHILADELPHIA one result-the offering for missions three years ago was $36,000.00; two years ago it was Secretary' of the Board of Home Missions, $43,000.00; this year it has been $46,000.00. Reformed Church in the U. S.
We now support 130 missionaries, foreign and Men usually are interested in big things and in national, on some twenty different fields through- going concerns. Somehow they have gained the out the world. We have taught our people for impression that missions are a side issue in the years that the supreme task of the Church is the program of the Church and that they are supevangelization of the world, and they have caught ported by the small change. given by the contributhe vision. We have trained them, each and every tors. The bigness of the enterprise has never one, to contribute systematically to the great work captured the imagination of our men. Conseof Christian missions. quently, if we wish to enlist their interest and co- operation we must magnify mi,ssions as a thor- If we were to relegate the work of missions to oughly worthwhile enterprise. We must remove a group of women we would be saying, in effect, the impression that such a work can be supported that the supreme task of the Church is not the on a nickle a week basis. evangelization of the world but that this is only a side issue which a Women's Missionary Society Most men need more information regarding the could easily attend to while the men of the church work of missions. But this is not their chief dedid something more important. That would be ficiency. Even now they fail to respond to the the inference. amount of information which they already pos- sess. Wherever there is a wide gulf between in- We have fifty elders in the Peoples Church. formation and action the whole process becomes Practically everyone contributes systematically. sterile and men's work is dwarfed. Men need We have one hundred and thirty-five in our choir motivation rather than information. Motivation and orchestra and they likewise take part each is produced in two ways: first, by a new sense of year in this great work. Our Sunday school chil- values and appreciation of the real worthwhiledren contributed $1,200.00. Our Young People ness of the task; second, by an inward urge or do likewise. Everyone has caught the vision and desire to do what ought to be done. Methods, each one feels his responsibility. conferences, technique, may prove helpful in gen- erating interest in missions but personal contacts We hold a great Missionary Convention in April with individuals, fostering in their hearts a sense each year when we invite missionaries from all of value, will accomplish the best results. If men over the world who are home on furlough to at- can be led to make big investments in this entertend and speak. Two addresses are given each prise, they will show greater interest. "Where afternoon and each evening. The morning is de- your treasure is there will your heart be also." voted to prayer. These sessions continue for But the reverse is also true: "Where your heart seven days, and thus the people get a vision of a is there your treasure will go also." world's need. INTEREST IN GREAT AOHIEVEMENTS Finally, on the 8th day, the closing Sunday, missionary offerings are taken at all services in By REV. CHAS. T. LEBER, NEW YORK the form of cash and promises for the next twelve months; month by month the people pay in the Secretary of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions amount promised, dividing their entire donation into twelve parts. Thus our needs are met. In my judgment there are four emphases to be stressed if we are to interest men in missionary By this method we have found that the men of work: our congregation are intensely interested in missions; in fact, they look eagerly forward to the I. Make the interpretation of missions to men day when they are to make their contributions, statesmenlike in scope and content. and because we are putting first things first God is blessing us at home; at almost every service That is to say, lead men to see (in sermon, ad-: people are compelled to stand or are turned away dress or conference) that the Christian mission is in spite of the fact that we can pack as many as not just one little story after another, but that the two thousand and more into our auditorium. God
missiQnary movement is the greatest cause in the THROUGH MISSIONARY READING world meeting such issues as world peace, eco- By REV. HAROLD S. LAIRD, WILMINGTON, nomicjustie:e,thetotalitarian state and the whole DELAWARE Pastor of the First Independent Church of Wilmington question· of security and. progress with a realism and a power that is not evident in these issues as they are being met by any other government in the Men should be interested in missions in the world today. same manner in which women are interested, II. Keep men informed constantly as to the great namely, through private missionary reading and achievements and outstanding events of the the study classes. The problem, however, in in- missionary enterprise. teresting men is found in the fact that so few men have a desire to use these methods. Myex- Sporadic talks are not sufficient. Keep up a perience has been that, even with women, it is thorough and persistent program of missionary always a small percentage of the membership of education for men, thoughtfully persuading them the church that has sufficient interest to take up to read books, pamphlets, news-letters and bul- either private reading or the mission study class letinsl (all of which are available if sought) and work. In view of this fact, I am persuaded that thus keep men's minds awake and their hearts the pulpit must not neglect its message on the sensitive to what the Christian movement really Great Commission.
is doing across the world. Once a missionary asked me if I believed that III. Give a man, something to do in the mission- missionary interest is waning in the Church at ary cause. home. I replied that missionary interest is not waning in any church whose pastor's interest is Put men on commissions to study missionary not waning. Just as men and women are attracted issues, on committees to plan for missionary occa- to the Church of Christ by the preaching of the sions, in groups to meet and confer with mis- Gospel of Christ, so they are interested in the exsionary personalities, on programs to speak on tension of the Gospel by the testimony of the missionary subjects, in campaigns to raise mis- Word of God regarding this all-important Chrissionary quotas, on boards to direct miss.ionary tian obligation. affairs, on creative tasks for missionary projects. Surely men are as much interested as women IV. Let a pastor plan and carry out the mission- in the thrilling accounts of the power of the Gos- pel unto the salvation of people of every kindred, ary task as the responsibility of his entire tongue and nation, when the story is told by one church, and not as of one group in the church, and then men will take their share who has been God's instrument in the salvation of souls in heathen lands. Because of this fact, it of missionary responsibility. has been my custom to bring into my pulpit the best miss,ionaries I could find. Nothing interests EXHIBITS FROM LIFE either men or women in any subject like the first- By REV. EDWARD D. KOHLSTEDT, PHILADELPHIA hand testimony of those who speak from experience. Executive Secretary of the Board of Home Missions, Methodist Episcopal Church AN ANSWER IN A MEN'S MISSIONARY First-Portraitures from the laboratory of life, LEAGUE * rather than dissertations on the philosophy of missions or elaborate statistical summaries, are By FRANK STEWART the most convincing presentations of either home Church Editor of The Cleveland Press or foreign missions. Every churchwoman in Cleveland knows "the Second-While statistics do sustain vital rela- missionary society is strictly a job for the ladies."
tionships to the cause of missions, the most real- That has been the way almost since they built istic proof of the success or failure of missionary the first church back in colonial days.
investments must be found not in statistical tables, Either in the little old country congregation or but in evident exhibits of enriched individual and the big city denomination, it's always been the collective life. Women's Missionary Society and the Ladies' Aid Third–According to my experience and ob- that baked the cakes and managed the oyster supservation, the average congregation is most read- pers. They've raised the funds to pay for the ily challenged and quickened by stories .of actual mission work in India, Egypt and China. experiences in fields of missionary activity which have revealed worthwhile social and spiritual As for a Men's Missionary Society – well, no one ever dreamed of that-sounded too much like ;,I.chievements. • From The Cleveland Pre88.
HOW TO INTEREST MEN IN MISSIONS
one of those "believe it or not" affairs. And yet, An address was given by the Rev. T. Clifford right in Cleveland's back yard there is just such Strangeway on "World Service Today." an organization – a Men's Missionary Society! This men's society-formed solely for support and READING AND DISCUSSION GROUPS study of missions-is located in Elyria. It is included in the activities of the Elyria United Pres- FOR MEN * byterian Church and has a membership of more than forty men. Rev. George Taylor, Jr., D.D.,. pastor of the *** First Presbyterian Church, of Wilkinsburg, Pa., This Men's Missionary Society numbers on its recently hit upon the idea of a Mission Book Club roster professional men, coal dealers, store owners, clerks, factory employees, linotype oper- for Men. Two hundred and twenty men in Dr. ators, grocers, insurance men-representatives of most any kind of business you can mention. Taylor's church and in two other churches of The Elyria men changed the traditional Wom- Pittsburgh read "Mecca and Beyond" by Dr. and en's Missionary Society in only one way. They amended the title just a bit and call themselves Mrs. Edward M. Dodd. Upon the conclusion of the Men's Missionary League-dropping off the word "society." The idea for the unusual church the reading, 146 members of the club met to hear organization was that of the pastor, the Rev. George A. Brown, who has headed the church for an address by the author ·and to ta;ke part in a fifteen years. He organized the group Nov. 20, 1933, when he decided men, as well as women, forum discussion. . should be interested in extension of the church in foreign countries. As a result his Men's Mission- In the club membership of sixty-nine from the ary League has received national notice in church publications throughout the country. The move- First Ch].lrch of Wilkinsburg are fourteen engiment is spreading in congregations of the United Presbyterian Church throughout the United neers, seven executives, two clergymen, twelve States. clerks, eight bankers and financiers, two dentists, *** one superintendent of schools, two teachers, five Who do the men do? And what kind of fellows are they? salesmen, three heads of business, two attorneys, First, about their program. They hold mission three insurance men, and eight unclassified. study classes. They know where and how their denomination works in Egypt and India-prin- A Book Club for Men can be organized through cipal mission fields of the United Presbyterian Church. the men in any church or groups of churches, if The League pays for support of a native the pastors will lead the way. Very little of what preacher in one of the districts of India. No emphasis is placed upon finances. The principal in- men read deals with a constructive presentation terest of the group is spiritual and not financial. of the Christian way of life as it finds expression In addition to the strictly mission work, the League has a boys' committee and welfare group in the races of the world. The object of this club which takes part in civic and social activities of the church and community. is to encourage men to be informed as to the con- It was five years ago last November that a quests of Christianity as the true revelation of group of men in the United Presbyterian Church of Elyria, Ohio, met at the request of their pastor, God in Jesus Christ. the Rev. G. A. Brown, to organize a Men's Missionary League, the first of its kind. This group Any man who promises to read the particular has grown steadily in numbers and missionary interest. As an outgrowth of the movement book which has been chosen becomes a member of started in the local church there are now seven Men's Missionary Leagues in the presbytery. the club and is invited to the dinner meeting when Recently on a Monday evening, over sixty men the book will be discussed. The only expense is gathered at the church to observe their fifth anniversary. the cost of the book and of the dinner in case the member attends.
There should be a simple organization and men who hold responsible positions in the church life should be asked to serve as officers. If they show interest it will be easy to enlist some of the other men of the church. An enthusiastic minister is necessary to ensure the success of the club. The dinner meeting is the end of the club for any book.
When the club is organized the date is set far enough ahead to give the members ample time to read. Questions that arise in the mind of the member can be noted and become part of the open forum at the dinner. Several churches may join together for the dinner discussion, and someone well versed in the subject should be chosen as the leader.
The secretary of the club should keep a roll of the club members with the name and address of each member, stating he purchased a book, and whether he expects to attend the dinner. In or- ganizing a new club this information will be of great value.
• • From Ohristian WorJd Facts, 1938.
Missionaries Work in
Extracts from letters of pastors, teachers, doctors, and industrial missionaries, of the American Presby- terian Mission in West Africa, printed in lIThe Drum Call" (October, 1938) in Elat, Cameroon A MISSIONARY PASTOR'S DAY that all Bible teachings are true and then we join By THE REV. FRANK O. EMERSON with them in the Lord's Prayer.
Passing village after village we presently come "Here Kan, we go far tomorrow, so we must to a large company of mourners, a few wailing, divide the night for an early start. Is everything most of them sitting quietly under the eaves of ready?". the huts. They welcome a short message of com- "All set, but one thing; the only avocado is fort and prayer. Soon we come to a large stream.
spoiled, but we found a fresh pawpaw." How to cross depends on several things; most "I'll be shouting if you are not out at four!") fortunate if a canoe is at hand. If not too deep Just as I was closing the hut door with a slab we may just wade in, shoes and all, but we are of bark I heard someone near. already soaked to the knees with dew from the "Who is there?" I asked. grass. When the water is deeper one may de- "Me," was the only response. grade himself by being carried on another's back, It was a Nicodemian call; a man with several or in absence of onlookers he may hoist his clothes wives who had decided to become a Christian but to his head and wade. This time we found the before a public profession wanted to know if he water a little over knee-deep so we waded over.
must send his wives home to their brothers and At noon we rested in a village where there is a await their return of the dowry. It was quite school and chapel. They had heard of our coming true and he left with a crowded brow and repeat- and mashed plantain and thick peanut soup were ed assurance of Divine help. An hour had been ready for the men, with a dessert of sugar-cane cut from my short night, but soon I was com- and bananas. My own lunch was suppJemented fortably stretched on my camp bed. by two eggs and a pineapple. After half an hour Suddenly I found myself half sitting up; under we trudged on, our feet heavy, our garments the flashlight my watch indicated a quarter to soaked with perspiration, the tropical noonday four. As I stooped to pass under the eaves drip- sun was pouring down on us wherever we were ping with dew I discovered Kan already blowing compelled to leave the shade of the forest.
the embers into flame in the little thatch kitchen. Near three o'clock in the afternoon we were By the time I was ready there was a breakfast coming down the hill to the last stream before awaiting me of fruit, cereal, coffee, an egg fried reaching the outstation church toward which we with bacon and toast. Some of the carriers came were bound; a small boy ran dripping from the sleepily in, unstrung the bed net, packed the bed- stream and started up the hill opposite calling, ding and folded up the cot. By five-thirty we were "He's come! He's come!" As we climbed the hill feeling our way along the path in the darkness we heard one and another of our loads set down that was just beginning to fade. with a thud and the shouts of our men as they Someone called, "Tell my sister in the town splashed about in the shallow stream. Women three rivers ahead that our small father (uncle) were vociferously warned away, for this was a is very sick." Another dark form approached civilized community. While still some distance with outstretched hand and said: "Remember from the village we were surrounded by school to tell the teacher in Ovefi to send me the two children calling out greetings. I took their out- francs he owes me." stretched hands, sometimes three or four at once.
A mile further along we come to a village where How clean and cool some of them were! And a man is beating a call drum with little zest. It some of them-well, never mind.
is the call to village prayers. No one else is in Then came the women, not so noisy but not sight and we pass on, just as the first gapping, lacking in zest. Those with babies were pleased stretching people respond to the call of the drum. if the little one would hold my finger or smile; Another mile and we find some twenty people others would laugh uproariously if the child cried.
gathered for prayers and the leader is droning Finally, in the street the dozen or more teachers the tune, "Onward Christian Soldiers" to time and evangelists, displaying due dignity and re- that would lose the battle for any army. We enter serve; one dressed in tattered trousers and shred- and bow our heads while prayer is offered and ded singlet because his good clothes were not yet remain through the twenty minutes of assurance. ironed from the wash; others fortunate in hav- [20 ] ing second best clothes, and some, either well-to- amy after she had confessed years ago; now the do or foresighted, with white trousers, shoes, sal~ other women have all died and she wants to be shirts, ties and hats. Later in the day the mature counted in."
men of the village would come to salute us in "Do you think her heart has changed?"
our lodging. "Of that only the Lord knows. Ah, to change Very soon Kan announces that "tea sits" and there on my knock-down table-or, is it a set-up table? are sliced bananas, fresh toast and jam.
Did ever a meal taste so good!
The men were in the teacher's house disposing of more food than is worth while to enumerate.
Soon the native pastor and his wife appear, one carrying a chicken, the other a basin in which are piled avocados, oranges, eggs, a few pine- apples and pawpaws, while a small boy comes lugging a bunch of bananas. This is the first offering to the white man's appetite; other things will follow through succeeding days but with less formality. Now my canvas bath is ready and the second great privilege of the day is about to take place. Anyone approaching is warned that, "He Photo from C. E. Whittier bathes." SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH THEIR WOODEN SLATES The native pastor approaches with notebook from sin to righteousness is a thing only God can and file cards. Would I like to know what is laid bring about. We should rejoice that His Spirit up for the church session tomorrow? I would accomplishes it, or what would we do?" -not like~but should! After a warm supper and a bit of quiet fel- "Forty applicants for baptism and you find lowship under the moon, weariness sends us early them all prepared?" I ask. to our waiting cot where the prayer drum will waken us to a new day on the morrow. "Well, we find they have done nothing." Not the strongest recommendation you think, until you understand that he refers to heinous sins.
"And for advancement as catechumens-twen- A MISSIONARY TEACHER'S DAY ty-eight? Do all of them know their catechisms?" By MYRTlE KIRBY MCCLEARY I ask.
"You yourself must decide. Some are stupid, Everyone knows that a teacher's interests are some are old and some perhaps are a bit lazy, but not confined to the schoolroom, especially if she is a housekeeper as well, with an adjacent garden and yard to supervise. A busy day, and its con- tact with the people, should bless both the helper and the helped.
I was awakened at three in the morning by voices outside my window. Startled I slipped through the darkness and peered down. Three bulky forms were huddled against the house, and I called down, "Who is there?" I caiIed.
"Bia" (Weare), came the answer in female voices.
. "What do you want?"
"We have brought food to sell."
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT ELAT, WEST AFRICA "But why at this hour?" "Oh, the soldiers are on the path at daylight and would take it. Please we find that they too have done nothing," I am come see it." .
told. "Can you not rest on the porch until morning?"
"Tomorrow we shall know. And what of new "No, we have to go to our gardens."
confessors?" I ask. Remembering the hungry houseboys, I donned "Of them there are many; some of their cases kimona and bed-shoes, lit the lantern and came await yourself. One woman married into polyg- out onto the porch. I thought to buy hastily by
the basketful, for I was sleepy and chilly, but no to help each other. During my first period, which –everything must be piled and counted, for the is reading, one stood to read the Gospel and mis- brown woman's financial sense is keen and the pronounced a word. That amused a younger boy white woman's must match hers. But finally all and he laughed. This so irritated the reader that was accounted for. I bade them "walk well" and he stopped, faced about and thoroughly rebuked they departed. the laughing one who retorted; it required dis- Cuddled down in bed again, my next alarm was cipline to regain quiet. When we had finished the from the Girls' School near by. They were open- tragic story of the death of Judas Iscariot, three ing the day with morning prayers. How they did hands shot up for question. I nodded to the first sing! In spirit I joined with them as the chorus one, but all asked in unison, "What became of the rolled out through the darkness: "I Need Thee, bag?"-indicating there were more Judas na- Oh I Need Thee"-we both did. I felt better be- tUres. Sometimes, when their childishness is very cause they had awakened me this way, just as pronounced, then I remember that this very ele- the brown women through the darkness had ment in their cheerful nature seems to be a bless- brought material food for my need. Thoroughly ing. Arithmetic is the older men's Waterloo.
awakened, I sought the "quiet hour" after which When I found one looking earnestly under his I was ready for the day. The bird song, the dawn, desk, believing he had a flyleaf of "tables," I the awakening activities, all made me glad to be walked around and found him counting on his alive. fingers. When I asked if he did not know how The house boys came to receive instructions for many fingers he had he said his hand itched and the day. I directed their work and peeped into he was scratching it! They are generally clever the kitchen where my "boy of all work" presides. at drawing and would be at writing, if they did It was fairly clean; the stove did not shine as not add quirks and curls to the simpler modern when freshly blackened, nor were the dish towels form.
as white as when freshly laundered. But he tin- Their good nature carries them far, as was il- kled the call-bell and I sat down to a good break- lustrated one morning when I thought a boy had fast, thankful for cook and food. forgotten to remove his wool cap. I came from While at breakfast the garden women come behind and tried to quickly jerk it off and surprise for their day's work-a trio whom I sometimes him, only to find I was the surprised one for I feel I do not need as much as they seem to need found his hair was cut cap-form and it was his my help. Faithful, industrious, loyal, daily ex- crown I was trying to lift! He laughed when I amples of true women. One morning there were did, but took my advice to have his hair cut.
no pawpaws in the cupboard. They are my break- After four hours' work, broken by a short re- fast food. But ere I sat down, Evina, one of my cess, I hurried home. On the porch was a Mo- garden women, appeared smiling as she held out hammedan trader with his goods spread out three saying, "I peeped into the cupboard last awaiting me; a boy who wanted a guitar string, night and saw there were none, so I got up early four school girls waI).ted beads. I bought a trinket to pick and bring these to you." Bless her! of the trader, supplied the string and the beads, But the school bell is ringing and I grab a bag went through the house, out of the back door, of books and hurry away, trusting all to the help- made a round of inspection of the morning's work ers. On the porch are waiting boys who follow and sat down to lunch. Too tired to eat, I thought.
me, telling me their wants en route-to beg a pen- Then I rose refreshed and slipped into my sleep- cil, to work for a copybook, to borrow a song book, ing porch with a magazine. The latter faded into to ask a question about the lesson. I answer all oblivion in time and I slept until the two o'clock and provide, if I can, as I rush on. bell called me back to the primary boys' school.
At the schoolhouse door are about two hundred Again my porch seemed full. A boy with a men and boys who are waiting for the final call wound he wanted bandaged and one wanting a and with their three teachers we go in together. little piece of soap to wash his cloth. I finally Devotions first, the native teacher leading. We satisfied them and rushed away to the school- have songs, prayer and Scripture lesson, after house. What a noise as I neared it! One hundred which we have a brief practice in note singing. and fifty little boys and ten teachers. One saw How the boys enjoy it, and how quickly they take me, gave the alarm and there was a rush for the four voices and sing their parts! When some seats and positions; heads bowed over books and were so often tardy for the devotions we re.quired slates and all was quiet for a moment, then work all late ones to sit in the rear of the house until resumed. I went from class to class, watching class hour. . teachers listening to readers and inspecting their My class of prospective teachers numbered fifty: wooden slates-much faulty work, but some very They have never learned to whisper and "silence good, done with those little lead pencils that were is golden" there, but we try to arrange recitations once held in white hands in America. There was
HOW MISSIONARIES. WORK IN AFRICA
PRIMARY VERNACULAR SCHOOL AND TEACHERS IN THE PRESBYTERIAN MISSION, CAMEROON another commotion when closing time came and rarily be laid aside, and a day devoted to physical slates, pencils, rulers, counters and books were relaxation, perhaps, and spiritual renewal. Tocollected. But after a hearty song, they all said day no operations, no clinics, no workmen to prod, "Our Father" in prayer. Once outside, some quar- no machinery to repair, no disputes to be settled." reling, more fun and the head teacher saw them started homeward, while I placed tomorrow's Before a breakfast of pawpaws, avocado pears lesson on the blackboard. and oranges could be finished, there comes a medical boy with the tidings that there is at the En route home I encountered a trader's boy, hospital a very much frightened young man who while on the porch stood myoId boy, Mejo. I went was bitten by a snake while going to the river to for my shower bath, fresh clothes and a rest, bathe. There was no time to be lost. By instinct After the evening meal and other interruptions or custom, very fortunately, a tight bush-rope the curfew bell rang at nine o'clock. I looked at tourniquet had been applied, before coming in to a pile of unanswered letters, selected one and be- the hospital. Still more fortunately the patient gan; but my head went down, my eyes shut and had merely stepped on a sharp stone, but on that letter was put off for a more convenient searching through the bushes a companion hapseason. The spirit was willing but I went to bed. pened to see a small snake. A vivid African im- agination did the rest. A MISSIONARY DOCTOR'S DAY Now it is time to make Sunday morning rounds, By ROBERT H. MCCRACKIN, M.D. which must be done early enough to allow the medical assistants to bathe and groom themselves, As usual the rattling of pans in the kitchen whether to teach a class or to hold a meeting out announces the fact that another day has dawned. at a leper colony or in one of the neighboring Yet, not just another day, for it is Sabbath, the villages. A medical assistant is primarily a day of rest, when one may stay in bed later. Christian worker and personal evangelist, and is Breakfast is not until 6: 45. What a relief it is given time from the routine of hospital life for to realize, as the objects in the room begin to these activities both in the hospital and in the make sense, "Here is one day when the suffering surrounding country. He realizes that our hosof mankind and of getting up early may tempo-
pital work is only a means to an end-the salva- activity or control their routine in any wp,y after tion of the lost. they leave the hospital just as it is difficult to The head of the native staff has already made get them in for subsequent examinations unless complete rounds, so that he knows exactly where something new has developed. Therefore, we try special advice is needed in the way of treatment. to keep them in bed and about the hospital longer We're sorry to hear that Ziem, the little boy from than we would ordinarily.
the grass lands who had a piece of bone removed We walk back of the building containing the from his arm, has a fever. But the medical as- private rooms, wherein live the elite who come sistant has. examined his blood and finds that it from great distances in search of medical aid and is only malaria. It is a surprise to see little Eko sympathy. By far the larger number of this sitting on the edge of her bed shining her skin relatively well-to-do, English-speaking clientele , 'from the west coast make the pilgrimage to be examined by the X-ray, whether they are suffer- ing from a touch of malaria, intestinal parasites or skin irritation. After being examined, and sampling every description of medicine which can be found, they reluctantly admit that they are better and return from whence they came.
Our rounds over we make our way up the hill to the main building to find an anxious medical assistant wanting help with a difficult delivery case, the wife of one of our evangelists. This detour has left just enough time to get to the main church service. The sermon today is one LEPERS WAITING FOR TREATMENT BY THE that no one wants to miss. Our oldest African MISSION DOCTOR pastor is to speak. Though somewhat broken in with palm oil. She is going out for the first time body he is alert mentally and filled with Christian after weeks in the hospital with a partial paral- fire. Potentially, there should be at least an hour ysis of the right leg from a bad case of malaria. and a quarter when the troubles of the world may She won't be going all the way to the big church be forgotten, except as our attention is drawn but will go to the hospital chapel service. What to them by the minister, who was just getting a day it is for her, when both she and her parents under way when the voice of a medical assistant thought she would die, or that she certainly would whispers, "We have need of you at the hospital, never walk again! a strangulated hernia has been brought in." On arriving at the hospital a desperate effort was We must have a look at the little boy who has being made to sterilize the instruments over a been sick with pneumonia. His chart shows that kerosene stove which refused to burn properly. his temperature dropped during the night. In The patient was not in very good condition havthe next children's unit we find a three months' ing had his strangulation for four days in his old baby girl who fell off of her mother's bed into town and three days on the road coming to the the fire one night. We were awakened that night hospital. Two of the boys are talking to him by the cries of the baby and the moaning of the about his soul's salvation. He is a pagan who, for father. She seems to be making the grade. those four days of waiting in his town, has been There goes the drum which is beaten theoreti- trying all manner of native medicine. He concally at 8: 30, an hour before Sunday school be- fessed his utter helplessness, and desire to place gins.. As we go through the surgical wards we his life in the hands of the Master. The operation find a greater number of hernia patients. than any was performed and he finally went back to his other, but there is always a good percentage of town rejoicing that he had escaped both a phys- people who have had abdominal operations, ele- ical and spiritual death. The last word we had phantiasis, superficial tumors of every size and was that he was consistently working his way description, surgical venereal cases, and an oc- through the preparatory groups toward church casional goitre. Old Amugu is in the act of cut- membership. ting another notch in his foot long tooth brush. Sunday dinner over and there is just time for He was operated on for a hernia, and having no about an hour's rest before the 3 o'clock drum knowledge of the calendar this is his method of beats for the afternoon service. When the midkeeping track of the days, for he knows that when point of this allotted time was reached the inevi- there are 20 notches he may get up. As with all table again happened-another emergency. This the others, it is next to impossible to limit their time it was the result of a man meeting a lone
HOW MISSIONARIES WORK IN AFRICA ,25
gorilla on a narrow path in the heart of the jun- their belongings gave silent but eloquent testigle. Though a merciless killer when aroused, the mony to their intention. Then for at least the gorilla is usually very thoughtful in doing no more tenth time I marshalled all the reasons as to why damage than necessary to disable man, his po- that was impossible. All this was given out of tential adversary. This is done by cutting through my most emphatic Bulu vocabulary, but the only the tendon of Achilles of one foot, just above the response I received was a sullen look and three heel. This done the gorilla walks peacefully away. words, "We feel hunger." At last they decided to This man managed to drag his helpless. leg about stay awhile longer. The scale was brought and a mile, to the nearest village. This case was typ- the midget weighed. The slight gain in weight ical of all, in that the wound was made clean-cut was gratifying and gave me new courage in my as though by a knife. As a result, barring infec- battle to keep the baby until it was safe to release tion, they usually heal up without any difficulty him. after hooking the ends of the tendon together again. Visiting the wards was interrupted by the ar- rival of a sick boy carried by several of his broth- Space does not permit taking you with us ers. They said he was dying and certainly he through an entire day. Though often devoid of looked sick unto death. Multiple abscesses during the coveted day of rest it is a glorious field of a period of three weeks, and scarcely any sleep endeavor and we love it, as we help these people and nourishment, accounted for the emaciated, in their struggle for life against the beasts and anemic boy who lay moaning with the pain from insects of the forest, and Christ in His conquest a large abscess in one thigh. Happily his pulse of the beast that is in man. was good and the abscess was lanced with satis- factory results. Then came the most difficult task A MISSIONARY NURSE'S DAY -that of convincing his parents that he needed food and drink. "But he is about to die," they By ARISTA STALEY, R. N. stolidly informed me. "He will not die if you truly nurse him," was my vigorous reply. They There was a quick staccato of knocks on the refused to be convinced; it was therefore necesdoor, a slight-a very slight pause and the rat- sary for me to have soup made and a special guard tat-tat was repeated with the machine gun set to see that the patient was fed! Often it is persistency, until the din penetrated the conscious- harder to combat the doubt and fear of the paness of a soundly sleeping nurse. A veritable tor- tient and his people than it is to cure his sickness. rent of words followed her drowsy inquiry. "Such a foolish woman is that one! Never did I see such Suddenly a wild hail assailed our ears. The a foolish one! She surpasses in stupidity!" nurse I had left to watch Ngono was loudly call- ing for the woman's husband! The call was com- With difficulty the swift flow of words was ar- ing from the corner of a coffee patch across the rested and definite information extracted from road from the hospital. When we reached them, the Bulu widow who aspires to be a nurse in our the mother and child appeared to be doing well little hospital. I silently agreed to the foolishness on their mat of banana leaves! And this was the of the poor patient in the maternity ward whom baby who was to have been ushered into the world we sought to save from a premature labor. Not properly! I looked reproachfully at the nurse, once had she cooperated with us and as a result who hung her head and refused to meet my eyes. our efforts had failed-which news Hanna had We were all speechless as the patient and baby come to report. were placed on a stretcher and taken into the hos- pital. All the answer I could get from Ngono In the morning as I was leaving for the hospital later was, "Ah, my mother, all sense just per- I discovered that our cook had preceded me with ished from my heart!" his wife, Ngono. I was glad for I had already decided that this time her child should be properly At two-thirty, refreshed by lunch and a bit of born, in the hospital and not "on the path," as the rest, I returned to the hospital where I was met last one had been! Preliminaries were taken care by a sad-faced medical assistant. "I have bad of. Ngono begged permission to walk about. Hav- news. The 'big kettle' (auto-clave) has finished ing put her in charge of a nurse in whom I had being spoiled." I stared at him in consternation. confidence, I set out for the maternity ward to see Then my questioning eyes met those of the head another little premature, now two weeks old. My assistant and found confirmation of the awful "Good-morning" went begging. Both the mother fact. For months had this young man attended to and grandmother averted their eyes. "What is the sterlizing of our supplies and yet this time troubling your hearts now?" I inquired, immedi- he had failed to fill the water compartment before ately amassing my defenses against what I knew lighting the fire! All he could say was, "I'm sure would be their answer. "We are going home," I poured in water." I stood by, gloomily regardwas the terse response and the basket loaded with
ing the wreck and wondering what wizard would rain falling on that new corrugated iron roof. be able to mend it and if mending proved impos- The heavens surely opened and for over an hour sible, just where our little hospital would find the there was no let up. I was dry but how about several hundred dollars necessary to provide a that sand down by the river side? I could picture new sterilizer! those piles of sand with the river gradually creep- ing closer and closer and carrying those piles of Away to the children's ward, particularly to see sand, that cost over four thousand francs to dig the baby of Ze, for whom we had long fought out, back into the stream again. It must have against the ignorance and superstitious fear of been like counting sheep for the next thing I the mother and the old cronies who influenced her. heard was the alarm clock. It was six o'clock and To my amazement no one was with the little pa- time to get started. After breakfast and a "quiet tient but a small girl. hour" the day's work really began.
"Where is his mother?" I demanded. The river had risen slightly and the sand was "She has gone to the village to get some squash all right. Nevertheless we began moving it to seed to eat." safer ground. After roll call forty-two men were "Well then, where is Ze?" sent to move the sand, forty to break out rock "He it is who has gone to get his share of the for the new church, thirty-two to saw planks (all inherited goats," was her astonishing answer. by hand), eighteen to the swamps to cut palm A distant relative had died; a division of prop- leaves for thatch, twenty-eight were assigned to erty had occurred and apparently Ze was so meat build new houses for the workmen and eighteen hungry he could not resist a visit to a village some were assigned to the new carts to haul in the four miles distant, leaving his sick child. Silently broken stone; there were a multiplicity of smaller pondering the vagaries of the Bulu mind, I took jobs. Getting these men assigned to their differthe sick baby and gave it food and medicine. ent tasks and then seeing them saunter off to their There were more ward visits to be made, in- respective places, about as slow as they can drag cluding one to Abesolo, the lad with the large one foot after another, is the most exasperating abscess. He listened to my encouragement doubt- part of the day. I watch them and wonder if the fully but admitted he was resting better. With a church will ever be built. parting word to his people, that if he died, it would be because they did not feed him, I dragged Each of the twenty-two carpenters. needs his my weary self back to the hospital and then up own special instruction. At present they are the hill to home and a hot shower. On the way, making doors, windows and furniture for the came this query to my heart, "Is it worth all it new workmen's town, but soon they will begin takes, after all?" Swiftly and clearly came the dressing the large timbers for the church roof. answer, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one From the carpenter shop I went to see those timof the least of these my brethren, ye have done it bers that are still in the process of cutting. The unto me." tree I visited was a hard-wood tree about four feet in diameter at the base and three feet at the AN INDUSTRIAL MISSIONARY'S DAY branches. As it was nearly straight we measured it up for the longest members of the roof trusses. By EDWIN COZZENS Each piece will be forty-two feet long. Since the sawmen had never handled such long timbers When the mission builder was ask?d to contribute to before they had to be instructed in almost every this number of The Drum Cull, he immediately began to step. make excuses-he was too busy building the church, at Efulan station to write an article. His letter of excuses I next stopped where the men were breaking follows. Is it an article, or not?-Ed. out rock. Since almost anyone should know how to build a fire over the rocks and then tomorrow We were sent here to build this long waited break off the pieces that had cracked off due to for church, but since our arrival in February I the heat, the only instruction'they needed was to have done everything else but that. I have been keep at it! Back at the station I found six men. called away four times on other business. wai.ting for me. A palaver.
On .arriving I hired more than two hundred men !'We want a file to sharpen our cutlasses." and we went to work cutting as much timber, and "But I gave Obam a file this morning," I said. digging as much sand out of the river as we "We know, but he won't let us use it." could, before the heavy rains began. A perma- Obam then explained that the best way to keep nent roof was put on our residence and a recent the file from wearing out was for only himself to fire necessitated the replacement of houses for use it! The men went back to the grass cutting eighteen workmen. quite satisfied, having something to wrangle about for the rest of the day. Take today for an example. To describe the whole day I will have to start about two a. m. when I was awakened by the sound of torrents of
HOW MISSIONARIES WORK IN AFRICA
On getting back to the shop I had two hours AN AFRICAN PASTOR AT ELAT before noon to work on an old auto engine I was preparing to operate a small saw for trimming demand most of his time. His wife must write the hand-sawed lumber. I was getting my hands letters to the two children in the homeland and dirty when another saw man called me to see a the other two at Elat; the Sunday school lesson hollow tree they had just felled. A half..;mile away is to be studied, for tomorrow she instructs the in the forest I found the tree. Examination teachers; the afternoon is reserved for town visshowed about thirty feet still usable so I marked iting; also neighbors are invited in for supper. it off in lengths and left the men to their sawing. The coffee arrives. Where is the top to the new They were quite provoked as they would have to coffee pot? dig a pit and then saw only three logs.. "Why it fell and broke," is the nonchalant ex- Back in the shop, too late to start another job planation-six months we waited after we had before noon, I went to the house. Not too late to ordered it from America and we have used it less start something there. My timekeeper presented than a month! last month's payroll to check and then I had to count the money to pay the men. A carrier was Prayers over, the visitors on the front porch also waiting to go to Kribi. Letters were written, are greeted. packages were prepared and the man sent on his way, but not before the boy from the kitchen was "Mb616 Esamba, it has been a long time since told to hold up lunch for a few minutes. I saw you."
The afternoon was spent in the shop doing the "Yes, I have been sick. I have brought you a odd jobs that the men were not able to do and gift of bananas and makabo." instructing them in the fine arts of filing saws or grinding valves. I got back to the house just "Thank you so much, the children will be very in time to listen to the radio news from England happy. Will you give them to the cook?" at 5: 45. After supper I remembered that I was to preach Sunday so I went to my desk to prepare The second visitor advance.s. "Let me see, I for this important task. We are here not only to know·you." build buildings, instruct workmen and to saw lumber, but to open up to these workmen, their wives, "Yes, I am Mej6 m'Abe'e." their children and their neighbors this wonderful "Indeed I do know you. How sad I was when Book, that they might grow in grace and the I heard your husband had died of sleeping sickknowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ness and even sadder when the news came that you had fallen into sin." A MISSIONARY HOUSEKEEPER'S DAY "Yes," Mej6 continued, "your letter did help, but the thing that brought me back was the By ELIZABETH MILLER NEELY thought which came to me every night when I lay down to sleep, 'Am I to perish eternally just "Mummy," piped a little voice from the next because! love the things of this world?' " room.
"A Jo," muttered Mummy drowsily from her bed, "Why can't you sleep longer-at least until your nurse-girl comes?"
. "Mummy, bobo, bobo," in ever persistent tones. "J0, keep quiet," orders her bigger sister from her near-by crib. But J 0 has decided the day should begin and so Mummy goes for a bottle and stills her cries. Later mother, combing her hair is horrified to see in the bathroom mirror the reflection· of the table boy in the kitchen industriously washing face, hands and hair in the dish pan.
"Oh, why did I see that, and before breakfast?" she groaned.
Fresh flowers are arranged and the family is breakfasting at last. The plans for the day are discussed. The man of the house has a class of men with very little education, whom he is trying to convert into acceptable evangelists. They will
"Come in and sit down while we talk." you were in her house watching her shell pea- So many years to cover since the days when nuts."
Mejo was one of the bright women in school. "I am sick," grumbles Etua.
Another face appears at the door-an attractive "Ah, so you go to the first wife for comfort, is woman, with a beautifully kept skin rather light it so? Why did you marry more than one wife?"
in tint. Flashy earrings add to her charm and a "It is a Bulu custom." great poise. Almost fourteen years have elapsed "What kind of clothes are you wearing?"
since this white woman lived at this station so "White man's."
how can she attach the right names to faces she "Why do you not wear the kind of clothes worn remembers. by your fathers? How many children have you ?"
"I am Metyi," the woman introduces herself. "None." "Years ago we traveled the forest paths together. "A friend told me of a man who had nine wom- That was when you were new and just learning en and no children. He put away his women and married one wife. Then had fourteen children." to talk Bulu. My husband is an elder at Nkoln- In the next house the visitors are pleased to yen. This is my daughter," introducing the at- find that Mvondo and his wife, Mvutu, are living tractive child with her. more happily together.
Dear, Dear, the clock says half past ten. No What a joy to step into Eyinga's little mud hut. Even a stranger could sense that here is a Christime is left for instructing the flower gardener; tian home and it swarming with little duplicates of the mother. These people who long for chilthose letters cannot wait. Exactly three sentences dren, can they not see that big families are the offspring of Christian parents? have been composed when ear splitting .screams Mbengon, a fine Christian in Madame's school rend the air. Little two-year-old Ruth arrives, so many years ago, calls from across the street, "Come over and talk." blood streaming from one knee. How our hearts warmed within us to sit and "Pretty medicine, Mummy," she exclaimed, in- watch her deft fingers prepare plantains for the evening meal. Her husband's second wife came dicating the mercurochrome bottle. giggling up the street. She is possibly as old as our Miriam so far away in America. How could The second letter is under way when the wash she marry that old polygamist and be so flippant about it? boy pokes his head around the corner to' ask for Up the street lives Kabiyen who informs us that money to buy starch. Another visitor coughs from her husband is accepting payment for their daughter, Olle, hoping to purchase another wife. the front porch and demands Madame. But before "Is the man paying for your daughter a Chris- lunch the letters are finished and a slight inroad made on the Sunday school lesson. .
Lunch is over and siesta. Notebook,. pencils, tracts are in hand ready for a visit to the near-by village, when the table boy comes bringing a hope- less looking wreck the pumpkin pie baked for the evening guests.
"What happened?" I ask in tones none too gen- tle. tian? Do you know him well? Does your daugh- "I took it out of the cupboard and it fell." ter want to marry him?" Thus we pelt her with "Well, go gather oranges for the evening des- questions..
sert." "He said he would become a Christian but he The missionary neighbor joins company and off has not yet done so. He drinks heavily. My go the two. Today they will revisit the homes daughter does not wish to marry him and says visited two weeks ago. How pleased the women her father will return the money or go to prison." are to be called by name, not realizing that their "Good for her," is our commendation. "Do not let names with the numbers of their houses are in her weaken and the government administrator the little notebook. Mejo, a poor old sick woman will uphold her decision. is still lying back in her dark corner. The day is cooler now and we hurry home to "Has anyone taken you out under the eaves to bathe and dress for company supper. It is nice see the sunshine?" to sit around the table and converse in a language "No." Her brother says she is too much of a more familiar than the one used all day. Then burden to carry out every day; the big six-foot we play a frivolous game before we say good- lummox and she a little shriveled up morsel! night.
Finally after much persistence he is persuaded A few minutes to read before the light is blown to carry her out and place her in a deck chair. out, another moment to ponder over the day that Has he since done likewise? Next week we must is done and to utter the prayer, "Forgive us that go and see. which we have left undone which we should have "Etua, where is your second wife? Lastwe~k done this day."
Challenge of
By WM. H. RAINEY, Caracas Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society D URING his third voyage across the Atlantic asylum, and reminds us that this disease is very in 1498, Christopher Columbus first touched prevalent in the sun-bathed republics of the the mainland of South America, near the Caribbean. mouth of the river Orinoco. The following year Alonso de Ojeda penetrated the Gulf of Mara- The train winds round the hills, skirting preci- pices, disappearing into dark tunnels, emerging caibo, and seeing the Indian houses built of piles. a few minutes later with a puff of· relief; then driven into the bottom of the lake, he called the the summit of the pass is reached, 3,500 feet above country Venezuela or "Little Venice." the sea; the blue Caribbean disappears from view, A century ago Simon Bolivar was the most and we begin to descend the southern slope to the famous personage in South America. Born of tableland. Soon the city of Caracas, the birthnoble family at Caracas in 1783, he studied law place of Bolivar, appears below, its churches and at Madrid and witnessed the closing scenes of the larger buildings standing out clearly in the bril- French Revolution in Paris. Returning to Vene- liant sunshine. zuela, he became the leader of the widespread in- All the way from La Guaira a broad cart-road surrection which finally liberated South America runs parallel to the railway-line, and winds its from the yoke of Spain. In 1824 Bolivar was way like a yellow ribbon among the green hills.
chosen president of a republic which stretched Venezuela is one of the most advanced republics along the southern shores of the Caribbean sea in South America in respect to highways, for from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Soon after roads mean as, much to the young nation as to the Ecuador was added and the Spaniards were driven Roman campfire. The Government has set an ex- out of Peru. ample to Latin America, spending money on com- Venezuela is the South American republic near- munications rather than on spectacular public est to the great markets of North America and works.
Europe. Caracas, its capital, is but ten days' Caracas is situated in a naturally beautiful spot journey by steamer from either New York or at an elevation of 3,000 feet, surrounded by green London, and one day by plane from the United hills. To the east there is a break in the range States. and access is given to a smiling valley bright with On arriving off the Venezuelan coast, the trav- golden maize and sugar-cane plantations. The eler finds himself face to face with a high range royal palm and the banana lend an air of romance of verdure-clad hills, rising almost from the sea- to the streets and gardens, and there is a feeling shore to a height of from 5,000 to 8,000 feet. At of lassitude in the air that probably accounts for the foot of this Cordillera, on a narrow strip of the national trait-never doing today what can ground, is situated La Guaira, the principal port. be postponed until tomorrow. The city is clean, Beneath the burning rays of the tropical sun- well-paved, and lighted with electricity. In the and there are few places in the world hotter than Plaza Bolivar, rou,nd the beautiful equestrian La Guaira-without a breath of air to refresh the statue of Bolivar, the life of the town is concen- atmosphere, the traveler awaits the train on the trated, and reaches its maximum intensity just little railway that connects the port with the cap- before sunset, when the day's work is over and ita!. They blow the whistle, the toy-engine makes the people come abroad to see and be seen. a supreme effort, and the little convoy of three Venezuela is naturally a rich country, with an carriages begins to climb the flank of the moun- immense area and vast resources, but it has been tain. Soon the port is almost lost to sight. One depopulated through its. numerous revolutions. large white building is clearly visible, standing Politics have been considered the royal road to alone on the outskirts of the town, and surrounded riches, and initiative has been crushed by un.,. by a high wall which gives it an air of mystery scrupulous governments. Physically the land is as though it had something to hide. And there is divided into four natural divisions-the Llanos, a mystery here-the greatest of all mysteries, the Andes, the basin of Lake Maracaibo, and the the enigma of human suffering; it is the leper basin of the Orinoco River. The Llanos are im- [29 ]
mense plains, covered with long grass, extending forest. Two men had already been killed by this from a little south of Caracas to the River Orinoco. means. He wanted the Indians turned into useful Here roam great herds of cattle attended by rough pick and shovel men, otherwise, he said, "if they cowboys, who live much as their forefathers lived do not abandon their helicose attitude we shall at the time of the War for Independence, when be obliged to take stern reprisals." Two Amerthose agile riders, armed with lance and lasso on icans are reported to have found their way into their wild horses, carried panic into the Spanish the dense forests inhabited by these Indians, and hosts. The region of the Andes extending from to have seen the remains of cannibal feasts. They Caracas to the southeastern shores of Lake Mara- escaped with their lives by shooting a number of caibo, contains peaks reaching a height of 16,000 the natives. It is open to question whether the feet. There are cities such as Merida, situated tribe.referred to are cannibals, but the Guarhibos 5,415 feet above the sea with a mean temperature of the Upper Orinoco certainly are addicted to of 64 degrees. this habit.
This temperate zone produces the most active A census of Venezuela, taken by the writer, people of Venezuela, and the term "andino" is shows eleven missionary societies working in the synonymous with energy and enterprise. The republic, with a total of 103 workers (including basins of Lake Maracaibo and the River Orinoco wives)-68 foreign and 35 national. The popare the most fertile regions of the country, and ulation of the country is 2,411,952; thus we have produce all the fruits of the tropics; but the prev- one worker for each 23,417 people. However, of alence of malaria plays havoc with the white pop- the twenty States comprising the Venezuelan ulation. Union, eight, with a total population of 579,239, are still unoccupied by Protestant Missions. This Untouched Indian Tribes virgin territory, which includes strategic centres of the first importance, constitutes a challenge to Here are numerous tribes hardly touched by Evangelical leaders-as do also the Indian tribes. civilization, and vast unexplored regions awaiting their Humboldt and Livingstone. Around Lake The Bible Societies are to the fore in the evan- Maracaibo four distinct languages are spoken, and gelization of this field. The Roman Catholics do within a sixty-mile radius seven more. To the nothing whatsoever to provide the people with the west of the lake, reaching as far as Rio Hacha in Bible and copies of the Vulgate are not only ex- Colombia, is the territory of the powerful Guajira ceedingly scarce, but cannot be purchased for less tribe of Indians. They live in small villages made than $25. This sum puts them quite beyond the of round thatched huts, which at a distance look reach of the common people, who earn, on an like ant-hills. The floors inside the huts are ,cov- average, about $1.00 a day. The American and ered with grass on which sleep the inhabitants as British & Foreign Bible Societies in Venezuela well as their domestic animals. The men are have made the Bible one of the best-known books bright and strong, but more fond of fighting than in Venezuela. The circulation of the Scriptures of working. In warfare they use blowpipes with in the republic is not free from obstacles. Heavy darts dipped in the deadly curari poison. The duties have to be paid to get the books through women till the fields as well as attend to domestic the Custom House; then their distribution is duties. Their animistic religion consists of a be- strongly opposed by the Roman Catholic Church. lief in two great spirits, from which emanate good Moreover the Venezuelans are not a reading peoand evil. All nature-the forests, streams, rain, ple. However, there is one Book within the reach thunder, etc.-is believed possessed by these spir- of all, and many thousands of huts are scattered its. The Guajira tribe, about 60,000 strong, is throughout the country where the Bible is the only quite untouched by Evangelical missionary effort. book, and where it is read again and again until No book of the Bible has as yet been translated its pages almost fall out of the binding. We have into their language. Both men and women may rejoiced to see these Bibles, and their worn apbe seen in Maracaibo on market days, .clad in the pearance has made us think of homes in North blue and white garments they wear for contact America where the Bible is not read. Throughwith civilization. A certain number of Guajiros out the land may be found groups of Bible-readspeak Spanish, and a few are able to read. ers, formed by traveling colporteurs; what is now necessary is the systematic visitation of such Many other untouched Indian tribes live in this groups by missionaries with a view to forming little-known republic. Some time ago, while trav- churches. Much of the fruit of Bible work is lost eling in the state of Zulia, I came into contact with because the number of missioriaries is too few to the representative of an oil company who offered take advantage of the opportunities presented. me financial support and a house if I would under- The time would seem to have arrived when a fortake to civilize the Indians living near the com- ward movement would reap a mighty harvest as pany's concession. He complairied that they shot the result of years of patient sowing. arrows at his workmen from the security of the
A Christian Approach to the Moros *
By REV. FRANK C. LAUBACH, Ph.D., Dansalan, Lanao, Philippine Islands Missionary of the American Board EXPERIMENTS during the past eight years sing. If you try to rob people or beat them, it in a missionary approach to the Mohamme- makes you feel mean, but if you try to help them, dan Moros in the southern Philippines have it makes you happy; and so I have discovered attracted wide interest. that the happiest way to live is to help people.
The situation is easier than in many other Mo- When I get through teaching you, I want you to hammedan countries because Mohammedans here go out and teach other people. Don't take any are not, as a rule, very well grounded in Moham- money for it, and see if it does not make your medanism and because the Philippine government heart sing."
is increasing its pressure upon the Moros of this An agricultural nursery has been conducted to province to break with many old customs and reli- discover what crops succeed in this province; gious ideas. The result is that the people are what trees, vegetables, and grains are best adapt- changing rapidly. ed to the climate; and efforts have been made to The opportunity has been unusual. The actual teach the Moros lessons learned in this nursery.
number of people converted from Islam to Christ We have given away thousands of seeds-oranges, is not large, but we are exerting a decisive in- papayas, avocadoes, grapefruits, balsa, maholo, fluence upon the Moro people. many hundreds of bunches of spinach, Georgia Our approach has been attempted along two yam tops, and yawtia, for the Moros to plant lines-by service and through the study of Islam around their own homes. We have taught them and Christianity with the Moslems. how to bud their own orange trees, and are fur- nishing them with budded orange trees at fifty Lines of Service centavos each. We are also experimenting on our The first important service which we have at- own land with cinchona trees, mahogany, derris tempted is The Literacy Campaign.t Every week root, ramie (from which Chinese linen is made), our teachers are starting many people on the road vetiver (a native product which is the basis for to literacy. We have given away a hundred thou- the best perfumes), many varieties of other farm sand inexpensive primers. printed on cheap paper. and forest products. These we distribute through- This is not only making Lanao Province literate out the province as rapidly as they prove sucbut it is also making countless friends. When you cessful. sit down beside a man and patiently and lovingly help him to read, he is surpris.ed and asks you A dispensary, conducted by a nurse and her how you are going to be paid. Frequently he says, assistant, meets a great medical need, for this "Our own imams do not teach us unless we pay province is afflicted with all kinds of diseases them. Why are you doing it?" which follow ignorance and dirt. The commonest of these diseases are dysentery, tuberculosis, ma- This gives us our opportunity and we answer laria, beriberi, tropical ulcers, boils, and influenza. in some such fashion as this: There are a great many wounds, particularly on the feet, since most people are barefooted. Our "I have studied the lovely life of Nabi Isa dispensary gives nearly a thousand treatments a (Prophet Jesus) and found that every minute of month. At first only the Moro men were willing the day, from the time he arose in the morning to be treated, and many were afraid. No women until he went to sleep at night, he was helping came at first. Now both men and women come somebody – teaching, healing, defending, and with great eagerness, for they have learned that serving. Is that not the most beautiful way to they can be cured at very low cost. The average live? I have discovered that when you spend your time helping people, it makes your heart treatment costs five centavos (2112 cents gold).
There are many calls from women giving birth, • From a paper prepared for the International Missionary Con~ and other people who are too sick to come to the ference, Madras; December, 1938. dispensary.
t A complete description of this campaign is contained in "Towa"rd A library, with about three thousand books and a Literate World," by Dr. Frank. C.Laubach. 177 pp.$1.-75. Published by the Foreign Missions Conference. New York.
[31 ]
some twenty-five magazines and newspapers, is I Would Be True-Waters Chambered Nautilus-Bry- much used by the young people-Christians and Things That Endure ant Moslems. Students in the pu1;>lic schools use this When I Have Time Prayer-Tennyson library constantly for reference. The soldiers The Human Touch Psalm 121 from the training camp frequently come to read Giving The Present Crises All You Have Loved To the Knights the papers, and magazines, and to borrow books, Trees-Kilmer First Corinthians o Maker of the Mighty Deep The Heart of the Eternal as do the other citizens of Dansalan. Frequently The Human Touch To a Waterfowl-Bryant the afternoons find the library crowded. Most of The Rainy Day He Leadeth Me the books have been sent by kind-hearted people Discovery This Is My Father's World in American churches. As a rule they send the Four Things The Psalm of Life-Tenny- books that are really of value and interesting. Salutation of the Dawn son An indispensable service is the printing press, Isaiah 55 which prints books, pamphlets and a fortnightly The Moro young men have been organized into newspaper called Lanao Progress. We have the what is known as the "Good Life Movement." This organization now has a membership of over only printing press in the Maranaw language. In- 130 men, including almost all the leading young Maranaws. The Movement has two main objecdeed until this press began, no Maranaw had ever tives: To develop character, and service.
been printed. Lanao Progress, in an editorial, described the purposes of the society as follows: There are many advantages in having a mo- It is impossible to exaggerate the possibilities of the nopoly upon the printing. Nothing has ever come "Good Life Movement" which was organized in Dansalan on August 7th, bya group of earnest young Maranaws. into print in this province that would not pass These young men, among the finest and most high-minded and respected in the province, are seeking to help one anthe most critical censorship. Whatever may be other to live THE GOOD LIFE, and to bring to bear pressure and persuasion upon all young men in Lanao to seek the said of reading in other countries, there is no good life with them. Their major emphasis is upon trust- worthiness, and loyalty to the government in every good doubt that the reading in Lanao Province is im- effort for Lanao. They resolve to be 'matitw' (straight) in every act and purpose;" 'isa isa' so honest in word that proving the people, as well as interesting them. nobody will doubt what they say; 'kusarigan' (trustwor- thy) in every detail of life. The books which interest Moros most are their own production; foreign translations are not good sellers. This experience is highly important.
In Africa, for example, one finds that nearly all books are written by foreigners and from the for- eign point of view. If the native Africans could be encouraged to write the type of literature that would be appreciated most by their own people, These young men are convinced, that when Christians and Moslems reach the highest levels a great new interest would develop in reading. of character they are very close together. The Moslem and Christian saints have the same loving We have two dormitories, one which takes care attitude toward their fellow men. The members of this society hold out the hand of cooperation of thirty-two young Moros who are attending the to all men who seek to live "The Good Life." They have found the principle elements of a noble charhigh school, and another for about an equal num- acter in both the Moslem and Christian religions. These are seven in number: ber of Christian and Moslem girls who are going to the public schools in Dansalan.
We spend nearly half an hour every morning in the dormitory with the Moro boys learning the finest poems and chapters from the Bible and Koran, and songs from our Christian song books.
A list of about eighty selections that these boys Seven Tests of Character learned in two years speak more eloquently than To abandon evil habits of thought and action. To be honest. any words. Here are a few: To be pure. To be unselfish. Sura I (Koran) Concerning Prayer To .be .loving. What to Forget To seek and obey the Will of God in every detail of life. Psalm 23 The Celestial-Surgeon To help their fellowmen to find THE GOOD LIFE. Psalm 1 The Lord's Prayer Life-Henry Van Dyke Psalm of Life This society has begun something which may The Loving Word From Age to Age echo around the world. C We know· of no place on Live and Help Live Be Strong-Babcock earth where Moslems and Christians have in this The Builder God Give Us Men definite way set out to cOrrie closer by becoming When in Disgrace Brotherhood better. Both Christians and Moslems have failed AbouBen Adhem If-Babcock – to live the highest life in which both profess to A Noble Deed believe, and the men and women seeking "The God's Promise Our God, Our Help in Ages Good Life" .really belong shoulder to shoulder. Love and Light Past Kind Words Awareness Straight and Tall Brotherhood My Prayer-Thoreau Philippines, Our Motherland The Pilgrim Way The Ways-Oxenham
A CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO THE MOROS
If they can show true love and courage and have has taken a great deal of interest in civic prob- faith to persist, this new movement may become lems, although as foreigners we have kept aloof the beginning of a new era in the history of Mos- from politics. No matter who are elected officials, lem-Christian relations. as a rule, they are eager to know what they can The First Sura of the Koran is as follows: do to enhance their popularity with the people.
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Some are always genuinely interested in the wel- Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds! fare of this country and welcome constructive The compassionate, the merciful! ideas.
King on the day for reckoning! Mutual Understanding Thee only do we worship, and to thee do we cry for help. Along with this program of social service goes Guide Thou us on the straight path, The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious:- the effort to understand the Moros and to be With whom Thou art not angry, and who go not astray. understood by them. We have felt that the way "The Good Life Movement" has thus far en- to avoid mistakes is to study their literature and gaged in thirty-eight social efforts in Lanao, some their religion. If we understand them well enough of which are as follows: they will be more willing to understand us and to know that our ideas are not born of ignorance Complete the literacy campaign to make this province concerning them. 100% literate. 1. Appreciating Literature. – We discovered Hold meetings at which experts in agriculture, health, that the Moros have a really important literature. government, animal husbandry, metal craft, business and Most important are their fifty epic poems deother useful subjects may speak and answer questions.
Distribute seeds, vegetables, seedlings, graftings, and scribing the heroes of their ancestral home. We plant culture information throughout the province. have collected many of these epics, and have had them translated into English. The language of Encourage attendance at school. these epics is that of the ancient Moros and is Distribute literature about health, sanitation, and clean- no longer used, excepting in poetry. Besides the liness prepared by the Bureau of Health, the Red Cross, the Anti-tuberculosis Society, and our own and other presses. epics many lyric poems are composed by their best Promote games and wholesome social activities. singers. Each issue of our Lanao Progress con- Study the Boy Scout Manual and similar helpful books. tains one of these songs, most of the Moros sing Act as peacemakers among the Moros and between this lyric before they read anything else.
Moros and Christians.
Spread information about animal diseases and aid in 2. Appreciating Crattsmanship.-We have also endeavored to show our appreciation of the really their eradication. . fine work done by the gold, silver, and brass workers and other artisans. The best Moro houses Encourage vaccination. are decorated with beautiful Moro art and the Spread a knowledge of law and ordinance and advocate law observance.
Make a survey of. communities to find what are their chief needs. owners are delighted when they are appreciated. Improve the water supplies and introduce sanitary toi- In a contest held throughout all the schools of the Philippines the native art of Lanao won first lets. prize. This appreciation has had a most whole- Help to encourage native Moro arts and crafts. Join the crusade for world peace.
Encourage sick people to make use of doctors and hos- some effect upon the Maranaw people, and has pitals. Spread knowledge about modern agricultural imple- tied these Christians with new bonds of insepara- ble friendship. ments. 3. Appreciating Their Religion.-We have also Prepare to be worthy· leaders of this province.
Work for a tubercular sanitarium in Lanao. made a study of the Mohammedan religion as Begin new types of manufacturing in Dansalan to use practiced in this province. This led to the realiza- Moro products. ation that Mohammedans are not separated from us as far as we had supposed. Dr. James L. Bar- Work for improved housing conditions in this Province. ton's book "A Christian Approach to Islam" re- Study the resemblances of Christianity and Islam.
The service which consumes more time than vealed years ago that there is indeed a strikingly anything else is helping Moros out of trouble:…:.- large common ground. "Christendom and Islam"
those who are arrested or in prison; those who by Prebendary W. Wilson Cash, has also thrown are out of work; those who are oppressed; those light on the subject.
who are unable to read legal documents; students Every Sunday evening there is a united meet- who need financial help; enemies to be reconciled. ing of Moslem and Christian young people, about The list is almost without an end. Every day finds thirty to fifty of each religion, where they sing many people in need of some kind of personal at- Christian songs, repeat Christian and Moslem tention, and about half our time is devoted to this prayers, and recite the noblest religious and in- kind of service. spirational prose and poetry of all countries.
Working for civic improvements. Our Mission Some will say that we are covering up the er- "
rora of Mohammedanism and are therefore not anything they say or do. The mystics in any reli- true to all the facts. Our answer is that in the gion ought to represent the best in that religion, past there have been too many attempts to select for they seek to come closest to God.
facts which will prove that Islam is infinitely be- To match the greatest mystics of the Christian low Christianity. For centuries both Christians Church one can find Sufis who also had wonderful and Moslems have selected or invented statements experiences of God. .A Sufi woman, Rabia Al that tended to widen the gap and to whip up Adawiyya, of Basra, is said to have lived a life fanatical hatred between the two religions. Our of saintliness and fellowship with God, never exaim in Lanao has been to reveal the neglected ceeded among the Christian saints. When asked facts that will beget love. by several men to marry, she replied: "I have There is an exhilaration of enlargement and of ceased to exist and have passed out of myself. I discovering that many people whom we had sup- exist only in Him." She wrote these beautiful posed to be in the dark were much nearer the lines: "I have made Thee the companion of my truth than many people who profess but do not heart. My body is available for those who seek its live our own brand of religion. With this thrilling company and my body is free toward its guests, discovery comes also an enlarging conception of but the beloved of my heart is the guest of my God. soul." In our age who can deny that one great need of humanity is to heal the wounds of fear and false Dr. Margaret Smith points out that Mohammed propaganda and dislike that threaten to engulf himself derives most of his religion from the our civilization? Everywhere the healing balm is Christian sects of the Near East. His resorting needed in national, religious, racial and economic to a cave in Mount Hira was an imitation of the affairs: Love must be built upon understanding Christian monks whom he knew. Bowing and and a desire to appreciate whatever is lovely in others. prostration in prayer were in imitation of the ritual prayers of the Syrian Christians. Night When one sets out to heal the ancient wounds praying was taken from the Syrian monks who caused by Christians and Moslems, one soon read the Psalter twice between evening and mornmakes astonishing discoveries. We discover that ing. The fast of Ramadan was an imitation of the good Moros who are very loyal to their reli- the Christian hermits during Lent. His teaching gion are also very friendly toward us. about heaven and earth emphasizing fear was that of the Syrian Christian Church. Penitence, Our task now seems to be to persuade men and ascetism and self-discipline are certainly taken women of both religions to surrender themselves by Islam from the Christian Church. Alms-giving completely to the will of God, believing that as was also an imitation of the monks of Mohamthey seek more earnestly to do His will they will med's day. Other-worldliness, which is so strongcome closer together. ly emphasized among the mystics of Islam, is a i~gWferolemaruns.froFmortheexaMmoprloes while they are learn- Christian idea-"Lay not up treasures on this one cannot be in con- earth, but lay up treasures in heaven." * tact with Mohammedanism without feeling that Thus, in many ways, we are appreciating every- God is omnipotent, and that He is all-wise. The thing good in Lanao and in Islam, believing that the Moros will return our spirit by living our reword Islam, meaning "Will of God," stresses the ligion. This spirit of appreciation is reflected in the pages of Lanao Progress. Practically every side of religion which is under-emphasized in issue has some reference to Mohammedans who have revealed the Christian spirit. For example, most Christian communities. Here in Lanao, we an article on "Why Moslems Fast," includes the statement that the "Prophets before Mohammed, Christians, stimulated by that great slogan "The such as Jesus, Moses, Abraham (peace be on them all) were all acquainted with fasting." An- Will of God," are striving to give our lives to God other issue published the statement that the Mo- hammedans have four scriptures-Tauret (the aanneswi~ so that we will equal the best Mohammed- books of Moses); Zabur, (the Psalms); InjiI our desire to find and to do God's will.
The Moros have responded to this attempt to appreciate them, by attempting to appreciate Christianity. One hears from Moslems no word of dislike or opposition for our church and believe that we shall see a mass movement, in which an entire province will participate. This rapid shift- ing of ideals toward Christianity is the most sig- • There Is a long list of words used by Mohammed, not found In nificant event in Lanao today. the Arabic pagan religions, but borrowed from the Christianity of his day. From the Nestorlan Church Mohammed took, the word Dr. Margaret Smith, of Oxford, in her studies "Rahman" which means "merciful" and "munin," WhICh means on "Early Mysticism," found that mystics of Mo- "believers." From the Aramaic language he took the word for hammedanism and Christianity are in some cases "prayer" and for "glory be to God"; and from the Syrian he took so'close together that they cannot be identified by the word for "purify" and the words for "salvation" and "illumina- tion," "worship," "remembrance," and "repentance.'" The words for "Lord" and "divine" came from the Gospels. The list Is very long, and proves the close dependence of Mohammed upon the Christian people of Arabla.-F. C. L.
(the Gospels), and the Koran. Another article by The Koran did not, however, stress this point. It, howa leading Moro Christian insists that honesty is ever, gives light to the fact that in the course of Jesus' the will of God and that the dishonest man is a preaching He would make many enemies. However, the traitor both to God and his country. Koran gives light to the fact that he is a personification of love and humility. . . . Another issue prints the widely known Christian sermons of the General Chiang Kai-Shek and The Koran clearly states that Jesus will be raised to life. his wife, on "My religion." In the September 15 "And peace be on me on the day . . . I am raised to life." issue is the report of Stanley Jones' visit and ex- (19: 33.) This clearly shows that Jesus was raised to life cerpts from his speeches in Manila. Another issue after his death. But the details are not specified in the says that the one most important thing in the Book. world is to find the Will of God and that therefore everybody ought to go to church, because it is In spite of the differences of opinion about this great difficult to find God alone. Another issue tells the Teacher and Reformer, He is still revered both by the story of the life and death of Macaindeg Tataro, Christians and the Moslems-to the Christians as the Son the leading Mohammedan to became a Christian, of God, member of the Holy Family, and to the Moslems and points out his beautiful Christian life. as the Prophet, the Messiah, the Apostle, the religious Teacher, and Reformer and in a figurative language, sent The Moro people are responding by taking a by the Almighty "To look for the lost sheep of the Israelgenerous attitude toward Jesus Christ, as is illus- ites." trated in an article on "Jesus Christ in the Light of the Islam Religion," by Domocao AI. Alonto. In some of our Christian Sunday services the This Moro Moslem says, (in part) : entire congregation is asked to write ideas as to the proper approach to our Mohammedan neigh- Jesus Christ is revered not only in Christian nations, bors. Among the many suggestions which our but also in the Islam world. This may sound surprising to church members have offered are the following: an ordinary Christian who has not had a chance to study the Islam religion, or Mohammedanism, as it is commonly Study the likes and dislikes of the Moslems. Then pray known in the realm of her sister religion, but truly indeed that they may open their hearts to you and to God. Serve the Moslems revere Him too. and pray and praise, but do not try to condemn.
Jesus in the Moslem world is known by three different Attend the Mohammedan worship on Friday noon. Join names: Nabi Isa, Alaiki Salam, meaning "Prophet Jesus them in their fun and games with enthusiasm. Take them on whom be peace," Ibn-i-Maryam, the "Son of the Virgin on outings with you. Mary," and Al-Mashih, "the Messiah." The phrase Alaihi Salam means "On whom be peace," and this phrase is used Have more public programs jointly with them, including after the name of every prophet, from Adam to Moham- lectures on health, child welfare, cooking, and housekeepmed. All good Moslems never miss to use this phrase in ing. mentioning the name of Jesus. Never for a moment allow your mind to have any feel- One section of the Koran, Chapter 19, entitled "Mary," ing except brotherly love. Always keep in mind and say is devoted to His birth and His mission. According to and act the truth that we both worship the same God and this chapter, the story about His birth does not differ in are therefore brothers. many respects from the story in the Bible. "So she took a veil (to screen herself) from them; then we sent to Let the church support a Moro pensionado. Have a Her Gabriel, and there appeared to her a well-made man." recreation center for Moros and Christians together. Have She said, "I fly for refuge to the Beneficent God, if thou a convention of Christian and Moslem priests. fearest Him be-gone from me." He said, "I am only a bringer of a message from thy God that I will give thee Open dormitories for Moro boys and girls of all ages a holy Son." (19: 18-19.) This verse in the Holy Koran so that they can go to school. Have Christian children in gives light on the birth of Jesus. . . . Mary was sur- these dormitories too. Parents will be impressed if we prised for no human hand had yet touched her. She said: have the children live together, play together, and learn "How shall I have a son and no mortal hand has yet together. touched me, have I not been pure?" (19: 20). But the man told her that God, the Creator, can create anything out Let the Christians study the Moro language well. Then of nothing. He said: "Even so, thy Lord says: 'Easy go to the houses and have friendly talks about our reis this with me:' and we will make him a sign to man- ligion and theirs. kind, and a mercy from us." (19: 21.) This is the way Mary received the message in the light of the Holy Koran. Urge every Christian to apply the Golden Rule. Fair, . . . In this point the Christian principle differs. While honest treatment will attract them to the Christian way. in the light of the Islam teaching Jesus is only a prophet raised by the Almighty, the Christian teachings consider United prayers for the propagation of the Gospel among Him as being the Son of God, or the Personification of Him. . . . the Moros. Preach Christ to them without fear or re- Jesus Christ in the light of the Moslem religion is a serve. Plant the seed and let the HoJy Spirit do the rest. Messiah, an Apostle. "The Messiah, so~ of Mary, is no more than an apostle, the apostles before him have indeed Praise be His name! . passed away . . ." (5: 75). He is a great Teacher, a religious reformer. He preached His gospel with love. Work for education of old and young alike, for this is the great hope.
" Encourage the comparative reading of the Bible and the Koran.
Have our new church building look like a mosque. Ask the Moros to worship there when they wish.
Put the Bible in the public schools and let them learn.
Hammer away at the fact that they and we are wor- shipping one God, for they think Christians have a differ- ent God.
Send students away from the province to Silliman Uni- versity, so that they will have courses in the Bible.
Sumatra-·A Miracle of
By MRS. LEE S. HUIZENGA, Shanghai, China Missionary of the Reformed Church, U. S. A.
A FEW years ago we made a trip to the island noticed a remarkable change in the whole outlook of Sumatra while my husband was inspect- of the people. They were friendly. They were ing Christian leprosaria. Today as Dr. better farmers, their homes were more private for Huizenga baptized three lepers in Shanghai, I they had individual homes; their children were thought of the hundreds of lepers in various parts better dressed and clean; schools and churches of the world who have found the Lord in lepro- dotted the area, and there was even a Christian saria. Sumatra has many such. leper hospital. Their cemeteries also showed a Sumatra is one of the largest islands of the marked difference over the burying grounds of their neighbors in the highlands. Dutch East India. Its rich natural resources are largely untouched. It has also wonderful rubber, What was the cause of this transformation? It cocoanut and tea plantations. Each year many was the Gospel of Christ. In about two generatourists and people from India and the Federated tions this change has taken place. We found that Malay States spend their vacation here to take a missionary, D. Ludwig J. Nommensen, had come advantage of the delightful climate on this island. to Sumatra in 1862 as the first missionary. This ·"Apostle to the Batakkers," as he is called, worked In the center of Sumatra is the large and beau- among them until in his. 84th year and died on the tiful Toba Lake, and in this lake lies Samosir 23rd of May, 1918. Because he lived there, Suisland upon which heathendom is still practically matra has been changed. untouched by Christian influence. A missionary of the Rhenish Mission carries on the Gospel work When Nommensen came to Sumatra there were all alone in this isolated place with a few converts, practically no Christians on the island, when he surrounded by overwhelming heathen influences. died there were over 180,000 baptized Believers in Christ in the Toba Lake district. Today there Seventy years ago the island of Sumatra was all are in the Bataklands 510 schools with 32',700 heathen, like this lonely spot. Then most of the pupils, all receiving Christian instruction. There Batakkers, the native tribe of Sumatra, were are 788 teachers, and 2,200 elders in the Batak head-hunters and many were cannibals. Now church. The whole countryside is dotted with great changes have taken place. churches and schools. Nearly one-half million Ba- takkers are under the influence of Christ and tre- One of the greatest surprises we met was in mendous changes take place in home, social and the highlands of Sumatra. We had been traveling political life. for hours through mountains and jungle and had seen no signs of Christianity. On every side we Nommensen was original; he had great foresaw natives living in their filthy homes; their chil- sight, tremendous power and high ideals. His dren playing about naked. We saw the large fellow-workers found that for sympathetic and Batak house in which several families live to- constructive work it was desirable to fall in line gether in community style, each family occupying with him; and they did. a small part of the house. There were no windows in the houses and the air was almost unbearable Another outstanding feature in Nommensen's from the heat and smoke of fires used for cooking life was his devotion to His Lord. Honors were food. Here large families were raised and such piled upon him, but he refused to speak of them. conditions have existed for generations. When the Said he, "These honors are of little importance to boys reach the age of puberty they are isolated me; they give no real joy. Nothing should cap- from the rest of the family and are compelled to tivate my heart that is earth-born. I am only a live together in bachelor's quarters. poor sinner who desires to be saved by the ramson of Christ." Other villages, with a much poorer class of pagans, showed a very inferior type of building, As we saw the wonderful work of grace among although the social customs were very much the these ignorant heathen of two generations ago, we same. There were no schools for the boys and dedicated ourselves anew to the Lord's service, girls.. desiring to spend and be spent for his service. It We went on to the Toba Lake region and there is "not in vain in the Lord."
[36 ]
Bands in War,Torn
i -e{ By REV. ANDREW GIH, Bethel Mission, Hongkong 1)Be- I T WAS a summers night and the moon shone were bombed there was no raid when we were brightly. We were in Kuling up among the preaching in any particular city. In Chenghsien hills where the famous Summer Bible Confer- the church leaders thought at first that we could ences are held – a sort of "Chinese Keswick." not have any night meetings because the electric Many missionaries and Chinese workers usually lights might be put off at any time. But we used come together here for spiritual refreshing· and gas light and the church was crowded night after for preparation for work. night. A number accepted Christ and on the last I was preaching in the Union Church when we Sunday morning fifteen converts were baptized.
heard the first air-alarm. It was a clear, striking Bombs and Busses sound, and a sudden feeling of fear, inexpressible, came over the people. The thought came over me Early Monday morning I went to the bus sta- of the uncertainty of life and that all ought to tion to leave for our next stopping place. The bus make sure of their soul's salvation. I made the was already crowded but I managed to get a seat.
appeal and about four or five responded. After About two hours after we left the city we heard that we scattered and a few of us sat on the rocks that it had been bombed. After I had made half under the trees while the Japanese bombing planes the journey I had to change to another bus across raided the province. We prayed that God would the river. This bus was over-crowded and I could protect us and deliver us from awful destruction. not persuade the conductor to take me. Several Soon after "all clear" was sounded; our hearts hundred people would be waiting for me at my were filled with gratitude that the planes, which next meeting place and if I missed the bus I had had been coming toward us, had changed their no way of getting there in time. I was left behind direction. but reminded the Lord that I had prayed that I Early one morning without any warning we might be at the meetings that night. It was early • saw three planes flying toward us, away up in in the afternoon and I was hungry so I went to the sky. At first we thought they were Chinese buy a bowl of rice. While I was eating, the sta- planes. But God knew they were not; suddenly tion master sent to tell me that a second bus was thick clouds covered the whole residential area, going and that I could go on it. That certainly and we could hear the whirr of the planes over was an answer to prayer. I was only about half our heads. It was reported later that a factory an hour late for the meeting. We filled all our had been bombed about ten miles distant and sev- engagements except one in a city that had been eral people were killed or wounded. bombed too often so that the people had left for Four of us from Bethel were at Kuling and it the country. Liling was bombed just before our was a joy to see Christian workers with a sense meetings and we thought that the people would of the reality and nearness of Christ, going out to not come out; but the Lord did a wonderful thing face difficulties and dangers. Some were soon to and night after night the big church was so face this awful war in their districts. We may crowded that we had to preach to the children first never see them again on this earth but we thank and then send them away to make room for the God that they received a blessing at Kuling. adults. We had to tell late-comers to come the Our way back to Shanghai being cut off, we next evening for many were already standing in decided, after much prayer, to go to Hunan Prov- the aisles. About one third of the people in the ince for evangelistic meetings. That was last Sep- city attended these meetings. Every convert re- tember. Fortunately we bought our tickets to go ceived a Gospel copy and during that week more by a British boat up the Yangtze to Hankow than twelve hundred copies were given out.
where we could take the train to Hunan. The The Rev. Frank Ling, who was leader of an- ship was so crowded that we were compelled to other Bethel Band which worked in Kweichow sleep on the deck, packed together like sardines. Province writes that going through these moun- The Lord wonderfully led us. We spent four tainous districts if there were not busses they had months holding evangelistic meetings in different to ride in chairs. In one city there was only one cities and although many places in the province chair and one of the two chair-bearers was unable [37]
to carry. So Mr. Ling and Mr. Yang had to walk begotten Son to die for their sins. As we travel and to climb up the hills. Many times they had to from place to place we never meet Christians who stop on the roadside to pray for strength.. After feel bitter toward Japan but they pray that peace the first day they were so tired when they reached and order may be restored. I pray that God will the small village that they hunted for a hotel to grant righteousness and justice in the Far East.
spend the night. There were only three rooms- Japan and China have so much in common that one of which was for cows and pigs. One room they ought to live in peace as neighbors. May offered for their sleeping room was so dark and God grant that these two nations may come to filthy that they could not sleep there so they went understand each other.
out to the guest room. Here they found no bed One of the Chinese Christians, Mr. Ernest Yin, but some empty coffins and coffin lids. Spreading the Provincial Minister of Finance for Hunan, their bedding on the coffins they went to sleep. wrote a letter requesting Christians in China and Mr. Ling said to his friend, "Weare not dead yet, all over the world to observe a day of prayer on but we are tasting death !" Christ had not where behalf of China. He wrote: to lay his head, but they had a coffin. That night I am writing you on a very urgent matter that the Lord they slept very soundly, not even conscious that has laid upon my heart, and one that I am sure to which they were sleeping so near to the cows and pigs. you too have given great consideration. It is the matter of prayer. On the third day they lost their way going by a small footpath through thick woods. They in- It is nearly one year since the war started in China and quired the way several times and at last found the at present it looks as if it will be a long drawn out conflict. The awful destruction and great loss of so many innocent main road. In some places they could not buy lives weighs me down with grief. I am burdened to know anything to eat-not even eggs. Mr. Ling finally what we Christians should do. I know of only one thing was able to buy some rice-porridge but the next we do and that is to pray. day he had dysentery as a result of eating it. The Lord has laid it on my heart to suggest to a few friends that as a group we might suggest a Day of Prayer There were many difficulties in traveling. One for Christians in China and in foreign lands. Can we not stand unitedly in definite prayer that God will bring about day the bus in which he was riding got out of a speedy and righteous settlement to this awful conflict? order along the hilly roads. The driver was not a mechanic and he could not repair it. There was I realize that we in China, whether engaged in Governno other bus going that way so the passengers got ment service or in any other pursuits have grievously sinned against God. But I believe that if we humble our- out and walked to the nearest village to find selves and call upon the Lord He will hear us and save us. lodging. Mr. Ling felt too weak to walk so was Therefore I believe it will be pleasing to Him if we set left behind and slept in the bus that night with apart a Day of Prayer. I suggest September 4th, or even the driver. They could see the hungry wolves on an earlier date for this purpose. the hilltops, but God protected them and they slept well. This mission band traveled four thou- In an address by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek at. Hankow, s.he says: sand miles; they walked on foot four days, rode The Generalissimo and I feel that no words we could in chairs for eleven days and held over sixty meet- speak could sufficiently express our debt of gratitude to ings. with definite conversions. the missionary body all over China who have been a help to the distressed and the best of friends, to hundreds of A Glorious Revival thousands of refugees. You may remember a few years ago it was quite the fashion to decry missionary efforts. Another Bethel Band in Kwangsi Province re- There was even a commission sent from America to inves- ported glorious revivals and many cried to the tigate mission work because there was a general feeling that missionary efforts had been a failure. There were Lord for salvation. Kwangsi has been most strict also people who asked where were the successors of Livin the conscription of law and that province alone ingstone, Morrison and others? Is the missionary spirit has furnished the Government with about half a dead? If we are really impartial and look around us and million men. The Christian Missionary Alliance take an impartial view of what has happened in the last Bible School there was emptied of young men. A nine months I :would say their successors are right here! military officer came to meetings one night and Everyone of the missionaries possesses the same valour was converted so that the next day he brought his whole family and urged them to accept Jesus and the same undaunted spirit that the missionaries of old had. I would go a step farther. When we picture old Dr. Morrison in a sanpan with his Chinese teacher, work- Christ as their Saviour. He wanted to be sure ing under the heat of the tropical sun on the translation of the Bible into Chinese, while edicts from the Emperor that he might meet his loved ones in Heaven. had been issued against him, we think of that as being Certainly hearts are hungry all over China. We very heroic. But when we think of what the missionaries have done during the last nine months, I would say that would like to send out more young men to bring these missionaries have not been one whit less heroic. . . • the message of God's love and salvation to the sin- ·stricken, broken hearts. The refugees now num- Coming back from the war it was the missionaries who ber 100,000,000 and many have lost all their visualized the need of refugee zones and saved hundreds of thousands of people, men, women and children. Here earthly possessions. They need to know the One in Hankow you have started refugee camps and your In- who loves and cares for them, who gave His only . ternational Red Cross Committee has organized help for
CHRISTIAN BANDS IN WAR-TORN CHINA
our wounded soldiers. In Kaifeng they have well-organ- more. We are planning to send a group of workized plans for establishing a refugee zone whenever the, ers, headed by Rev. Frank Ling, to start a large need arises. From all over China come reports of work orphanage in Tuhshan, Kweichow. The China like this. Those of you who are here now have done so Inland Mission has kindly offered property there much for our people! We do appreciate it. for this purpose. Remember us in your prayer. Since the loss of our mission property in Shang- These quotations show the general feeling hai the Bethel Mission is branching out. We have among the Christians in China. They feel guilty now one hospital in the French Concession 'in before God and realize their own helplessness. Shanghai and another was opened last May to take They pray for forgiveness and depend on God and care of the war babies. The Gospel Hall work has His mercy. Throughout China people are also been re-opened in Shanghai. In Hongkong we very grateful to the foreign missionaries. It is have over fifty promising young men and' young time for the Christian churches all over the world to stir themselves to relieve the suffering and to women in our Bible School. The Orphanage here preach the Gospel in our distressed land. We be- receives new children almost every week. Opporlieve that we have unprecedented opportunities tunities for preaching are wonderful. We lost our before us. press but the printing department is stilI going on, and we have printed Dr. R. E. Neighbour's As for the war orphan question: Madame Chiang Kai-shek in her letter to me says: book, "Victorious Living," Dr. Oswald Smith's on "The Revival We Need," and Dr. Walter Wilson's I am exceedingly glad that your mission feels that it "Miracles in a Doctor's Life." Tens of thousands will be possible for you to take care of fifty war orphans. of tracts and a monthly magazine in Chinese are There are so many tens of thousands of these destitute, also printed on our press. And now the Bethel homeless little ones, that anything we can do to better Bands will again be sent to the needy fields. ' The their lot is only a drop in the bucket. Yet, it is incumbent need is great, but our God is greater. Pray that upon us as Chinese, and as Christians, to do all that we much blessing may accompany our efforts to bring can on their behalf. about the greater things, for His Kingdom.
The fifty war orphans are already cared for by the mission in Hongkong and there are thousands MOVING DAY IN A CANTON HOSPITAL Mrs. Theodore D. Stevenson (Beatrice Scott), an American missionary in Canton, sends this interesting account of moving into their new hospital before it was bombed by the Japanese.
"Char-women, with beaming smiles, carried heavy pails of water and scrubbed all day long and far into the night-and if they dropped an occasional cleaning rag down the new drains and flooded a floor or two, it was with the best of intentions and only because they had never met proper plumbing before. The gardeners left their beloved pots of chrysanthemums (an unusual thing) and moved heavy cupboards hither and yon. The hospital carpenter stayed up until the wee, small hours adding last minute touches to the furniture. Even the nurses lent a hand and voluntarily cleaned windows (a very 'face-losing' business for nurses).
"Downstairs the doctors were adding finis.hing touches to their smart new offices and examining rooms, and seeing to it that the ferns and blackwood furniture in the adjoining waiting room were placed in conventionally staff attitudes. Carpenters hammered; electricians installed and blew out fuses with equally cheerful rapidity; the telephone company put in a local dial system which everyone must stop their work to tryout; the elevator men (who were being paid by the day and therefor,e did not share the general enthusiasm for accomplishment) reluctantly put their final screws in place; the kitchen staff, proud in their new aprons, triumphantly served up the first meal; the first baby was born in the new delivery room.
"And then, unbelievably, we were in; all the wheels were in motion. "Best of all, this new efficiency is for everyone. The public wards and private rooms with bath are equally attractive and convenient-same curtains and spreads, same electric fixtures, same devoted nursing care, and the same chance to hear about Christ, the Life. "One patient remarked: 'We like your hospital because it is so clean,' by which she meant new, empty of the evil spirits that lurk in dead corpses. We hope it is 'clean' in that very sense-purged of the evil spirits of superstition, ignorance, callousness, pain-and that its example will count for good in this community and city and country."
A Revival in Angola, West
By MAURICE E. PARSONS, Elisabethville, Belgian Congo A REVIVAL has been sweeping over the An- such a vision of the havoc his unforgiving spirit gola Mission field for more than a year. was working among his people, that he could not The leader of the Methodist Conference, stay in bed. Hastening to the river, he got into evangelist Joaquim Bernardo, received a genuine his canoe and paddled the 20 miles to the village baptism of the Holy Spirit about four years ago. of the other pastor. There he poured out a con- This changed him from a shifting, uncertain, in- fession of his own wrongness and besought foreffective preacher into a man aflame with a pas- giveness. This completely broke the other, and sion for souls, mightily empowered in prayer and he in turn, with tears and sobs, took the blame. preaching so that he is greatly used in winning Peace flooded their souls. souls. One of his Spirit-filled workers is a grandmother who has been called "the bride" because Together they returned to the scene of the speshe walks very slowly as do African brides in cial meetings and after they told their story it going to the weddings. In trudging from village was not long before there were outpourings of the to village to pray with needy souls at these revival Spirit. Darkness was changed to light; blindness meetings, her aged feet have become so sore that to sight; sorrow to joy; and strife to peace. Folshe can hardly walk; and yet she keeps on with lowing this revival most of the people of the vilher work for God. lage went to the second village and paved the way for a revival there by asking pardon for past atti- This corps of workers began meetings in one tudes and actions, and then joined in singing, village and after several days the people still sat praying and rejoicing with their friends. They stolidly as the invitations were given. There was spent a week in winning victories in heart and no spirit of prayer or revival. What was the life through the power of the Spirit. Individual matter? It was discovered that the local pastor hearts had been made right, and there was marand another had become jealous of each other and velous "peace on earth among men of good will," neither would budge toward confessing and ask- because there was born in Bethlehem One whose ing forgiveness. This attitude of the pastors had name is not only "The Prince of Peace," but also spread to their people so that there was animosity "Jesus" "for He shall save His people from their between the two villages. sins."
Joaquim Bernardo and the others were pray- I have met many such examples of the grace ing that God's Spirit might break through. Fi- and power of God in my two years in Africa. nally one night there came to the pastor a great There are whitened fields in which there are few conviction of his own sinfulness and pride and laborers.
White Fields in Rhodesia By BISHOP JOHN McKENDREE SPRINGER, Umtala, Southern Rhodesia Bishop for Africa of the Methodist Episcopal Church "BEHOLD ye among, the heathen, and regard engaged in service as class leaders, stewards, and wonder marvelously." As we shuttle nurses and foremen, and hundreds as capable back and forth across Central Africa be- teachers, evangelists, and ministers. Truly God tween the Atlantic and Indian Oceans for the con- is working "a work in your time which you will ferences, visiting stations and seeing some work not believe though it be told you." This is as true of other societies and touching a camp meeting in 1938 A. D. as it was in Habakkuk's time. now and then, we are thrilled to see the thousands This year we attended seven conferences, two of joy-lit faces and to note the transformed lives. of which were interdenominational. The first was Large numbers of African Christians are actively the 60th anniversary of Protestant Missions in [40 ]
THE GOSPEL THE CITY NEEDS
the Congo and was held at Leopoldville. Two hun- definitely building up one Church-"The Church dred and forty native delegates. from eighteen dif- of Christ in Congo." ferent tribes gathered for the first conference of . Next came the All-Angola Conference held at the Congo Methodist Church, which preceded the Chilesso. For this forty-one missionaries and naconference of missionaries. Most of these people tives were present from nine different societies. understood one of the three native languages used: The president, citing the intensive practice of Kikongo, Lingala or Kiluba. Many of them also athletes, musicians anil others, gave new content understood French, which was used in some of to the words of Paul to Timothy to "exercise thythe sessions. self unto Godliness." Considering that in this Col- ony, as in the Congo, there is intense opposition In addition, three hundred natives, trained for on the part of Roman Catholics to Protestant Misthe choir, had been assembled from these tribes, sions, this became very appropriately a dominant and their voices blended beautifully. The cloth note in the Conference. for their vestments was given by the textile company which, from cotton grown in the Colony, Preceding each of our five Annual Methodist weaves 60% of the calico used in the Congo; and Conferences we had a three days' Retreat. ,a tailoring firm made them up free of cost. Many local firms donated food and gave other help to The revival in Angola, reported a year ago, has this Native Christian Conference. continued through the year. Over a thousand have professed conversion to. Christ. The day A pageant was given in a natural amphitheater after the Angola Conference closed, John Webba, on the west bank of Stanley Pool, a lake-like the senior minister of the Conference, entered widening of the mighty Congo, near the very spot into his rest. Webba assured his sorrowing wife where the first missionary, Bentley, landed sixty that God was taking him "Home" and that he was years ago to build his station among the wildest not afraid, and that the heavenly Father would of savages. This landing was depicted in one care for her and the children. He left five sons, episode. Other scenes portrayed the way in which all in Christian work, including an eider and a the Government had put an end to s},ave trading, deacon. As a boy, this prince of the Kingdom had and showed how medical missions are routing the been considered by his heathen chief as worth old-time witch doctor. There were seats for 5,000, merely the price of four razor-back pigs, and had but the demand was such that the performance been given as payment for a fine in lieu of the had to be repeated on the next day. The highest porkers. Government officials attended and were greatly pleased. On the closing Sunday of the Native The Congo Conference was held at Sandoa, and Conference vast congregations joined in services over 800 partook of the Communio.n, though it was in the three languages.. only sixteen years since the Brintons cleared a place in which to build the grass huts in which In the Missionary Conference one hundred and they had to live all through the first rainy season. twenty-six delegates from twenty-two Protestant Talk of miracles! When we saw the congregation societies spent eight days in fellowship, prayer of some 2,000 Christians assembled at the Church and the discussion of problems and policy. In that first Sunday and thought of the other thouthe Congo there is the fullest comity in the Prot- sands throughout the circuit, where there had not estant group, all working as though united in one been more than a dozen Christians sixteen years society, joyfully acknowledging one Lord, and ago, our hearts sang the Hallelujah Chorus.
The Gospel the City Needs By A. SCOTT, New York* "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world; Christ died for the ungodly. Through Him lies and .this is the victory that overcometh the world, even individual salvation as well as the one effective our faith." remedy for the social ills of the day but even the most consecrated of Christians are prone to wan- T HE city needs the Gospel of Christ. It is der into concern over prison conditions and their obviously true that there is no spiritual need reforms, conditions in the so..called slum areas, of one class of society greater than that of temperance, the motion-picture evils, war and another class. The crying need of the day in peace, and many varieties and shades of modern which we live is a reproclaiming of the Gospel of political and economic philosophy. The ills of the Christ to all men everywhere. body social are many and, while true, none of • Brought to Christ In the McAuley Cremorne MisSion.
them are according to the Will of God. Christians since been washed from the sands of Galilee's energetically spend time tilting at these wind- shore, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. mills, all the while failing to realize the full significance of our Lord's words, "Ye must be born There are citizens other than Christians, who again." For is it not only through that which is are concerned with the ills of the day, as is eviborn of the spirit that the day of social regenera- denced by a trend in civic thought. The differtion will ever be possible? Meanwhile we mis- ence existing between those others and the Christake gpod causes for the one good cause-the re- tian lies in the remedy proposed for application. demption of humanity by everlastinglyproclaim~ The civic forum is no longer a platform from ing the everlasting Gospel of the Son of God. which are heard the words of the wise; no longer the nations press, nor again the voice of the radio, Are there fOI1ces of evil abroad in the city? Are but the thinking processes of the entire people is there spectres of poverty, greed, lust, crime, vice, gravely concerned with the welfare of society. pleasure seeking to the exclusion of all else, and Within' itself economically distressed, politically the s·pectres of moral looseness and laxity to be disturbed, morally retrogressed and s,piritually seen on every hand? Can the aim of the Chris- decadent, the nation derives but little comfort tian, of the mission or the "up-town" church, be from events beyond its borders. All over the anything other than to point to the Christ of Calvary as the remedy for all that is contrary to the world there exists a state of near-chaos needing will of God? Can the substance of any Gospel but little to become chao3 in the absolute. The that is to save humanity from itself be anything present lies shrouded in doubt, while the future other than the sacrificial death of Him who said, is darkened by fear. And yet, for this nation and "I am the way, the truth, and the life"? On what those beyond our borders, there is a way out; it is the road back to God and back to a reverence is emphasis to be placed other than on the human for the things properly to be reverenced. The need for its one and only Saviour? The Gospel road back is the road leading forward whereon lies the realization that man's will cannot run the city needs is today that old, old story, first contrary to the Will of God. proclaimed by Him whose footprints have long DILEMMAS MUST BE FACED IN CHINA Christian forces in China are realizing that war brings moral problems, by-products, as well as those that have to do with refugees, evacuation and the like. One of them is the opium traffic. One earnest layman advised silence regarding opium, lest embarrassment be caused the central government, which, he said, was largely dependent on opium revenue for carrying on the war; but those in a position to know say that Chiang Kai-shek has been and is uncom- promising in his efforts to suppress the cultivation of the poppy even at the expense of amaz- ingly large revenues. It is in the areas occupied by Japanese that the traffic is flourishing, and if there is to be a fight against this evil it must be by Christian forces that remain there.
Another problem concerns the choice of silence, or defiance in connection with preaching.
Occasionally, warnings are given against proclaiming any doctrine of God that might be in- terpreted as a slight ag.ainst the emperor. There has even been a suggestion from high mis- sion circles that certain publicity material prepared for the Madras Conference which indi- cated that body's intention to exalt the supremacy of God above any state authority might make it more difficult to secure the attendance of the delegations from one or another totali- tarian state. Some missionary leaders in China have begun to realize that the carrying on of church work in conquered territory does not insure freedom from that kind of problem.
A third quandary has to do with the use of a foreign flag, for more than once mission- aries have been asked to lend their national flag to protect a chur.ch or school which legally belongs to the Chinese; and still anoth.er question is that of sale of property to the Japanese.
Shanghai offers an illustration. Under pressll:re from Washington the Japanese agreed to re- turn the property of the University of Shanghai, which they had occupied since last autumn.
But they specified that it should not be used either as a Chinese school or as a residence for for- eign missionaries. Also they refused to issue passes to the missionaries or university represen- tatives to traverse the roads leading to the campus. Negotiations led to the suggestion that the Japanese purchase the buildings and grounds. But Chinese faculty members, and Board of Managers, to a man, rejected the proposition. They would rather be without a college than accept even the huge sum suggested. -Christian Century.
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II Effective Ways of Working 'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MISS GRACE W. lVlcGAVRAN, 5718 OAK AVE., INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA A Solo in Costume more familiar to your group, but can add so much to your year's be sure that the mood of the study. It is true that a wide- The hymn which follows is one music interprets suitably the awake committee can find out written for use in the Leonard emotion of the hymn. many things from many sources Theological College in Jubbul- and do without the book, but it pore, Central Provinces, India. Marbled Halls of Ancient is also true that many a commit- It may be sung to anyone of Kingdoms tee will have neither the time several tunes which are noted nor the sources of information; below. Marbled halls of ancient kingdoms, and that many another commit- Mighty empires passed away, tee has to choose between find- Have this sung as a solo with ing out and putting into effect. the singer in the costume of In- Baffled lore and mystic longing, You handicap your committee by dia. Introduce the solo with the Join the cry for life today. failing to put into their hands information about its origin. the result of much research Suggest that in this and other Open is the door effectual, which, in a pamphlet like this, hymns of aspiration we join See the multitudes that yearn, concentrates ideas and materials with Christian friends in India which have taken weeks to get in feeling that only through Reaching up from crushed existence, together. Give your committee Christ can that beloved country 'Tis for life their hearts do burn. this tool and then expect good find the true Way of Life. use to be made of it. It will re- "Show us Jesus!" Hear the cry of sult in much more effective work Use it again in some program Multitudes in thronging mart! on their part. on India given for the whole church, with the same introduc- Send us, Lord, our Pentecost to A Book Dinner tion. Bear the Cross to India's Heart! We might take a hint from a If you wish instead to have the Forth there goes the weary pilgrim sorority group in Illinois. They missionary society use it as a Seeking peace in lotus shrines; needed books for their library. hymn during their India study, Each girl was asked to bring ask your choir director to help Though the proffered ways are legion, back in the fall a book she had choose that tune for it which will Still the heart of India pines. enjoyed during the summer. The best lend itself to congregational chapter then had a book dinner. singing. Then have a time when Christ the livin~ way we offer, They used the books brought, as it is learned. This should not be High we hold His Cross of love, centerpieces. For after-dinner a part of the devotional period, speeches, each girl told why she but the devotional period may Joyfully we join in service, liked the book she had contribwell be shortened occasionally to Build we beauty -from above. uted. A Fall, or New Year's insert in the program a five- or Book Dinner might launch our ten-minute "learning period" "Show us Jesus!" Hear the cry of groups in some very worth-while when new hymns such as this Multitudes in thronging mart! reading. Even if only a very are learned. If you give time few books are donated the interto learning it, be sure it is used Send us, Lord, our Pentecost to est created in them will secure frequently enough thereafter to Bear the Cross to India's Heart! their effective use. Write the warrant the time thus spent. name of the donor in the front "E'er abide in me," says Jesus, of each book and lightly paste in The tune to which this is some- "Would ye fruits of Spirit bear," a slip of paper on which each one times sung is "Clem." These who reads the book may put her other tunes are good-"Panoply Yea, abide in us, we ~ray Thee, name. of Light"; "Feliciter"; and for Grant us power to do and dare. congregational use "Hymn to Stimulate Reading Joy." The last named requires So, we pledge Thee who hast called us, the repetition of the third and In one fellowship sublime, A meeting often ends early or fourth lines of music, sung very someone who was to have been softly, for the refrain. Other All we are in glad abandon, tunes in the same meter may be Make us prophets of our time.
"Show us Jesus!" Hear the cry of Multitudes in thronging mart!
Send us, Lord, our Pentecost to Bear the Cross to India's Heart!
-C. Stanley Thoburn.
Help Your Social Committee In studying a foreign country like India, it is only fair to your social committee to give them some help in their planning. Twenty-five cents will bring you "Fun and Festival from India," which contains many ideas for decorating, for music, for menus, and for all that local color which [43 ]
on the program unexpectedly The business women came di- ful and clear-cut presentations fails. One organization has a rect to the church from their by people able to speak with aulibrary committee whose mem- offices, those arriving early hav- thority. bers are always prepared with ing time to enj oy a bit of visitone or more book reviews. Just ing. Those for whom the trip We cite this case, not as one a word from the leader in an was longer, or who were free to be copied, but as an example aside, and a delightful and stim- later, arrived just in time for of a church ready to find a way ulating book review appears on to give its business and profesthe program as if it had been the meal. sional women the missionary planned as a part of it. Since At six-thirty the supper was education they needed and these reviews never increase the wanted at a time and in a way usual length of the meeting they over and tables were cleared. which could enlist the greatest are always enjoyed and do much The program lasted from six- number. to increase the reading-desires of the members. thirty to a quarter to eight. The To insist on old forms of or- business was brief and efficiently ganization – on ancient times Burma Comes to Iowa planned; devotionals were mean- and places and ways of meeting ingful but short; and talks or is to hamper the cause. Find the At a young people's rally in addresses were planned to take problems facing a group in con- Sheffield, Iowa, the Saturday an exact period. At 7: 45 the nection with their meeting for night dinner took the form of a benediction was pronounced, so missionary education. Discover Burmese scene in which the that any member with an eve- the type of work which will chalposts of the room simulated ning engagement was free to go. lenge them. Arrange a way of palm trees, the menu cards were getting together which will be in the shape of pagodas and the At times the church was de- both convenient and effective. menu written in Karen. Peanuts serted by eight o'clock except for Then keep the conditions inand sweets were served in cocoa- the woman employed to wash violate. nut shells. The pastor, his wife dishes. At other times a group and their children (formerly lingered for an hour or more, Use Dolls for Publicity missionaries in Burma) were enjoying each other's comments dressed in Karen costume and –or, just "visiting." Occasion- The W 0 men's Missionary sang, "Jesus Loves Me," in that ally an interesting speaker held Friend (October, 1938) carries tongue. On the long table was a sort of post-session as thought- an advertisement by Mrs. Elsie constructed a Burmese village provoking as the address. But Clark Krug, 2'227 St. Paul replete wit h thatched – roof this rose out of circumstances Street, Baltimore, Maryland, houses on stilts, groups of ele- and not through planning. which has a fine suggestion for phants standing about, and two publicity. Mrs. Krug has for pagodas in dominating position. Consider the situation: A sale India dolls, made in India Three devotional addresses were group of women from forty to in a home for widows. These given. The menu cOn";sted of sixty in number, who had so dolls represent different castes Me (rice), Dahsih (pi'kle rel- many conflicting interests and and occupations. Write for her ish), Thequitha (banana), Kapi responsibilities that a free eve- price-list. Her suggestion is (coffee), Ice Kri (ice cream), ning could not be discovered, that newspapers will gladly Ghethu (curry), Thagotha (to- found that they could take the photograph them and write armatoes), Goh Seh (cake). earlier hour, provided certain ticles about them. conditions were met. They had Meet the Situation of Your no responsibility for the meal be- Securing the right publicity yond paying. (For years a dol- for special meetings is a weak Group lar per member per year pro- point in most church groups. vided the meal and dishwasher.) Newspapers are always ready to A church in a busy Kansas They were content with a meal use really interesting copy. town found a method of securing so simple that its cost and prep- They cannot be expected to run regular and large attendance of aration were reduced to a min- the dull sort of announcement business women at their mission- imum. There was promptness in that attracts no one. ary guild meeting once a Bonth. starting and clock-like regularity in clos.ing. A good program was Snappy and news-worthy A flat, yearly charge was made provided, usually from outside write-ups, especially when ac-. each member to cover the cost of the group. companied by pictures suitable the very inexpensive supper for making cuts and really tellserved promptly at six o'clock Perhaps some of these condi- ing a story, will have ready acten times a year. Note that an tions are not ideal. But cancel ceptance in many newspaper absent member's supper-fee was one of them and that particular offices. available to equalize costs. group would have dissolved. For instance, had the leaders at- We hope later to devote an is- Three women of the church, tempted to provide for the pro- sue to the question of effective who did not belong to the group, gram from within the group, a publicity and would be glad to prepared a simple, well-balanced certain proportion would imme- receive accounts of especially efmeal. diately have dropped out. They fective publicity for missionary wanted to be stimulated and events in your church. forced to think, through force-
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
We Want to Know who later spoke to the entire The book is true to its title. group, was inspired by the l:.S- The theme and motive of the life What was the most effective surance that she had before her of an Indian woman is her huspiece of work you did for Mis- women intelligent on the subject band. The charm of the book is sions last summer? Or the sum- of her address. Several members unusual. It portrays most delimer before? We do not neces- were able to listen with greater cately the devotion of the womsarily mean a meeting. Through delight because of their informal anhood of India to her ideal. what enterprise, technique, nov- "preview" of the speaker. Ramabai Ranade, its author, elty, or method did you affect moreover gives a moving picture the lives of members of your The words in which a speaker of the contrast between the purcongregation, missionary group adresses the group are only half dah-bound women of the averor individuals in a worthwhile of the service she may render. age household and the struggle way, in spite of heat, summer Choose with care a few persons for freedom on the part of these "slump," etc.? In other words with whom the speaker may chat who like herself in obedience to what did you do to make your in the social moments preceding the desire of an enlighted huswork, or some phase of it a suc- the meeting. Questions will flow band are defying custom and cess, in spite of the usual sum- much more readily following the tradition to leave seclusion and mer handicaps? address if there has been an op- enter public life. portunity for the speaker to Our May issue, according to meet at least a few of the mem- Something of the theme and present plans, will be devoted to bers in the right way. outlook of the book might be that problem, and we want to given by one woman, who must give others the best of your sug- Try This Game on India be able to enter with sympathy gestions. Address the editor of into the feelings and life of the these pages at 5718 Oak Avenue, A heart-warming little note Indian woman. The story itself Indianapolis, Indiana. from Mrs. Aitchison, the former may be given by another wom- editor of these pages, written in an, reading from the book if de~ Effective Personal pencil as she takes her enforced sired, as if she were seeing for Introductions rest-cure, has come to the pres- the first time her own words in ent editor. In it Mrs. Aitchison print. She should be dressed in Contrast these two situations. mentions a game on India, Know an Indian sari, as delicate and as -A younger member of a mis- Your Mission Lan d 8 – India, rich a one as possible, for the sionary group brought a guest which has come to her and Ranades were wealthy. to the meeting. She introduced which she feels would be interher to several who made her esting and worth-while. We are Learning Through Drama welcome with the inconsequen- delighted to have her recomtial pleasant chit-chat of new mendation, as a copy of the An interesting little playlet, acquaintances. Imagine their game has not so far reached us. prepared and published in India annoyance when she was later for use in the village schools to introduced as an outstanding The game is similar to the portray their own program, is worker in another denomination weH-known Lotto. The cards available at 10 cents a copy from and the speaker of the day. contain questions and answers Mabel W. Moomaw, Vocational They had lost a golden opportu- selected from the interdenom- Training S c h 0 0 1, Anklesvar, nity for informal· conversation inational mission study books on Broach District, India. It is enon some of the things, in which India. Two to fifteen people titled "My Son." they had been especially inter- may play. It will provide a ested, and felt that their speaker lively game period for from two Juniors would enjoy using must have thought them un- to fifteen children, young people this in a study of India. There usually unconcerned about her or adults. It costs only 50 cents are gaps in it which they would own background and interests. postpaid. need to fill after study. For in- stance, a child reports on the A tactful hostess of another Order from: The Literature Department, birds that are seen in the village. missionary group brought a The Women's General Missionary Society, This, in the village school pr~ guest. She introduced her to 904 Publication Building, Pittsburgh, Pa.. gram, is easily done. Our chilseveral members. Each time the or from Mrs. E. D. McKune, 211 Fifteenth dren would need to look up India hostess was able to mention Ave., S., Nampa, Idaho. and find out about birds there. some particular interest which the member had shown in the An Unusual Book Opportunity Its value would lie to a large type of enterprise carried on by extent, for children in this counthe visitor. Both were made to The autobiography of a lady try, in the study they would be feel that it was because of a of India, recently off the press, led to do in order to give it. common interest that she had offers a wonderful opportunity They might even make some brought them together; she for a book review. In the first changes in it to make it clearer chatted with them long enough place its title is "Himself," an to an American audience.. They after each introduction to be intriguing thing in itself. "An might get quite a bit of delight sure that each had a key to the autobiography of an Indian lady, from putting on something writ~ other's activities. The. guest, ten for and actually given by and called 'Himself'!" * writes children in India.
one woman inchedulously.
• "Himself" by Ramabai Ranade, trans- Jated by Katharine Gates. $2.00. Long- mans Green, N. Y., 1938,
BULLETIN
Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
A OALL TO PRAYER scenes, we know that with hus- such a warm purpose – to re- bands and children and servants member one another, to dedicate GOES OUT TO ALL PEOPLE and neighbors and friends, at themselves anew to creating the home or abroad, these good Kingdom of Heaven on earth, LET US PRAY: women created a contagious and engaging climate around them and to capture the attention of Father, grant that I may take which others undoubtedly copied. the listless and the lukewarm, my religion seriously and in- that all may realize a little of the vite the spirit of Jesus Christ The quality of goodness we to permeate everything I say mean includes ideals spiced with startling attraction to be discov- and do. imagination, and fine living done ered in Jesus Christ and to be for a purpose. Suppose that for expressed in lives touched afresh May the law of love be the law even one day in the year all such by His beauty! which governs my everyday women could pause, kneel in life. May I seek to reproduce prayer for one another – that This year's Service of Worship the warm friendliness of Jesus their common .dream for their for Friday, February 24, has in my home, my neighborhood, world might materialize, through been prepared by a group of my business life, and in my young women in the United smallest personal contact. -Albrecht Durer States, using as a theme, "Let us Help me to seek out some person themselves. Who knows what put our Love into Deeds-and or group whose immediate impetus this could give to Make it ReaL" It is a searching needs cry out for Christian weaker women trailing along in sequence of responsive readings, service and in mutual shar- the footsteps of their leaders? prayers, and hymns, with peri- ing give all that I am and have. For many years now the first ods of penetrating silence and a Friday in Lent has been set aside stirring roll call of the nations. Help me to study, work, and for the World Day of Prayer. It is designed to stab any wom- pray for better understanding East, West, North, South, from an awake into 'seeing herself as among people of all races and dawn to dusk, somewhere on the nations. Heln me to be will- face of the earth, women ac- someone expected to alter the ing to live dangerously that tually will be meeting for just trend of history and shift civili- peace may come in this our zation into a more truly Christ- day,O Lord. [46] like era: through the definite "God will not ask thy race, mention of the high traits in the Nor will he ask thy birth. character of Jesus. Alone he will demand of thee But even before the practical stimulus of the printed page is What hast thou done on reached, the cover itself offers· earth." the silent influence of Albrecht Let us put our love into deeds Durer's "Praying Hands." These and make it real. Hands have a legend significant enough to be told first to the THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER small interdenominational group which will meet beforehand to Sometimes we need a sudden plan the February 24th service, sentence to lift us into a new and then retold at the World Day focus on ourselves! Listen therefore to Emerson: "Civ- of Prayer service also, in order ilization is the history of good that their very patience may sugwomen-" as sudden, as provoc- gest the beauty vested in the ative as that! But is it true? Each one of us will at least agree humblest of us, when dedicated that it cannot be not true; for wherever a high civilization has to the highest. For Durer had been created and maintained, the a friend who had been trying to women have been as geared into be a great painter; but try as he it as the men; and, because of might through the years, greattheir quieter influence behind all ness passed him by; yet he nev- er gave up. One day Durer's imagination saw in those unsuc-
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
cessful hands not thwarted There is a similar benediction Hearty Welcome I dreams, but the incarnation of such genuine worth that he waiting to bless your town also! The women of the West Coast asked to draw them in the atti- are welcoming as a worthy suctude of prayer, to suggest the To promote such vital and vigor- cessor to the late Miss Adela J. dignity of labor and the bene- Ballard, Mrs. F. E. Shotwell, the diction of hope. ous fellowship the following sup- new Western Area Supervisor of Migrant Work, appointed by This is so symbolic of our own plies are available; and in case the Council of Women for Home consciousness of being neither Missions. brilliant nor famous; yet a qui- yours is one of the cities where et glory touches our merely aver- Those of us who have met Mrs. age hands when folded in the World Day of Prayer has Shotwell are delighted with her prayer: "May the beauty of the personality, with her back- never been observed, will you not ground of education and with Lord our God be upon us; and her qualification in experience. establish Thou the work of our consider that because you have Personally she has grace and hands; yea, the work of our charm; her degrees in secular hands establish Thou it." read these words you are there- and religious education as well as sociology assure excellent pro- That this has been an actual fore the very person to initiate fessional preparation and her result to communities observing experience in working with the World Day of Prayer, our the observance and to take the young people and church groups, 1938 report of it proves, one sec- as well as in Nevada Welfare first steps which these leaflets Work and in Colorado, Washingtion of which paints the picture: will list? . ton, Oregon and California mi- grant projects assure practical For the women of Shanghai the The following supplies for the application of her knowledge. Women's World Day of Prayer had Quite as much as with all these, unusual significance. "The love of observance should be ordered we are delighted with her evi- Christ our only hope," was the unify- dence of judgment and balance ing theme. The committee which set from denominational Boards: in difficult situations and with up the program was composed of her determination to restudy the Chinese, Japanese, German, Russian, Call to Prayer-free (in limited quan- needs as they are today and the English and American women. This tities) . effective program for the future. committee appointed a sub-committee to plan for a meeting in the Chinese Adult Program – "Let Us Put Our With the changing type of peolanguage. Love into Deeds – and Make It ple making up the migrant Real"-2 cents each, $2.00 per hun- group, from a largely foreign The Chinese service brought the e I erne n t never economically audience face to face with the implica- dred. above a subsistence level, to a tions of the love of Christ in our war- Young People's Program-"And Who group largely native Americans, torn city. In the midst of our tragedy many of them dispossessed farmand losses we were given to see we Is My Neighbor?" – 2 cents each, ers from the dust bowl, who have still had much to be thankful for. In formerly been independent, Mrs. the time of confession the personal $2.00 per hundred. Shotwell is proving herself an and national sins which have contrib- Children's Program-"God's Children understanding and h e I p f u 1 uted to this situation were confessed. friend. The forgiving love of Christ con- Live in Many Lands"-l cent each, strained the audience to forgive those We can think of no one better who have sinned against us. At the $1.00 per hundred. qualified for the four-fold apclose of this service, those who were Poster (llx17)-5 cents. proach necessary to work in the at home in the English language went The Church, A World Fellowship (A migrant areas: contacts with to the international service. . . . government workers, church Review of the World Day of Prayer, groups, employers and the mi- This year the international service March 5, 1938). Single copies free, grants themselves-all approachmet in the Community Church. es requiring wisdom and tact in Twelve different nations were repre- $1.00 per hundred. an unusual degree. The Council sented in the audience. Each one is indeed fortunate in its choice prayed in her own language. The MRS. F. E. SHOTWELL of Mrs. Shotwell. She will need earnest prayer offered by a Japanese our understanding and cooperawoman for the sufferers in the war This article was prepared by Miss Mar- tion. We pledge our support will long be remembered. The high garet T. Applegarth, Chairman of the World peak in the service was the candle Day of Prayer Committee of the National and wish her well.* lighting service when women repre- Committee of Church Women, representing senting different nations approached the National Council of Church Women, the • From ",letter to the editor from Mrs. R. L. the central candle to light the un- Foreign Missions Conference, and the Coun- Bowen, Vice President of the Southern Calilighted candles they carried. A holy cil of Women for Home Missions, Room 63, fornia Council of Federated Church Women. hush fell on the audience as the Jap- 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. anese and Chinese women from opposite aisles approached the central candle and at the same time lighted their candles to return to spread their light. It was so evident that the only way out was for the love of Christ to lift us all above narrow nationalism which is darkening our world. We were challenged to spread the light of His love as the only way out of the darkness which is fast enveloping us.
A Story for the
Yasha, the Refugee One Monday morning a visitor Down in the audience Karl came to talk to the whole school beamed with pride. He whis- By VIOLET WOOD, NEW YORK about health, for it was the first pered among the fifth grade day of Health Week. To all the boys, "Didn't I tell you he's Yasha stood in the school yard, children, except Yasha, it was smart?" unhappily the center of a circle like a holiday. For him it was of·· jeering boys. They were punishment, as he had to sit After the program was over with the first-graders and he Miss Inglis detained Karl and laughing and calling out "Yasha was so much bigger that he felt Yasha. "I am proud of you is a refugee! They threw him both," she said. "Yasha, you out of Russia! They threw him uncomfortable. may get your things and I will out of Germany! Yasha is a Miss Inglis made a little take you into the third grade to- Jew boy. He is ten years old day. If Karl continues to help and only in the first grade! He speech about their visitor, a you, I'll promote you until you're can't even speak English. Yasha in his class." is a refugee!" famous Russian doctor. When the doctor himself spoke, a At recess Karl told the other Miss Inglis, the principal, saw boys. He tossed off a few Rusall this as she looked down from whisper of surprise went around sion words that Yasha had her office window into the yard. among the fifth grade boys, "He taught him. The boys crowded She knew that if she called the around jealously, "How about tormentors off, she would only sounds just like Yasha!" Dr. your teaching us some Russian? add "teacher's pet" to the list of Malkin made them all laugh by Why don't we start a Russiannames given to Yasha. telling stories of germs that English club?" never go to sleep, but dig little She turned from the window "All right," said Karl, "if you to a boy standing beside her, and tunnels in unbrushed teeth and will let Yasha be president." said: "Karl, I am glad you came live happily in dirty finger nails. to see me about Yasha. I will "Sure," one of the boys an- He started a new story: "When swered, "if he's not mad at us .try to do something about it. I was a boy in Russia I was a for calling him names." belfer. Now I guess there is no What are you going to do?" one here who understands that At first Yasha could not be- "Well," Karl began, "last Sun- lieve that they wanted him, but word. Is there?" when he understood that they day we were talking in Sunday At the word belfer Yasha really meant it, he thought that school about persecution and I he was the happiest boy in told our teacher it sounded like jumped. He knew. His father what the boys do to Yasha. She had long ago been a belfer in America. said I ought to do something. I figured it out that he's really Russia. He raised his hand and Making Use of This Story smarter than we are 'cause he Dr. Malkin called on him. Yasha knows a little English, some spoke in rapid Russian, "A See how many famous Jews the chil- German and a lot of Russian. belfer is a boy leader who used dren can name. We only know English. Do you to bring the younger children think I could help him with Disraeli, twice Prime Minister of English?" home from school at night in old Great Britain. Russia when there were no "You certainly could," re- street lights. He walked at the Mendelssohn, composer of beautiful sponded Miss Inglis. "If you head and carried a lighted lan- hymns and songs. give him lessons faithfully, I'll be able to promote him much tern." Sarah Bernhardt, famous XIX cenfaster, for Yasha is a bright boy. Dr. Malkin said, "Very good. tury acress. Only his lack of English is holding him back." That is entirely right, but you Yehudi Menuhin, 21-year-old violin- must come up here and tell us ist of international fame. Several weeks went by. Yasha about it in English." was feverishly learning English Albert Einstein, mathematician, auunder the guidance of Karl. The Tremblingly Yasha faced the thor of theory of relativity. young teacher would have liked school, not wishing to tell the to bring his pupil into his Sun- doctor that he knew so little Benjamin Cardozo, Justice of the day school class, but Yasha jour- English he was only in the first Supreme Court of the United neyed every Sabbath with his grade. States. parents to the Synagogue in a near-by city. In spite of Karl's The doctor put his hand on the Stephen Wise, Jewish leader and kindness, Yasha was very un- boy's shoulder and said, "Now rabbi. happy. The boys often chased take your time, my boy. English him home shouting, "Yasha is a is much easier to speak than Ask the children to bring in current Jew boy, a refugee, a refugee!" Russian. Your Russian is per- clippings from magazines and news- fect. You do your school much papers about the Jewish persecution in Europe today. Let the teacher or credit." parent link up the story of the perse- Yasha suddenly lost his fear cution of the Pilgrims and their flight as refugees to America. and in good English told how his father, like Dr. Malkin, had been Give the children hymn books and a belfer in Russia. see how many hymns they can find, the music of which was composed by [48] Felix Mendelssohn, such as "Still, Still with Thee"; "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing."
~'!===================="~
~ OuJM!'n?;~~;sp':!~:cuS~~?Ok o71t EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO ~============~==================.~~ MISCELLANEOUS increased fivefold in Africa, Ja- introduced, and it is pervading pan and China, and sevenfold in the national life. Christianity Has Not Failed Africa. The increase since 1903 in Korea is seventyfold. There Minority Churches Who are bringing most credit were practically no Protestants to their country, and serving it in the Philippines in 1903; now The world Alliance for Intermost effectively in distant lands? there are 190,000. Seven out of national Friendship Through the asks the Central Christian Ad- everyone hundred Negro Af- Churches has adopted a minivocate. The answer is: "The ricans are now professing Chris- mum standard of liberty for missionaries." The Advocate tians-about one-half of whom churches that form a minority amplifies this answer:- are Protestants, and one-half in any country. The nine points Rom a n Catholics. Compared require: 1. Freedom to deter~ . . . The missionaries have been with Asia the baptized Chris- mine its faith and creed and life-savers; they have restrained Jap- tians in Africa are proportion- freedom from any imposition of anese raiders and rapers; they have ately over five times as numer- another philosophy or system of given first aid and hospital service to ous, and the missionaries are morals; 2. Freedom of public Chinese and Japanese alike. The pop- proportionately four times as and private worship, preaching ulation turns by thousands to the mis- many. and teaching, and freedom from sionaries. They stay, though local imposition of other religious cergovernment has collapsed and local The present number of Prot- emonies ; 3. Freedom to deterofficials have fled. estant missionaries is 27,483- mine its constitution within the or about 527 less than in 1925. limits of the laws of the state Nor are they immune from danger. Missionaries to Asia have de- and to administer its ownaf- Mission properties have been wrecked. creased by 2,345, and increased fairs; 4. Freedom to use the Nine Roman Catholic priests were in Africa by 2',158. Since 1925, mother tongue of its members in butchered-that's the exact word for the salaried staff of native work- all activities of church life; 5. it – at Chengtingfu, Hopei Province, ers has increased by one-third, Freedom to determine and conwhen the Japanese came in. Mission and now amounts to 203,468 trol the education of its minisstations have been looted. workers. There are now 17,789 ters and to decide upon their ordained Protestant nationals. suitability for service; 6. Free- The Japanese have been restrained It is significant to note that in dom to give religious education by the presence of missionaries, whom Japan during the past thirteen to their youth on the same conthey didn't dare to kill, and who years the m iss ion a r y body ditions as the majority churches would be witnesses of whatever out- dropped from 1,253 to 829, while and to bring them together in rages the invaders might commit or the ordained Japanese increased youth associations; 7. Freedom allow. Outside mission areas, the fate from 950 to 1,759. to support and carryon social of Chinese women has been a thing that cries to heaven for vengeance, In China and Japan, one out service, charitable w 0 r k and but very few Japanese soldiers have missionary activities at home dared invade mission premises. . . . of seven students of college and and abroad; 8. Freedom to use all rights open to citizens and The mission hospitals have been university age is in a Christian associations, e. g., the ownership swamped and swamped again by the of necessary property and coltides of wounded. In peace time they institution; in Korea the per- lection of funds; 9. Freedom of were the best hospitals in China, and exchange, cooperation and union their war work has been a miracle of centage is hi g her. Scripture with other groups of the same devotion, desperate toil, and personal church or with other Christian as well as surgical daring. translations have increased, the churches. largest growth being in Africa; Survey of World Missions and everywhere an astonishing All of this means simply that increase in Scripture distribu- members of minority churches The comprehensive statistics tion. should have the rights guaranof Protestant missions, issued teed to all citizens by any demoby the International Missionary But there is an arresting side cratic Bill of Rights. No church Council, is the result of two and to this survey. Out of a world is safe in a State where such a half years' work on the part pop u I a t ion of 2,095,000,000 rights are denied. of an able staff. The total Prot- there are still 1,377,000,000 nonestant Christian constituency in Christians. Progress in reach- -Christian Century. non-Christian lands has expand- ing unoccupied fields has not ed since 1925 from 8,340,000 to bee nmarked. However, into 13,036,000; or more than in the most lands the leaven has been previous twenty-two years. Communicants have, during the pres- [49 ] ent cenhry, trebled ili India;
Methodist Missions Reduced Pinewood. Two have already Orime Figures for New York been finished-The Call of Sam- The' Methodist Board of For- uel and The Good Samaritan– New York City's crime record eign Missions, at their 12'Oth and a third, Woman's Faith, is nearly ready." shows that the city mission task annual meeting in November, re- of the Christian Church is far port that war, and the domina- from finished. The New York Sun has just revealed some startion of increasingly large areas Beer "Ads" Turned Down tling facts, among them the fact by the totalitarian governments are steadily reducing the spread America's largest producer that there was a murder for of Protestantism and the possi- and distributor of short-length every day except one in 1936, bility of maintaining church in- motion picture advertising films, the latest year for which com- stitutions in mission countries; the Alexander Film Company, of plete statistics are available. As- and that freedom of religious Colorado Springs, Colo., has an- sault, robbery and larceny cases worship is meeting the strongest nounced its policy to drop ad- totaled 14,158, while minor fel- political opposition in the his- vertising of beer in its 7,782 onies reached 34,207. While the tory of Protestant missions. Op- contracted motion picture thea- major service of the Police Deposition to the work of ,the mis- ters. partment is the apprehension of sions in Japan, Korea and the In abandoning beer accounts, criminals, the prevention of conquered parts of China, in the firm is sacrificing an annual crime is also its responsibility. Italy and Italian colonies, in net income which has been ex- Constructive measures in crime Spain and in Germany was sin- ceeding $50,000. The action was prevention include provision for gled out in the report. Italian due to a belief that the other 77 outdoor playgrounds and 44 territory in Africa has become clients do not relish being placed indoor recreation centers. Morepractically impossible for Prot- in the company of beer adver- ever, the Police Athletic League estant missions, and should Ger- tisers on theater screens. This provided vents for young energy many's demand for the return of firm is reported to handle ap- in sport instead of crime, and colonies be granted it will place enrolled 34,407 members with under their domination territory proximately three-fourths 0 f attendance well beyond a million where Christian missions now such advertising in the country. in its sport events. exist; while if Franco wins in Its contracted theaters show to Spain, Protestant work is in more than 25,000,000 theater- For other measures in crime danger of being forbidden. Be- goers each week. prevention, the Police Departyond Spain, let it be remem- ment must continue to look to -Union Signal. the schools and to the churches, bered, lies all South America. and especially to the Sunday -New York Times. No Essays on Atheism schools.
NORTH AMERIOA A year ago the following ad- vertisement appeared in a Yak- Ohurch Boat in North Oarolina ima, Washington, paper: Religious Films In the isolated coastal regions In' 'Order tQ prQmQte tQlerance and a The many efforts during the brIOad-minded attitude toward reli- of North Carolina, a church boat past fifteen years to secure good giQUS questiQns, the American ASSQ- now is regularly taking religious religious films have not been a ciatiQn fQr the Advancement 'Of Athe- services to long-neglected com- ism is 'Offering prizes fQr the best lit- munities, many of which until success. England seems to be erary eXPQsitiQn 'Of arguments against the past summer had not seen a the Christian religiQn. . . . minister in more than two years. far in advance of America in this respect. The Manchester If the Christian religiQn is what its This work is under the direction Guardian recently observed that prQPQnents claim for it, it should welthe Religious Film Society is come the most searching and studious of Rev. A. H. Marshall, rector of investigation into its past, its present carrying on its program with set-up, and its possibilities fQr the fu- St. Philip's Church of Southexcellent effect. Says the Guard- ture. If it can't stand such an invesian's London correspondent: tigation, it is unworthy of the support port, N. C., and Mrs. Marshall. Together they visit isolated com- "The Religious Film Society given it. munities in their boat, the Jo- sephine Marshall, conducting and its publicity agent, the Cin- The American Association for the ema Christian Council, arranged services from the deck of the during the 'indoor' season of Advancement 'Of Atheism, therefore, boat anchored near docks, in cot- 1937-38 for over two thousand offers a first prize of fifty dollars, sec- tages, in private homes, and ond prize 'Of twenty-five dollars, and five additiQnal prizes of five dollars bookings of films, including two each for the best essays by pupils 'Of even in village grocery stores. high schools and junior colleges 'Of based on Tolstoy's Where Love Yakima County, 'On "The Folly and Despite the necessity of long Is, God Is and What Men Live Futility of Christianity." treks over swamp trails filled By. Several more new films will with poison ivy, mosquitoes and be added to the society's book- Interested to know what, if sand flies, residents of the area ing list for the coming season. any, was the response, the editor have greeted the services enthu- Episodes from the life of St. of the Sunday School Times siastically, and at times more Paul have been taken for a two- wrote the Association, and by than 100 on short notice have reel sound film, Faith Trium- return mail received the reply journeyed for miles to attend phant, which is being made at that no essays were submitted. the gatherings.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
It is estimated that more than munion work supported by the other natural resources; road 55 communities along the inland Church Boards that compose the construction to open up remote waterway are thus being served. Home Missions Coup-cil, the local areas; Indian arts and crafts; church is now almost self-sup- health service, relief and reha- -The Living Church. porting. The Rev. Harold H. bilitation. Eymann is the successor of the Cooperative Venture in I ate greatly beloved "Parson Many missionaries at work in Tennessee Tom" Stev·enson, the former the vicinity of some of these Boulder City pastor. activities are not favorably im- A new venture in cooperative pressed with all of them. Sevliving is being inaugurated at -The Presbyterian. eral feel that the Indians are Ravenscroft, Tenn., an aban- being subjected to so rapid a doned mining community. When Problems of the South change and so many new influthe mining company moved out, ences that they have been unable some sixty famili.es were left The population of the South is to make the adjustment satisfacstranded. The Rev. Ed win increasing more rapidly than torily. Tribal customs, so op- White, who has been a mission- that of any part of the United posed to Christian ideals and so ary in Cumberland County, un- States. Its excess of births over hampering to Christian training, dertook to relieve the situation; deaths is ten per thousand, as are encouraged by the Govern-. some young women volunteers compared with the national av- ment. The problem of increased were enlisted to take charge of erage of seven per thousand; drinking remains unsolved. a community house and the and already it has the most Farm Security Administration thickly populated rural area. -Monday Morning. sent a young couple to lend aid in rehabilitation through sub- The South must educate one- Chinese Presbyterian Church sistence farming. An option has third of the nation's children in San Francisco now been obtained from the min- with one-sixth of the nation's ing company on 7,000 acres of school revenues. Only 16 per The Chi n e s e Presbyterian mountain land, together with all cent of the children are in High Church of San Francisco obthe houses in the mining camp School, as compared with 24 per served its 85th anniversary in and all mineral rights at a price cent in other states. November. Although all Chiof $3.50 per acre. nese are fond of elaborate cele- The health-protection facili- brations, this occasion was a The leaders hope to secure ties of the South are limited. For simple one because of the suffergovernment loans for coopera- example, there are only one- ings in the home land. This tive enterprises at low rates of third as many doctors per capita church was organized November interest and to organize the com- in South Carolina as there are in 6, 1853, by Dr. William Speer, munity on a cooperative basis California. The South is defi- who had been a medical missionwith skilled farm and business cient in hospitals and clinics, as ary to China, and was the first management. There is, in all the well as in health workers. Many such organization of Chinese land, no more tragic story than counties have no facilities at all. outside of Asia. Since the beginthat of stranded communities in ning, the church has had Chithe southern highlands where The South leads the nation in nese pastors except for brief inmines have been mined out, tim- the employment of children in tervals. It maintains a close reber cutting completed and erod- farm and factory. One hundred lation to the communi,ty through ed hillside land depleted. The eight out of everyone thousand its present pastor, who serves wage earners are unable to move children between ten and fifteen on the staff of directors of vawhen the company moves. years old are employed in the rious civic 0 r g ani z a t ion s. South, compared to forty-seven Schools have been established -Christian Century. out of everyone thousand chil- and Christian homes set up in dren of these ages in the country China by those who have gone Churches Cooperate at as a whole. out from this c h u r c h. Ten Shasta Dam churches in China have been -New York Times. founded and supported by gifts The Home Missions Council from Chinese Presbyterians in will cooperate in interdenomina- The American Indian the United States. tional religious work for the families of the 7,000 persons According to the latest census, -Monday Morning. who are to be employed in build- about 50 per cent of all Amering the national government's ican Indians live in three states: LATIN AMERICA new Shasta Dam on the Sacra- Oklahoma, Arizona and New mento River, near Redding, in Mexico. This is an increase of Christian Education in Cuba northern California. One town 1.2 per cent a year for the past already has been built by the s eve n years. The agency in Cuban delegates to the Hagovernment and three 0 the r charge of federal activities for van a Congress on Christian town sites are being developed. Indians has an extensive pro- Work in 1929 proposed a plan At Boulder City, Nevada, which gram, which includes tribal or- for a continental federation of is another center of inter-com- ganization; increase of Indian evangelical churches, but the land-holdings; soil conservation plan met with no enthusiasm in and irrigation; conservation of
Cuba. Again in 1937, coopera- simplicity of their faith was most re- the whole community several tive fellowship was discussed at freshing. times before being invited to the Han a v a Conference on come in, but once he has gained Christian Education; and last In one village where w~ knew th~ngs a hearing, he will sit where the October definite plans material- were not right, opportumty was gIven family sits, comment as little as at the close of the meeting to set af- fairs straight; there followed such confessions and going to each other possible, preferring to let God ized at a Conference in Cama- speak for Himself through the giiey, Cuba, when, by unanimous and asking forgiveness for harsh simple, clear reading of one passage after another. Where vote, the Cuban Council of Chris- words or bitter thoughts as would put tian Education was formed. most American congregations to shame. . -Evangelical Christw,n. there has been a receptive spirit, Article I of the new constitu- he will suggest praying to God tion states "the purpose of the Fair Exchange No Robbery organization will be spiritu.al, just where they are. At fi.rst educational and fraternal, wIth C. H. Morris, American Bible their thoughts run somethmg special aim to promote the co- Society Agent in Amazonia, with like this: Is it really possible to operation of the evangelical two of the Society's launches pray to God, through J e sus churches in Cuba in the prom(jt- visited the immense archipelago Christ? Don't we need to pray ing of Christian education. It is in the mouth of the Amazon to an image, some visible nearour further purpose to enj oy the River, where most of the people by representation or representaworld-wide fellowship of the are rubber gatherers, and live Christian churches in affiliation under very unfavorable condi- tive of the far off God? Is no with the World's Sunday School tions. At one place, a man ex- other mediator necessary? No Association." pressed delight at the opportu- intercession by saint or virgin, nity to own a Bible, of which he apostle or martyr? How simply It appears that Cuba has do~e had heard but had never seen. he prays! It is just like talking more in the way of leadershIp "Read more," he pleaded, when training than most of the other the colporteur read to the end to a father! But does he think Latin American countries. There of a chapter. He paid for his that God will really hear him? is evidence of a broader and Bible with seven bunches of ba- Doesn't he need a priest? Why, deeper understanding of essen- nanas. An elderly blind widow tial Christianity and its rele- exchanged some corn for a Tes- he prays to God as though he vance to individual life. How- tament. knew Him, as though he ~ould ever, it must be noted that there see Him! Then they begm to is not the same sense of respon- In the course of this interestsibility for the maintenance an~ ing journey a great variety ?f listen to what the evangelist is extension of the Church. POSSI- commodities were received m saying; that they might know bly its nearness to the United exchange for the Scriptures. States, and the facilities there Here are some that helped to that they have access to the Fafor the support of pastors may make the launch resemble a partially explain this fact. traveling general store: 119 ther through Jesus Christ, II!ight fowls, 12 ducks, 8 parrots, 193 know their sins are forgIVen. -WSSA News. eggs., a large supply of bananas Usually, the family will start and maize, coconuts, rice, fish, daily family worship, and t~e On Mule Back in Honduras evangelist is content to leave It at that, with the suggestion that they invite their friends. Thus a congregation is formed.
-The Neglected Continent.
Miss Mabel Rowell gained a salt, vegetables and two canoe Growth by Persecution new understanding of the need paddles. in Honduras when she made a It is almost fifteen years since, two weeks' evangelistic t rip 'The s a I e s of the journey in answer to an urgent telegram, across the country on muleback. amounted to 1,897 volumes, in- missionaries of the Evangelical She writes in the Evangelical cluding 154 Bibles and 374 Tes- Union of South America entered Christian: taments. the little town of Catole de Rocha in Brazil. The story from There are no hotels in the villages Evangelism in Peru there is one of continuous persewhere we stopped, but every house cution; the greater the persecuhas a lean-to roof in front to shelter One of the most interesting tion the greater the progress; the calves, pigs, etc., during the nigh~, points in Peruvian evangelism and they will always allow travelers is its tendency to hinge around and the greater the progress the the privilege of slinging their hammocks there and usually the privilege households rather than individ- greater the persecution. This uals. Quite spontaneously, and of using their open fire in the kitchen. without comparing notes until area is a small outlaw kingdom, At one place we stayed I was awak- with two rival clans; and the ened several times in the night by a afterwards, national workers in word of the dominating clan is little fat pig who thought it would be nice to rub his back under my ham- different parts of the Republic law. While one clan reigns, the mock and incidentally on me. This other suffers, waiting opportutrip has taught me that there is no have been led to use the family nity to take revenge. Finding as the basis of their approach to such thing as private life in Honduras, the community. An evangelist favor in the eyes of the then at least in mountain sections. But may visit every family in a vil- dominating chief, the missionarthere are always compensations and lage before he finds the family ies, during their first visit. to instead of giving blessing to those dear believers I think I received. The he is looking for; perhaps visit the district were 0 accompamed
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
upon practically all of their ence have stated that there is no by the Committee, they are re- evangelistic excursions by a ser- real difference between them. turned to the Shipping Room of geant and two soldiers of the The Godless are those who lead the Committee on World Friend- State Police. Under this favor- the struggle against religion ac- ship among Children, at 207 ing wind, three churches were cording to the teachings of Karl East 19th Street, New York, erected by 1932. One was de- Marx, Engels, Lenin and Stalin. from which they are forwarded stroyed by enemies, but in 1938 These are not only Godless but directly to Spain. It is expected a fourth was built, and now a also Communists. Atheists are that the supply will be exhaust- national pastor is available to those who have separated them- ed before December 31st. take the oversight of the s e selves from religion, who belong churches. The work was pros- to socialist political groups but Methodists Keep Out of pering, new preaching points who have not yet accepted Com- Trouble with Nazis were established, and in his de- munism. Bishop John L. Nuelson, of sire to see further progress the -World Dominion Press. Zurich, Switzerland, rep 0 r t s young pastor invited another na- that the Methodist Episcopal tional pastor to hold a series of A Queen's Message to Youth Church organization in Germany meetings. This released a flood of bitter persecution which cul- Queen Wilhelmina, of Holland, and Austria have been cut loose minated in the pastor's forced recently celebrated her 58th from international ties and thus departure from the town to save birthday and the 40th year of have kept out of trouble with the his life. The encouraging fact is her reign. From the beginning Nazi Government. Catholic and that five or six people have been she realized that d i v i n e re- Lutheran Churches are state- sources would enable her to rule sponsored churches, their minisconverted. in peace and justice. In a broad- -The Neglected Continent. cast to her people, the Queen ters on the state payroll, so that Nazis look upon them as state urged youth to undertake great employees, and their utterances EUROPE responsibility with character, are judged as loyal or disloyal.
Freethinkers' Congress devotion, understanding and fi- On the other hand, Methodists a Failure delity. Her words have deep sig- support their own churches and nificance for the youth of today, preachers, as in America. There- The International Congress of not because of royal privilege fore, they have a degree of free- Freethinkers held in London in but because of a warm and hum- dom in speech and organization. September was considered a fail- ble faith which this great wom- -New York Times.
ure by the Russians. Their dele- an has in God. She said: Niemoller Can't Be Seen gation did not attend, but were Even at the time of my accession, I represented by an observer who was conscious of the insufficiency of Dr. Adolph Keller, of Geneva, read the speeches of absent lead- human knowledge and ability, and ers. The delicate international firmly believed that only the aid of was in Berlin some weeks ago, and asked the authorities, with- God could provide our wants. I now situation was one of the reasons look back on these forty years in the out much hope of s u c c e s s, advanced to dissuade them from light of the Lord's guidance and am whether he might see Martin attending. Information was also filled with gratitud'e. -Watchman-Examiner. Niemoller. Dr. Keller relates his conveyed from high and friendly experience: quarters, that their plan of in- Friendship for Spain To my surprise I received no resisting upon the communistic fusal. But the secret police which had and militant Godless character American children in Sunday re-arrested Niemoller knew better and of the Congress, might lead to schools and other groups are answered: "Niemoller can't be seen Government intervention and sending goodwill suitcases filled now or later."
Niemoller is to be silenced. This the suppression of the gathering with toys, clothing, soap and courageous voice is no longer to be heard. He would be free if he would as threatened public order. It is other articles to refugee Spanish reported that Russian Godless children as an expression of sell his liberty and promise to remain leaders will create an interna- sympathy. The suitcases are silent. There is a time for saying no and a time for saying yes. Niemoller tional commission to organize distributed in both Loyalist and would not be famous, if he would not future international congresses, Nationalist Spain by the Amer- be a symbol for a new type of Chris- tianity: a Elymbol for a militant under the expert guidance of ican Friends Service Committee. church, for a suffering church, for a Yaroslavsky, the i r president. The project is one which reli- church of witness who says again like The U. S. A. is suggested as the gious educators and many other Luther: Here I stand, I can't do otherwise. We speak sometimes of the meeting place of the next Con- leaders in children's work have unknown soldier. Niemoller is a solgress in 1939. found of great value in cultivat- dier of Christ known the world over, ing a spirit of international and it is a matter of Protestant Following the London Con- goodwill among children. solidarity not to forget him. gress, discussion has been stim- -Pageant.
ulated in several countries as to The suitcases can be secured the difference-if any-between from the Committee on World the terms "Godless" and "Athe- Friendship among Children at Confessional Church Leaders ist." Leaders in Moscow who $1.00 each. When filled in ac- Thus far, 77 pastors and were asked to define the differ- cordance with instructions given church officials of the German
Confessional Church have been afford meat, butter or fruit, and foreign influence, and all probsuspended from office by Nazi tea is used only as medicine. A lems based on proven facts. authority. There are 49 pastors pound of sugar costs half a day's Such a movement cannot fail to who have been forbidden by the wage. "We have nothing but revolutionize Ban t u political, hope," says Mr. Kremenlieff, agricultural, economic, social, state to enter the parishes to "but hope is strong. We be- religious and cultural organizawhich the church has assigned them. But most crippling of all lieve Bulgaria needs the Prot- tions. are the national speech prohibi- estant Christian message." He -Indian Social Reformer. tions, Redeverbote. Recent in- believes that the friendship of formation states that 41 leaders Christian democracies means Youth Oonference at Efulan much to the small nations of toof the Confessional Church are The West Africa Mission at now forbidden to preach in pub- day, and particularly to those Efulan has had its first Youth lic. Church leaders anticipate a Conference. For weeks in adbitter struggle this winter over who are making a profound vance preparations had been gothe control of church finances. ing on. The office boys mimeo- Of the 26 church districts in struggle to keep alive faith and graphed illustrated invitations Germany, 22' already have state- in red and black type. Regisappointed finance commissioners. hope. -Advance. The majority of these commis- tration tags had been cut out by sioners are men openly hostile to AFRIOA the school girls, and 300 proorganized Christianity. grams mimeographed and bound Revision of the Koran in yellow covers. A huge gaso- -Pageant. line drum of peanuts had been A professor in Al Azhar Uni- versity, Cairo, threw a bomb- shell into Mohammedan circles by demanding the revision of the shelled, roasted and ground by Visitor f'rom Bulgaria Holy Koran-to bring it in line the younger dormitory girls.
Rev. A. F. Kremenlieff is in with the times. He declared The 300 programs proved inadethe United States as a represent- that the punishments required quate. Of the registered deleative of the Union of Congre- by the Koran should be revised, gates, 125 paid six cents for gational Churches in Bulgaria, their food, and slept in the dorto plead the cause of forty Con- and cited two verses as ex- mitories. gregational churches in that amples: thieves, both men and country which were started by women, must have their hands One of the most attractive fea- American missionaries about cut off, according to the Koran; tures was the music, composed seventy years ago. and in a case of adultery, both for the occasion. One of the guilty parties are to receive 100 French teachers, a pastor's son, The first American mission- lashes. These punishments, the wrote out native tunes, and the aries went to Bulgaria over 100 missionaries wrote words that years ago on their way to Tur- Sheikh avers, are out of con- expressed the Conference theme key, seeking a field there, but formity with modern civilization. -"Christ liveth in me." finding unexpectedly a receptive His pronouncement caused such a flurry that a deputation of pro- -Presbyterian Board News. fessors and Mohammedan clergy people in Bulgaria, remained to urged an investigation to deter- Evangelical Work in Angola teach and preach the Gospel. mine whether such punishments Thirty missionaries of the Amer- are really being carried out in The President of Portugal reican Board have been in Bul- the Mohammedan world today. cently visited Angola, and mani- -Religious News Service. fested his good will toward garia, and when the last was evangelical work' in various withdrawn three years ago, be- ways. It is expected that the cause the American Board could Emancipation of the Blacks Colonial Minister will make a no longer be financially responsible for the work, practically The All-Africa Convention in- longer stay, and thus have opall Bulgarians. could read, cludes representatives of the portunity to see at first hand the largely as a result of the mis- natives of all Africa. This As- value of this work. Among the sion's educational program. sembly has just organized a re- visitors at the biennial meeting of the Evangelical Alliance was Mr. Kremenlieff says that Bul- search department to deal with the Portuguese Inspector of garia is the only tolerant coun- all questions concerning in- Schools, who was there to extry in the Balkans, and the only digenous races in Africa, which plain Portuguese ideals of edu- promises to raise the standard country where there are seven cation; and still another encourschools of American origin. The and insure the efficiency of Af- aging fact is that a colonial people are peasants, obliged to rican leadership. The movement paper, normally favorable to live very simply. The church has been launched by Africans which Mr. Kremenlieff serves as of academic attainment, who Catholic missions only, has reminister is in a town of 7,000 hope to establish study groups cently called attention to the valinhabitants, where there is not along the line of cultural, reli- uable work of Protestant misa single motor car, no piano– gious. and social justice activi- sionary societies.
only two bicycles, and two pri- ties; fundamental causes of so- Recently the Portuguese vate telephones. Very few can cial degeneration, the extent of League of Evangelical and Mis-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
sionary Action sent out the first Christ was the Messiah. He gave Progressive Iran !?ortuguese missionary to the his heart in faith to the Master Island of Sao Tome, where he is and announced his decision to The Shah is furthering a the only evangelical worker. At the congregation of which he movement to end illiteracy by first he encountered considerable had charge in one of the cities means of night schools for official opposition, but in re- of Palestine. At first they adults, and all illiterate adults sponse to a representation made thought he was mad, but were are required to attend. The b:y the League in Lisbon, permis- soon convinced that he was in municipalities which issue per- SIOn to preach has been granted his right mind and most sincere mits to various kinds of workers and as many as, 500 people have in what he said. He had to leave will refuse to do so, unless these attended the services. his position, of course, and was workers attend classes in the for some time in Beirut, but has various cities. Another sign of -World Dominion Pr~ss. now returned to the Holy Land. progress is seen in the new Girls' Handicraft School, where home- EASTERN ASIA -The Presbyterian. less girls in normal health, be- tween the ages of 12 and 18 are Near East Christian Council Refugees Too Long given free home care, with a three-year course of training in The Near East Christian "We have been refugees too domestic science, handicraft and long," an Armenian exclaimed child care. Council is the only cooperative bi~terly. But years of disap- pomtment and the unwillingness The Christian Church in Iran group in Bible lands, and is a of nations to admit them to citi- is the outgrowth of the work of zenship or even as temporary the Presbyterian Mission in the clearing house for information residents to give them a chance north, and the Church Mission- to make good, have still failed to ary Society in the south. The o~ work for Moslems and Jews. dull the aspirations of many that Church of both these missions they may yet be a nation, able to has a membership of more than FIve new organizations. were work, live and hope once more. 3,000. About 1,000 of these are ~h.e 10!1g drawn out misery of converted Moslems, more than ' received into membership in the hvmg m wretched shacks, ruin- 200 are converts from JUdaism, ing alike to their health and a few were formerly Zoroas- 90u~cil at its last meeting, mak- character, is in Syria gradually trians, and numbers are Arme- drawing to a close. In Aleppo nians and Assyrians. mg m all some forty missions there are less than 30 families now in the camps, but in Beirut -World Dominion Press. and Christian organizations in and Alexandretta there are still 2,000 or more carrying on a pre- INDIA AND BURMA full membership. The areas carious existence in the same tumbledown and leaky shelters, Are Hindus Losing Ground? represented on the Council are on the outskirts, of the city, as 16 years ago. A Hindu writer of Bombay North Africa, Egypt, Sudan says in an article in The Mah- It is amazing that they some- ratta: "The following figures Abyssinia, Syria and Palestine; how manage to retain a sem- indicate that the Hindus as a blance of decent home life, and community are deteriorating in Turkey, the Balkans, Arabia and spotless cleanliness. A few numbers. Between 1891 and straggling plants. in an old tin 1931, the total population of In- Mesopotamia, and Iran. The can are almost always to be seen, dia increased by 22 per cent in and not far off will be found a 40 years. But the percentage of Council cooperates with Sunday wooden shed (larger and more increase of Hindus was 15 per likely to be at least partially cent ~nd hence ~hey lost 7 per Schools and Bible Societies. watertight) which acts both as cent m populatIon; while the church and schoo1. Moslems increased by 35 per One of the converts, a former cent, and hence they gained 13 The Nansen Office for Refugee per cent. As against the gen- Jewish rabbi of Poland, was rid- Work closed at the end of 1938, eral average of increase the and although strong pressure Hindu numerical strength is i~g on a train one day in Pales- has been brought to bear on lower by 7 per cent; while all League officials in Geneva re- other communities have intme when he saw a man reading garding the need to replace it creased: Moslems by 35 per by a Refugees' Commission, to cent, Christians by 145 Sikhs a small book, and asked what it look after the interest and legal 127, Buddhists 79. The com- protection of the refugees, noth- parison of population between was. r"eTphlieedN. ewThTeesrtaabmbei n~ts"ktehde ing can yet be said as to the ac- 1891 and 1931 definitely shows man tual result. that Hindus alone are losing their numerical ground. "Why do you read a book of –.,-Evangelical Christian.
fables like that?" "Since you offer such a criticism," said the man, "I suppose you are very familiar with the New Testa- ment." The rabbi had to admit that he had never read it. Then the passenger went on: "Being a scholar, I am sure you will agree that it is not proper to speak good or evil of a book until one has read it. If you hwa~ine promise to read it, you may this Testament." The rabbi promised and took the Book. He began to read and was struck with the quotations in the Gos- pel of Matthew from the Old Testament, and the claim that they were fulfilled in Christ. He had not finished the first Gospel until he was convinced that
To Whom Shall They Go? Christian-Grace. A loving South India – the Scotch Pres- . It is. impressiv~ that so many suffering God rewards you; byterian, Lutheran, Methodist, m IndIa are lookmg wistfully to Jesus, and wondering if He is faith with the gift of righteous- Syrian Protestants and Anglican the friend they need. They have -makes some observations on ness. Continue ye in it. denominationalism. His experiseen the miracle of the loaves ences, he says, made him underand fishes reenacted in times of In the Etawah district Chris- stand the difference between the famine and scarcity in the his- East and the West in this retory of Christian Missions; they tians continually suffer for their spect. In the West, denominahave come within range of the tionalism is a history of mis- Church's ministry in medicine faith. "Take these 500 rupees understandings and quarrels; in and education; hope has been and forsake your Christian reli- the East, it is a history of enrevived by the scheme of rural richment because there has been reconstruction, and they have gion-or if you don't I shall soon so much cooperation. "This good point comes from the Lutherheard of "the Bread of Life that dispossess you of your alapnod~"r ans," or "that good thing comes cometh down from heaven" and said a Hindu landlord to from the Methodists." Someare not turning away. ' This village Christian. "I don't want times when one mission fails trend is as marked among through lack of support in the aboriginal peoples as among the 500 rupees. I wreapnlty-Cahstrios~ti"shis Depressed Classes. the astonishing home field, another mission steps in and takes hold. Here and In the hills of Assam a Chris- ing because that amount of there one finds one member of a tian leader, speaking for himself family an Anglican, another a money represents at least three years' income for him. That was several months ago. The landlord has already partially made good his threat by craftily and unlawfully taking part of his land.
and his clan, made this observa- Village Improvement through Methodist; upon asking why, t~on: ~'The future of our people the Church one finds it is because one brother moved from an Anglican lIes wIth Jesus Christ: only as we are loyal to Him, can we As a project of the "Rural neighborhood into a Methodist prosper as a people." From un- Reconstruction through a Liv- one, so that often one's denomlettered villagers in the Bhil ing Church," a clean-up village ination is determined by geogcountry comes a similar state- contest was undertaken. Rev. raphy, rather than dogma – a ment: "For us, Jesus Christ is J. C. Heinrich writes in Agri- by-product of the "comity of the true Guru: He alone can cultural Mission Notes: "We missions." save us." finished our Clean Village Chal- -The Mission Field.
What Is Religion? lenge Cup Contest on April v1i6l~ Christian President of a with an inspection of seven Rev. M. S. Pinkerton, of lages that made up the finals out Municipality Etawah, North India, writes of of one hundred villages that conan unusual meeting in the city tested. We had to cover 150 When the municipality of bazaar. A crowd composed of miles of village roads in one day, adherents of different religions and anyone who knows Indian Manmad first exercised its right had assembled to hear addresses village roads will tell you that under the new constitution to on "What Is Religion?" Four that is some covering. Martin- elect its own president, it unanireligions were represented by pur took first place." Mr. Hein- mously chose Mr. C. G. Chhatre, spokesmen: Jain, Sikh Hindu a former headmaster of one of an.d Christian. One could hardly rich and all the judges had a the Zenana Bible and Medical thmk of a broader subject, and meal with the Mohammedan dis- Mission's schools, who is wellto condense it into a half hour trict magistrate who is an old was not easy. student of Forman Christian known for his fine Christian College and has been a strong character. That the first free The Hindi term dhurm is in- backer of this clean village choice should fall upon a Christ~rpreted as either religion or effort. tian, is a matter for deep satisrIghteousness. Mr. Pinkerton faction. was the first speaker on the This R u r a 1 Reconstruction Christian dhurm. He tells us movement, which has a yearly Mr. Chhatre came as a master that a "thumb-nail" summary of grant from the government, has all the talks would be: to the Mission's Paton Memorial great possibilities. As a result Sikh-Be strong; follow your of fertilization and irrigation the School when only nineteen. As Teacher. wheat crop has more than doubled, a third factor in this the years passed, his aim became Jain – Knowledge of self. improvement being the use of Know thyself to be God, all selected seed from government increasingly the glory woof nGhoid~ powerful and righteous within experiment farms. and his life and witness the reputation of being incor- ruptible in all public affairs, and satisfied with none but the very best workmanship in all he thyself. Don't beg from God. undertook. His wife was head- Hindu-Works. Do righteous- The "Comity of Missions" mistress of the Hindu Girls' Mis- sion School for many years, and ness according to the rules of Mr. A. L. Jackson, after vis- won the trust of all around her. iting a number of missions in At a mass meeting held in his your caste or sect.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
honor after the election, Brah- children be given the opportu- the importance of this work in a mins, Hindus, Mohammedans, statement he made in 1926: Mahars and Christians all took nity to become useful members part. Speaking of Mr. Chhatre's "The conclusion was driven in character, one Hindu said it is of society. It is therefore pro- upon us that the Indian villager what it is because he follows the posed that these destitute chil- is not helped unless he is helped teachings of the Bible. dren be removed to some healthy simultaneously in every phase of spot outside the city, and be di- his life, and in regard to every -The Indian Witness. Vided according to their inclina- relationship he bears to others. tions and possibilities. Those The service must be comprehen- Among the Bhils who are capable of taking an sive to get anywhere, and it must education will be put in one in- be simultaneously comprehen- Rev. J. C. Koenig writes in the stitution, where special attention sive. In other words, what is Outlook of Missions of a visit will be paid to their mental de- wanted is not reform but reconmade to Ratlam, a station in velopment. Those who have an struction, from the center out Central India (where 20,000 aptitude to learn some industry and all around." were received into the Church will be put into an Industrial within the past twelve months) School. Those suffering from CHINA to work in collaboration with the mental deformity will be put in missionary there on the manu- another institution. About 100 Can Communists Be Christian? script of a union hymnal. In the acres of land would be required course of a fifty-mile drive to carry out this plan. Rev. Donald D. Rees, of Hanthrough the district, groups of kow, has been talking with a smiling Christians were met in -Baptist Missionary Re- missionary doctor, who thought nearly every village. In some view (India). it would be well to create a betvillages all inhabitants had ac- ter understanding between the cepted Christ, in others half of Rural Reconstruction in "Eighth Route Army" and the population, seldom less. Burma Christians. To this end he has There are nearly 400 villages been traveling through Shansi. with Christians in that area. Mr. Brayton C. Case, of He everywhere met a friendly Burma, reports a Rural Recon- response. Some of the listeners These new converts are Bhils; struction Rally in connection came afterward and said that their former religion, animism. with the meeting of the Burma they, too, were Christians. He Gone now is their fear of evil Christian Council. A resolution also met a number of the highest spirits; they believe that Christ was passed recommending that authorities among the Comis present to protect them in all mission stations have Rural Re- munists, and they all told him situations. Whereas drunken- construction committees to help they had nothing but friendly ness had been all too common, village churches carryon this feelings for missionaries. It the liquor vendors are now put form of activity along the lines seemed advisable to have this in to it to make a living. Officials of improved economic life, health writing, so when he met General testify that they have ceased to and recreation. Recreation is Chu Teh, in supreme command be a police problem. thought of in terms of its wider of the Red Army, he asked him significance as including inner for a message he could carry When the first Bhil inquirers spiritual renewal as well as so- back to other parts of China. presented themselves to the mis- cial stimulus. It is urged that Here is an English translation sionary he doubted their sin- these activities become a part of of the document: cerity, so to test them he empha- the normal expression of the sized that every true Christian Christian spirit in v i II age The Eighth Route Army expresses desires that others may be saved. churches. The Burma Christian its thanks and gratitude for the kind- "Teach your neighbors and bring Council committee will work out ness and help rendered to China by them to me," he said, "then I wggested activities for village the foreign missionaries during her shall baptize you." After some Christians, and the Judson Col- war of resistance, especially to those ti~e one inquirer came bringing lege group is asked to make up doctors and nurses who work under half a village with him, all of some traveling exhibits which great difficulties and dangers. Their them asking for baptism. This may be used along visual educa- work in China not only means a great test is still applied to every in- tion lines at suitable public oc- deal to the Chinese army, but also quirer. casions. renders tremendous service to Chinese refugees and people. I hope that our Beggar Children's Village Another resolution called the international friends will continue to attention of Mission Boards to support China's war against aggres- A children's village in the the desirability of recruiting sion, and that those doctors and nurses suburbs of Bombay, where desti- rural station missionaries from in the war zone will remain there to tute children can be housed and those who have had agricultural work. Furthermore, we welcome our trained, is contemplated by the college training. foreign friends to extend further their government of Bombay. There service in aiding China by taking care are nearly 10,000 homeless, beg- The late K. T. Paul, Rural of the sick and wounded in the war gar children in Bombay, and it Secretary of the National Coun- zone. The Eighth Route Army has no is felt to be essential that these cil of the Y. M. C. A., India, prejudice against missionaries. On Burma and Ceylon, recognized the contrary, we welcome them. For our war of resistance not only fights for the independence and freedom of
the Chinese nation, but also for the About 80 were present in the about 50,000 of them, who have maintenance of world peace. In this respect our goal is just the same. morning and 70 in the afternoon. been set adrift by the tides of There was preaching, singing war. Of this number, about (Signed) CHU TEH. 40,000 are now being cared for and testimonies, including Mr. by various philanthropic socie- -The Living Church. Tung's. DR. H. E. HENKE.
Refugees Want Bibles "The Three Musketeers" ties, while the other 10,000 roam the streets. Bishop Roberts, of Refugees who, in the stress of This is the name given admir- the Episcopal Church, received getting away, left their Bibles ingly to three Murdoch sisters, a letter from the Chinese pastor behind are buying new ones, say- Presbyterian missionaries in of St. Peter's Church in Shanging they cannot get along with- Hwaiyuan, China: Doctor Ag- hai in which he said: out their Bibles. Copies are be- nes, Nurse Margaret and Teaching made available not only for er-Evangelist Mary. The war A Refugee Children's Educational retreating Chinese, but also for caught them en route to China Committee has been organized to prothe invaders. The famous "Dare after furlough, and they were vide some schooling for these unforto Die" battalion in the final stopped in Shanghai, unable to tunate children. About twenty thousiege of Shanghai were all pro- get permission to go into the in- sand are receiving the benefit of two vided with pocket Testaments. terior. While marooned there, hours' schooling a day. The Govern- It will be recalled that restric- they took charge of a hospital ment has subsidized the ChildWelfare tions placed on the teaching of for Chinese war victims which Association with a certain sum of the Bible in mission schools has had been set up in the second money to care for the orphans only. been repealed. story of the old Chinese Cham- It is hoped that after the war the ber of Commerce building. Dr. Government will be able to provide – Watchman-Examiner. Agnes and Nurse Margaret fol- accommodations for all the orphans in lowed their usual professions, the country. The Government has Result of a Cure and Teacher-Evangelist Mary been collecting orphans in various places and has sent them to the in- A merchant of Shunteh, North terior to be taken care of. It is alleged that the Japanese are also collecting stray children in the occupied zones and have shipped thousands to Japan China, Mr. Tung Ming Shao, was kept the books. In tIme the pup- for some unknown purpose. One re- port is that they are to be imbued successfully operated on for pet Chinese government of the with Japanese ideas. amoebic abscess of the liver at district, moving its offices into the Hugh O'Neill Memorial Hos- the first floor of the building, As to war widows,-the Shanghai International Red Cross gave me a pital. Some weeks later he threatened to seize the upper figure of no less than 10,952 as asked the church people to come floors. "They won't do that "women without relatives and supto his home to hold meetings, easily," laughed one missionary port" from their camps. How many are outside the camps, they cannot and those who went were given informant, "for the Murdoch sis- tell.
a handbill which Mr. Tung had ters in themselves are equal to had printed for distribution. half a dozen puppet govern- Evangelists for Manchuria ments !" The following is a free transla- Finally, came permission to go Several missions are repre- . tion: sented in the student body of the Greetings; I used to get a disease into the interior, and they Newchwang Bible School in of big abdomen. Many doctors do not started immediately. Reaching Nanking they were given the Manchuria. The latest annual know what the disease was. And also report indicates that on the fac- choice of proceeding on a they haven't any way to cure it. Then crowded military train or wait- ulty and Board of the school are ing for the regular train. They representatives of the British I went to the Gospel Hospital of west decided on the military train as and Foreign Bible Society, the surer way of arriving. The of the south suburb, Shuntehfu City. next stage was Pengpu, where American Southern Baptists, Rpformed Presbyterians and On one side their doctors did their best they stayed overnight in a con- vent; and the last lap was on a others. Twenty-one student"! to me and on the other hand, I flatboat loaded with wine casks graduated last June, and all of and piled with rifles and machine them have found work wfth prayed very eagerly to Jesus Christ. guns. Hwaiyuan reached at last, churches, schools or hospitals no one met them; no one had I only stayed there one month and my dreamed they could get through in Manchuria. Visitors to the so soon. Heads lifted as they School are impressed with the heavy disease had been cured. This earnestness of the stu den t s, came along the street – war- the consecration of the teachers, is really wonderful. And I deeply strained faces broke into smiles the administration and the of recognition. strategic location in the heart of feel that Jesus cured me by their doc- -Monday Morning. the city, where students have tor's hands. They favored me so abundant opportunity to preach the Gospel. -The Christian. much that I should like to make it known to others. Therefore, on the 11th of the 5th moon from 10 to 12 in the morning and 3 to 5 in the after- noon at #64 of Indigo Market Street, I will invite the members of the Pres- byterian Mission to come to preach the Gospel, and I will also express out my former disease to you in detail. We will be very welcome if you have time to come. I am, (signed) Tung Ming Shao. .
When the day came for the "Wolf" Children Tibet's "Gospel Inn" service, benches were borrowed from neighbors, tea and water- The "wolf" children of Shang- The Gospel Inn, which came melon seeds were prepared. hai are homeless, hungry waifs, into being through the gift of a
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Moravian convert, is now an ac- sions, who has recently returned survival from slave days, and complished fact. The wayfarer from Japan reports 2,000,000 they are so despised that even may feed and stable his horse, Japanese under arms. News and children will have nothing to do and find for himself a shelter speech are rigidly censored; with them. When boys and girls and a resting-place, and the even to utter the word "individ- from this class were invited to a needful things. wherewith to cook ualism" may endanger one's lib- special Sunday school program his food. An evangelist goes in erty; all the Church is feeling in Kyoto, the regular pupils met and out, engaging the travelers the pressure of Government reg- them with a shower of stones.
in conversation, and by word ulation. Obviously, it is not easy "What about being kind?" the and example setting forth the for a small group of Protestant claims of Jesus Christ. So prac- teachers asked. "That will do tical and picturesque a way of Christians (204,000 out of for other folks," said the chilspreading the Gospel appeals to 67,000,000) to carryon their dren, "but we won't stay if they the pilgrim, the trader, and the program, yet the wonderful come to our program." Finally, thing is that the work is going a compromise was worked out; wayfarer alike, and each goes on on, and with added emphasis. the visitors stayed in one group his way refreshed and rested. Except in the necessity for far from the platform and the He carries in his mind a mem- cautiousness of statement, there ordinary pupils near the stage. ory of Christian charity: the has been no need for curtailment As the program progressed, Name of Jesus has sounded in of the religious program of any everyone became so interested his ears. -Life of Faith. school. No school reports inter- that segregation was forgotten.
JAPAN-CHOSEN nal difficulty and several are con- By the time the illustrated talk scious of an increased sense of on the childhood of Jesus came Government Seeks Hold intimacy and Christian fellow- on, all the children crowded on Churches ship between the missionary and around the teacher, with all so- Japanese members of their fac- cial lines wiped out.
Whereas the Japanese govern- ulties. The Oral School for the -Monday Morning. ment now deals with Christian Deaf in Tokyo made application churches as individual congre- to the gqvernment for incorpora- Their Happiest Class gations, it seems likely that in tion in January, but its applicathe future they will be dealt "With tion was denied because the A young missionary teaching according to their denomina- school's charter contained the English in the Girls' School in tional grouping, if the final draft words, "based on Christian prin- Tokyo gave a written assignment of the new regulatory law for ciples." The Mission voted to on "Why I Am Glad I Came to supervision of religious bodies forego the privileges of incor- Joshi Gakuin." She was not exaccepts the opinion current poration rather than remove the pecting the comment made by among members of the Educa- offending, but very fundamental every girl in the class. Some tion Ministry committee now clause. liked the good looking uniform studying the law. It is expected of the School; others were inthat each group would be re- In evangelism the watchword terested in the frequent visits of quired to select a representative has been "forward"; in fact, the foreign guests and still others who would be responsible to the Japanese Church recognizes the were pleased with the friendly government for keeping order in work of the missionaries as so spirit of the School, in contrast his group, and for seeing that important that it is asking that with government schools; yet his group obeys government reg- more workers be sent out. In everyone of the girls mentioned ulations and who would act as a response to this request, the her joy in attending the daily liaison between the government mission has sent the following chapel service. and the group. A reporter of appeal to the Board in New The Japan Advertiser was told York: -Monday Morning. by a representative of the Education Min i s try that these The Mission wishes to put itself on Records Broken in Chosen changes are being recommended record with all possible emphasis that in order to secure a closer con- these requests of the Japanese Church All Bible Institutes and Connection between the government cannot be treated lightly and should ferences in Korea have had recand the Christian churches, and be filled at the earliest possible mo- ord-breaking attendance during to make it possible for the gov- ment. Such opportunities do not wait! the year. Not only that- stuernment to make effective use of The fact that Japan is now involved dents have manifestly experithe Christian church groups in in a great emergency simply heightens enced spiritual uplift. Growth educating the people in the na- the urgency of these requests. With- in local societies and increased tional spirit of Japan. out possible doubt Japan is the dom- efficiency on the part of leaders inant nation of the Far East, so that are most gratifying. A new Working Under Difficulty as goes Japan, so goes the Orient. phase of this Institute work has This may truly be the last opportunity been in the line or correspond- Dr. Willis Lamott, new Direc- within this generation, at least, to en- ence. There have been sent ter what is still an open door. through the mail 369 Japanese, "Water-Level People"
tor of Publicity for the Presby- J apan has a class caned 127 Korean and 3 Chinese copies terian Board of Foreign Mis- "water-level people," probably a of the Gospel of John, with about
a dozen key verses marked in red received as much attention as tirely withdrawn its financial ink and a tract entitled, "Have they should have, and so there is support, but agrees not to paryou heard about Jesus?" now under consideration a ticipate in the management of Philippine Committee of the the Church, or exercise any con- About ten days later, these Foreign Missions Conference of trol over its teaching. were followed up with a tract North America, similar to those and a copy of the pamphlet, on the Far East, India and Af- Native congregations are now "Catechism on the Apostles' rica, through which interest is raising annually $6,000 to carry Creed," which will give them the created in these fields. the Gospel to unreached heathen gist of the essential doctrines of in New Guinea. salvation. At a meeting of the American Council of Missionary Boards -Moody Monthly. The rolls of the 84 churches Related to the Philippines last were gone over, and a handwrit- March, it was recommended that New Guinea Wilds ten invitation sent to every this Council become the Philipyoung baptized man on the roll, pine Committee of the Foreign Wild tribes in the center of urging those who had never Missions Conference; that its New Guinea's mandated terristudied in the Bible Institute to functions be mainly consultative tory, visited for the first time in do so and those who had already and advisory, and that it con- 1933, are no longer isolated. entered to come and continue stantly study policies and pro- Permanent government and mistheir course. There were some- gram for Christian work in the sion outposts have been estabthing over 200 of these letters Islands. It was also recom- lished there. When the discovsent out. One interesting result mended that one of the Secre- ery of about 200,000 people in was that quite a number who taries of the Foreign Missions this interior who had never had become slack in their attend- Conference be assigned for part- heard of Great Britain, the ance began coming to church time work in the Philippines. WorId War or the League of Naagain. tions, it was inconceivable that -Evangelical Bulletin. so huge a population could have Letters of sympathy, encour- remained unheard of 'So long. agement and assurance of inter- Protestants on Moluccas But since their discovery, extenest and prayers have gone out Islands sive developments have taken from the station, as well as the place. Five government outmonthly letters and leadership The Moluccas are the spice posts, manned by European ofmaterial that go to the country islands of the Dutch East Indies. ficers and native police recruited churches. The Protestant religion was in other parts of the territory, brought there in 1615 by the and ten missions are introducing Many Handicaps Dutch East India Company, who government and church in- brought ministers as well as fluence. Numerous m iss ion Rev. Edward Adams, of merchants. For three centuries schools have been founded in Taiku, Korea, in his annual per- Christian work was supervised various parts of the plateau, no sonal report, says the political from the island Amboina, and part of which is less than 5,000 atmosphere is far from con- the Dutch government supported feet above sea level. The climate ducive to Christian teaching, the undertaking, fully aware of is invigorating; hot days, but and adds: "You may read quite the civilizing influence of the nights cold enough to require a bit into that statement without Gospel. In 1935 a new epoch many blankets. The tribes differ danger of exaggeration." Five began, when both Church and in language, type and culture; years ago a week of meetings Government felt strongly that some are war-like. would bring from 100 to 200 de- the Church of the Spice Islands cisions; today, the number sel- should learn to stand on its own A recent visitor describes dom goes over 50. Wild rumors feet. A synod was called, and some of the types. Quills, shells, are afloat as to what will happen after a constitution for the new tusks, pieces of tin, even shirt to one who becomes a Christian. Church had been drafted, it re- buttons adorn the holes punc- Permission to hold meetings ceived both ecclesiastical and tured in ears and nose. Huge rests with local officials. Mr. governmental approval. The of- bunches of leaves hung from the Adams is convinced that the best ficial ties were severed and the back provide a cushion to sit on. way to meet the situatiOl; is to independent Moluksche Protes- The skin of the young girls emphasize evangelism. tantsche Kerk came into being, shines with pig grease. Some with a synod and nine mission are painted from head to foot ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC districts. Some idea as to the with vivid red, except forehead size of this Church may be gath- and nose, which stood out in con- Responsibility for the ered from the fact that there are spicuous black. Philippines 179,458 baptized members, or- ganized into 577 congregations, A system of roads is being de- Americans have very meager and served by 437 nat i v e veloped, and the people are enknowledge of the Filipinos, their preachers. couraged to cultivate gardens. needs and possibilities. As to be Long, spadelike sticks are used expected, the Islands have not The government has not en- for this purpose.
-New York Times.
Missionary
Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information Central Africa Revisited. By D. M. Although he has spent only Even at these forbidding fron- Miller. Illus. 121 pp. 28. Africa tiers, the gates. open obstinately. Inland Mission. London.. 1938. seven years there, he has been Far back in the nineties of last century, Dr. Susie Carson Rijn- After an absence of some fif- able to delve beneath the surface teen years the author went on a hart, with her husband and intour of more than sixteen thou- and discover the depth of char- fant son,entering through the sand miles in Central Africa. latter gateway, reached the He was able to address over acter, the pathos and the humor twenty thousand people and vis- of the West African in a re- Lhasa district in Inner Tibet, but ited many of the stations and at the cost of the lives of her outposts familiar to him in pio- markable way. His experience two loved ones, and herself to neering days. be uncompromisingly ejected. has been wide, and his under- The great changes he saw in During the same decade, and facilities of travel, governments, standing and sympathy must reactions to the Gospel message, attempting entrance at the same missionary development and or- have made him a valuable mis- general Gateway, two young ganization were thrillingly en- sionary. couraging. The difficult task of men of the Christian and Mismaking a rapid tour of a great Certain chapters of this book sionary Alliance, the vanguard area is reported, and Mr. Miller are of outstanding value and inincludes vivid descriptions of of the Kansu-Tibetan Border country, the inhabitants, mission terest. The one on "West Africa Mission, reached the frontier stations and the hazardous ex- city of Old Taochow. This book citement of African travel. through the Centuries" shows an is the story of that great adven- Heartening accounts· of the immense amount of research ture, a thrilling tale of more spiritual awakening sweeping work, and will be of especial in- than two score years. These inover many parts of Central trepid pioneers, and the forces Africa are followed by the au- terest to anyone who studies histhor's reminder that the work of tory in the light of the happen- that followed, found themselves Protestant Missions in Africa at a natural divide between the must be carried on .against a ings of the present day. plains. and rolling farmlands of four-fold front – the paganism China proper and the forest clad of a passing age; Mohammedan- The author's explanations of ranges, deep ravines and grassism, the restless competitor of Christianity in large parts of native customs and superstitions covered plateaus of outer Tibet. Africa; non-evangelical activity This region during its long hiswhich is spreading with alarm- are accurate and readable and tory has been the meeting place ing rapidity; and modern materialistic civilization. show deep sympathy and love and battle ground of several branches of the human family, L. K. ANDERSON. for the African. and descendants of these still in- habit the area and struggle for Soudan's Second Sunup. By Des- Anyone with a taste for hunt- mond W. Bittinger. 1 map, 8 pages ing will get a real thrill from supremacy. Chief of these are of illustrations. 252 pp. Price, $2. the Chinese from the East, the Elgin Press, Elgin, Ill. 1937. reading the chapter on "Game Tibetans from the West and the One who has lived for many Trails," in which Mr. Bittinger Moslems from the ancient highyears in West Africa finds it re- way of Asia to the North West. freshing to read a book which tells more than one hair-raising Indeed again and again during gives one's own impressions in such a vivid and engaging way. experience. In another chapter, the decades recorded in this story, Moslems have risen in re- Mr. Bittinger is a missionary entitled: "Just what does a mis- bellion; Tibetans have made under the Church of the Breth- sionary do, anyhow?" he gives ren in the interior of the Soudan. border raids and Chinese have the intimate details of the sys- fought their way back to at least nominal control. The record of tem used by his Mission for such sanguinary struggles, plus bringing the Gospel to the peo- the awful scourge of the White Wolf savages and the more re-. ple of their district, and for edu- cent Communist commotions, make these pages a stirring mod- cating the young people.
The book is altogether delight- ful and valuable to study classes, ministers, and others interested in Africa. MARY R. GOOD.
Gateway to Tibet. By Robert B. Ek- vall, B.A., F.R.G.S. 8 vo. 198 pp. Christian Publications, Inc. Har- risburg, Pa.
There are all too few Gate- ways to the almost impenetrable Land of the Lamas – North Eastern India, Western Sze- Chwan, North Western Kansu.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REVIEW publishens on receipt of price.
[61 ]
ern history of that far-away he tells a story – and what a Japanese people. These lectures region. story!-which, as D. J. Findley have just been published in this But the author's motive is to says, is "more like a chapter in attractive volume. They are de- record quite another struggle. It a modern Acts of the Apostles" lightful reading, characterized is that of establishing Christ's than a book on missions. to a high degree by ability, wis- rule in those unruly regions. The story is divided into six- dom, breadth of view and fre- Work among the Moslems has teen short chapters which deal quent sparkles of wit. Whoever also been carried on with cour- with the work of a young man wishes to know what is best in age and has in some instances and his wife in the inland city Japan and the Japanese, and we won their admiration and friend- of Joazeiro, Brazil. This city, trust that the number is large, ship. But to change allegiance entirely unevangelized and un- should read this book. It shows from the Prophet of Arabia to friendly to the Evangelical mis- that there are better Japanese the Christ means death. One sionaries, is located in the ma- than those who are now ravag- laria-infested valley of the San ing China. Incidentally, it helps did so. Here is the sequel: "Two months later when one Francisco River. Mr. and Mrs. Americans to see themselves and of the missionaries rode through Duncan did the "impossible," their discrimination against J apthe threatening dangers and all under the guidance and power anese in migrants as a fair- the horrors of a freshly sacked of God's Spirit. They started minded Japanese observer sees city to see if there were any to without one Christian disciple us. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
be saved, the mutilated bodies and after five years they were The Poems and Verse of Betty Scott of Chi-ko-tse and his family lay able to build a church in which Starn. Portrait. 8 Vo. 129 pp.
outside the compound gate." there were hundreds of adher- Kelly & Walsh, Ltd., Shanghai, In happy contrast to this, the ants, with a commodious build- China. 1938.
freedom-loving Chinese, whether ing, and without incurring any The name of Betty Scott Stam in rich farming regions or debt. The first Brazilian pastor is known far and wide as the among the merchants and sol- of this church was won to Christ charming and brave young misdiers of the frontier, have heard under Mr. Duncan's ministry. sionary who, with her husband, the message gladly and in city, There is need for more mis- was killed by Chinese commutown and mud-walled mart sionaries like the Duncans to nists in 1934. The "Miracle groups great and small are form- show that the day of miracles is Baby," Priscilla, was saved and ing into a self-sustaining, self- not past. Evidences of this fact is now a charming little girl, livgoverning and self-propagating that God is working would lead ing with her grandparents, Dr. church of Christ. the church at home to support and Mrs. Charles E. Scott, in The major motive of the mis- missionary work more ade- Shantung, China. sion has been however, "to send quately. A. H. PERPETUO. These poems and blank verse, a missionary to Tibet and keep Lectures on Japan. By Inazo Nitobe. lovingly.gathered and published him there." In this respect too 373 pp. $2.00. University of Chi- cago Press. Chicago. 1938. for wider reading, reveal a rethe great dream has come true. markably beautiful and poetic In these times of universal character. The earliest was Not one but several workers are condemnation of the Japanese, it written when Betty was only is well that this book should re- eight and a half years old and now holding the fort in widely mind us that not all Japanese are the last ones twenty-seven years ruthless militarists. What Dr. later. They cover many subscattered stations. Long jour- Nitobe's attitude would be to- jects-nature, family, college ward his country's present in- life, human love, and Christian neys have been taken, even vasion of China cannot be thought and devotion. They are known, for he died in 1933. But worth reading. The collection reaching to the Goloks of the we do know that he was a man makes an excellent gift book worthy of all honor, a fine schol- and, like the story of "The Trigrass-lands, and there are invi- ar, a true statesman, a Christian umph of John and Betty Stam," gentleman of broad sympathies by Mrs. Howard Taylor, may be tations and earnest intentions to and international reputation. He purchased from the China In- was an active member of the land Mission, Germantown, Pa. visit peoples in the regions yet staff of the League of Nations in Geneva for seven years. He was The Christ. By A. Wendell Ross, far beyond the border mountain president of the Institute of Pa- D.D. Fleming H. Revell Company, cific Relations in 1929-31, and at New York, N. Y. 222 pp. $2.00. ranges. In twelve courageous chapters, The book is written with fine clarity and courage and contains information and inspiration for all who are and should be mis- sionary minded. A good map, some illustrations and a compre- hensive introduction add much to the understanding of the story. J. L. STEWART.
A Missionary Arrives in Brazil. By the time of his death was chair- Dr. Ross, a Kansas pastor, places T. Bentley Duncan. 192 pp. 28. 6d. man of the Japanese Council of the life of Christ before us as it Pickering and Inglis Ltd. London. the Institute. In the last year affects people today. With rare 1938. of his life, on his ninth visit to skill he blends the facts of the In the above volume Mr. Dun- America, he delivered a series of Gospel record with the needs of can does not generalize, or lectures on the social, political modern men. The result is a preach a sermon on missions; and cultural development of the solid study of the Redeemer
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
which has the authority of au- love for God, his sacrificial devo- value. It consists of series of thentic history fused with the tion to the masses and the addresses on the Apostle's Creed, force of contemporaneity. strength of his Christian convic- in the chapel of the Lutheran The chapters include "Jesus tions. Theological Seminary at Mt.
and Childhood," "Jesus and In the Italian artist, Leonardo Airy, by the late president of Women," "Jesus and Marriage," the Seminary. It is difficult to "Jesus and Modern Life," and da Vinci, Dr. Eastman sees also "Jesus and Tomorrow." Each the engineer and scientist born say anything new on a subject presents the treasures of Christ's out of wedlock and left in pov- Person and power as they satisfy erty at his father's death. He which has been so often disthe spiritual needs of believing did not have the schooling that people. The exaltation of Jesus cussed; but it is worth while to the Christ, the Son of the living the times offered but learned God, strikes a responsive chord from nature and in the school of have an old subject presented in in the reader's heart. The au- experience. At eighteen he came thor also shows how the evils a fresh and effective manner. and hypocrisies of Christ's day into touch with a famous natuare experimented in our day. ralist and astronomer and Ver- Dr. Jacob's purpose was not Dr. Ross successfully fulfils his rochio, a sculptor. He was aim: "to emphasize that the charged with heresy by the theological but devotional. Of New Testament Gospel will bring salvation, peace and eter- Church, was handicapped by course, he has expressed theonal life to all who believe." lack of funds but finally be- came court painter to Francis 1. logical views and he has occa- R. I. LINDQUIST. His painting of the "Last Sup- sionally raised questions that he Men of Power. Vol. II. By Fred per" nearly perished because he Eastman. 8 vo. 186 pp. $1.50. used oil paint on a clay base over has not adequately answered. Cokesbury Press. Nashville, Tenn. a damp refectory wall. But Leo- 1938. But the book as a whole is wise, nardo da Vinci's work survives. Lessons may be learned from luminous and helpful to a high each of these four famous men. degree, a tonic to faith and an aid to devotion. All who read will henceforth repeat this an- cient creed with a fuller and richer understanding of its meaning. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
The New Testament: a Translation in the Language of the People. By Charles B. Williams. 575 pp. $2.50. Bruce Humphries, Inc. Boston. These skillfully condensed bi- The Church Takes Root In India. By 1938. ographies deal with men famous Basil Mathews. Map. 12 mo. 198 in religion, art, war and litera- pages. $1.00 cloth. 60 cents paper. New Scripture translations by ture. The author is professor of Friendship Press, New York. 1938. Literature and Drama in the individuals are becoming numer- Chicago Theological Seminary The Church in the mission field is the main topic to be con- ous. While they cannot be conand has already published a sim- sidered at the coming Madras ilar volume dealing with Thomas Conference. India is one of the sidered substitutes for the stand- J efferson, Charles Dickens, Mat- most colorful, varied and im- ard versions, they are often help- portant mission fields in the thew Arnold and Louis Pasteur. world. It is the subject for mis- ful for comparative readings. Dr. Eastman draws a realistic sion study this coming year and This translation has been made Mr. Basil Mathews, who has repicture, dwelling on the weak cently visited India, has written by a well-known Baptist scholar this as the senior textbook. He points of his characters as well has a graphic, popular style, is who has made many contribuas revealing their strength and well acquainted with his subject tions to Biblical literature and and knows how to write. He exegesis, and is now Professor achievements. He shows Oliver gives a very "spotty" picture of of Greek and Ethics in Union Cromwell to be a stern, bloody India in brief compass. After de- University, Jackson, Tenn. He scribing village life and the says that "our aim is to make soldier and dictator, as well as a changing times in India, he tells this greatest book in the world religious zealot and self-sacrific- of the progress of Christianity readable and understandable by ing statesman. John Milton he and the building of the Church. the plain people," and that "this pictures not only as a poetic gen- The book has a good map, sta- is not a word-for-word transla- tistical tables, a helpful topical tion; it is rather a translation of ius, but as a political pam- reading list of eighty books and the thoughts of the writers. It phleteer, unloved by his own an index. Here is an excellent iS,the thoughts of our New Tesdaughters and h a v i n g few introduction to a fascinating tament, not its single words that subject. we have tried to translate." friends when he died at sixty Such an objective involves a risk years of age in blindness and that, in attempting to state what poverty. Francis of Assisi is a translator thinks that the in- spired writers intended to conpictured as an unusual man, a vey, he may sometimes be miswandering friar, "God's Troubadour," who exemplified voluntary poverty, humility, love and joy that was in conflict with prevail- The Faith of the Church. By taken, or unconsciously influing desire for wealth, mingled Charles M. Jacobs. 114 pp. $1.00. enced by his own theological pre- with pride, hatred and fear. The United Lutheran Pub. House. suppositions. Most Bible stusources of Francis' power are Philadelphia. 1938. dents are more desirous of know- stated as having been: his moth- We have read this little book ing just what the inspired er, his spiritual experience, his with warm appreciation of its writers actually said than in
knowing what any translator some of the great changes tak- Amos and the Famine of the thinks that they meant to say. ing place and their relation to Word; Hosea on Sin, Judgment, While the colloquial style of pres- Biblical prophecy and the future Love; Nahum on the Vengeance ent-day English lacks the stately of the Jews. The facts he brings of God; Habakkuk on the Probrhythm of the standard versions, out are of tremendous interest lems of Faith. Pastors and we feel sure that many students and importance, and the end is young Bible students will find will be grateful to this devout not yet. Read what he says, these brief, popular studies esscholar who has earnestly sought whether you do or do not agree pecially helpful. with the author in his concluto make the New Testament sions. Look on the Fields. By James more easily and fully understood. Stephen. 192 pp. IlIus. 28. 6d.
A. J. B. Impending Great Events. By John Pickering & Inglis. London. 1938. Ritchie. 12mo. 192 pp. 28. 6d. Prophecy and the Tottering Nations. Pickering and Inglis, Glasgow, 1938. Hoping to deepen interest in By Keith L. Brooks. 12mo. 100 pp. $1.00. Zondervan Publishing House, These addresses on "The Sec- the program of evangelization in Grand Rapids, Mich., 1938. ond Coming of Christ and sub- sequent Events" were delivered every land, the author has col- The editor of "Prophecy in Great Britain and in North Monthly" and author of "The and South America, but there is lected brief surveys of the work Jew and the Passion for Pales- nothing to indicate when. The tine," gives here an interesting author believes that the return in 34 different fields, made by study of Biblical Prophecy and of Christ draws near. Many modern times. This is all we earnest students of prophecy resident workers. The book has know of the author, an English- and of history agree with him man who has revised and en- and the possibility of the ap- value because it appraises the larged his earlier prophetic proach of this great event makes studies on the Last Days and the the study and preparation for it changed conditions in almost Second Coming. They are worthy every part of the world, due to government restrictions and other menacing forces.
Some encouraging features are noted, among them the in- creasing circulation of the Scrip- tures. H. H. F.
of attention, even though we of supreme importance. World Treasure Trails, Vol. II. may not agree with all the au- India. By Ethel E. Ward. Drawthor's interpretations and appli- Mr. Ritchie, whose father was ings. Paper, 50 cents. 125 pp. a well-known evangelist and Woman's M. S., Free Methodist cations. Church, Winona Lake, Indiana. Bible teacher, begins with a Mr. Brooks considers the re- study of "The Ages," and un- Juniors will like these true juvenation of the Roman Em- folds in a popular way the Bible tales of India, written by the pire under Mussolini as signif- teachings on the Second Com- daughter of a missionary-one ing, the Day of the Lord, the who loves the people of her naicant but does not look on II Rapture of Saints, Israel's fu- tive land. The stories describe Duce as the Antichrist. He ture, the "Appearing," the Mil- adventures with monkeys and quotes many political leaders, lennial Age, the "Last Day" and w i I d animals, children and scientists, historians, newspaper Eternity. The subject is too snakes; weddings and widows, much neglected by Christians. Moslems and Hindus. Each writers and Bible students to chapter is supplemented with a support his very positive opin- Why should the Day overtake us series of hints for those who ions. "Babylon," of Revelations, "as a thief" because of this neg- would follow these "treasure lect? Mr. Ritchie is a devout trails." It will be a llseful study Mr. Brooks takes to be the Bible student but he deals very book for Juniors. "Counterfeit Bride of Christ"; little with modern events. An the Red Horse and Potter's Clay index would be useful. he interprets to be Socialism and Bolshevism. In like manner he interprets the references to the Blue Skies. By Louise Harriwn Mc- "Man of Sin," the return of the Voices of the Twelve Hebrew Proph- Graw. 8vo. 262 pp. $1.00. Zon- Jews, the Jewish feasts, Apos- ets. By G. Camphell Morgan. 12mo. dervan Pub. House, Grand Rapids, tasy and the word of Christ to 160 pages. 28. 6d. Pickering and Mich. 1938. the Church of Laodicea. The Inglis, Glasgow, Scotland. This story of Christian work book stimulates us to prayerful The Minor Prophets, as they among Jews in an American city study of the Bible and the signs are generally called because of breathes a Christian spirit and of the times in modern history. the comparative brevity of their reveals a knowledge of Christ messages, are less knOWn! but as the only Saviour of both Jew Seeing Prophecy Fulfilled in Pales- not less important than. Isaiah and Gentile. The author shows tine. By Geo. T. B. Davis. IIlus. and the other "Major Prophets." acquaintance with Jews and 12mo. 127 pp. 18. 6d. net, paper. Dr. Morgan is a prince of ex- their attitude toward Christ and Pickering and Inglis, Glasgow, 1938. positors-always incisive, clear, Christians; also she reveals Mr. Davis, a Bible evangelist spiritual and practical. He deals truly the ignorance, indifference who has widely promoted the with the Bible intelligently, as and antipathy of most nominal "Million Testaments Campaign" the inspired "Word of God" and Christians toward the Jews.
in China, South America and shows the practical value of the Through the story runs a double elsewhere, has recently visited message of each prophet for the romance, with many complica- Palestine. He here describes present day – for example: tions.
Notes New Boole. Union Church in
Sudan (Concluded from second cover.) Christ Among the Telugus. Carol Rai Bahadur N. K. Mukerji, of Graham. 16 pp. 3d. S. P. G. in All Christian communities at Allahabad, was called home as he was F. P. London. Malakal, the headquarters of the taking his place in the Katra Presby- Upper Nile Province and an im- terian Church for the morning serv- Each with His Own Brush. Daniel portant center in the Egyptian ice Sunday, October 30, 1938. Mr. J. Fleming. 86 pp. $1.50. Friend- Sudan, plan to unite to build a Mukerji had been carrying on his pro- ship Press. New York. common house of worship. gram of activities and had attended the General Assembly of the United Good Morning. Louie D. Newton. Although there are representatives Church of North India late in October. 92 pp. 75 cents. Broadman Press. of the Greek and Coptic Orthodox He was the treasurer of the Assembly. Nashville. Churches, the American United Pres- For thirty-four years, N. K. Mukerji byterian Mission at Doleib Hill, the had been secretary of the North India It Will Be Daybreak Soon. Archi- Armenian Church, the Church of Book and Tract Society of Allahabad. bald Rutledge. 129 pp. $1.25. Scotland and the Church of England, He was among the first Christians to Revell. there is no Church in which any of be placed in executive charge of a these communions can worship. In great inter-Church enterprise. "To Lesson Commentary for Sunday addition to these, there are a certain meet him was a tonic, for there was Schools. Edited by Chas. Wiles number of Christian Shilluks, Dinkas, strength in his character." His duties and D. Burt Smith. 320 pp. $1.75. Baris, etc. as Secretary of the "Tract Society" United Lutheran Publication House. were hea:vy but he found time for Philadelphia. As it is impossible for any of these many outside responsibilities. For two to have their own special churches, it terms he was president of the Indian The Horizons of Stewardship. Her- was decided, at a general meeting held Christian Association and served as man C. Weber. 116 pp. $1.25. on August 16, at which all these secretary and president of the U. P. Revell. New York. churches were well represented, to Christian Council. At the time of his build a church in which each body can death he was Chairman of the Civil Guy Bullen. By His Friends. 136 pp. hold services according to the customs Rights Committee of the U. P. Chris- 58. Highway Press. London. and rites of that church, and on occatian Council and was president-elect sions to have united services. of the All-India Indian Christian As- Women and the Way. Christ and the sociation. Mr. Mukerji served for six- World's Womanhood. A Sympo- In the erection of this church, there teen years as a member of the Alla- sium. 196 pp. $1.00, cloth; 50 is no idea of speeding the movement habad Municipal Board and was Vice- cents, paper. Friendship Press. towards union. The ministers and Chairman for a number of years. He New York. priests of each church will, when they voluntarily retired from the Board but are available, conduct services accordconsented to serve as Special Railway The Wild Rue. A Study of Muham- ing to the rites and customs of their Magistrate. He was an active mem- madan Magic and Folklore in Iran. own church. ber of the Upper Chamber of the Bess Allen Donaldson. 216 pp. Provincial Legislative Assembly. He 108. 6d. Luzac & Co. London. The Sudan Government is allotting wrote: "You will believe me when I an excellent site in a central part of say that it is always my desire to do Getting Acquainted with Our Friends Malakal at a "peppercorn" rent.· my utmost to render whatever service in France. Sarah G. Klein. (A lies in my power to the Christians." Unit in World Friendship-Junior -Egyptian Mail. Grades.) 30 pp. 60 cents. Revell. New York. * Contributions should be sent to repre- Toward a Literature World. Frank sentatives of cooperating churches at Malakal C. LaubaCh, 178 pp. $1.75. For-' Or to the National Bank of Egypt. Khar- eign Missions Conference. New toum. Sudan. York.
TESTIMONY OF THE QUEEN SALOTE OF TONGA * The folloWing testimony to the influence and good achieved by Christian missions in the Pacific was recently given by the Queen of Tonga and by the Prince Consort, Tungi.
I speak as the represehtative of the women of Tonga. We are a small land, and a small people. We are only on the way in education and in the knowledge of the things and happenings that belong to the great world outside. We are not a wealthy people. We have very little money. No one is very rich, but no one is in want. Our people are a cheerful people. The root of that cheerfulness lies in two things-our faith and our land. Before the Christian Church came our people were cheerful, but they were living in serfdom and fear. They did not realize that they were serfs, but when the missionaries came with the truth of Jesus, and the King's heart was touched, he led them to realize their serfdom; then with the knowledge of God real cheerfulness came, and freedom from fear. Although they arrived at Wchheeenrfut hlneelsasn dthwroausgdhistthriebiur tefadittho, they were still poor, and had no way to show their faith. them, they were able to prove their faith. Now they are free and every one has his own land granted by the Sovereign. The freedom that they enjoy is different. If the workers "strike," everything becomes hard and difficult, and the comforts of life are affected. But such things cannot happen here. In our land no one can disturb the contentment. No one can create a strike. If a man wants to fish, he may fish. If he wants to grow yams, he may grow yams. If he does not want to do so, he does not grow them! That is the way the Tongans live. The Church is developing a healthy tone. It has its ups and downs, but we have a firm and constant faith in God. In Him is our trust. We are one with you in our desire to further the Gospel in heathen lands. There will be many providences hard to understand, but God is with us.
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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 — July 1938
1938
Religion in Turkey Today Charles T. Riggs A Visit to Dutch New Guinea J. A. Jaf/ray The Church Challenges the City Dwight J. Bradley The Power of a Woman's Faith George W. Hinman What a Down..Town Church Can Do , Frederick B. Fisher Looking to the City of Tomorrow .Charles H. Sears Shall We Discontinue Institutional Work? G. Baez Camargo 2S Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
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CLAIMED DAILY DE- THE UPPER ROOM Jti1rll to IS-Bethesda, Ohio, School Upptr contains meditations. of Missions. Mrs. John Seward, VOTIONAL CUIDE – Scripture selections and ,902 North 6th Street, Cambridge, Now Used by a Million Room suggested prayers for Ohio. People in English- and each day. Spanish – Speaking July July 11 to 19-Nprthfield Missionary Countries. Every Chris- EL APOSENTO ALTO, Conference, Notthfield, Mass. Mrs. tian desiring to have a August the Spanish edition, Gula Plummer, 330 West Emerson, family altar or some September shipped to a" Spanish- Melrose, Mass. other form of daily speaking countries on devotions lin the home Cbe exactly same price July 18 to 24-Mountain Lake Park, should have a copy of schedule as the English Mel. Interdenominational Summer THE UPPER ROOM- Upptr edition. School of Missions. Mrs. B. H. buy from the pastor of Sincell, Oakland, Md. your Church or order Room Order from direct THE UPPER ROOM July 12 to August 17'-:";Winona Lake Doctors' Bldg. School of Theology, Winona Lake, Nashville, Tenn. Indiana. Assembly. He will remain in this AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT August 21 to 27":""Chautauqua, N. Y., country for about a year, speaking By an oversight, two charts used in Institute of WorId Missions. Miss the June REVIEW, pages 265 and 291, Louise B. Woodford, 930 23d • • • in various parts of the United States. were not credited to the book, "The Avenue, North, St. Petersburg, Fla. Dr. Stephen J. Corey has resigned American City and Its Church," by from the presidency of the United Dr. Kincheloe, published by the Mis- August 23 to 29-World Conference Christian Missionary Society to be- sionary EducatIon Movement. There on International Friendship Through come President of the College of the were also two quotations on pages 286 the Churches, Larvik, Norway. Bible at Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. and 294 from the book by Dr. Robert Corey has given thirty-three years of Searle, "City Shadows," also published September 11 to 16 – International his life to the cause of world missions. by the Missionary Education Move- Convention of the Disciples of ment. We gratefully acknowledge Christ, Denver, Colo. Dr. Frederick• Sc•ov*el, Presbyterian these sources.
September 19 to 30 (tentative)- missionary at Tsining, Shantung Obituary Notes School of Missions. Mrs. Mitchell Province, China, was seriously Langdon, Tex. wounded by a Japanese soldier the Rev. Roger C. Cumberland, an first week in June. Dr. Scovel was American Presbyterian missionary to September 21 to 28-General Council, attempting to protect the nurses in Iraq for the past fifteen years, was United Church of Canada, Toronto, the mission hospital when one of the fatally shot by a Kurd at Dohuk, Canada. soldiers shot him in the side. It is forty miles from Mosul, on June 12th. reported that he has an excellent The Kurd escaped to the desert. No September 26 to 30-Southern Cali- chance of recovery. reason for the attack is known. Mr. fornia (Los Angeles) School of Cumberland was born in Verne, Cali- Mission Study. Mrs. H. M. Horn, *•• fornia, forty-three years ago, and be- 1811 Huntington Drive, South Pasa- gan his missionary service in East dena, Cal. Dr. Enrique C. Sobrepena of Ma- Persia in 1923, going soon afterward nila has been unanimously elected as to Mosul, Iraq, and then to Dohuk. October 4 to S-Warren, Ohio, School Executive Secretary of the Philip- He made long trips to the villages of of Missions. Mrs. George Konold, pin e Federation of Evangelical tribesmen, living with the people and 314 Scott Street, N. E., Warren, Churches, an interdenominational or- establishing Christian centers among Ohio. ganization representing the whole them. He is survived by his wife, Protestant movement in the Philip- Mrs. Harriet Gunn Cumberland, who October 5 to 12 – United Lutheran pines. He succeeds Dr. Higdon who went to the field in 1928. Church in America, Biennial Con- remains in America for a time, after vention, Baltimore, Md. which he hopes to return to Manila Rev. Edwin F. Frease, D.D., a to engage in interdenominational Methodist missionary in India and October 14 to 20 – American Lu- North Africa for 44 years, died in theran Church, Biennial Convention, Canton, Ohio, April 22. Dr. Frease Sandusky, Ohio. went to Bombay In 1888, and one year later was transferred to Baroda, October 20-Baltimore, Md., Institute where for 20 years he was pastor, for Church Women. Mrs. Bruce H. Superintendent of Gujarat District McDonald, 515 West Fayette St., and editor of a Christian publication. Baltimore, Md. He also translated the catechism and other Christian books into the native Personal Items language. In 1910, he was chosen to t3ke up a new work among the Mo- Dr. Sam Higginbottom, of Alla- hammedans of North Africa with his habad, India, arrived in America in time for the Presbyterian General (Concluded on page 821.) work. ••• Rev. Lewis Seymour Mudge, D.D., LL.D., after 17 years of faithful serv- ice as the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., has been honorably retired at the age of 70. Dr. Mudge has ren- dered a remarkable service, to the whole Church and to the Cause of Christ by the faithful and efficient way in which he has carried his heavy resllOnsibilities. Temporarily, he is acting as General Secretary of the Board of Christian Education for the Church, filling the place of Dr. Harold McAfee Robinson, who has been or- dered to take a rest on account of ill health.
MISSIONARY -~;, PARENTS
REVIEW OF THE WORL~ In the Foreign Mission Field O.,LAVAN L. PIERBON, Kd,tor , Endorse Calvert School ." :'l-Iome Study Courses VOL. LXI JULY-MJG.,1938 Nos. 7-8' for Children Publication and Business omce– Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tion Department, will give your child a Editorial and Executive omce– 156 Filth Avenue, New York City. superior elementary education ••• by mail, Entered as second-class matter at regardless of where you may live. Mod- Post 01llce, Harrisburg, Pa., UDder Act of March 3, 1879. ern, approved courses from this famous school are being used by parents all over 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. I"orelgn Postage, 50 cents a year. the world with outstanding success. Published monthly, except August. All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. Give your children the advantages of these Brill.h agents – Marshall, Morgan and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, London, E. C. 1 shllling per copy, and attractive materials. Instruction is 10 Bhlllings a year. under the personal guidance of teachers in MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- LISHING CO., INC, Calvert's prominent and successful private BOARD OF DIRECTORS day school in Baltimore: ROUEUT E. SPEER, J'resident t Write today for booklet of complete in- A. L. WARNBHUlB, Vice-Pres>dent W ALTIl:R McDOUGALL, 7'reasurer formation. Costs are low. DFlLAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary PAUL J. BRAlBTEO CALVERT SCHOOL 180W. Tuscany Road SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT Baltimor. + Maryland D. J. FANT MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD Obituary Notes The great white Empresses hold WM. B. LIPPHARO every speed record to and from ERle M. NORTH (Concluded from 2d c01Jer.) the Orient. 10 days direct to Yokohama by Empress of Asia SAMUEL M. ZWEMmB headquarters in Algiers, where he or Empress of Russia. Or only served until he retired in 1932. three days more via Hawaii by Editorial Chat Empress of Japan, largest and *** fastest on the Pacific, or Empress The July and August numbers of of Canada. Connect at Honolulu the REVIEW are combined into one. Dr. Maria White, who went to from California ports. The next issue will be September, and Sialkot, India, as a United Presbywill come from the press about August terian medical missionary in 1886, From Vancouver and Victoria 25th. It is to contain some very in- died in Wilkinsburg, Penna., March to Yokohama, Kobe, Nagasaki, teresting and valuable articles on the 20, at the age of 84. She was the Shanghai, Hong Kong, Manila. Madras Conference Topics; others on first woman doctor to serve in the Details from YOUR TRAVEL the City, Brazil, Tibet. Africa and Punjab and after repeated efforts AGENT or Canadian Pacifio: "How to Interest Students in Mis- secured enough money to build the 41 offices in U. S. and Canada. sions." Miss Grace McGavran will Sialkot Memorial Hospital. She also begin her contributions on Best Meth- established a clinic at Pasrur and in ods for Promoting Missionary Interest 1910 built a small hospital there with at Home. Do not miss this number her own funds which she named the because you are absent from home. White Memorial Hospital in memory Write to give any change of address. of her parents.
*** *** Here are some recent comments't to John Elijah Case, father of Brayindicate why you and your friends ton C. Case of the American Baptist will find the REVIEW of interest atld Agricultural School in Burma, died February 8 at the age of 81. John and value: "I am an interested reader of E. Case went to Burma in 1882. Due to the shortage of missionaries he the REVIEW. I both enjoy it would not take any furlough and profit by it. You are rendering incal- stayed continuously on the field until culable service to the cause of the 1901. He then came back to America, Master's Kingdom in the world. God broken in health, and did not return. bless you!" *** BISHOP J. R. CHITAMBAR. Jubbulpore, India. Mr. Albert G. Adams, honorably retired Presbyterian missionary to *** West Africa, died on May 27th in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1902, Mr. Adams "I have been a reader of your val- heard that a mission treasurer was ued journal for a number of years, needed in the West Africa Mission and have long admired its fine com- and applied for the position. The bination of evangelical loyalty and position entailed an immense amount breadth of vision," of work in handling shipments, keep- ing accounts and dealing with all the NORMAN S. MCPHERSON, intricate problems involved in con- Vice-President, Association of nection with French Customs. In 1935, after he had served for thirty- Baptists for Evangelization' three years, the French Government in the Orient. recognized the high quality of his work by awarding him the "Order of "I think that*thi*s (*REVIEW) is one the Black Star of Benin," the highest government honor given in Africa. of the finest publications that I know. It has been a great challenge to me, [ 321 ] and I hope to acquaint others with it."
(MISS) LILA MAE CHAPMAN.
305 Adams St., Macon, Ga.
BOYS AND GIRLS'-GIVING CHILDREN A CHANCE TO GO TO THE
REBUILDING MEN-GLIMPSES OF WORK IN GOOD WILL INDUSTRIES MISSION, CINCINNATI, OHIO (see article by Richard Scully-page 335)
NARY
REVIE ORLD AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS VOLUME LXI JULY-AUGUST, 1938 NUMBERS 7 AND 8 #'fI'
Topics of the Times WHAT DO WE SEE IN THE WORLD? by the need of the Athenians for a knowledge of the true God and for the life offered through The earth is made up of material things, of Jesus Christ. animals and people. History is a series of events, discoveries, disasters, conflicts, human problems What we see indicates what we are and what and heroic deeds. What do we see when we look are our chief interests. These determine our amat the world of matter and of time? bition and plan of action. What Japan sees in China and the Chinese is vastly different from In an automobile men see different things ac- what the Christian missionary sees-and these j:!ording to their interests, experience, viewpoint. They see a beautiful piece of mechanism or a pile different viewpoints lead to opposite courses of of junk; a wonderful invention or a mystery; a possible joy-ride or a vehicle for business; an action and opposite results. . expense or a means of profit; a family asset or an engine of destruction. The summer is here, with its opportunities for What do you see in a sunset-a "weather work and play, for travail or travel, for self inbreeder," a mass of clouds and sunlight, a wonder- dulgence or for service. Where and how will we ful picture or an evidence of the glory of God, the Creator? and our families spend the summer if we have an opportunity for choice? There are factories and There is a similar variety and contrast in the offices for constant toil; there are summer reway men and women look at the heavens on a ~orts where the world, the flesh and the devil clear night, on a school, a church, on the Bible, hold sway; there are camps and summer conferor on money. In a baby some see a cute play- ences that offer opportunities for Christian felthing, others a nuisance, an adorable bit of hu- lowship, wholesome recreation and spiritual manity, a son and heir, ransom money, the mak- growth. Which will we choose? ing of a possible criminal or a future servant of God and benefactor of mankind. How differently, The Christ-centered and Christ-controlled life too, men look at a cross! has a different viewpoint from that of any other life; and the results are different here and will When the hosts of Syria came against Israel be through all eternity.
"The things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal."
and besieged the city of Dothan, Elisha's servant NEW STEPS IN JAPANESE SHRINE saw only horses and chariots and an enemy's WORSHIP army; but when his eyes were opened he saw horses and chariots of fire-the encircling hosts It seems self-evident to many Christians that of God assuring victory. the act of obeisance at the Japanese State shrines In a multitude of people did Jesus see only a transgresses the implications of monotheism and mob or possible commercial asset? No, He saw violates the explicit requirements of God as found hungry, straying "sheep without a shepherd"; in the first and second commandments. This is He saw men and women whom He had come to so fully borne out by a careful study of State save. At Athens, the apostle Paul was not im- Shinto, that it comes as a distinct shock to find pressed most by the wisdom of the Greeks or by some Christians willing to bow at these shrines.
the beauty and expense of the Parthenon, but to direct students under their care to attend and [323 ]
bow, and to influence Christian leaders to ac- necessary for such arrests, and no trials are quiesce. Imperfect apprehension' of the moral held, but these people are told that if they will implications may explain this tragic anomaly. do obeisance all else will be forgiven.
In the ancient and modern conflict between At meetings of Christian organizations the de- Christ and "Cresar," the issue eventually becomes mand is made that they adopt resolutions favorclear. The significance of the attitude of mind ing obeisance. When one Presbytery met, the which the Japanese Government desires to de- town was filled with soldiers and Christian leadvelop in every subject of the Empire is becoming ers were told that the town was under martial evident-namely the entire subservience to the law, that failure to obey -orders meant death Japanese State and the worship of "spirits" other and that resolutions "must" be passed approving than Jehovah. Recent events in Korea are mak- obeisance at the shrines, even by the Presbytery ing it clear that the ultimate question that Chris- itself. Such pastors and elders as were suspected tians and churches are facing there is that of of opposition 'tvere detained at the police station, monotheism or polytheism. while weaker brethren were' persuaded to pro- pose such resolutions. The small affirmative vote Weare convinced that if Christians yield to was heralded as the action of that Presbytery! Government requirements that students attend When the men detained at the police station were and do obeisance at Shinto shrines, later demands released and wished to rescind the resolution, will lead to further acquiescence in Shinto wor- the police declared that such action would not be ship. Two missionary teachers who attended the tolerated. shrine were soon ordered to make offerings at the shrines. No official, whatever he might say about Some Christian congregations are also being the act of obeisance, can deny that the offering coerced, as in one province where the Governor of sacrifices to "spirits" is a religious act. When ordered the churches each time they met to go in missionaries have declined to make such offer- a body to the Shinto shrine and do obeisance. If ings, their educational qualifications have been there was no shrine in the village the church rescinded. was ordered to erect one on its own property. In this province, an oath of allegiance to Japan must When a Christian School Board declared that be repeated in unison by those in the church; it would do all that the Government required, the the Japanese calendar must also be substituted missionary principal (who had done obeisance) for the Christian calendar. Such "regulations" demurred, but the Board members told him there corroborate the conviction that the Government was no difference between obeisance and meet- intends to force "obeisance" upon the whole popuing other requirements. In connection with the lation. A year ago, in another province, it was war in China the orders of the Government show announced that a Shinto shrine would be erected what is at the core of State Shinto worship. On in every village, and each household would be September 21, 1937, the Japanese army invading ordered to contribute toward the cost. When China was halted and prayers for victory were Christians objected, "pressure" was exerted to offered to Amaterasu-Omi-kami (the Goddess of compel contributions. Heaven). On February 11, 1938, the whole Empire was ordered to go to the shrines and pray The issue is being drawn more and more defor victory. Christians, formerly excused, are no finitely and more and more clearly it is seen that longer permitted to absent themselves. The police the issue is actually:-"Will the Christian Church in Chosen hIve volunteered the information that do obeisance at Shinto' shrines to 'spirits' other they are driven by the military, "who look upon than Jehovah?" Amaterasu-Omi-kami as their god," to compel the Christian schools to do obeisance. A missionary says, "We are tryipg to live up to our Lord's words in Matthew 22: 21. … There Coercion, in various forms, is being used to is no danger of God's demanding the things that make it appear that "right-minded Christians" belong to Cresar, but it is a historic fact that have no difficulty in doing obeisance. All Chris- Cresar has often demanded the things that belong tian gatherings have long been under police sur- to God. . . . We do not pretend that conditions veillance, with special severity in the case of those here are as severe as those in the first three Christian bodies which have shown scruples about centuries (under Rome) ·but the differences are doing obeisance. All over the country people are rather of degree than of kind." being urged to purchase "Kami-dan" (I!'od shelves) and small replicas of the shrines, and to Christians need to awaken to the facts in reinstall them in their homes. Once installed, these gard to this struggle between Christ and the must be treated with special reverence. Japanese Cresar, and to aid in the effort to keep Christian schools and the Christian Church from Christian leaders in Korea who will not do entering the road which is likely to end in aposobeisance are being imprisoned. No warrant is tasy. To many a Japanese subject, the demand
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve" is a terian Church U. S. A., on the other hand, was terrible reality. the first ecclesiastical body to vote to approve cooperation with this proposed "World Council THE UTRECHT CONFERENCE-"THAT ALL of Churches." MAY BE ONE" Those who become members of this fellowship Last summer's interchurch conferences, at Ox- will appoint members of the Assembly of 450 ford and Edinburgh, were followed by a special members, which will include lay and clerical, men delegated conference at Utrecht, Holland, May and women. There will also be a Central Com- 9th to 12th, called to plan for a proposed World mittee of which Dr. Visser t'Hooft of Holland Council of Churches. This Conference was pre- and Dr. Henry Smith Leiper of New York were sided over by Dr. William Temple, Archbishop of elected secretaries. York, and was attended by about fifty-six delegates and twenty-five other representatives from At the Stockholm Conference in 1925 the twenty-one countries. Many denominations were slogan was "Doctrine divides; service unites," cooperating, including the Old Catholic and Greek but at Utrecht the conviction was that there must Orthodox churches. Among the delegates were be a solid foundation in a Christian faith that Dr. Francis C. M. Wei of China, Mr. Thomas unites. The doctrinal basis, unanimously adopted David of India, Dr. John R. Mott and Dr. A. L. for submission to the various churches, had as its Warnshuis of the International Missionary Coun- main point "the acceptance of our Lord Jesus cil; Dr. Kenneth S. Latourette, of Yale; Dr. S. M. Christ as God and Saviour." Representatives of Cavert of the Federal Council of Churches of some groups-such as the Unitarians and Czecho- Christ in America, Dr. Adolf Keller of Switzer- Slovakian Church-objected to this basis, but land, Dr. J. H. Oldham, Wil1iam Paton and the without avail. Archbishop of York, of Great Britian. The proposed World Council of Churches will The Conference unanimously adopted a form not attempt to judge orthodoxy or to exercise of constitution, recommended for the World authority over the constituent churches. It will Council of Churches, which will be submitted to be consultative and cooperative, not legislative. the various constituent bodies for their criticism or approval. A provisional Committee was appointed to carry forward the work of the Conference, with Reporting on the Utrecht Conference, Dr. La- the following members from the United States: tourette says, "In our day, as in no other, tbe Dr. J. Ross Stevenson, Dr. John R. Mott, Bishop Christians of the world are beginning to come to- George Craig Stewart, Dr. A. R. Wentz, Dr. Samgether and to find in their common Lord a bond uel M~ Cavert and Mr. Charles P. Taft. which is stronger than the rising divisions of Whatever may be the differences in opinion as to the feasibility of such a World Council of international jealousy and hatred. Growing Churches, or the methods and characteristics that should mark such a Council, there can be only Christian fellowship in a divided world cannot sympathy and admiration for those followers of but give to thoughtful souls convincing evidence Christ who seek to fulfil His prayer "that they all that in the Church of Christ is a superhuman may be one, even as thou, Father, art in me ann T power that makes for love and trust." in thee, that they also may be in us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent me." AJl While practically all truly Christian churches disciples of Christ are called to form a united believe in promoting unity of spirit and harmony in operation among all followers of Christ, there stand against paganism, atheism and materialism, against sin and selfishness and to promote a are strong differences of opinion as to how these united faith in Christ with a growth in loyalty, objectives may best be brought to pass without love, cooperation and sacrificial service. compromise in matters that are considered essentials. The United Free Church of Scotland, for example, considered the subject at its recent As Dr. A. L. Warnshius says: "The mission- General Assembly and proposes to withdraw from ary significance of the proposed Council consists the ecumenical movement on the ground that their in the recognition of the world-wide character of affiliation would "endanger the whole position of the Christian Church. A .primary purpose of its religious freedom, religious equality and volun- organization is to make visible the essential unitv taryism for which the United Free Church has of the churches throughout the world that are i~ contended and suffered." "State Churchism vs. agreement with the doctrinal basis stated above.
Free Churchism," the historic Episcopate, and co- The possibility of now organizing a wor1d-wide operation with some church bodies that are con- Council of Churches is accepted as a demonf1trl'l- sidered "non-evangelical" are among the dangers tion of the results of the missionary service of the to which objection is made. Church. "Ecumenical" means the "inhabited The recent General Assembly of the Presby- world," and that includes more than North
America and Europe. Christian missions have from India, Dr. Stanley Smith from China and now made it possible to speak of an 'Ecumenical the veteran Secretary Robert Speer picture the Church.' The form of organization of the pro- world's need and the proved sufficiency of Jesus posed Council is based upon the experience of the Christ to meet it; and finally, on the last great day International Missionary Council. of the feast, the presentation of the Report of the Assembly's Standing Committee on Foreign Mis- "The missionary work of Christ is not finished, sions, with its courageous, forward-looking resobut only well begun, and it will necessarily be lutions – all this constituted a program not one of the primary responsibilities of the Council, likely to be forgotten by Commissioners or when organized, to cooperate in the advancement visitors. It renewed assurance of the fulfilment of missionary endeavor everywhere, so as to of the promise of the retiring moderator's constrengthen and extend the churches in every part fident sermon, HI will build my Church." Dr. of the world. The realization of the missionary Foulkes calle~he Church, with impassioned apresponsibility of the Council in its service is es- peal, to believing prayer and consecrated effort, sential to the achievement of its purpose; other- both in behalf of suffering China and sinning wise it will become merely an academic debating Japan, and for all mission lands, where, though society. Missions are no mere department of the the harvest is great and the laborers few, yet the life of the Church, to be remembered only by a Lord of the harvest is wonderfully blessing both minority of its members. The whole life of the the sowing of the seed and the garnering of the whole Church must be directed to the fulfillment sheaves. of its world-wide evangelistic mission." The fact that this Assembly was entirely free MISSIONS AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY from the doctrinal and judicial contentions, which have disturbed and saddened many recent As- It seems hardly possible that any future meet- semblies, and that many enc()uragements were in ing of the Presbyterian General Assembly, at evidence that seem to point toward an early releast for fifty years to come, should surpass in union of all branches of the Presbyterian order missionary signficance the Sesqui-centennial As- and the ultimate fulfilment of our Saviour's sembly, with its two days of pre-assembly con- prayer "that they all may be one," contributed ferences, which convened from May 24th to June greatly to the missionary inspiration of this As- 1st in Philadelphia's Municipal Convention Hall. sembly. Great encouragement was derived also Even the distinctively Foreign Mission Centennial from the fact that, in spite of the current financial Assembly of last year can scarcely be compared recession and the disturbed state of the world, with it. Everything seemed to combine to make the Board of Foreign Missi()ns has received more it a record Assembly. More than 150 of the than $500,000 toward its special Centennial Fund Church's missionaries were present; the Board of a million dollars for the reinforcement of a de- Exhibits were most appropriate and attractive; pleted missionary force and the restoration of the arrangement and atmosphere of the great missionary salaries. The group of consecrated "Hall ()f Fellowship," beneath the huge Conven- women present, who had just come from a week of tion Hall, left nothing to be desired for the meet- soul-stirring conference at Buck Hill Falls, were ing of old friends and the making of new, within enthusiastically, if not enviously, applauded 011 and with()ut the missionary group itself; the in- their report that, instead of raising a mere half spiring foreign mission gathering after the Evan- of their Centennial allotment, they had raised gelism Conferences, followed by the delightful every dollar of it. The Presbyterian Board, fellowship dinner the next day; the world-wide though made tragically short-handed by many Communion service of more than 6,000 after the recent retirements from its executive staff, yet Moderator's sermon; the Women's Reception to rejoices in the finding of able and devoted sucmissionaries; the Stewardship Breakfast and the cessors for some of the veterans, and is devoting Men's, Women's and Young People's Fellowship its energies to the development of new plans for Dinners for 6,000; preaching by scores of mis- increasing its official and field efficiency, and for sionaries through all that region, in churches of calling the finest new recruits to the colors. The many denominations; the Vesper Prayer Con- new Century of the Church's Foreign Missions ference led by Dr. Cleland McAfee, with reports opens with a cheer.* COURTENAY H. FENN. from all the mission fields and intimate intercession: the gathering of many thousands in the • The Rev. Charles W. Welch, D.D., of L()uisville. Kentucky, was Great Hall, the platform crowded with mission- elected moderator to succeed Dr. William Hiram Foulkes of Newark; aries and Board officers, to hear Mrs. Carruthers and Dr. William Barrow Pugh of Chester, Pennsylvania, was elected Stated Clerk for a five year term to S1Icceed Dr. Lewis Mudge, who is honorably retired at seventy years ()f age.
in Turkey
By the REV. CHARLES T. RIGGS, Istanbul, Turkey For forty years a missionary of the American Board THERE appears to be prevalent an impression his capacity as Sultan. One illustration of the that Turkey has thrown off her Mohammed- power of the Moslem religion over the Ottoman anism and is trying to go along without any State. was in the fact that the Sheikh-ul-Islam, religion. To understand what has happened, we who was the highest authority in the Moslem relimust first distinguish between official and per- gious courts-the Chief Justice, so to speak, of the sonal attitudes. Officially, the United States might Mohammedan Supreme Court – was the only be said to have no religion, since Church and State power legally entitled to pronounce a decree deare entirely separate. But that would be mis- posing the Sultan. Now, in these Republican days, leading. Officially, Turkey has pronounced herself when the dominance of the old Sultans is held to to be entirely secular; but religion is ingrained have been the cause of the many disasters to in the life and thought of her people, as it always Turkey, this union of religion with the highest has been. secular authority is regarded as a calamity. Steps have therefore been taken to abolish the power There is no such anti-God movement in Turkey of the Moslem clergy for the purpose of preventas exists in the United States of Soviet Russia. ing any return to the old absolutism and tyranny There is in Turkey no organized attempt to eradi- such as existed in the days of the Sultans. cate religious faith and sentiment; any such at- tempt would be rigorously opposed even by the Unfortunately, in the process, much of the secular Government. Nor has there been any at- ethical influence of the clergy has also gone. The tempt to get rid of the mosques, or even of Chris- abolition of the old mosque schools for children thin churches or Jewish synagogues. Religious and the more recent abolition of the medresse, or worship goes on in hundreds of churches and in theological schools, the reduction of financial aid thousands of mosques, without hindrance. It is from the State to mosques, the forbidding of the true that many old mosque buildings, long prac- use of clerical dress on the streets, the abolition tically disused for lack of adjacent Moslem pop- of all civil compulsion in the observance of Ramulation, have been condemned and torn down. It azan (the annual month of fasting) and finally is also true that churches have either been torn the suppression of the early morning "call to down or diverted to other uses, where the Chris- prayer" on the ground that it woke many people tian population has disappeared. But these facts up who did not wish to pray at that time-all are not proof of anti-religious feeling. While the these and other new regulations have given the Turkish State is absolutely separated from reli- religious leaders an inferiority complex. They gion, the Government has taken over the manage- feel that their authority is gone, and the average ment of the mosque properties, and repairs or man no longer looks up to them as the models in renovations are made by order of the Government all things ethical as well as religious. which also sees to the payment of the clergy. As One of the most ominous results of modern reg- to the Christian churches, the Government is try- ulations is, that in the secularization of all schools ing to regularize the affairs of each and to prevent and in the suppression of mosque schools, chila misuse of church funds by appointing some one dren no longer have any religious training aside for each church who shall be directly responsible from what they may receive in their own homes to the Government for the correct use of its funds; from their parents. Since the reading of the this person is to be one designated by the church Koran in mosques is still in the Arabic language, itself. and since no school lower than the University is To understand the situation in Turkey today, allowed to teach Arabic, children no longer com- mit the Koran to memory or learn its precepts. one must remember the centuries during which And with the suppression of the theological semthe religious and secular powers were united; when the Sultan was also the Caliph, and was inaries, one wonders just where Turkey will obmore powerful as Caliph than as Sultan, his reli- tain religious leaders of the future; certainly they gious dominance was paramount. In those days, will not have the preparation they formerly rethe Moslem clergy had a strangle hold on things ceived. There is a course in Moslem theology ofsecular, through their influence with the Caliph in fered in the University, but at last accounts there [327 ]
were no students who had enrolled in that course! pupils are all of Christian families. The Arme- The larger mosques, and to a certain extent the nian day-schools have thus kept on with their smaller ones, are still frequented by worshipers, religious lessons; and one of the Mission schools especially during the fast-month of Ramazan. In in Istanbul has its Sunday services in a separate some places, owing to the substitution of Sunday building; these are attended by Armenian girls for Friday as the weekly holiday, one finds more only. As for leadership – priests, pastors and people attending the mosque at the noon prayer ministers of Christian churches of all denomina- on Sunday than on Friday. Yet in most mosques, tions are on the same footing with the Govern- Friday is still the great day and often there will ment as are the imams of mosques.
be many hundreds in each of the larger mosques Further, the publication and circulation of of Istanbul for the noon prayer on that day. Christian literature is not forbidden in Turkey, Popular interest in religion in Turkey is notice- and many Christian books have been on sale for able in another and more unusual way -=In the a long time:….' Strangely enough, and without sales of the Christian Scriptures through the apparent reason, after a Turkish translation of Bible Society colporteurs. Those parts of the new Fosdick's "The Manhood of the Master" had translation that have been issued in the new alpha- appeared, all copies were confiscated by the Gov- bet have met with a good sale; and many Turks ernment, and the publishers were told it was "un- are reading the New Testament to find out what desirable." But this prohibition was not on the this Protestant Christian religion is. The Bible ground of its being a religious book. The Gov- Societies have opened a new store on the main ernment pUblication office itself has in recent years street of one of the great business quarters in issued translations of European biographies of Istanbul, with an attractive show-window where Jesus and of Mohammed; and now, within less open Bibles are constantly displayed; and these than a year, it is hoped, the entire Bible, in mod- attract much attention from passers-by. There ern Turkish and in the Latin type now adopted, is, and has been for many years, a weekly sel'vice will be issued from the press. This should meet of worship of one of the Evangelical churches in with a good reception.
the Turkish language; it is a rare Sunday when A comparatively new development along reli- two or three or more Turks are not present-men gious lines is the interest shown in the history of who are professedly Moslems, but who wish to the early introduction of Christianity among learn what Evangelical truth is. Turkish tribes. A book has appeared by a Turk There has been considerable misunderstanding on this theme, showing the extent of the early as to the attitude of the Turkish Government to- prevalence of Christianity in central Asia among ward Christian communities today. These are not Turks; there has also been published a book by being interfered with, except in certain individual the celebrated historian, Dr. Fuad Keuprulu, on cases in cities remote from the centers. There "The History of Religions Among the Turks"
are scattered groups of Gregorian as well as Prot- (192'5), in which he gives considerable space to estant Armenians in many towns in Anatolia, and this matter. A philosophical work by Prof. Hilmi each of these conducts its public worship. In Ziya, of the University of Istanbul, "Turkish Talas, near Cresarea in central Asia Minor, the Philosophical Thought," treats of the same sub- Protestants were told they could go to the church ject. Recently a long article appeared in one of in Cresarea, four miles or more away, but were the Turkish dailies, Cumhuriyet (Dec. 13, 1937), forbidden to continue their worship in Talas. referring to three recent Italian publications on This was decreed by a peculiarly hard-hearted this topic, proving that Christianity existed in governor who has since been removed. In Sivas, the early 13th century, before the days of Marco a little farther east, the Gregorians have likewise Polo. The author of this newspaper article read a been forbidden to gather in their church. But paper at the Historical Congress held at the invi- with rare exceptions, services go on wherever tation of President Ataturk in September last, in there are Christian groups large enough to sus- Istanbul, in which he set out to prove that Chris- tain such. Four Evangelical churches in Istanbul tianity had already penetrated among the Turkish continue their services as usual without hindrance. tribes by the second century after Christ. He is The question of Christian Sunday schools has convinced that the supposed Nestorians, who in- been more difficult, because of the name "school," troduced Christianity into China about the seventh which led the Government to classify them as un- century, were themselves Turks. He cites with authorized schools not under the Department of hearty approval the writings of Dr. Alphonse Public Instruction. Where Sunday schools are Mingana of the John Rylands Library at Man- known as Services of Worship for Children, they chester, England, who takes the same view re- go on unhindered. Another concession of the garding the early introduction of Christianity Government has been in allowing religious in- among the Turks.
struction to be given in day-schools where the Such studies, and the idea that many of the
A VISIT TO DUTCH NEW GUINEA
early Turks, before the days of Mohamm~~,:wer~ .it is certainly true that there is a more open- Christians will undoubtedly help counteract the .. minded attitude among them toward the claims nationalistic opposition to Turks bec9ming Chris- of Christ, especially if this can be dissociated tians today. We rejoice in all such light as can from any political connections with so-called be thrown on the early spread of" Christianity in Christian nations. Nationalism is still rampant Central Asia, as having ,~ direct bearing on the in Turkey and whatever presentation can be made attitude of the descendants .of those same Turks of the Gospel, it must be free fr.om any attempt today. to interfere with this. Thus we may hope for an While one cannot point to any wide-open door increasingly favorable reception of truth as re- among the Turks for the preaching of the Gospel, vealed in Christ.
o Q HaJmahelra /) U ('j THE DUTCH EAST INDIES-SHOWING MR. JAFFRAY"S RECENT JOURNEY TO DUTCH NEW GUINEA A Visit To Dutch New Guinea A Letter from R. A. JAFFRAY, Makassar, Celebes ~- Missionary of the Christian and Missionary Alliance W ITH the exception .of Greenland, New The trip to New Guinea and back to Makas- Guinea is the largest island in the world. sar took me twenty-four days, stopping en route I have recently returned from a visit to at fifteen different places, . three of which are this almost wholly unevangelized territory. Every in New Guinea. A map will show the location new tribe we reach with the Gospel adds a link of the three new fields that we have definite in the chain that will bind Satan for a thousand hope to enter with the glad Message of the years, and hastens his eternal doom. No wonder Gospel. Also in my possession I have a number he tries to hinder. of good pictures of native Papuans, most of which
are not presentable as originally photographed. million American dollars have already been ex- Our Bible School at Makassar is producing able pended at Babo. They evidently have faith for oil! Have we faith for souls from the interior of native Christian workers for the field, and we this great unknown, unworked field? At Babo it want to find new unreached fields in which they was a pleasure to meet Americans-geologists and can do pioneer work. We believe that the Lord aviators, who are working for the joint oil conwill provide the right men and women, mission- cern. They had flown over much of the interior of this part of New Guinea and gave me much in- formation about these' recently discovered areas, where we want to go with the Gospel message.
Again I felt that, if men for oil and for gold will leave all and go to the uttermost parts of the earth, why dO'-hot missionaries go with the Gos- pel? If they spend huge sums for that which will perish, why cannot we carry the imperishable Gospel to those Papuans of the interior who have never-dying souls to save? One hundred and twenty more Americans are expected to arrive at Babo during the year. When shall we begin to work for the precious souls of men who still sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?
We then sailed around to another port, the largest port of this part of New Guinea, Fak-fak.
One Chinese merchant said that he had heard me preach in Makassar ten years ago, during my first visit to Makassar.
Mr. Cator, the Assistant 'Resident, has done a deal of rough work for the Government in the in- terior of Borneo, and is now doing much the same kind of work in New Guinea. Modestly he told me of his experiences, by sea, by land, afoot through the jungle, and by air. He has discov- ered lakes in the interior, and many new tribes of Papuans hitherto unknown to the world, people who have never been to the coast, for there was no road from their villages to the coast until the Government made a trail. These people had con- sidered themselves the sole residents of this world.
A NEW GUINEA HOUSE OF BAMBOO, IN THE JUNGLES I had asked the Lord to lead me to the right people, in order to get what information was These houses are built from twenty to thirty feet above the ground, necessary to start Gospel work among these hith- for protection from their enemies.
aries from home and Chinese missionaries, to go erto unknown tribes. He surely answered prayer as His pioneers to these uttermost parts. and led me to Mr. Cator and others who knew the Our first stop, after leaving Makassar, was facts, and were willing to help. Mr. Cator prom- Ambon, a Christian island, the result of some ised to do all in his power to recommend us to the three or four hundred years' labor by Dutch mis- Government for permission to work in the newly sionaries. We had several important interviews, discovered lake regions. When one comes in the gathering valuable information regarding New name of the Lord, even to the borders of these Guinea, which is under the control of the Govern- lands where Satan has indisputable control, the ment of Ambon. Brigadier Woodward and his enemy tries hard to cast an indescribable gloom wife, of the Salvation Army, were very kind and over one's soul, and to destroy faith for the on- helpful. A number of earnest Chinese Christian ward triumph of the Gospel to every place where friends knew us, as they are readers of The Kalam Christ is not named. At this stage it all seems Hidoep (The Living Word), our monthly Malay such an utter impossibility.
magazine. The Papuan of the interior of New Guinea is Our course was eastward to New Guinea, and perhaps the most degraded of all the races of the first port was Babo, an oil town, though the mankind. He has sunk lower far than the Dyak, oil has not yet reached the surface. Some twenty "the wild man of Borneo." He is not only a head-
WHERE WEST MEETS E'AST-AN AIRPLANE LANDS AT BABO, DUTCH NEW GUINEA hunter, but a cannibal. He kills and eats his hu- for sin." The Christ of the Cross transforms men. man victim. Can the message of our Gospel save In New Guinea we also met Dyaks. We cQuld him? Can he too be transformed? We have seen the wild man of Borneo tamed, and become a never mistake them. They had been brought over humble, devoted follower of the meek and lowly to New Guinea by the oil concerns to work as Jesus-yes, thousands of them. But, can He save coolies. As I looked at them, and then at the and change the Papuan also? It is the supreme Papuans-like a flash of light it came to metest of the power of our Gospel. He has done it; Dyak evangelists from our Bible School will come He can do it; He will do it. over here, and teach these Papuans to love and trust, and to serve the wonderful Saviour that The man of the world, who does not know the they have found! The Dyaks I met were not transforming power of the Gospel, says that it Christians, but there are many of our Christian will take generations to raise these people out of Dyaks here in New Guinea, and we will yet find the deep mire of sin and superstition into which them. Yes, "the wild man of Borneo" will yet be they have sunk. But, as never before, I believe the bearer of the Message of Salvation to the still that the Gospel which we preach is "the power wilder man, the Papuan of the interior of New of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth." Guinea. A leading Dutch official, whom I met, By the Holy Spirit,this message of the Life, the was impressed with the idea, and heartily ap- Death and the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus proved of the missionary working with Christian will instantly transform and cleanse the vilest Dyak evangelists among ,the cannibals of New heart and life, even though a man be a pagan Guinea. cannibal of New Guinea. By believing in the Saviour, he becomes "a new creature" in Christ A clear distinction must be made between Jesus. As one has said, "The blackest, vilest, Dutch New Guinea and British New Guinea. most debased, most debauched,polluted, filthy, Also, it must be remembered that much noble unclean, hard-hearted, evil-tempered, lying, covet- work has already been done by the Dutch Misous, thieving, murderous, gray-headed sinner that sions, especially on the northeast coast of the ever tottered on this side of the grave, is reached island. One has said, using a rather unfortunate and broken, and wonderfully saved and trans- figure, that the Gospel has spread in some parts formed by Him Who hung between two. thieves of this northeast coast of New Guinea like an epi- demic! All credit to the brave men and women
who are working in these parts. Most of them, ing. Shall we let them sink, and not even give however, are far distant from the part of the them a warning call, or offer them the helping fields of which we are speaking. Some work on hand of full and free salvation that is to be found the southwest coast has been done, but it is mostly only in our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ? . in the port towns, and among the mixture of races who have settled there. Where we plan to go, no 3. The Wissel Lakes District one else has gone with the Gospel. We have made it quite plain to all with whom we have spoken These newly discovered lakes lie down the that we will not tread on the toes of any other southwest coast of New Guinea, and may now be missionary, for there is plenty of room. The reached from the little port called Oeta. With Roman Catholics are attempting a good deal of no little hardship, a way has been made from the work in Dutch New Guinea. coast to these lakes. The trail is not yet complete, but will be i~. better shape a little later his year. 1. The Amaroe Lake District Mr. Cator lost his way once when attempting to cut the trail through the jungle to the lakes. He This lake lies in the midst of the northernmost was deserted by his men and had to return to the part of New Guinea, known by the Dutch as coast, but finally made the perilous journey, and Vogel-kop, or Bird's Head. The lake forms, as it found a wonderland of three lakes, some 4,500 were, the eye of the bird. Lake Amaroe is reached feet above the sea, and a popUlation of some from the southern coast up the Kaiboes river. The 20,000 friendly Papuans. His last trip took him port town is Temin-aboeah. From this town, a three months and a half. Mr. Cator has since Government trail has been recently completed to made the trip by air, and has made further in- Lake Amaroe. It is not by any means an auto- vestigations, his hydroplane alighting on the lake. mobile road-only a trail, a walk of two or three He tells us that the people were not greatly excited days. "Rest Houses" have been provided on the by the sudden arrival of a hydroplane. The cliway. A garrison of 100 native soldiers and three mate around these lakes is very fine and he is Dutch officers with their wives are now stationed anxious that missionary work be opened among there. One of the three Dutch officers is a doctor. these people. They are of course primitive, still I was assured that a lady could be carried over living in the stone age, and know nothing yet of this road without trouble, as even a frigidaire and the use of iron. Like other such unknown races, a billiard table had been transported to the lake! they are uneducated and uncivilized, but they are by no means stupid. They are called the Kapauku The immediate population of Papuans around tribe which means the "Mountain Man." Other the lake is estimated at about 5,000, and there is tribes may be reached by motor boat up the rivers in the whole district a population composed of which, at times, can be traveled for 100 kilovarious tribes of about 15,000 or 20,000, no one meters. Let us pray till they are reached for Him. knows exactly how many. The chief tribe is called the Mention tribe. There seems to be no Here is another world to conquer for the Lord reason why missionaries may not go there as soon Jesus. Who will hear the call, for not only are as the proper Government permission is obtained. these people calling, but the Voice of the Lord is All along this southwest coast line of this north calling, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will section of New Guinea there are rivers, along go for us?" Too many at home say, "Here am which there are peoples who know not that there I, and here I stay!" Who will say, "Here am I, is a Saviour. Lord, send me, even to New Guinea!"
2. The Island of Misool Over one hundred American men and women are coming to Babo, New Guinea, this year for This island lies off the south coast of northern oil. How many are coming to Misool, to the New Guinea in a southwestern direction. It has Amaroe Lake region, and to the Wissel Lakes an estimated population of 3,000, of whom two- plateau, to seekAost souls for the Lord Jesus? thirds are pagan tribes of the interior. The re- We will never ~rest till the missionary places his mainder are nominal Moslems, living in the coast feet on thisunteached soil, and claims it for the towns. No missionary work is being done at all Lord Jesus. 'lfhe missionary promise is, "Every in Misool. It seems to us to be the devil's island. place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, We have been recommended by the Missions' Con- that have I given unto you." Let us ask, and ask sul at Batavia to take up work in Misool. The largely, for the Lord Jesus has already asked for island can most easily be reached from the south "the uttermost parts of the earth" for His poscoast of Vogel-kop (Bird's Head). Here is an- session. He has' also said, "All power is given other challenge. Dare we ignore it? If we let unto me in heaven and in earth-Go ye therefore these people sink and perish in their sins and superstitions, under the awful sp~ll of Satan's . . . and Lo! ·r am with you all the days, even power, are we to be held guiltless? They are sink- unto the end of the Age."
Church of Christ Challenges the
By the REV. DWIGHT J. BRADLEY Pastor of the Union Church in Boston, Mass.
I AM not sure that the word challenge is the one seems interested enough in them to speak to best word to use in this connection. I should them even though they live in the same building prefer the word invite, for, while the Church or lodging house. of Christ certainly does challenge the city in important ways, it invites the city in a way that is Such a condition of human relations constitutes far more important. This is the conviction de- a very definite challenge by the city to the Church. But instead of talking back to the city, as it were, veloped and matured through a good many years and telling the city how impersonal it is, and how of experience. sullenly it ignores the people who live in its area The word challenge suggests a tension, and a -instead of answering the challenge with a chal- kind of almost belligerent attack to resolve that lenge-I think that the Church must set about the task of creating within the city's area a kind of tension. The word invite suggests a kind of per- friendly oasis, so to speak: that is, a "nurturing suasion which, if persuasive enough and if heeded, fellowship."
could render belligerency unnecessary. While it Cities are strange creatures, and have been such would be cowardly to ignore tensions that actually from the time of Thebes and Babylon, Rome and exist between the Church and the city, the Church ancient Jerusalem. Cities bring out the best there may well exercise persuasive power to the utmost is in human beings, and also the worst. Cities in an effort to meet the challenge of the city, provide unsurpassed opportunities for intellectual, rather than to meet the challenge with a counter- resthetic and social creativity and enjoyment. On challenge which might make persuasion far less the other hand, cities tempt men to superficiality, effective in the future. vulgarity and social deterioration, such I;S the Putting this in another way the chief under- countryside or the village or the small town could never know. Thus, the city represents civilization taking of a city church ought to be that of active at its highest and at its lowest-and in about equal friendliness in all its relations, both with its parish measure. The city is like a great divinity and a neighborhood and with the city as a whole. One great beast at the same time. But whether diof my colleagues recently said that in his opinion vinity or beast, one thing the city of itself can the Church, especially the city church, should be never be; it cannot be a neighborhood, a fellowa "nurturing fellowship." The implications of ship, a community where men and women as a this apt description are many.
City life tends to be terribly impersonal. In whole may feel truly at home. If there are to be this regard it differs greatly from life in the coun- within the city, neighborhoods, a fellowship, a try and the small town. There are certain advan- community, then some other agency than the city tages to be found in the city's impersonality; must be responsible. I contend that of all the there is likely to be less gossip and less of that things a city church can do and must feel under barbarous cruelty which the too personal exist- obligation to do, this is the most important. ence in some village communities seems to encourage between individuals and groups when these There may be other agencies besides the Church are not under the rule qf Christ. But even so, that cando this, but. we are interested in the there come times when th~ city dweller, especially functiOn of the Church in doing its part in helping if he arrived originally from a small town, could human beings find their way into a simple, almost wish to hear some gossip, and would be friendly, sustaining, nourishing fellowship.. Our almost willing to take the risks of heartless mis- Christian conviction is that of all forms of fellowunderstanding, if only he or she might really know ship, the Church has the best to offer, since it is a someone well enough to be gossiped about, or even fellowship based essentially on the fellowship beto be subject to the torture of a sadistic tongue. tween God and men and women, made most pure and most wholesome by the presence of Jesus The pastor of a city church becomes used to hear- Christ. Here is something that cannot be found ing people complain wistfully that no one notices in any club, in any social settlement or in any them, or seems to care anything about them; no other association.
[333 ]
The Church, therefore, invites the city people problem of contemporary secularism made more into the fellowship of God through Christ, and in- complicated by all sorts of fugitive paganisms- to the fellowship of the body of Christ. It promises still each section or stratum of the city's life pre- an experience of real communion through wor- sents its own peculiar challenges. The Church ship, through prayer, through constructive and must know its own neighborhood well enough to helpful work, through happy self-expression, and be able to "spot" the situations definitely as they perhaps most significant of all through that sheer arise. Having "spotted" them, the Church must sense of being at h.ome which is what we all crave. know with whom to cooperate and how to render In seeking to provide this, the Church comes effectual aid.
up sharply against forces in city life, and these All this having been said, it ought to be repeated plainly throw down a challenge. These are some- that the chief business of the city church is to times so openly sinister that we realize that they create and ~aintain the nurturing fellowship, by constitute a menace to the very existence of the inviting the city people to enter, and by providing fellowship we are seeking to maintain. The that feeling of homely and friendly security which church in Boston to which I minister is surrounded human beings crave. If the Church develops any on every side by such forces: liquor shops, gam- illusions about being able to "save" the modern bling dives, cheap pool rooms, as wen as little city merely by engaging in schemes and move- pockets or nests of viciousness and hidden crime. ments for this or that reform, the time of disillu- One can literally feel the presence of evil; and sionment will not be long postponed. Salvation yet, in the midst of all this, there live people and by outward reform is found to fail; while the families of pure Christian quality; on the streets constant, quiet persuasive effort to redeem the are playing hundreds of children who are as yet city-not by some great stirring crusade nor even unsoiled by the filth of the environment. What by some spectacular evangelistic campaign, but can we do? We can invite these people and fam- by invitation and nurture and pastoral care.,–will ilies into the church fellowship; we can gather at do more to promote the Kingdom of God in the least some of these children into the Christian city than any "activism" could ever do.
community; but by doing no more than this we Reform is necessary, of course, and a certain have only begun to touch the problem that our amount of the Church's energy must be spent in neighborhood presents. such undertakings. And no city church can prop- Here is where Christian social action comes in. erly do its work as a nurturing fellowship unless The housing in our part of Boston is inexcusably it is constantly on the look-out for opportunities wretched. It is inexcusable that gambling, liquor to develop an interesting program of boys' and selling and hidden vice should flourish in seeming girls' club organization, games, plays and pag- security. It is inexcusable that children should eants, creative handiwork, week-day kindergar- be obliged to play in the streets where traffic is a tens, mothers' clubs, motion pictures, and all such constant menace. It is inexcusable that any city wholesome activities. These, however, should be should tolerate such outward squalor and such derivative aspects of the greater enterprise, which insidious evil. It becomes the duty of the Church, is the nurture of the fellowship through the Chris- therefore, to do whatever it can in cooperation tian community of worship, prayer and ever-in- with social agencies, with the police and the city tensifying faith in God's love as expressed through government, and with individuals and groups, to Jesus Christ.
fight back the encroachments of evil, and to make When I first entered my present field of work, a positive attack upon the network of problems raised by modern social decay and by a decadent it was thought that we might institute a kind of economic system and political corruption. To do religious experiment station in Boston's South this requires the wisdom of serpents as well as End. I have long since abandoned that notion. the harmlessness of doves. It requires courage A church must not be used as an experiment staand patience, backed up by common sense and tion, for it cannot become such without becoming a species of monstrosity. The people of a church Christian devotion, and implemented by the best are not "guinea pigs," upon whom an aspiring available knowledge of sociological and psycho- parson may tryout certain social and ethical thelogical, as well as practical political techniques. ories. Far from this, a church is a church whether In different sections of the city, the problems it be set down in a city or set up in a suburb or vary somewhat, at least in degree, from those we set out in a country town. And a church is a bit face in Boston's South End. In each case, in each of the Church-a cell in the Body of Christ. The parish, it is necessary to know what the problems task of the Church is fundamentally the same in are in order to be able to attack them with any all places: namely, the establishment on earth of effectiveness. While the underlying problem is a community as nearly as possible like the com- common to all sections of any modern city-the munity of Heaven.
"A CHARGE RATHER THAN A RETREAT"
The city throws down a challenge to the Church that the Church may find itself under moral oblito settle such a community in its midst, despite the gation also to make effective use of the knotted hindrances which city life inevitably puts in the cords as Jesus did. Nor does it preclude the posway. The Church best answers this challenge by sibility that the Church may let itself be led, by repeating in deed as well as word the invitation the city in its sin, to that Calvary of sacrifice and of Jesus to the whole world: "Come unto me, all suffering which, in the final term, always proves ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give to be the spot from which the redemption of all you rest." This does not preclude the possibility earthly cities invariably comes!
"A Charge Rather Than a Retre,at"
I By the REV. RICHARD E. SCULLY, Ph.D., D.D.
1)1- Executive Secretary, Good Will Industries, Cincinnati, Ohio ~==============================~ I T IS notoriously true that the Church has he had a change of heart. This is what he says: tended to run away from areas that become a "Let us look now at another problem of city moral and spiritual wilderness, to fields where church work which cuts across the strategy, mes- the pastures were greener. In downtown Cin- sage, and program. It has to do with desire on cinnati a marked trend in the last thirty-five years the part of the churches to seek the greener pas- has been the merging or moving out of churches. tures which lie over the fence. For ten years we Especially has this been true in the west down- have been seeing a scramble on the part of all the town area. In this section sixteen Protestant denominations to pre-empt the locations in grow- churches have closed their doors. The chief fac- ing suburban communities where a future for tors that have contributed to this retreat are the Protestantism was bound to exist. The writer of shift of population and the economic inability of this paper was probably the most guilty of all men the present people to support churches. Such a at this very point. He went up and down his situation calls for "a charge rather than a re- bailiwick preaching over and over to people that treat." the huge investments of denominational money In his volume, "The Economic Sources of De- should be taken out of unproductive downtown nominationalism," Richard Niehbuhr has shown centers and should be located in productive sub- that from the beginning of Christianity the estab- urban home areas. Nor was this wholly untrue.
lished religious bodies have tended to neglect the On this basis the Society for which I work spent people called "disinherited." He gives many illus- many hundreds of dollars in producing a survey trations of this' process· of passing by these of the church work in the three counties served wounded people, "on the other side." by our' Society. The opening chapter of that book, Large tenement house sections are considered which had my entire sympathy and approval at unproductive from the standpoint of the Church, the time, was a discussion of a map which showed and a spirited debate has gone on whether to the areas in these three counties which probably spend missionary money in such areas, or in more would be the least productive places in which to promising fields. The other day a minister of a establish churches. By varied degrees of shading fine hill-top church remarked that the City Mis- these maps also pointed out the best of the happy sionary Society should stop sinking its money in hunting grounds and those in-between places hopeless areas, but should put it in newly devel- where there was a fair chance of livelihood. But, oped suburbs where people are building homes, somehow, I am not so greatly impressed with that and can afford to support the church. map. There is growing on me, instead, a feeling Without question new suburbs of the middle that churches should be erected and programs car- class people should be churched. Denominational ried on, not from the standpoint of whether a Boards will see to that. But, from the missionary successful church can be developed, but from the standpoint, whether we should take missionary standpoint of the need-condition of a community."
funds from blighted areas to put in more prom- In our more blighted areas, in Cincinnati, where ising fields is a serious question. The head of a the little ones have been called "The Children of city missionary society in a large city at one time the Shadows," we have not altogether made the was convinced that this was the best policy. Then mistake of deserting these areas where the need
was great. In fact, we have strengthened rather Visits also revealed the fact that there were than weakened our ministry in the basin 'of the many handicapped people, physically, mentally, as well as economically, and that these people city. wanted "not charity but a chance." Out of this At five different points, weak churches were need grew the Good Will Industries, with its workshops, offering work opportunities instead of combined into one charge, and a stronger per- alms. (See Frontispiece.) sonnel made possible by the uniting of funds, in addition, a deaconess assigned to each one of these In eighteen years almost three quarters of a combined charges, and a more able pastor ap- million dollars were paid in wages to handicapped pointed. Very good results have been obtained. people.
Another wise allocation of funds strengthened The little mission church has continued to the hands of a struggling little mission in the preach the Gospel through its Sunday services poorer section of the city. The church superin- and, in due "time, was able to build a beautiful tendent of missions, instead of spreading thin the little Gothic structure which has portrayed the funds that were available, concentrated them in beauty and dignity of religion. this one point where the need was outstanding. The result has been that there has grown up a Delinquency was recognized as being one of the strong church and missionary institution that great problems of this field, so the facilities minhas commanded the respect of the city. From a istering to boys and girls were greatly enlarged little struggling mission, with an annual budget in the way of play rooms, gymnasium, library, inof $2,200, it has grown to an institutional church dustrial clubs, art, music and character building with a budget running from ninety to one hun- activities. Now the Children's Settlement Departdred thousand dollars. This has happened in a ment registers about one thousand persons. field where eight other churches of that denomination have moved out, and eight other Protes- Through proper support and enterprise, other tant churches also. activities were made possible. The institution, seeing the plight of children in summer, on hot A survey of this great tenement house section city streets and in uncomfortable homes, with tuberculosis taking a large toll, purchased a onerevealed the fact that 95 % of the people were hundred-acre farm and established a fresh air camp for the children of the tenements. This was renters. The density of the population had so a boon, for the "children of the shadows" now increased that in comparison with a growing had glorious sunshine and beautiful country to suburb to the west, it was found that there were take the place of their dark homes. When Spring fifty-two times as many people per acre in the arrives the children can scarcely wait until they tenement house section as in the suburb of middle- can make the trip to their "country club," as Jane class people. Addams called her fresh-air farm for tenement house children. The Public Health Survey reported twice as much disease among the tenement house dwellers Still another need was apparent, and that was in this section as among those living in the proper housing of elderly people. One day an op- portunity presented itself when a former college suburbs and in separate homes. building was abandoned" and the building was of- The State Department of Charities and Cor- fered to the Good Will Institution for its use as a Home for Elderly People who could not purrection reported that 70 % of the inmates of hos- chase their way into an expensive home for the aged. Here they may live together in good felpitals, jails and workhouses came from this lowship, the only requirement being good charcongested area, and the census tracts show a acter and ability to pay room rent at a minimum majority of delinquency of the city is in this basin cost. area. In this "Wesley House," as it is called, town "In making a charge" on this blighted field, one meetings, entertainments and religious meetings of the first things which was done was to establish are held. The building was fortunate in having a playground for children who have no other parlors which afford a delightful place for fellowplace but the city streets and the near-by railroad ship meetings and entertainments. yards, always involving danger to life and limb. In all the activities of this work, established in While the little mission continued to preach the the West End of Cincinnati in 1918, religion has Gospel, supposedly to "the poor who heard it always been the motivating force. Contrary to gladly," yet not very much progress was made. the view of some social workers that you cannot The people had physical, social and economic carryon a religious enterprise with social work, needs to which the mission had paid little or no this institution has always maintained religious attention. services in all of its varied departments.
Discovering that many women were breadwinners in their families, and were forced to leave their children with neighbors who gave them inadequate attention, a Day Nursery was established.
THE POWER OF A WOMAN'S FAITH
It is, very difficult to judge the results. With- petitor to the pool room,. gambling joint, and quesout question many hear the Gospel gladly, and are tionable dance hall. happy to have a well-ordered church with good appointments for their own kind, not feeling at Here handicapped men and women find not only home in churches where fashion 'and culture a physical and ther~peutic value but also a moral count more. and spiritul value in earning their own way in the industrial department rather than being pau- Without question, too, rough-and-ready boys re- perized and morally broken by accepting relief. ceive something when they apply their hands in building aeroplane models, doing linoleum block When some of the younger people marry and work, building radios, and working in their Junior move off to the better suburbs, and still retain Achievement workshops. The boys also come in their interest in the church, one feels that the off the streets to play in game room and gymna- money invested and the seed sown in the tenement sium under efficient supervisors. house wilderness has not been sown in vain.
Without question there must be value in the set- This enterprise has come into being because a tlement social rooms, where young people meet City Missionary Society, instead of calling on a under right auspices to sing and play together in mission church to beat a retreat, gave it support good fellowship. Such a social room is a com- to make a charge.
The Power of a Woman's Faith* -~ I By the REV. GEORGE w. HINMAN, Foochow, China 1)Be- FAITH in the power of God has been the mo- mits that Madame Kung, by her faith in the fu- tive power of every social revolution which ture of China and her executive ability, has has brought nearer the realization of the vis- greatly helped her distinguished husband in the ion of better things. And it has been frequently remarkable reorganization of China's finances. the faith of women which has helped the world The third daughter, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, in the midst of danger and discouragement, still has borne witness to her Christian faith. The to endure and to struggle against pride and power story of her rescue of her husband, supPo.rted by and greed, against the aggressors, the tyrants faith and Io.ve, has become like the message o.f the and the exploiters. stars: "There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their sound is gone out There is no reason to doubt that the faith in the through all the earth, and their words to. the end heart of Madam Soong, a humble Chinese woman, of the world." It is literally true that the testiliving in restricted circumstances with her hus- mony of Madame Chiang, and her brave and reband in western America, inspired and stimulated sourceful work in rescuing her husband from his ,the faith of her three daughters, who became captors in Sian, has gone out thro.ugh all the earth. Madame Sun Yat Sen, Madame H. H. Kung, and One American paper paid more than fifteen tho.u- Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. They have, in their sand dollars for the publication rights of the turn, brought a new and unquenchable faith to story. That may be regarded as an indicatio.n of so many men and women of the new China. How how pro.foundly it interested all the rest of the much the Chinese owe to that humble woman, wo.rld. who first learned the source of all faith in a little Christian school in America, where the overseas Students of Chinese history know that this is Chinese were welcomed and taught the spirit of not the first or the o.nly time when a wo.man's faith' Jesus Christ! and courage have profoundly affected the future of the nation; but probably never before have History has not yet recorded the great share such faith and courage been motivated by such taken by the oldest daughter, Madame Sun Yat trust in Him "who hath showed strength with His Sen, in upholding the faith of her husband, the arm," the Almighty God and Father of all men, founder of the Chinese Republic. Everyone ad- who is the defense of the weak, and the champion of the poor and the humble. All men of every * Part of a baccalaureate sermon preached to the graduating class land should be glad that General Chiang wa:s great at Hwa Nan College, January 2, 1938, by Dr. G. W. Hinman of the American Board MiSSion, Foochow, China.
enough to recognize and acknowledge the Chris- me I" Mary's joy at the message of the angel is tian faith and resourcefulness of his wife, and to paralleled in the lives of myriads of women who record that obscure verse in Jeremiah (31: 22), feel just as truly that the Lord has called them found in his daily Bible reading: "The Lord hath to definite service. created a new thing; a woman shall protect a man." The reason why women have a special power to save their country and society by their faith is But it was not altogether a new thing. Ever that their faith is not uncertain and wavering. since the days when Deborah "arose as a mother Origen, one of the successors of the apostles in the in Israel" and sang the song which is recorded early Christian church, said: "Christians hold the for us in Judges 5: 1-23, down to the days when world together." It is even more true that Joan of Are, that peasant girl of seventeen, women hold the world together, by their unrallied the crushed and demoralized French quenchable faith in ideals. Women are conservaarmies, and led them to victory and to the crown- tive in the be~t sense. They "hold fast that which ing of King Charles VII-throughout all the his- is good" in human relations. One philosopher has tory of civilized men, nations have again and taught that the development of the sense of moral again been saved through a woman's faith and obligation in the human race began with the inleadership. creasing dependence of children upon their mother, and her increasing response of protection Nor do we need to go back to remote history to and care. Though the males of animals forget find instances of the power of a woman's faith. and desert their young, the mothers show, with One of the Shanghai papers has just issued a spe- each advancing step in evolution, an increasing cial supplement reporting the faith and courage faith in the future of their offspring and an inof the Chinese women in this critical period of creasing responsibility for their preservation and China's history. The paper begins with a glow- care. ing editorial saying: "The glory of the Chinese woman, as exemplified by her heroic deeds and Another reason why we are so often saved unselfish devotion to duty while her beloved coun- through a woman's faith is that women are not try fights for its very existence, will live forever only more sensitive to the "voices," as was Joan in the history of the Chinese nation." In a text- of Are, and more steadfast in following their dibook which every middle school student in Foo- rection, but also more daring in what they atchow reads, written by a woman teacher in your tempt in carrying out the call of duty. Nowadays neighbor school, we are told of the faith of Kath- we have become accustomed to the march of solerine Wright, who helped her brothers to carry diers following the drum beat. But not only in through one of the greatest inventions of all ,times, these critical times – always in fact, there have the aeroplane. There is also given the story of been many women as well as men who "dared to Edith Cavell, who nursed the soldiers in the World walk to the beat of the drum that they alone heard, War and gave her life because she helped the and who kept step with that drum regardless of wounded prisoners to escape from the German circumstances." The faith in God that "endures army. Her faith in the cause of the allies, and to the end" is found perhaps more frequently her witness that we must have not only patriotism among women. The courage that dares and enbut love for our enemies, was one of the greatest dures is the central pillar of the home and the lessons to the world that came out of the Great nation. War. Women are the champions of faith, because The reason why the faith of a woman has so their lives are always an expectation of "the joy often been the decisive factor in the success of a set before them" (Hebrews 12: 2), in the birth man or a nation, is that women more often than of children and the successful growth of those men feel in their hearts: "The Spirit of the Lord children in the world. Even if they do not receive is upon me." They may not often express the the promises, "they have seen them afar off, and message in words. There are not many like Jane were persuaded of them, and embraced them" Addams, Maude Royden and Muriel Lester, who (Hebrews 11: 13). Beyond their own families can publicly proclaim their faith in peace and women are thus led to be the guardians of faith in righteousness and social justice; but, even though a better world, the preservers of all that is good, voiceless in public assemblies, many women yet and the prophets of that which is better just know that they are "anointed to bring good ti., ahead. dings to the meek, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, to comfort all The failure of the Church after nineteen centhat mourn." How many women, in their hearts, ~uries to occupy the world more completely is due, rejoice to sing, in the words of that old Negro III large part, to the failure to fulfill Christ's hymn, "I know the Lord has laid His hands on prayer that they might all be one.-Daniel A. Poling.
A Christian Martyr From
The Story of a Tibetan Who Died for Christ -ef I By ALFRED D. ZAHIR, an Indian Christian I j3t-.- ~============================~I JESUS CHRIST has the power to draw out of which the Christian preached. The wdrds en- men the best there is in them. Out of Simon, tered the heart of Shunar, and made him think of the hot-headed, impulsive fisherman, He drew religion as he had never thought before. the steady man of rock. Out of fiery John, the son of thunder, He drew the man of tender, strong "What can this saying mean," he thought as the love. Ever since that clouds received Him out of Christian delivered his message? "My religion teaches that we may not look for any peace in this men's sight, He has been drawing men of all ages world, nor seek for any comfort of soul until we and of all climes. Men of every rank, high and have attained nirvana (the complete extinction of low, in every nation savage and civilized, in every desire). Who is this teacher who says: 'Come generation of all these centuries have felt the unto me and I will give you rest.' " thrill of His power, and followed Him at the cost With such thoughts troubling his mind, and of all that men hold most dear. How wonderfully real this power of the Saviour is, and how won- arousing his curiosity Shunar forced his way to derful and complete the transformation that takes the Christian preacher, and conversed with him place is well illustrated in the case of Shunar, an on the subject of sin and salvation. He obtained orthodox Buddhist who became a Christian, and a copy of the Tibetan New Testament and a few followed his Master to death. tracts to carry with him.
The story of Shunar comes to us through a well- A few days study of the Word of God, and hours of thought on the question of religion, soon con- known evangelist working in a dark corner of vinced him of the reality of sin and its deadliness. India. He was the native of a viUage on the It was a source of joy to think that the power of borderland of Tibet. His father being a rich man, Jesus Christ could free him from its bondage. owning extensive property in land and cattle, He decided that he would give up everything and Shunar lived in luxury and, like most aristocrats be His disciple. He realized that suc,h a step of his country, considered work below his dignity. would involve him and the whole family in great The little education he had received did not equip difficulties, and in all probability spell his ruin, him for any profession, nor elevate his character so he decided to say nothing to his parents until above the level of that of the average uncultured his changed life prompted their curiosity, and Tibetan. His unprincipled life was very largely might gradually lead them to the knowledge of the result of the careless and easy way in which his new faith. he had been brought up,and also of the undesirable society in which he moved. As he became more and more convinced of the truth of the Gospel, Shunar became a totally dif- Despite the fact that he possessed a strong reli- ferent man. From the licentious libertine and gious instinct, he had from his very boyhood godless infidel that he used to be, he now became shown a distinct tendency to be apathetic towards a dutiful and obedient son, a faithful and devoted the religion of his own people. A growing dis- husband, and a thoughtful and conscientious regard for the religion of his own country, and worker, dealing justly with his clients and sub- total ignorance of any other, cut him loose from ordinates. all spiritual moorings, and tossed him on to the Christ produces not merely a superficial change, sea of irreligion and impiety. The life of dissipation led during these years made him a profli- but a revolution in character. He not only alters gate and an out-and-out infidel. Shunar, one day, a man's life but creates an entirely new perheard a Christian preaching the Gospel in a near- sonality. The phrase "new birth" is not the- oretical hyperbole, but a fact. Men irretrievably by village. That was the first time he had ever bad, cold and indifferent become good, warm- heard of any religion other than his own. hearted and ardent seekers after the "lost."
"Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy- Shunar's new life attracted everybody's attenladen, and I will give you rest" was the text on tion, and became a subject of popular comment [339 ]
amongst members of the community. Some said Christian friends across the frontier; there he it was a touch of lunacy, some that he was pos- expressed his whole.,.hearted devotion to the Lord sessed of a ghoul or devil; others that some enemy Jesus, and was admitted as a member of the had cast a spell of magic on him, and had thus Christian Church.
contracted his ruin. Day ·after day they watched On his return home, the retiring young man be- him, and offered sacrifices on his behalf, praying came so bold and energetic that he went about, that he might return to his normal condition. openly declaring that he was a Christian, and When many days passed and no change seemed to wished that everybody else would be the same.
come over Shunar's new manner of Hfe, his father' Whenever there was an opportunity he told men accosted him one day as he was returning from of Christ, and urged them to accept Him as their the fields, and said: Guru, or Lord.
"Tell me, my son, does all go well with thee, or Shunar's evangelistic zeal now disturbed the art thou overburdened with secret care, oo,trou- peace .of the"iamily, and they attempted to draw bled by some fell disease? Unlock thy heart to him away from the "strange deity" he had de- thy father and let the Ups speak nothing but the cided to follow. Once when his mother tried to truth." reason with him on the subject, Shunar explained These touching words almost brought tears to his position in the following characteristic way: the young man's eyes. Drawing close to his par- "Mother, supposing we all went on a journey of ent's side Shunar placed his hands on his shoul- a dark night, and I was appointed to carry the ders and answered: light. Do you think I would so hide the light be- "No father, I have no trouble hor sorrow of hind my cloak as to darken the path for the rest any kind; in fact I am happy as I never was be- of you? Would I not hold it high above my head fore in all my life. And do you know why? Be- so as to lead you in safety? You and I have all cause I have discovered the true source of been travelling in the darkness of a dead religion.
happiness. " But in His great mercy God has revealed to my "What is that?" inquired the father eagerly. eyes the Face of the Sun of Righteousness. He "It is faith in the Lord Jesus," answered Shunar can shine upon your lives just as He does on mine with a ring of joy in his voice. "As long as I be- today to fill them with true happiness. Can you lieved in our old form of faith I was so uneasy expect me then to hide the secret of this joy in my that I often felt desperately sick of life. I real- own heart, and not wish that your minds might ized that I was going from bad to worse every also be enlightened and your souls saved? A day, and yet there was nothing that could keep great peace has entered my heart since the day me from going wrong. I am not going mad; the I gave myself to Jesus. I desire now that you change you notice in me is the result .of the new may have this rich treasure too, and may know hope that has entered my heart, and the new hope the joy of possessing Him."
is the outcome of the new faith I have adopted." But to his kinsmen, Shunar's religious zeal These words were calmly spoken, but they en- seemed something to be feared and hated. After . kindled a fire within the angry parent's heart. they had tried various ways to win him over, and "So you have proved that after all you are mad; found them unsuccessful, they resorted to stricter I shall see that this madness of yours does not go measures, and persecuted him by burning his relitoo far." gious books; forbidding his friends to visit him; cursing and scolding him whenever he mentioned So saying he walked away and left Shunar de- Christ, and treating him more as a menial than bating the wisdom of the words he had just a member of the family. When these methods spoken. He was sad all that day, thinking that also pr.oduced no effect they adopted harsher he had hurt his father by telling the truth so measures, making him an outcaste and putting bluntly. But his sadness was overcome by a feel- him out of the baradari, or brotherh.ood. They ing of joy that entered his heart. dispossessed him of his property, and finally beat him and dr.ove him from home. With the confession of his faith in Christ he felt that the curtain .of doubt and uncertainty had When Shunar had been rendered homeless and been lifted off his people's minds, and that they penniless, some of his friends counselled him to now knew the secret of the change in his life. leave the district and to go elsewhere where he With this feeling also came the joy of having would be immune from further persecution, and made the first public confession of his faith in could live in comparative safety. Jesus. The conviction grew stronger and stronger that if he was to grow in grace, and would enjoy To such friends Shunar's answer was: the blessings of his knowledge of the Great "I have been called that I might bring the rest Saviour he must share that knowledge with of my countrymen to Christ, and might lead them others. Acc.ordingly he went to pay a visit to his to the knowledge of His saving grace. Do you
A CHRISTIAN MARTYR FROM TIBET
then advise me to turn traitor to my Lord, and started throwing more earth into the hole, and forego the wonderful privilege of serving Him? buried him to the neck. Then they inquired again That can never be, even if I must die for His if he was still willing to renounce Christ, and so sake." secure his release. A heavenly smile pervaded his gentle face as Shunar opened his lips and replied: Driven from home, Shunar went about from village to village, proclaiming the Name of his "Please yourselves my friends, and do to me Saviour, and enduring all manner of trials and whatever you will. After all it is only my body temptations. Wherever he went troubles pursued you can torture, for you cannot touch my soul and his faith was tried in the fire of suffering. which is my real self. The same is eternal and Often as he stood preaching round street corners everlasting." and other public places, men would angrily abuse him and his religion. Others would pelt him with At this they kicked his head, and marred it so dirt or stones, or even buffet him and push him that his face could be hardly recognized. RealIzfrom his place. The humble Christian scarcely ing that his end was near and the strength of his ever said a word, but blessed them in return for body fast declining, the faithful Christian opened the treatment they gave him. his mouth for the last time and said: As Shunar grew richer in Christian experience "I see the gates of heaven open before my eyes, his all-absorbing passion was to win men to Christ and I am soon to enter therein. Do you, my and save their souls. His love for the Master friends, think that yoU: are killing me? You canfilled him with great enthusiasm to proclaim His not kill me for I am soon to enter another life ::Name with greater courage, and to endure the which is a thousand times more glorious than the loss of all things for His sake. But his country- one you are now taking from me. You are tormen noticed no change in his attitude, the opposi- turing me to death because I sought to lead men tion to him gathered great volume, and his haters to Christ. Mark my word, more souls will find planned to kill him, and thus rid the country of Him through my death, than my life has ever won his "baneful" influence. for Him; and so my joy is great."
One day, as Shunar was returning from a cer- No murmur of pain or hatred came from his tain village, a gang of men waylaid him, bound lips. Those that stood by saw no shadow of his hands behind his back, and drove him to a anguish on his face; only the earnest eyes raised lonely place. Here they had digged a deep narrow to heaven, and the angelic tenderness and strength pit in which they made him stand upright; they covering the whole countenance. So Shunar went filled the pit with earth, thus burying him to the to be with his Lord in Paradise. waist. A great silence crept over the gathered group. "Now," said one man harshly, "take your choice. Promise now that you will solemnly renounce Men who had been railing at the Christian, and your accursed religion, and never speak of the kicking at his head, were awed and filled with a new dewta (god) you worship; or be prepared touch of remorse. For a few minutes not one for death." moved, and the silence grew more intense. Then as though waking from a dream, one of the crowd The suffering Christian remained perfectly calm heaved a deep sigh and walked away. Others did as the men railed at their victim and made likewise. Hard hearts had been touched and the fun of his religion. When several minutes had patient suffering of the innocent Christian had passed, and the sufferer made no answer, his spoken to their souls. Later the martyr's prophsilence incensed his persecutors, and spurred ecy was fulfilled and we are told that twenty-five them to greater brutality. One of them gave him men became Christians at heart, and openly cona violent kick and ordered him to speak; others fessed their faith in Christ.
A Church which is not at heart a missionary Church, which is concerned chiefly with its own selfish interests and has little desire to extend its messages to others, is not the Church of the Gospel or the Master. Christians should be the first to recognize that yet today we have the spectacle of secular states on fire with missionary enthusiasm and rejoicing in every ex- pansion, no matter what the cost, setting an example to a self-centered and lukewarm Church.
Moreover, such states are also paying great attention to the training of the young, thus in- suring a rising generation to carry forward the cause. In the Church we hear on every hand the complaint that there are few to take the places of the devoted Churchmen of the older generation who are now too rapidly passing from the scene; and, if that be true, the Church is facing a dubious future. BISHOP OLDHAM.
OPEN-AIR MEETING-LISTENING TO THE "GOOD NEWS" NEAR THE PElNNSYLVANIA RAILROAD STATION, NEW
Outdoor Evangelism for the City By J. ARTHUR SPRINGER, New York Director of Evangelism, Nation.al Bible Institute PROBABLY the very first preacher of the have been saved by God's grace and commissioned Word of God in history was an outdoor to take the Gospel to the whole world! What are speaker. It may have been Enoch, or Noah, we doing about it? but in any case the preaching was probably done In the city of New York there are over 7,000,000 out of doors. Some of the greatest preachers of souls in the small area of approximately 310 all time have been outdoor speakers. Think of square miles. This includes over one million per- Elijah, of John the Baptist, of the Apostle Paul, sons of Italian descent, almost a million more of and of our Lord Jesus Christ himself, preaching Russian descent, and over 450,000 of Polish ex- to large crowds under the open sky – and with traction. Altogether, some five million New York- telling effect. Nearer our own day, John Wesley ers are of foreign white stock. In addition, there and George Whitefield addressed great throngs of are more than 300,000 Negroes, and over 2,000,- people in the open air. 000 Jews, most of them without Christ. Less than Think of the great centers of population, par- 2,500,000 New Yorkers profess any Christian ticularly in North America. There were in the affiiliation and not over 600,000 are members of United States, according to the latest census evangelical churches.
(1930), thirteen cities having a population in Here is a great mission field and one of the most excess of 500,000 persons, containing seventeen open fields in the world. It is a strategic field, as percent of the population of the country, or a total New York not only has the largest concentration in excess of 20,000,000 persons. Cities of over of population, but is also the gateway to the coun- 100,000 population, ninety-three in number, con- try, and wields a great influence over the whole tained more than 36,000,000 persons, over twenty- land.
nine percent of the entire population. The vast Only a small fraction of the population attend majority in these great concentrations of people any place where the Gospel of Christ is preached are undoubtedly without Christ and therefore in its fulness for salvation. There are nearly without life. What a challenge this is to all who 5,000,000 in the city who make no public profes- [342 ]
OUTDOOR EVANGELISM FOR THE CITY
INDOOR GOSPEL MEETING–LOOKING INTO THE JERRY McAULEY CREMORNE' M.ISSION, NEW YORK sion of Christ; few of the others ever attend a result is that perhaps half a dozen are going on Christian service. These "unchurched" will not simultaneously, each within earshot of the rest. come to church services to hear the Gospel. If A similar situation, although perhaps less aggrathey am to be reached we must go to them! This vated, exists now in other parts of the city. means preaching the Gospel on the streets, supplemented to some extent by evangelistic adver- Borough Hall, Brooklyn, still is a favorite spot tising on billboards, subway cards, and even by for the preaching of the GDspel. Mr. Scott Asskywriting from airplanes, and by house-to-house pinall, who has been preaching the Gospel on the visitations. Such methods are expensive, either in streets of New York approximately forty-four time or money. Large numbers of people who are years, has used this location to great advantage. without Christ but without a clear understanding of the Gospel can be reached through outdoor Wall and Nassau Streets, in the heart of Manevangelistic meetings such as are conducted in hattan's great financial district, was for many, New York under the auspices of many different many years the site of at least one daily outdoor groups of Christian workers. preaching service. Every business day the "Bishop of Wall Street" and other men who have succeeded Columbus Circle, where Broadway and Eighth him spoke here during the lunch period at noon Avenue cross at Fifty-ninth Street, was formerly to the assembled crowd of messengers, bank one of the choice locations for Gospel preaching. clerks, and dignified financial men. Great inter- Immense' crowds would gather to listen to the est was shown in these meetings which were story of the Cross. In recent years, however, almost regularly attended, at least for a consider- Columbus Circle has become the meeting place for able period, by crowds running up into the hun- dreds. This best of all noonday locations was groups of all sorts including Communists and closed for outdoor preaching early in 1937. others who are unfriendly to Christ. Police and traffic regulations have restricted the use of the One of the agencies that has been most prom- Circle, and for the greater part of the week all inently active in outdoor evangelistic work in meetings must be held within a small area. The New York City so far in the twentieth century is The National Bible Institute. For thirty-one
years this agency for Christian education and service man, who was also intoxicated, took excep- evangelization has maintained a persistent wit- tion to the manner in which the American flag was ness for Christ on the streets of the metropolis, displayed in the meeting. He took it upon him- from a Gospel car, or more often from a small self to move the flag and place it in front of the portable platform. Hundreds of locations have speaker. As it would have been very disadvanta- been occupied in the five boroughs of the city by geous for him to attempt to speak with the flag students and other representatives of the Insti- between himself and the' audience, the speaker tute. During 1937, over one thousand outdoor moved the flag to another spot. This angered the meetings were held. ex-service man and he made considerable trouble.
Last July a Christian young man was talked Some young "roughs" came into the meeting and with after a meeting, who had received his one of them snatched the flag from the hand of Christian training in a Christian school in Tien- the worker who was holding it. It was recovered tsin, China. The young man'sf~tb~r was·a cap- by the speaker, but shortly one of these young tain in the army and the youngman, himself, was men came up behind him and struck him on the taking examinations for Wel'lt Point. Another head with a piece of glass fastened in a metal man dealt with at the same meeting was a young frame, breaking the glass over his head. This in- Jew, a graduate of Cornell University, who was in- cident was the means of bringing four men in the terested in sociology and criminology. He ad- audience to accept Christ.
Outdoor evangelistic work cannot be done by everyone. Often there are efforts made to break up the meeting. It is a very difficult field of evangelistic activity and those who engage in it should have care- ful training, and experience .with other qualified leaders. The leader of an outdoor meeting should know how to handle a crowd of people composed mostly of men. He should know what things to say and what things to leave unsaid. Heshould know how to deal with hecklers and intoxicated persons. He should know the Gospel thoroughly and should also know how to present it REACHING A LARGE AUDIENCE WlTH THE GOSPEL to others in the midst of difficulties and distractions. He should know at Madison Square, New YC)rk City, in overcoat weather. Daily noon meetings how to illustrate his talks with anec- are still held here by the National Bible Institute dotes. He should know when to mitted that he was confused. He said he believed pray in public. He should know how to reply in God but could not see his way clear to accepting when asked embarrassing or irrelevant questions.
Jesus as his Saviour. This young man's case He should have an abundance of God-given wis- shows clearly the need for the preaching of the dom, tact, and love. * Gospel and the opportunity that lies before the If the people of New York and other cities are Christian people of America and especially of to hear the Gospel, it must be taken to them by New York City to give the Gospel out of doors to those who have experienced its blessings in their those who are in darkness and confusion, their own lives. The need is great because our cities minds blinded by Satan. abound with sinners who do not know the Lord Perhaps one of the most dramatic outdoor meet- Jesus Christ and the Gospel of His saving grace.
ings conducted during the 1937 season was held The privilege we have to be ambassadors for the evening of June 28th at 65th Street and Christ is great, but our responsibility to the Lord Broadway. A previous meeting had just been who has redeemed us and commissioned us to concluded at 73rd Street and Broadway and two carry His Gospel to the world about us is even of our workers had just commenced a second serv- greater.
ice at nine forty-five p. m. This second meeting • The National Bible Institute recognizes the need for special was one long to be remembered. It was inter- training along these Jines, and offers courses in its day and evening rupted successively by two women, both of whom schools in both General Evangelism and Personal Evangelism so that were under the influence of liquor. Then an ex- those who wish instruction may be prepared for the ministry of evangelism. Special attention is paid in the course· in General Evangelism to the problems which are constantly met in outdoor preaching in the city:
"Unofficial" Missionary to
I —!{if By KROUM STOYANOFF, Sofia, Bulgaria IJ5t— TEAVING America to work as a Christian min- These people, whose way of thinking had Lister in my home land, many ideas whirled changed little since the Ecumenical Councils of in my mind as in a kaleidoscope-ideas and the seventh century when the stronger party in a pictures which different teachers ~ad impressed religious discussion was always considered right.
on me in the Seminary. I kept seeing chapels, The view of the Holy Synod is so involved in this pipe organs, beautiful and simple church services ancient conflict, and this view has so much to do full of religious depth; statistical graphs and with the political history of this country, that the questionnaires; ideas for or- idea of God had to shrink ganizations wit h i n the until He became a small church; ways of working Mr. Stoyanoff is a native of Bul- tribal God. To enter the with people outside the garia and a Bulgarian citizen. He Orthodox Church meant to church; personal and social has a Bulgarian wife who has never compromise and appear to work. I was full of hope con- been outside of the country, al- favor things which I could cerning the religious fervor though she received her education not accept. of the people with whom I at the American College in Sofia. Nor could I go about and was to work, but I wondered After an early training in the preach apostle-like from vilhow one could succeed in a American Mission schools, Mr. lage to village. I saw that land which, as I well knew, Stoyanoff went to America to com- much more can be accomhad long been antagonistic plete his education and acquired a plished by living with people to the Protestant Church. thorough training in the best Amer- for a longer time; not only In the name of Christ, preaching to them but also what course should I follow ican style. He "worked his way" giving them an example in through three years of high school, in Bulgaria? Should I work through college, and finally three Christian living. I believe with this Protestant Church years of Seminary training – no in the Church and so decided or should I leave it and work easy accomplishment even for one to work through the Protat large, living. apostle-like, whose native language is English. estant Church. I knew about traveling and preaching? Having been away ten years, and its many handicaps and that Should I work with the dom- having visited the length and it was dragging behind a inant Orthodox Church, if it breadth of the United States, he little. Yet this is the one would permit me? These returned to his own land (which is organization through which questions turned over in my no larger than Ohio, with about the I could try to carry out the mind as I traveled home- same population) to work among message of Christ for today.
ward. The political unrest his own people. This was two years When I reached Sofia I re- in Europe reflected itself in ago. The following article tells ceived a letter from a church dark colors over Bulgaria. about his experiences as "a Bul- in a small town asking be to The situation in the Balkans garian missionary to Bulgaria," in preach. A month later I left was growing worse every an unofficial capacity. for Assenovgrad, a small day. How was I to obey town built in the canyon of the command of Christ? the river Chai, one of the As soon as I entered the country most of these main tributaries of Bulgaria's largest river, the questions cleared themselves up. I could not work Maritza. The church looked like an ordinary with the Orthodox Church. Most of its leaders small house. Inside, it was one large room with had so much prejudice toward everything that seats for about 100 people. On the platform was differed from their own thinking and practice an old, worn-out pulpit. At the right stood an old that I could not convince them that I had anything portable organ and at the left a shelf of torn to give. They said, books. Above the pulpit hung two large gold- "It is true that the young people refuse to go to painted frames enclosing scripture passages. On church, but with compulsion they can be forced that Sunday morning about thirty people came to go." to hear my sermon on The Great Need of Faith.
[345 ]
The next day I climbed a near-by mountain and ister, in his name, to the needy, hungry, and destilooked at that small town with its crooked streets, tute. These ideas did not enter their hearts very its river and bridges, its many Orthodox churches, readily. Their life outside of church continued its forty-two shrines built on the cliffs around the to be the same as the life of the people who never town. .I loved it and wanted to work there. It listened to these things. seemed to me it would be glorious to try to understand the problems of these people and to help The interests of these people were very narrow. them, to love them, and constantly, little by little, They seldom read anything but the local daily show them the light of Christ which made me rest- paper-a one-page affair. They spent their time less till I should share it with all people. I was criticizing their neighbors. This constant gossip asked to be their minister, and entered upon this is the most cruel torture of small town life; it new work with all the zeal and enthusiasm of one makes life petty. With this in view, and because who for ten years had been preparing for just I received many papers from abroad, I arranged this task. hours when news of the world could be discussed. But I discovered they were not interested. Noth- Discovery-The First Year ing interested them except their own way of liv- ing, the welfare of their homes, the enlarging of My first year was full of illuminating trials and their business, the buying of another field. Anyerrors and discoveries. It began with sermons thing which interfered here they were ready to that took me a whole week to prepare. Later on crush and destroy. How could I work with such I advertized throughout the town and gave a series people? They wanted the church to give them of sermons for "outside" people. only peace and contentment when Christ was beckoning them to a new way of life. Very early I discovered a situation which gave me my first project. I found that there was an- Some of the people understood what I was tryother small Protestant group in that town, calling ing to do, and at the same time I was learning itself the Church of God, and having nothing to many new things. I began to understand how do with our church. Such a division seemed deeply the Church was a part of the life of these strange in a town which was already unfriendly people. I understood also how the special Church to Protestantism. As I made inquiries, hoping to terminology, which may be useful for the transunite these two insignificant groups, I discovered mission of theological doctrine, neither excited that the fault was not all on one side. In both their imaginations nor influenced their lives. Most there were some old people who held personal of the church-going people of Bulgaria felt that grievances against members of the other group, they had already "heard" the Word of God, and and they were determined not to allow any re- that God had no new word for them in this day. union. Hence I stopped pressing the matter for They would not be convinced that Christianity the time being, hoping that the future would see today has to compete with communism and nathe situation cleared up. tionalism; they did not think Christ had any word to say about these things. For them Chris- The more I worked with these people, the more tianity spoke only of the life to come and had little I became sure that for many of them the Old to say about life today. Testament was the center of the Bible. They seemed hardly to have understood the meaning of While I was learning much, the people of As- Christ's life and of his death. They had made senovgrad heard Christian teachings in termiof God a very strict, narrow-minded, doctrinal and nology strange to their ears, and teachings that revengeful being. It reminded me of the "right- were strange to them about this life. They were eous Bostonians and citizens of Salem" who making up their minds whether they wanted to wanted to purge their country of sorcerers. Here continue hearing this type of Christian truth also there seemed to be many who were sniffing which tended to disturb their slumber. They may the air for heretical teachings and who were ready have learned a little, but I was the chief learner. to throw heretics into the fire. I realized the great need of sacrifice by us who teach the life of Christ, and I saw also the great But these people had called me to work with need of his Gospel in the world of today. The them. I had to become a patient teacher, as one people decided to ask me to stay. who would teach the beginnings of mathematics to little children, hoping that by and by they So I started the second year in Assenovgrad would understand the higher mathematics. I surer of my position and of the Gospel which must talked about the love of God, love which we need touch the lives of these people. In order to build so much, love which will heal bruised souls, love anything on an old site, be it a house or a way of which will clear the poisonous atmosphere which thinking, some pulling down is necessary. But suffocates Europe today. I told them that we shall this process is always painful to some. As I see God not in the clouds, not in the smoke in the started "building the Kingdom of God," I had to church, but when they search for Him and min-
AN "UNOFFICIAL" MISSIONARY TO BULGARIA
find the best method of clearing away the type of long ago that inward beauty was most important.
Christianity which seemed to affect their lives in Almost no one saw the need I saw, except an a way which was not helpful. This Christianity, architect friend who drew a plan for the interior.
which had lost its passion for "preaching into the With the money from the English lessons, a part world," becoming only a state of mind, was futile of the plan was carried out: the pulpit was re- to affect the life. It was necessary to change that painted, the church yard was beautified, the young way of thinking and in its place build another people's hall was enlarged and redecorated. Fi- way, new, clear, shining, dynamic. To this I di- nally the church bought a beautiful little organ, rected my efforts during this second year. the best of its kind that had ever come to Bulgaria.
Soon I became familiar with the "secrets" of Fortunately there happened to be in the town a their special terminology. I realized when it was musician friend whom I had known in America. possible to use new words to impress some Chris- With his help our church services were modified tian truth on their minds, and when it was best considerably. to put the new truth in the old terminology in After the arrival of the organ we gave a con- order not to awaken suspicion. In this way I cert, and for the first time in this town Handel's managed to preach everything that a modern min- Messiah was heard. We invited local talent and ister would preach. Many outsiders began to the choir of the larger church in the near-by city.
come to the church and the attendance was larger The little church with its places for 100 people managed to accommodate 250 by filling all the than the membership.
Difficulties arose later when I turned from aisles and the platform. I read the scripture on ideology and started doing things. The first thing , which each number was based. The concert was that I wanted to do was to break the iron circle such a success that we planned to give another and which divided this small protestant community organized a choir to include the Orthodox people. from the world. I wanted them to stop thinking In spite of the difficulties made by some of the of themselves as the favored people of God, as priests we gave this concert twice. better than the rest of the world; I wanted them One idea was constantly in my mind: the to be interested in the spiritual and material con- Church of Christ must be the representative of the Kingdom of God on earth. Pe'ople must have dition of people outside their own group.
In order to start in a quiet way not to arouse a more abundant life because of the Church. Yet the suspicions of the Orthodox Church, I an- I saw misery everywhere in Assenovgrad, even in nounced that I would give lessons in English. the church group with which I worked. It seemed These were given free at first, until I found that tragic to see that even in the group who had listhe people had less interest because they did not tened to the teachings of Christ for forty-seven pay. To attend these classes many entered our years the principles of Christ had apparently not church building for the first time. Among them begun to work. The more privileged seemed to were the owner of a large mill and the chief of have no real concern for those with less ability the railway station. In spite of their prejudice and little money. No real help was given even against the Protestants, these people spent many within our own small group.
long hours with the minister of that church, be- In our group we had poor families who needed coming friends, and occasionally speaking with help, but the church did not help them by making him about Christianity. them independent materially, by improving their in an "Orthodox" Home means of support.
I was invited into an Orthodox home for a reli- With the help of some friends I succeeded in gious discussion with a group of more than thirty organizing a small loan fund to aid honest people people. For the first time in its forty-seven years to better their condition. By means of this fund of existence this Protestant church had the oppor- one family was able to build a place for raising silk worms. Another family was able to plant a tunity to meet the Orthodox townspeople face small orchard. A third could buy a pig which, to face on a friendly basis. The discussion interested young people especially. Many homes be- when fattened, would be used for winter food. gan to think of me as a friend, rather than as a One young man could buy a sewing machine to dangerous "propagandist" who wished "to destroy work at his trade. All were held to their promise the faith of the Bulgarian people." to repay their loans in order that others might be helped. In answer to my letter, Dr. George W.
When these people came to our church, as Carver, of the Tuskeegee Institute of Research in many of them did, the difference in appearance Alabama, sent me instructions for the manufac- was so great that they did not think they were in ture of products from crops which might be raised a church. Their church was so ornate; ours was in this region. I hoped that something might take so plain. The people of my church had learned the place of tobacco. I wanted the church to b~-
come, on weekdays as well as Sundays, the place faith in God. A few days later he told me that where all might find help in whatever they needed. unless I preached things which he approved I I wished that Christ, like sunlight, might enter would have to leave the church. I replied that ,every home and bring health and joy. there were certain things I felt so imperative that they must be spoken. After that his conduct dur- But trouble started right here. Some old peo- ing church services became such that worship be- ple felt that it is not the business of the church to came impossible. meddle in everyday life problems, and should not even mention contemporary events in sermons. Two other important events happened about Sermons, they thought, should be strictly Biblical. this time. One was that for the first time one of the Orthodox priests asked the Protestant min- The Turning Point ister to cooperate with him on the anti-war com- mittee of which he was chairman. The other was About this time an event happened which that money 4wd come and my plans had developed proved to be the turning point. One day as my far enough to revive in a new form the neglected wife and I (our marriage took place after the be- paper which had formerly been published by the ginning of the second year in Assenovgrad) were Young People's Society of the Evangelical visiting in a poor district, we entered a home Churches of Bulgaria. I intended to use the where three members of the family were sick in Ecumenical News Service from Geneva and to bed with typhus – two children and the grand- translate articles from the magazines which I re- mother. We thought best to take one of the chil- ceive, so as to widen the vision of some of the dren, a girl of eleven, into our home. When the people. doctor came and examined her he said she had tuberculosis as well as typhus, and that she ought However, for the good of the church, I thought to go to a private hospital where she would have best to leave before it was too late. Now I am proper care. The family had no money so I went back in Sofia, as busy as ever, hoping that God to the church treasurer to ask for a part of my will use me further in His work among my people. over-due salary to advance what was necessary. When he learned why I wanted the money, he ad- r know other young men who are trained and vised me not to take any measures,but to pray, as becomes a minister. He said I should not depend who also want to be ministers. upon the word of men of science but upon God. I One man is supported from England by people insisted on having the money and took the girl to the railway station. This man, and a few others, and churches who believe in him and in the work concluded that I was propagating some new the- he is doing. This makes me wonder if churches ology, that I had strong faith in science but weak in America will, in addition to the work of their Mission Boards, support other "unofficial" mis- sionaries in the places where, they are needed most.
CHRISTIAN THINKING AND ACTION People are confused; they hardly know what is Christian, or how to come to a Christian judgment on issues placed before them. Selfish interests try to exploit them; propaganda machines attempt to dominate them; programs and laws, panaceas of a thousand kinds, are placed before them.
Most people are willing to be far more Christian than they know how to be. If they could be mobilized they would constitute a tremendous force pulling toward a Christian solu- tion of many of our issues. But their thinking is not concerted, their imagination not cap- tured, and their loyalty not challenged. Is it not possible for the, churches to say, in a voice united enough in the name of their Lord so that the world can hear and so that any proposal of society or government which asks for the backing of Christian people, but which would protect property at the expense of people, would protect the privileged at the expense of the underprivileged, would seek material profit rather than the enrichment of life, would rely upon force rather than justice, would manipulate and control the gifts of God in nature for the interests of the few as against the many, would breed the fears that destroy rather than the confidence that releases and strengthens, would exploit humanity rather than enlarge the life which humanity lives-that any such proposal is not consistent with the purpose of God and the teaching of Jesus and cannot have our support?
Such thinking, if it were honest, might be disturbing. It might disturb our prejudices and present customs. But they are going to be disturbed anyway, and I would rather have them disturbed by those who are thinking toward the purpose of Christ than by those who think toward selfish views. ALBERT W. BEAVEN.
a Downtown Church Can
By FREDERICK B. FISHER * Late Minister, Central Methodist Church, Detroit T HE first step in making the downtown church provision is made for every member of the family: a successful representative of the Gospel of Nurses, in sanitary rooms, care for the babies and Christ is to analyze the life of the church. very young children.. A hundred of the older chil- No program should be attempted without first dren are in the boys' choir and the girls' choir.
making a careful scientific survey of the condi- A half-hundred youth are in the young people's tions, resources, potentialities and purpose of ,the choir. A full,.time choir director, with an assis- organization. Each church is a problem in itself. tant, gives expert attention to the training of It is difficult to generalize but for the purposes of these children in music, as well as in those phases discussion it might be said that there are three of religious .edU:ca~ion that have to do with public types of downtown churches: worship. The school of religious education, under 1. A mission to dispossessed residents of slum the leadership of a' full-time director, continues districts; its departmental sessions throughout the worship period, as well as one hour following. Trained 2. A social center and preaching point for lodg- teachers are in charge of the various departments, ing-house people and transient hotel even though in some cases it means an honorarium guests; for the service rendered. We believe that the church budget must of necessity provide expert 3. A cosmopolitan center of worship for kin- training for children and youth, because of the dred spirits from every part of the city. danger of leaving such training to haphazard It is impossible for one church to attempt to cover all three of these phases of life and work. methods and desultory instruction. The church is The geographical location, the social traditions so located that all the street car lines and bus and constituency, as well as the financial resources routes of the city pass the door.
and ministerial leadership, must all be taken into Our constituency is divided into fourteen terri- account. These factors will very largely deter- torial units, with a leader in charge of each sub- mine the type of service the church can render. urban section. This leader has a group of four Central Church, Detroit, about which I have lieutenants, who by telephone and personal visita- been requested to write, is not, strictly speaking, tion keep in touch with the constituency of that a downtown church. In spite of the fact that it area with reference to sickness, church attend- is located at the very heart of the city and sur- anee, financial support' and spiritual guidance.
rounded by hotels, department stores, banks, One of the slogans of Cehtral Church has come to theaters and office buildings, it has remained a be "We are fourteen community churches." We dynamic family church. Not more than one fourth h~ve discovered that this plan does not compete of our congregations could be said to belong to with, nor proselytefrorri, the regular community the transient hotel group. Three fourths of all churches. The reason 'for this is that we have a the personalities to whom we minister are defi- specialized emphasis. We major on pageantry nitely related to the church and its activities. and color in public worship; upon personal reli- Only a few of these members live within a half gious psychiatry; upon social adjustment and mile of the church. The vast majority of our wor- reconstruction in the pulpit messages; upon a shipers and workers travel a distance of anywhere on selectitie school of religion; and upon popular from one mile to twenty miles. One of our careful analysts estimates that the average is eight Wednesday night lectures public topics by outmiles. They come in whole families. The~e is no standing' nati~nar' Vdfces. My experience in Greater Detroit, and in visitation among scores subway or elevated system of transportation in of churches in other modern cities, leads me to Detroit, consequently the vast majority of our believe that a great deal of unwholesome competi- people come to church in their own automobiles tion could be eliminated in our city churches if we and the whole family comes together. Once there, recognized that the mind of modern humanity is • This article was prepared for the Review by the late Dr. Fred.. divided by several definite spiritual interests. seericcrketaBr.y.F-Eisdhietor r.just before his death, and was sent us by his There is need for great centralized fundamentalist [349 ]
churches, where people who interpret religion in able burden. It is a heavy task to have a church these terms can come together for mutual sup- supper every Wednesday night. In the course of port and spiritual stimulus. Churches with a dif- the last year more than twenty-six thousand meals ferent theological outlook may serve personalities have been served on the fourth floor of Central that see life in "liberal" terms. The evangelistic Church House. This is an absolutely self-supporttabernacle and temple has its place. The plain, ing feature, but none of the money goes into the unembellished service of the Quakers has a real current expenses of the church. The women are contribution to make. There is also a wide and constantly interested in furniture, equipment, a growing field for churches that specialize in choir vestments, Red Cross work, family relief forms of ritualistic worship. Central Church, and kindred interests. During this last winter, though Methodist, is altar centered, with a high careful record has been kept of attendance at the altar and heavily carved symbolic reredos. We various activities, with the result that our chart have a processional and recessional in vestments shows a monthly attendance, on the average, of of purple and white and red. There are approxi- approximately eighteen thousand people. mately two hundred people in the choir organization, and on certain occasions the full choirs march Special attention is given to children, youth and in the procession. A "crucifer" carries the cross, young married couples. Boys are trained, and a "hook-bearer" carries the open Bible, and a consecrated by the laying on of hands, as Junior "flag-bearer" carries the flag. The ministers are Deacons for assistants at the altar. Crucifers, in vestments, and wear stoles which vary in color book~bearers and flag-bearers are all similarly with the seasons of the church year. It is inter- trained and consecrated. Special confirmation esting to find what a strong appeal this makes to classes are held for the training of young people modern youth. In the midst of this colorful serv- as to the meaning of church membership, and ice of worship, the pulpit message deals with Gos- white capes with purple cross embroidered on the pel as it. relates to social justice, problems of collar are used in the confirmation ceremony. personality adjustment, and the vital issues of modern life. The newest feature to be added to the life of the church is a specialist in psychiatry and person- There are two distinct Sunday congregations, alityadjustment. He is a medical doctor with his morning and evening. Few of those who fill the degree in philosophy from Vienna, Austria, where church on Sunday. morning come again at night. he has been a student and a lecturer on the fac- The services differ in emphasis, with the result uIty with Freud, Adler, Jung and others. Lecthat there is a solid Sunday morning congregation tures are given in personality adjustment, and the and an equally solid evening congregation. problems of psychology and nervous diseases, to selected groups, and hours for personal consulta- Wednesday night is a gathering of all the clans. tion are provided. Modest fees are charged for It is a "church night." .School children begin to these personal consultations. No hospitalization arrive at three or half-past three on Wednesday or actual treatment of patients is provided afternoon, before the real activities hegin. They through the church, but all pathological cases are bring their home work from school, and rooms are referred to their own doctors and to the regular made available, under proper direction, for home hospital staff of the city. study. If they come from families which cannot afford to pay the price of the church supper, a Central Church cannot claim entire success. room is provided where they may open their own The problems are great. The complexities of lunch baskets and have a good time together. modern urban and industrial life make experi- Many of the other children are served in these ment essential, with its attendant failures and same rooms, so that there is not the consciousness inadequacies. The staff is composed of thirteen of prosperity or poverty and there is an utter full-time people. The mere statement of this fact lack of self-consciousness. By five o'clock a va- will reveal to ministers and laymen the problem riety of activities is under way: Bible 'study of supporting an organization of this size. Howgroups of youth and adults; youth forum; Boy ever, the church has no debt, and a group of Scouts and Camp Fire Girls; dramatic clubs and splendid laymen manages the finances with great orchestras; handicraft classes; choir mothers' devotion. Our small endowment helps to make club; hoys' choirs and girls' choirs in practice; possible a program like this at the heart of an committees on social justice, parish visitation, industrial city. One interesting feature is that financial budgets, religious education and other all three ministers have had experience on the subjects. At six o'clock there are several simul- foreign mission field. These three men and their taneous suppers. The efficient women's commit- wives all feel that they are performing the most tee employs a full-time housekeeper and other essential missionary task of their lives. The dihelpers, so as not to make this feature an unbear- rector of religious education is likewise a former missionary of the foreign field.
to the City of
By the REV. CHARLES HATCH SEARS, D.D.
Author of "The City Man"
O NE is bold indeed who attempts to describe follow the crowd, to lose a sense of individual re- the future formation of a molten mass. sponsibility. Collective behavior tends to level Scientists may do this on the basis of well down character, as erosion wears away high'
established natural laws. Social laws affecting mountains. Individual character has been devel- environment are not nearly so well established. oped in America, at any rate within a family and Spiritual laws may be clearly marked out in terms within a neighborhood setting. In a city, particu- of individual conduct but are less defined in their larly in a great city, the individual has quite gen- social application. erally been separated from his family and from It seems clear, however, that the church is jus- the neighborhood in which he was reared. He has tified in looking to the world of tomorrow in too frequently been forced to live in isolation. The terms of facts which are clearly discernible today. city man touches elbows with thousands, but The Fact of Urban Life touches hearts with few. The city man lives in isolation within a multitude of contacts. A city In looking to the city of tomorrow the church is where men die of loneliness in a crowd. He has must accept the fact of urban life. This fact is to do with people whom he does not know and accepted on the basis of a general trend of a forces that he does not understand. He is com- century and a half of American life. This trend pelled to make inferences and to draw conclusions.
has been accelerated during the last two or three He does not deal with the concrete but is com- decades. True it is that the early years of the pelled to deal with the abstract.
depression (1929 to 1932) witnessed a migration The city man has developed certain fairly de- from the cities, but already this has proven to be fined attitudes. Self-assertion is a characteristic only a temporary check in a generally rapid in- sin of the city man. Compelled to yield to his crease of urban population which during the pre- superiors in shop, factory, store or office, he loves ceding census decade was at the rate of almost to enter a little world of his own where his opin- 27%, with a record of sixty-nine millions by 1930. .ions have weight; hence the gang, the club and That this was an American migration move- the social set. The city mind is preoccupied, in ment is the more significant. It is difficult to this sense absent-minded. It tends to lose its sense comprehend that forty out of everyone hundred of relationship to humanity, to lose the joy of the boys and girls between the ages of ten and twenty ,common touch, and to cease to find pleasure in who were on farms in 1920 had located in some homely things. The insistent stimulation of city city by 1930. This is the more surprising in that life tends to produce indifference and inability to urban growth during the most of the present gen- make a normal response.
eration has been so largely augmented by immi- The creation of these attitudes is a matter of gration which is no longer a major factor in the concern to the church. It is one of its tasks to growth of cities. provide correctives. Its problem is to establish It is safe to say that the church of the future relationships with the detached individual and must accept the fact of urban life both because particularly to follow him into his group relation- we are gregarious and like to flock together, and ships from which all but members of the group on the other hand because it requires a decreasing are generally debarred.
percentage of the working popUlation to produce the raw materials of foods and fabrics which in The Fact of Metropolitan Community Life turn are subject to almost infinite refinement. The second fact which the forward-looking. city This processing takes place largely in cities. church must take into account is the fact of met- ropolitan life in contrast with mere urban life. The fact of urban life would not be of so much City men in the main have shown their preference significance for the church of the future if cities, for the great metropolitan centers rather than for particularly the great cities, did not so profoundly cities of average size. In fact, many of the smaller change people. City men are influenced by what cities have lost population in recent years. we may call collective behavior-the tendency to [ 351]
All cities have not fared alike. Urban growth with which the church of the future will be con- in America in recent years, particularly during fronted to an increasing degree.
the last census decade, has been strikingly selec- The churches everywhere in America have been tive. The average American is quite surprised to built from neighborhoods. City neighborhoods learn how spotted the growth of cities has become. have been broken down by the incoming of new Accustomed to reports of loss of population in peoples and by the exodus of the more favored to rural areas, he is not greatly surprised that nearly suburban areas. The flood of newcomers, men one-half (46.5 per cent) of all villages in the and women and young people, attracted by their United States under 2,500 lost p()pulation from specialty interests has created quite a new situa- 1920 to 1930-6,285 villages out of a total of tion. They have no interest in a particular neigh- 13,530. borhood. Their only concern is to live where they In view of the enormous increase of urban can be comfortable and within reach of their own population from 54,305,000 in 1920 to 68,,955,000 chosen group'1$•• in 1930 (or an increase of 26.9 per cent during It is true, old neighborhoods still p2rsist. There the decade) and particularly in view of the Amer- are still parish churches in metropolitan New ican assumption that all cities grow, he is quite York of which we might speak; many of them unprepared to learn that many cities fared very are in the suburbs though conditioned by the metbadly during the last census decade. Five hundred ropolitan structure; some of them are in survival neighborhoods illustrated by the recent coming and twelve places rranging in population from 2,500 to 100,000 lost population from 1920 to 1930. together of the old Church of the Sea and Land A very much larger number of cities has failed and the old Mariners' Temple into the new Henry to keep pace with the rate of population growth of the nation. As Dr. R. D. McKenzie points out, Street United Church, Presbyterians and Baptists of the 746 cities of 10,000 popUlation and over in 1920, almost one-half of them (354) showed a settling down together to a continuing parish rate of increase below the national rate of increase. work, but how changed the parish from the old It is obvious that the great metropolitan com- days of the "Kirk on Rutgers Street"! munities have grown in recent years at the expense of all other political unity-towns, villages While still prepared to serve so far as may be and smaller cities. These communities have tapped the sources of population;-in Europe, Asia, Af- along parish lines, the church frequently, generrica and South America, on American farms and villages, and in the smaller cities of America. ally, finds itself compelled to minister either on a Foreign-born whites, children of immigrants, Negroes and especially native Americans gravi- metropolitan-wide basis or to people on the basis tate thither like iron filings to a magnet. of a selective interest or both. The Community It is not so much the fact of metropolitan growth in terms of increased population to which Church of New York City served by Johns Haynes the church of the future must adapt itself, as to the tremendous changes in which these communi- Holmes and the Riverside Church with its dual ties have been and will be involved. The attraction of specialists to these centers and their voluntary ministry to the neighborhood in its educational association into groups is at the heart of it. This ever-growing process of specialization creates and social program and to the greater metropol- itah community in its preaching ministry are cases in point. .
The Calvary Episcopal Church apparently has chosen for itself, on the basis of its rector's inter- est, to minister to a particular group with a dis- tinctive religious interest. The church of the future almost inevitably will be selective in its ministry, however much it undertakes to remain the Church of the Open Door to All Who Will Enter.
The Fact of Cosmopolitan Life groups. As a result, special interest communities It is evident that the church of the future must or special activity groups, ever in process of for- adapt itself increasingly to meet the needs of a mation, take the place of neighborhoods. cosmopolitan community. The executives of de- Finding association within the group, to an in- nominational Church City Societie3, who have fol- creasing degree the members become subject to lowed neighborhood changes in great metropolitan the ethics and social attitudes of the group and communities, may be more conscious than the are not amenable to the ethics and social attitudes average pastor of the tremendous changes which of the community as a whole. Devoted to their have grown out of immigration and that are now peculiar functions within their own chosen group, emerging through the influence of the wide dis- they are disposed to carryon largely in accord pers'ion of second generation immigrants.
with their own cultural pattern and often with The presence of great numbers of immigrants, little accommodation to the larger community. who until less than twenty years ago were con- This creates serious ethical and social problems fined largely to "colonies," did not greatly· upset
LOOKING TO THE CITY OF TOMORROW
the cultural situation, or disturb the church The church that looks to the city of the future outlook of older Americans, but when the well must orient itself to a cosmopolitan community trained second generation young people began to and adjust its outlook to world vistas. emerge it became evident that great changes were taking place. The older Americans were not deep- Man, the Abiding Fact ly concerned that customs and codes, wrought through long centuries in the homeland of these The church that looks to the city of tomorrow immigrants, no longer had controlling force in the will seek to adapt itself to urban life, to metrolives of the second generation that was emerging politan life, to cosmopolitan life, but it will lose from these homes. They were more alarmed, how- itself in the process unless it has a sense of its ever, when they discovered that the old New Eng- own universality which was so strongly emphaland culture and ideals were being broken down sized at the Edinburgh Conference. by this infusion of second generation immigrant life into the best residence areas of the great To put the matter in other form, the church cities. must adapt itself on the one hand to its environ- mentbut recognize that while man too is a vari- It became evident that old incentives and re- able, he changes far less rapidly than does his environment. As compared with the shifting sostraints, old sanctions and social controls which cial scene he is a constant. While he changes in obtained in these cities until a score of years ago, outward appearance and in his customs and while whether in Anglo-Saxon communities with their his attitudes reflect the conditions under which he New England background or in foreign-language lives, his essential needs are the same from gencommunities with their varied European back- eration unto generation and among all peoples. grounds had been largely repudiated. The result We affirm, therefore, that the church must find its is a cultural phenomenon, moral phenomenon if universality in its consciousness of God and in you please, practically without precedent-a great its realization of the needs of men. body of people living without a generally recognized moral pattern and without sanctions hon- Staggered by a social burden which he finds ored by generations. It is evident that the church unbearable without the assistance of religion, imof the future must address its'elf to building up pelled by a moral imperative, the ethical contents new spiritual foundations to take the place of the of which he does not understand, the city man in old spiritual foundations upon which America was his more confident moods looks to religion for established. support and to Christianity for moral guidance. Christianity, in the past at periods of crisis, has While the immigrants of pre-war decades and met the challenge of destiny. The city man, theresecond generation immigrants of today have quite fore, calls upon the church to mediate to him a completely transformed old American cities domi- religion adequate to his personal needs and internantly Teutonic and Protestant into cities domi- pretive of his confused social relation. nantly Latin, Slavic and Semitic in race and Roman Catholic and Jewish in religion, there are Under normal conditions nature enters into the other factors which have had a part in the cosmo- creative religious process. Trees, streams, the sky politan process. and the stars are all sources of life valuable in the cultivation of the soul. It is apparent that Changes in the function and structure of these nature plays a large part in the cultivation of great metropolitan communities sketched in a religion when man and nature are living in norpreceding section have come in no small degree mal reciprocity. But is it possible to pursue the from the national orientation of industry, of com- mystical approach within city walls where the merce, and of professional life in America. A stars are rarely seen and where frequently in myriad of interests in each of the classifications winter the dust-laden atmosphere hangs like a has selected a major metropolitan community, pall over the city, shutting out even the sky? most likely New York, as headquarters with branch centers in other metropolitan communities. The city, particularly the metropolitan commu- nity, with its specialization in art, in music, in The church that looks to the city of tomorrow literature, is peculiarly rich in the materials 'for cannot afford to be provincial. It can not remain the cultivation of the mystical qualities of the parochial. It, too, must cultivate world-wide at- spirit. "A certain type of mind has always distitudes and relations. If Christianity is to survive cerned three straight and narrow ways going out in America it must become in fact a world reli- towards the absolute-in religion, in pain, in gion. The Christian movement in its world out- beauty," says Miss Evelyn Underhill. reach can not afford to think in terms of separate hemispheres of foreign missions and home mis- The expansive qualities of the individual may sions but of a church universal in space as well be cultivated generally by finding essences, someas in'concept. thing akin to universal experiences, in other human lives-by finding those qualities that life lives by.
The city is peculiarly rich in opportunity to continuing fact of urban life and adjust its prorelate spirit to spirit through a common under- gram to conditions which have grown out of the standing of ideals and through association in transformation of the small city into the great noble undertakings, even as we have found the metropolitan community. Facing the breakdown city peculiarly rich in its interpretation of life in of the old Anglo-Saxon, Puritan, and to a large its mystical aspects through literature and art degree Protestant standards, the Christian church and poetry. must address itself to the recreation of Christ's standards of faith, character and conduct. For the sake of the individual, his self-realization, his peace and joy on the one hand, and for In this process the church finds itself at home the creation of moral energy directed to social because it is still dealing with man forever changends on the other, it is highly important to culti- ing but forever presenting the same basic needs. vate the mystical aspect of the personality The fortunes of the church have never been inthrough an appreciation of nature, through aware- extricably bo~d with any secular order. It has ness of the essential qualities of the human spirit ever had standards to which it could repair. and through communion with God in Christ as the only source of religion and of moral energy. The abiding task of the church in the city, as elsewhere, will ever be to regenerate and to re- As important as these things are the church vitalize the individual and by this process to culmust accept as its primary responsibility the cul- tivate new social attitudes and to release a new tivation of worship in the individual and a sense ethical vigor equal to the task of social reconstrucof his vital personal relationship to God in Christ. tion.* As the church looks to the city of the future it * By permission of the Publisher, Harper & Brothers. the author is convinced that it must address itself to the has made liberal excerpts from his recent book. "City Man." adapted to the purposes of this article.
The Gospel in Mexico To~Day -~ I By WALTER MONTANO* Iffl.- FOLLOWING my decision to visit Mexico I re- Near Mexico City I was surprised to see news- ceived a cordial welcome from President Car- paper notices and accounts of the activities of the denas on behalf of the Mexican Government, Roman Catholic Church, just as in the most lib.. and from the Minister of Public Health. The eral country in the world. This was surprising, National Council of the Evangelical Churches, as I had seen and heard much about the oppresthrough their Executive Secretary, Professor Gon- sion of the priesthood. zalez Baez Camargo, had prepared a full program of evangelistic meetings, not only in Mexico City, My first week in Mexico City was filled with but in other States. As a result, I traveled a dis- meetings, held in the largest Protestant church in tance of six thousand miles in about one month. the republic, which used to be a Franciscan mon- astery. We began with some thousand people, and At the frontier, I saw that various persons were by the end of the week, there were more than being refused permission to enter. The officials fifteen hundred present. There were high army carefully examined my passport, and enquired as officers, government servants, representatives of to the object of my visit. However, my letters the intellectual circles, even Roman Catholic froin the President of the Republic and the Min- priests, in fact all classes of society, political and ister of Public Health were sufficient, although religious, were represented. For an hour each my passport described me as an "evangelical min- night there was attention, silence and interest. ister." I was shown every courtesy, and even my suitcases were passed through the Customs with- The way God worked in these meetings was out examination. The five hundred Mexican truly marvelous. At the last two gatherings, the dollars, which most who enter the country are local brethren urged me to make an appeal to those supposed to deposit, were not required of me. who wished to come forward and accept Christ. On the first of these occasions forty people, their • Sr. Walter Montano has been a missionary of the Evangelical eyes streaming with tears, came forward and Union of South America since 1929. His article appeared in the knelt, confessing their sins and accepting Christ. World Dominion. The following night, when I told the story of my
THE GOSPEL IN MEXICO TO-DAY
own conversion, more than a hundred came for- In Orizaba the hall, big though it was, would ward, crying to God for the pardon of their sins. not hold the people. The street was full and men The Gospel was new to these people, Roman Cath- and women were sitting on the paths. There were olics who, in all sincerity, were seeking peace for more than fourteen hundred people present. They their souls. Nor was it only the common people begged me for another day and I invited them for who came forward, but society folk and well- a meeting at five in the morning. At this hour, known persons. Professor Camargo stated that in the bitter cold, there were six hundred people he saw many people come to the meetings full of waiting. . . . The power and presence of God pride and even hatred toward us; at the close of were evident and we felt the fire of the Holy Spirit the service not a few of them were crying like kindling our hearts. children, among them an army general, who, moved to the depths of his soul, gave way to tears. From this last place we returned to Mexico City After the meeting many Catholics came to me say- for other meetings in the Y. M. C. A. There was ing, "I am a Catholic, but I know nothing about .a magnificent gathering of people who did not bethe life eternal, and now I accept Christ as my long to any of the churches. Some Communists only personal Saviour." in the audience tried to make trouble, but there were no serious difficulties. On another evening A Visit. to Pueblo two thousand united youth of the Federal District met me; it was a most touching occasion, when It was not my intention to remain in Mexico for crowds of young people of all denominations dedimore than two weeks, but Professor Osuna, an cated themselves to the service of God. They outstanding Christian, and a prominent figure in agreed to issue an appeal to the evangelical youth the Mexican Government in the time of Presidents of all Latin America to work on behalf of the Carranza and Calles, came from Monterey to Mex- forthcoming Congress of Latin American Evanico City and exacted a promise that I would visit gelical Youth, in which they proposed to study the Monterey. After prayer, I decided to remain best methods of a vigorous campaign for the evanlonger and visit Pueblo, Vera Cruz, Orizaba, gelization of unconverted youth. Guadalajara, Aguas Calientes, San Luiz Potosi, Saltillo, Torreon, EI Paso (Texas) and Nogales. In Mexico City there is a center for preparing These last two places are on the frontier of the young men for the ministry. The president and United States. Professor Camargo accompanied the other professors are men of real consecration me to Pueblo, and there we had united meetings to God, and the seminary is a center of training for two nights and a large number of people were for all denominations. As part of my program in led to Christ. During our visit to Pueblo, the first Mexico, the brethren arranged that I should give National Anti-Alcoholic Congress took place at devotional messages to faculty and students every the invitation of President Cardenas, with dele- day. God blessed these meetings and foreign misgates from all the Mexican states and from other sionaries, pastors of churches, professors from countries, chiefly Latin America. Dr. Siurob, the seminary, as well as the students, and also Minister of Public Health, presided over the Con- workers from Sunday schools, came unfailingly. gress and represented the government. He in- The theme was that of consecration and service. vited me to preside over the third full session, in my capacity as delegate of the National League of Other States Social Hygiene of Peru, and extended to me the privilege of being a guest of honor of the Govern- From Mexico City I set out for Guadalajara, ment of Pueblo. accompanied by two outstanding Mexican Chris- tian leaders, and again had most encouraging In Vera Cruz the church was full, and at the services. Our journey was continued to the places close of the meeting the platform would not hold already mentioned, and in every town we saw the the crowd of people who came pleading for our hand of God. The fact that most of the meetings prayers. The brethren asked if we could not re- were united gatherings tended to more cooperamain another day, but the itinerary was already tion between the different churches. There has fixed and it was quite impossible, so I said, jok- come a greater spirit of unity among the workers; ingly, "If you would like a meeting at four-thirty in fact, in many churches there are now united in the morning . . . !" Thinking no more about meetings for prayer among the workers of the difit, I went to bed, tired out, but exactly at four- ferent denominations. thirty in the morning I was awakened; the pastor and other brethren had called for me, and when Mexico is passing through a unique phase of its I went to the church there were two-hundred and history. The clouds of confusion have not yet fifty people gathered for a meeting. God worked passed from its sky, nor will they do so quickly. that morning in the hearts of those people! Everything is in a state of uncertainty and it is impossible to foretell what tomorrow will bring. The properties of churches and religious colleges
are in continual danger, for at any moment the of the intellectual classes; we stayed from seven Government can take possession of them. As a until ten in the morning, while I spoke to them matter of fact, many of the Protestant schools are closed and cannot exist if they teach religion. of my personal experience of Christ. Some evangelical schools have had to be turned 3. Now that the foreign missionaries cannot into purely commercial colleges or institutes for social instruction. It is difficult to understand the conduct definitely religious services, they are dissituation, for some of the actions of the Govern- covering other methods. Mr. Norman Taylor, a ment seem quite contradictory in nature to others. Presbyterian, is working with fine results among Shortly after I left Mexico, I was told that the the soldiers. He has a small wireless set 'installed Government had restored valuable property to the in his car, and Mr. Huegel gives them a Bible talk, urging upon them the need for repentance and Presbyterians. turning to Christ. All the soldiers held up their As Mexico is a Federal country, it is left to the hands asking for our prayers, and many bought Governor of each state to interpret the program New Testameqt,s. of education as he may Ghoose. Consequently 4. Other missionaries, such as Mr. Reifsnyder, there is a great variety according to the local attitude. There are a few schools where the teaching have sought some method of reaching the students is not only anti-religious but immoral; there are of the college and university, gathering them some teachers who pervert the children by ex- weekly for "lay sermons." The night I was there, treme programs of sexual education. . . . This twenty-two students, among them Roman Cathdoes not occur everywhere, nor is it officially olics, were deeply interested. recognized. Nevertheless, because of the liberty of interpretation and the fact that there is no uni- 5. In the midst of the difficulties presented by formity or standard of teaching, the enemies of the law, the workers have had to fall back on religion take the opportunity to inject their poison propaganda by the press. It is difficult to calcu- late the great results attained by the Latin Amerinto the hearts and minds of the children. ican bookstore, under the direction of Sr. Baez The preaching of the Gospel by foreigners is Camargo. The method which he uses attracts Communists, revolutionaries, students, professors, severely limited by law, but foreign missionaries publicists and others, and all receive the Gospel in Mexico still carryon their work, perhaps with even better results than before. The central de- message. partment of the Government made it clear that 6. The youth, indifferent hitherto to the neces- I was free to speak in any part of Me:xico with sity of testifying before others, are not only perfect liberty. uniting among themselves but are working openly; groups of young people go out to different suburbs New Methods of Evangelism in Mexico t and carryon regular services, also visiting homes. One such group has dedicated itself to carrying the Gospel to outcast women, a truly apostolic The restrictive laws of Mexico in the matter of labor. religion have turned out favorably in many 7. The difficulties which the evangelical bodies senses: face have made the Christian workers feel the im- perative necessity of more prayer, and a turning 1. The Evangelicals have felt compelled to unite to God for the solution of the religious and spirfor one common object, to preach Christ crucified. itual problems of Mexico. They have issued a 2. They have adopted new methods of evan- circular, addressed to "our brethren in the comgelization, which in other circumstances probably mon faith of Christ scattered throughout the enthey would not have adopted for many years. Dr. tire Mexican Republic," calling them to a deeper Wallace, a missionary of the Presbyterian Board, consecration of life and to the practice of daily and Sr. Baez Camargo took me to what they call prayer. "Wednesday Breakfasts" in one of the best res- t See Religion in the RClYUblic of Mexico, by C, Baez Camargo taurants in the capital. To this are invited people and Kenneth G, Grubb, published by the World Dominion Press, The Christian laymen in one Mexican church have organized a "Salvation Patrol" which works in the tenement districts at night. A missionary has developed a group of university students whO meet for the discussion of spiritual and social questions-probably the first ~or~ done ~y. Evangelicals for university stu.dents in Mexico City. In Tabasco, where preach- mg IS prohIbIted, a group of laymen orgamzed themselves as peddlers. With packs on their backs, they go from home to home selling merchandise and talking about Christ. A former ci~y pastor has dedicated himself to country wo.rk. He tells of a poverty-stricken village, WIth an ugly? n.ear-deformed, po~rly educated IndIa~ boy who went there to shepherd the little flock of ChrIstIans. The town IS gradually becommg transformed and this simple Indian boy is its hero.-S. G. Inman.
the Church Discontinue Institu–
tional Missionary Work?
-.~i By G. BAEZ CAMARGO, Mexico City, Mexico ._. ",,==;;;;;E;;;;;x;;;;;ec;;;;;u;;;;;ti;;;;;v;;;;;e;;;;;s;;;;;e;;;;;cTC_et;o;.;.au.;;;nTyc=oi;;l;;;f;;o;;;thf;;;;M;e=eN;;x;;;iac;;;;o;ti;;;;;o;;;;;na;p;;I;;;;;E;;;;;V;;;;;a;;;;;n;;;;;ge;;;;;lt;;;;;'c;;;;;al===!.f.l.- EVANGELICAL Christianity throughout the whole missionary program and to an examination world is looking forward to the international of the comparative and real values of evangelistic missionary conference called to meet in and institutional mission work. The question be- Madras, India, in December. Christians from gan to press itself upon the minds of both the many lands will come together to appraise the missionary and the national Christian leaders: status of the work, and to plan for united advance Should mission boards give less attention to elabin the evangelization of the world. Four hundred orate speciaU.~ed institutional work and more to delegates will wrestle with the most crucial prob- pioneer evangelism and the training of Christian lems of the Church and will seek to understand workers? our Lord's, mind and will for His people in these trying times. Among these problems, and not Another element in the situation was the growthe least of them, stands the whole question of the ing sense of responsibility in the National "institutional work" of the church, especially in churches and their increasing desire to attain the the missionary enterprise. ideal of a self-governing and self-supporting in- digenous church. This would naturally lead to Pioneer mis,sionary earnestness has been poured the taking over of the administration and support into several types of auxiliary institutions-edu- of the institutional work. New questions arose. cational centers, ranging from parochial schools In view of the nationalization of the churches, to universities; medical institutions, from modest was it the proper course for them to take over the dispensaries to large and well-equipped hospitals; institutions founded and supported by the missocial centers and even agricultural and industrial sions? Could the national churches support projects; other philanthropic agencies also have themselves and also afford to conduct the rather been established and sacrificially maintained the expensive institutional work as established with church at the home base and by native Christian foreign funds? Would it be wise for the missions organizations in the lands where they are estab- to withdraw their help from the support of the lished. Thes'e institutions have absorbed most of churches and pioneer evangelism and to devote the missionary budgets in many cases and often foreign funds exclusively to the support of instihave been used as the decisive argument for mis- tutions? Or would it be better to give up the sions. Many have found in their work one of the institutions and concentrate on new purely evanmain sources of satisfaction, as rel~orted in mis- gelistic projects, in cooperation with the national sionary reports and surveys. churches?
All seemed to be going well with these institu- In some countries there was a third and very tions until three new elements entered into the important problem involved. The national govsituation. There was, first, a serious setback in ernments were committing themselves to political mtsswn income. In readjusting the budgets, it doctrines of different types, all of which coincided was necessary to cut down expenditures. But the at least in one particular-the gradual or violent problem was: What appropriations should be re- assumption of control by the State of all the deduced? It is not easy to cut down on upkeep of partments of human life, educational, social, and plants, equipment, personnel and current expenses even individual. The situation was the more comof large institutions, without risking their very plicated in countries where totalitarianism was existence. On the other hand, should the cuts be strongly impregnated by hostility to Christianity made on the distinctly evangelistic work an4 on the support of churches? It was easier to' cut or to all forms of religion. This trend, often incorhere, but perhaps not the best way out of the financial difficulty. All this led to a review of the porated in a very definite form in legislation, has been making it increasingly difficult for churches in Mexico, Turkey, Iran, Korea, and some other [357 ]
countries to maintain their educational and med- people, teaching, healing and nursing the people ical institutions. Some governments have been to an abundant Christian life.
very active of late years developing a compre- In other fields, where there is a degree of cul- hensive program of national welfare, opening ture and social welfare and where, as in Japan, schools, dispensaries, social centers and hospitals. the government is fulfilling its medical and edu- Thus the institutional work of the churches does cational responsibility, the need for philanthropic not seem to be so necessary as in former times, and cultural work by the missionary agencies is when the missions were the only agencies con- not so pressing. It is here not impossible for the ducting it. Except for their evangelistic purpose, churches to consider giving up their institutions most of the institutions are now becoming a dupli- or their turning over to governmental or other cation of government enterprises. In several national agencies. The churches should be ready, countries evangelistic work in Christian schools within the measure of their possibilities, to coop- and hospitals is looked upon with suspicion by the erate with puba.ic and private philanthropic and governments and in some cases is even prohibited educational agencies, where such cooperation is by law – as in Turkey. When this is the case, possible.
would it be advisable to give up such church in- The stage of progress in evangelization, par- stitutions and turn this work over to the govern- ticularly with reference to the strength of the na- ment? tional churches, is also to be considered. There . This missionary agencies and the national are at least three main stages in evangelizing a Christian churches have come to face the prob- people in any country: lem: Should mission boards and churches of the First, there is the approach, penetration, and missionary-sending countries withdraw from edu- planting of the first organized groups of converts, . cational and philanthropic work on the field and entirely under the wings of the mother churches throw the responsibility for these forms of service and under the almost exclusive leadership of the on the churches and governments on the various foreign missionaries. Forms of organization, fields? methods of work, supporting funds and leaders, Obviously, this question cannot be answered all have come from abroad.
categorically Yes, or No. The answer depends The second stage is one of national growth, the upon several factors, and no wise decision can be upbuilding of Christian churches, the development reached that ignores one or more of these factors. of a trained native leadership, the progress in The best answer will result from the careful con- self-support and the progressive transfer of resideration of combination of facts and experi- sponsibilities to them. Important steps towards ences. The main factors are: self-government culminate in the organization of (a) Conditions prevailing on the particular national churches.
field; The third stage, one that perhaps has not been (b) The degree to which evangelization has fully achieved on any mission field, is when the national churches assume complete responsibility, progressed; both financial and administrative, of the work and (c) Financial ability of the mission boards; they become in turn missionary churches, send (d) The real purpose of the missionary enter- out to evangelize other fields.
prise; Clearly it is not possible for the mission boards (e) Type of work that the institutions are ac- of the sending churches to think of throwing on tually doing.
There are some countries where educational, the national churches the responsibility for the hygienic and social conditions are primitive and institutions which they are unable to support, if where the people are still in a desperate need of the evangelization of the field is in its first stage help along these lines. The governments are or entering its second. The national churches either unable to take care of the people's intellec- must first assume responsibility for their own tual, physical and social needs or they lack a sense maintenance and their evangelistic work proper; of responsibility. The result is the abandonment if they succeed in this, then they may begin to of the people to illiteracy and misery. No Chris- accept full responsibility for the institutions.
tian mission or church would wish to confine Where this process of nationalization is under itself to purely preaching the Gospel while the way, the institutions are the last points from people are the prey of ignorance, disease and pov- which the mission funds are expected to be with- erty. Where these conditions prevail, as in parts drawn. Naturally the national churches cannot be of Africa, India and elsewhere, some form of expected to assume the support of the institutional work to relieve these conditions is imperative and work while the churches themselves are being SlJP- has no substitutes. We must not hesitate to make ported by the mission. The national churches will great sacrifices to minister to the needs of the not be able fully to take over the institutions until
SHOULD THE CHURCH DISCONTINUE INSTITUTIONAL MISSIONARY WORK?
the third stage is reached – if these institutions arated from the churches, leading their own life are to be continued in any effective way under and doing their own more or less secular work. church auspices. But many others insist upon the supreme impor- tance of evangelistic task of Christian institu- The financial status of the mission boards is an tions and cannot conceive of a missionary project essential factor to be considered. If the mission that does not seek to bring to the churches a receipts are down to that point where drastic re- harvest of "saved souls" or souls to be instructed ductions in the budget must be made and the in- and saved. The situation varies widely according stitutional work cannot longer be supported then to place and personnel. Many institutions, like the mission must withdraw. If there is any pos- the hospital at Miragi, India, and the Union Colsibility of turning over the institutions to other lege in Pyenyang, Chosen, actively engage in satisfactory agencies, the national churches should evangelistic work. Others are more secular in be given the first option, next the work may be character and outlook. Not a few have practically offered to some other responsible organizations or made their Christian character so abstract as to to the government. In any case, there must be be hardly distinguishable from wholly secular inthe assurance that the plants and equipment will stitutions. really be used for the good of the country and for the benefit of the more needy people. This is a sore point in the whole discussion of missionary work. A fair 9.istinction should be Perhaps it is too much, in many cases, to insist made, at the very start, between proselytizing and that their Christian character will be maintained. evangelizing. To proselytize is to be primarily in- terested in winning members from one particular But, in the whole problem, the essential and cen- religion, denomination or church to another, withtral purpose of Christian missions must be kept out regard to any vital change in faith and life. in view. This is the ultimate guiding principle To evangelize is so to preach Christ in word and and the supreme criterium for any change in mis- deed as to bring people to accept Christ as Saviour sionary service. Fortunately, this matter has re- and Lord, and His way of life as a daily path of ceived prayerful and earnest consideration lately, conduct. As to the best means by which to achieve although perhaps the outcome has not been always this supreme goal there is no uniformity of rule true to the New Testament standards. But the or opinion. It depends much upon the local situafact that it is a real concern to re-define, for our tion and the individuals with whom one comes in times, the supreme purpose of Christian missions, contact. Steadfastness of purpose is essential but is in itself gratifying. The writer of this article uniformity of method is as fatal to true evandoes not pretend to pronounce dogmatically on a. gelistic work as is the lack of aim and ideals. It question that is still keeping busy the best Chris- is certain that no Christian institution should tian minds of today, but it is necessary to give lower the central purpose or depart from the plan his own views if this discussion is to be clear and of all missionary work in the name and power of conclusive. Christ; otherwise it will lose its vision and de- pendence on the Spirit of God. The central purpose of Christian missions may be briefly stated as follows: The purpose of Chris- Non-cooperation with the national churches is tian missions is threefold in its active expression: another strong temptation of socially successful mission institutions. Some seem afraid that by (a) To preach the Gospel of God's redemptive disclosing their connection with the churches the grace in Jesus Christ; institutions will risk their prestige. It is not neces- sary, and may be even harmful, for these institu- (b) To cooperate in the upbuilding of an in- tions to be wholly subordinated to the churches. digenous educated Christian church; In most cases they should have their separate ad- ministration. But to part from the churches, re- (c) To serve this church and the people of the fusing to have anything to do with them, pn the land where it is established. pretext that success may be attained only in this way, is to pay a very high price for such success. The whole problem of institutional work should It has not been found necessary in America. Exbe kept under the spotlight of this one and three- perience shows that institutions committing themfold purpose. To what extent are Christian in- selves to this policy find it increasingly difficult stitutions faithful to it? What is the actual type to maintain their true Christian character; they of work being carried on by the institutions and are finally dragged down by the spirit of humanhow do they rate when measured with the yard- istic secularism. This at least can be strongly stick of the supreme purpose of Christ when He stated: no mission institution should allow itself founded missionary enterprise? to come to this self-defeating point of refusing to recognize its Christian character and purpose. Many believe that Christian institutions need to be Christian only in their inspiration and motive, but that they may refrain from becoming agencies to win others to Christ as Lord and Saviour. In order to avoid the charge of "proselyting" they are expected to keep themselves sep-
Every mIssIOnary institution should actively Christian boy or girl to get an education. The serve the churches and people in the country writer once visited a mission high school, finely where it is established. Duplication of govern- equipped and with excellent social prestige. When mental or private institutions should be avoided inquiring about the curriculum, the principal, in as far as possible. Instead of this, mission insti- all candor, informed him that their program was tutions should always be reaching out to unserved adjusted to similar schools in the United States, areas. In this work elaborate and costly plants as there were so many pupils from the British and may become a hindrance. Expensive plants then American colonies who wanted to secure credit become an end in themselves, and in order to keep for their studies when going abroad to college. them up, other important elements of the mission- The principal appeared to have given scarcely any ary program are sadly neglected. We should thought to the question as to whether this curnever forget that institutional plants are made riculum was the best suited for the needs of the for the missionary work and not the missionary nationals of tha't-.country. work for institutional plants. After all, to accomplish the primary task of serving Cnrist by Now we come back to the starting point in this helping the people of any country, it is not indis- discussion. Should mission boards, and the pensable, and not always desirable, to set up costly churches in the mission fields, plan to withdraw plants that in a time. of crisis and readjustment from their institutional work? An absolute anbecome veritable "white elephants." swer is not possible. We have tried to point out the factors which should be combined to make up As an illustration of what has been said above, the criteria under which the answer in each parthe complaint is heard from several fields that not ticular case is to be sought. In dealing with our a few of the "Christian" colleges "have estranged problem, we often come closer to the solution by themselves from the churches and the Christians reminding ourselves again and again of facts and and have become schools for the rich and socially principles we know but which we are apt to forelite, where it is practically impossible for a poor get or ignore.
The Challenge of the Philippines By the REV. NORMAN S. McPHERSON -tEl Vice-President of the Association of Baptists for Evangelism );.- in the Orient A FILIPINO high school senior who was work- many months had passed yielded his life for full- ing his way through school in Manila by time service and enrolled as a student in the laboring in a laundry was one day handed Institute. a tract in jest by a fellow workman. The tract was entitled, "Are You Born Again?" by Bishop This is but one of hundreds who have found J. C. Ryle. The message fell on good soil. At Christ through the varied ministries of the Assohis first opportunity the young man sat down and ciation of Baptists for Evangelism in the Orient. wrote a letter, addressing it to the Manila Evan- It is not too much to say that the Philippines congelistic Institute, publishers of the tract. He con- stitutes one of the most responsive harvest fields in fessed: "I am exactly the man concerned in your the world today. article." After mentioning some of his temptations and seeking advice he asked: "Am I eligible The Association of Baptists is an evangelical to be born again?" agency formed eleven years ago for the propaga- tion of fundamental Christianity – there is no As director of the Institute I replied to his let- other kind-in the Orient. Its activities thus far ter, arranging for him to come and see me. The have been confined to the Philippines, where it interview closed with both of us on our knees maintains two training institutes for Christian while prayer and surrender forged the link bind- workers in addition to a growing provincial work ing another soul to the Christ who once again extending from the northernmost Batanes Islands looked upon the travail of His soul and was satis- down to the Palawan group in the extreme south. fied. The young man began attending Sunday Millions of pages of gospel literature are printed services in the First Baptist Church, and. before on the mission press in Manila in both dialects and English every year. Through the evangelis-
THE NEED OF STUDENTS IN BRAZIL
tic efforts of itinerant gospel teams new churches angels in heaven found fresh cause for rejoicing are established and manned with graduates of in the 672 who found Christ in the opera house the training institutes. and on the street corner during those two weeks.
An indispensable means of evangelizing the While the Philippines constitute a striking op- Palawan group of some forty islands is the Gospel portunity by reason of the cordiality of the re- Ship, Fukuin Maru, formerly used by Northern sponse, the Association believes the time has come Baptists in the Inland Sea of Japan. Captain to expand beyond the confines of these islands, and Skolfield cruises from island to island with a thus fulfil the purpose for which the Association group of Filipino evangelists preaching the Gos- was originally chartered. A new field on the pel and rendering simple medical aid. Twelve island of Ceylon has recently been acquired, and churches have been established with over a thou- plans are now being made to release the Gospel sand members. One day a Moro asked the cap- Ship for a year's survey of New Guinea and other tain what to do for an aching tooth, to which the fields in the Dutch East Indies, many of which captain replied that it would be best to extract it. represent virgin soil. New Guinea is the second Whereupon the Morosaid: "All right, and as soon largest island in the world. Never has the inas you have stopped the ache be sure to put it terior been explored by white men except from back again!" the air. We must not, however, overlook the par- tial penetration in the region of the Fly River. The keynote of the Association of Baptists for Now that mining companies and scientific parties Evangelism in the Orient is, as its name suggests, are planning to exploit the island's natural reevangelism. All of its activities-whether preach- sources, it is believed the Church of Christ caning, teaching, housing students in dormitories, not afford to neglect the souls of the tribesmen in printing, broadcasting, street corner ministry, vis- the interior, many of whom are said to be headitation in hospitals and on ships, student center hunters and totally ignorant of the Gospel. activity-find their focus and impetus in that supreme objective. Every form of evangelism is Nothing short of prevailing prayer will release used to good advantage. At least two hundred the resources in men and money needed for such decisions for Christ a month ar.e made on one a gigantic undertaking. The newspapers recently street corner where student teams proclaim the announced that scientists of the Metropolitan Mu- Gospel six nights a week. During the eucharistic seum of Natural History of New York City expect congress that was held last year in Manila the to explore New Guinea this year with a $250,000 Association of Baptists rented the Manila Grand airplane. What will the Church of Christ do in Opera House for two weeks and brought Leland the face of those thousands who have never so Wang of Hong Kong as special speaker. The much as heard of Christ?
The Need of Students in Brazil –'11 By HAROLD A. COOK, Rio d, Janolto 1111– W E HAVE missions to the Indians, and ef- or after. Remember that he had lived ,his twenty- forts to reach the poor and teach the two years in another world, quite untouched by ignorant in Brazil. Evangelical colleges the Gospel, even though in a modern civilized city. reach a very limited .proportion of students; but On receiving a Testament, he said that he was the Teacher Training Schools, the medical, dental holding the Word of God in his hand for the first and law schoo!<s, and the academic class, as a time in his life. If you do not know who is the whole, present an untouched field, without any leading American jockey of today or the present special effort to evangelize them. They are com- heavyweight boxing champion a member of the paratively untouched. sporting fraterniity would say: "What astounding ignorance! Where have you been brought up?" The students are brought up in a Roman Cath- The pages of the newspaper to which sportsmen olic atmosphere; and a large number of them be- turn first, you do not even look at. The case is come formalis,ts or wander into the desert of the same with the majority of our academic stuagnosticism and scepticism. dents in Brazil. They have not come within a thousand miles of the Gospel, even though there A few months ago I met a college graduate who did not know whether Moses was before Christ
may be an evangelical church round the corner. 3. He would endeavor to keep himself informed The spirit of Christ requires of us, not that we concerning books suitable for his constit- uency and in keeping with the purpose of shall wait for them to come to us, but ,that we shall his mission, so that he could advise and guide go to them. The Good Shepherd went after the inquirers into profitable avenues of Christian lost sheep. literature. (A suitable magazine we already have–.:.viz., Sacra Lux.) A book talk might Brazil is nominally a Roman Catholic country, be the theme of one of his lectures. and for them the world is divided into Catholics and non-Caitholics. Hence many think of Prot- 4. He would make a speciality of personal interestants as in the same class with all the freak view by appointment; at these interviews he religions that have found their way into South could deal with intimate problems which America. Our task is to bring these people to the could not be handled at question time after living Saviour whom they have not so far discov- a lecture. ,While not evading the intellectual ered. side of such problems, he would stress the fact of Christ as the infallible solution to How can ,this be done for the academic classes? every problem, whether intellectual or moral. Not through invitations to our church services; for the large majority would not come. I suggest Doubtless there are many American and Engthree methods, each one dependent on the other; lish graduates who could ably occupy this p{)siefficiency requires all three, but a measure of suc- tion, but other things being equal, a Brazilian cess could be obtained with anyone alone. would be far more preferable. We have such a man. He is still on the youthful side of life, elo· 1. Well-bound Testaments and other suitable lit- quent in speech, attractive in personality, and well erature (well printed) sent through the post, educated, he everywhere gathers large audiences addressed to persons whose names could be of the intellectual class. The evening audience at obtained. The literature should not be sent his own church invariably includes a number of out in large numbers at one time. A safe the professional men of the city, as well as stu- number would be five. dents from the colleges. His book on "Christ as the Man of Sorrows" has gone into a second edi- 2. Personal work by church members who are tion. His pastoral duties prevent him from mak- themselves academics. Andrews should be ing frequent trips away from home, but those he on the lookout for Peters. has made have been crowned with success. The local churches will hire the cinema for a night, 3. A college graduate or university man could give and he will be advertised, not as a visiting pastor, his whole time as a missionary to academic but as an orator and an author. A subject such students. as "The Defects of the Human Will" provides ample opportunity to include the Gospel. Scores The firs.t method requires money and inside co- will attend such a lecture though they would not operation. The second requires men-and there go to a church service. After the leoture it is exare few church members among the academics; plained that owing to the expense of the cinema some who are there have not caught the vision of theater, one of the churches had been offered, and the harvest so near to hand. The third method re there the speaker of the evening could again be quires a specialist. He must have not only grace, heard. By this means many have been lead to but gifts also. If ithere were only one such spe- visit an evangelical church for the first time, and cialist, his work would have to be extensive; if have heard the full Gospel there. They discover there were more than one, their work could be that the Protestants are not as the priests have proportionately intensive. represented them. After the firs,t visit, the sec- ond is much easier, and they are on the way to What would be the work of such a missionary? find the light. I suggest the following main lines. Experience would probably indicate others: The academic class contains the future leaders of this progressive country. Here is a wor-th- 1. He would mix with academics as far as .time while work, which offers a fine opening for invest- and circumstances permitted, in order to ment, with guaranteed returns. make personal contacts. (These contacts would enable him to combine methods 1 and . Not only have we the man for the task, but we 2.) He would be careful not to disclose his also have an organization under whose auspioes he own denominational connection, because he could work and travel-viz., the Brazilian branch is not out ,to win men for his church, but for of the Committee of Cooperation in Latin Amer- Christ. ica, with offices at 254 Fourth Avenue, New York City. 2. He would embrace every opportunity to give addresses – not sermons – to audiences of academics only; these addresses would con- tain the hook of the Gospel, skilfully baited. At such gatherin~s he would invite questions.
B'ack. on Our Furlough*
By REV. RAY E. PHILLIPS, Johannesburg, South Africa Missionary of the American Board; author of "The Bantu Are Coming"
W E HAVE come back to South Africa laden It takes heroic leadership these days to compel with riches. Not in coin of the realm- attention to spiritual truth when the movies, the American or otherwise – but in friends, modern novel, the motor car, and the very air itfresh associations, and a better understanding of self, are agencies of such distracting, conflicting, our task. and competing appeals. It has been a frequent, Nine months of study have been immensely re- and thrilling experience to discover in various warding. We have become acquainted with the parts of the country churches which have evi- work of students of primitive cultures, as well as dently found the message and the methods for with that of research workers in modern indus- enlisting the joyous cooperation of young and old.
trial areas, and we have been assisted in looking There are people in our churches who are crit- at our task from new angles. ical of missions and say so quite frankly.
Mrs. Phillips and I have been privileged to "I have no time for missions," said a church meet with many young people at summer confer- member just before a church supper. "I have ences. What memories we have of companionship always questioned sending missionaries to people with high school and college boys and girls on col- who were perfectly happy in their own way, to lege campuses and at rallies and week-end confer- teach them to wear clothes, to eat our food, and, ences. in short, to bring all of the troubles and problems We have been given ample proof that some of of civilization to them. Wouldn't they really be the finest people in the world are to be found in better off without all these things 1"
the churches. We have been brought into close Statements of this sort are not only a confession contact with people whose names leap to mind of ignorance as to the actual, fear-ridden, soulwith a quickening of the heart-beat. We met destroying life of primitive peoples, but also a many devoted, intelligent, women scattered throughout the churches who are quietly, pa- curious admission that one's religion means little tiently, year after year, creating interest among more than food and clothing and the troubles of the indifferent, raising their quota for benevo- civilization! lences in spite of obstacles of all kinds, leavening the lump of more or less nominal church mem- Which introduces the question whether religious faith can be called "Christian" until it is so vital bership. and radiant that it overflows the bounds of one's We are back in South Africa with a new under- own family, church and nation to embrace all men everywhere 1 standing of the difficuties of the home pastor in America, and a deeper appreciation of the men As we look back on experiences in various cenwe have met in individual churches and at Con- ters, those which seem to have been the most references. Out in the Dust Bowl are men and warding were those where we had time really to women who would have been canonized had they get acquainted.
lived a few centuries back. And they are not all Conditions to Be Improved in the Dust Bowl, or in the smaller, rural Is there anything we have seen that we would like to see improved 1 We would prefer to dodge churches. this question were it not that one or two things In larger churches in the cities and towns, we have forced themselves quite definitely on our at- tention and are grateful for a chance to "off-load have sensed the steady, sacrificial giving of them- themselves," as we say in South Africa. selves on the part of pastors and their wives and the loyal church folk who stand by, all without First, my personal impression is that, in dealthe glamour surrounding missionary activity nor ing with young people, our church leaders are not the rewards and satisfactions that often come to concrete and personal enough when it comes to the worker in foreign lands.
• Condensed from The. Missionary Herald, religious experience. In spite of the ubiquitous [363 ]
insistence upon being realistic it seemed to me and are making Christian activity ultimately that it is almost entirely second-hand testimony meaningless. that is given out to the future members of the church. "Kagawa says-," "Stanley Jones Christ'~ insistence upon individual perfection says-," is about as far as many speakers get in -"Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is percommending the practice of Christianity. fect"-requires an eternity for its achievement. Belief in an eternity of existence in the realm of But I cannot escape the definite impression that an active, working God, one who is working speakers to young people and conference leaders against difficulties and who rej oices in the growth would rather do anything else than explain just of his children to share with him in his vast, coswhat Christ means to them. mic enterprise – this gives glorious meaning to life now. Is prayer a reality to them? Just what response do they receive from the Unseen God that deepens It validates and justifies the presence of probtheir conviction that they are on the right track? lems of increasing complexity in human life and Can they look back in their lives to any certain regards sacrifice and suffering as stepping stones time when they were certain that they were being to that finer type of manhood pre-requisite to guided by The Heavenly Father? emergence on a loftier plane of deity.
In short, is their faith something that they We must re-discover belief in Eternal Life on themselves have experienced, or is it a good phi- a new basis, not as "dope" but as "dynamite," losophy of life to be assented to intellectually as attaching permanent value to present-day spirethically sound. itual attainment, in order to inject fresh interest and more powerful incentive into Christian life On the occasions when I have suggested to and activity. Stripped of faith in the immorspeakers at summer conferences that they con- tality of the individual soul, how are we Christclude their talks with a personal testimony, noth- tians any better off in the matter of objectives ing has happened. than the Communists who are working for a righteous order here on earth and who have ex- In my seminar groups I have found that young ceeded the humanists in cleverness by making its people are hungry for an exchange of real, vital attainment lie just ahead-a few more five-year experience, and are grateful for personal confi- plans? dence on the part of the leader. With the background of belief in a Father God To my mind the main appeal of the Oxford who operates. in a universe so vast that he can Groups can be found right here. There is the utilize through the eternities that lie ahead, the ring of reality about their doing. One after an- potentialities latent in every individual on this other "Grouper" will say: "I have experienced-," small earth, this Christian task takes on added HI have been guided to-." radiance and significance.
Again, some churches and Christians seem to Even my black friends in Africa are seen to be be groping in a fog when it comes to a Christian of stupendous value; their future growth is of basis for missions or for Christian life at all these vital concern to all of us. We go gladly back to days. our work in that great land to bring the Good News to Bantu folk of their magnificent destiny Our fathers had a long-time objective, a heaven as sons of a Living God, and to help mold enof rest for the weary and of bliss for the suffer- vironing conditions which will help to develop ing, which put in proper perspective the inequali- that type of character which is essential to those ties and disabilities of earth and gave a sense of who would become "joint-heirs" of Christ. urgency to spreading the Good News. In the last ten years the American Bible Society Col- The whole idea of Immortality seems to have porteurs have sold eighty-five million copies of Scripture, become vague and indistinct, certainly it has small and .great. The Eastern Agency of the United ceased to have richness of content to many Chris- States showed last year an eighty per cent increase in the tians, many clergymen. Some of the younger purchase of whole Bibles. The Society put 35,000 Testachurch leaders are frank in admitting that Eter- ments into the Civilian Conservation Camps in 1933. One nal Life has no meaning for them. They say: agent and his colporteurs is working the little State of S·an Salvador on a house to house program, and expects "Why worry about it when there is so much to to cover the entire state in five years. Already they have be done in cleaning up this old world? Let us gone through 27 towns and 272 rural districts with a work for the coming of the Kingdom of God on population of 219,128. Gideons have placed Bibles in three earth." of the largest hotels of the City of San Salvador; also in those of Santa Ana and San Miguel. This is their first While agreeing as a social worker, that stu- placement by Gideons in Central America. pendous tasks remain to be undertaken to make society Christian, I cannot but feel, and with ERNEST GORDON. equal intensity, that without a long-range view of life as Eternal we are emasculating our Gospel
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II Effective Ways of Working Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO ~=I==============================~~~ PATTERNS TO FIT ANY A hymn, "Lead on 0 King She then calls on the entire membership to rise and take a PROGRAM Eternal," or "The Light of the World Is Jesus" may be used as pledge for cooperation and sup- Whether your organization is an opening. While the pianist port in every way, in order that planning to use the study topics the kingdoms of this world may or an independent outline as a plays suitable music softly, a basis for the year's programs, young woman in white, carrying become the Kingdom of our Lord plans to brighten up the topics and S a vi 0 u r, Jesus Christ. and also to mark certain out- a large candle, enters and is imstanding days and occasions in mediately followed by the six re- Leader declares the officers are the course of the yeftr are desir- tiring and six incoming officers, duly installed and a closing able, unless the work is to be- all bearing candles but with only prayer is offered before the parcome dull and unalluring save those of the former lighted. to those already interested in ticipants march out to the tune missions. Look through the fol- When the leader moves to the of "Fling Out the Banner." lowing suggestions, gathered right side of the table, the offifrom here and there, and see cers take their places in front of Another effective installation whether you may not find some the chairs, the two presidents usable program patterns. exercise is based on the plan of standing in the center, etc., in a wheel. Called to the front, the corresponding pairs. new president stands at the cen- ter with the other officers When all are in place, the around her to form the hub, the leader sets her large candle in circle chairman a few feet far- For Special Days and the center of the circle and re- ther out constituting the rim. Occasions cites impressively selected Scrip- These chairmen hold ribbons ex- ture passages regarding light, its tending to the president, to form Installation Services: With function in the City of the New the spokes. Then the installing new officers coming in at the be- Jerusalem, and our obligation to officer reads a choice statement ginning of the fiscal year, many extend this light to the non- as to God's mighty plan for His societies will welcome ways of Christian world, this being the work on earth necessitating hu- placing the mantle of responsi- occasion for the present recon- man activation, the Church bebility on the shoulders of the secration service. ing the chief instrument through leaders and rallying the mem- Next, the retiring president which this cooperation is accom- bership to get behind the work. places her candle on No.1 in the plished. Each machine has many An impressive service used for circle and recites, "The Lord is wheels, each one has its place the Young People's Department my light and my salvation," ad- with its specific work to be faith- of the M. E. Women's Foreign dressing the incoming president fully and steadily done. The so- Missionary Society first sets its as to her duties and responsi- ciety (whatever organization is stage with 12 chairs in a semi- bilities. The latter lights her giving the program) is one very circle back of a table on which candle at the large central taper important wheel in the local a circle 18 inches in diameter and placing it in the circle on church unit, the officers before has been marked, 12 numbers No.7, recites, "They that wait the audience being a most re- being marked thereon at regular upon the Lord," etc. sponsible portion. "This wheel intervals so the officers may see The retiring president steps before us has 10 spokes, a frame- just where to place their candles. back a pace while the leader calls work as you see, each one the Instead of, or with, the candles, the first vice-presidents, the pro- chairman of a group which in- a cape of white with a cross of cedure for the two presidents cludes you and me. There must blue may be worn on the left being duplicated, with new be an ever-widening-out in shoulder of each retiring officer, verses. In similar fashion each hearty cooperation, the whole and taken off and put on the set of officers takes part, until circumscribed by the rim of officer succeeding her at the all are in position. The leader united cooperation. The wheel moment when she is installed. faces the (inner) circle of offi- must be oiled, kept clean and Headbands of white with blue cers and calls on them to repeat free from rust, have perfect bal- cross in front may be worn by the pledge for faithful discharge ance, do its work in harmony all. of duties, as she lines it out. with other wheels, avoid fric- [365 ]
tion, and be repaired from time N. J., tells of the meeting place praise the Lord," and "Come to to time by the One who regulates the whole (Jesus Christ)." A arranged as the waiting room of the Y. W. A. meeting of Praise consecration hymn and prayer follow. a railway station, "Division of and Thanksgiving, at" (date The Annual Meeting: Much our Great Baptist National and and place). tact and endeavor are usually necessary to lighten the heavy International Railways." There A very charming plan, as details and make the service attractive. Church Business re- were reports. from the secretary, given in the Baptist mimeoports this one, as used in a church at Medina, Ohio: The the treasurer and the corre- graphed sheet, Program Pointprogram sheet was headed: sponding secretary-who arrives ers, describes a pot of gold "ON BOARD THE GOOD SHIP on a late train preceded by "red (brass bowl filled with orange 'FIRST CHURCH,' IN PORT AT caps" carrying her luggage, etc. flowers) on a table decorated MEDINA FOR ITS 115TH ANNUAL Around the room was a maga- with rainbow colors, seven gold MEETING ON . . . . . . (DATE AND zine stand displaying the denom- paper streamers leading into it. HOUR) ." inational magazine and reading Seven participants, each with a Order of the Day- contest books; travelers' aid crepe paper sash representing a (a) Hear the reading of the Ship's log for 1938 (nominating (White Cross work for mission'-. rainbow color, stand together committee's report). hospitals) ; tickets (the new gift with a silver box in one hand (b) Transact business and make necessary repairs while Ship boxes); information booth (new and the end of one of the gold is in dry dock. literature), etc. Girls of a junior streamers in the other, singing (c) Set it afloat for 1938-39 with all good wishes. organization served as red caps "There's a Rainbow Shining (d) Election of new officers for the or helpers. Certain reports are Somewhere," the audience join- Ship (clerk and tellers). received as telegrams by girl in ing in the chorus. (This can be (e) Assembling of Officers and Sail- ors on Upper Deck-special messenger's cap. The Prayer obtained in sheet music from the music on ship-board. (Gath- ering for church dinner.) Committee reports on the Source Rodeheaver Co., Philadelphia.) (f) "All Aboard!" of Power. The Scriptures were One by one these seven persons The Ship's Mess-the Stewardess and used as "running orders." Post- take part, each holding up her Helpers (dinner at 6: 30 p. m.) . ers told of house parties to be box as she speaks. Calling of Crew together for the An- nual Session. held in summer (missionary (1) Violet stands for Faith, (a) Devotions and prayer for safe conferences). There was a without which we cannot fill our return ….. the Chaplain. lunch ro?m glee club, and. after silver offering boxes. (b) Reading of the Ship's Log ….. the meetmg t~e membershIp fol- (2) Indigo stands for Hope, the Captain. lowed the SIgn to the ~unch and without hope for the future (c) Recognition of the Crew (pas- counter w her e sandWIches, we shall not have the inspiration toral committee, trustees- who keep Ship afloat; mis- doughnuts. and co f fee. were needed to fill the boxes. sionary committee – who di- rect its course to faraway served. Fmally the trll;m an- Similarly there are repre- parts; the men – "who lie down below, below"; the nounce; called, the. trams. on sented Blue for Joy, Green for choir-who keep us joyful; tracks 35 ,~nd 36, w~~h ,~tah?ns the S. S. – that makes good sl:1ch " a~ .Harm?n~;" AmIty- Brotherliness, Yellow for Pa- sailors; the young people– v~lle,', FrI~~dshIr,,, Opportu- who will be officers some day; mty and SerVICe, ~nd the tience, Orange for Loyalty, Red the scouts-who are at your for Sacrifice. "We put these service). boxes in the Rainbow Pot of The Purser's Report (treasurer). newly elected officers (mstalled silver; but if given with our by the p,~stor) left ~y t~e door Faith, Hope, Joy, Brotherliness, Report of Keeper of Records (clerk). marked To the Trams. etc., they will surely come from Three Cheers for the Old Crew-the *** Stokers and All. the Pot of Gold transformed into Launching of the Ship for Another Thanksgiving and also the golden gifts ready to lift the Voyage (announcement of new officers) . annual Thank Offering Meeting burden of our denomination and Ports Ahead ("What I'd like to see are high lights deserving special worthy of the 'Well done' of the Ship do this year," and "Where the Ship might go"). features. A poster suggestion our Master." Then followed a "Blest Be the Tie that Binds." for advertising a young wom- song specially composed for the Benediction. an's meeting (in The Window occasion.
*** of Y. W. A.) showed two young A good devotional for a Another plan used by Mrs. women standing at opposite Thanksgiving meeting uses a A. H. C. Morse, of Jersey City, sides of the page, the one on the Scriptural acrostic. After open- left carrying a basket of goodies ing remarks on the special occa- labelled as petitions for things sion, say, "Let us think for selfishly desired, with a very awhile of the letters in the word few labelled "Thank you." The T-h-a-n-k-s-g-i-v-i-n-g that are girl on the right held a basket of also the first letters of the words delectables labelled for things that cause our hearts to be for which she was grateful. Both thankful" : baskets were extended as if be- T-ruth, Psalm 117: 2; H-ope, ing offered up to God. Blessings Psa. 39: 7; A-bide, John 15: 10; poured in a shower on the girl N-ame, Luke 8: 30a; K-now, at the right, the words under- Luke 19: 43; S-ee, Psa. 65: 5a; neath being, "0 that men would G-race, Acts 11: 23a; I-ncline,
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Josh. 24: 23; V-oice, 1 Cor. 14: Seat. Once more we are re- member of the several women's 10; I-ncrease, Provo 9: 9b; minded that out of one blood boards, thus acquiring a knowl- N-ew, Rev. 21: 5a; G-o Forward, God hath made all nations of edge of missionaries under Ex. 14: 15. We can "Go For- men, and that all may come to world-wide conditions. For 25 ward" on deeds of mercy and Him with their burdens and years she was Methods Editor love, after this service, and so cares. of Missions and wrote missionfind happiness in things to be ary leaflet literature, pamphlets thankful for. Sing, "Count And now as the day lengthens and pageants. In 1932 she be- Your Many Blessings." A brief toward the setting sun, the West- gan to edit this Department in talk follows each letter in this ern Hemispheres take up the the REVIEW. Mrs. Aitchison acrostic. – Adapted from World strain – from pole to pole, in hopes, after a period of rest, to Comrades. many tongues-Spanish or Por- take up writing and speaking tuguese, Alaskan or French, again. Outstanding Features for English or Indian, we lift our Any Meeting hearts and voices to the God of Miss Grace McGavran Nations, who is the God of the Takes Hold A Diurnal Cycle of Prayer, as individual too, and pray for perused at a Presbyterial group sonal and civic righteousness- As we bid farewell to Mrs. meeting, may be incorporated "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will Aitchison, we welcome to our into any program as its devo- be done." editorial staff Miss Grace W. tional, or used on the Day of McGavran of Indianapolis, In- Prayer. Another name for it is "Prayer in the land of the fir tree and diana, who will become the Ed- "A Prayer Quest" : pine; itor of this Department. She is a member of the "Disciples" Out on the wide Pacific where Prayer in the land of the fig tree Church and has had wide and East meets West, this day's peti- valuable experience in writing tions are borne. Faraway Japan and vine; and in promoting better and hears the call to prayer and more effective methods of pre- Christians, both white and yel- Prayer where the waves dash loudly senting missions to groups of low, gather and bow the knee Christians at home. to the same Father. Our own and cold; hearts but echo the terror and She was brought up in India appeal in theirs, as they see that Prayer where the lion stalks fearless and later was a secretary of Misfair land following the god of sionary Education in the United War. and bold; Christian Missionary Society. Her first contribution will ap- Swiftly the hours move west- Prayer in cathedrals whose spires pear in our September number, ward and soon the call to prayer dealing with "Tested Methods resounds across the far East, in tower high; for Increasing Interest at Home" Korea and Siam, in Cambodia -through books, enlisting new and Anam, and in war-torn Prayer in kirks and cabins close by; members, improving missionary China. Thousands lift up their meetings, drama and other pracvoices to Almighty God in a na- Prayer where two are gathered to tical plans. She will keep in tion-wide cry for peace and mind the interests and needs of safety. pray; , pastors, teachers and parents, as well as those of officers of local Christians all over India join Everywhere, everywhere, prayer to- societies and laymen. We bewith us and with each other to speak for Miss McGavran your plead with the God of nations to day." hearty cooperation. If you have lead them to the right solution any problems or questions along of their internal difficulties. Mrs. Aitchison Retires these lines, or any experience or ideas that have proved effective The sun moves on over the After editing this department in promoting missionary inter- Near East and bathes the ancient on "Effective Ways of Working" est and cooperation, send them land of Iran and the Hqly to Miss Grace McGavran, 5718 Land of sacred Writ ……… . for nearly seven years, Mrs. Es- Oak Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana. (add a suitable complete statement) . tella S. Aitchison feels it neces- EDITOR., sary to retire. Health needs to Day dawns in Russia, but we be conserved, and other respon- Yesterday evangelism was vodo not find Christians gathering sibilities call for attention. We in churches to pray together. . . join with the readers of this De- cational; today it is avocational. so in humble homes behind partment in deep gratitude to locked doors . . . Mrs. Aitchison for the faithful Yesterday it was perennial; to- way in which she has presented As the hours fly swiftly by, the methods that have been of day it is only seasonal. Yesterwe see the blacks in Africa by help to many in the churches. the thousands, and Christians in day it was victorious; today it every country in Europe, meet- Mrs. Aitchison was born in ing around a common Mercy Iowa, and from an early age has is simply visitational. – W. G. been identified with church mis- Coltman. ' sionary organizations. She was married to Dr. John Y. Aitchi- son, a Baptist. minister, who subsequently became joint secre- tary for Baptist Home and For- eign Mission Societies, later Home Secretary for the Baptist Foreign Mission Society, and finally General Director of the Baptist Board of Missions Cor- poration. Mrs. Aitchison shared his rich missionary experience in the pastorate and served as BULLETIN Council of Women for Home Missions EDITED BY MISS EDITH E. LOWRY, 297 FOURTH AVENUE, NEW YORK, N. Y.
~,==================~ THE CHURCH IN THE CITY in which his Church is to face CITY MAN. Charles H. Sears. Friend- the city or the extent to which '.". ship Press, New York. Cloth, Where do the greatest number hI·S. Chu'rch'~s t a 11 ow t h.e C' tI.y TH$E1.50C;ROpWaDpEeDr, 7W5AcYeSn.ts. Charles H. of Americans live? How much do they know about their en- 0 vironment? How do they earn to mfluence It. Not only IS thIS Sears. Friendship Press New their living? What do they theme for study exceedingly York. Board, 35 cents; pS:per, 25 really get out of life? What part has the Church in influencing tsi.mmce~lry~, bCuh.trIi.St ti·~sanesms. enhtiI'a~l pfroerst~hnet CITcMYenutrsAr.aNyD HC. HLUeRiCffHer. INWTilRleAtNt,SICTIlOarNk. this life in all its varied aspects? partIclpatIOn m Amerlcan hfe. & Co., 1938. $2.50. What part ought the Church to have? All groups whether urban or OUR CITIES: THEIR ROLE IN THE ~A- ·11 fi n' d the S.t ud~ st·lmu- TtiIcOsN, AgLraEpChOs,NOcMhaYr.ts, Hetecl.pfuFl osrtastaIsle- These and many other ques- ru~a1, W tions await answer or stimulat- I ing discussion and enlightenment latmg. Those who hve m large by the Superintendent of Docuin the study of the Home Mis- cities are the subject under con- ments, Washington, D. C. 70 cents. sion Theme for 1938-39 on "The sideration. Those in smaller CITY CHURCH INVENTORY. A brief Church in the City." Follow- ~l·t·les or t owns h. ave some S.lm- mapapnruaaisletoitshelilpfe aanndavseerravgicee.chuPrrcohing the study of last year on Ilar problems or may face them cure from Home Missions Council, the "Church in Rural America" it is appropriate to give equally later. Those in rural areas de- 297 Fourth Avenue, New York. studious attention to the exceedingly challenging city situation. pend upon cities for the pattern 10 cents. Those who fail to take advantage of modern 1I·v·mg. All wh0 be- CO2L1L,IER1S938M. AGAAZrItNicEl.e oIsnsue"Shooft-MGuany long to the Church face the Houses."
Christianizing of the city as a What You Can Do with common task.
Resources Available These Materials As an individual in a number of this opportunity will be losing The Missionary Education of ways you can help to inform a valuable and helpful personal Movement of the United States yourself, your Church and your experience, and will be failing and Canada presents again this friends outside the Church, so as to measure up in their obliga- to profit by these materials. Few year a number of books and lead- city people know their own city, tions to the Church in its major and few realize how important Home Mission task today. ers' guides which will make it a knowledge of the city is in pro- possible for every type of age or moting the City Church. If you The city is a part of a great interest group to outline a course can first increase your own change in trend in American for study or to build programs knowledge and then arouse an which will bring keen interest interest in others by the added life. "In a little more than a and value. Although most of facts you have acquired you will century, our country has pro- the women's groups or mixed be taking an important first step foundly altered its mode of life, adult groups will give major in advancing this program. emphasis to the adult book by and has been transformed from Dr. Kincheloe, leaders will find Some significant facts put a frontier settlement into a full- much valuable reference mate- upon striking posters; some fledged urban, industrial so- rial in all of the books published. graphs or some important staciety." In the June REVIEW Book De- tistics; a map showing different partment will be found a list of population areas in your city; "City Man" has not been pre- books recommended by Dr. the housing situation; the depared for the growth of his city Charles H. Sears of interest to linquency record; the welfare in all of its marked variations. those studying the Church in program; any of these linked up the City. In addition we note wherever possible with the He finds it difficult to adjust here a few additional source ma- Church of your city in its coophimself to the changed and terials that have seemed to us eration, or its lack of cooperachanging environment. Who valuable for reference: tion, may attract the attention of some one and lead to an really is his neighbor becomes a THE CITY'S CHURCH. H. Paul Doug- inquiry concerning the source of question that he himself is baf- lass. Friendship Press, New York. fled in answering. And of ever- Cloth, only 35 cents. increasing importance to him, if he is a church member – not merely on the membership list, but in active service-is the way [368 ]
BULLETIN: COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
your information. If all that For program building for conferences that should lead to a World Federation of Churches. you can do is to read and have women's or you n g people's Secondly, it seeks to renew someone else read these thought- groups there is also adequate the passion that has fired the Christian Church through the provoking books, you have material on the city theme for ages to send forth laborers into all areas of need. Personal conachieved a first goal. many use s. Denominational tacts and messages from our own missionaries and from those But this first step might well headquarters will give you sug- of other races reveal again the lead to the organization of a gestions and will have series of need of a redeeming Saviour. group for more intensive study. programs outlined for your use. It ought to. If so, the group will If you cannot find already out- A balanced program not only be glad not only to work for lined just what seems to meet stretches the mind and gives their own advancement, but they the need of your group, we refer world vision, but attacks the will assist you in bringing to the you again to the above list of concrete problem of how to proentire congregation the results references. From the leaders' ject this vision into the local of your work together. For guides you may select what will church. This year the challenge group study, refer to the lead- appeal to your group. Dr. of India and the miracle of what ers' guides noted above. You Searle's book "City Shadows" is happening to one-sixth of the will find in them many helpful will be sure to find among all a people on the opposite side of the suggestions. If you have a sympathetic response. Anyone globe, will be paralleled by a group to assist you, there might of these chapters will give back- course on how the Church may be produced a more informing ground for a most stimulating make the Kingdom of God efmap of your city. It might be discussion which will make an fective in a modern American started in one session and grow excellent program. city. Instruction on how to profrom session to session. Begin- The City Church in America mote these courses and how to ning with the central area in should be awakened not only to arouse the Church to an urgent your city which will be first geo- thought but to action by the need for action, is essential. graphically and historically, you home mission study for this can ,work out until you have put year. Those who have prepared The third objective of a suminto the map all of the features the materials have done a note- mer conference is the social felof special concern to your group. worthy service. It remains for lowship. In the renewing and It will be found that the general those who have the privilege of forming of new friendships with pattern of city life is similar for using them and of urging others those of like interest and pasdifferent cities in different parts to use them to make the best of sion we find a stimulus to greater their opportunities. May the service. of the country. Many subjects will present "Church" and the "City" profit In the Bible and devotional themselves for discussion or de- in large measure and may the hours, prophets of today will bate. Interesting assignments Kingdom be advanced by this present the Living Christ who, can be made to individuals with- program! as in the days when He walked NONA M. DIEHL, and talked with men, remains in the group from the wealth of today the only hope of a tangled Member of the Annual Meeting world. Only as our hearts burn books and pamphlets available. Committee of the Council of within us will women attending Women for Home Missions. summer conferences find a cre- In a discussion of the city ative faith equal to the mission- Church itself and its present ary task of the Church.
purpose and function a good OBJECTIVES OF A SUM- B. LoUISE WOODFORD, method will be found in the leaders' guide to Dr. Kincheloe's MER CONFERENCE Chairman of the Chautauqua Com.mittee for the Council of book by Kenneth D. Miller. It "Did not our hearts burn with- Women for Home Missions and the Foreign Missions Conwill be agreed that the pattern in us as He talked with us." ference.
of the average city Church Thus spoke two weary, disillu- CONFERENCE LEADERS!
should no longer provide chiefly sioned, discouraged men who Having studied Rural America, leaders will find knowledge of migrant work an infor a Sunday morning service. had found a dynamic faith that dispensable springboard connecting Rural America with the American City and its Neither should the Neighbor- sent them out to help change a Church. Conference Packets have been ashood House, built up chiefly . world. The summer missionary sembled for the use of leaders, including the booklet They Starve that We May Eat; a around group activities, be al- conferences plan to bring to Leader's Guide to be used In connection with They Starve that We May Eat; an Illuslowed to take the place of the women today, who also live in a trated map; A Volume of Service,' Around the Calendar with the Crops; and other Church. Mr. Miller presents in weary, disillusioned world, a valuable material all for the price of 60 cents. Write to the Council of Women for the last two sessions of his out- faith that will dare the impos- Home Missions, 297 Fourth Avenue, New York, N. Y., or your denominational headline a constructive plan for dis- sible. quarters for the packet.
cussing the place and function First it seeks to clarify the of the Church in the modern place of the ongoing Christian city. The Church should not Mission of the Church amid the duplicate other city service movements that threaten the activities, but it must become democratic ideals of Christiancivic-minded. It must not only ity. It presents the urgent need elaborate its policy but rethink of a united Christian front and its philosophy. the attempt made in recent
World~wide
A Missionary Newspaper of Current Events ~~ EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO "
~'I=·================I~ ISLANDS OF THE PAOIFIO ment and plaster work. The about to devour Jesus. Numer- Ways of Working in building will accommodate 1,000 ous caricatures of God, the Pope, the Philippines people. It will be cruciform in ,,..priests, ministers and rabbis Filipino Christian workers emphasize the personal touch, shape, with a bell tower and were included. The crusade and recognize the value of Christ-like living. One of them cross, a concrete base, raised against the Roman Catholic writes: altar and choir stalls, over which Church in Mexico was portrayed "We have tried to meet individuals at the most opportune there will be a Gothic arch. with numerous pages from time here and there, in our homes or theirs, on the street, in Spotlights will be used to illu- school books. Communism, the market, in the stores, in their places of work in the town or minate the choir, altar and fascism and totalitarianism were country. We have met people on all sorts of occasions, at electric organ chamber. All fur- also featured as enemies of weddings, funerals, receptions, parties, birthday celebrations, nishings will be of redwood to Christianity. In the German fiestas, social functions, recreation times – wherever a word resist white ants, which de- section, newspapers and pamcould be said to turn attention to Christ and the Church. stroyed the old church. phlets set forth the German "Many of our best members -Pacific Islands Monthly. Neo-Pagan Movement. One have been won by following up the faithful work of teaching the pamphlet, w h i c h emphasized Gospel in the Sunday Schools. Much good has been accom- Australian Youth Oalling anti-Semitism, was entitled, plished through the use of tracts. "Jesus-Only a Jew." Also, the traveling clinics have Ninety thousand Australian proved powerful evangelizing Christian Endeavorers have in- An hour in this exhibition was agencies. A doctor, a nurse, two deaconesses and two helpers vited other Endeavorers from a sobering experience. It is now comprise such a team. Two all nations and tongues to meet weeks as a rule are spent in a in Melbourne on August 2', 1938, on a tour of schools, colleges and town. The days are given to the healing of men's bodies, while for the Tenth World's Christian patriotic societies throughout the evenings are devoted to Endeavor Convention. Here is health talks and messages which one of the youngest nations call- the country as an evidence of the point them to the Great Physician who is able to heal their ing Christian youth of all na- extent to which anti-religious souls. propaganda will go when given Portable Ohurch license. -Missions. A church, to be shipped in sections to Nauru Island, in the tions to meet for an advance. Juvenile Delinquency Central Pacific, has been built Australia is a great, largely unin Melbourne, Australia. Wood, The New Jersey Juvenile Decement and fibrous plaster are developed continent about as linquency Commission has just the main materials. They were large as China or as the United submitted a report to the Govpaid for with £3,000 subscribed ernor, in which it is shown that by the Nauruans, who will erect States of America – but it now failure to attend church and a the church and complete the ce- contains only about 4,000,000 lack of religious training has a people-mostly white.
NORTH AMERIOA direct bearing upon the problem An Anti-God Show of juvenile delinquency and crime. In their search for causes An unusual exhibition was re- and cures, the Commission inter- cently held in New York City, viewed 1,500 offenders serving sponsored by the Roman Cath- terms in four penal institutions, olic Church. It featured more inquiring into their home rela- than 2,500 books, pamphlets, tionships, school experiences, magazines, handbills, posters church attendance and other and other anti-God propaganda factors. In the findings of the material. Three years were re- Commission we read: quired to assemble this array, "Though the great majority including a number of bitterly of the mothers and fathers of anti-religious posters from Rus- these offenders attended some sia. church, according to the testi- One poster showed a Russian mony of their sons, regular at- peasant with a gigantic broom tendance was far less common sweeping away Bibles, ikons, in- among the sons themselves. cense burners, etc. Another "Of the mothers, 80 per cent showed a group of cannibals were declared to be regular in [370 ] attendance, and 65 per cent of object was to examine personal fect would check the spread of the fathers. No fewer than 43 lives in the light of God's truth false political systems. Said per cent of the offenders gave a and God's commands, so that we she: blunt 'no' with respect to their should heed Him when He own attendance, and enough speaks. "The Christian world has paid tribute to the witnessing of the more returned equivocal answers "As soon as the term began German church and its pastors to bring the number of irregular the program was sent to every against Hitler. We know what attendants up to 53 per cent. resident member of the Univer- Christianity means to those peo- Thus, only 47 per cent claimed sity-both senior and junior- ple now. I would like to know some 6,000 people. Together what it meant to them at an any regularity of attendance." with it was an open letter from earlier date. What were they the three missioners stating the doing when Hitler was rising to Is New York Pagan? case for such a mission and power? What was the Church emphasizing their own unity of doing? What was the Y. W. The City of New York, with conviction." C. A. doing? Was there a time when the united action of Chrisits 7,500,000 inhabitants, has -Intercollegian and Far tian forces could have averted H.orizons. Naziism? Is not that where we 1,074 Protestant churches, with are today? … Preaching Mission Continues 554,000 members. Thus only "This is not an easy time to In spite of the fact that the be a Christian. We are faced seven per cent of the population National Preaching Mis s ion with the problem of putting ended last December, the impulse Christianity into practice in an is reported as having member- continues, of which the latest in- age characterized by a meaning- dication is the decision of the lessness that is terrifying, by an ship in Protestant churches of North Dakota Association of insecurity that breeds fear and Denominational Superintendents drives us to unreasoning action the American metropolis. Of to conduct a state-wide mission when the securities we set up in the autumn of 1938. The for ourselves prove vulnerable." these members less than forty plan has been endorsed by the state organizations of the Meth- -Religious News Service. per cent indicate that they at- odist, Baptist, Congregational and Presbyterian bodies. Six Presbyterian Centennial Fund tend church and only two per missions will be held in six dif- ferent centers of the State- A year ago the Presbyterian cent, on an average, will be Grand Forks, Devil's Lake, Board of Foreign Missions, cele- Minot, Fargo, Jamestown and brating one hundred years of found in Christian churches on Bismarck. service, set a goal of $1,000,000 to be raised for foreign missions. anyone Sunday. There are 194,- Nine missions have been held The Fund has now passed the at different centers in Maine, half million mark. In view of 000 on the rolls of the Sabbath four days being spent in each the sudden and unexpected place by the group of cooper- financial "recession," the Board schools, or about two per cent ating leaders; 141 local churches considers it a matter for thank- of 10 denominations cooperated fulness that this much has been of the population. This shows and the total attendance in the accomplished. It has been voted nine missions was approximately to approve the following per- New York to be one of the great 18,000. One of the practical out- centage allocation of this Fund: comes of the Maine Mission was non-Christian centers of the the decision to hold a state con- I. New Missionaries …… 600/0 vention of the pastors of all II. Restoration of Salary Cuts 200/0 world and one of the places denominations next fall for wor- III. Evangelistic Expansion. 11 0/0 ship, to plan the year's program IV. Educational and Medical greatly in need of evangeliza- and to promote interdenomina- tional comity and understanding. Expansion ……….. 80/0 tion. -Revelation. V. Other Urgent Needs …. 10/0 -Federal Council. Christian Evangelism Pioneer Among the Pimas in Colleges Fresh Dynamic Needed This year marks the hun- Twenty universities in the Mrs. Austin Kimball, national dredth ann i v e r s a r y of Dr. United States are planning president of the Y. W. C. A., in Charles H. Cook, who for thir- "Christian Missions" during the her opening address to the 2,000 teen years worked among the next college year. The report of delegates to the organization's Pima Indians of Arizona witha "Mission to the University at 15th biennial convention, in Co- out a single convert, but lived Oxford, England," meeting last lumbus, Ohio, last April, said to see 2,000 of them accept February, will help to clar- that Christian ideals put into ef- Christ. Not far from where he ify the thought of those who first taught stands the First plan these missions in America. Presbyterian Church of Tucson, We quote from this report: "It was decided that what was needed was a clear and unequivocal declaration of the one eternal Gospel. The essential thing for a Christian university, now so largely oblivious of its Christian origin, is to be clear about what Christianity is. …
"The preparation began publicly at the beginning of last October, and since then weekly services of prayer have been held. In all the twenty-eight colleges there were meetings of small groups of Christian leaders, for prayer and study. The
a memorial to this "apostle to damaged. Last April the Church Scofield, the report says: "Only the Pimas." From this center have sprung up seven other filed claims against the Japanese recently has it taken the whole churches which serve a population of 6,000 Indians. They are government for this damagE;, and question of church development strategically located over an area about the size of Connecti- for the use of its property for seriously: in the past it has been cut. war purposes. The lowest esti- confent simply to preach and to Through Dr. Cook's influence a training school for Indians was mate of the damage sustained is pass on." founded in 1911. All the native evangelists now at work on the $500,000. That is to say, more impor- Pima, Papago, Maricopa and Apache fields are former pupils This appeal to Secretary of tance is being given to the mainof the Charles H. Cook Bible School. There are also many State Hull is the first to be made tenance of a settled ministry. others who are Sunday School teachers, choir directors and officially by a Church board. The book's statistics show that exemplary citizens in their home communities. Pimas have sent Other denominations have con- the total number of evangelical forth their missionaries to the Papagos, the Apaches (their sidered such action, but so far Christians in the one republic ancient enemies) and to others u n til the establishment of none have been made. of Guatemala is almost equal to Christian citizenship among the 18 tribes of Arizona is one great '~–the total number of the other enterprise. LATIN AMERIOA four republics combined. -Monday Morning. Training Porto Rican Youth – Watchman-Examiner. China Relief Organizations A Training School for Sunday Indians' Search for God The following agencies in School teachers and officers in America have been at work the three Presbyterian churches The South American Missionhelping China's distress: The of Mayaguez, P. R., was held ary Society has been engaged American Bureau for Medical recently, with an attendance of for nearly a century in the diffi- Aid to China; the American 65. The courses included: Sur- cult task of taking the Gospel to Red Cross; American Student vey of the New Testament, the Indians of that continent. Union; Associated Boards for Teaching P rim a r y Children, One piece of pioneer work in the Christian Colleges; China Emer- Story Telling, History of the Argentine Chaco has been regency Civilian Relief; China Bible and Methods of Teaching. markably successful. About Famine Relief, U. S. A., Inc.; Almost all who took the courses seven years ago, Toba Indians China War Relief Association; were young people. Specific sent a deputation to the Mission, Chinese Women's Relief Asso- problems of the field were dis- asking for a teacher and saying ciation; Federal Council of cussed, and a spirit of enthu- that they were in search of "Our Churches; International Stu- siasm was manifest. Father." Mr. Leake accepted dent Service; National Intercol- the challenge, prepared to graplegiate Christian Council, the In Porto Rico, where there are ple with the difficult language, National Student Federation of more children in Sunday School and in November, 1930, launched America and the various Church than in any Spanish-speaking the new undertaking. During boards having work in China. country, there are thirty Pres- the intervening years, there has Send your gift to any of these. byterian Young People's Socie- been a steady stream of converts, ties, with nearly 1,200 members. corporate church life has been Other groups whose only ac- Three district Unions hold quar- established, and the singing of tivity is raising funds for relief hymns has now superseded the include the International Mis- terly Conventions; once a year incantations of the witch-doctor. sionary Council, China Child Before the advent of the mission- Welfare and China Medical all assemble in one general Con- ary, the Tobas were a dying race, Boards. vention. At the last such meet- but medical service has effec- ing, those in attendance were tively arrested a mounting Damage Claims Against divided into three groups for death-rate. Furthermore, total Japanese discussion of the "Youth and illiteracy, which originally pre- Spiritual Emphasis Program of vailed, has largely been over- Of Southern Methodist prop- the Board of Christian Educa- come. erty in China, 24 buildings are tion." This proved to be more said to be in ashes and 98 per stimulating than the usual pro- A striking feature of the work cent of the remainder have been gram of speeches. is the self-appointment of twelve Indian evangelists who, on their Religion in Central America own initiative, determined to go out each Sunday afternoon into The World Dominion Press the villages and preach the Gos- has added to its numerous sur- pel. Before setting out, it is veys of mission fields one on their practice to meet in a small Central America. One finds prayer-hut, where they seek from this survey that "there is guidance and plan their itiner- less educational activity in Cen- ary. Results everywhere follow tral America in proportion to their preaching, and their ex- evangelistic enterprise than is ample has led to the erection of general in the larger Latin other prayer-huts. American republics." -The Christian. Of the Central American Mis- sion founded in 1890 by Dr. C. 1.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
North Brazil Evangelical tional) received an additional so prevalent among Christians is Seminary faithless and unreasonable. . . . income of over 17,000 pounds, Two years ago a group of and came within some 8,000 Religion is a natural instinct. Deworkers in North Brazil unani- pounds of wiping out its accu- generate people will have a degenerate mously agreed that the solution mulated deficiency of 76,000 religion. If Christianity becomes exto their problem was an inter- pounds. The Baptist Society tinct for want of teachers, the Holy denominational Bible School for finished with a heavy' deficit of Spirit will take care of the Church. the training of Brazilian work- Church history has shown us again ers. As the months passed, one 13,000 pounds. Through be- and again that the blood of the mardifficulty after another was re- tyrs is the seed of the Church. I think moved, and the Union Bible quests the C. M. S. received the Church was probably at its purest School became an established 98,000 pounds, the Bible Society during the persecutions which weeded fact. A spacious house was 68,000 pounds, and the London out the insincere and the half-hearted; Missionary Soc i e t y 33,000 and I believe that in all these coun- pounds. tries which I have mentioned the ulti- mate result of the anti-God campaign placed at the School's disposal will be the revival of Christianity in and fifteen students appeared at Protestantism in Portugal a purer form than before the troubles. Religion really is not taught: it is the opening. The two Bible The Evangelical Alliance of caught from someone who has it al- Portugal has recently issued a ready. And your duty and mine, if Schools which had previously we want to make Christianity a more existed and whose amalgamation compilation of those laws which vital force . . . is to show forth the affect the standing of the Prot- fruits of the Spirit-love, joy, peace, formed the "Seminario Evan- estant Churches in Portugal. longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, gelico de Norte," taken together, The fact that these occupy forty temperance.
had not approached this number.
There had been no effort to in- pages of small print show the Unified Church in France duce students to come and no attention which is given to regpublicity whatever. They just ulating the position of the local A unified Protestant Church arrived. religious bodies. The effect of in France was achieved as a re- They come from the various sult of a meeting at Lyon of the recent cases of discrimination Constituent Assembly of Protstates in North Brazil, from against evangelicals by local au- estant Churches on April 28. Pernambuco, Sergipe, Parahyba, thorities is reflected in these The Assembly brought together pages, which contain the text of Ceara, Maranhao and Para. over 600 congregations of four They represent all classes. There recent instructions sent to all such authorities, laying down denominations to heal a breach are those from the hoe, and the in French Protestantism that more cultured city men. They that "it is not to be tolerated goes back to 1872, when liberals that evangelical C h r i s t ian s among the Evangelical Reare drawn from the various de- should be the victims of vionominations at work in North formed Church declined to sub- Brazil. They vary in capacity. lence." scribe to a new Declaration of -World Dominion Press. Some are taking only the two Faith and established the Reyears of intensive training for evangelists offered by the Sem- "Gloomy Dean" Sees Gleam formed Church. inary, while others avail them- The two other groups now selves of the full theological The former Dean of St. Paul's joining in the unification are the course. in London, Dr. W. R. lnge, has fifty odd congregations of the -The Neglected Continent. no gloomy view of the future of Free Evangelical Church and religion. In an article in the about 2'5 Methodist congrega- Christian World on "The Revolt EUROPE Against Christianity," he says: tions in France. The union is based upon a new Declaration British Mission Deficits . . . It is true that real persecution of Faith which is a moderate re- eXIsts in sev-.:n,J parts of the world With an estimated 30% of statement of the historic Calvin- church members supporting the quite as violent as the early church ism of the Reformed Churches. missionary movement in Eng- suffered at the hands of the Roman This is the fourth major move Emperor. In Russia thirty bishops land, three British missionary and more than eight thousand priests toward unification of Western societies report deficits, one have been murdered. In Spain four Protestant Churches. Previ- thousand priests have, they say, sufmanaged to hold its own and an- fered death. The property of the ously there was the creation of other reduced its debt. Church has been confiscated, and the Church of Scotland from the churches have been destroyed; the many Presbyterian sects in that The Church Missionary So- ciety, with an income of 415,000 public performance of divine worship country, the formation of the prohibited and religious education enpounds sterling, reports 570 tirely stopped. Blasphemous posters United Church of Canada which deficit of 20,000 pounds for the from Russia and other countries have year. The Methodist Society has been exhibited, intended to bring reli- has developed a very close work- ing agreement with the Church been able to make ends meet, gion into contempt. The same things of England in Canada, and the while the Bible Society received have been enacted in Germany. . . . almost completed move towards I have no wish to minimize the 378,000 pounds and spent 385,- danger of these revolts against all Methodist unification in the 000 pounds. The London Mis- that we hold true and holy; but I United States. sionary Soc i e t y (Congrega- think that the pessimism which is now -Religious News Service.
Persecuted Waldensians time witnessing to what the explain this book to the best of Lord has done for them. their knowledge during the R. M. Stephens, of the Wal- -Scripture Gift Mission. church service. densian Church Missions of Lon- Poland's Bible School "The National Church is dedon, tells of his recent visit in The eyes of the world have termined to exterminate unalter- South Italy and Sicily. Speak- been focussed on Poland in coning of an interview he had with nection with the Lithuanian ably and by all necessary means the Waldensian pastor in charge the Christian faith which was problem, but with the peaceful imported into Germany in the of the work of the Bible Society fatal year of 800, and pressed in Rome, he says: "The difficul- upon the German people though ties of Bible circulation increase. settlement of this question Po- it was of an entirely foreign na- Last year the authorities in- l~nd has strengthekned ~er poshi- ture and substance.
formed him that 'it was incon- bon as a bulwar. agamst t e "In the National Church f the venient' that Bibles should be hordes of commumsm and athe……__ ~erman!t e·ICh h . roeml.~- ism pressing upon her eastern t ere IS no sold without any indication as to sS!lOrensos ft~sl~Sns.agaIm~ aassnedrtasg, a3m:nd, . which Church published them. border. While the State is the wIll On being informed that the Bible fence to keep out communism, that it is left for the Church to stem sms 'YhI~h ha;re been comm.ltted Socety was not a Church it was the tide of atheism. The Evan- once m .lIfe wIll. be unrelentmgly ordered that no Bibles should be sold. . . . At Foggia I met Pas- gelical Churches are in the fore- met wIth pymshment by the tor Castiglione and went with front in this undertaking, and brazen and Irrevoc~ble l.aws ~f are cemented by the World's na~ure,', and certamly m thIS him by car to Orsara in the mountains, where there has been Evangelical Alliance. Recently, wo ld.
a church for forty years. A few the Alliance sent a deputation to Rome's Influence in Yugoslavia hours before our arrival the Poland to survey conditions and leading elder and founder of the needs. The visitors were as- According to a new law in Church passed away. While I sured by the Prime Minister, a Yugoslavia, all religions are was there a message came to the Protestant, that the Government placed on a nominally equal offi- pastor from the police to say will favor the constructive work cial basis, with no group enjoy- that while a service would be of the Alliance. ing special privilege. However, permitted in Church, no speak- The first interdenominational the Roman Catholic Church in ing would be allowed at the Bible School in Poland was es- strength and initiative is far grave or in the cemetery. The tablished last December, through ahead of the Orthodox Church.
local priest is a bitter enemy, the initiative of the W. E. A. Numbering something 0 v e r and through his influence the au- Beginning with eight students, 5,000,000, it is endeavoring to thorities refused to renew the there were soon more applica- . obtain advantages t h r 0 ugh pastor's permit last year. No tions than could be accepted. agreement with the State – ad- meetings are allowed in private The churches in Poland, poor vantages that are denied the houses without the permission though they are, are doing their Orthodox Church, which num- of the police, which is seldom best to promote this School. bers about 6,500,000.
forthcoming." -The Christian. Among other things it would -Evangelical Christian. seek to enforce the Roman Cath- Revival in Hungary Nazi's National Church olic rule that all children of The political situation in Hun- A "National Church of the mixed mar ria g e s must be gary is difficult for both govern- German Reich" with "no scribes, brought up Roman; if a parish ment and people, yet word comes no pastors, no chaplains and no of a great revival movement should go over to orthodoxy it is clergy," and which would pro- stipulated that all its possessions hibit the printing and publishing remain with the Roman Church.
there, not only in Budapest but of all Christian literature, is Under such circumstances, it in other centers. Evangelistic now the plan of the National So- is encouraging to read incidents meetings are being held many cialist Party. It would put Hit- like the following: times a day, and at some of them ler's "My Struggle" in place of "In the elementary school in from four to seven thousand peo- the Bible, and the swastika in Novi Sad, the New Testament ple are present, many of whom place of the Cross. Its thirty- is used as the text for religious have never heard the Gospel be- point program requires accept- teaching. One day a lad about fore. Special editions of the ance of the State race ideology. nine years of age came into the Gospel of John and the Epistle Some other points are: shop and asked if he could get to the Romans have been placed "On the altars of the National an Evangelical Bible. Looking in the hands of inquirers; while Church our most holy book, 'My at the child, I said, 'How much Christians are urged to take five Struggle,' shall be consecrated money have you?' 'Eight dinars,' copies and, after prayer for to the German people and thus he answered, so I knew he guidance, to seek out five rela- to God, and at its left the sword wanted the New Testament. To tives or acquaintances to whom shall be sanctified. The speakers make sure, I asked, 'Who is your they may give them, at the same of the National Church have to teacher?' 'Mr. Dietrich,' the lad
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
replied. 'What is he teaching to see Islam rule over the social the population of Egypt has for you?' 'Just now we have the life of Egypt because the great too many decades been unable good Samaritan.' And without majority of the inhabitants of to share in the great movements my enquiring any more the this country are Moslems, and of Egypt's development. But schoolboy said, 'I believe on the because the official religion of now that half, the half of the Lord Jesus Christ, my father the country is Moslem, and noth- population which is made up of does not, and today I am going ing else. Other religions differ- women, is awakening and is beto read that story to my father entiate between religion and ing set free to cooperate in the -he promised me that he would politics; Islam does not." activities of the nation." 'listen.' " This statement was made fol- -Blessed Be Egypt. New Era in Greece lowing widespread rumors that the Sheikh had incited the stu- Religion as a Therapeutic The spirit of persecution, so dents of Al Azhar to rioting in long a feature of religious life the recent political crisis in Leper work that failed under in Greece, has, to a large extent, Egypt. This was a virtual ad- government administration is been overcome, and unrest has mission of his activity in the somehow succeeding under the given place to a spirit of peace. attempt to dislodge the govern- direction of Christian mission- Twenty-five years have passed ment of Nahas Pasha. aries in Northe·rn Nigeria. Late since the death of the founder in 1936, the government in this of the Greek Evangelical Church, Nile Mission Press Mohammedan territory gave and there are now twelve or- over to the Sudan Interior Mis- ganized churches, six of them On March 10, Mr. Arthur T. sion and the Mission to Lepers self-supporting; while scattered Upson laid the foundation stone the responsibility for directing throughout the country are more for a new building for the Nile the leper work; and since then than twenty preaching places. Mission Press. Dr. Charles R. four colonies have been estab- Watson, President of the Amer- lished. One of the more recent con- ican University in Cairo, said in verts was a Doctor of Mathe- his address: "I found in looking Some one visiting the colony matics, and his influence among at the government statistics for at Kano, after a long absence, the students is being much felt literacy that every ten years the commented: "What has hap- at Athens. In his student days literacy of Egypt increases by pened to the Colony? It seems he was an atheist, but his life like a new place; the spirit of was changed. After his conver- more than 50 %. According to the people is so much happier." sion he started meetings. in his It seems unquestioned that a own home and, as a preacher in that, the Press, merely to keep new hope instilled in the hearts the Evangelical Church and in pace, ought to increase over 5010 of the patients, a knowledge of halls, his compelling message is in the outreach of its publica- a force outside themselves work- winning many for the Kingdom. tions. But since it has never ing to implant this hope, has a All Evangelical Churches in from the beginning overtaken definite part in bringing about Greece have a special collection the need, it would seem that improved physical condition. It annually toward the work of dis- every ten years jt should more was the government's recogniz- tributing Bibles. than double the scope of its ing this fact that moved them to activities and the output of its turn over the leper work to mis- -The Unchained Word. literature merely to meet the sionaries. challenge of the increasing lit- AFRICA eracy in this country. -Without the Camp.
"Religious Politics" "To this literacy challenge Women Advance in the Sudan may be added the challenge of a Egypt has about fourteen mil- changing mental outlook. This The women of the Moru tribe, lion Moslems as against a mil- is calling not merely for a larger southern Sudan, are more back- lion and a half Christian Copts, volume of literature, but for a ward than the men. Even the the original Egyptians. In an fresh presentation of the· old wives of teachers have not made exclusive interview, She i k h truth to which we hold. Science much progress, in spite of reg- Maraghi, who as head of the is invading every sphere of life ular attendance at school. It is oldest university, Moslem or even here in Egypt and the only in the last two or three otherwise, in the world, the Al reconciliation of science and re- years that girls have shown any Azhar, wields almost as much ligion is more and more urgent. desire to learn; but after a few power as the Caliphs of bygone There is also a growing sense of had begun to attend the women's days, made it clear that Egypt need for moral power. The pop- school, their numbers and inter- is a Moslem nation. ulation is coming into touch with est grew until there are now 70 European life and European on the roll. Eight of the girls The Sheikh declares he does temptation. The old moral mo- have made their stand as Chris- not engage in party politics, but tives no longer hold against the tians; they have shown amazing that he does engage in "religious engulfing tide of temptation and responsiveness, and application politics." immorality. To this I would add of Christian principles to every the challenge of an awakened day life. -Life of Faith. "I will even go a step farther womanhood in Egypt. One-half and say that I personally wish
Darkness Still Reigns twenty of them are Christians. and especially the discussion They have their own church, periods. -Neglected Arabia. Human sacrifices and twin murders still take place in the their own elders. Though physismall, isolated villages of Nsukka, West Africa. The missionary cal healing is denied to many of Iran Has a C. C. C. in charge of this district recently visited a village where a woman them, they laugh and sing and The Christian Courtesy Circle and child had been sacrificed a praise God. -Life of Faith. of the Evangelical Church of few days before. Out of a population of a million and a half, WESTERN ASIA Hamadan was organized in Ocabout 8,000 are Christians, or more accurately, church attend- tober, 1933. The young women ants. There are sixty churches in the area, staffed by African Modernizing Jericho of the church were divided into teachers, most of whom are do- four groups, each group having ing good work. The people are A mo~erniza~io~ of J erich?, a missionary leader. The groups beginning to realize the value of education for their children, and that anCIent BIbhcal town, IS meet in the homes of its memapproximately 3,000 are attend- now b~in?" undert.aken br a local , bers every other week and the ing the schools. A large central CommIssIOn. It IS not mtended ~-young women take turns in leadschool, which will accommodate to change the character of the ing the meetings~ A school for sixty to eighty boarders, is being built. small city, especially the residen- the children of church members The dispensary attracts an tial character of the community who attend public schools on average of more than 100 patients daily, and the maternity which is thought t? be its grea;t- Sundays has also become a projblock, with beds for about fifteen women, is nearly always full. est asset. New JerIcho was bUIlt ect of the C. C. C. It is conducted Three girls and two boys are in training as medical workers. by the Crusaders. It is below as a Sunday School.
-C. M. S. Outlook. sea level, and has a popUlation Last year in order not to be Moravian Missions of 1,700, including 170 Chris- hearers of the Word only but tians a~d four J ~ws. It enjoys doers also, one group started a The Moravian Church may well claim to be a missionary popularIty as a 'Ymter resort. Friday school for children who Church. Its missionaries labor in 300 stations in all parts of the In the RUSSIan Garden of were working as weavers of world, and there are no fewer J er~cho are to be seen the re- carpets, and a few children of than 130,000 Moravian converts mams of ~n old fourth century the neighborhood. They were in foreign fields. The youngest of all their fields is that in East church, WIth a mOSaiC .floor. In taught Gospel stories, reading Central Africa, where a witness one corn~r of the town IS a .tower and singing. It proved so worth has been maintained for about on t~~ SIte where, accordmg to while it was continued this year. fifty years. Here are some remarkable figures concerning the tradItIOn, stood the house of There is also a baby clinic, conextension of the work in recent years: In 1922 there were 300 Zaccheus. ducted by a missionary doctor. baptized Christians; in 1930, nearly 6,000. Medical work be- Boys' School in Iraq Even the children of well-to-do gan in 1923, and it was six families are undernourished. months before they could persuade any native to come for Rev. John Van Ess, Reformed The problem is to impress the treatment; but in 1930 there Church missionary in Basrah, were 250 in-patients, and last Iraq, lists the encouraging fea- mothers with the value of care year there were 350, while outpatients numbered nearly 5,000. in feeding. -Iranew8. Two years ago a new hospital was built. tures of educational work for Building Solidly. boys at Ashar: Comparatively new is the leper work. A home was estab- 1. The overwhelming propor- Alborz College, of Teheran, lished about eight years ago in tion of Moslem pupils. In a Iran, limits the number of its an unused compound. There are students to 700, admitting only now 37 lepers in residence; typical month the figures were: Moslems, 207; Christians, 13; such students as can be assimi- lated into the existing student Jews, 11. Of the Moslems the body without lowering the stand- great majority are village boys. ard of the School. This policy results in building up a reputa- 2. During this, the first year tion for excellence which is re- flected in the confidence shown in which the conscription law the School by government offi- has been applied, pupils who con- cials and hundreds of families formed to the regulations were throughout the country. exempted from military service. Primary work was dropped in There has been no evidence of 1932, but preparatory grades discrimination a g a ins t the are included. Many students are School. turned away for want of room. 3. In government examina- -Monday Morning. tions the pupils compared favor- ably with those from other schools.
4. One of last year's pupils, Literature for Moslems now employed in Baghdad, has asked for, and is to receive bap- To set the men of Moslem tism. lands reading Christian litera- 5. There has been a marked ture would be an achievement of response to the Bible lessons, the highest order. It might come
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
about if we could discover a new once in his life to journey to believe Dr. Ambedkar has himway of presenting the world's Mecca. One very holy man of self made this very plain. Heart most interesting story to these India is taking ten years to it. conversion most certainly will master story-tellers of the world. He is a saint called Shah Sub- remedy the evil of untouchabil- Moslems have the firm convic- han, often known as the "King ity; it is the only thing that tion that they know far more of the Strivers after Happiness." will." -Dnyanodaya.
about true religion than Chris- Shah Subhan started from Allatians, whom they regard as habad some time in 1933. He is hopelessly astray in polytheism journeying on foot, and every Indian Young Women's and other dangerous heresies. five paces he stops and recites Secretary The younger generation how- prayers, which take two minutes The United Presbyterian Inever, who are leading the Na- to repeat, thanking God for hav- dia Mission presents its first nationalist renaissance of intellec- ing permitted him to undertake tive young women's secretary, tual and religious freedom, and this pilgrimage. If he is still and here is her first report: are escaping western domination alive he must be near Baghdad. "In our Punjab church we by adopting western civilization, Thence by way of Damascus and have five presbyterials and in are obviously thinking different- Jerusalem he will journey on to four of these there are young ly. These modern-minded men Mecca, some 5,'0'0'0 miles in all, women's societies. In each presin Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Egypt saying those prayers every five byterial there are other societies and, in lesser degree in North paces. Africa, are appreciating Chris- such as the Junior and Senior tian literature productions. Shall we say that missions are organizations. The missionary no longer needed in India? societies help in the evangelistic The day of controversial lit- -D'nyanodaya. work in every way, some by goerature of the old type for Mos- ing out and telling the Word, lems appears to be passing. The India's Tanners and some by prayer and some by giv- Conversion ing money. Christian story, to command wide attention, must be cast in "But my wish at this time is attractive form by the pens of Twenty-three per cent of the to tell something about our Eastern Christians, instead of world's buffaloes are supplied by young women's societies. There in the form of theological debate. the Bombay Presidency, and the -World Dominion. export from India to England of are 214 members in the six so- cieties. These members not chrome leather rose from 3'0,'0'0'0 only try to do evangelistic work INDIA ANJ) SIAM square feet in 1931 to nearly but also temperance work. They 9,5'0'0,0'0'0 square feet in 1936. give out temperance literature, Missionary Opportunities Similarly the export of dressed and by dramas and meetings, in 1938 leather increased from 2,'0'00 place the temperance message In spite of modern trends in square feet in 193'0 to almost before the people. In all these India, temple goldsmiths have as 4,'0'0'0,'0'0'0 square feet in 1936. things, by the grace of God, we much to do as their predecessors In the Bombay Presidency alone are making progress. We do had in the day of Paul. If you nearly two million people are our work wholeheartedly and do are inclined to forget the hold of engaged in the leather industry it all with God's help and for Hinduism on present-day life in and almost all of them belong to Him. the Depressed Classes. Condi- India, note that last year at tions in their villages are ap- "Finally, I would ask you to Tirupathi, the most sac red palling. please remember our societies in shrine in South India of the god your prayers that we might Vishnu, goldsmiths were asked to On the same day that an in- grow daily in numbers and make send in designs for a new crown dustrial conference made these progress in our work." for the image of the god. The revelations, the village tanners image is large, perhaps three had a conference, and their Students' Prayer Service times as large as an ordinary president observed: "I do not man. The crown is to be 43 believe in Dr. Ambedkar's con- The Intercollegian and Far inches in circumference, where version move, knowing as I do Horizons tells how the annual it is set on the head of the that this will not remedy the evil Day of Prayer was observed by image; and will be about 3'0 of untouchability nor raise the students at Lucknow: "Early in inches high, all of solid gold. In social status of Harijans irre- the morning the students prothis crown 2,4'0'0 diamonds, 2,4'0'0 spective of what new faith they ceeded to a grove beside the emeralds, 3,9'0'0 rubies and many embrace. On this question, we river. After a period of devohundreds of other gems from the ourselves earnestly hope that tions the students divided into treasury of the temple are being every Christian worker in India groups to discuss the findings of set. All these are gifts from will make very clear that any the Rangoon Quadrennial Confaithful Hindus who have come so-called 'conversion move' that ference; then a morning serv- aims mainly at 'social status' is ice and a picnic lunch. They as pilgrims to this temple. Keep in mind also that every no 'conversion' at all in the truly went to their colleges for the devout Mohammedan expects Christian sense; and, indeed, we afternoon siesta, and in the eve-
ning together again for a united ary of $8 a month if he would must contribute tow a r d the service in a local church. r e n 0 u n c e Christianity and maintenance of the family, with preach Hinduism instead. This the result that what is learned At other centers of India the is soon forgotten. However, Day of Prayer was used as an Kotiah refused to do. Then a those who are able to continue opportunity of celebrating also gift came to him from a friend in school soon earn more than the Jubilee of the Indian S. C. M. in America, and to show his they could have done without an and the service was modeled on education. the jubilee service at Rangoon. gratitude, he resolved to win one After a proc€ssion, 25 earthen person to Christ at once. Shortly -Baptist Missionary lamps and candles representing Review. the years 1912 – 1937 were after that a shepherd from his lighted; then they were re- village was baptized. Christian Wanted lighted as a sign of consecration of the next twenty-five years. -Watchman-Examiner. Prayers and responsive readings of Biblical passages followed, Children Help China Miraj Hospital is one of the then intercessions for the work of the S. C. M. in India. The "Criminal Tribes" children at'''- best in Bombay Presidency for service clos·ed with a hymn that symbolized the evangelistic task the Sholapur Settlement have the treatment of cancer, if not of the Student Christian Move- s€nt 25 rupees to the Red Cross the. best. The qh~rles Edwa~d ment. to help China's suffering chil- VaIl Cancer ClImc, !l~med m dren in the war with Japan. memory of the physIcIan who Village Improvement This contribution is the result of served there for so many years, The young Maharajah of gifts of grain in the Sunday has tre~ted more than .100 can- Gwalior, whose state is 28,000 Schools from both Christian and cer p~~Ient~, and there IS always square miles in extent, with a a waItmg h~t. human population of 3,500,000 non-Christian children, and was . and a cattle population of 4,000,- presented on "White Gift Sun- 000, decided to do some rural day." The serVICe and mfluence of uplift work, and set aside $3,500,- this, the only C~ristia~ medical 000 for the purpose. He invited The remaining Sunday collec- school for men ~n IndIa, re.ach Col. Brayne, British official who has done much to improve vil- tions were set apart to help 150 out far. beyond ItS ?wn reglO!l' lage life in the Punjab, and of the poorest children in the Th~ chIef of a natIve state m others including Sam Higgin- G~Ja~at wrote and as~ed for a bottom to advise him. There are Settlement, and provided needed MIraJ. ma~, to run a dIsI!e~sarr, now thousands of villages where clothing for them. for hIm. I want a ChrIstIan, there is nothing to offend eye or he stipulated, "for only a Chrisnose, and where the health of the -Dnyanodaya villagers is thereby improved. . Garbage and wastes are collected and carried to the fields, where Bengal's Boarding Schools tian has the true spirit of servit is demonstrated that cleanli- ice." Former students of Miraj ness is profitable financially, According to the last census, are at work i·n Arabia and Iran, since the crops are from 50 to the total number of In d ian as well as in India. 100% better. The whole state Christians in Bengal is approxiis working with enthusiasm to mately 132,000. Of these about -Presbyterian Board carry out the program as drawn 26,000 live in towns and 106,000 News. up. -Sam Higginbottom. in the country. There are 43 towns of various sizes in Ben- For Chinese in Bangkok Proving His Gratitude gal. About 14,000 Indian Chris- tians are permanent residents of There are about 12'5 members Velugu Kotiah is a Sudra Calcutta and Howrah, while the in the Cantonese Church of preacher of South India, and is rest of the Indian Christian ur- Christ in Siam in Bangkok; 91 one of the staunchest Christian active members and an average converts of recent years. He is a fearless and eloquent evan- ban population, numbering ap- attendance of 85 at Sunday servgelist, though illiterate. Two proximately 12,000, live in 41 ices. Last year four adults were years ago, he encountered a severe testing, since his harvest towns. These 106,000 rural In- baptized, two members w ere failed and three of his cattle dian Christians are scattered in received by letter and four by died. About this time, two Brah- 27 districts of Bengal. They live reaffirmation of faith. Two inmins offered him an assured sal- either in single families, or in fants were baptized. The Sunday very small groups in predomi- School has an average attend- nantly non-Christian communi- ance of 60. A Young People's ties. It follows that Christian Society was organized a few children must either be educated years ago, and every Saturday in non-Christian schools, or go they play games in the church without education. T his ex- compound. The same evening plains the low percentage of lit- they have a Bible study class, eracy in Assam, Madras, United followed by a religious service Provinces and Behar. and then training in pub I i c Missionary schools of primary speaking.
grade have not proved success- This year, this Cantonese group ful in certain districts of Ben- gal, because pupils from the started family prayer meetings, poorer homes are not permitted dividing the city into districts. to study continuously, as they This kind of work is of great value, as families invite their
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
neighbors to the service; also, disputes and imposes penalties. In Seventeen Air Raids it strengthens the interest in families where only one member A labor bureau has charge of Rev. R. W. Porteous, of the is a Christian. C. 1. M., Nanchang, writes that all the work, each activity under the Coleman Bible Institute was The Church conducts a school able to open on schedule time in for the children of the neighbor- the supervision of a skilled the new memorial buildings, alhood-most of them very poor. though seventeen air raids have There are now 180 enrolled, workman, trained in the institu- passed over them. He writes: with f 0 u r Chinese and four "I think it would be quite safe Siamese teachers. Bible classes tion. Each patient is assigned to say that hundreds have been are held each afternoon at the brought to a definite decision for close of school. A textbook is work according to his strength Christ at the daily services in used which will take each child the Gospel Hall, the larger prothrough the whole Bible in six and ability. portion being among wounded years. Another piece of work soldiers. Recently, Mr. Wang connected with the church is a This plan has revealed the fact and I had the joy of baptizing clinic on t h r e e afternoons a seven of them. They were leavweek, conducted by a Christian that many of the patients are ing shortly to rejoin their divisdoctor, a member of the church. ions. One of them remarked, 'I Patients treated last year num- thoroughly dependable. Con- have lots of pocket money now bered 1,160. Most of this work that I have given up gambling. is for the very poor, but they are tentment and a feeling of re- If I am spared to return I will expected to pay a little, if pos- surely come to visit you-if not, sible. The church hopes eventu- sponsibility is fostered, because we will meet in heaven!' We ally to have a hospital. are now working in five of the the status is changed from out- military hospitals, which we -Siam Outlook. visit regularly each week." cast to citizen. . Self-Governing Lepers From Kiang comes news of -Siam Outlook. exceptional opportunities for Partly because of limited presenting the Gospel among funds, leper homes in all mission CHINA students and soldiers, which fields have had to grapple with abound everywhere during these the problem of inadequate staffs. War's By-Product war times. After the preaching The one at Chiengmai has found service there has been inaugthe solution in self-government, One of the most important urated an "appointment hour" at patterned after Siamese village sequences of the Japanese in- four each afternoon. Every day, government. This Home is di- vasion of China is the westward groups of soldiers come to this vided into three distinct groups. trek of China's social, educa- enquirers.' class. They are a Over each group is placed a tional and political leaders, the special lot, all being officers, sent headman and his assistant, who significance of which is just be- to enlist and train new men and are responsible for the behavior ginning to be realized. This is take them back to the front; of those under their direct indeed history in the making. therefore, they are in a position charge. A chief headman or Cultural and educational influ- to influence many others. mayor elected by them is di- ences that have for centuries rectly responsible to th€ manage- been confined to coast cities, or Mutual Aid Groups ment and must answer for the eastern areas, are suddenly efficient handling of all internal planted in virgin soil; isolated The Foreign Missions Conferaffairs. provinces are being brought into ence of North America reports the stream of modern life; trade the way family loyalty is seen in A department of morals and routes over deserts or mountains Chinese efforts to meet their rebehavior functions under the are supplanted by air routes or lief problem. One method that oversight of the Christian elders. new railroads. Thus, China's has helped greatly to steady and A sanitary squad of eight men back door suddenly becomes a maintain the usual life of the and four women, cares for the front door; or shall we say that suffering villagers, and prevent sick, gives the semi-weekly in- in future China will' have no them from "taking to the road" jections of chaulmoogra oil and back door? Her isolation and has been that of organizing muis responsible for the cleanliness seclusion seems to be gone for- tual aid groups and providing of the institution. Homeguards, ever. them with small loans. This composed of twenty-seven uni- enables many farmers to sow formed men keep order among The Province of Szechwan is their wheat fields. It will emthe more than four hundred in- twice as large as the areas of ploy carriers from market to mates and insure protection England, Germany, France and market, and barrowmen who from outsiders. A court made Italy combined. It now has a push coal from mine to conup of the chief headman, the population of 48,000,000, but, sumer. It will help keep farm minor headmen and the elders, with improvements in methods tries all minor offences, settles of agriculture and irrigation and with the development of other untapped resources, it could sus- tain a much larger population. Then there are the other half- dozen provinces – Y u n nan, Kwangsi, Kweichow, Kansu and Sinkiang – which the Chinese believe they can hold even if all the rest of the provinces should be subjugated. China's pro- gressive leaders and her cultural institutions are to a large extent being concentrated in these in- terior provinces.
carts and burden animals busy, plained all this until slowly the JAPAN-CHOSEN to revive the household indus- truth dawned on him; and then, Satan Released, Says Kagawa tries of spinning and weaving a light came into his face until and to continue the many other the hard, bitter look was gone, Again, we hear from this and we knew that, there was one Japanese Christian: activities of ordinary village life less bandit in the Y a n gt z e that usually help to feed, clothe Valley." "In the Orient it is very dark. and shelter the peasant in his We feel like we were back at the Agricultural Experiments beginning of the fourth century home surroundings, and prevent of the Christian Era. Satan his becoming a wanderer or a Long-range agricultural ex- has been released again, and the pauper. world is swayed by his power One Bandit Less periments are under way at the rather than by the Spirit of the Oberlin-in-Shansi Me m 0 ria I Lord. But somehow we have The Outlook of Missions tells School at Taiku, North China. great hope in Jesus Christ. Tothe following story: "A Chinese These are important in the pre-'''~'day young men are willing to bandit was brought into the hos- vention of famine and the im- listen to the gospel, as are also pital at Wuhu after a raid. No provement of the food supply. farmers and the laboring classes. one who saw his cruel face had These experiments, begun six or Japan feels her isolation and is any doubt as to which side of seven years ago, have been very lonesome. But the Spirit the fray he had been on. While handicapped by war conditions, of Christ can remedy this, so we we cleansed his frightful wound, but it is hoped to complete the must preach the gospel without we discussed the man. 'He won't experiments this year in spite fear. Missionaries are wellive, so there will be one bandit of a limited personnel. less in the Yangtze valley, and a comed; and if they preach the good thing, too.' Yet it was our Oberlin-in-Shansi is a sister gospel of the Love of God, no duty to save life, and after weeks school of Oberlin College, Ohio, we saw with amazement that the hindrance will be put in their man was going to recover. No and is conducted in cooperation way." -World Call. flicker of pleasure responded to with the American Board of our congratulations, so we said: Commissioners for Foreign Mis- Drugs as a Weapon 'Aren't you glad you are going sions of the Congregational and Christian Churches. Its prin- Muriel Lester, writing for the to get well?' The reply was an cipal was formerly Dr. H. H. Christian Century, says that unqualified 'No.' Kung, now Premier of China and brother-in-law of Madame when the new Peace Preserva- "Thinking he must have mis- Chiang Kai-shek. -Bulletin. tion Council was set up in the understood, we had one of the Japanese-occupied territory last August, it was announced that the Nanking law no longer ap- Chinese nurses ask him again, Missionary Tomatoes plied. The drug habit reassumed 'Wouldn't you rather be well its tyranny. Anti-narcotic hos- Mr. Frank Dickinson, Canathan die?' But again he gave us dian missionary in West China, pital work was stopped. In an emphatic 'No!' Puzzled, we in talking with a prominent pro- Peiping, the trade is in charge pushed the inquiry fur the r. ducer of tomato seed in Ontario, mentioned the contribution that of Koreans, under Japanese pro- 'Why would you rather die?' tomatoes would make to the diet tection. Death is the penalty And he answered very simply, of the people in West China, who number more than 100,000,000. for any Chinese trafficker that is 'Because I have sinned.' The seed-growing expert ac- discovered, and the difference "It was quite obvious that he cepted this as a challenge to his between the furtive expression skill, and offered to share seed had sinned, and grievously. Had for experimental purposes. of Chinese'traders, and the selfwe any help for such as he? We assurance of all Korean dealers Father and son, both specialhad ! 'You have heard while you ists in the production of a num- is very marked. ber of varieties of tomato seeds, Miss Lester also reports that have been here in the ward,' we have agreed to supply annually reminded him, 'about the heav- the best products of their tech- the japanese in Peiping are enly F:ather who loves us earth- nique for trial and experimentapeople and sent His Son to us. tion at the West China Union opening small clinics, with well University, Chengtu, Szechuan. Don't you know, because He illumined street signs to guide loves us earth-people so much, passers-by from the main roads He has thought out a method to their doors on side streets. about sin? His Son came to give They advertise in the papers the us that method, and so you don't various diseases which they have to carry the burden of your cure. The procedure in many of them seems to be that each sins with you all your life. You Mr. Dickinson feels sure that person on entering is given a are sorry for your sins, and God this kind of sharing will not only cursory examination by an un- is willing to forgive them. Don't give gradually to millions of qualified doctor or dispenser you know that?' No, he had Chinese in the heart of Szechuan who registers him as suffering never heard of it. a splendid supplementary addi- from some specific diseases; "We sent for our wise Chinese tion to their meagre diet, but then he is allowed to buy as pastor, who sat beside this un- soul satisfaction to the givers. much heroin or morphine as he happy man and patiently ex- -United Church Record. likes.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
MI.SCELLANEOUS in content or point of view with- For Every Man Why Not Attend Church? out consulting the Director of It is interesting to know that Radio Education of the Interna- seventeen new languages were Eight reasons for the failure tional Council. A set of these of people to attend Church have programs will be supplied with- added to the Ust of Bible translabeen authenticated by the Ad- out cost to any organization tions during 1937, making a vertising Club of the Lutheran which definitely plans to broad- Church in the Mansion at Flush- total of 1,000 languages in which ing, N. Y. The group made an cast them. They may be secured the Bible can now be read. extensive survey of the North through the office of the Divi- Forty years of work by Presby- Shore of the Queens area which sion of Christian Education of terian missionaries, working might well reflect attitudes of the Board of Home Missions, 14 among the 600,000 people in the the unchurched throughout the nation. Beacon Street, Boston. French Cameroun, culminated -Advance. in the completed manuscript for Here is a tabulation of the re- the Bulu Old Testament. Rev. plies: Causes of Religious Decline E. B. Stilz, of the Southern (1) Twenty – three per cent Methodist Mission in the Belgian wanted Sunday for themselves A Council of 24 members, Congo, completed a translation and their families. representing the principal Prot- of the New Testament in the estant churches of England, ex- (2) Twenty-one per cent did pects to look into such questions Otetela language, the first comnot go to Church because of the as: "Why does the church fail plete New Testament for these unfriendly or insincere people to attract the younger genera- people. they found. tion?" "What is the cause of the almost incredible disappearance A revision of St. Luke for (3) Nineteen per cent stayed of knowledge of the Bible?" and Quechua Indians in Ecuador has away because the Church was "What can be done by the been completed; while the Saalways asking for money. churches to relate the Church to every day life?" mareno Bible, in a Philippine (4) Fifteen per cent stayed dialect, was published last year away because the sermons were This Council will then seek for uninteresting. a formula to revive an interest and met with a hearty reception. Translation of a revised Turkish (5) Nine per cent had indi- Bible is ready for the printer. vidual reasons, no two of which were alike. in religion. Mohammedan View of The same problem claimed the Christianity (6) Five per cent did not go because they never experienced attention of the "All-New Eng- The Moslem World quotes a any spiritual help. land Conference on the Rural Church," meeting in Keene, Mohammedan's tribute to Chris- (7) Four per cent stayed N. H., in May, when Carl C. tianity: away because no one had ever Zimmerman, Harvard Professor "I can definitely say that invited them. of Sociology, stated that the Christianity is stronger than it (8) Four per cent remained masses of the people are in the has ever been in history. I am away because the minister was always telling people to be good. quandary of Cresar vs. Jehovah, surprised at the number of peo- "Building a Christian World" and blamed present tax policies ple, both pagan and otherwise, The International Council of for declining church allegiance. who feel that Christian ethics Religious Education has had a special committee at work devel- He said, in part: constitute the only answer to the oping programs for radio broadcasts. The whole matter has "The central problem of the present world-chaos. been very carefully studied, the members of the committee have relation of the Church to the "We Moslems have a secret interviewed many people connected with broadcasting, and family is whether it can keep· feeling that the ',collapse of the the script which they have prepared has been examined by a the role of the moral guardian, present world order is the greatnumber of competent critics. The result is a series of six pro- while the state increasingly adds est verdict in favor of Christiangrams on the theme "Building Together a Christian World." to its role as economic guard- ity, for world civilization is still These are available for use over local stations by responsible re- ian. . . . largely pagan. It is the pagan ligious organizations. Such organizations are free to make "If the governments are go- elements in your civilization that necessary adaptations to local situations, but no major change ing to be responsible for the are working havoc. Where real family economy they are going Christianity has penetrated to claim most of the allegiance there has been steady progress.
of the people. An overtaxed or Weare honest enough to recog- a relief citizenry neither have nize that. Never believe this the funds nor the inner moti- nonsense that fills one of our vating gratitude to build up or papers, condemning your reli- preserve strong churches. State gion. It is only a means to relief means. state religion. strengthen our group-conscious- When Cresar becomes the source ness by assuming a superiority of maintenance he also wants complex. In a great many cases the praise formerly accorded we are continually borrowing Jehovah." from you – your thoughts, your -Religious News Service. method, your outlook."
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information The Christian Message in a Non- must always be the same-a new the influence of Christ and west- Christian World. By H. Kraemer. Foreword by the Archbishop of relation to God and a new atti-,…. ern culture. York. 8vo. 455 pp. $3.00. Pub- lished for the International Mission- tude toward men. Unfortu- As to the missionary approach ary Council by Harper & Brothers, New York. 1938. nately, too often an old church to non-Christians of different Dr. Kraemer is a member of becomes a corrupt church and a lands, Dr. Kraemer recognizes the Dutch Church; a former missionary in Netherlands East In- weak church. the importance of the personality dies, a missionary statesman, and now a professor of the His- In dealing with this great of the missionary, a clear undertory of Religions in the University of Leiden. He has given us theme, Dr. Kraemer first looks standing of non-Christian charhere an unusual treatise on one of the most important subjects at the present world situation- acter and thought, as well as a that is to be discussed at the coming Madras Conference of the widespread secularism and vital relation to Christ and a the International Missionary Council. Without a true Chris- the new political, social and spir- knowledge of the Gospel He tian message to non-Christians, the missionary work of the itual revolutions; he notes the came to proclaim. Church must be fruitless; and yet too many who go out as mis- effect of the meeting of East and In conclusion, the author gives sionaries seem to have no clear knowledge of the vital Christian West. Not only is there a crisis his conception of the true nature message of salvation that Jesus Christ authorized His Church to in the world because of revolu- of the Church as a living organproclaim. Many emphasize only the importance of the fruits of tions, but there is a crisis in the ism based on intelligent faith in Christian life, but neglect the essential elements of faith and Church because of obscured vi- Christ, rather than an organizafull surrender. sion, weakened faith and atten- tion based on western theological Dr. Kraemer goes back to Apostolic conceptions as he deals tion diverted from the main concepts. He re-emphasizes the with the evangelistic message, the method of approach and its issues and Source of power. need for a clear Gospel message application to non-Christians. The message is essentially the These conditions have brought and for active, continued evansame for all classes and conditions of men, at home and about a new crisis in the mis- gelism. He considers the presabroad-a message of God's love and His offer of eternal life sionary work of the Church. ent missionary outlook cloudy through acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and The early pioneer stage has but hopeful. The Christian misonly Saviour, through His sacrifice on the Cross. The method passed, and young churches have sion in the non-Christian world of approach may be different in New York and in Central Africa, been founded; today, these must be accomplished in the to Moslems and to spirit worshippers; but the evidence of churches must. be strengthened present complicated conditions the power of the Gospel in life and kept true to the original pur- with all the means that human pose and plan of the Founder. intelligence, ingenuity and de- They must be loyal to Christ, votion put at our disposal. The must show evidence of His life underlying fire, however, with- and power and must be sacri- out which all our endeavors are ficially and aggressively mission- nothing and all our missionary ary, or they will die. enthusiasm is powerless, is only Dr. Kraemer bases his state- kindled by faith and prayer born ment of the Christian faith on of Divine Love that burns in the the Bible as the revelation from Heart of the universe, and which God, and on Jesus Christ as the became incarnated in Jesus incarnation of God. He sees Christ, our Lord.
Christianity, not as one of the world's religions, but as the one Paul, a Christian Financier. By Her- bert E. Blair. Christian Literature clear revelation sent from God, Society, Seoul, Korea. 63 pp, $.50. in contrast to human attempts to United Stewardship Council, 156 understand and approach God. Fifth Ave., New York City. 1937.
In this connection the author Out of many years of prac- states the positions of Barth and tical experience on the foreign Brunner, and looks into various field, promoting systematic giv- non-Christian religions. He de- ing and putting Church fi- scribes, too, the changes that nances on a Scriptural as well have taken place in non-Chris- as a business basis, has come tian lands and their response to this little study of the Apostle Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the REvmw publishers on receipt of price.
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OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
Paul as a pioneer in Church and Mission Boards join definitely City and Church in Transition. By missionary finance. Murray H. LeHfer. 8vo. 301 pages. in the promotion of stewardship $2.50. Willett, Clark and Company, Mr. Blair has been a mission- Chicago. 1938. ary of the Presbyterian Church plans on the various fields in in the U. S. A. in Korea for Professor Leiffer's book is thirty-four years. His leader- which they have work. Indi- based upon certain case studies ship in the work of promoting Christian finance has been rec- viduals are already doing this in of medium sized cities (called ognized by the Korean Church a mediopolis) ranging in popuand year after year he has been several countries but there is lation from 50,000 to 150,000. continued in the official position The author's most notable servof developing a Scriptural sys- need of coordinated effort and ice is in describing the patter:n tem of Church and personal of the mediopolis and its varifinance and stewardship. This cooperation. He suggests also ants. He properly places embooklet develops the proposition phasis on the commercial city that the Apostle Paul was God's that the International Missionchosen instrument to inaugurate as the typical American city. a system of Christian finance ary Council might well take the and stewardship to supersede Prof. Leiffer's treatment of and to be an advance upon the lead in developing a stewardship the industrial city and the in- Levitical tithing system of Ju- dustrial suburb is admirable. daism and that the basis of and systematic benevolence pro- He points out that both have Paul's system is both implied been influenced in their ecoand explicitly stated in the in- gram for the benefit of the nomic and cultural life by the spired instructions of 1 Corin- near-by metropolis. Moreover thians 16: 2. younger national church groups. "the industrial suburbs· of the The Apostle Paul met condi- Instruction in these inspired, nation will be found chiefly in tions in his foreign mission enterprise' that required the de- authoritative, Pauline principles the vicinity of such cities as velopment of a system of self- Boston, New York, Philadelsupport for local churches as of individual giving and church phi a, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, well as for the support of evangelistic itineration and contribu- finance w 0 u I d benefit the Detroit, Chicago and Los Antions for the relief of the poor. geles." He brings in a new note in his churches in every land and proelaboration of the thesis that in We feel that the analysis of raising funds for "the saints" mote self-support in fields where the residential suburbs is not as Paul was not merely helping the comprehensive in its scope as his poor in Jerusalem who were the national churches are still study of other variants of the suffering, presumably from a mediopolis. His statement that famine already nine years past, weak and in financial difficulties. "relatively few come direct to but was in reality conducting a the suburb from the hinterland" carefully audited and supervised This book, arising as it does is not true of New York city's international financial campaign many suburbs nor is his statefor the furtherance of the Gos- from intimate experience with ment that "a residential suburb pel work. never springs suddenly into problems of stewardship and being," true of Long Island. His Among other practical sug- generalization regarding the c h u r c h finance in a young gestions the author points out child population of the suburbs c h u r chon the foreign field, and the relative size of Sunday the possible Scriptural basis for schools in the old city and in the should be read by all who are suburbs has many exceptions. the use of a "three years average" income in making up an interested in s t e war d s hip, Professor Leiffer's analysis of "resort cities" and the dilemma estimate of the individual's re- church support and missionary of the church is especially pen- etrating. He says: "It is not sponsibility in systematic stew- administration. . surprising that in such a setting ardship giving, and its value in WALTER C. ERDMAN. the Church is confronted by al- most insuperable obstacles in its circumstances where there is The Missionary Education of Adults. effort to develop a Christian wide fluctuation of incomes due By John Leslie Lobingier. 182 pp. community. The institutions of to local conditions. $1.00. Missionary Education Move- religion, always influenced by the way in which people earn He urges the extension of in- ment, New York. 1938. terdenominational, international their living, are more affected promotion of the stewardship In every church there are by the economic life of the reidea by the various Stewardship sort city than by that of any Councils and the World Stew- those who have a genuine con- other urban center." ardship Union, and suggests that cern for humanity, whether in The author makes abundantly clear that "Every factor shaping China, Chicago or Chile. The the life of man also influences his church. The dominance of interest of another group is "in inverse ratio to the square of the distance" ; their religion is looked upon as a personal pos- session – something to enjoy rather than to spread. Thus the author, one of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Education Movement, states the divergent viewpoints.
In the ten chapters of this book he not only shows the im- portance of impressing the latter class of church members with a "sense of missions", and points out how missions are bound up with world affairs, but he out- lines methods for stirring Chris- tians to greater interest. Every leader of a mission study class will find this book of practical value. H. H. F.
manufacturing in the suburbs neglected to see, emphasize or the spirit. Unity denies sin, ties the church closely to the whole industrial process. Where apply. But most, if not all, of sickness and death and teaches wages are low, social institutions, the church included, suf- them are false philosophies and that "in his true estate man is fer. When unemployment stalks the streets additional problems mislead their devotees in some the Christ, the Head of the are laid on the church's doorstep, while its ability to meet important respects. Mr. Van body." these increased demands is restricted by shortage of funds. Baalen has performed a real Most of the cults either are … The intensity and strain resulting from high-speed indus- service in his careful review of naturalistic and deny the supertrial production, the feeling of ten different modern cults, more human (supernatural)-as in e con 0 m i c insecurity which hovers over nearly every wage or less related to Christian Mormonism-; or they hold that earner, the omnipresent, smokebelching factory, produce in teachings. These cults include everything is spiritual – as in people social and psychic reactions of which the church must Spiritism, theosophy, Christian Christian Science. Mr. Van be cognizant." Science, Unity, Baha'ism, Mor- Baalen emphasizes the need of a In his prophecy regarding the futur~ significance of the medi- monism, Seventh Day Advent- world-wide revival in evangeliopolis, Professor Leiffer appears to lose sight of the intimate re- ism, Russellism, "Buchmanism,'~_ cal Christianity as the best antirelation between industrial sub- and Unitarianism with Modern- . dote to error in faith and life. urbs and residential suburbs that constitute a considerable ism. These are not by any means He calls for clear-cut, sound, exproportion of these cities and of great metropolitan co:mmu- all in the same class, except that pository teaching of Biblical nities. The growth in the population of cities from 50,000 they differ in some more or less truth, producing a sense of sin to 100,000 for the last census decade was 20.5 <70, if located important respects from what is and acceptance of Jesus Christ within metropolitan districts, while only 11 <70 if located out- generally accepted as "ortho- as Lord and Saviour. This is a side these districts. dox" Christianity. day when many are turning CITY AND CHURCH IN TRANS- ITION should be read by adult The author bases his own es- aside to fables and will not enstudents of the background of American history, by specialists timate of each cult on its har- dure sound doctrine. Many false in church administration, Home Mission executives who are en- mony with the teachings and teachers and philosophies are deavoring to equalize religious privilege in America, and by spirit of Christ as revealed in abroad and deceive, if possible, pastors and students of the world mission of the Church. the New Testament. He has the very elect. This book should Part Two will be of particular interest to ministers who are in evidently read widely and gives help many to avoid the pitfalls search of new techniques. an excellent selected bibliogra- that lie in the path of those who CHARLES HATCH SEARS. phy, including books on both depart from the clear teaching The Chaos of Cults. By J. K. Van Baalen. 8 vo. 227 pages. $2.00. sides of each subject. He en- of Christ and the Bible. Wm. B. Erdmans Pub. Co. Grand Rapids, Mich. 1938. deavors to be intelligent and Educational Missions at Work. Ed- fair in his presentations, giving ited by H. P. Thompson. 128 pp. Many Christians are confused Illus. 186d. S. P. G. London. 1938. today because of the various the history of each movement, cults that have arisen to inter- and describing its strong points This brief sketch of the educapret or apply Christian teach- and its errors in teaching and ing, or to dispute the claims of the results. Here is a book that tional work of the Society for Christ and the teachings of the ministers and teachers should Bible. There is some good, some read in order to guide and guard the Propagation of the Gospel in truth, in all of these cults-often those who are in danger of besome truth that Christians have ing led astray. India, Burma and Malaya, South "Unity," for example, appeals Africa and the Far East shows to many because of its emphasis on health, happiness, peace and conditions under which Chris- love. Mr. Van Baalen shows its relation to mesmerism, Chris- tian education is being given and tian Sci e n c e and "N e w Thought." Unity emphasizes the problems and difficulties that certain phases of truth-such as must be faced, illustrated by de- aVbidance of anxiety and fear. scriptions of a few typical But Unity seeks to spiritualize everything and fails to face schools. The nine chapters make facts. Jesus is called "the Su- it clear that it has been the edu- preme Ego" that rises in the cational work of the Christian Church that has kept civilization alive; and that in these turbu- lent times it is the privilege of Christian schools to make this civilization a blessing to the world. H. H. F.
subconscious mind as a Star in' The House on the Island. By Grace the East (or occult realism) and Pettman. 181 pp. Is. 6d. Picker- grows in our consciousness – ing & Inglis, London. 1937.
as the Wise Men came nearer A wholesome story for girls their goal-until the soul re- of 'teen age, recounting the ex- ceives this "Supreme Ego." periences in an English board- Galilee is said to "represent the ing school of a girl unfamiliar life activity or soul energy of with school routine, but who man acting in conjunction with knew the Great Teacher, and substance." God is pantheisti- made her influence felt. A touch cally conceived and Jesus, the of mystery holds the reader's at- man, is separated from Christ, tention.
Boole. The Heart of the Levant. J. McKee The Kingdom of God and
Adams. 163 pp. 40 cents. South- .H. G. Wood. 216 pp. 78. 6el. Allen The Church Takes Root in India. ern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. & Unwin. London. 1938. Basil Matthews. 197 pp. $1.00. Richmond, Va. Friendship Press. New York. 1938. Church and Community. K. S. La- The Process of Change in the Otto- tourette. 259 pp. 88. 6el. Allen & Who Is tne Holy Spirit? Henry W. man Empire. Wilbur W. White. Unwin. London. 1938. Frost. 124. pp. $1.25. Fleming H. 315 pp. $3.50. Cambridge Univer- Revell. New York. 1938. sity Press. London. 1937. The Universal Church and the World of Nations. Marquess of Lothian. Seeing Prophecy Fulfilled in Pales- Congo, Past and Present. Alfred R. 325 pp. 88. 6d. Allen & Unwin. tine. George T. B. Davis. 127 pp. Stonelake. 202 pp. $1.25. World London. 1938. lB. Pickering & Inglis. London. Dominion Press. New York. 1937. 1988. The Industrialization of the African: Children of the Veld: Bantu Vig- Memorandum Prepared by Thirty Business Men of the Bible. James nettes. Robert H. W. Shepherd. Persons with expert knowledge of C. Muir. 110 pp. National Pub- 194 pp. 68. James Clarke. London. African Affairs. 22 pp. 6el. Anti- lishing Co. Philadelphia. 1988. 1937. Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society. London. 1987. S. J. W. Clark. Roland Allen. 170 Religion in Central America. Ken- pp. 28. 6d. World Dominion Press. neth G. Grubb. 146 np. 58._"World The Thousand 'Years of Uncertainty. London. 1938. Dominion Press. London. 1987. By K. S. Latourette. 492 pp. $3.50. Harper Bros. 1938. Impending Great Events. John The Romantic Isles. John Levo. 88 Ritchie. 192 pp. 28. 6el. Pickering pp. lB. S. P. G. London. 1938. City and Church in Transition. By & Inglis. London. 1938. Murray H. Leiffer. 302 pp. $2.50. On Both Sides of the Equator. F. Willett Clark & Co., Chicago. 1988. Outline History of the Christian Braun and C. V. Sheatsley. 284 pp. Church. Dorothea J. Stephen. 92 $1.00. Lutheran Book Concern. My Community, My Church and pp. Madras. S. P. C. K. Columbus, O. 1937. Me. By Wilbur C. Hallenbeck. 62 pp. 35 cents. Friendship Press, The American Chfistian Missionary World Chaos or World Christianity. New York. 1938. Society and the Disciples of Christ. Henry Smith Leiper. 181 pp. Grant K. Lewis. 216 pp. $1.50. $1.50. Willett, Clark. Chicago. City Shadows. By Robert W. Searle. Christian Board of Publication. St. 1937. 165 pp. $1.00. Friendship Press, Louis. 1937. New York. 1938. Missionaries' Who's Who. (Bi- The Sixth Decade of the Woman's lingual.) 578 pp. National Chris- Devotees of Christ. By D. S. Batley. Board of Foreign Missions. S. T. tian Council. Tokyo, Japan. 1938. 147 pp. 28. Church of England Winkel. 111 pp. 40 cents. Wom- Zenana Missionary Society, Lon- an's Board, 1937. Reformed Church Adventures in the Campaign for Lit- don. in America. New York City. 1938. eracy in India and Africa. F. C. Laubach. 22 pp. World Literacy Dinabandhu. By Ruth' Isabel Sea- Japan Over Asia. W. H. Chamber- Committee, 156 Fifth Ave., New bury. 182 pp. $1.00. Friendship lain. 395 pp. $3.50. Little, Brown. York. 1937. Press, New York. 1938. Boston. 1938. Religious Education in the Method- Francisco Fulgencio Soren. By L. Japan Defies the World. J. A. N. ist Church of Mexico. 100 pp. M. Brachter. 224 pp. $1.25. Broad- Scherer. 311 pp. $2.50. Bobbs Free on application. Joint Commit- man Press, Nashville. 1938. Merrill. Indianapolis. 1937. tee of Relij!l'ious Education, 740 Rush St., ChIcago. 1937. Following in His Train. By Ethlene Chinese Women. Florence Ayscough. B. Cox. 217 pp. 60 cents. Broad- 324 pp. 128. 6d. Cape. London. Devotees of Christ: Some Women man Press, Nashville. 1938. Pioneers of the Indian Church. D. S. Batley. 147 pp. 28. Church W orId Treasure Trails. V01. II. Thirty Years in China. Story of the of England Zenana Missionary So- India. By Ethel E. Ward. 127 pp. Augustana Synod as Told by Mis- ciety. London. 1938. $1.00. Women's Missionary Society, sionaries. Edited by G. Carlberg. Free Methodist Church, Winona 230 pp. $1.50. Board of Foreign The Cost of Reunion. Edwin James Lake, Indiana. 1938. Missions. Augustana Synod. St. Peter, Minn. 1937. Palmer. 22 pp. 4a. Student To Be Continued. By L. B. Thomas. 66 pp. 25 cents. Broadman Press, With Christ in Indo-China. E. F. Christian Movement. Lon don. Nashville, Tenn. 1938. Irwin. 164 pp. $1.00. Christian 1937. Publications, Inc. Harrisburg,· Pa. The Living Word. The Church Mis- 1937. Toward a World Christian Fellow- sionary Society's Review for 1937- ship. K. S. Latourette. 64 pp. 50 38. 56 pp. 6d. C. M. S. London. Inside India. Halide Edib. 378 pp. cents. Association Press. New 108. 6a. Allen & Unwin. London. York. 1938. Steps Toward the World Council. 1938. By Charles S. McFarland. 128 pp. Missions and Unity. W. J. Noble. $1.25. Fleming H. Revell, New Christ's Way to India's Heart. J. 23 pp. 4el. World's Evangelical York. 1938. Wascom Pickett. 117 pp. 28. Alliance. London. 1938. United Society for Christian Litera- Victory Through Youth. By Luther ture. London. 1987. The Secret of the African. E. W. J. Holcomb. 83 pp. 25 cents. Smith. 142 pp. 28. 6a. United Broadman Press. Nashville. 1938. Better Villages. F. L. Brayne. 304 Society for Christian Literature. pp. 38. Oxford University Press. London. 1938. Voices of Twelve Hebrew Prophets. London. 1938. By G. Campbell Morgan. 60 pp. The National Faith of Japan. D. C. 28 6el. Pickering & Inglis. London. Moving Millions. Introduction by Holton. 829 pp. 158. Kegan Paul. 1938. Robert E. Speer. $1.00. Central London. 1938. Committee on United Study of For- Seventy Less Known Bible Stories. eign Missions. 1938. The Nestorian Documents and Relics Br George Goodman. 331 pp. 38. in China. P. Y. Saeki. 645 pp. PIckering & Inglis, London. 1938. The Challenge of the Northwest 408. Toho Bunkwa Gakuin. Tokyo. Frontier (India). C. F. Andrews. 1987. The Approaching Advent of Christ. 208 pp. 38. 6a. Allen & Unwin. By Alexander Reese. 327 pp. 68. London. 1937. Revolutionary Religion: Christian- Marshall, Morgan & Scott, London. ity, Fascism and Communism. 192 Tibet and Her Neighbors. E. T. Wil- pp. 58.. Student Christian Move- Weare not confronted with the Iiams. 40 pp. 50 cents. University ment Press. London. 1938. problem of a spiritual church facing of California Press. Berkeley. a secular world, but rather with the 1937. The Christian Understanding of Man. problem of a secular church in a sec- T. J. Jessop. 268 pp. 88. 6el. Allen ular world. – T. Z. Koo, Shangltmi, & Unwin. London. 1938. China.
/)0. NotMtu THE MOSLEM
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50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) In combination with THE MOSLEM WORLD THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City $3.50 a Year. (Foreign Postage, 50 Cents.) British Agents: MARSHALL, MORGAN & SCOTT, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. Price in Great Britain, Eight Shillings a Year, net THE LIFE OF GEORGE BOWEN, OF BOMBAY By ROBERT E. SPEER This 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 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.
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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
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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.
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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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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 — October 1937
1937
Mohammedan World Number The Moslem World Today Dwight M. Donaldson Some Trends in the Moslem World Edward M. Dodd Influence of Moslem Superstitions Davida M. Finney Why Preach Christ to Moslems? Samuel M. Zwemer The Christian Approach to Moslems W. Wilson Cash Moslem Reactions to the Gospel James Haldane Educating Moslems for Christ John Van Ess A Christian Doctor Among Moslems Paul W. Harrison The Power of the Printed Page Mabel H. Erdman My Experience with Moslems Frank C. Laubach Moslem Views of "Those Nazarenes" J. Lowrie Anderson Christian and Moslem Homes Eleanor T. Calverley How to Interest Christians in Moslems Estella S. Aitchison Best Books on Moslems and Missions Samuel M. Zwemet'
25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember WORLD DOMINION SURVEY
September 27 – October 1 – Dallas, SURVEYING THE WORLD Texas. Pres., Mrs. E. R. Alderson, 561 Goodwin St., Dallas, Texas. Here is a series of real missionary sur- veys, scientific and evangelical, written with September 27 – October 1 – Houston, a grasp and definiteness of fact, a perspec- Texas. Dean, Mrs. A. B. Haynes, tive of view and a passion which makes 618 Highland Ave., Houston, Texas. them comparable to a military reconnais- sance. One after another the great fields October 2-6 – Triennial Convention. of missionary endeavof afe being covered Women's Missionary Society of the with topogf~phical accuracy from a stand- United Lutheran Church. Buffalo. point vitally evangelical and entirely non- denominational. The books come from the October 3-Presbyterian World Com- munion Sunday. press bound like government monographs, in big type and made vivid by splendid maps.
October 5-6 – Southern Mountain Catalogue on Application Mention The Missionary Ret'iew Child Service Conference; under auspices of Save the Children Fund WORLD DOMINION OFFICES of America, Inc. Hotel McAlpin, New York. 156 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY October 5-6 – Warren, Ohio. Mrs. The Rev. George S. McCune, D.D., ceived an honorary doctorate degree George Konold, 314 Scott St., N. E., LL.D., for about 30 years a Presby- from Yale in June. At a meeting of Warren, Ohio. terian missionary in Korea and presi- the Associated Boards for Christian dent of the Union Christian College Colleges in China, he made a clear October 6-12-Annual Meeting, Wom- of Pyengyang has joined the admin- statement of his Christian faith, and an's Home Missionary Society, istrative staff of the Moody Bible In- of the part that that faith had in the Methodist Episcopal Church, Se- stitute of Chicago, and will also teach release of the Generalissimo last attle, Wash. and assist in the evangelistic pro- Christmas. gram. Dr. McCune was also for a October 14-15 — Interracial Confer- time president of Huron College, '" * .. ences. Asbury Park, N. J. South Dakota, and brings real talents, Dr. Raymond C. Walker, pastor of October 21- Baltimore, Md. Mrs. experience and spiritual strength to the Market Square Presbyterian David D. Baker, 410 N. Calhoun the service of the Institute. Church of Harrisburg, Pa., was win- St., Baltimore, Md. ner of the $150 prize offered by the * … '" Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- October 24-31-Presbyterian Centen- sions for the best missionary sermon nial Week. Mr. Dugald Campbell, agent of the preached in connection with the cele- bration of the Board's centennial. November 7-11-International Good- National Bible Society of Scotland, is Dr. Walker's subject was: "These Are Will Congress. Boston. retiring as agent for Northern Africa the Great Days of God." Other prizes since he can no longer undertake the went to Dr. George E. Sweazey, of Your Missionary Activities long pioneer journeys on the fringes Danville, Ky., Dr. George Johnson of of the Sahara Desert, and other parts Lincoln University, and Dr. Paul F. Should begin at home. Get a of Africa, as he has done for many supply of our years. He hopes to spend the re- .. . Barackman, of Brookly.n.. . New York. mainder of his days in Johannesburg, GOSPEL TRACTS James Hardy Dillard, eighty-year- .. South Africa. old president of the Jeanes Fund for Sound, attractive, convincing the Improvement of Negro Education, '" '" has received the Theodore Roosevelt Sample package, 250. medal for 1937. This medal is given Mr. Arthur T. Upson, formerly of annually for human achievement or FAITH, PRAYER and TRACT LEAGUE the Nile Mission Press, has returned the development of American char- to Palestine from England. He will acter. Dr. Dillard receives the award Dept.R.W. Muskegon Heights, Mich. be at Mt. Carmel until December 10, "in recognition of sixty years of wise and subsequently at Fairhaven, Alex- and devoted work in behalf of the Personal Items andria, Egypt. He plans to do mis- American Negro, and the creation of sionary work and to give Bible read- a better understanding between the Dr. Iran Lee Holt, minister of St. ings in various places to help weaker white race and the black."
John's Methodist Episcopal Church, Christians. … '" … ~Obituary Note'S South, St. Louis, Mo., and a former General Evangeline Booth left Rev. William Milne, a Presbyterian London on September 22 for a tour missionary stationed on the Island of president of the Federal Council of of the United States and Canada. Nguna, New Hebrides, was killed by Churches, has been appointed chair- After conducting the Salvation a native April 27. Army's annual Congress in Atlanta, man of the Federal Council's new New York, and Chicago, she will go The native was the son of the chief to Winnipeg, returning to New York of the village near the mission sta- Commission for the Study of Chris- tion, and he had seemed demented. by way of Montreal. He attacked several natives who ran tian Unity. The commission is to be- to the mission station, where Mr. and * * '" Mrs. Nottage, missionaries from angin its work when sufficient financial other island, were present on a visit. Dr. H. H. Kung, the Minister of support for it has been secured. Finance in the National Government The madman rushed at the mission- of China, and vice-president of the aries with an axe and struck Mr. Dr. and Mrs. '"Ern'"est'" Lyons, veteran Executive Yuan (vice-premier in the Milne with the axe. Government), has recently visited Methodist missionaries to the Philip- America. He is an earnest Christian Then the village chief commanded and stands next to the Premier, one of his men to shoot his son. pines, have retired from active serv- Generalissimo Chiang Kaj-shek, in responsibilities and authority in the Rev. William Veitch Milne had ice. They went to Manila in 1903 Government. Dr. Kung is a 75th de- served as a missionary in the New from Singapore, and have seen in scendent of Confucius, but in his life Hebrides for over 20 years. His fa- and work he has repeatedly testified their thirty-four years of residence to his faith in Christ and has taken (Continued on pag6 449.) his stand for Christian principles. in the Philippines a most phenomenal Dr. Kung, as a representative of his growth of the evangelical Christian Government, attended the Coronation ceremonies of King George and ramovement. In 1913 Dr. Lyons took the bar examination, thereby saving the church thousands of pesos for legal expenses, as well as enabling him to serve as advisor in critical sit- .. .. . uations.
Dr. Charles Stelzle has been ap- pointed executive director of the "Good Neighbor League" in place of Dr. Stanley High, resigned.
MISSIONARY PARENTS
REVIEW OF THE WORLD In the Foreign Mission Field Fast Days Endorse Calvert School DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor Home Study Courses TO TBE VOL. LX OCTOBER, 1937 No. 10 For Children ORIENT Publication and Business Office– Calvert School, through its Home Instruc- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. tion Department, will give your child a superior elementary education ••. by mail, Editorial and Executive Office– regardless of where you may live. Mod- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ern, approved courses from this famous Entered as second-class matter at school are being used by parents all over the world with outstanding success. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Give your children the advantages of these interesting lessons, carefully chosen books, 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. and attractive materials. Instruction is Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. under the personal guidance of teachers in Published monthly, except August. Calvert's prominent and successful private All rights reserved. Copyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan , day school in Baltimore. and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, Write today for booklet of complete in- 10 shillings a year. formation. Costs are low.
MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- CALVERT SCHOOL LISHING CO., INC. 180 E. Tuscany Road BOARD OF DIRECTORS Baltimore ol> Maryland ROBERT E. SPEER, President Obituary Notes Empress of Japan-holder of A. L. WARNSHUIS, Vice-President the Pacific Blue Ribbon WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer (Continued from 2nd Cover.) DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary • ther, Rev. Peter Milne, was one of SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT the pioneer missionaries in the New Go direct fromVancouverand Victoria in 10 days by Em- WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN Hebrides. press of Asia or Empress of D. J. FANT Russia. Only 3 more days via MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD *** Hawaii by Empress of Japan WM. B. LIPPHARD (fastest ship on the Pacific) Dr. Claire H. Denman, who served or Empress of Canada. Con- ERIC M. NORTH as medical missionary in Siam for nect at Honolulu from Cali- SAMUEL M. ZWEMER twelve years, died recently in Berk- fornia ports. Low round-trip eley, California. He was first located fares include passage from Editorial Chat at Chiengmai and later established and and to Seattle. built the first hospital in Chiengmai. This number of THE REVIEW is de- He was also editor of The Laos News, ~fi+ voted to the study of the Moslems of which later became The Siwm Outlook. For rates and sailings, see the world-their distribution, char- Being an ordained minister as well acteristics, influence and the extent as doctor, he made numerous tours YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or Cana- and results of Christian work among into the interior with both foreign Mohammedans. It is an interesting dian PSaacnifiFc:raNnceiwscYo,o3r8k~tChheir- subject and will be studied by thou- and Siamese evangelists. cago, sands of Christians in America this year. The articles we present are by *** cities in U. S. and Canada. experts-men and women who have spent years of service in Moslem The Rev. Dr. Frank Rawlinson, lands. Other equally fine articles, Editor of the Chinese Recorder, was crowded out of this issue, will appear accidentally killed by the explosion of in November. Look for them. a bomb in Shanghai on August 14. He was at the time with his wife and Moslem Women and Children- daughter but they were uninjured. Mrs. Herrick Young. Dr. Rawlinson went to China under the auspices of the American Baptist Encouragements in the Work- Foreign Mission Society in 1902 and Geo. Swan. later became associated with the American Board (Congregational). Testimonies of Converts from He showed great ability in his edi- Islam. torial work and in his understanding of the Chinese. His death is a real Sermon by a Former Moslem- loss to the cause of Christ in China Sa'eed Kurdistani. and one of the tragedies of the con- flict between the Japanese and The Story of Sa'eed Kurdistani- Chinese. Christie Wilson. Ambrose Sw*ase*y, *prominent Bap- New and Old in Moslem Lands- A. T. Upson. tist and trustee of many educational and missionary enterprises, died in *** Cleveland, Ohio, recently, at the age of ninety. He was one of the world's The following shows the esteem in leading scientists, having constructed which THE REVIEW is held by readers the giant telescopes for the Lick Ob- who use it for their own personal in- servatory, the United States Observ- formation and in church work. atory at Washington and the Yerkes Observatory at the University of Chi- *** cago. He was also a generous sup- porter of interdenominational mission- "I think the Rural Number of THE ary work. REVIEW is a very fine contribution to ,the cause. I am receiving a great (Concluded on 3rd Cover.) deal of help and enjoyment as I read the various articles."-Dr. Ellsworth [449 ] M. Smith, Field Representative, American Baptist Hom.e Mission So- ciety.
*** "THE REVIEW means much to me in my work with the women of our church."-Emma H. Mills, Santa Cruz, California. MOSLEM WORLD R op SOUTH INDIAN ATLANTIC OCEAN OCEAN H· REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 10 OCTOBER, 1937 Topics of the Times WHY THIS INTEREST IN MOSLEMS? many other points in common with the Christian Few people on earth are as difficult to lead to faith. This too is a challenge. There is a foun- Christ as are the Moslems, and yet this year thou- dation on which to build. sands of Christians in America and England will 3. They are people of strong character. They be reading and studying about the countries take their religion and its obligations seriously. where the followers of Mohammed are most nu-. They are willing to fight for their convictions, to merous, and about the work that is being done make sacrifices and even to die for their faith. to win them to Christ. Multitudes of earnest They are not easily led to abandon their beliefs prayers will be offered for their conversion and large sums will be given to support missions or obligations as they conceive them and are diliamong them. Why? gent in teaching their children to follow their Prophet. Apostasy is considered an unpardonable It is not because of any personal gain to mis- sin and in Moslem law it is a crime punishable sionaries, or any desire for political, economic or with death. These facts constitute a challenge to ecclesiastical advantage. It is not because the Christians; they may be transmuted into Chriswork is producing large results or because the tian graces when touched by the Holy Spirit.
Church of Christ is moved by a spirit of imperial- 4. Moslems exert a great influence on the world ism for world conquest. There are at least seven reasons why every true follower of Christ should for good or for evil. They constitute a real probtake a deep and practical interest in Moslems and Christian work in their behalf to the extent of lem in Egypt and Turkey, in Iran and Syria, in earnest prayer and sacrifice. Arabia and India. In lands where they are in 1. The number of Moslems in the world and their wide distribution are challenging. At least power they offer great obstacles to progress of one in every ten of the population of the earth is a Moslem. There are between 200 and 250 mil- Christianity and to the promotion of peace and lion of these people scattered over the globe. Nort~ Africa, Egypt, the Sudan, Turkey, Syria, good will among all classes. They believe in a ArabIa, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Beluchistan, Java and Sumatra are almost solidly Mohamme- totalitarian Moslem state and in government condan. Millions more live in Central Africa, India, Central Asia, China, the Philippines, South trol by force of arms. Their influence might be Africa, Russia and Bulgaria. Many are found in other parts of Europe and in North and South turned to the advancement of the cause of Christ America. These multitudes cannot be ignored. and for the principles for which He stands. 2. They are people with positive and strong faith in God, as the one eternal, omnipotent 5. More potent than any of these reasons is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. They believe fact that Christ died for Moslems; He died that He might give tliem the life of God. They are sinners and know it, though they have wrong ideas of sin and its expiation. MthoereGoovse~reloutor Lord's command to "Go, preach every creature" certainly includes the Moham- medans today, even though there were none in existence when He first gave the command. There is no other way for Moslems to be saved than by Christ and the acceptance of His gift of Life.
in Christ as a unique prophet and in the authority 6. Another great reason is the obligation that of the Old and New Testaments. They believe in Christians have to Moslems because the contact prayer, in almsgiving, in immortality, and have of Arabians with 'a weak and distorted form of [451 ] Christianity was what led Mohammed to estab- and evidently thinks herself able to defy the publish his new form of religion. If Mohammed had lic opinion of the world. Her military party is been truly and intelligently converted to Christ ambitious to carry out its program, without in his youth what a difference that would have much regard for justice. It is reported on good made to the world ! We owe Moslems a debt, both authority that ninety per cent of the Japanese for the temporal things we have received from are opposed to the invasion of China, but the peothem and for spiritual truth we have failed to ple are kept in ignorance of the real situation share with them. by very strict censorship of the war news. J a- panese Christians, and others with more enlight- 7. A final reason for the support of Christian ened and pacific ideals, are greatly disturbed over work among Moslems is the encouraging results the aggressive policies of the military party that that have come in the conversion of Moslems to now rules Japan. These policies destroy the bene- Christ. Some outstanding trophies have been won ficial effects of the friendly advances made by in Syria and Egypt, in Iran and India. Every such Japanese Christian leaders as Dr. Toyohiko Moslem is supposed to be a missionary and, when Kagawa and Miss Michi Kawai. Apparently Jawon to Christ, should have the same zeal to ex- panese military leaders feared that China was tend their faith, in spite of persecution. What a growing in strength and was becoming united wonderful example is Dr. Sa'eed Kurdistani, the under the able Christian leadership of General- Kurdish Moslem who has become a great Chris- issimo Chiang Kai-shek and so determined to tian physician in Iran. Others are Kamil of strike while there was more likelihood of being Arabia and Michael Mansur of Egypt. There are able to achieve their purpose. multitudes more whose lights shine in narrower circles-but they are known to God. In Sumatra The modern war machine of Japan is much and other parts of the Dutch East Indies there more perfect and complete than that of China. are fifty thousand Christians who formerly were Airplanes· make it possible to carry destruction Moslems. They have their own schools and large far inland, and there seems little effort on the self-supporting churches. The influence of Christ part of the. Japanese to limit destruction to is permeating Iran, the Philippines, Africa, India, enemy fortifications and military forces. Already and many other lands to break down prejudice many thousands of noncombatants have been and build up an intelligent faith in Jesus Christ killed and wounded and peaceful villages have as the true revelation of God and the only Saviour been destroyed by ruthless Japanese airplane atfrom sin and its consequences. tacks. Foreigners and foreign enterprises have also suffered. In the north Japanese forces have Truly we as Christians have reason to preach occupied Peiping and Tientsin and are pushing the Gospel of Christ to Moslems, to carryon the their campaign north to the Great Wall and south work sacrificially and to expect that God will to the Yellow River. Without any declaration of honor our fulfilment of His will, by bringing Mo- war, Shanghai has been attacked with warships, hammedans into the fold of Christ. airplanes and cannon. Even the International Settlement has suffered and many educational THE TRAGEDY IN CHINA and missionary institutions have been bombed. The Chinese troops have offered brave and deter- Apparently the Japanese have determined to mined resistance in spite of their inferior equipgain control of China or of the northern prov- ment. They have now retired to their second line inces. Impartial observers who have followed the of defense on the west of Shanghai. events that led up to the present conflict can see no justification for Japan's invasion of China. What will be the outcome of this invasion of The excuse offered is the Japanese desire for eco- China, no one can foresee. China is too great a nomic development, their determination to sup- nation and too large a territory to be conquered press anti-Japanese feeling, and. a desire to com- in a short time. The Japanese attacks have bat the communistic influence of Russia. They united Chinese as never before, even communists have taken a strange method for accomplishing offering their service to the Nanking Government. these purposes. The first end might have been China is fighting for her life and for the pringained by friendly agreement and cooperation; ciples set forth by Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the father the second aim is thwarted and made more im- of the Chinese Republic. possible by each new invasion of China's territory and by utter disregard of China's sovereign The warfare is naturally affecting the missionrights. The third aim-to destroy communistic ary work in China. Reports come that the people influence in China-can scarcely be achieved by in war areas are filled with fear and that there methods that stir up the spirit of communism and are signs of religious revival in many places. seem to give reason for its promotion. Christians meet to worship, in spite of danger, and pray earnestly for the guidance and strength- Japan feels conscious of her military strength
TOPICS OF THE TIMES
ening of their rulers. The Protestant community meantime we can all work for greater unity numbers over one million and Roman Catholics re- through the guidance of the Spirit and through port 2,702,000 on their church rolls. Foreigners loving cooperation in the work He has given His in China number about 10,000, of whom over one- Church to carry forward. There is no room for half are Protestant missionaries. Many of these jealousy, for a desire to rule or for personal am- have left China on furlough; women and chil- bition, rivalry, suspicion and selfishness in such dren have been taken with other refugees to the unity. Philippines; missionaries on furlough are being kept home and others are being advised to leave Mr. Erling C. Olson, a New York business man, the danger zones. Probably by November first recently broadcasted over a network of stations the number of missionaries on the field will be re- some very helpful meditations on "Christian duced to 2,500, but most of these will elect to Unity," based on the one hundred and thirtystand by their flocks and to suffer and die with them if necessary. The missionary work most third Psalm. He said in part: * affected is in the area of Peiping, Tientsin, Shangh:;d and Nanking, although Japanese bombing The New Testament principle of fellowship and complanes have carried their attacks as far as Han- munion was beautifully expressed by our Lord, when He kow in the west and Canton in the south. said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." One would nat- The Christians in America and England can do urally assume, therefore, that when any body of Christians most by upholding their missionaries and the meets together they would experience this delightful comforces of righteousness by prayer. Much suffer- munion which the Psalmist so wonderfully portrayed, ing of innocent Chinese can be allayed through when he said, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is missionary and Red Cross ministrations. Gifts for brethren to dwell together in unity!" No one takes to meet present emergencies should be sent exception to this principle. It is good for capital and through the mission boards working in China. labor to dwell together in unity. It is good for any in- dividual to enjoy the fellowship of other members of his THE BASIS FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY group and preserve a spirit of unity. Such being the case, what an indictment it is against the Christian fam- Many movements are on foot for church union ily when there are petty squabbles and when the spirit of -on mission fields, in England and in America. discord and consequent disruption are present, as has been Some of these are to unite denominational fam- evident, particularly in recent years, even among men ilies, as in the Methodist, Baptist, Congregation- and women who actually have been born again by the al, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Reformed bodies. operation of the Spirit of God and the Word of God. I Some unions have already been effected, while am not talking about Christendom as we know it today. others are still being agitated. Other union move- I am not talking about the vast body of Christians and ments, as in Canada, include different denomina- non-Christians gathered together in one great melting pot. tional groups, while still other communions, like I refer to the body of Christ; to those who know that their the Protestant Episcopal Church eagerly advocate sins are forgiven, who know that they have eternal life a united church but can conceive of it only on the through faith in Jesus Christ, who know that they have basis of the acceptance of ecclesiastical ordination passed out of death and into life and therefore know that in harmony with their belief in the "historic epis- the Lord Jesus Christ is their Saviour and have acknowlcopate." edged Him as their Lord.
All true and intelligent followers of Christ ac- It is no wonder that the Church appears so impotent cept unity as the Christian ideal for which our before the world when the members of the Church are at Lord prayed three times in his high-priestly variance with one another. prayer: "That all may be one, as thou Father art in me and I in thee, that they may be one as in There can be no united Church except on a solid foundaus"-they are given eternal life in order that they tion. I do not think it is possible to have unity between may know God and be sanctified, kept, perfected. two groups of people, one of whom believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the other believes that He is The recent conferences at Oxford and Edinburgh a mere man; or to have unity between a group that looks have again emphasized the ideal for unity and upon the death of Jesus Christ on the Cross as a divine union among Christians, but seem to have found transaction, wherein God made 'atonement for sin, and a no new basis in which to realize such union. Hu- group that looks on the Cross and the death of Jesus man individuality, with differences of personal Christ as that of a martyr or a good man who died for a interpretations, tastes and methods of operation, cause. There can be no real fellowship between such must be recognized and respected until we all real- groups-but there can be unity between every member of ize that union with Christ that can find full ex- the body of Christ whose feet rest solidly upon the fact of pression in the harmony of faith, love and service the deity of Christ and upon the death which He died upon only as we realize perfect union in Him. In the the Cross.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul says, "I beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuifering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to' keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
In the 16th chapter of his letter to the Romans, the Apostle gives a similar injunction: "Now I beseech you, • Quoted by permission.
brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences tion. In Java and Sumatra alone, where the contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid Dutch Christian influence predominates, there them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus are over 50,000 converts from Islam. Christ, but their own belly . . ." That is a strange expression. Mark those men and avoid them, for they do There is the challenge of Jewry-not a popular not serve the Lord. They serve their own selves in their challenge but one we must face as Christians conlust for preeminence, or their appetite for power. cerned with the spiritual welfare of the youth of the world. The key to the Jewish problem every- Again, our Lord Jesus Christ, the fountain-head of all where is the recognition of Jesus Christ as divine truth, in His great high-priestly prayer, recorded in the Lord and Saviour of all mankind. Fifteen million 17th chapter of John's Gospel, said, "Neither pray I for Jews are without the knowledge of the saving these alone, (that is, the apostles gathered around Him) grace of Jesus Christ, and yet what do we owe but for them also which shall believe on me through their to the Chosen People of God for the preservation word; (that means us) that they all may be one; as of the Old Testament, and the knowledge of Christ thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may and His Way of Life. be one in us: that the world 11WIJJ believe that thou hast sent me." What a terrific responsibility rests upon each The challenge embraces many non-Christian member of the body of Christ to observe a spirit of unity, lands such as India and China. There is the mass in order that the world may know that our Lord Jesus movement in India towards 6hristianity; whole Christ is the Son of God and sent by Him to die for us! communities are pressing forward to become Christians. The immediate need there is for When brethren dwell in unity we will determine that, Christian education and the greater development instead of causing divisions, we will endeavor to keep the of indigenous leadership. China is plastic to new unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. The Holy Spirit impressions and the greatest hope of the Chrisalways makes for unity amongst believers in Christ, for tians of China is their vision of a Chinese in- He dwells in them. digenous movement adapted to meet the religious needs of the people, and effective in arousing in * SOME PRESENT-DAY CHALLENGES Chinese Christians the sense of responsibility for the extension of the Kingdom of God. Weare living in a world which is more or less in a broken state, when even the bravest are apt There is also the challenge of unreached areas to grow despondent. The difficulties and problems in Central Africa, in South America, the Islands are of many kinds-political upheavals and mass of the Pacific and other unevangelized fields. movements are ruthless in their disregard of Christianity; nations are dissatisfied with what Then there is the challenge of Europe today. they have seen of modern civilization, and are In Central and Southeastern Europe Protestantfilled with bitterness and antagonism. But a new ism is fighting for its life. Nationalism and Comproblem is becoming the most serious menace to munism are seeking to capture youth with teach- Christianity, namely, a refined heathenism. Also, ing, much of which is subversive to the ideals of in their very antagonism to Western civilization, Christ and the best interests of humanity. some non-Christian religions are absorbing the principles of the Gospel of Christ. While thus The needs of this weary, war-torn, restless refining their own religion they still stand in ab- world and the great opportunities that confront us solute antagonism to the Christian faith. In the constitute a challenge to every Christian. God is early days of the Christian Church, they, too, more concerned about the needs of the world than found that a purified paganism was more insid- we are; the Christian teaching and training of ious and powerful even than an antagonistic bar- youth is a great burden oli His heart even more barism. than on ours. One of the greatest words in Chris- tian literature is "Immanuel" – God is with us. We believe that these problems are not per- Here we find the motive and the power for Chrismanent, nor even paramount; they are passing tian education. God loved, and when He loved, phases; to followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, He served, and when He served, He sacrificed they constitute, not reasons for fears and misgiv- His best. There is but one service which is the ings, but a challenge. service of the Kingdom of God; one race, and one Cross; one world of men, and one Kingdom; and First, there is the challenge of Islam. Moham- one glorious, peerless, Saviour for the whole medanism is conscious of a solidarity and unity world. which does not exist to such an extent in any other religion. They have their sects and their divi- This world is not going to be won except by sions, but they are conscious of a brotherhood great sacrifice. We must have the spirit which wherever they are. Today the Mohammedan recognizes that only by entire dedication of ourworld is restless, but it is more responsive to the selves and all our resources can we truly serve message of Christ than it has ever been. Per- Christ. As Hudson Taylor once said, "Christ secution and opposition exist, but nothing so must be Lord of all or He is not Lord at all." clearly proves the power of the Gospel as opposi- • From an address at the World's Sunday School Convention, Oslo, by Dr. James Kelly.
Moslem World
-"if By the REV. DWIGHT M. DONALDSON, D.D., Ph.D., Meshed, Iran )Bt– Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., 1915- I T SHOULD never be forgotten that when the maintain this political and military authority, it armies of Islam were victorious in Syria and has come to be a matter of policy for Western in Persia, they took over the authority of the governments to have strict regard for the cultural old Persian Empire. This ancient empire, under and religious preferences of their Mohammedan the Achremenide'S, had been the scene of the far- subjects. Whatever criticisms may be voiced flung adventures of Xenophon and the Ten Thou- against this Western domination, it will not be sand; under the Parthians had held the haughty claimed by intelligent Mohammedan leaders that Romans at bay for more than two centuries; the Christian faith and practice are being forced upon same empire, under the Sassanidre, was forced to them. give place to the conquering Arabs. Afterwards, when this famous empire of the East became Mo- There is now no longer a Caliph in Islam, since hammedan, much of its culture and prestige sur- the Sultan of Turkey was compelled by his own vived to adorn the courts of the new rulers. Noble people to abdicate in order to open the way for the Persian families, some of them Zoroastrian and Turkish Republic. Of the entire Mohammedan some of them Christian, furnished viziers and population of the world, about 240 millions, there treasurers for the Caliphs, and scholars and trans- are nearly one hundred millions who are living lators for the libraries. under the authority and protection of the British crown and forty millions ruled by the Netherlands It is customary to ascribe the failure of the Cru- in the Dutch East Indies. Of the remaining 100 sades to a lack of effective cooperation among the millions, there are about thirty-two millions in the leaders of the Christian nations. No doubt real French colonies and protectorates, sixteen milunity in Christendom during the tenth, eleventh lions under the iron hand of the Soviet Republic, and twelfth centuries would have produced a dif- fifteen millions in China, and some four millions ferent situation. As a matter of fact unity of ac- in the Philippine Islands, in Japanese possessions, tion among the Mohammedans was but sporadic and in Europe. There remain to be accounted for and short-lived; they too had repeated failures only about thirty-three millions, who live in the that were primarily due to dissensions among five self-governing Mohammedan countries, twelve themselves. Time after time a new attack from millions in Turkey, eight millions in Iran (Perthe Christians would serve to bring them together. sia), three millions in Iraq, six millions in Af- In the course of the Crusades, each generation ghanistan, and four millions in Arabia. seemed to feel that the East and the West were, through some necessity, fighting again. On each H. R. H. Amir Saoud, the son of King Abdul side religion was part of the war propaganda. Aziz, remarked recently that "it is not easy for Now that many hundred years have passed, we independent countries to enter into a thorough look back upon those long continued conflicts and federation with countries that are only partially see how they served but one fatal purpose in world independent." When he was asked about his opinhistory. Their one abiding result was to hand ion in regalld to the suggested Middle Eastern bloc down to succeeding generations a heritage of between Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan, he hatred, suspicion and fanaticism. In their atti- said that "this would be a welcome development tude towards each other East anq West, for the and would certainly receive our blessing," (Great most part, have shared this heritage. Britain and the East, July 8,1937).* While today there is no longer a great Moham- In any effort to classify and describe the vast medan EmpI·re, as l·n th.e day.s of the Crusades when the actual dominion of the Caliph extended • counAtriceosncmisaey sbtaetefmouenndt oinf tWhe. Def.foSrctsheorfmCerhhroisrtnia'sn rmeciesnsitonbsooikn, t"hTehsee from the Indus to the Atlantic, yet Mohammedan CsthimriSutliaatningMisssuiorvne. yinotfhethJefodwehronleWporrolbdl"em(choafptmeris1si0on);s atondMaohmaoms-t medans is given in Dr. S. M. Zwemer's "Across the World of Islam." civilization has continued to prevail in vast areas Attention should also be called to an article in the July number of The Moslem World, which publishes "A Statistical Survey," by that have come under the political and military Carlo Gasbarri. This article has been translated from the Italian authority of Western peoples. In order to help by Phlllip T. Blackwood and it is probably the most up to date ~~fli~!S ;~r~~ question of the distribution of Mohammedans through- [455 ]
group of mankind that make up the Mohammedan with pious cant and hypocrisy, that boy may come world, divided as they are into many sects and to regard as genuine the open honesty and fairscattered in many countries, it is easy to make play that he sees in some Christian college. In serious mistakes. Aside from the fact that ac- such a case there is much for which to be thankful. curate census reports are not to be had in some of The lad acquires the habit of the conscientious these countries, a numerical survey of the adher- quest of truth for its own sake. But something ents to any religion is apt to be misleading. There further is needed. New eagerness to learn what are millions of Mohammedans whom the puritani- is true mus,t be directed into the spiritual realm as cal Wahabis in Arabia and Iraq would not recog- well, and this must be done by those whose ways nize as true believers. Likewise the self-satisfied of living he has come to admire. Here is an op- Shi'ites of Iran and India can see little hope for portunity for the possible coordination of the boy's those who rejected and dishonored their Imams. new life with the direct evangelistic work of the The modern reformers in India have suffered mission, or better still, with the agencies of the agony of soul when they realized the ignorance indigenous Church. and superstition of thousands upon thousands of their own religious community, whose systematic Another young man may show more interest veneration of fetishes and saints they regard as and ability in social life rather than as a scholar. sheer idolatry. And orthodox groups in Egypt, He may attend a Christian wedding in a beautiful who adhere to the Koran ,and the Traditions as garden in India. There he will see Christian interpreted by the four recognized schools of law, young ladies moving about modestly but graare indignant at the man-made movements of the ciously, animated with gay hospitality, and talking Moslem "modernists." From any of these varie- freely with both ladies and gentlemen. When he ties of believers you may easily find a friend who returns to his dormitory room he may voice a prowill assure you, "In these modern times it is hard test, as I once heard such a man do, against the to say who is a Mohammedan." unreasonable restrictions of Mohammedan so- ciety, and ask, "How long will it be until we can Objections to Christianity have the same clean and natural and loyal family life the Christians have?" Notwithstanding these inherent difficulties, whether a missionary go to Cairo or to Constan- Here also is a point of contact for some discerntinople, to Beirut or to Teheran, to Baghdad or to ing Christian friend to show him, in the right way Lucknow, he will hear certain uniform objections and time and place, that it is not what comes from to Christianity for example, that it has three gods, the West but what comes from Jesus Christ that or that the true Gospel that Jesus brought down makes the big difference. This, however, will not from Heaven is no longer extant. These objec- be accomplished by mere assertion. A careful tions are usually met best indirectly, in the course study together of the pre-Christian social standof calm and patient teaching and explanation of ards of some of the modern Christian peoples may the New Testament. But almost everywhere we be necessary. The missionary's objective is not to discover also that Westernization, in the form of suggest that one social culture be abandoned for secularism and nationalism, is making serious in- another, but rather that the culture of every naroads on Islam. And if we read again the opinion tion be submitted to the transforming power of of one of our foremost American orientalists, Dr. the will of God as revealed by Jesus Christ. D. B. Macdonald, (Aspects of Islam, p. 12), we realize that what required discerning insight a In such circumstances a program of Westernizafew years ago is now written in the Islamic social tion only would be hazal'dous and inadequate. structure so that one who runs may read: And what has been said with reference to schools and colleges applies with equal force to mission Islam as a religion is not holding its own against the dispensaries and hospitals. In this field also getunbelief that is flooding in from the European civilization. ting somewhere from the Christian point of view Young men are growing up into crass and material forms means getting beyond mere Westernization. There of atheism; forms that the best intellectual life of Europe is something fine and noble in a Christian doctor's has itself thrown off. And as education spreads and attitude toward his patients that witnesses to the deepens, as history vindicates for itself its place, as the spirit of Christ. It is this that enables him to work moral feeling becomes more watchful and sensitive, so the with patience and sympathy with people who are legend of Muhammad will crumble and his character be often unreasonable and exasperating. He has seen in its true light. It is, then, for the Christian schools something else than the discipline of his profesand preachers to save these peoples, not only for Chris- sion, something that has for its purpose, not the tianity, but for any religion at all; to vindicate to them white man's supremacy, not national honor, not the claims upon their lives of religion in the broadest sense. personal distinction, but a deeply laid desire for the dominion of the healing love of God in the But Westernization cannot be depended upon to hearts and bodies of suffering mankind. produce Christians. When perchance a Mohammedan youth has a father who disgusts his son
THE MOSLEM WORLD TODAY
As we think of many famous cities in the Islamic ary epistles in the New Testament, in their salutaworld where missionaries are now working pa- tions, exhortations and farewells. tiently and devotedly as true knights of the Cross, it is a sobering thought to realize over what a These national Christians also work with the wide area they are scattered. We rejoice also in missionaries in adapting Christian teaching to the strategic advantages they now have in this meet what has been called "the new Moslem apolgreat crusade for the peaceful penetration of the ogetic and polemic." In their candid social and love of God in Jesus Christ. Important and fa- intellectual relations with Mohammedans of the miliar cities in which they are witnessing, cities present day, missionaries find that many are not of more than 100,000 population according to the as dogmatic as they used to be. Things have been last issue of The Statesm.,an's Yearbook, may well happening to give them a broader background. be mentioned: They are inquisitive and receptive in the fields of history, of science, and of philosophy; and their Calcutta ………………………….. 1,485,582 opposition to Christianity is apt to be less bitter Constantinople ……………………… 740,805 and fanatical. Bombay …………………………… Cairo …………………………….. 1,161,383 On the other hand, if Moslems are irritated into Madras …………………………… 1,064,567 explosively proclaiming their objections to Chris- Hyderabad ………….. ,"""",',…. tianity, they may say things that are palpably Alexandria …………… ,………….. 647,230 specious and superficial. They may maint;:tin that Teheran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 466,894 the Christian Scriptures teach that the blind and Lucknow ………………………….. 573,063 leprous are impure and that Solomon was an Rangoon ………………… , …. '….. 360,000 idolater. As the Mohammedan takes for granted Damascus …………………………. 274,659 the dogma that the prophets were sinless, they will Delhi …………………………….. 400,415 insist that the Bible is in gross error in saying Lahore …………… , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193,912 that David became a prey to temptations and that Smyrna ………………… , ……… ,. 447,442 Aaron joined in the worship of the calf because of Cawnpore …………………………. 429,747 fear of the people of Israel. Like the Jews of old Agra …………………………….. 170,546 Moslems still exclaim that it is blasphemy to say Ahmadaoad .'……………………… 243,755 that Jesus is the Son of God, that it is directly Tabriz ……………………………. 229,764 contrary to the Koran to say that one person can Allahabad …………………………. 313,789 bear the sin of others, that it is immoral and fool- Tunis …………………………….. 219,000 ish to say that "the Law is a curse," and naively Amritsar … . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183,914 anthropomorphic to speak of God as being "tired" Howrah …………………………… 202,405 or "repentant." Poona . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264,840 Soerabaya ….. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224,873 To counteract the considerable influence of Baghdad ………………………….. 250,187 Christian teaching among the students in the Diwaniya ………… '……………… 146,944 schools and colleges of India, the Ahmadi sect Fez ……………………. " . . . . . . . . . . . 353,840 make such allegations as these against Jesus: Patna ……….. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341,068 Aleppo ……………………………. 106,838 That He was given to drunkenness. Karachi ……. ,……………………. 159,690 That He exceeded all bounds in vulgar abuse of the Jews. Meshed …………………………… 177,313 That He was a coward and afraid to face death. Beirut ……………………………. ' 263,565 That He was disrespectful to His mother. Ankara …………………………… 139,000 That He was friendly with women of questionable char- Isfahan …………………………… 134,655 123,699 acter. 100,000 That His teachings were too idealistic and impracticable. That He grew angry and lost His temper. Some of the most gratifying work for Christ is That He was provincial, and that His message was only done in towns and rural districts that lie across the plains or in the mountain valleys beyond the for the Jews. cities. It is from these regions that hundreds and That He was weak and helpless. hundreds of patients come to mission hospitals; That His mission was a failure. and country boys and girls come to attend mission That Jesus did not die on the Cross, and that there was schools. National Christians, sometimes accompanied by missionaries, go out and tour from town no Resurrection. to town, or from village to village, having their part in modern apostolic witnessing. The fellow- But as a rule Mohammedan readers put a disship of believers is beautifully shown when these tinction between the Gospels and Chri.stian propamen and women, often themselves converts from ganda literature. Many of them are able and Islam, are able to be in the same little place for a ready to refute superficial and hostile objections while with some isolated Christian family, or to to the character of Jesus. They feel too much of have a series of meetings with some struggling the significance of His life and teaching to let His little group of new Christians. And when letters character be smirched "by the pen of an enemy." are exchanged afterwards, it is interesting to see that they write after the manner of the mission- "It cannot be," as Dr. Murray T. Titus has ob- served in his book on Indian Islam, "that honest
truth-seeking Moslems will continue indefinitely ulation, with sharp differences between the varito refuse to face all the facts, and pursue a policy of evasion of the real issues of history and life, ous region; in the Northeast they reach 82%, in even though such investigation leads to the questioning and study of the very sources of revelation the East 8 %, in the West 32 %, in the center 470, itself. . . . The sum of it all is, that the highest revelation of God to man is through a living per- and in the South only 2%. sonality. That the modern Moslem apologist is becoming more and more conscious of the funda- Percentage mental importance of this truth is revealed in the Moslems of population fact that he is emphasizing the personality and character of Mohammed as the means by which Morocco ………………. 5,215,000 97 God's grace was shed upon the world, and as the fact of central importance in Islam. The problem, Algeria ……………….. 5,174,872 82 therefore, for the Moslem as for the Christian investigator, is to apply the same honest and fear- Tunisia ……………….. 1,932,184 93 less critical methods to the study of Mohammed and his revelation as have been applied to Jesus Egypt ………………… 11,658,148 91 and the Bible," ("Indian Islam," Murray T. Titus, 1930). . Libya …………………. 1,205,000 94 For missionaries among Mohammedans, as for Anglo-Egyptian Sudan …… 2,800,000 66 their supporters in the homeland, and for their colleagues from the national Christians in Moslem Mauritania …………….. 254,000 99 countries, the issue is clearly drawn; our purpose is "to ,give the light of the knowledge of the glory Senegal ……………….. 915,000 75 of God in the face of Jesus Christ." French Sudan ………….. 1,061,000 42 Eritrea ……………….. 225,000 56 French Somaliland ………. 210,000 100 British Somaliland ………. 300,000 100 Italian Somaliland ………. 1,500,000 99 Ethiopia ………………. 2,500,000 37 French Guinea …………. 1,045,000 66 North Nigeria. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,889,000 64 South Nigeria …………. 1,940,0000 25 Chad …………………. 925,000 72 Cameroons …………….. 500,000 25 Nyasaland …………….. 160,000 10 Kenya ………………… 1,000,000 40 Uganda ……………….. 600,000 20 Tanganyika ……………. 400,000 10 A STATISTICAL SURVEY OF ISLAM* By far the largest Islamic country in Africa is Egypt where, as in West Africa, the Moslem prob- Every good Moslem is, and in fact must be, a lems are of particular interest.
"missionary." In 1900 the Moslem world had at Since 1930 Moslem missionaries from the el-Azhar University in Cairo have been diffusing its disposal two hundred printing presses; today culture and orthodox doctrine among the Moslems of various countries. An American observes that it has eight hundred and eighty. Out of a world the "Christians are talking about converting Af- rica, and the Moslems are doing it." Roman Cathpopulation of 2,053,600,000, we can accept 240,- olic missionaries state that the Moslems succeed in making propagandists among their converts, 000,000 as a figure for Islam. while the Catholics cannot succeed even in in- structing their catechumens. Moslems in A'sia are most numerous and in- Islam constitutes about two one-hundreths of clude 17.970 of the population. one per cent of the population of North America, and one-eighth of one per cent of South and Cen- Percentage tral America, with a total of scarcely 135,583 Moslems of plYpulation members.
Turkey ……………….. 12,600,000 92 In Europe and Soviet Russia Moslems represent 2% of the total population. They include 584,000 Syria …………………. 2,159,259 77 in Albania, 1,337,000 in Jugoslavia, 690,000 in Bulgaria, and 2,400,000 in Russia. Palestine ………… . . . . . . . 557,649 70 There are no general organizations for all Islam Transjordania ………….. 2,850,000 92 with a purely missionary scope, and the attempt to create an Association for the Defense of Islam Arabia ………………… 4,000,000 100 is a failure. The only organization of the kind, which will perhaps soon become international Iraq ………………….. 2,640,700 96 through increasing growth, is the Association of Moslem Youth, with headquarters in Cairo. An Iran ………………….. 8,830,000 95 international movement has developed from heret- ical Moslem sects, principally from the Ahma- Siberia, Kirghiztan, etc. ….. 16,462,442 80 diyah of Qadian and Lahore (British India), and from the Bahai sect, of Persian origin. Afghanistan …………… 6,380,500 100 British India …………… 78,000,000 21 French Indies ………….. 15,000 5 British East Indies ……… 2,025,000 47 Dutch East Indies ………. 43,000,000 86 Philippine Islands ………. 443,037 4 China …. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,000,000 5 Chinese Turkestan ………. 1,200,000 48 The leading Moslem country in Asia is India. Moslems in Africa number about 37% of the pop- *eondensed from The Moslem World (July, 1937), New York; translated from an article by Carlo Casfarri in Il Pensiero Mis- sionwrw (Rome), December, 1936, by Philip T. Blackwood of Princeton, N. J.
Trends in the Moslem
By EDWARD M. DODD, M.D., New York Author of "To Mecca and Beyond"; Formerly a Missionary of the Presbyterian Church in Iran A GENERATION ago the world of Islam was As one surveys the wide reaches of the Moslem still predominantly a unit. Though living scene, and ponders the changes taking place, there under diverse national and political condi- appear to be four fairly well defined trends of the tions, Moslems had a strong sense of their solidar- day. This observation applies chiefly to leaders, ity. Except for certain well established heresies to urban centers and to youth. The vast rural or minor offshoots, and allowing for the begin- bulk of Islam is still conservative, orthodox and nings of revised and modernized thinking which relatively little changed. But where the city goes affected a relatively small group of intelligentsia, now the village will go presently, especially with there were no outstanding .divergencies in the the radio and the automobile and the printed page Moslem road, or deep rifts in the Moslem front. arriving everywhere. We are here concerned with In the main the religious road of Sunnis in India, these lead-trends to the future.
Turkey or North Africa, for example, ran parallel, 1. In the first place we have the conservative or rather they loyally converged on Mecca. The status quo plus the "Puritan" revival in Arabia. Sultan-Caliph was still on the Constantinople Externally or mechanically Arabia is being gradthrone; and the faithful from Morocco to the ually modernized but religiously it remains ortho- Philippines, and from Bokhara to CapeTown, dox, with the re-emphasis of the Wahabi Moverecognized and revered him as their head. It ment. The tale which at once illustrates the point, was still not wholly fantastic to talk of a general as well as the consummate skill of Ibn Saoud, has Mohammedan Holy war; indeed Turkey made an been told more than once. When it was proposed abortive attempt at this as late as the closing year to install a telephone system in Riadh, the desert of the World War. Moslems had not yet trans- capital of Saoudi Arabia, the conservative relilated the Koran out of Arabic. The veiled and re- gious leaders protested. The thing was not of the pressed status of women was still universal. Even Koran and therefore not lawful. Ibn Saoud put in heretical Shiite Persia the Old Order was not the matter to the religious test. He suggested visibly disturbed. that a Mullah read the Koran into the telephone at one end of an experimental line and another But what have we now? Shocks from without Mullah listen at the other end. If the apparatus and revolutionary transformations from within, conveyed the sacred words, surely the thing was accentuated by the WorId War but largely repre- of Allah and lawful. How could one object to that? senting the influx of the modern age, have shaken Needless to say, Riadh now has telephones. Yet and confused the House of Islam. Turkey has the ecclesiastical hierarchy is intact. One wongone secular and modern, while Arabia is Puritan ders how long this intellectual straddle can hold Wahabi. The Caliphate has been summarily abol- up, for Islam tends to give way or to be revised ished, and there are no significant efforts afoot to as it is exposed to the modern impact. re-establish it. Egypt has developed theological modernism; and Azhar University, the intellec- North Africa, west of Egypt, shares with tual nerve-center of Islam, has been made over on Arabia the characteristic of Mohammedan conmodernized lines. The Koran has been translated servatism, even though in the social externals of for the use of Moslems into Turkish and is being life it is also becoming Europeanized. translated into other languages. The veil has been largely discarded in Turkey and is officially banned In Central Asia we have the complicated situain Iran. The Turkish National Assembly has now tion of conservative religious leadership, assaulted a number of women delegates; Egypt has a vig- by the socially radical and religiously atheistic orous feminist movement. Turkey and Iran are Soviet government and also facing a considerable busily harking back to their Turanian and Iranian feminist movement. The prospects are that the origins, and are turning away from the Arabic- religious old order will be overpowered by the Islamic culture. In the Near East generally, ex- social new order. A real battle is on. cept for Arabia, there is considerable disintegration in Islam. 2. There is another group which we might call the reform or revision states, conspicuously illus- [459 ]
trated by India and Egypt, each in its own way. be called the drifters. The drifting away from They are formulating definite philosophies, which Islam is a part of what is going on all over the have been developing and spreading for a number world-the drift away from all religion. In these of years, and which are changing and diversifying Moslem countries the dominant interest is political the religious picture. The outstanding contribu- and nationalistic. Nationalism is becoming the tion of India is the Ahmadiya movement. The net new religion rather than Islam: the ardors of result in India, according to Mr. Murray Titus is loyalty, the mass demonstrations, the allegiances reinvigoration. He concludes that in spite of di- of youth-these are now channelled largely into visions and weaknesses, "Islam in India today is nationalism. There is a wholesale drift of youth better organized, better educated, more progres- away from the old religion. Outward observances sive, more reasonable and tolerant toward its may still be maintained, though many of these are neighbors than ever before in its history. Of weakening, but the inner conviction is crumbling Egyptian thought, Dr. Charles C. Adams of the away. The movie theatre is found to be much American Mission says: more exciting than the Mosque; the radio broad- "Mohammedan modernism in Egypt may be cast is more intriguing to the younger generation said to have taken form as a definite movement than the call to prayer. Inert fatalism, the resig- during the last quarter of the preceding century, nation of Islam, has a hard time surviving the under the leadership of the late Grand Mufti of automobile and modern medicine.
Egypt, Sheikh Myhammad Abduh, who died in . The Iranian Shah has made it unmistakably and 1905. It constitutes an attempt to free the reli- dramatically clear fuat progressive nationalism, gion of Islam from the shackles of a too rigid embodied in himself, rules, and not Islam. But orthodoxy, and to accomplish reforms which will there has been no official disestablishment of the render it adaptable to the complex demands of latter. The youth of Iraq says that Mohammed modern life. Its prevailing character is that of was well enough for his day, but that he is now a religious reform; it is inspired and dominated back-number; let the religious hierarchy die in chiefly by theological considerations. It differs in peace; they no longer count. But no official overt this respect from the reforms instituted by the change has been made. Syria's consuming na- Indian group of nationalist reformers, who aim tional interest is in the new political situation cre- primarily at a cultural movement, and the adjust- ated by the transition from French mandate to ment of Islam to the conditions of modern Euro- independence. The races and religions in this pean civilization. The fundamental assumption, polyglot country increasingly unite on the basis of however, that Islam is a world religion, suitable Arab nationalism, which tends more and more to for all peoples, all times, and all cultural condi- transcend religious and racial lines.
tions, is common to both movements." Similarly in far~off Java, one of the largest In both countries there are strong social move- Moslem units of the world, there is a well-devel- ments among women, which are attacking prob- oped movement to return to the pre-Islamic Na- lems of health and well-being, of polygamy, di- tional culture. There is a strong nationalistic vorce and prostitution. All of this is within the movement, which is of far more vital interest to frame-work of the established religion. the younger generation than any religion. With These two groups, the orthodox and the revised, them Islam is increasingly under criticism and in give no evidence of breaking away from Islam. the discard.
They are making their social and theological adap- 4. Finally there is the radical state, Turkey, tations from within. The state or the community which alone has turned squarely away from Islam is still a "church" state or a "church" community. as an official institution. It has not turned against ("Church" is of course used as the nearest intel- Islam, nor is it antireligious in general, but it has ligible counterpart – not because Islam has a decided that, in order to become a modern and pro- church in the Christian sense.) gressive country, it cannot brook the inhibitions, Both of these groups are strongly missionary. interference, and frustrations of the old Moslem The Ahmadiya movement is very active and the order. Kemal Ataturk has therefore set up a sec- Azhar is still a powerful propaganda center, with, ular state which, in itself, is a repudiation of basic Africa as its chief missionary field. In India the Mohammedanism, because the Mohammedan sys- new situation created by the Outcast movement tem has hitherto claimed the whole stage. A away from Hinduism, and the Ambedkar an- typical indepenuent Moslem country was ipso nouncement of their readiness to consider some facto a religious government – a "church" state; other religion, appeals tremendously to this funda- the only law was the Moslem law; there was no mental missionary urge of Islam, as well as hav- concept of a separate civil law.
ing its important political hearings. This radical national departure, coming from 3. Other predominantly Moslem lands, like the country which had so long been the seat of the Iraq, Iran, and Syria, as well as Malaysia, might Caliphate, the spear-head of the whole Moslem
INFLUENCE OF MOSLEM SUPERSTITIONS
World, struck a body blow at world Islam. India hardly be water-tight compartments. There is and Egypt and the far isles of the Pacific rever- bound to be mingling and overflowing in this day berated with the shock. Turkey was branded as a of interchange and questioning and remolding. renegade and apostate, but the fulminations were It is an intriguing question as to which if anyone futile. Turkey went serenely and successfully on of these trends will prevail to any general extent. her way, and nothing has come of the scattered efforts to revive the Caliphate. It is, of course, incumbent upon the Christian enterprise to understand these trends, and the The course which Turkey has pursued has also varied fronts which they present. It is one thing had its admirers in other lands. Iran, for ex- to deal with a zealous, intolerant Wahabi Bedouin ample, is very apt to follow the same patterns as of the far desert reaches and another thing to talk her neighbor on her western boundary. There are with an indifferent, agreeable, irreligious young not wanting those, among the younger generation government clerk in Iran, or Syria; it is still anelsewhere, who think that Turkey has really other thing to sympathize with an active woman shown the way to do the thing. social reformer of Egypt, who also presents the new Moslem apologetic; and again another thing The patterns of national development, though to be a strictly inhibited missionary in Turkey. distinctively represented by national units, can Influence of Moslem Superstitions By DAVIDA M. FINNEY, Ramleh, Egypt II ~. – Missionary of the United Presbyterian Church '~==========================~I O NE of my earliest recollections as a child is Nurses and mothers frighten their erring children of a Moslem sheikh who came to call upon with, "Be good or the bu' bu' will catch you." my father. He sat alone in our drawing- room, waiting for father's return. I did not know Only about ten years ago I was dining with a he was there, and was wandering, rather discon- number of Egyptian college students about to re- . solately, down the hall when suddenly I was star- ceive the baccalaureate certificate. Turning to the tled by a flurry of robes, quick breathing, and one on my right, I asked: looked up to see the sheikh in full flight from the drawing-room door. When he saw me, he stopped "What did you think the bu' bu' was when you precipitately, and muttered, were a child?"
"An afreet! He blew down the chimney!" Then "A negro giant," he told me, "with flashing eyes he continued more calmly, "Let me, if you please, and a red mouth." sit outside here in the hall." At once the group around us was adding detail I remember glancing into the room, astonished upon detail. A discussion of afreet followed. Made at his fright and yet wondering if after all my a little uneasy by the vividness of descriptions mother might be wrong about afreet, and my na- given, I finally remarked: tive nurse right, and that I might now catch a glimpse of one. The sunny room lay silent and "Isn't it a fine thing that today we need no empty, however. No grinning afreet perched any- longer fear the bu' bu' and the afreetl" where, not even on the little iron stove. Faith in my mother returning in a comforting wave, I There was instant silence, and then the man on murmured loftily: my right said, "Pray be seated." "But you are a Westerner. We of the East know." This incident was my first introduction to the fact that learned men as well as my nurse were "But have you ever seen'an afreet?" I asked in- afraid of spirits. credulously.
In conversation with many Egyptians, I have To my amazement he nodded. found one word an open sesame to a common "One day," he said, "I was walking across a bit ground of experience, and eventually to a feeling of waste land. Suddenly I saw an afreet approach- of intimate friendliness. We discuss the bu' bu'. ing, very tall, clothed all in white. I looked to right and left, hunting for a place of concealment, but there was none. So I cowered down and hid my face until he had passed. One must always do that with an afreet; it is death to oppose him. Once a friend of mine, who happened to be armed,
met an a/reet and in his fright fired at it. The weaned her child. Women threatened with harm a/reet disappeared, but in a short time my friend may protect themselves by wearing a bit of palm was dead. If you oppose an a/reet, within a year stalk (gareeda). you die." No bride should be approached by a person just Over and over again in conversation with all circumcized. A woman who has just lost a child sorts of Egyptians one is reminded .of the fact that or a qati/ should not enter a house where there even today, for the mass of the population, ginn is a weaning child or one with sore eyes. If she and a/reet are real, a daily concern, terrifying. does, it will become blind. My friend, Mr. Khaleel Modern education, the radio, the cinema, closer Armanios, the blind evangelist of Alexandria, has contacts with Europe, a constantly increasing use often been asked if he was blinded by a qati/. of newspapers, these factors and many others are rapidly modifying superstiti.ous beliefs. Yet in Just after shaving a man must not approach a fairness one must remember that these educative bride, a pregnant, nursing .or weaning mother, if influences reach .only the minority in any country he has not previously met them, lest they become where literacy is low. Even in educated folk, barren or lose their milk. Evil consequences may brought up by superstitious parents, such belief be avoided if the WDman enters the room of meetis instinctive and dies hard. ing and walks around the man seven times. On the .other hand, if he shaves in his own house with A few years ago the editor of a fairly well- the woman close beside him no harm is done. Or known daily, then being published in Cairo, de- the woman may take the razor used, soak it in scribed to me his visit to an old convent. water, and .on a Friday when she bathes, pour the water over her body. Should her well-being be "I went alone," he told me, "although the place threatened by a qati/, or some other woman, she was full of a/reet. But," with quiet pride he con- may escape harm by securing some blood from the tinued, "J was not afraid." other WDman and placing it in her bath on Friday.
It is the modern educated youth who more Mr. Khaleel told me of a family of his acquaintnearly achieve freedom from fear. I am not writ- ance who had a bitter quarrel with a neighboring ing of Christians and well-traveled and well-read family. One of the women had weaned a child Moslems who for years have been unconsciDus of but had not yet seen the new moon. Forgetting such fear. I write rather of the general mass, not this fact, when her neighbor gave birth to a son the small group. she went to call upon the rejoicing mother. In a short time the child died, and, even worse, at the The women and girls with whom we come much end of a year the mother was still barren. After in contact are dominated by fear of el Mushohira much consultation and thought, the neighbor's (literally, to be monthed), the Ain (the Evil Eye) visit was remembered. She was apprDached and magic, and spirits. These spirits may be El Zar agreed to do what she could to repair the damage. (the Visitor), El Ginn, or El A/reet. The masses They took some blood from her hand, and the believe in certain charms to be said or used to mother placed it in her bath on Friday. No good counteract these evil influences. They think that resulting, again the neighbor was approached and .one must be quick to observe, and punctilious in again gave blood, this time from her foot. Still performing such rites, if one wishes to avoid no good resulting, .once more she was approached, injury. and asked to contribute blood from some other part of her body. This she indignantly refused t.o The Mushohira gets its name, as far as I am do, claiming that if she were the cause of the curse, able to discover its root, from shahr, month. The blood from one part of her body would be as effiidea in its use is that escape from harm depends caci.ous as from any other. Rapidly the quarrel on seeing the new moon. The evil effects of the grew, and for three years neither family has Mushohira fall upon certain groups of people and spoken t.o the other. are brought about by certain people. Those most commonly recognized Mushohira, bringing evil, There are other unlucky deeds by which one perare: a mother weaning her child, called El Qati/; son may bring evil upon another. If one crosses a a man who has just shaved; a person just cir- river in boat or train and then at .once enters cumcized; one who is ill or with sore eyes; and a where there is a bride, a sick person, a pregnant bride when she meets another bride. Those who or weaning mot!ler, injury will result. To avoid suffer from such individuals are brides, pregnant bringing injury, this person should remain in anwomen or mothers weaning a child, and the sick. other room until the woman enters where the new- The Mushohira is caused by other means, but less comer is and circles him seven times. Mr. Khaleel frequently. called recently in the home of a woman who once was visited by s.omeone just after crossing the If a Qati/ approaches a bride ora pregnant river. In a few days the woman became blind. woman, she becomes barren; if she approaches To remove the curse, her br.other took her in a another Qati/, the milk will be stopped. To rid herself of this baneful power, the Qati/ must see the new moon as soon as she has completely
boat to cross and recross the river. He was told not speak to or interfere with them. If a person that at once her eyesight was restored. Constantly accidentally stumbles or falls to the ground there one comes across the effects of the Mushohira. is grave danger that he has injured some of these spirits. The only way to appease them is to The Ain is injury brought about by admiring sprinkle the spot with salt, water, or even sugar something not your own. This admiration is prob- and bread. Last week a woman stumbled in ably envious and therefore brings evil conse- alighting from a street-car. She hastened to a quences. It is considered much more proper and friend's house, borrowed salt, sugar and water, considerate not to praise at all, but if impelled to returned to the spot and silently sprinkled it. To do so one should preface the remark with "Yikhzi maintain silence is essential if the rite is to be el Ain" (May God put the eye to shame), or "Aini efficacious. aleykum barda" (My eye is cold upon you). People are especially liable to be possessed by One man may say to another, "Aini barda, but spirits at certain times; at marriages, perhaps you seem to be in excellent health." Then all is because at that time they are concerned about well. It is difficult to remember this instinctive their appearance and frequently look in a mirror; shrinking from praise of anything a man holds when bathing, because they may inadvertantly addear. Nor is it easy to hold a baby in your arms mire their bodies; when sleeping alone, as spirits and make no admiring comment. If your eyes are always infest a solitary place; when going to bed blue, better far not even to look your pleasure. in a worried or angry frame of mind, as the spirits find access easy at that time. To be freed from the evil consequences of the Ain, it is thought necessary to secure a piece of Should one become possessed by a spirit one garment worn by the envious one, or some dregs must appease him and remove the cause of his from his coffee cup. No offense must be given, so anger. This is done by the holding of a Zar. one must not let him know that he is suspected of There are special women thought able to reconcile having done injury. If it is impossible to secure the spirits. The one possessed gives such a woman a bit of his clothing surreptitiously, often it is an article of her wearing apparel. She places it possible to secure a bit through a bribed servant beneath her pillow; during the night the offended or a sympathetic friend. Sometimes people are spirit tells her the cause of his anger and also startled to find a small piece gone from some val- what gift will satisfy him. Next morning the ued garment. This snippet is burned and the woman tells the possessed person what the spirit smoke passed over the child. Coffee dregs are wants – jewelry, a sheep, a new dress, or some boiled and the steam is passed over the child. piece of furniture. Many women take advantage of this custom to secure for themselves things they As for vengeful spirits, the ginn and zar are cannot otherwise obtain. considered always present. The ginn live usually in kitchens and bathrooms or in lofts where sup- The Sarukh (the cry), is brought about through plies are kept. The loft of a house in which Mr. an unnatural death. If a man is murdered, the Khaleel once lived was infested with rats. Neigh- spirits which live in his blood, continue to cry bors visiting in the house heard scurryings and aloud for vengeance from the spot where his blood squeakings and were firmly convinced that ginn was shed. There is no fear of evil consequences to the house if he dies away from home, otherwise it haunted the house. becomes infested with his afreet. In the case of A little Mohammedan girl once stayed in our any violent or accidental death, the spot where death occurs remains a place of danger to all home for some time. One day she went into the passers-by. kitchen to get some water but came out hastily without it. When asked what was the matter, she These are some of the superstitions with which one comes in contact day by day in schools, homes, said, and in one's travels. Many sheikhs studying in "There's an afreet in the pot on the stove." the Azhar University are today electing the course Looking in, I saw the lid of the tea-kettle rat- in modern education, similar to that given by the Ministry of Education. Such men will not fly pretling furiously as the water boiled. When taking cipitately from a room when the wind blows down a bath, if suddenly startled or frightened, one may the chimney. A new day has dawned in Egypt, a be sure that a ginn has taken possession of one's fact which is being felt even in EI Azhar Univer- sity. Yet those who visit in homes aU over the body. country, who deal intimately with men, women, Besides the ginn, the earth is believed to be in- and children, are forced to realize more and more clearly each year how great is the hold that superhabited by other spirits. These are divided into stition still has upon masses of the population in three main divisions; El Sitt (the woman), El any Mohammedan country. Seed (the master), and El Abd (the slave). They are found everywhere, but especially in any open or waste piece of land. Here they busy themselves with their own affairs. If one is forced to cross such a piece of land alone, one may see and hear them. To avoid injury by them, one should
Preach Christ to Moslems?
By the REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D., F.R.G.S., –..g{ Princeton, New Jersey }Sc-.- Editor of "The Moslem World"
"IF YOU will only organize Christian missions lidity and necessity of Christian missions to to the heathen in my province, instead of at- Moslems? tempting to convert Mohammedans, I will do 1. If ,the Gospel of Christ in its simplest form everything in my power to further and support (which is also its deepest mystery) includes the them, but I cannot approve or allow, at any rate Incarnation, the Atonement and the Resurrection at present, the opening of a mission to the Mo- then the world of Islam certainly needs our meshammedans." So said the governor of Nigeria, sage for it is news and offers Good News to every about thirty years ago. This policy was that of Moslem. Islam is not a Christian sect or a Chris- Lord Kitchener in the Sudan, of the British in the tian heresy. It is an eclipse of the Christ as re- Malay States, and is not yet abandoned every- vealed in the Gospel. It is an Arabian palimpsest where. superinscribed over the message of Jesus by an- The validity and the necessity of carrying the other hand. Its categorical denial of the deity of Gospel message to Mohammedans have been ques- Christ, of the crucifixion, of the finality of Jesus tioned in times past and are being questioned Christ as God's messenger and of His way of life today! The late Professor G. Kampffmeyer of through regeneration is evident from the Koran the University of Berlin in "Whither Islam?" itself.
deals with the subject in the same attitude; his The analogy of Paul's attitude toward Jew and conclusion is that missions in the Near East among Gentile holds today as regards missions to Mos- Moslems are as dangerous as they are futile and, lems and to other non-Christians. It was because for the good"of humanity, should be discontinued. the Jew had so much that was true and noble and yet needed the Gospel that Paul preached every- Dr. Hugh Vernon White, a secretary of the where to the Jew first. Their theism, their knowl- American Board, in the magazine called Chris- edge of the Old Testament, their zeal for God, tendom, plainly states that "Christian efforts to their passion for the Law did not invalidate their evangelize the Moslem have met with signal and need of the Gospel but emphasized it. This imconsistent failure. The response to such efforts plication would hold also for those Moslems of today is negligible and there is little likelihood of China, Africa and India who live in the midst of any marked change in the near future. . . . The paganism or polytheistic ethnic faiths. Christian Church ought to quit trying to make proselytes of Mohammedans. It should bring the In the Near East and North Africa, we have an best works of Christian service to the Moslem additional argument. There we are not merely world in a spirit of ecclesiastical and theological trying to lead Moslems to Christ, but rather to disinterestedness. " lead them back to Christ. Here we have the argu- ment of church history; the inspiration of the Father T. Bennerth, writing in a Roman Cath- cloud of witnesses, the apostles and martyrs of the olic missionary magazine for April 1930 says: faith; and the very stones of ruined churches and "As the conversion of the great bloc of Islamic monasteries would cry out if we were silent. nations to the Christian faith is not to be expected in our century " . . it is of the highest value that The Great Unoccupied Moslem Fields Islam at least maintains the belief in God in puri- fied forms. If this refuge of belief in God should 2. The missionary forces have hitherto moved vanish, then Western Christianity will be threat- across or around this great Moslem bloc. The fol- ened by a new seat of danger." lowing areas, or. countries in which the popula- When we compare these statements with the tion is wholly or predominantly Moslem, are still verdict of the Roman Catholic Conference, held in practically unoccupied. The missionary confer- Louvain in 1930, we find that ,there also the entire ences of Cairo, Edinburgh, Lucknow, and Jeruworld of Islam is labeled "le bloc inconvertisable." salem successively laid them all before the Church, In view of such opinions and statements, what but with little result-Afghanistan; the provinces satisfactory reasons can be advanced for the va- of Hejaz, Asir, Nejd, and Hadramaut in Arabia; [464 ] Russian Turkestan; parts of Siberia, Bokhara; blasted. The Moslem World Conference held at the eastern part of the Malay Peninsula; Socotra Mecca, and afterwards in Europe, proved a failand the Moslem populations of Madagascar, Rus- ure; none of the resolutions was carried out. sia in Europe, British and French Somali-land, Tripoli in North Africa, the French Sudan; the The Dutch Orientalist, Dr. Van der Meulen, who Great Aures Mountains, the Saharan Atlas spent many years in the diplomatic service at ranges, the central populous mountain regions of Jiddah, asks, "Are we standing at the eve of a re- Morocco, and the vast Sahara itself. These un- vival, a renaissance of Islam? No, the phenomena occupied fields have a total population of approxi- do not point this way. Except for the Wahhabi mately thirty-six million. How can we speak or movement in Central Arabia, it has all been a sing of evangelizing the whole world and leave all question of self-defense and resistance," (Moslem this outside of the program of occupation for World, October, 1936). Christ? Regarding the enormous area and population of Disintegration and Decay of Islam Indonesia, Professor C. C. Berg speaks of "de- structive forces that are at work against Islam all 3. A religion that once was the hope and glory over the world." Of the favorable factors he says of millions shows signs of breaking up. Old sanc- that they "might possibly result only in the long tions are disappearing. Their anchor-ground has run in a decrease in the rate of decay," ("Whither proved insufficient in the rising tide of material- Islam?" pp. 306-311). ism and atheism. Some tell us that there are signs of a resurgent Islam and of revival of faith in The geographical expansion of Islam in Africa Mohammed. But all signs point in the opposite has often been exaggerated. The latest statistical direction. This years report of the Board of For- survey shows a smaller proportion of Moslems in eign Missions of the Presbyterian Church states: nearly every area in North-central Africa (Mos- "There is now abundant evidence that the religion lern World, April, 1936). Dr. Deaville Walker of Islam is slowly disintegrating." wrote a few years ago: The collapse of the caliphate, and the failure of Within a comparatively short time, we pictured great all attempts to revive it, would lead to the conclu- pagan populations being rapidly Islamised. I am consion that Pan-Islamism is dead. The policy of the vinced that the position is wholly different today. Careful new government in Turkey and the complete sec- personal investigation in Sierra Leone and Mendeland, ularization of that republic points in the same the Gold Coast and Ashanti, Nigeria, and in the French direction. The Turkish press utters severe judg- colonies and protectorates of Dahomey, Togo, and the ment on Islam and its Prophet, while one by one Ivory Coast,· have made it very clear to me that the adthe old sanctions and customs of religion are pub- vance of Islam is being definitely checked, and that today licly discarded. A few years ago a British official we are winning far more Africans to the faith of Christ of high standing actually wrote to me: "Islam as than the Moslems are winning for their Prophet. Startling we once knew it is dead in Turkey; it is dying in as this may sound, I believe it to be absolutely true. Persia; it has ceClJ8ed to carry real weight in Egypt; it may survive some generations in What elements in Islam are today resurgent? Arabia; but the basic truths of Christianity will Does the old Mohammedan law or jurisprudence in the long run even there prevail." Such judg- any longer prevail under the new nationalism and ment is undoubtedly somewhat premature but it the new state? Or has the purely -Islamic-govis prophetic. erned state disappeared even in Arabia and Afghanistan? Islam faces a crisis in the lands where once it was dominant. Its efforts at propagandism in Has the social structure of Islam withstood the India and Africa "remind one of those sparse feminist movement and female education anygreen twigs sometimes still appearing at the ex- where? Can we seriously speak of "resurgent treme ends of half-dried-up boughs in trees whose forces" as regards polygamy, slavery, concubicore has for long been decaying from old age." nage, and the seclusion of womanhood? Was the Islam suffers because it feels itself under the suppression of the age-old Moharram celebrations tutelage of the West. In Turkey it suffers by be- in Persia a sign of vitality in Islam? Is the reli'- ing violated in its own bosom; in Russia from gion of Islam showing a new vitality when three Soviet persecution; and in Persia from a revolt of its "five pillars" are crumbling? The daily against the Arabic language and tradition. Mus- prayers are no longer observed as they were ten tapha Kemal Ataturk of Turkey raised great ex- years ago. The number of pilgrims to Mecca, in pectations, but he has turned out a bitter disap- spite of new facilities by motorbus and steampointment for all Moslems. The disenchantment ships, has dwindled from 250,000 to 80,000. was cruel but complete. The high hopes fixed on Mecca is losing its importance. Are the uniting Ibn Saood of Arabia to revive the caliphate were forces that remain, the Arabic language and cul- ture, the sense of brotherhood, the press and Al Azhar of Egypt-are these forces strong enough to counteract the disintegrating factors? Or will the progressive secularization of Moslem life rob
all life from the religion of Islam? Will the wan- Hospital in Northwest China, reports that Moslem ing of the Dervish orders and their suppression, as in Turkey, continue? patients crowd the doors, kiss the feet of the The fact is that Islam has been severely Christian physicians, listen eagerly to the meswounded in the house of its friends. The younger Egyptian modernists, instead of building care- sage, and that some at least find new life in Christ. fully on the foundations of reform laid by Jamalal-Dinal Afghani and the great Mohammed'Abdu, More and more thousands of Moslem youth are have ruthlessly undermined what remained intact. Mansur Fahmi, in his doctor's thesis, proved that sitting at the feet of Christian teachers in every Islam was progressively responsible for the degradation of womanhood. Dr. Taha Housain raised land. Day schools, boarding schools, colleges, and a storm of hostility by a book proving that much of early Islamic literature was a forgery, ·fabri- universities tell of an increasing number of Moscated to prop up the Koran and tradition. "The story of Abraham and Ishmael building the Kaaba lem pupils and of the leavening power of Chrisis all fiction." Ali Abd al Razik went even further, and in his book, "Islam and the Fundamentals of tian education that reaches far beyond the cur- Authority," advocated the abolition of the caliphate, "which has always been a misfortune." riculum and the campus area. Everyone should Moreover, he proposed the complete separation of Church and State, and the abandonment of the know that the emancipation of Moslem girlhood vast body of canon law. (Adams, "Islam and Modernism in Egypt," pp. 254-265.) and womanhood began in mission schools. It is When the best thinkers in Islam accept an hon- not only unkind but ungrateful and unhistoric to est historical research of all her spiritual property, it will mean a revelation of bankruptcy. trace these modern movements to hybrid sources. When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Only the real gold, the theistic Christ alone removes the veil because He demands spiritual values of Islam, will be able to withstand the heat of this inevitable furnace. A careful and imparts purity of heart. Moslems themselves study of the whole question leads to the conclusion that as a cultural and even as a political force have testified to this fact. there is yet a future for Islam, but as a religious force the future does not look promising-except The great Christian literature societies and comin Christ and His Gospel for Moslems. mittees in Cairo, Constantinople, Teheran, Shang- The Response to the Gospel Message hai, across India, and in the Dutch East Indies are 4. This great response, as we see it today, should not surprise those who believe God's prom- producing and distributing ten times as much litises and who have experienced the final fruitage that follows the "patience of unanswered prayer." erature as they did a decade ago. Illiteracy is de- Others have labored, since the days of Henry Martyn, and now we are entered into their labors. creasing. Education is becoming compulsory. Others have knocked long and loud and waited patiently before locked doors-now those very doors The stigma of disapproval now rests on old superare nailed open. Eastern Arabia, Hadhramaut, and the cities of Meshed, Iran, and Riadh in Cen- stitions that once had religious sanction. tral Arabia, are outstanding examples. There are public baptisms in places where for- The Bible has been translated into all the great languages of the world of Islam. It is the best merly the "law of apostasy" would have adminprinted of all books and has an ever-increasing circulation. One has only to read the annual re- istered public ostracism or private vengeance. In ports of the two great Bible societies to realize the miracles of grace accomplished every year by the Java alone there are 75,000 Moslem converts gathprinted Word. ered into Christian churches. In North India Every hospital and dispensary across the map from Tangier, Morocco, to the Borden Memorial there are other thousands and in Persia we can truly speak of an indigenous church-weak still in numbers, but strong in the spirit of sacrifice and boldness of witness.
Those who challenge the validity and success of work among Moslems need to remember the lines of Arthur H. Clough: .
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking, Seem here no painful inch to gain, Far back through creeks and inlets making, Comes silent, flooding in, the main.
For not iJy eastern windows only When daylight comes, comes in the light; In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly! But westward, look, the land is bright.
While for years Christians have been battering against an impregnable position in North Africa, Islam has been steadily sweeping south and pagan tribes have become followers of the Prophet and have been lost to Christ. Suppose the Church had concentrated its efforts on these tribes in the rear of the Moslem position, and had flung a barrier of Christian churches across Africa, would Islam have made the progress it has southward? Might not the Church have found in Christian Africans, the allies who would have won far greater success than white foreigners can hope to achieve?
A. S. McNAIRN.
Christian Approach to
By PREBENDERY W. WILSON CASH, London I Secretary of the Church Missionary Society I~ ~==============================~ H AS Christianity anything to offer Islam? disappointed, goes forward with undimmed faith In answer to this question, one group of and courage, proclaiming Christ and Him cruci- people fall back upon the threadbare argu- fied as the only Hope of the world.
ment that "Islam is good enough for the Arabs." This difficult situation makes us pause and study They do not think, however, that is good enough afresh the task before us. First of all, nothing in for themselves. this past hundred years in any way invalidates the The question is sometimes put in a different way Gospel of Christ. Men of many nations and races -What is there in Christianity that is not found have found a new eternal and abounding life in Islam? through Christ, the living Saviour. The experi- The Moslem himself approaches the issue from ence of men converted in evangelistic campaigns a very different angle. He is certain that Islam in Europe or America is duplicated in the lives has much to offer to the Christian world, and par- of Africans, Indians, Chinese, and many others. ticularly just now when international affairs are Revival sweeps through parts of India and Africa so tangled and difficult. and tens of thousands find peace with God. But The missionary meets the point by a bold and the Moslem world still stands like some impreg- frank presentation of the Gospel of Christ as the nable rock, almost unshaken, and as a rule undis- only adequate religion for all the world. turbed by missionary witness. The reasons for A missionary recruit, going out to a Moslem this are many; some of them must be briefly field for the first time, is shocked to find that the stated. When the Moslem armies invaded the Moslem is just as eager to convert him to Islam countries from Syria to the Sudan and North as he is to win the Moslem for Christ. This is Africa they found a responsive body of nominally only the first of a series of shocks. As he settles Christian men ready to join their ranks and to to his work he discovers for himself what he had fight for them. The armies of the prophet were always heard, that the Moslem is about the most increased daily by many who saw in Mohammed a difficult man in all the world to bring under the deliverer from the hated Byzantine rule. The Em- influence of the Gospel. peror used the Church as an imperial tool, and in A survey of the past hundred years of mission- the minds of most people Church and State were ary work among Moslems does not reveal appre- one.
ciable progress in most areas. In one or two coun- There were alsothe divisions within the Church tries there have been remarkable results, notably and the disruptive elements in its own ranks. The in the Dutch East Indies; but against this suc- Roman and the Greek churches were separated cess must be set the inroads of Islam into the and the Greek and the Coptic churches were no Christian Church in the Near East. In Egypt it is longer in communion with each other. The ornate estimated that from 500 to 800 Copts annually ritual of the Eastern churches was contrasted become Moslems. The history of Islam is one of with the simple forms of mosque worship. The ceaseless encroachments on'Christendom, until pictures and images in churches gave the impres- now we speak of Bible lands, which were once sion of polytheism, and the abstruse theological Christian, as Moslem lands. The large propor- controversies still further weakened the spiritual tion of the peoples of Syria, Palestine and Egypt life of the Church. The fact is that the Christian are Moslems today. The Christian Church of faith was so badly misrepresented by the Church North Africa has been blotted out. The formerly of the day that people could not see Christ through Christian areas of the Sudan are now solidly Mos- the maze of ritual and ceremonial, the selfish am- lem. And still the Church sends missionaries to bitions of prelates and the secular encroachments Moslems and many are willing to give their lives upon the community. Race superiority was re- to Moslem evangelization, in an effort to remove sponsible for a good deal. The Roman or Greek the reproach which lies at the door of the Church. pattern was stamped upon the churches every- And still the missionary, though often baffled and where. There seems to have been nothing in- [467 ]
digenous in the Church of North Africa; and in into a new environment, utterly foreign to him.
Arabia there does not appear to have been any The strain of this social upheaval upon a young translation into the vernacular, either of the convert is so great that it develops any idiosyn- Scriptures or the Christian liturgies. In Rome cracies and oddities in him and in the end drives people worshipped in Latin and, therefore, they him back to his old surroundings.
had to worship in Latin in all North Africa; sim- The history of Christian expansion down the ilarly, because in Constantinople the liturgical centuries does not show that the nineteenth censervices were all in Greek, they had to be in Greek tury policy was adopted in other periods. In also in the Arabic-speaking world. Any approach earlier days people moved towards the Christian to Islam by the Christian must take account of faith by communities, by families, and tribes. In such facts. They are not dead matters of history doing so they became Christian without having but living issues today, and a study of them will had to suffer a catastrophic upheaval in their sohelp us in our evangelistic work. cial life. Instead of being uprooted from their The Gospel, it is true, needs no vindication. natural environment their social heritage was Once it is given a chance in the lives of men it Christianized, while they lived in the same homes proves itself, and its validity is recognized, but as before, carried on the same occupations, and the method of presentng the Gospel is a very dif- met much the same people, yet things were differ- ferent matter; after the experience of the past ent. The homes were transformed, they worked hundred years it is surely evident that we must from different motives, and their relationships to all face anew how we are to preach the Gospel in others were new; a different standard of life came Moslem lands. into the community through the coming of Christ.
The Nineteenth Century missionary expansion While such people found by personal conversion was marked by a strong emphasis on individual- the way to God, yet they moved together, families ism. Personal conversion was the note struck; were baptized, and communities received into the evangelistic missions sought to pluck men as faith.
brands from the burning. No one who knows This contrast requires careful and detailed in- Christ as his Saviour and Lord would' wish to vestigation. Is the cause of unsatisfactory con- weaken the appeal for personal conversion, but it verts in Moslem lands due to the break up of their must be admitted that there are other factors to be social environment? If so, may it not be equally considered. Moslem converts in many cases have true that a wrong method has hindered the whole proved to be utterly unsatisfactory. Curiously progress of the Gospel. Some years ago in a vil- enough a normal Moslem often became an eccen- lage in the Near East a large number of Moslem tric Christian. Missionaries labored to win that . families asked for baptism. When I met them it convert and when he was baptized disillusionment was obvious that some were thinking of Chris- set in. Instead of fitting into his new surround- tianity in terms of "loaves and fishes," but others ings, often he proved to be restless and required seemed to be genuinely sincere. Once the news a great deal of nursing. When discipline was even leaked out great pressure was brought to bear by mildly applied he would fling off in a temper, re- the Moslems to prevent these men from becoming nounce Christianity and go back to Islam. Most Christians. Large bribes were offered if they missionaries in the Near East have had this ex- would remain Moslems. In the end .some went perience; but they have pegged away through back to Islam, but others accepted Christ. Now heart-breaking disappointments always hoping the point of this is that while the missionaries did that things would change and that a better type emphasize personal conversion the converts came of convert would appear, as in fact he did from forward as families. They lived on as before in time to time. their own village and tilled their land. They were The problem is not due to any failure of the sufficiently numerous to remain as a community Gospel, nor indeed to lack of faithfulness in the in the village. Instead of being driven from house missionaries. The Message has been honestly pre- and hQme, ostracized and disinherited, they con- tinued in their old homes which now became sented to Moslems. A certain number have be- Christian. Here the difficulties experienced so come Christians but many were failures. These often, of abnormal converts, did not appear beare the facts. What is the answer? A survey of cause in becoming Christian they still preserved the Moslem world shows that in the Dutch East Indies, and to a certain extent in Persia, this un- their social heritage.
satisfactory result does not obtain. If we examine This line of argument raises several still bigger the social environment of the converts, I believe issues. The old method of missionary work was that we shall find that, through the process of con- mainly an attack upon Islam as wrong and on the version, we have uprooted the Moslem, torn him prophet as false in his claims, and by comparison from hi'! QWn. ~pciftl Jif~ aIld transplanted him a pre~~nt~tioJl Qf Chri~t as th~ only true Saviour,
THE CHRISTIAN APPROACH TO MOSLEMS
The second half of this is all right. We believe similar experiences that Moslems claim to have. Christ to be the only Saviour, but by contrasting This may be illustrated frQm the eighth century Mohammed with Christ missionaries have created in Khurasan, where a young prince had a remarkin Moslem minds an antagonism to Christ. Instead able vision. He was out hunting one day when he of a Moslem agreeing that Christ was superior he heard a heavenly voice calling him from the purrather felt a kind of suppressed grievance against suit of pleasure to the service of God. This vision Him. Thus a wrong impression was created and came to him three times and at the third appeara missionary found himself in the prejudiced at- ance he fell to the ground and gave his life to mosphere, which frequently led to a heated debate. God's service. He then walked across to a shep- As the situation hardened the controversial herd near by and exchanged his clothes and horse method became a very common 'One in missionary for the shepherd's woolen garments; without propaganda. Argument led to counter argument, funds or material resources he set out on pilgrimand attack to counter attack, until the atmosphere age to Mecca. was so strained that it was impossible to sit down quietly and to explain the Christian message with- Missionaries need to study more the meaning out at once being involved in a bitter wrangle. of Islam because the root idea of complete sur- render to God contains a truth no Christian can lIo~ VVin nlosleDls? afford to neglect. Moslem mystics glory in the will of God and the strength of their position is How can I approach the Moslem without an- this acceptance of whatever God sends as right. tagonizing him? First, I must understand his Too often we have used the Koran simply for purpoint of view, his spiritual aspirations, and what poses of controversy, forgetting that it does conreligion means to him. We often hear it said that tain the spiritual pilgrimage of one who started Moslem prayers are a matter of words and for- with undoubted sincerity and who wrought a refmula because certain prayers are memorized and ormation in his own land such as no one either repeated five times a day. If therefore, as a Chris- before or since has ever been able to accomplish. tian, I talk about prayer to a Moslem and at the The strength of Mohammed was not merely milisame time believe that he has no real prayer life, tary prowess. He hammered out in the desert a I start from a prejudice and an assumption which conception of God that carried the Arabs to will make fellowship with Moslems impossible. I heights previously unattained, as he described God have heard Moslems pray extemporaneously, with as the Eternal, the Great, the Glorious. He drew no set form, with every evidence of intensity and men to religion by saying, "Whichever way ye reality. Here is what one Moslem lays down as a turn there is the face of God." He said: "All on rule about prayer: earth shall pass away, but the face of thy God shall abide resplendent with majesty and glory." Before the time of prayer comes the servant must be in a state of meditation and recollection, free from wander- Whatever may be our attitude toward Islam, we ing thoughts and considerations, and the remembrance of cannot help a Moslem unless we are really honest aught save God alone. Those who enter thus upon prayer in our approach. If we trade upon his ignorance from the heart, intent only upon God, will proceed from of either his or our faith, if we fail to see the eleprayer to prayer in that same state of recollection, and ments of truth and reality in his religion, if we will remain therein long after they have ceased to pray. condemn him and his faith when we do not know it enough to pass judgment upon it, we are not There is here a depth of insight into the meaning of prayer that could at once form common honest. ground between Christians and Moslems for a There is a Christian way of approach to the sharing of mutual experiences in prayer. Why should not our approach to the Moslem be by the Moslem which is noncontroversial, where we value road of prayer, by beginning with quiet and medi- all that is good in his faith and appreciate the tation, by a remembrance of the name of God, so spiritual values it contains. We need not give up that there may be between us a spiritual affinity any Christian convictions, nor need we deny our which would make discussion easy. own faith to recognize a value in his. We can well begin by learning from the Moslems, by shar- Again can we not appreciate more the teaching ing our spiritual experiences with them in such a of Islam on spiritual things? The Sufis have much way as to enable them to share their experiences in their writings that is curiously like parts of the with us. We may find much common ground in New Testament. One writer says, "The Sufi is our prayer lives, in our worship and in our conone whose heart is pure toward God"; another ceptions of God. How surprised many of us misaffirms that "Sufism is enmity to the world and sionaries would be if, when preaching about the love to the Lord." indwelling of Christ in our hearts, we heard some- one say, "I gazed into my own heart. There I As Christians we rightly place great importance saw Him. He was nowhere else." upon the need of a personal spiritual experience of God. It would help us to study more carefully Yet this comes from a Moslem. Often when we
get closer to the mystic we find a religious toler- earnest Moslems let us not forget that the witness ance that puts some Christians to shame. There of the Spirit ultimately always leads to Christ.
is a saying: "0 Lord, none but Thyself can No man can say, "Jesus Christ is Lord," but by fathom Thee; yet every mosque and church doth the Spirit. If we depend more upon the Spirit, harbour Thee." and realize that God is at work in the Moslem Where 9.oes all this lead us? Not to any form world, we shall see our task in new proportions.
of syncretism, but to a new sense of the values of We shall be content to let our lives be as living all truth, even where that is found in another seed. ,We shall not fret if converts are few at the . faith. It leads us ultimately to Christ who, in the moment. We shall not worry if men call Mo- end, must be the Crown of Islam. We lose nothing hammed, prophet. We shall see Christ supreme by recognizing broken lights of Him who is the and alive, seeking to break through in spiritual Light of the World. We do not diminish Christ's revelation and power into the lives of men. As glory when we see how God illumines every man the living truth works in the hearts, we shall see coming into the world. It is true, as St. Paul hasl men and women discovering a new meaning to said, "God has not left Himself without witness." life, as they learn that Islam must involve not only If we see evidence of the witness of the Spirit in surrender to God, but to God revealed in Jesus some of the teaching of Islam and in the lives of Christ.
A FEW FAOTS ABOUT ISLAM Islam, more than most religions, reflects the personality of its founder, Mohammed. He was born in Mecca, near the western coast of Arabia, about 570 A. D. When he was about forty years of age, he had a series of experiences which he interpreted as visions from God.
These ordered him to attack the idolatry and worldliness of his fellow citizens, and to proclaim one supreme God and a day of judgment. Converts at first gathered slowly, and they were subject to persecution.
In 622 A. D., the Hijrah, or Flight to Medina, took place, from which the Moslem calendar came to be reckoned. In Medina, Mohammed soon became head of the community and ruler as well as prophet. At the time of his death, in 632 A. D., not only Medina, but Mecca and practically the whole of Arabia, had accepted his doctrines.
The sayings of Mohammed, which are believed to have been dictated word for word to him by the Angel Gabriel, were later gathered together and they constitute the Koran. This scrIp- ture is divided into Suras, or chapters, arranged roughly according to length rather than in any chronological order. The Koran is the Bible of Islam, considered verbally infallible. Since it is often obscure, and since it failed to prescribe conduct or attitudes to be observed in subse- quent situations that arose, it was early supplemented by Traditions as to what Mohammed said or did under various circumstances. These rules of conduct were, in time, codified into legal systems.
The five principal observances of Islam are: (1) the recitation of the creed-"There is no God but God, and Mohammed is his Prophet"; (2) worship, the set forms of prayer which are to be performed five times a day; (3) alms, a certain proportion of the income being pre- scribed from those of means for the benefit of the poor; (4) fasting from sunrise to sunset during the Ramadan; (5) malting the Haj, or pilgrimage, to Mecca once in a lifetime by those who are able.
Among various prohibitions are intoxicants, usury, making of images, and games of chance. On the other hand, Mohammed's relations with women led him to permit four legal wives as well as concubines, and to recommend the seclusion of women. The Jihad, or war against countries controlled by unbelievers, has always been considered a duty. As in other religions, these observances have been much relaxed in practice.
In the first century of its existence Islam split into two principal sects, the Sunni, which is in the majority in most Moslem countries, and the Shia, containing the bulk of Persians, about half of Iraq, and smaller communities in other lands. In addition to these, there have been many other sects. _ Moslem theology has emphasized the unity and power of God, and has been especially severe on anything that seemed like polytheism or idolatry. At the same time saint worship has been quite general; there is also much superstition, together with mystical or emotional exercises.-Quoted from "The Moslem Faces the Future," by T. H. P. Sailer.
Reactions to the
By JAMES HALDANE, Mazagan, Morocco -.•~ Southern Morocco Mission; Author of "Missionary Romance in Morocco," "Morocco in Mufti," etc.
W HEN we present the Gospel of Christ to tion and have the means at their disposal to carry individual Moslems we find them reacting the effort to a climax.
to our message in a variety of attitudes Jeremiah, and other Hebrew prophets, acted and tempers. When the reaction is born of fa- sometimes in' strange manner with a view to exnaticism the man allows you the utterance of only citing their audience into a listening mood, and a few sentences, after which there is a manifesta- employed what we might call a sanctified guile to tion of petulence, rising to passion and finding its grip hearts which could not be reached by ordiclimax in vociferation and whirling gestures. The man's mind is infested with vitiated religious sentiments which, when stirred by an element that opposes them, make the body a medium for their manifestation and produce a condition akin to madness. In the presence of such a man the missionary is confronted with the question of what means he must employ to exercise these exorbitant religious notions from the mind where they are lodged.
Let it be said with emphasis that, whatever A MOSLEM "HOLY MAN'S" HABITATION IN MOROCCO attitude we take towards the fanatic, whatever means we employ to deal with such malady, it nary means. Let me give an instance – one of must be based on sympathy. A display of irrita- many used in my work among Moors-to illustrate tion, an exhibition of caustic temper or rancor, the method. far from mitigating the evil, will aggravate it. A movement from the basis of sympathy to attack I was dealing with a small group of men while religious enormities and delusions, as manifested a number of others, who were merely spectators, by the fanatic, does not imply an unsteady tread sat beside us. There was a wild scene in which suggestive of fear and helplessness. It means reason was caged and rowdyism became rampant. that we are approaching with love and under- I tried everything within the range of ordinary standing a victim who has been born and reared methods used to calm them into a listening attiunder the glare of superstition and religious in- tude but all in vain. I was faced with the alternafatuations, one who has come under the impact of tive of doing something unusual to overcome this a single idea which drives him past all other con- devastating display of fanaticism, or abandoning siderations. these men as hopeless material. I decided to imi- In deaJing with such men it may be necessary to adopt an attitude of silence, at least until some of their fierceness has subsided. In some instances one may detect, seeping through the crevices of a disordered mind, an occasional show of intelligence which casts a passing gleam upon the countenance. Just at that moment one may be able to shoot in a word like an arrow that will find its mark, touch the reason and stimulate it to accept the challenge of a new line of thought. And on occasion fanaticism may be countered by cajolery. But this experiment should not be tried by any but those who, through long contact with the peopIe among whom they labor, understand the situa- [471 ]
tate the Hebrew prophets. Taking off my boot, as if he were afraid that the usual tone of voice ignoring my audience as if it did not exist, I filled would be an interruption. With this show of init with stones. These I shook inside the boot, tense earnestness he lures the preacher on, and emptied them out and filled the boot again. With just at the moment when we are ready to urge his a show of much earnestness this process was kept surrender to Christ he riSes up, draws his fingers up for sometime. Their interest was directed into through his beard, shakes the dust from his gara new channel; they could not understand what I ments, exclaims in a loud voice, "There is no God was doing and were astonished that I had so easily but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet," and tripped away from a serious theological discus- strides away with an air of triumph. sion into the trivial business of shaking stones inside a boot. Their curiosity mounted until it could In some of our meetings, within doors and in no longer be curbed: the open, we have an audience that has come to- gether by consent to extract some pleasurable ex- "Whatever are you doing?" they asked. citement by engaging the foreign preacher in argument. On one occasion a number of young A VISIT TO MOSLEM BEDOUIN fellows came tumbling into my meeting for this purpose. As clearly as if the words had been "You are all acting like madmen and I deter- chiselled on their foreheads I read, "Weare here mined to help you ollt,~' T replied. for fun." I put away my Bible, erected the black- board, put down a sum in addition and invited This had the desired effect for it suddenly struck anyone in the company to come forward, take the them that their vociferation and whirling move- chalk and do the sum. Several came forward and ments were, in the circumstances, as foolish and attempted to add the figures but no one added futile as shaking stones in a boot. Then at my them correctly. invitation they squatted on the ground and together we examined calmly the message of Jesus. "If ever you are to rise above being water car- riers and laborers you must learn to count," I said. Another type we meet is the man who reacts to our message with a cunning camouflage, whose So we continued the exercise until they became aim is to humiliate the missionary. He makes a greatly interested and some could add up figures show of much earnestness and on occasion will before we finished. I invited them to return the sway his body to emphasize his concern for his following week to learn subtraction. soul. At the mention of forgiveness through Jesus Christ he will stare with the surprise of one who "This is the way into an office and a good job," has just made a great discovery. And as the I heard them say as they talked among themselves. story unfolds he will say in a whisper, "Proceed," They were so pleased with their progress that they all shook hands with me before taking their de- parture.
The following week they walked into my meet- ing, some of them with copy books and pencils. We put simple subtraction problems on the board. Interest reached a climax when some of the more intelligent ones were able to find the solution to what I had put down. At this juncture I wrote on the board: ADD TOGETHER: FORMAL PRAYERS, FASTS, LUST, LOVE OF THE WORLD.
SUBTRACT: DEATH.
RESULT: NOTHING.
What a discovery this was! Addition and sub- traction could be applied to theology.
Again this problem: ADD TOGETHER: SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.
SUBTRACT: – THE REDEMPTION OF JESUS'
CHRIST.
RESULT: FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE.
This proved to be the beginning of an interest- ing work among those young fellows, some of
MOSLEM REACTIONS TO THE GOSPEL
whom continued· to attend my Bible class for that, if he gives Christianity a trial and it does not years. fulfil expectations, he may find the doors of the Then there is the polite man, the person who fold he has left barred against him. He wants to wishes to be courteous and who would treat an make an experiment with a new faith, for he is outburst of antagonism from any religious quar- deeply conscious of the inadequacy of Islam to ter as an outrage against good manners. When provide the assurance of pardon that he seeks.
we introduce our Gospel to this type there is no He is like a man who, dissatisfied with the job he display of opposition and almost no evidence of interest. He simply allows you to talk on, and says, "Yes," to everything. He is like a man who, busy with his own thoughts, will occasionally make a remark to the child that chatters by his side just to show that he is not displeased at its interrup- tions, although he finds nothing in its chatter to be cherished as valuable information. When we have given our Message and ask this man what he thinks of it, and what attitude he is going to take towards Jesus, he skirts the issue by inviting us to drink tea, or by diverting attention in some way calculated to close the subject.
What are we to do with that sort of man? Va- rious methods may be employed in an effort to awaken real interest in him. I give one example: "Well, let's go inside and drink tea now," said my Moslem friend after I had made a serious en- deavor to point him to Christ. We sat down to sip tea and I put this question to him: "I'm interested in Islam; what steps would I be required to take if I decided to become a Mos- lem ?"
The question gripped him and he began to teach me with much solemnity. He had gone far when I injected extraneous matter.
"Are your shoes made of leather or cloth?" I inquired.
He talked on and every now and then I inter- jected some trivial question and gazed around me indifferently. He became annoyed and said: "You are not listening."
"It doesn't matter, just go on," I replied. There was a spell of silence and then I asked: "Do you consider me a bad listener?"
"You certainly are," came the quiet reply.
"Do you know who taught me to listen badly?"
"Say who?"
"The gentleman who sat with me outside the A MOSLEM FANATIC IN MOROCCO door a little time ago." has, would fain go out and search for another, but "So you are taking revenge?" he said with a is afraid that should his quest fail his present em- ployer might not take him back. grin. "N0, only trying to teach you a lesson."
A more interesting, as well as more hopeful, In dealing with this type, which is common type is the man who has a real interest in spiritual enough, rush tactics do not succeed. In exalting matters and who is willing to make some real sac- the capital doctrine of the agency of the Holy rifice to reach the assurance that there is a way Spirit in dealing with such men we must not over- to obtain God's forgiveness, an offer of Eternal look the means of patience and instruction from Life. But there are difficulties in the way. The the missionary's side. To expect such a man, man is encumbered by an imaginative ignorance whose mind is sodden with superstition and that dogs his steps the moment he steps out to cramped from bold thinking by ignorance, to take meet Christ. He is embarrassed with the fear one long stride towards the objective we place be-
fore him is rather too much. He states his need, types enumerated above, gathered in a meeting shows interest in the Gospel message, but shies at where the Gospel is to be preached with a view to the suggestion that he should pass immediately their conversion. Our aim is to gain a hearing over the chasm that separates Islam and Chris- from them all. It would simplify matters if one tianity. Every time the man is forced forward could separate them according to their class, and he reacts with caution. present the Gospel in a manner calculated to meet the particular needs of each section, but this is HIGHIDR CLASS MOSLIDMS OF MOROCCO rarely possible. We must take the audience as we find it. In an effort to arouse the indifferent from their torpor we may say something that will un- sheath the passions of the fanatic and so have a tumult before the meeting is well begun. Or if we stress the finality of the cross of Christ as a means of taking away sin we are likely to hear the muffled rumblings of some who consider it is their duty to counter this teaching by repetitions of Islam's creed. These cross-currents will in turn disturb the polite section of our meeting whose only desire is to conduct themselves in a proper manner, and who would probably rise up and go out if there was any sign of rowdyism.
To place such a meeting in the hands of an in- experienced missionary is to do an injustice to our cause. Some will say: "Preach the Gospel and leave it at that. Let them all have the pure Gospel: there our responsibility ends."
The fact is one considers the Gospel to be such a blessed thing, and such consequences hang upon its presentation, that it is felt to be a kind of sacrilege to offer it to a rabble.
In a meeting of the type I am describing there are two factors which determine what results will be produced. In the first place there is the factor of atmosphere; the missionary's first business is to create one that will harmonize with the exalted theme he desires to present. This cannot be One more type is the man who meets all our – approaches with deadly indifference. In extreme cases we are almost made to feel that we are A HILARIOUS GROUP INTERVIEWING A MISSIONARY speaking to a corpse! The man can be turned from one position to another, rolled over from achieved by a process of shouting and pounding. one doctrine to another, without showing interest What means, then, must we use to create an ator resistance. There was a half silly man who mosphere worthy of a serious undertaking such as lived in our village in the days of my boyhood. presenting the issues of life and death as con- We used to tease him. He had enough sense to tained in the message of the New Testament? look after a cow but little more.
"Ah, Geordi," we would say, "did you give the cow a drink?" "Yes," he replied. Of course there would not be any water in the pail. We would continue. "No," he would reply naively. That silly teasing comes back to my mind almost every time I meet the Moslem type I am now dealing with. He answers "yes" and "no," according as we suggest, no matter how contradictory the replies may be.
Now think of fifty Moslems, a mixture of the
The answer is: a vigorous and proper use of The second factor is, motive. I have not space the native tongue of one's audience. There is no to develop this point. The most ignorant audience, substitute for this. Accent is not a serious handi- not to speak of those on a higher level, is concerned cap, but to flounder about in a sea of foreign words with the motive of the preacher. This concern is is simply to tickle or irritate an audience accord- born, not of analysis but of instinct. There is an ing to its mood. An easy flow of language, studied instinctive feeling of enquiry in every audience and correct, has a tremendous effect. If one can we face as to the motive of our preaching. That is prove to the listeners that he has not only an easy why many missionaries will not develop any phase flow of their language, but also an understanding of work where money comes into play. Mercenary of its underlying significance and subtleties, the motives may easily be attributed, by primitive chances are in his favor for getting a good hear- people, to money transactions accompanying Gos-' ing. Sale points out in his introduction to the pel services. (See the New Testament on this Koran that the success of that book is due in no subject.) small measure to the jingle of its words. The opening chapter of the Koran, when well read, My aim here is to show that natives are consounds like the jingling of bells. If, then, we find stantly watching our motives, and unless we can the atmosphere in a meeting unsuited to our mes- convince them that all our work springs from the sage, we must not imagine that we are false to our motive of love, we labor in vain. That is why a mission if we introduce some extraneous matter warning about sin and its consequences, a referfor the purpose of getting the proper conditions ence to the futility of Islam or an exposure of its established. Here is a method I have employed contradictions should never be carried out with times without number when faced with a meeting any show of triumph, lest we give the impression difficult to handle: that our aim is to score points. Even when en- gaged in disputation, as must sometimes happen, The audience is a mixed multitude-antagon- our words should be the breathing of love. Livism, hilarity, indifference and suspicion surge ingstone's achievements among primitive Afrithrough the atmosphere, and one detects an effort cans were due, almost solely, to this fact: he conon the part of some to scuttle the meeting. To in- vinced them, not merely that he was an honest troduce Jesus Christ in this atmosphere would be man or a good man, but that he loved Africa and to give them the very opportunity they desire to its people intensely. wreck the meeting, for it would present the object for attack. Much to their surprise the preacher With these two factors-a suitable atmosphere, claims only that there is one God and He has no and divine love in our hearts to supply the impetus partners. The next step is to show that all the for all our work-we may say, even when statistics good things we receive in this life are from His deny their support, the faithful missionary of hand. A sense of reverence asserts itself, for this Christ "shall doubtless come again rejoicing is what they all believe. The next step is to show bringing his sheaves with him." that many of the boons that reach us, coming from God, do so through the medium of our own DISTRIBUTION OF MOSLEMS labors, as for instance when we plough. "That," we say, "is why it is a good thing to have a trade." By GOVERNMENTS We then introduce lines from one of their own poets. This creates interest. There is now an Total Moslems in the world-about ……. . 240,000,000 atmosphere of reverence and interest. We quote Moslems under British rule (including Egypt) 94,000,000 the lines again and again: Moslems under other Western Governments ., 94,000,000 Moslems under MQslem Governments ……. . 38,000,000 Mal jiddeen A parent's legacy Moslems under other Eastern Governments ., 14,400,000 Yiteem; Will finish hastily; DISTRIBUTION-BY CONTINENTS Ma yibka All will fade Khir snaa Except the trade America-North and South …………… . 130,000 Australia and Islands ……………….. . 1,030,000 Yideen. You handle daily. Europe and Soviet Russia …………….. . 12,000,000 Africa ……………………………. . 53,000,000 It may be said that there is no Gospel in this. Asia and Malaysia ………………….. . 154,000,000 True; and there is no Gospel in a banner, a bell or a band. Yet these are constantly in use in INTERESTING HISTORICAL DATA Christian work for the purpose of creating interest and a proper atmosphere preliminary to intro- Birth of Mohammed, 570 A. D. Death of Mohammed, ducing the Gospel. I have a whole collection of 632 A.D. Moslem poems, proverbs and stories which I use almost daily in my meetings, for the same purpose Hejira (Mohammed's flight from Mecca), 622 A. D. as I use low gear in my automobile; that is, to get Battle of Tours (defeat in West Europe), 732 A. D. Moslems driven from Spain (by Ferdinand II), 1492. a start. Capture of Constantinople by the Turks-1453 A. D. Young Turks proclaim new Constitution-1908 A. D. End Qf the Caliphate (Turkey), 1924 A. D. Religious freedom in Iran (Persia), 1925 A. D.
Moslems for
By REV. JOHN VAN ESS, D.D., Basrah, Iraq Missionary of the Reformed Church in America THE objective of missionary work is to bring With this as my creed, I go back tomorrow to Moslems to a saving knowledge of Christ. my school. It is the last week of my twenty-fifth But what is "a saving knowledge"? Is bap- year as a teacher of Arabs. For twenty years this tism of converts the criterion of success? Christian school was on the crest of a wave of popularity. Being the first in this region, it has Salvation is assuredly not merely a "ticket into educated or at least vitally touched about three the ark," so to speak. To "accept Christ" is not thousand young Arabs. Each of these has met merely to assent to the formula "Christ died for Cl).rist or heard His message in the vernacular my sins." Our Lord's constant emphasis on the from my own lips, months and years on end, in Kingdom implies a King and an organization, with systematic and progressive Bible study. Hundreds laws, implied strife and victory. This Kingdom of these young men have been absorbed into the begins on earth but will be an eternal Kingdom as political and economic life of the land, and you its King is eternal. When a man is saved, there- can count on the fingers of two hands those who fore, he is saved not so much "from" as "unto"- have definitely gone bad. I can explain it only on unto Life, unto obedience, to fruitfulness, to har- the assumption that the light of Christ has somemony, to eventual and complete adjustment to how produced a change on the film of their heart God. The Cross is not merely a tragic drama on and thought life. Calvary on a Friday afternoon in a city in Palestine. We read of the "Lamb slain from the foun- And now has come nationalism. The Iraq Govdation of the world," of the Word that was in the ernment, in its youthful exuberance, is establishbeginning with God, that was God. The Cross was ing schools of all grades everywhere. They are eternally in the heart of God; Calvary was its good schools, well equipped and staffed. They tragic demonstration in time. The Atonement has have behind them all the prestige and resources of a gigantic sweep, far wider than the salvation of the Government. There are many respects in a confessed minority. The Atonement is a process which, pedagogically speaking, I do not agree with of divine dimensions, a process that began with the system. But the Government has the right to God's eternal purpose of good, reached its supreme decide its own objective and to formulate its own demonstration on Golgotha, and was consummated method. In a missionary school I cannot compete on Easter morning. "If Christ be not raised, ye with the Government on its own ground, nor are yet in your sins." should 1. Two summers ago, driving along a coun- try road in Michigan, I asked a farmer, "Where So I do not visualize myself as standing on a does this road go?" He replied, "Stranger, if you dock with a boat-hook, desperately grasping at follow it long enough, this road will lead you to the souls that come rushing by. According to my the cemetery." As Christians we are often in Lord's precept and example I work for individuals, danger of going up the road to a mental cemetery, but all the time I am conscious that those whom I where lie the dead bones of dead controversies. may miss do not "drift beyond His love and care." As missionaries we are in danger of going up the Above the din and clatter of my clumsy efforts I road to a cemetery of method, if not of message. hear Christ say "I have overcome the world"- The famous Dr. Abraham Kuyper of Amsterdam the cosmos. And so I visualize the world, the said, "The fault of the Church is not that she made whole cosmic order, the whole social, economic, creeds, but that she stopped making creeds." political, as well as the religious set-up, as being brought into obedience unto Him. Anything else As a missionary educator, I am closing a chap- is defeatism and defeatism is treason. Pro rege is ter of twenty-five years, with no regrets, and with. the device on my banner. pleasantest memories, grateful that it has been my privilege to be a pathfinder, and looking around Physical death, then, can no longer be a cri- for new fields to enter and new paths to open. I terion of anything either to me or the Moslem. am deliberately cutting out the top of my tree, so My missionary work is only a beginning, and in- to speak, gradually eliminating the high school deed will never stop. Christ promised a Life that grades, and concentrating on the depressed classes now is and spoke of death that ceases to be.
[476 ] who comprise about two-thirds of the population. outside of myself, illuminating the whole and shed- They do not come within the perimeter of the offi- ding its power over myself and my pupils. But cial vision, and will not do so for a generation. there is the phenomenon. They are desperately poor but they are desperately in earnest. Their economic condition does not For years and years I had tried to present allow them to remain in school more than six years Christ to the Arab boys: His life, His Cross, His at the most, after which they must return to their salvation. A young American, fresh from college, villages or to their former economic plane, equip- with the light of heaven in his eye and the smile ped, we trust, to lift up that plane to a higher level. of God on his face, came to join me for a short Any higher education I leave to the government term. For fifteen months he taught the boys, lived schools which admittedly qualify only for govern- with them, played with them, brothered them. ment jobs and already have reached the point of Then, by an accident, God took him. The boys besupersaturation. Out of the morass of this little' gan to come to me and say, "Sir, now we underproblem I leave the government to struggle as best stand what you have been trying to teach us about it may. God; how He made Himself visible, and lived among us, and suffered with us, and died for us. And so, after a quarter of a century, I stand We have seen it in Mr. Raymond. That is what again where I stood at the beginning. I am again God did." I awoke to the fact that we cannot teaching small boys in simple subjects, and am make men hear the Atonement; we must make back in the daily irritations of discipline and routine. One of my former colleagues, a man of wide men see it. reputation, said to me: "Van Ess, I thought you had it in you to put up a college in Iraq." To I am quite unruffled by government competition which I replied, "I am really prouder of the fact and by decreased appropriations. Indeed, the dethat I had it in me not to put up a college in Iraq." With the rise of nationalism, missionary colleges pression and the consequent cuts have made me are being forced to the wall. India may be an ex- cut out a lot of underbrush, so that I can now see ception, though in the new constitution lurk the path more plainly. Even the casual remarks ominous obstacles. That they have done a splen- of well-meaning friends that the school seems to did service is undoubtedly true but how much be going backward, does not sting anymore. As room there remains for them is a serious question. But there remains a great deal of room at the a matter of fact, there is a far greater percentage bottom. This to my mind is the great challenge of Moslems in the school than ever before, and all to missionary educators today. The greatest con- available space is filled. "Why are most of your tribution we missionary educators can make is not boys barefoot?" asked a government inspector. in the doing of big things in a comparatively small "Why do all the barefoot boys come to me 7" I way, but in the doing of little things in a big way. answered. For that task we need all the mentality, and all the education and all the experience, and all the Where now does all this fit into my pretentious manhood, and all the linguistic ability, and all the creed? Next door to my house is an electric powerhumility, and all the spiritual equipment we can station. Into one end is fed the crude oil; out of command. When the world's proletariat awakes, the other end comes that strange, invisible, potent within the next generation, as it inevitably must, fluid called electricity. The cause is not at all will men, by that time, be familiar with us and commensurate with the result. The only function our message and our Lord, or will they, as in of the crude oil has been to be consumed. Some- Russia, revolt against Christianity that has cham- where along the line, in the dynamo in fact, it has pioned the rights of the privileged classes? If been transformed into energy. It is carried miles one great truth of the Cross of Christ is, in Jesus' away to the wharves where it raises heavy burown words, "I have power to lay down my life dens and lights dark streets and houses. I cannot, and I have power to take it again," surely we dis- and we cannot by education or any other method, ciples can best preach that Cross in our own daily change the world. But we can be consumed, willhumiliation. I, for one, wish to bear witness to ingly, humbly, gladly, for our efforts are made dythe compensation that comes from a humble effort namic in the Cross. "I fill up on my part that in that direction. which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh." During the past year I have had a daily experience, which you may explain as you like but which Anyone who knew Turkey before the World is, none-the-Iess, intensely real. As I teach the War knows that there was not one ray of light Gospel lessons to class after class, lessons which I on the horizon of missionary work among Moshave taught literally hundreds of times, a shaft of lems. In five short years, what happened? The light seems to come from somewhere, certainly Caliphate was abrogated, the Sultan was expelled, and a republic was established; Islam was dis- established, womanhood was emancipated, suf- frage was made universal. The Turkish revolution came like a bolt from the blue. I have heard
famous professors of international affairs confess innovations, which seemed impossible a decade or their inability to explain it. It seems plain to me, two ago, are rapidly being realized. however. For eighty years the American missionaries had been working in Turkey, and prayers, Another innovation, the lawfulness of which the tears, the sighs, the labors, the gifts of God's has been hotly contested, is the translation of the people were consumed for Turkey. They were Koran into English. After a lengthy debate in the made dynamic in the eternal Cross of Christ; the secular press, the Government and the leaders of energy was banked up behind the barrage of God's reform have gotten round the difficulty by affirmpurpose until in His own time He let it loose on ing that while the Koran can never be translated Turkey, and something more had to happen. into any other language, what is now being at- tempted is to translate the teaching of the Book A couple of generations ago a young Chinese especially for the benefit of the English-speaking lad named Sun Yat Sen learned in a mission school peoples. The large increase of religious articles in Honolulu the three uniquely Christian prin- and debates in the secular press, both Arabic and ciples: Liberty, Democracy, Social Justice; today English, is another noticeable development, and if China is in the throes of a new birth. And so it to this we add the broadcasting of the chanting of is in India, and I believe in Russia. To me the the Koran several times a day, while Christians great and humiliating fact about Russia is that the are not allowed to broadcast even a reading of the Church has let Communism steal her thunder of Scripture, we get an idea of the strength of the demanding social justice. propaganda that is being daily carried on.
From the segment of a circle we can tell from The remarkable growth in Egypt of Moslem rethe degree of curvature, not only how big the ligious societies to further the teaching of Islam circle is but where the center is. And everywhere from every aspect impresses itself upon Christian in the round world today we can see the segments residents. The most active of these is the Young being filled in, all centering in Christ, a gigantic Men's Moslem Association. It is a regular centre sweep, a stupendous Kingdom of Divine dimen- of political and religious intrigue. The same sions. spread is also noticeable in the Islamic periodicals and magazines, which are distributed far· and So I go back to my little school tomorrow, con- wide, even in the remotest villages. This new fident of contributing a small but none the less a movement has even reached the neglected southern real part to one segment, and overwhelmed by a European Moslems, and very recently these held sense of unutterable privilege. How many bap- a Moslem conference in Geneva, so that they tisms? A greater missionary than any of us said: should not be left behind in the reforms. Needless "Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach." to say, Islam is being interpreted now-a-days in terms of Christian doctrine. MODERN REFORMS IN ISLAM The agitation of the Feminist Movement against The disintegration of Islam is true only in a plurality of marriage, the prevalence of divorce very qualified sense. The old and primitive type (at present 47 per cent), and the neglect of chilof Islam is giving way to a new form of teaching dren is but like a voice crying in the wilderness, and to an interpretation in line with modern which soon dies in the arid air of Islam. The Western ideas and philosophy. This new move- greatest hindrance to Arab advance and the ment carries with it the vitality and momentum of spread of Islam has been hitherto the wide diveryouth, accompanied with the zeal, if not fanati- gence of views and the animosities among the difcism, of the old Islam, so that, in a very real sense, ferent states, but the Alliance recently signed there is revival in Islam. among all the Arab states and with Egypt joining them, presents a united Islamic front. This revival is most in evidence in Egypt, which is taking the lead among Moslem countries. It Islam is essentially a primitive religion, a fact has actually carried along with it the great centre of which all the leaders boast -and emphasize on of Islamic learning, the Azhar University, that all occasions; no wonder if we see it breaking immobile institution which has for the last thou- down under the demands of modern progress and sand years defied any scheme of reform. The cur- civilization; they are trying to reconstruct it riculum of the University now demands the study along modern lines. It will remain to be seen of science along European lines, and of modern whether such external reforms will prove the relanguages. Promising students have even been vival or the death of Islam.–Condensed from an sent to European universities, and other startling article by an Egyptian Christian in Egypt, "Gen- eral M-vssion News," 1936.
PATIENTS AT A WAYSIDE DISPENSARY IN
A Christian Doctor Among Moslems By PAUL HARRISON, M.D., Muscat, Arabia Missionary of the Reformed Church in America ~~N0. ' I DO NOT believe in forcing religion with God. I have never met a missionary who was down people's throats. I believe in med- foolish enough to suppose that a man could be ical missions though." forced into Christian faith, nor wicked enough to More mistakes it would be hard to put into two attempt it.
sentences. Ordinary missionaries force religion And if any have illusions as to the redemptive upon the sensitive innocence of the unprotected, capacity of Atebrin pills, and Elastoplast band- whereas the medical missionary who has re- ages, and Davis and Geck sutures, the medical mis- nounced the Devil and all his works, redeems them sionary has none. Men with their hernias skill- with pills, plasters, and catgut sutures. fully repaired, stab their neighbors just as fero- Neither the minister nor his medical colleague ciously in the bazaar, and marry their fourth wife, is so foolish. None of us try to force anything on a baby of twelve, with just as animal a glitter in anybody. Those who are willing, we introduce to their eyes, as they did before. None watch the Jesus Christ, with as deep and discriminating an dreadful pageant of human ignorance, and sin and introduction as desire anct background make pos- suffering, with quite so deep and terrible an under- sible. Christ's contact with them depends even standing as the doctor, none know so well as he, more on the depth of our surrender to Him, and that the wages of sin is death, and before it is the radiance of our daily walk in His company. death, it is disease.
In the affairs of the spirit coercion is poison. Be- And so the medical missionary thanks God with fore us always is the beauty of Christ's example, all his heart that he is as other men are; i. e., an as He led free men into a redeeming fellowship evangelist whose life object is to bring Christ to 479
those who need Him. Ignorance has crippled the afternoon, in the hospital courtyard, and on weekmen whom Mohammed captured so many years day evenings they saw Christ on the Cross through ago. Sin has overcome them. Their diseases the stereopticon. Smooth sailing? Not always. come from sin. So does their poverty which is A month ago our outlying dispensary in Nuchl, 75 almost worse than disease in these terrible areas. miles from Muscat, was summarily closed, and we So, also, that emptiness of soul which makes the ejected. But the people there want us to return, inner poverty of the rich, worse many times, than and it will be only a short time probably, before the outer poverty of the poor. If only Christ can we are back. fill some of these souls with the radiance of His Eternal life, they will be a light for the entire There are many areas in the world where the community, just as He promised. Yes,. and in medical missionary is still a pioneer in the simplest sense of that word. No missionary except he. can AN ARAB CHIEF, WITH DR. HARRISON WHOM HE INVITED enter. Central Arabia is such an area. Sois TO VISIT HIS TRIBES IN INLAND ARABIA Afghanistan, and Tibet, and parts of Northwest China. Often even he can go only by special invithat radiant group, Christ Himself will find the tation, and very infrequently. Sometimes he can one joy and happiness that men are capable of take his evangelistic colleague with him. On~e I giving Him. heard of a consecrated music teacher finding an entrance when even the Doctor was shut out. But What part have the medical missionaries played the brunt of this campaign is carried by the docin the great Eternal enterprise of carrying Christ tors. They visit such places on medical tours, to the Mohammedans? A genuine part and an treat those who need medical help, present Christ honorable one. We go where no one else can. to those who will listen, make many friends. Harold Storm made a trip two years ago which included pretty well the whole southern coast of On occasion theYl;re driven out, but they re~ Arabia. With trifling exceptions, that whole sec- turn.. and eventually tlieMission is invited to come tion can be reached only by the medical mission- in and establish a permanent station. Such a staary. And can the Gospel be preached on such a tion may begin with only the medical missionary tour? It can. Last year in Sur, a wild and fanati- in residence. Eventually he is joined by his evancal place, men listened to the Gospel every Sunday gelistic colleague.
It is a great step in advance when a permanent mission station is established. Then the impact of Christian family life is felt, and that is by far the heaviest piece of artillery that we have. The difference between the Christian and the Moham- medan family is an apologetic which admits of no answer. But in this station too, the active medical work of the mission hospital has a great part to play. Dozens and scores and hundreds come to the dispensary. They do not become Christians, but they do become friends. And in the hospital itself men listen to the Christian message with a more friendly ear than elsewhere, and during their days of comfortable convalescence, the same mes- sage can be repeated many times, until some de- gree of comprehension is reached. Christ walks up and down the aisles of these primitive mission- ary hospitals, and the doctor succeeds in making Him visible to some of those who are his guests.
Abdullah was such a patient. He came with the largest ulcer of the year, and we have many ulcers by no means small. His measured six by four inches. Only the swollen condition of the foot made such dimensions possible. After three months he is nearly healed. Abdullah is one of' those fine, sincere, gentle souls, who show that Christ is indeed the light that lighteth every man. The Gospel story was water to his thirsty soul. Abdullah is one of the fortunate few who can read. For weeks he was a hospital fixture, with his leg
A CHRISTIAN DOCTOR AMONG MOSLEMS
stretched out so it could lie in the sun, while he emerging medical profession in these new states earnestly studied the New Testament. He follows can reach full growth. In the meantime the med- Christ now, with deep sincerity, and just ahead is ical missionary can take under his wing these newthe realization that Christ and Mohammed do not fledged doctors, and to their science add ethics, walk the same road. Abdullah returned home two and to their ethics compassion, and to their comweeks ago. May God keep him. passion, freedom from the love of money, and if when he has finished with some of them, these Young men of the community make up the hos- things be in them and abound, he will have made pital staff. They are chosen after much elimina- a very great contribution indeed. And the most tion of inferior material, because they have unusual deftness of hand, and kindliness of soul. PATIElNTS AT THE MISSION HOSPITAL They are not Christians when they enter the hospital service. No such material is available. But important members of this group which he trains, some of these boys come to see Christ as He walks will be the Christian doctors who become under beside them, ministering to men and women who his hands, pillars in the church, and ornaments of suffer. Mobarrek is such a convert. The whole the Kingdom of God. town of Muttreh has been lit up by the beauty and simplicity of his Christian confession. Two of his The medical missionary is a member of the comrades in the hospital have already followed his great eternal succession, through which from example, and the Sultan himself has listened to Abraham to Hudson Taylor, God has unfolded His his testimony. program of Divine power and salvation. The Church of Christ has been set up in the Moham- The medical missionary is a missionary in his medan world. In Iran she has reached the magown right. He is also a member of a mission sta- nificent virility of youth. Even in Arabia the intion where team work is very important. The fant church has been born. Thus does the last evangelistic impact of such a team can be very citadel of human error and sin slowly open to the great. Only a small part of the preaching can be love of Christ. The medical missionary's heart done by the doctor. Proclaiming the truth of is filled with gratitude that in this great adventure Christ is the evangelist's task, illustrating the of the Divine Will, he has been permitted to have grace of Christ is the doctor's (though to be sure a share, and at times to carry the flag. the evangelist does that too). The intelligent and effective mercy of the hospital is a Christian les- ISLAM AS A RELIGION son of the first order. It is the hospital which makes the Christian Gospel intelligible. Moreover Moslem Creed: "There is no God but God and Mohammed there are Christian lessons of no mean order in is the prophet of God." Includes pantheism and scientific medicine per se. Truth is one thing, and animism. error something else. Noone who assists at surgical operations doubts that for very long. The Jesus is regarded as a human prophet inferior to Mopatients believe it too. Ignorance is one thing and hammed. discriminating knowledge something else, and no one knows that quite so wen as the patient to Materialistic and sensual Paradise. whom an accurate diagnosis brings relief after Five supreme duties-witnessing, saying prayers (five many disappointments. Cleanliness is different times a day), almsgiving, the Fast of Ramadhan, pilfrom filth, a rule that holds in the realm of the grimage to Mecca. (Also Holy War.) spirit as well as in the world of bacteria. There Weakness or Islwm-formalism, fatalism, militarism, senis no antidote to superstition like the microscope. sualism, stagnation, polygamy, slavery, blind adher- A louse there, looks far more dangerous than the ence to tradition. evil eye itself. St?'ength of Islamr-belief in one supreme imnipotent God, loyalty to their faith, people of one sacred book, ag- The function of the medical missionary is a tem- gressive in witnessing, courageous. porary function. He understands that. We do not send medical missionaries to Japan. Medical schools are making their appearance in nearly all of the Moslem countries. There is such a school in Teheran, Iran. There is another in Baghdad. They will give first class medical training. In such a country the medical missionary faces a new problem, and new problems mean new opportunities, if only we can see them with God's eyes. The place and the need for the medical missionary are passing away, but it will be years before the
Power of the Printed
By MABEL H. ERDMAN, Beirut, Syria i Missionary of the Presbyterian Church, U. s. A. 1Jie– I .l"". "/ LITTLE old man with greying beard and than all else I was impressed by the beauty and kindly, smiling hazel eyes sits in a wheel the purity of Christ's teaching and character. chair on the veranda of a Home for the "Suddenly I was covered with confusion. This Aged in a near East city. His face is lined, but thing which I considered beautiful, this story the Tines are those of a thinker. He is talking to which was written in my own sacred tongue, was his Moslem neighbor – a thin, time-scarred old a despised Christian thing, a false book which they gentleman whose bed has been pulled out on the dared to set up in comparison with the holy balcony. The first old man is telling something Koran! Hastily I hid it lest I be detected.
of his early life. A missionary friend listens while "Days slipped by, during which I condemned the tale is told. myself on the one hand and indulged my curiosity "Years ago I lived in the Holy City where I was on the other. Finally I decided that there was no a keeper in a large mosque. I was a devout Mos- harm in carrying the book about with me. After lem, wearing the green turban to which I was en- all, my devotion to Islam could not be questioned.
titled as a direct descendant of the Prophet. Five I managed to read all of the Gospel of Mark, and times a day when the muezzin called, I prayed then, still firm in my own faith, I made bold to with the faithful. One of my duties was to clean visit the foreign lady again and ask for other and fill the many ornate lamps which hung in that books of the same sort. I do not know what im- mosque. I was also expected to collect the rents pression I made upon her, but she received me due from houses owned by the mosque. In these kindly and without question gave me three other houses lived all manner of people, the better apart- Gospels.
ments being let to foreigners from whom we could "In a short time I had read all four Gospels and demand a high rental. One of these tenants was then I secured the Book of Acts. It was not long a lady who lived alone. I wondered why she had then before I had to acknowledge that Jesus the left her far-away home to live among strangers, Christ had won me as he had Paul of Tarsus, who, to judge by myself, loved her little. though my own conversion was much less dra- "One day, quite accidentally, I learned why she matico I was filled with a great longing to serve had come. When she gave me her rent money she my Saviour and Friend, who had revealed God to handed me a small book. I suspected at once that me in a new light-as a loving Father to whom I it must be an accursed book of the Christians, and was precious.
had it not been for the precious money and the "So strong was my new faith, so compelling His courtesy due a tenant of the holy mosque, I should plea to leave all and follow Him, that I knew I have dropped the hated thing which seemed to must make open declaration. The great mosque burn into my hand. As soon as possible I bowed became an intolerable place; the copies of the politely and left the foreign lady. sacred Koran, the shining lamps, the very rugs "There were other collections to be made that leered at me.
day, and lacking opportunity" to do otherwise, I "I knew that I must turn my back on all this.
slipped the small book into my pocket. I forgot My parents would disown me and disinherit me; about it until later in the day when I sat alone in a my friends would seek to destroy me; my wife shadowed corn~r of the great mosque. Curiosity would have to do as her parents and mine decreed, overcame my fear and I opened the book sur- and I should have to leave her and the children.
reptitiously. "Weeks and months slipped by as I hesitated.
"Many years have gone by now, but never shall My life was comfortable, even luxurious. I was I forget my first impression of the beauty of that loved, respected, trusted. In giving up Islam I '
story. It was the Gospel according to Saint Mark, should be giving up all security and respectability and as by some outer force I was impelled 'to read as I knew them. But while I debated about this through the verses which described John the Bap- other Prophet and compared His life with that of tist, Christ's Baptism, His temptation and the Mohammed, I knew what I must do; and at last calling of some of the disciples. Perhaps more I did it.
[482 ] "The result was all that I had anticipated, but Dark tales were whispered over backgammon though my suffering was great, I felt no sorrow boards and between sips of thick, sweet coffee- nor regret. There were many new friends now tales of clever thefts, of quick, sure fingers on to replace the old, whom I loved with a greater knife and trigger, of amazing feats of horseman- love than ever and forgave wholeheartedly when ship and of unbelievable endurance.
they persecuted me. Penniless, I left my home city J-'s quiet, pale Armenian wife, whom he had with all of its dear associations, and traveled taken from a refugee camp just after the World northward. Everywhere Christians who had War, had borne him a son and a daughter; but for heard of me welcomed me, but whenever I encoun- him there was no united family life; it had never tered those of myoId faith, they reviled me merci- occurred to him that such was necessary or de- lessly. I was refused shelter in every Moslem sirable. His own mother had often sent him as a home; I was shamefully cursed and ejected from boy to carry supplies of money and food, to her restaurants and all public places where I was father's home, against the inevitable day when her known. husband should tire of her. Many a day on the "For a time doubt assailed me. I wondered road he had met other boys, his friends, going on whether God had forgotten me. Things were the same sort of secret errand. Home for J – strange as I traveled away from home; I did not meant shelter from rain and cold, even from ene- slip easily into the new customs and religious mies to some extent, but little else.
practices. I missed my loved ones, particularly It happened one day that J-, natty in his well- my sons, who would now grow up considering fitting uniform, passed a meeting house in the their father a renegade, an infidel, a betrayer of center of his home town and saw a crowd of peo- the faith. Perhaps these were the hardest hours ple assembled. Curious, he looked in and saw his of my life. wife and children there. Upon questioning some "But when my sorrow was deepest, when the bystanders he learned that an evangelist had come outlook seemed blackest, God made Himself known from the far west to help the harassed Armenian to me, and I was able to rise up and follow Him refugees to return to their ancient faith in God with renewed strength and vision. and His Prophet Jesus Christ. J- was amused, "Now after all these years I can testify that and leaning against the rear wall of the building, He has never forsaken me at any time and that listened while the foreigner read a story which He is worthy of every sacrifice made for His sake. seemed to be all about a new way of Life. The I would not go back to the old IHe, with all of its preacher then talked simply about repentance and security and material comfort, for all that the salvation. It was all so easy to understand, so world has to offer. I have tried to witness to straightforward, that J – was amazed. The meet": Him, to tell others of His love and beauty, and as ings continued for several days, and J- attended life's shadows lengthen around me, I realize that all of them, hearing little more than the simple I must work harder that no time be lost." Gospel story told in none-too-perfect Turkish.
Thus the fascinating tale came to a close. When- That story was enough to change his life. From ever he can do so, this truly converted believer that time on J – knew that his old ways were not reads from his "Beautiful Book" to his compan- in keeping with God's will. To his astounded asions, and if we were there to see, we should note sociates he declared his new faith as openly as he that many a face is softened, that new light comes had boasted of his heinous deeds. He resigned his into hard, cold eyes which have seen much bitter- position with the gendarmerie, and rearranged his ness and disappointment, for the Prince of Peace whole life. There was little he could do to earn an hovers near. honest living, but he did what his hands could find to do, often enough working as a day laborer. *** After their first amusement at J-'s new A few years ago a gay young man rode daily "stunt," his former friends and associates began through the crowded streets of the northern towns to persecu~e him. Finding that he paid little heed of Syria, cursing and jostling the shepherds and to them, they spat upon him, kicked and reviled other traders who came in from the desert to sell him; caused him to be thrown into prison. They their produce. His bright, dark eyes sparkled as were humbled and astounded the more when he he drew rein, for he knew his power and his repu- turned the other cheek. He who had once been so tation for cruel justice. His uniform indicated quick to retaliate now bore the harshest treatment that he was one of the gendarmerie, and well was without reproach. His former powerful char- he known in village and town and out in the far- acteristics were changed and beautified. His rest- away places of the desert. No danger was too less energy led him on to greater and greater tasks great for him to face, no journey too distant for and sacrifices; his splendid physique enabled him his strength. Bold, winsome, rash, J – was at to endure great suffering and deprivation without once the terror and the pride of his associates. apparent harm.
In quiet moments J- sadly counted the years of Before long a crowd gathered, and J- took his life which had been spent in wickedness and occasion to tell his story of Jesus and to distribute riotous living, the blood-stained deeds of his im- tracts. The Sheikh listened as attentively as the petuous youth, and he longed to recall them and others, and when J- had finished he stood up and dedicate them to God. told an amazing story himself. J-Iater recounted this story to us in detail. Some years have passed during which -he has grown steadily in grace. He is tireless in his task About three years ago the Sheikh went to the of spreading the Gospel, his journeyings covering dyeing establishment of an Armenian Christian. the breadth and the length of his native land. On the table in the small shop lay an open book. The bitterest of his enemies are being won over, one by one, for the old charm of J – coupled with "What book is that?" asked the Sheikh, using this new, compelling love, is irresistible. Now and Turkish as readily as his native tongue, Arabic. then there is one who still distrusts, even persecutes him, but to no avail. Into prisons, among "A Bible,!' answered the Armenian. castaways of all faiths, he takes Bibles and Gos- "Is it the good book of which the Koran pel portions and religious tracts. At the doors of speaks?" mosques, in the homes of rich and powerful "Yes," answered the Armenian, a bit on his sheikhs he preaches Christ and distributes lit- guard with so staunch a Moslem leader. The Arerature. menian, though fearless in his faith, had experi- enced something from the fanaticism of Moslems. Recently he was visiting some of the scattered "Tell me about it," persisted the Sheikh with hamlets on the edge of the north Syria desert genuine interest. when he met a man whom he had not seen for "Let me read from it," answered the dyer; "it some years. At sight of that man J- thanked tells its own story better than I can." God and said, He picked up the Book and read some chapters in Genesis. As he read the Sheikh received a new "Brother, do you remember me?" vision of the greatness and the power and the majesty of God as compared with the sinfulness "Yes, indeed," responded the lean shepherd, his of man. The Armenian saw that the effect was keen eyes narrowed in his weather-beaten face, real and read on. "you used to be in the gendarmerie. I have not Later his customer returned and begged to borseen you lately, but I remember you well." row the Book. The dyer volunteered to secure for him an Arabic version, and with this copy in his "Do you remember that once a goat was stolen hands the Sheikh began at the first chapter of from you?" Genesis and read through all of the books of the Old and New Testaments. When he reached the "Ap, my friend," laughed the shepherd, "a goat last verse of Revelation he began again and read is often stolen from a shepherd in these parts. as before. What can I do? The poor have no rights." After that second reading he was convinced that "I stole a goat from you once,and I thought I the only way of salvation is through Jesus Christ. was clever to do it without being caught. My Then one night he dreamed that his city was being friends and I had a fine feast." destroyed because of the wickedness of the people, as Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Great "You?" grinned the shepherd in mock surprise. was his grief and helplessness when he turned "I cannot believe it." away from the awful scene-and there he beheld Jesus upon the cross. He dreamed that he rose "But yes, I did," averred J- in all seriousness. up, threw his arms about the bleeding feet and "And now I wish to pay for that goat, and to ask wept for his sins and those of his people. your forgiveness. Here is the money." So it happened that when J- came to this town Overcome, the poor man who seldom sees even the Sheikh took courage openly to declare himself paper money, for he trades in kind and is always a Christian. "Do not call me 'Sheikh' any more; in debt to the money-lenders, exclaimed, "Is it I am a Chris-tian, a follower of Jesus Christ," he possible that one steals a goat, is not caught, and declared to the crowd. then comes back to pay for it?" The Word of God is living and active, and sharper than "Yes; it is possible," responded his companion, any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4: 12. "if one steals while he is in darkness and sin and then learns to know Jesus Christ." My Word shall not return unto Me void. Isaiah 55: 11.
What better sermon could have been preached Surely the Word of God is a powerful witness to that poor, ignorant Bedouin of the desert? to Christ and can be used to achieve great results if we can but put it into the hands of men and Leaving the desert, J- went to one of the larger women everywhere. towns and was invited to meet the head man who owns more than three-fourths of the town's land and houses. He bears the important title of Sheikh and is a man of great influence.
Experience with
By REV. FRANK LAUBACH, Ph.D., Mindanao, Philippines Missionary of the American Board C. F. M.
FOR four centuries the Moros of Mindanao pealed to the supreme court, entering a plea of fought the same relentless war with the Span- self-defense. Our case was so well prepared that iards and Filipino Christians that the Moros Pambaya was ~cquitte!i. He is now my/fast friend (Moors) of Africa had fought in Spain during the and will be yours if I introduce him to you." five centuries before Columbus discovered America. The annual war in the Philippines would So this man .]?ambaya, who so nearly spent commence as soon as the winds were favorable for twenty years in,i'Irrison, became my friend, taught the Moro vintas to sail northward, or for the me the .Maranaw language, and has been our Spanish galleons to sail southward. strongesfhulw3;rk ever since. He has toiled with us for cOU)ltless. hours in building up a Maranaw When the United States took over the Philip- dictionary, haS'-helped in the translation of the Old pines in 1898, we inherited this endless war with Testament stories and the Gospel of Luke, and has the Moros. American soldiers, with their greatly ~ided in the preparation of many other books.
.superior weapons, broke the power of the Moros But his chief function is to keep his ear to the and instilled in them a sense of fear and respect, ground for signs of opposition and to make friends though outlaws have hidden in the forests and Qut of potential enemies. No missionary in a performed exploits of murder and robbery every Moslem country can get on very well without some year up to the present day. man of that type.
In the year 1915 my wife and I visited Lanao for the first time, hoping to establish a mission for the Moros. We found the air tense, the nerves of the officials taut, the Moros sullen, and rumors of impending attacks being whispered from ear to ear. We were told plainly that no Christian missionary effort would be tolerated as it would certainly add to the fanatical fury of the Moros.
We left Lanao to work in other parts of the Philip- pines, awaiting a more propitious day.
It was not until 1929 that we felt the time had arrived. A large percentage of the trouble makers had been imprisoned or killed, and the Province had become comparatively quiet. Because there MORO GI1,;LS'l'H:tNK;iTH:EY WILL DIE U' THEIR PICTURE· IS was no school suitable for the education of our 'l'AJ(;EN,BUT 'fHEY Tf.:KE A CHANCE TO son, and also because we were not sure how safe pLlllASE THE; MISSIONARy Lanao would be for women and children of missionaries, I left my wife and son in· the northern Tclie first :rno.n~~,be:fo.:re I had found Pambaya, wer¢, among the hardest Of my life. I did not seem part of the Philippines, and entered Lanao alone. to be able to get the right beginning. I climbed The officials still expressed misgivings about any Signal Hill, back of my cottage, night after night, religious work being attempted, and permitted me with no companion but my dog Tip, and remained to begin my work on the understanding that it until long ·after dark while the finger of God would be educational and social, and not contro- painted marvelous colors against the western sky.
versial. I was a missionary of Christ, with my I recall the heartaches and the yearnings with lips practically sealed~ which my eyes roved around the lake below me, I asked a big-hearted American, Lieutenant where the Moros had their villages. The deepest Cramer, whether he knew a Moro whom I could spiritual experiences are born of pain, if one lets trust. Cramer replied: that pain drive him to God. Out of the loneliness "There is a Moro who was convicted of murder of Lanao came some of the most precious soul ex- and sentenced to serve for twenty years. Feeling periences of my whole life. During one of these that this sentence was too heavy, some of us ap- sunset trysts I was telling God aloud that He must [485 ]
guide my pathway, for the obstacles were like a sinless man to be crucified. That would not be mountains. I spoke aloud, for nobody could hear justice." He snatched Jesus out of Gethsemane, me but God and Tip. Then my lips began to sp.eak and then changed Judas into the appearance of to myself, voicing a new light which had come Jesus, and allowed the Jews to crucify Judas, as into my mind: he deserved. The Koran teaches that Jesus now sits on the right hand of God interceding for men If you want these Moros to be fair to your religion, be -more kindlihearted than the Moslem God. In fair to theirs. Study their Koran with them. Medina there are four graves: that of Mo- hammed; that of Fatima his daughter; that of I told some of the Mohammedan priests that I Omar, the greatest Moslem missionary, and an wanted to study the Koran, and the next day my empty grave. Tradition says that Jesus will re- turn, will reign a thousand years, will die, and MORO POET WHO WON A CONTEST will be buried in that fourth grave.
house was full of priests and hadjis with their What broke down the wans between the Moros Korans, all of them bent upon making a Moham- and myself more than anything else was a pammedan out of me. We found to our delight that phlet published by the Moslem Propaganda Society there was much in common in our religions. Islam of India. This pamphlet was brought to me to has about seventy-two prophets, of whom we show me how to become a good Moslem. To my found the names of sixty in our Bible. delight I was able to translate into Moro, before all the priests in my house, these important facts: Those who do not know the Koran will be surprised to find how it exalts Jesus. He was born of Islam has four holy books: a virgin, according to Moslem tradition, but he (1) Torah, or the books of Moses; was not crucified. In the Garden of Gethsemane, (2) Jabur, Qr the Psalms of David; so the tradition goes, God said: "I will not permit (3) Kita.J Injil, or the Life of Jesus; (4) The Koran of Mohammed.
"I have studied these first three sacred books many years," I told my Moslem friends, "and will tell you all I know, while you tell me all you know about the Koran."
Two or three of the men studying the Koran knew English and so acted as interpreters for the others and for me. They began to ask for a class to teach them to read English.
"Our constant warfare with the Christians has left us far· behind the rest of the Islands," they told me, "and we want to catch up."
The Moros had burned down fifty school build- ings in the years just preceding my arrival, and were for the most part unfriendly to the schools. Yet they began to realize that they were harming themselves and nobody else by this attitude. I knew that for these adults the mastery of English would be a very long process, so I said: "Suppose you learn to read your own language first with English letters. Then it will be easier to learn to read English."
This sounded reasonable, so we began to pre- pare lessons in the Maranaw language with Eng- lish letters.. Nothing had ever been printed in their language up to that time. We had to decide upon an alphabet. Fortunately the Philippine languages have adopted perfectly phonetic alpha- bets, and we followed these in all but one letter. We needed but sixteen letters in all.
At first we used the ordinary sentence method of teaching, but this seemed unnecessarily long for learning sixteen simple letters; so the Moros joined me in seeking a method better adapted to their own language. Month after month they
MY EXPERIENCE WITH MOSLEMS
toiled with me, making positively exciting prog- are you going to get· your money back? Our ress. As the course became easier the numbers imams will not teach us the Koran unless we pay who desired to learn increased, until at last hun- them in advance." dreds came to the large old building we had purchased. Thus began the first of those literacy This gives us our opportunity to tell the religion campaigns based on the principle of "each one which under other circumstances they would be teach five more" which have since spread to many unwilling to consider: parts of Malaysia, India, Africa, and Latin America. "I have studied the wonderful life of Nabi Isa. From the time he awoke in the morning until he The second year the highest Chieftain in south- closed his eyes at night he spent every minute of ern Lanao asked me to attend a three-day feast the day helping people. He was always teaching which he was holding in celebration of the opening of his school for adults. He had moved out of DOCTOR LAUBACH AND PAMBAYA, A MORO FRIEND his largest house and turned it into a school building. The day I arrived was Friday. Kakai Daga- or encouraging, or defending or healing or saving langit, for this was the chieftain's name, asked me somebody. That is a wonderful way to live. If to accompany him to the mosque, and I accepted. everybody in Lanao lived like that we would have I washed my hands and feet as is the Moro cus- a paradise. The climate is perfect, but the people tom, and followed the chief into his mosque. He hate and fight and defraud one another. Because took me to the front prayer rug, placed a black I see everybody must help everybody else, I am hat-far too small for me-on my head, and said trying to teach all I can. And I have discovered I was a "Christian pandita." By this brilliant the secret of happiness! When I was looking for name he hoped that Islam and Christianity might happiness I could not find it. It escapes like the be reconciled. He returned my courtesy by at- rainbow. And when I harm people I feel mean tending our Christian church, dressed in a magnificent shining satin coat and trousers. Since inside. But when i spend my day teaching peothat time I have accepted the invitations of many of the highest chieftains to attend their mosques. ple, my heart sings. Go out and teach others and do not take a cent for it, and see how your heart Kakai Dagalangit has one of the most brilliant will sing!" minds I have ever met. He asked me endless searching questions and told me the populations of all the principal countries of Europe – some army captain had told him what they are. This chieftain also made a contribution to education which may have very far-reaching effects.
When the depression came I had to call all my teachers and the leading chieftains of Lanao together and announce that the little money I had left would permit me to retain only three out of nineteen teachers. Kakai Dagalangit arose and said, with his usual brevity: "This campaign is the most important thing that ever came to Lanao. It shall not stop. Every person who learns must teach five others. I will see that they do."
This is how it happened that we began the "each one teach five" idea, which proved a great success in Lanao, and has proven a cheap and effective method of reaching adults in their homes throughout the Philippines and indeed in every country I have since visited.
A literacy campaign along these lines has proven to be a very fine way to make friends. If you sit beside an illiterate and teach him with patience and real love in your heart, he grows more and more surprised at this new experience, and at last interrupts the lesson to ask: "Why are you teaching me without pay? When
Thus we introduce Jesus at the point where He so tenderly, so perfectly as in the face of Jesus. is most irresistable-His great burning heart and Until men have known Jesus they have not known His loving service. We help people to act like the best fact about God, that He is, that any being, Christians long before they think of becoming even God, can be as good as Jesus! Christian in name. Arabs are poor slipshod business men. Jews There was equal eagerness on the part of stu- and Christians can beat them in business with the dents from Irak studying in the American Univer- utmost ease-:-and do! Mohammed· met Christians sity in Beirut, and Iraneans whom we met in who told him wonderful stories about the lovely Turkey. Now as I write from Dar es Salaam in Jesus-and then proceeded to take advantage of East Africa, I am having one of the most thrilling him in their business transactions. The result experiences of my whole life preparing lessons was that Mohammed, one of the supreme religious and teaching Moslem men every morning, and geniuses of all time, loved Christ and hated Christeaching Moslem illiterate women every afternoon. tians! If Christians had lived what Christ taught A leading African Mohammedan imam is collect- and lived, Mohammed might have become the ing the illiterates. With the memories of thou- greatest Christian since Paul. So ten thousand sands of Mohammedans who have looked at me times over this planet one runs across instances and held my hand in loving appreciation, I feel deeply as well as believe profoundly, that the day TEACHING MORO ADULTS IN THE MARKET PLACE for embittering controversy is past.. For centuries it was the fashion for the two religions to expose of the fact that Christ's chief enemies are Christhe worst features they could find or imagine about tians who betray Christ in their lives and their one another. The time has come to call a truce to business relations. this, and for these two religionS to appreciate one another. We ought to be fair to Islam, for we need to ask mercy in judging Christianity. We have failed so There is much Christians may learn from Islam tragically that we are asking the world to believe if they will look for it. For example a good Mos- that "Christianity has never yet really been tried." lem prays five times a day. Of course Christians We ask others to begin to try it, though Christian are supposed to pray oftener than that-but how nations have never tried it themselves. many of us do? For Moslems the one overwhelming fact is the will of God. We who have come I often hear Christians in Asia and Africa say: into contact with Islam have been reminded that "You can't trust any of them." I dare not tell the one imperative duty of a Christian is to find that Moslem what I think of him, but I will tell and carry out the full will of God in every detail you. What he means to say is: "You cannot trust -,-but how many of us do? Every Moslem is sup- any of them to allow you to despise them, outwit posed to regard every other Moslem as a brother, them, underpay them, ostracize them, and browregardless of race, nationality, wealth, or social beat them." No,he is right, you cannot. Moslems , condition. Moslems do not need to be introduced are mirrors, giving back love for love, hatred for in order to speak to one another! The Arabs inter- hatred, suspicion for suspicion, trust for trust. marry with the Africans and thus make Moslems But so are all the people of the world-mirrors! of them. Christian whites compel Africans to And the majority of ~very nation are responsible live in segregated sections of the African cities. if one treats them decently. The Christian teaching is exactly like the Moslem teaching on the point of brotherhood-but how Nobody can appreciate how valuable it is for many Christians practice it? On the other hand Christians and Moslems to cooperate in some such the Moslems are in tragic need of a vital contact campaign as this, unless he has gone through the with the Christ whom they hold in high esteem, experience. Our experience in Lanao while seekbut about whom they know so little. The more ing the best method of teaching Maranaw, was generously we appreciate their merits the more particularly fortunate. Letters began to reach us readily they will accept the Christian experience of Christ. In a very real sense therefore, we can speak of sharing with Islam.
Some people fear that words like these will paralyze missionary giving. But any person who stops giving for this reason does not need to read more ugly pictures about other religions; what he needs isa fresh experience of Christ. Those of us who have touched other religions know that never in any religion have men seen God so winsomely,
MOSLEM VIEWS OF "THOSE NAZARENES"
fromaH parts of the world inquiring about our Only by some such sharing can one discover campaign. These letters were read to the Moros, what wonderful and zealous friends the Moslems who boasted inordinately about showing the world can be, and how "Christian" many of them are in how to become literate. Some of the young men spirit. Whenever we told Mohammedans about prepared a large map of the world, and ran green our Lanao friends they worked with tireless enlines out to the countries from which letters were thusiasm in preparing lessons in other languages. received. When three years ago we announced A dozen young Moslems and two missionaries our plan of visiting other countries, all Lanao worked almost night and day preparing Malay wanted to go along! Hundreds of datos came down charts in Malacca. In VeIlore India, the Printo the seacoast, a distance of twenty-five miles, to cipal of the Mohammedan Government School and bid us farewell. They crowded the deck of the his faculty struggled and toiled and sometimes steamer, making highly exaggerated but wholly nearly fought over the difficult Urdu. The Presisincere speeches. Then they selected the leading dent of the Arabic College in Madras gathered the imam to pray while they held out their hands great lights of Urdu in a most inspiring meeting, turning their palms alternately upward and down- staged a successful demonstration, put fragrant ward as they responded to the prayer. Mingling flowers around my neck and made such speeches Maranaw with Arabic the imam asked that this as I have not heard, no, not in all ChristenQom. American friend, who had cooperated with them in making the easiest lessons in the world, should When the students of the Lahore Government have the blessing of Allah as he introduced their Training College heard the story of the Lanao method to other countries. They kissed me fare- Moslems, several Mohammedan students followed well, with their long Arab whiskers, and the me home and would not permit me to eat my lunch imams said: before taking the train. One of them wept as he begged me to change my program and visit Jind "We will pray for you in every mosque in this State at once! Two others hung on me resolutely province, while you carry our method to the until I promised to go to Afghanistan. They said world." they would write at once for the government to issue an invitation. I was as excited as they, for Then the Mohammedans stood in silent rever- few foreigners and no missionaries enter Afghanence while the Christians prayed and sang: "God istan. be with you till we meet again."
Moslem Views of "Those N azarenes"
By J. LOWRIE ANDERSON United Presbyterian Missionary in the Egyptian Sudan W HAT a member of one religious sect thinks a man here know or care about the elections in of those of a different faith depends upon America? I thought.) the prejudices in which he grew up, on his temperament and critical faculties, on his second- "But why?" I asked. hand knowledge, and on the members of the other "Because Hoover was against liquor, and the group with whom he is acquainted. other fellow is for it. I am sorry that America turned its back on Hoover and prohibition." (In- The average Moslem knows little or nothing toxicants are prohibited by Moslem law.) about the Christians of America. Only once did I In the French consulate in London, awaiting a find interest in a moral issue in America, and that, viise to our passport, we met a young Turk who strangely enough, in a small city where no Euro- had been a student in Paris and London, and was pean or American lived. We were on an evan- returning to his native land. He was interested gelistic journey in 1934 and visited a town three that we were going for the first time as missiondays' journey from the nearest railroad. Discov- aries to a Moslem land. ering that some in the party were from America, "In recent years," he said, "Moslem countries a stranger sought us out to question us about our have retrogressed. That is because Islam, our country. In the conversation he said, faith, has been weakened. Our great days of power were the great days of faith. When Mos- "I am sorry that America rejected Hoover and lems closely adhered to their religion they were took this other fellow." (What in the world does
the leaders of the world. When faith decayed, so The man of the street in the Sudan has become did their political power and intellectual leader- interested in one report that has reached him, ship. namely, that Islam is spreading in Europe and America. Where the report started I know not, "In Christianity it is just the opposite. It is but in every corner of the Moslem Sudan it has the nations who have abandoned the attempt to gained credence. In many different cities I have follow their religion that are at the forefront. been asked if I knew that all Germany had aban- France and England pay only lip service to their doned Christianity and gone over bodily to Islam. religion. They do not follow the ideals of Jesus. This is probably how the news of the rise of Nazi- And because they have left these out, they have ism and the Neo-pagan Movement in Germany has become great. This is always true." finally filtered into the broadcasting agencies of these simple people. I was at a loss to account In the Sudan, years later, I heard a strange for the origin of the report that in the United variant to that same theme. The spokesman was States five millions have declared themselves Mosnot a graduate student, as the first had been, one lem. Any attempt to deny the statement would be who had traveled in Europe and was learned in useless. Perhaps the Sudanese had heard about the branches of Western science. He was a poor the recent movement among the Negroes in Amer- Sudanese black, who had traveled little if any out- ica to claim that they are not Negroes, but Moors, side hi!,! native region, and who knew how to read with a history not of slavery, but of conquest. Arabic, but no other language. Our colporteur When such Negroes dress in Arab costume and pointed him out, sitting in the shade by the side wear fezzes, worship Allah, and go through forms of the road, and said: of worship, these things have no relation to Islam. But when we realize that they have done this to "That man I believe to be a Christian. He has get away from the stigma white Christians have read the New Testament many times, and he has put upon their race and color, we need to be bought some other books. He knows about Chris- ashamed. Jesus quoted with approval the saying, tianity, although he will not confess Christ." "My house shall be called a hous!'! of prayer for all peoples." But it is hard to find a church in Amer- We walked over and sat down on the log beside ica without the color bar. No wonder Negroes the black man. After introductions were over, the prefer to be considered "Moors" and to profess old man turned to me and said: Islam, rather than Christianity.
"You Christians are the queerest people in the Although the Moslem in the Sudan knows and world?" cares little about the Christians of the West, he has known his Christian neighbors. In Greece, "Why do you say that, Uncle?" Syria and Egypt the ancient Eastern churches "I have read your books. I have read the Gos- still exist and their members can be found in every pel through many times. I find that Jesus section of the Sudan. From these Christians the preaches peace. He tells his followers if they are Sudanese buy their sugar and cotton cloth, and to smitten on one cheek to turn the other. He com- them they often sell cattle or dates. mands that when a man asks for your coat you shall give your cloak too. He says to forgive each "Drunk as a Christian" is a metaphor that was other, and to love your enemies, and to pray for not coined from imagination. The great Christian them. Is that not true?" festivals of Christmas and Easter have too often "Very true, Uncle." been largely drunken orgies in the East. A Mos- "Before you Christians came to the Sudan, we lem funeral is marked with dignity and solemnity. thought we knew something about fighting. All "This is Allah's will," the mourners say, "and as our men le~rned how to use the sword and the His creatures we submit to it." But shrieking and spear and the javelin. Some of them knew also wailing, cursing God for having taken the loved how to shoot a rifle. But that was nothing to what one, and every sign of grief and desolation mark you Christians have shown us how to do. You the death of a Christian. No (me would ever befight with machine guns that kill people, not one lieve that they are followers of One who is the at a time, but by the scores. You bombard towns Resurrection and the Life. Often for years the with cannons fired from many miles away. You Christians display the outward marks of grief and fight not only on land, but on the water, and under priests fatten on the superstitions of the people. the water, and under the land. Nowadays you He alone can intercede effectively for the sins of even fight from the air. Yet you claim to be fol- the people, and only when his palm is crossed. lowers of Jesus, who preached love to all men." The keys of the future life are in his hand, and only gold will give him strength to turn that key. Acknowledging inconsistency of professing This the Moslem knows, and thanks Allah that he Christians, I tried to show the man my own conviction that nothing of Western civilization built on force will endure but that the teachings of Jesus are the only sure foundations for abiding life, in the East or in the West.
needs no intercessor as he comes to God. For this the Gospel in the Apostolic Era. Moslems who reason he further despises the Christian. have become acquainted with them have a better conception of what Christians are like than if they Moreover, the Moslem usually knows little about did not know any Christians. the religIon of the Christian, and what little he knows usually repels. Religious pictures, and the Conversation with Moslem converts has concandles that burn before them, leads him to think firmed my own observation. A convert who had the Christian little better than an idolator. Many learned to hate Christians, found those he met in Moslems believe that the Trinity consists of God school to be little different from Moslem boys, exthe Father, Mary the Mother, and Jesus the Son. cept that they had a better spirit of mutual coop- They reject this suggestion as vile and puerile. eration. Eighty years ago in the Sudan, Arab All are sure that the doctrine at least betrays mud- slave raiders attacked a native village and took dled thinking. Nor has the witness of Christians the women and children as slaves. Among the to their own faith usually been strong. In the group was the son of the chieftain, a twelve-year- Sudan, because they are in the minority few have old naked savage, brighter than the rest. The been willing even to discuss with Moslems the Arabs called him Ibrahim. He attributes his conthings they believe. Thousands of Moslems would version to Christ to a conversation he had while die for their religion, and in the days of the Mahdi still a slave with an untutored Copt in a small vilproved it by courting martyrdom. But when the lage in upper Egypt. In half an hour the Copt same Mahdi ordered all Christians to turn Mos- explained to the inquiring black youth the myslems on pain of death, they scurried like fright- teries of the Incarnation and the Trinity. The ened rabbits into the folds of Islam. Many re- young man's heart went out to Christ who became mained Christians secretly, and when the power flesh and tabernacled among men. His conversion of the Mahdi's sway was broken, confessed it was real, as is proved by Ibrahim's years of faithopenly again. It is the blood of martyrs, not the ful service as a colporteur and evangelist in Egypt saving of life by apostasy, that is the seed of the and the Sudan. Church. Sudanese hold to their faith so strongly, and count death so lightly, that they have no re- In recent years there has grown up a small Protspect for people who change their religion as they estant community in the Sudan. Their interest in do their cloak, when they meet the fierce wind of evangelism has thrown them into contact with the persecution. But the influence of the Eastern Moslem majority and their emphasis on the ap- Christian churches on Islam is not all negative or plication of the teachings and spirit of Christ to detrimental to Christian progress. My experience daily life has not only given them a higher standin the Sudan has caused me to moderate my own ing with the Moslems, but has influenced the memviews on this subject. The presence of the Chris- bers of the older Eastern churches. Moslems of tian in the Sudan, though he be worldly, is a the Sudan are thus having the opportunity to constant reminder to the Sudanese of the presence judge Christianity on its real merits more than of this other faith. Moreover he sees the Chris- ever before, as they see persons who seek to lead tian, not as the vile and wicked monster some- the Christ-life in their daily conduct. times portrayed in their tales, but as a man in many ways similar to himself – with the same "Never have I had a superior like this one," needs and aspirations, the same passions and said a Moslem doorman at the Government office temptations, much the same likes and dislikes, where a Prot,;)stant held a high position. "He is hope and fears. Moreover, he knows Christians always polite, always considerate, and I believe to be people of "The Book," and that interests him that he takes a personal interest in me." more in the religion of Christ. Very uncertainly at times, but on the whole effectively, the Chris- "The best loved in all Wad Medani is Mr. tian has raised the standard of monogamy in the Toobia," said a Moslem to me concerning our Sudan, which many Moslems are coming to recog- Christian pastor. He is probably the most unnize as superior to their own polygamy and easy selfish man in all the district-a man whose face divorce. Christians have many faults and the and life are stamped with the marks of the Lord Christianity they profess is often a caricature of Jesus. the real thing. That their standard of. religion and morals is far from that of the apostolic days. The Church Mission hospital in Omdurman, The Moslem of the street despises them, and not where Christian doctors give freely of time and without cause, yet, all in all they have been an strength and of their own souls to serve their Mosasset to the Gospel, and their scattering through- lem brothers,.has given many a new conception of out the cities and towns of the Moslem Sudan is a what true Christians are. Perhaps the day is not preparation for the Gospel, even as the Dispersion far distant when the Moslem will say not that a of the despised Jews was a help to the spread of certain Christian "is good enough to be a Moslem" -their highest compliment today – but that un- selfishness in a Moslem is one of the marks of a Christian. S~irit-filled Christians can bring that change about.
and Moslem
By ELEANOR T. CALVERLEY, M.D., Hartford, Conn.
Formerly a Missionary in Arabia A MEENA rocks her baby in an Arab cradle baby of her own. The Saviour Divine to whom .r-.. made of date~sticks just as the Moslem her faith looked up during those days and nights of danger and suffering at the beginning of her mother in the next mat hut rocks her little widowhood is the One of whom her neighbors hear one. Next door the mother chants softly to put her sing. Yes, Ameena means the words. Christ her child to sleep. is her saviour in a very real and tangible way. She knows from what He has saved her and she "La ilah il allah knows from what He has saved her tiny daughter La ilah il allah." who sleeps so peacefully without benefit of Mos- lem charm or amulet. Her little one is perhaps Over and over again from the first day of his life the only native child in the whole town and for the Arab child hears these sacred words of the many hundreds of miles around who will enjoy Moslem creed. "There is no god but Allah." For all Islam no other lullaby could compare with this the advantages of a Christian home. in beauty or in soothing power.
The song which Ameena sings as she rocks her little daughter is a Christian hymn. Her neighbors are beginning to learn the words which they have heard so often.
My faith looks up to Thee Thou Lamb of Calvary Saviour Divine.
Does Ameena think of the meaning of those words? Does her faith really look up as she sings to her baby girl? Does her faith lift her above the level of the sordid life with its filth and misery and wickedness which is all about her little home? THREE ARAB BOYS AND A GIRL IN KUWAIT Does it make her home different; more lovely and more happy than the homes of her Moslem neigh- Few towns in Arabia have the example of a bors? Is Christ her saviour in a really practical home like that of Ameena. She and her husband sense? If so from what has he saved Ameena? are of slave descent, and for that reason are more independent than members of Arab families. Eight years ago Ameena's first husband died. Under the prevalent patriarchal system it would It was he who had taught the young wife to become with him a follower of Christ. Gently and with great patience year after year as he and Ameena lived together among neighbors who thought them traitors and infidels because they were no longer Moslems the husband shared with be. difficult for the son of a family with social his wife the knowledge which meant so much to standing in a Moslem town to become a Christian. him. She was very shy and slow to learn but Even though a young man might be willing to live when her husband died she proved that his teach- as simply as does the husband of Ameena, for him ing had not been in vain. Although the whole to take a wife of his own choice and establish an Moslem community seemed determined to force independent home where his bride could enjoy the her to return to her former religion and accept a privilege!'! of Christian womanhood would seem to husband of their choice, Ameena stood her ground. most Arabs an impossibility. For this reason, in ' Even when death threatened, with back to the wall Arabia at least, the only Christian homes with she persisted, never wavering in her witness for which most Moslems can compare their own are.
Christ her Saviour. the homes of foreigners.
Years have passed and Ameena has another In Kuwait on the eastern coast of Arabia where Christian husband now. At last hftr arms hold a it was our good fortune to make our home for [492 ] eighteen years, the missionary family was always uttering three times the words, "You are dian object of much interest and curiosity to the vorced." His wife however has no similar right. women of the town. For two years we lived in Concubinage is taken for granted; slaves are both rented houses. These were built like other native Negroes and white women from countries farther houses with blank outside walls designed to pro- north. Women who live in the town, when in pubtect women occupants from the gaze of men. The lic must cover the entire face with a layer of black rooms surrounded a central courtyard which was cheese-cloth through which they can see dimly open to the sky. When our new home was built although their features are not visible to others. with outside windows admitting sunshine and A black cloak called an "aba" envelops their whole fresh air to every room many women visitors came to see the house whose arrangement seemed to ARAB WOMAN AT EN'ImANCE TO AN ARABIAN TOWN them so strange. person from crown of head to feet, when on the "Which is your room?" they asked the mission- street, excepting only one cheese-cloth-covered eye. ary mother, thinking that she like themselves would have but one room to call her own. Few Arab women can read and fewer still are permitted to learn to write. Fatalism restrains "The rooms are all mine; you see the family any desire for progress or for change. What is shares them all. This where we now are is the "written" on one's forehead must be endured. living room where we sit together and visit with Marriage and motherhood, especially the motherour friends." hood of sons are practically the only aim of exist- ence for these women. "You mean the reception room for men." "No, for both men and women." It is not fair to generalize about the home life "Surely you don't mean that men and women of all Islam from conditions in a backward sit together in the room!" country like Arabia. Great changes are tak- "Certainly they do." ing place in many Moslem lands. In Turkey, for "And this," continued the hostess, leading her instance, almost overnight through the adoption friends into the dining room, "is where we eat. With us, the mother sits at one end of the table and the father at the other end while the children sit at the sides." "You cannot mean that you and your husband eat together!" "Yes we do." That was hard for the guests to accept, for in their homes the men are served first and the women have their meal afterward. "They tell us," persevered the callers, "that your children are all girls. Is that true?" "Yes it is true." "Won't your husband divorce you because you have no son?" "No, he will not divorce me."
"Well then, won't he take another wife on your head?"
"No, in our country a man would be arrested for having two wives at a time. But I am thankful to say my husband does not even wish to take another wife."
"Oh! how fortunate you are!" exclaimed the visitors; and then, more wistfully, "How we wish that we were like you!"
Eas,tern Arabia is very conservative and is little affected by Western ways. The laws formulated in the Koran are still the rule for life. Polygamy is usual for those who can afford more than one wife and is also practiced by many who are poor. Early marriage of girls, not infrequently at the age of nine but more often between the ages of twelve and fourteen, is the established custom.
A man may divorce bis wife at will by simply
of the Swiss code and the separation of Church sionaries' home in order that they may become and State Turkish women were released, in theory accustomed to the association of men and women at least, from many of the restrictions we have in social intercourse and may learn to feel at ease mentioned. Legally, polygamy, the veil and un- in acting as hostess in their own homes.
equal divorce laws have all disappeared. As a Surprisingly enough the most violent opposition Turkish woman discussing modern social prob- to changes proposed by feminists in the status of lems said,* "What was moral in my grandmother's women in the home often comes from women day is now taboo, for instance polygamy; whereas themselves, especially from women of the older the perfectly normal social relations of young peo- generation. There is something not only indecent ple today would have formerly been considered but traitorous they feel in the new-fangled ideas immoral." of their sons. Virtuous women of Islam through In Egypt, Syria and India groups less radical all the centuries since Mohammed have gloried in than the Nationalists who are in power in Turkey submission to what they felt was Allah's will.
"We know the 'kind of life you Westerners live,"
said some Arab women returning from a visit in India, to a fellow passenger who talked with them on the ship. "We have seen life in your country pictured in the movies at Bombay." Then they described indecorous behavior of men and women together as they had seen it pictured on the screen.
That sort of thing would be to their minds the inevitable result of discarding the veil and giving to women a position similar to that enjoyed by men.
That freedom has its perils cannot be denied.
BAHREIN GIRLS' SCHOOL MADE OF DATE' STICKS When the veil is taken from the face of women a veil of character to shield the heart becomes imare endeavoring to secure social justice for women perative. Western civilization, nationalism and by reinterpreting Islam. Laws set down in the feminism must all have their part in bringing so- Koran to meet seventh century conditions need cial justice into Moslem homes; but all of these not be followed literally in the twentieth century together could not do for Ameena and her home they believe. And so, although more slowly than what Christ has done-that Saviour of whom she in Turkey, the status of women is beginning to be sings. raised in many Moslem countries.
In speaking of the effect of Islam on home life THE OHALLENGE OF ISLAM it is usual to consider principally the injustices imposed upon women. Educated Moslems are be- To win Moslems for Christ is a task of supreme ginning to realize that in the system of polygamy difficulty and many Christians regard it as one and in seclusion and lack of education for women, from which practically no results are to be exmen also suffer loss. In the face of opposition from pected. his superstitious and hysterical women-folk a man is helpless to apply the discoveries of modern Let it be admitted that it is the Evil-one's counscience to the care of his children. After losing terblast to the Gospel in the Eastern world. These child after chUd, in Arabia.where the infant mor- very facts make the conversion of a Moslem to tality is appalling, I have heard Moslem fathers Christ one of the most signal illustrations of the exclaim in despair, "What can I do? The women power and grace of God. In Moslem lands there are like cows!" Moreover, when men become edu- are today many men who once recited, five times cated in the Western sense as is happening more a day, with passionate conviction, the Moslem and more frequently in Iraq, for instance, they creed, but who now, with equal sincerity, are desire wives with whom they can enjoy compan- preaching Christ. In Morocco alone there are ionship. Sons frequently refuse to accept their little assemblies of believing and baptized natives, parents' choice of uneducated girls to be their who manifest the gifts and graces of the Spirit. brides. This fact perhaps more than any other Such instances are a clearer proof of the triinduces fathers to send their girls to school. umphant POWel' of the Gospel than the conver-· sion of hundreds of those, who, for various pre- Men students in Iran, I was told by the wife of disposing causes, are eagerly stretching out their an American professor in that country, are begin- hands for the Word of Life.-Condensed from a ning to bring their young wives to call in the mis- letter by Rev. E. J. Poole-Connor of the "North Africa Mission," printed in "The Christian" * Quoted from "Moslem Women Enter a New World," by Wood- (London).
small.
Ways of
'Tested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home s. EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO "New Roads in Ancient Islam" but rather mentioned as they ap- "The People of the Mosque," by L. pear in the outlines for work and Bevan Jones-a scholarly and detailed "To the majority of our church study sent in to this Department study of Islam and a challenge to members, the Moslem World is an un- by various denominations. In Christianity (cloth, $2.00). known sphere and therefore holds little this no discriminations have interest. To us as leaders is given been made. Leaders in any com- "Voices from the Near East"-writthe opportunity of opening up this munion have only to submit their ten by Christian nationals (50¢ and fascinating and most challenging prob- materials for the Editor's exam- 25¢) . lem facing the world mission of the ination, whereupon they will be Christian Church today." given attention and publicity in "Young Islam on Trek," by Basil the interests of the common Mathews (25¢). "Glimpses of the Moslem World good. show us that change is the order of "Islam Awakens," by Herrick B. the day. Whether it be a surge of The Source Material Young – a course for senior high nationalism here, a welling up of re- school groups (25¢). ligious fervor there, a zigzag course The main study book is, of of progress and reaction elsewhere, or course, "Mecca and Beyond," by "Masoud the Bedouin," by Alfreda just an unheralded drift from the old Dr. and Mrs. Edward M. Dodd, Post Carharlr-stories of Bedouin life moorings, there is something going on priced at 50¢ and $1.00. One of (25¢) . which is unprecedented in extent and the most excellent "How to Use" scope in all the thirteen centuries booklets (15¢) the writer has "Tales from Moslem Lands," edited since Mohammed. Modern civilization ever seen furnishes the plans for by William W. Reid (50¢). is flooding un on the world of Islam young folks and adults, men and and changing the face of that world. women alike. In addition to pro- "Christian Adventures in Moslem . . . The great question is, 'Whither, gram outlines of the subject mat- Lands," by Winifred Hulberlr-a study Islam?'" (From "How to Use," ter, complete worship services, for intermediate groups (25¢). Mecca and Beyond.) poems and the like, there are suggestions for invitations in- "Doorways," by Mary Entwistle- Our foreign mission theme is clusive of 0 utI in e picture stories for juniors (75¢ and 50¢). so rich in subject matter, so col- sketches, two complete dramaorful in plans for pres.entation, tizations and plans for a variety "Musa: a Son of Egypt," by Perkso dynamic in possibilities that of others, plans for use of life ins and Entwistle-a primary course it would be wasteful to give stories taken from the book, im- (25¢). space to prefatory remarks. personations, imaginary broad- Sampling the main study book casts, airplane trips, etc., a rib- "The Story of Musa," by Entwistle or any of its supplementary vol- bon demonstration, a candle (25¢) . umes, or of the articles in the lighting service, a "convers'abody of this magazine, may well tion" between a Moslem and a "Esa: a Little Boy of Nazareth," be trusted to win students with- Christian, a "pageant of antiq- by E. Mildred Neville-for beginners out explanatory "sales talk." uity," a new "Riddle of the (25¢) . The potentialities bound up in Sphinx," matching and other the theme, "The Moslem World," "tests," an "impersonation of the A variety of others may be readi.ly are explosive enough to rend pyramids," questions for prac- located from the listings of Boards of Christendom, or powerful enough tical discussions and many other Missionary Education, or denominato furnish motive power for devices for making topics attrac- tional publishing houses. building the King's Highway tive and forceful. "Effective Ways of Working" through the Orient. So whether Supplementary books: with the Study Topics making this an entire unit of study or merely incorporating it "What Is This Moslem World?" by The Central Committee on into some addresses and pro- Charles R. Watson ($1.00 and 60¢). United Study of Foreign Misgrams, our readers cannot afford sions, 186 Massachusetts Ave., to turn it down because not rep- "The Young Moslem Looks at Life," Boston, MMS.: resenting a field of endeavor in by Murray T. Titus ($1.00 and 60¢). their own denominational work. Miss M. H. Leavis, its secretary, "The Christian Approach to Mos- states that she has had great difficulty As in last month's citation of lems," by T. H. P. Sailer – a study in securing the illustrative curios helps for the home theme, ma- with teaching aids for adults (25¢). such as enlivened our study of Africa terials are not all listed under last year, receiving either nothing or their many publication sources, [495 ] novelties in too small quantities to be because of our space limitations, advertised, but that she is ready to furnish the following aids, in mim- eographed form: Life stories of the authors of "Mecca and Beyond"-Dr. and Mrs. Dodd ………………. 5¢ Story-"He Sent the Comforter" (to be read and questioned upon) ……..•…………. 51/'
Poem-"Desert Thirst," by Mary W. Vassar (Moslem woman's dream of God) ………….. 31/'
Poem – "Our Moslem Sisters" (communion story on "Has Any One Been Missed?") ……… 3¢
Poem-"The Tapestry Weavers". 3¢ saw. She asks, "What if we could The United Christian Mission- Plays- see all around the world through win- ary Society, Missions Bldg., 222 dows in all countries? Would you like "My Baby Is Sick," by Mary to try it? Which countries would you Downey Ave., Indianapolis, Ind.: Vassar – two women and a like to see? Can you think of any doll. . . …. . . . . . . .. . . . … .. 5¢ friends you would like to meet?" A Has no work in Mpslem lan_ds but game is then played in which the chil- "Yesterday – Today," by M;ary dren in the circle represent different expects to devote two months to the Vassar – mother and daugh- nations and the child in the center study topics and will use materials ter dialogue …………… 5¢ chooses from whatever nation she pre- to be mentioned later in the year. fers, the old tune, "Go in and out the Their catalogue mentions "Moslem "Persian Proverbs and Wise Say- Windows" to be used with words be- Children"-pictures at 50¢ per set, ings" •…………………. 3¢ ginning, "Go round and round the and a "Cut-out Sheet of Moslem "The Experiences of a Moham- nations." Types" at 15¢. medan in Christian America," "What We See First through Open by Mrs. F. G. Platt. . . . . . . . . . 3¢ Baptist Board of Missionary Windows" shows a picture of Christ Place cards – picture of "Mecca and the children of all races. Leader Education, 152 Madison Ave., and Beyond" on green card with directs conversation to the idea of N. Y.: . space for name ………. each 1¢ God's garden with differently colored flowers, these being the children of all The graded missionary materials ar- A Window Transparency-the lands. "Weare going to visit this ranged by this board are for use in camels and the star (directions garden and enjoy these flowers." A Sunday schools or organized groups of for making) ……………. 3¢ song, "His Garden," is then sung. It corresponding age interests. In order- is suggested that Friendship Paper ing the publications listed, note that "The Mecca Certificate"-a beauti- Dolls be used in this connection (four all materials marked (*) should come ful reproduction in a series of four dolls eight inches high, like real chil- from the board headquarters as cited plates (9x22in.) of the certificate dren of various oriental countries, above, but books and other helps (ingiven to every Mohammedan who price 25¢ a set). clusive of publications of other demakes the pilgrimage to Mecca. The nominations) are to be obtained from art work is fine and intricate. Ex- Succeeding lessons emphasize the the American Baptist Publication Soplanation and translation accompanies needs we see through open windows, ciety, 1701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, certificate. 10¢. ourselves through open window, "The Pa., or its various bookstores. World Looks through Our Windows- Cash must accompany all orders for And What Does It See?" etc. Beginners: the foregoing materials. Auxiliary materials suggested and "Esa: a Little Boy of Nazareth" Women's Missionary Society which may be ordered through the furnishes the main story material. of United Lutheran Church, 723 For visualizations, use "Friends in Muhlenberg Bldg., Philadelphia, Lutheran headquarters are: Everyland"-12 pictures with story Pa.: on back of each, including "A Moslem Picture Sheets in "Child Life of Friend in India" and "A Friend in "Zahia" – dialogue between Mo- the World" ………….. each 25¢ Turkey," 25¢ (listed elsewhere by its hammedan bride and school- publishers, the Women's Society of the mate ………….. 3¢ or 6 for 10¢ Lutheran Picture Sheets on Af- United Lutheran Church); "Posters rica, India and Japan …. each 5¢ of Moslem Children," 25¢; and hand- Special Program Helps to Use work such as "Arabian Village Cut- with "Open Windows" ……. 15¢ Picture Maps of Africa, India .. out"-eight cardboard sheets with di- ……………………. each 50¢ rections for coloring, 50¢; "Desert This pamphlet is especially helpful Life Panel Posters"-four brown sepia in presenting the book to children. Picture, "The Hope of the World" panels, 12×36, with colored cut-outs to Its keynote is in the opening para- (Christ and the children) …. be pasted on, 50¢; "Near East Paintgraph: "Through open windows that ………… postcard size, 5¢; ing Book"-seven pictures with colorlook out into the world, we see boys sepia, 35¢; large size in colors, 60¢ ing instructions, 10¢. Other stories and girls in China and India, in Af- recommended are "Just Like You" by rica and Egypt, in Japan and Borneo. Picture games – I n d i a, Africa, Lucy W. Peabody-a book of stories The stories of their lives and adven- China ………………. each 20¢ from many lands, 25¢; "A First Book tures are told so vividly that it is not of World Friendship," by the same hard to feel that we really see them Pictures through Magic Windows author-a collection of "Just Like You through the open windows. The leader -18 Bible pictures and verses Stories" in six little books, $1.50. may also reverse the idea so that the in attractive form ……….. 75¢ boys and girls realize that children of Primary: other countries are watching us also. "Friends in Everyland"-12 sto- The book contains ten stories. Each ries with large picture ……. 25¢ The stories are found in "Missionmay be told separately or some of the ary Stories to Tell," which contains material may be combined and used Teaching Pictures on Rural Life two short stories from Moslem lands. for six or more programs. The lead- around the World ………… 50¢ $1.00 and 50¢; "Our Little Friends of er's aim is to open the windows of a the Arabian Desert" (illustrated) child's heart and help him to make Presbyterian Board of Na- which takes us to visit the children of friends with all people who pass by." tional Missions, Central Distrib- a Bedouin sheik, $1.00; "The Story of uting Department, 156 Fifth Musa," by Entwistle-eight illustrated The ensuing pamphlet suggests Ave., N. Y. (Checks payable to narratives, 25¢; "Graded Foreign ways for leaders to carry out the fore- Central Distributing Department Mission Stories" (*), to be ready in going ideal, furnishes an outline guide December, 15¢. for each program, hymns, prayers, of the Mission Boards) : Scripture, a long list of excellent The visualizations and handwork group activities in the way of poster In addition to the study books listed are "Children from Manv Lands"- making, dramatizations and construc- previously, with their respective teach- portfolio posters of children of 10 tion work, outline illustrations of ing helps, "Fun and Festival from countries, llx14 in., in colors, with posters, directions for making an in- Moslem Lands" (25¢); "Primary Pic- verse for each picture, $1.00; "Life ternational house or village, map in Moslem Lands"-21 pictures with work, plans for scrap books, etc. ture Stories – M 0 s I e m Children" descriptive titles, 25¢, and all the ma- (25¢); and a moving picture, "Islam terials listed for the beginners. A sample of some of the preliminary in Egypt" are listed. Special attenplans will furnish an idea of the tion is called to this last valuable item, Juniors: method employed: which is a one-reel film taking ap- proximately 15 minutes to show. The The Stories are "Doorways," 75¢ Introducing the idea of theme, the rental price is $1.25 in 16mm. and $2.00 and 50¢; "Graded Foreign Mission leader has the children-individually in 35mm., plus transportation charges. or in groups-look through the largest ordering from Visual Aids Division of window near them, then tell what they The Westminster Press, 925 Wither- spoon Bldg., Philadelphia, Pa.
"Living Water" is a play taking 20 minutes, 13 women, 2 children (5¢).
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
Stories on Missions and World Peace" "Hostess Hints," covering menus Oriental music suitable for Moslem (*), 15¢; material from the primary and recipes for Arab cookery, 10¢. studies includes "Where My Caravan section. Has Rested," "Till the Sands of the "Traceaole Sketches" – outlines of Desert Grow Cold," "Bedouin Love Visualizations and handwork include flags, suggestions for place cards, Song" and "Kashmiri Song," with a picture map of the world-art map fruits, human figures, etc., which may other selections from collections of 30×50 in. with 23 small pictures to be readily be copied by tracing and used Oriental Music by Amy Woodfordepasted on, 50¢ "Cut-out Sheets of in a variety of social ways, 10¢. Finden. Inquire of any music dealer. Moslem Types"-20 outline sketches with directions for coloring, 10¢; "Islam," a dramatization with nar- The Religious Motion Picture "Friends of the Caravan Trails"- rator and 14 characters – outstand- Foundation has now merged its intersuggestions for handwork on pp. 21- ingly informing and worthful, 15¢. ests with those of another concern and 24, also sketches in insert sheet, 25¢; should now be addressed as Departmaterials listed under primary section. Sketches, "Mohammed" (4¢), and ment of Visualization, Harmon Founda- "Mohammedanism" (3¢). tion, 140 Nassau St., New York. It Intermediate and Young People: has a large number of religious and Story, "The Forgotten Words," 5¢. educational moving picture films in Story telling from "Tales from Leaflet (easily dramatized), "A stock, and each year additional ones Moslem Lands"-illustrated adventure Kabyle Wedding," 4¢. on the current study topics are prestories, 50¢; "M,asoud the Bedouin," Young women have a course on pared with the heln of an interde- 25¢; "The Beloved Physician of Te- "Highways and Skyways in Minaret nominational committee. heran," $1.00; "The Moslem World" Lands," including the textbook, for -a book of facts about foreign mis- 60¢. Some Rural Programs sions (*), 15rb. For Standard Bearers (of junior age), "Moslem Adventures on the By ANNYE ALLISON Visualizations and handwork include Magic Carpet of Imagination" con- "Christian Adventures in Moslem tains all necessary materials for a For primary pupils, make Lands" – suggestions for handwork, program of strong appeal to young 25¢ ; Set of Twelve Charts with folks, $1.00. poster headed "Win Rural Amergraphs for blackboard work or poster "Doorways" (50¢) and its "How to ica for Christ," showing church, making, 50¢ per set; Maps of the Use" (10¢) are recommended for the Sunday school, daily vacation Moslem World, to be colored and wired younger groups, along with materials Bible school, young people's for project purposes-wall map 30×46 listed elsewhere in this Department. meeting, hospital, orphanage, in., 60¢; large outline map, 28×32 in., 25¢; small outline map, llx14 in., 25¢ Woman's Board of Foreign colporteur, etc. Dramatize some per dozen; and some of the materials Missions, Reformed Church in features. Have group of chilfor the younger groups. America, 25 East 22d St., New dren pretending to fish or pick York: berries, and let lady enter and There is one stereopticon lecture on invite them to the D. V. B. S. the Moslem World, revised by Dr. "Camel Bells"-complete programs which is to begin the next day. Zwemer, entitled "The Spread of including semi-dramatic and easily When children arrive, seat them Islam." It rents for $2.00 and car- dramatized material, under the topics in circle with lady in center to riage both ways. Address the Vis- "Letters from a Saddle Bag," "Cara- tell a good religious story. Pass ualization Department, Council on van Trails," "Oases" and "Behind the paper and crayons and have chil- Finance and Promotion, 152 Madison Lattice," 10¢. dren draw pictures to illustrate Ave., N. Y. "God's Good Gifts" or "God's "Playmates in Mission Lands"-at- Beautiful World." Hymn, "Jesus Plays: "Black Tents" -life among tractive illustrated primer booklet on Loves the Little Children of the Bedouins in Syria; 4 boys, 3 girls, A, B, C plan, for very young children, World" ; the Lord's Prayer; 20 minutes, 25¢; "Tara Finds the and including Arabian features. simple Bible verse such as "God Door to Happiness"-life of Moslem is love," "Suffer the Little Chilwomen and girls in India; 2 women, "Under Many Flags," 5¢. dren," etc., following with the 7 girls, 2 boys, 30 minutes, 25¢. "Silhouettes," 5¢. circle talk and another hymn. "True-False Test on Arabia," 1¢ "The School of Missions"-a hand- each sheet. The brighter side of the hosbook of information on setting up a "Cross Word Puzzle on Arabia," 2¢ pital theme may be dramatized school, by William A. Hill, free (*). each sheet. by having a child who has been "Fun and Festival from Moslem cured waiting for his mother to Woman's Foreign Missionary Lands," 25¢. take him home. Nurse wearing Society, M ethodiJst Episcopal Wall Map of Moslem World (60¢) white dress, cap and apron and Church, 581 Boylston St., Bos- and Outline Maps of Moslem World arm band with red cross on it is ton, Mass.: (large size, 25¢; small, 25¢ per with him and teaches him a Bible dozen) . verse. Child presently runs to "Complete Program Outlines for "Spiritual Adventuring" is a very meet mother telling how good Auxiliaries" (woman's societies), giv- worthful manual of worship for mis- people have been to him, about ing suggestions and plans for a year's sionary societies, giving complete out- the cards, Bible verses, hymns, work, 25¢. This begins with a beau- lines, including poems and prayers, etc., which he will repeat when tiful installation service for the offi- for a year's meetings, 10¢. he gets home. At nurse's call the cers and continues through Moham- doctor enters and mother pours medan studies including "The Moslem Additional Helps and out her gratitude for a denomand His World," "North of the Sa- Suggestions inational hospital to which counhara," "Christmas and the Christ's try people with very little money Land," "Behind the Bourka," "The Further missionary dramatics, ob- can send their sick children. Sword of the Moslem." Additional tainable from sources whose addresses programs of universal application have already been given herein are: [CONTINUED IN NOVEMBER.] (omitting one specific to Methodist "An Afternoon in Arabia"-10 young plans) are on "Christian College Stu- women and girls, taking about 10 dents around the World," "World minutes-5¢ (W. B. F. M. of Reformed Citizenship," and "On the Road to Church) . Hangchow." May be used by groups in any denomination. "Christ or Mahomet – Which?" 4 scenes, 12 characters, 15 minutes-10¢ Excellent coordinated materials are: (W. F. M. S. of M. E. Church).
"Go Ye," a year's devotional out- "Kasim"-modern life in Persia, 5 lines, 15¢. men, 5 women, 1 hour-25¢ (Mission- ary Education Movement, 150 Fifth Ave., N. Y.). The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK Over half of the population of the United States is rural. Under what conditions do they live? What are their problems? What groups have special needs?
How should they be met? Is the church meeting the needs of Rural America? What must we do to Rebuild Rural America that it may be a part of a great Christian nation of which we can be proud? What lessons can Rural America teach us today? The contribution of Rural Amer- ica to urban life and the develop- fllent of the nation has been great, as has been its contribu- tion to the Christian Church, which has its roots in rural life.
CHARLOTTE M. BURNHAM.
STUDY BOOKS For Adulbs Rebuilding Rural America, by Mark A. Dawber.
A PRAYER THE CHURCH AND RURAL Dr. Dawber has for years trav- eled the whole United States as Teach me, Father how to go AMERICA a leader in rural church work. Softly as the grasses grow; He reports graphically what is Hush my soul to meet the shock This is the month when many happening to,rural America, and Of the wild world as a rock; of the women's societies will take describes rural people and con- But my spirit, propt with power, up their studies of the home mis- structive enterprises that the Make as simple as a flower. sions theme for 1937-38. The churches are undertaking. A books this year are not only in- chapter is given to groups with Let the dry heart fill its cup, tensely interesting and challeng- special needs as the Migratory Like a poppy looking up; ing, but are vitally related to our Worker, the Southern High- Let life lightly wear her crown national life and the critical pe- lander, and the American In- Like a poppy looking down, riod in which we are living. As dian. Cloth, $1.00.. paper, 60 When its heart is filled with dew many of the speakers at the Mis- cent8. And its life begins anew. sions Institutes this summer have pointed out, we can no longer The Church and American Rural Our Father, help us to root expect to hide our own family Life, by Benson Y. Landis. our lives as deeply as Thy trees, skeletons from the world, and which grow so grandly; to rise unchristian conditions in our- A leader's guide based on Restraight and true as Thy grasses, own country, and unchristian building Rural America, conwhich grow so simply; to make behavior toward other countries, taining many helpful suggestions the results of our living as-beaU- prove a stumbling block to the for study groups for city and tiful as Thy flowers. Amen. foreign missionary as well to rural churches. Paper, 25 cent8. those at home who are trying to "Sorvices fr>r th.e Open." spread the Gospel of Jesus. Migrant Laborers. They Starve T hat We May Eat.
Two million migratory workers ' on the road, in the fields and at the canneries; a challenging problem in the rural field with a description of a challenging program of action for the church. . This composite study has been written by authorities in the church and secular field [498 ]
BULLETIN OF THE COUNCIL OF WOMEN FOR HOME MISSIONS
and edited by Edith E. Lowry, joyed to learn that I was to go School Methods, Adult Educa- Executive Secretary and na- to Lisle, New York, for a set- tion Methods, Round-Table Dis- tional Director of Migrant ting-up conference. cussions on Work with Young Work. Paper, 35 cents. People, Handicraft, Health Pro- Nearly fifty migrant workers gram, Infant Care, Nutrition, For Young People who are to serve in the Eastern Methods in Work with Children, Migrant camps this summer ar- Methods in Recreation, First Aid Highland Heritage, by Edwin E. rived in Lisle, a typical, peace- and Camp Sanitation, and a dis- White. ful, happy, country community, cussion on our relationship to and were welcomed most gra- the community, the employer The book has literary charm and ciously by our host and hostess, and the migrant. the task of the churches in rural Dr. and Mrs. Richard Edwards. America is vividly illustrated by [This little community has a By the third day, many doubts what is happening as new high- population of three hundred and had come to my mind. Can I do ways and power lines are driven our conference, plus a young all that these other people have through the isolated valleys of people's conference, swelled the done before me and can I put in the "horseback country." Cloth, number to four hundred. You these long hours each day? $1.00; paper, 60 cents. may well see that we overflowed the Inn, the conference rooms For the last vesper service on Rural America Challenges Chris- and the village homes.] Saturday evening, we climbed up to the highest point in this local- tian Youth, by Edwin E. White. PICNIC LUNCH AT A MIGRANT CENTER ity where we seemed to be on the top of the world. I felt, almost A leader's guide based on High- The first evening we met for instantly, a great sense of peace land Heritage containing sug- vespers on a near-by hillside steal over me. My doubts seemed gestions. for youth groups as an looking out over the valley be- to vanish during this vesper approach to the study of the low. This experience instilled service and I felt a sense of re- church in rural America. Paper, in me a sense of quiet and in- newed strength to carryon in 25 cents. spired courage for the many this chosen work. "May I prove hard days ahead. Later that my mettle and may I bring these For Children evening, former migrant work- people the ideals and under- ers gave us a bird's-eye view of standing that will enable them Missionary Stories to Tell. the work and their experiences to come to a greater feeling of in the migrant centers. These fellowship with God and an Thirty-eight of the best mission- girls had worked very hard, had understanding of the meaning of ary stories to tell to primary and experienced many hard, long Christian fellowship that will junior children. Cloth, $1.00; hours that must be put in in any lead them into a more meaning- paper, 50 cents. center, and still were ready and fullife"-this was my prayer. happy to go forward into another Lifting Today Above Its Past, by year. How cheering this was One thing that Dr. Eric Grace McGavran. for me! Thomsen said in one of his talks with us shall always remain with An interesting and challenging Along about the second day a me. "If you suffer without suc- course on life in the country suspicion came into my mind ceeding, then some one after you places of America. This unit of that, perhaps, Miss Lowry was will succeed without suffering work for intermediate groups breaking us into this migrant and if you succeed without suf- contains selected oackground ma- work here at Lisle. We arose at fering, then some one before you terial and can be given without 6: 30 in order to arrive in time has suffered without succeed- additional sources, although use- for breakfast at 7: 30 and were ing." This seems to sum up in ful references are cited. Paper, kept busy each and every minute my mind our work. Will we suc- 35 cents. until 10: 30 at night. During ceed now in our endeavors with these hours, we had the oppor- these people, or will we pave the Ship East-Ship West, by Eliza:- tunity of a varied program way for some one after us to beth Miller Lobingier. which included staff conferences, courses in R u r a I Sociology, succeed? This first volume of a new series Kindergarten Methods, Nursery I cannot stop here without of source books for primary chil- dren introduces them to the sub- saying that I arrived at Whites- ject of world peace through bog, New Jersey, twelve days stories and simple facts. Mrs. ago and have worked as I have Lobingier is a skilled teacher never before for such a long and the author of Stories of stretch of time, seven days every Shepherd Life and other vol- week. I find these people to be umes. Illustrated. Cloth, $1.00; a happy, friendly, courageous, paper, 50 cents. hard-working race who seem as little children in so many ways For Reading List refer to the June number and who need our guidance and of THE MISSIONARY REVIEW OF THE WORLD, understanding. pages 334-335. HARRIET CLOSTER. THE SETTING-UP CON- FERENCE AT LISLE, NEW YORK July 23 to July 27, 1937 After making my decision to devote my summer to working among the Migrants, the feeling came over me many times that I was going into this man-sized job with little knowledge of previous conditions, methods or results and was, therefore, over-
AND SIAM to save that which is lost." In India launched on its first voyage
dedicated for its work of minis- Toward Greater Efficiency Christianity is everything to the De- try. It is chiefly to the workers At Montgomerywala in the pressed Classes, It is with them in in the rice lands that this float- Punjab, a church committee is ing dispensary is sent, and their forming itself into small groups, their work, in their homes, in their need is great indeed, as they are each of which will tackle some entirely without medical help. particular need. For instance, fields. It has "found" them. Then Many of their homes are quite three or four members are to form a hygiene committee to see Christianity has found the criminal inaccessible except by boat, and that the village is kept clean and during the monsoon flood time to teach the people to realize the tribes-men who were regarded as alneed of sufficient light and air in thousands more are cut off; even their houses; another committee most lower than the beasts, men who food must be brought from great i's to find out special cases of pov- distances by boat. During two erty resulting from illness or were guilty of unheard-of evil. I saw months of the monsoon no work some other cause, and to report them to the church committee; these same men giving all their power can be done in the rice fields, and and a third group will teach the people the privilege of giving, to help each other. I heard them sing, which few have learned. and saw men whom I had been told The women are also assuming more responsibility. A Zenana would never work, working for the Committee, some· of them quite illiterate, take care of a weekly sheer joy of doing that which was usemeeting, where one leads the devotionals, another reads the les- ful. – The Chru.stw' n. son, and a third gives a talk. Once a month there is a witness A Practical Experiment meeting, when any who have received special help witness to In the Punjab a different cen- the people of the backwaters are what God has done for them. faced with terrible want. No ter is chosen each month, and all work means no money and no -C. M. S. Outlook. the congregations of the C. M. S. food. They borrow-and pledge Mission, within a radius of eight The Salvation Army away the whole of the next har- miles, assemble. The men and vest to keep themselves alive till Lord Willingdon, former vice- boys form a procession which roy of India, pays tribute to the marches around the village sing- that harvest can be sown. work of the Salvation Army in that part of the Empire. He says ing psalms and hymns. Mean- The voyage of the new boat is he has watched this work for 16 years, and declares there is not while the women and girls gath- carefully planned. There are a public official who would not er in the courtyard and sing. three "ports of call" to be visited express gratitude for such as- Then they are seated in an open each month. The boat is tied up, sistance as the Army is giving in space outside the village, which the stores and medicines are prohumanizing, Christianizing and duced and patients begin to arcivilizing those who are thought is decorated with colored paper rive. A clinic under the trees is to be beyond the reach of good flags, texts and mottoes such as: influence. "Do not get into debt," "Learn held each day for ten days, then Speaking of her visit to India. General Evangeline Booth says': to read," "Be sober." By this the boat is moved to another I never knew until I undertook this time the congregation has been place, not to return for a year. journey the meaning of the words, "The Son of man is come to seek and swelled by a good number of Thousands of people, for whom non-Christians. There is more medical help is available only singing, an opening address ex- from the two floating dispensa- plaining the obj ect of the meet- ries, are ministered to for less ing, and touching on the broth- than a month, then have to erhood of mankind through the be left "as sheep having no Fatherhood of God, addresses by shepherd."
two or three of the manads on -C. M. S. Outlook.
the causes, effects and remedies of debts, illiteracy, poverty, and Festival of Lights a closing address, giving the defi- While there are many unlove- nite Christian message. -C. M. S. Outlook. ly features attached to India's popular festivals, some of them Travancore's Floating _ have beauty and value. At Das- Dispensary ahara time children may be seen· in the evening going about car- Early this year the second rying various colored lights floating dispensary which is to which from a distance have the ply up and down the backwaters appearance of being lanterns so of Travancore, bringing help arranged as throw out light and relief to so many, was through odd openings. An inves- [500 ]
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
tigation discloses the contriv- Bangkok Christian College CHINA ance to be simple enough. A Bangkok Christian College is The Challenge in China small earthen vessel has been looking forward to the day when their plant will be moved to the made wIth openings cut in the new site. Ten years ago new Dr. Charles T. Leber and Dr. property was purchased between side in fanciful designs. Over Bangkok and Paknam at a loca- J. L. Dodds, new secretaries of tion that seemed very remote. this is pasted colored paper and Today, with government high- the Presbyterian Board of For- way improvement, the new site the little oil lamp placed on the is only fifteen minutes distant eign Missions, recently com- from Bangkok, by motor car. inside turns this crude lantern pleted a tour of the mission The staff now includes sixteen into something quite fantastic. Siamese and three foreign teach- fields. Of China, Dr. Leber says: ers on duty, with a few others It is the custom for" children, es- on furlough. "The country is magnificent pecially of the servant class, to When the Educational Com- in its possibilities and presents mittee of the Siam Mission put go with these lights to the houses on a Teachers' Institute at the a tremendous challenge to Chris- beginning of the year, seventy of their masters and others from Christian teachers from mission tianity. The lives of Christian schools of three denominations whom they expect gifts at Das- were in attendance. faith and sacrifice that have ahara time. These children run- Nearly four hundred boys are been put into this land are bear- ning about from house to house ing fruit. The whole nation is in the darkness with these lights progressing but I have been es- make a very striking feature of pecially impressed with the rise the Dasahara festival. The chil- of Christianity. . . . It is in- dren themselves greatly enjoy spiring to see how the Chinese the part which they play, and leaders are re~ching out into the even aside from the gifts which areas of evangelism, Christian they receive, think the occasion education, young people's work one of great importance. Why and social welfare. . .. – not? -Indian Witness. "Mr. Arthur Rugh, formerly Begging for the Gospel in enrolled this year and classes are with the Y. M. C. A., but now Ceylon overcrowded. The government working independently among curriculum for the lower grades the students at Yenching, made does not permit the teaching of A Five-Year Plan of Evan- a survey of student thinking at gelism is being carried out in Bible in the regular schedule, so Yenching. He held personal in- C e y lon, all the Protestant Churches cooperating. Recent- that subject is now taught be- terviews with two hundred of ly, a long closed door unex- the students and is amazed at pectedly opened in Eheliyagoda. fore the opening of the official the thinking they are doing along A man came there from another district, bringing with him a Bi- day in the first six classes. In the lines of religion. They are ble and a very limited knowledge even asking why no greater pOSIof Christianity, but the little he the upper division there has knew he passed on. The people tive Christian approach has been been no need to make this made to them, though most of -Siam Outlook. them are not Christian. A list change. was made of 500 questions which Siam Cares for Lepers of Eheliyagoda are low caste, The Siamese Government has students are asking about reliand were at once attracted to a been watching with interest the gion. A group of educators are religion where all men are equal, chain of 23 leper clinics, laid out considering the possibilities of and were quick to see that Chris- by Dr. J. H. McKean, Presbyte- religious instruction being pertianity would bring them social rian missionary; and now pro- mitted in the schools. At a conuplift as well. So they asked to poses a plan to establish self- ference of' Christian middle be taught. One group of evan- supporting government colonies school principals in Shanghai gelists went from house to in several sections of the coun- the Mayor of Shanghai arose house; another held an open air try, with the same type of organ- and gave testimony as to his meeting. New Testaments were ization as now exists in mission Christian faith. He charged the eagerly bought. At these meet- clinics. The first step will be to principals that their duty as ings, which continued, there train government doctors and Christian principals was to make would be two or three simple assistants at the Chiengmai col- their schools Christian. One addresses, including one to the ony. Then a special leprosy of- trembles to realize what a tragchildren, who are always present ficer and committee will be ap- edy it will be if the Christian in large numbers. Between ad- pointed to make a survey, do forces do not unite and do not dresses the people would ask propaganda work among the move forward to meet the chalquestions or explain their diffi- people, and establish, as the first lenge of this present opportuculties. At the end, the village of the series, a large farm col- nity." headman would select points ony with up-to-date treatment. from the various addresses and If this plan renders mission War Against Opium compare them with Buddhist clinics unnecessary, they will at China seems determined to doctrines, pointing out the ad- least have served to stimulate wipe out the opium curse. On vantages of Christianity. the government to recognize and the eve of the New Year, before -L. M. S. Chronicle. accept its own responsibility. a large crowd at the famous Con-
fucius temple in Nanking, huge ciety," interdenominational, is JAPAN-CHOSEN quantities of opium, and para- putting into operation a plan to phernalia of opium addicts were send forth evangelistic bands of Church Worship burned. Long before this meet- trained men and women to the ing, placards were distributed market towns, let them locate Church service in Japan has and posted on the doors of every there for about two weeks and so me interesting differences house and shop, and slogans from that as a center, visit every from American customs. The written on white streamers home in all the surrounding vil- tray for offerings is always were displayed everywhere an- lages, and freely give the people passed to the minister as well as nouncing: the Word of God. They will also to the congregation. If the ush- do personal work and preach on er fails to do this, the minister 1. Beginning Jan. 1, 1937, hopeless the streets of every village. They will walk from the pulpit and narcotic addicts will be executed. will return to the market towns deposit his money. The sexes arc in the evening, where special separated in all church services: 2. Beginning Jan. 1, 1937, first-time meetings are held in halls, tel!l- men on one side and women on opium smokers will be heavily pun- pIes, schools or homes. the other. This was the custom ished; after being arrested three in America a hundred years ago. times, they will be shot. These bands have already For thirty years Japanese Chris- gone to sixty-four market towns tians have used a common hym- 3. Narcotic addicts who desire to and, as they have worked out nal. Methodists, Presbyterians, escape these penalties should surren- from those centers, 3,482 villages Baptists and Congregationalists der themselves to the city clinics for have been finished. In these vil- all use the same songs of wortreatment on or before Dec. 31, 1936. lages there have been 390,049 ship. -Missionary Herald. homes with a population of near- Parades, depicting opium addicts be- ly two million people. In the Pastors Discuss Religious ing dragged to the g;:tllows with the 3,947 meetings held there have Topics wailing families trailing behind, were been some 691,657 people who also witnessed in the cities. heard the Gospel, besides having The Church of Christ in Ja- received 571,123 tracts and Gos- pan held a Pastors' Conference The regulation, control, pur- pels. As a direct result of this at its theological seminary in chase and sale of narcotic drugs work, 12,906 of those who were Tokyo August 30 to September for legitimate purposes in the dealt and prayed with, sought 4 as a part of the celebration of country were placed in charge Christ as their Saviour. the fiftieth anniversary of the of Division of Narcotics, newly church. Leading pastors and created bureau. Immediately -0. M. S. Standard. teachers lectured on the followthe following measures were put ing subjects: into effect: (1) It restricted the Bible Exhibit issuance of certificates for the The Creed of the Church of Christ importation of narcotic drugs; An exhibition of Bibles in in Japan. (2) it prepared an estimate of Peiping this year evidenced kinds and quantities of narcotic China's interest in the Christian The History of the Church During drugs for the nation's medical Scriptures. There were 300 en- the Meiji Era. and scientific use for 1936; and tries, representing 69 languages (3) it drafted measures for the and dialects, of which 17 were Protestant Credal Views of the Bicontrol of sales of narcotic Chinese. Among the Bibles were ble. drugs. some of a costly character, and others of priceless historical val- The Differences Between Catholi- In order to check recultivation ue. The volumes were lent by cism and Protestantism as a Means of of poppy in areas where poppy libraries, universities, individ- Understanding the Gospel. cultivation existed before but uals and various mission groups. has now been absolutely prohib- The British and Foreign Bible The Main Currents and Problems of ited, the "Measures for General Society lent the famous Morri- Contemporary Theology. Detection and Suppression of son Bible of 1823 and the Morri- Poppy Cultivation" were issued. son New Testament of that same The Thought of the Old Testament date, printed from wooden Prophets. -China Weekly Review. blocks made 10 years earlier. There was also the first Protes- The Church and Culture. Market Town Campaign tant Chinese version to be pub- The Fundamental Principles of the lished. Protestant Reformation. Generally speaking, China's vas t population is grouped No V'olume, however, attracted_ Open discussions were conaround market towns. It is esti- as much attention as the Manda- ducted on The Pulpit and the mated that there are some 40,- rin Bible loaned by Generalis- Church; The Sunday School 000 market towns in China, and simo Chiang Kai-shek-the one and the Church; The Pastor and that an average of about twenty- he used during his imprisonment His Readings, and The Church five surrounding villages are fed at the time of the Sian revolt in and Society. by each market town. On mar- December, 1936. ket days, held every third day, -Translated from Fukuin the people of these villages flock -Monday Morning. Shimpo. to the market towns to do theIr buying, selling and "neighbor- Kagawa Fellowship ing." The Kagawa Fellowship in Ja- The "Oriental Missionary So- pan is an informal organization of about 150 Occidental friends of Dr. Kagawa living in Japan, whose purpose is to share with
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Kagawa in the rich experience missionaries were sent to the Manchuria, and helping to send that God has given him; to study Chinese in East Shantung, them to China and elsewhere. his program for the extension of China. This work has been the Kingdom of God, and as far maintained for 25 years and the The Australian Mission as possible to cooperate with him Korean missionaries there are in achieving this program. The ministering to 25 churches and South Kyengsang, in which fellowship assists Dr. Kagawa in groups in which are enrolled the Australian Presbyterian the translation of his writings 1,500 professing Chinese Chris- Mission has work, is the third into English, gives information tians. smallest of the thirteen provabroad and in Japan about his inces of Korea. It is the most work, and endeavors to get The Korean churches are in- densely populated, the nearest whatever financial support for digenous, self-propagating, self- to Japan and according to stahis program it can. supporting, but need more mis- tistics it consumes per capita sionaries to help in the evangel- the largest amount of beer. Effort is being made to obtain ization of 22,000,000 Koreans in These three circumstances presupport for the promising Medi- Korea, a million in Manchukuo sent their own problems. cal Cooperative Society in To- and 500,000 in Japan proper. kyo, an interesting pro j e c t In 1914, when the mission of started by Kagawa. More than -Korea Mission Field. the Presbyterian Church, U. S. seven thousand people are mem- A., handed over this province to bers of it. The society has a hos- Protestant Christian the Australian mission there pital with fifty-one beds as well were 101 churches, 1887 bapas conducting a clinic, dispen- Membership tized members and 3,816 adhersary and visiting nurse service. ents. Just now money is being raised Of 410,000 enrolled Protesto erect a residence for the tant Christians in Korea, 78 per Comparing these statistics nurses; the building will be cent are Presbyterians, 14 per with those of 1936, we find that called the Nitobe Memorial in cent Methodists and eight per now there are: churches 313, remembrance of Dr. Inazo Ni- cent of other denominations. Of baptized members 7,941, adhertobe. -Christian Observer. the total number 210,000 are ents 26,955. either baptized or members on "God Shelf" for Kitchens probation. The remaining 200,- Each of the five stations has 000 are enrolled as professing some form of institutional work. One of the large department Christians and are regular at- The Harper Memorial High stores of Kyoto is displaying a tendants. School for Girls, near Fusanmod e 1 Japanese kit c hen, chin, trains Christian leaders equipped with electric icebox, With 3,880 churches and for church and school. The Vogas stove, kitchen cabinet, and groups, the average sized con- cational Farm School for Womso on. On the walls hang an gregation numbers about 100. en seeks and saves those in morelectric clock, a thermometer, The largest congregation in Ko- al danger and destitution, and and a small, but complete "god- rea is in the city of Sin Euiju the Paton Memorial Hospital ill shelf" for the spirit of the deity with 4,000 adherents. The Sun- Chinju cares for the sick, espethat presides over kitchens. The day school enrolment of 316,000 cially the sick poor. There are shelf is complete and up-to-date in the Presbyterian and Method- also Men's and Women's Lower with miniature lanterns and ist churches in Korea is about Bible Schools. dishes for the food offerings. the same as the total number of professing Christians. Method- -Korea Mission Field. -Living Church. ist and Presbyterian mission- aries in Korea number a little ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC Korean Christianity more than 400. Many mission lands have a less number of mis- About the Philippines Of the first seven Koreans to sionaries in proportion to the be ordained to the ministry in population, but none h a v e Did you know that there are the Presbyterian Church, one yielded a better return for the three classes of people on the was sent as a home missionary expenditure of time and money. islands, each of a different colto the island of Quelpart. That or? That the Chinese have been church is now supporting 500 -Presbyterian Banner. coming to the island for years, evangelists to unevangelized dis- thus solving the employment tricts in Korea and to Koreans On Their Own problem, since a Filipino will in Manchukuo, Peiping, Shang- not work until the money he has hai and Japan proper. The A Presbyterian church in on hand is all gone? That 10,000 Methodist Church is also carry- Wiju, Korea, has a membership converts were received within ing on an extensive home mis- of 3,000. Not a cent of Ameri- ten years? That there are nine sion work among Koreans in can money has gone into the flourishing mission stations now Manchukuo. When the Korean work of that district for 20 in operation? That there are Presbyterian General Assembly years; no missionary lives witn- 7,000 Americans on the islands? was organized in 1912, three in 20 miles of it. The people That before American occupa- have erected and financed their tion funeral arrangements were own church and are sending mis- always made before calling in a sionaries across the border into physician? That only one and
one-eighth per cent of the popu- ments. In ten years they have and the imminent consummation lation are classed as Frotestant not only banded themselves into of union with the Methodist Christians? effective intelligent groups for Church of France. Nearer home, -Monday Morning. mutual improvement, but they the Alliance welcomed a new have transformed their village member in the Evangelical and Club Women in Polynesia life.-London Chronicle. Reformed Church. The Re- formed Church of the U. S. A., The Polynesians have been NORTH AMERICA recently united with the Evan- evangelized by Samoan Chris- Coordinated Missions gelical Church, was already a tians, who themselves received member.
the Gospel a hundred years ago. The International Foreign The International Women's Mission Association of North Council of Women's Missionary While the men folk have fishing America (composed of inde- Societies was recognized as the for excitement, the women have pendent undenominational mis- women's section of the Alliance, no activities which give interest sions) brings together for coun- with a provision that a certain and variety to island life. Miss E. sel sixteen mission enterprises, quota of del ega t e s shall be A. Downs, principal of the Girls'
School at Puapua, Samoa, sug- under which some 2,231 mis- chosen from the women, with au- sionaries are sent out. They ad- thority to hold sessions during gested that they form Women's the meeting of the council. Sim- Clubs, and that they should work minister over a million dollars ilar action was taken with retogether for the general uplift of annually, and go into many of gard to a youth section of those under 30 years of age, the deletheir village life, for the applica- the out-of-the-way corners of the gates of this group being authortion of simple laws of health and world. The doctrinal basis of hygiene, for mothercraft and in- all these missions is: (1) The fant welfare work, for the pres- plenary inspiration and divine ized to bring to the notice of council matters of deep concern ervation of native arts and authority of the Scripture; (2) to youth. crafts, for social intercourse and the Trinity, including the deity religious expression. They de- of Christ and the personality of -The Christian Century.
cided to call their club "The the Holy Spirit; (3) the fall of Women's Committee," and on man, his moral depravity, and Lutheran Church Leaguers each island the pastor's wife was his need of regeneration; (4) Interest in the education of made the leader. the atonement through the sub- youth tow a r d international Returning to visit the islands, stitutionary death of Christ; peace and continued support of Miss Downs found the women no (5) justification by faith in mission work through a special longer apathetic, but eager to Christ, apart from works; (6) project were the outstanding show what they were trying to the bodily resurrection of Christ, features of the twenty-first bien- do. In Nanumea they had re.- and also of the saved and the un- nial convention of the Luther vived their art of making beauti- saved; (7) the unending life of League of America at Spring- ful fans decorated with seabirds' the saved and the unending pun- field, Ohio, in July. The sessions feathers; in Nui the women were ishment of the unsaved; (8) the brought together between six making mats with patterns of personal, bodily and visible re- and seven hundred young people secret native dyes. In Nanu- turn of Christ. and leaders from the United maga there was a new taro plan- Lutheran churches throughout tation w h i c h their Women's Presbyterians in World the United States and Canada.
Committee had made in the face Council Climaxing the mISSIOnary of a good deal of jeering from Last June Montreal, most project for the past biennium the men; the women had grown Catholic of any large city in this much-valued food product North America, entertained the with a gift of more than $11,000 by dividing the swamp into General Council of the "Re- for a community center building workable sections with walls of formed Churches throughout the at T'ai Tung Chen in the foreign coral from the reef, and in them World Holding the Presbyterian mission field in Chi n a, the making soil from rubbish and System." The central theme Luther League of Arne ric a rotting vegetation; Nanumaga was "The Church in Modern adopted another $10,000 project had in the past been one of the Life." for the coming biennium. This poorest islands,. and liable to time the objective will be the famine, but here was a source of An advance was made in the complete furnishing of a medical prosperity. The women of Niu- unification of Reformed Chris- center established at Konnarock, tao were especially interested in tians. The Reformed Church of Virginia, for southern mounmaking soap from caustic soda. Denmark was admitted to mem- _taineers. bership in the Alliance, now Last year, the triennial church comprehending more than two The Convention of 1939 will conference saw women delegates hundred church groups through- be held at Long Beach, Cali- fornia.
for the first time, eager to ex- out the world. The Reformed Bible Teaching in Kansas change ideas and report achieve- Church of France announced the ments, and to draw up a list of completion of union among all Kansas City, Kansas, has comproposals for future develop- Reformed Churches in France, pleted thirteen years of religious
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
education of its school children. many new people have been seek- sacrifices, without ever obtain- The Council of Religious Educa- ing association with the church ing healing for my poor chiltion, representing all denomina- during recent months that he dren. When my second child betions, sponsors this work. The has been completely "snowed came dangerously ill, I went to Jews are interested but as yet under." Throughout the spring consult a witch doctor and asked not participating. and early summer season every him if he could heal my child. service has been conducted in a He assured me that he could, There are 74 church schools, packed church, and with the provided that I would give him enrolling 91 per cent of public coming of fall the pastor believes thirty dollars. I offered him scholil pupils. The courses are it may become necessary to con- twenty dollars, which he acplanned to correlate with the duct two morning services. cepted. I paid him half the sum work of each grade in public on the spot. But on my way school from October to the end LATIN AMERICA back to get the balance of the of April. Classroom work in- money, a messenger came to tell cludes Bible memorizing, Bible Liquor Ban in Mexico me that the child was dead. I reading, Biblical and character- saw that I was being deceived by building stories and dramatiza- Within ten years statesmen the devil. As a respected antion, notebook and expressional below the Rio Grande, led by cestor of my family was a Chriswork. President Cardenas, hope to tian, I had often heard him speak complete the prohibition of alco- of God, so I told my wife I was -Women's Missionary holic beverages. Governors of going to Port-de-Paix to find out Magazine. all states have helped by order- about Him. ing municipalities to cease issu- Texas Wars on Evil ing licenses for saloons, to cut At a service held by the Hai- down the production of alcohol tian Gospel Mission at Port-de- Texas legislators are out to gradually but none the less Paix I first heard the Gospel. "clean up." In special session surely, and to trim the sales they have outlawed pari-mutuel through higher and higher taxes. After attending services for gambling on horse races, pro- The governor of Coahuila has some time, one Sunday my wife hibited the operation of bookies, gone even farther. He has acted said to me, "Wait for me, I am abolished dog races and insti- to stop the vending of liquor on going also." Since then, not only tuted such an anti-gambling cru- all trains passing through tl}e has God in His mercy saved my sade as has seldom been seen state. The main line of the Na- wife and myself, but He has also anywhere in the whole country. tional Railways of Mexico, healed my child who was para- The Texas supreme court has carrying many passengers be- lyzed from birth. definitely ruled out lotteries. tween Laredo, Tex., and Mexico The Dallas News, the Houston City, is affected, for the route -Haitian Gospel News. Post, and other leading dailies for many miles lies through have ceased the publication of Coahuila, with a stop at Saltillo, Religious Census in Venezuela racing results. In nearly all of the capital of the state. The govthe several counties voting by ernor gives this explanation for The Government of Venezuela local option recently, liquor has his order: vendors from pass- is making a survey and census been outlawed. Anti-vice squads ing trains have sold intoxicants of all religious work and workare also being called into action. to the villagers along the way, ers in the country, collecting full checking the good work that was data regarding the work of both -Christian Century. being accomplished by means of Catholics and Evangelicals. The prohibition in the country towns. purpose is to decide on some "Church of the Lighted Since the government now con- policy regarding the admission Window" trols the railways, this order of foreign religious workers. should be easy to enforce. No disposition to oppose the The Lutheran Church of the work is indicated, but it is pro- Redeemer in Atlanta, Ga., is -Christian Advocate. posed to fix the number of those gaining state-wide recognition who may be admitted, and when as "The Church of the Lighted From Darkness to Light that n u m b e r is established, Window." It is the custom each others will be admitted only night to light up the large color- A convert from heathenism in when some of those at present in ful front window. The effect of Haiti gave the following testi- the country leave for furlough the window is so unusual that it mony on the occasion of his bap- or other reasons. has attracted the attention of tism: "From my earliest life I people throughout that section. put myself under the protection In view of the tremendous A recent monthly publication of of demons. I built a small house, need, it is hoped that new misthe Georgia Power Company, and furnished it expressly for sionaries may be admitted, espewhich lights the window, car- their reception. I had two sick cially those who are accepted ried front-cover pictures of the children one of which had never and waiting to enter. church with particular reference walked from birth. I spent to its beauty and the unique cus- everything I possessed in pay- -Moody Institute Monthly. tom of lighting the window. ment to the witch doctor and in "Voice of the Andes" The pastor reports that so Senor Manuel Aldama was born in the Basque Province of
Spain, trained for the priest- then asked, "Will you read the they can understand, they are hood, became Professor in the University of Santander, was book if I give to to you?" surprised by songs of deliver- converted to evangelical Chris- tianity in 1925, and after in- "Gladly," said the gentleman, as ance, victory and blessed assur- struction in the Bible Training Institute, Glasgow, was accepted he rose to leave the bus. ance ; they are moved by the by the Evangelical Union of South America, for work in When he had gone, the work- words of sympathy expressed by Lima, Peru. Here he took up the ing man said, "It is a funny the pastor, and cannot believe editorial work of the Mission thing, but that text was my their eyes when they see him press and the translation of the mother's favorite, too. I have mourn with the bereaved fam- Sunday school lessons. His gone a long way on the wrong ily. Thus it is that a Protestant mastery of Spanish and his fa- funeral service conducted in a miliarity with Romanism en- road since those days." The Roman Catholic country is a abled him to contribute largely woman gave him a Gospel of St. great opportunity to put the to the development of the Evan- John, which he promised to read, truth of the Gospel before the gelical Church of Peru. and went on her way praying people.
Recently, a call has come to that both might be touched by About 2,000 people assembled him to full-time cooperation in the Word that giveth Light." the only Evangelical broadcast- ing station in South America, La -Life of Faith. for the funeral of a young Voz de los Andes (The Voice of mother, whose last words were, the Andes). This Voice of the Andes operates from Qui t 0, The Gospel in Spain "Whether I die or live, I am the Ecuador, and was established Lord's." The Mayor, the Town some five years ago by an inde- Opinion is divided as to the Council, the teaching staff of the pendent worker from Chicago. religious outlook in Spain. Some high school with their 400 chil- believe that opportunity for Gos- dren, and many notables had The Board of the Evangelical pel teaching will be assured if gathered to pay homage to the Union of South America is set- the government wins, while deceased. The first meeting be- ting Sr. Aldama free for this others are convinced that the gan at the home; another meet- special service. He will combine government is not only anti- ing followed at the Mission Hall, with this ministry some service clerical, but anti-Christian. Rep- and the last one took place in for the British and Foreign resentatives of Anglican and Bible Society throughout the Re- Free Churches of Great Britain the cemetery. At each place the public of Ecuador. went to Spain recently to gain Gospel was listened to by thou- first-hand information. They sands who had followed the pro- -The Christian. were given full liberty of move- ceedings from half-past one till ment, and upon returning to five o'clock in the afternoon. As EUROPE England reported as follows: a result, the evangelist had many requests for interviews. . "The Entrance of Thy Word" We found no evidence of an organ- -Belgian Gospel Mission. A member of the Pocket Tes- ized "Godless" propaganda such as tament League was riding in an exists in Soviet Russia. We were un- Paul's Speech on Mars Hill English bus with two other pas- able on inquiry to hear of any carica- sengers – an elderly business Unlike the ancients, tourists man and a working man. The tures of God, of Christ, or of the who go to Athens are not search- business man leaned across the Virgin and Saints, such as have been ing for "some new thing," but bus and asked the woman, features of "anti-God" propaganda in for things associated with the "Would you like to read my other countries. On the other hand, past. With this in view, one of paper?" "Thank you," she said. members of our party found copies of Mr. Rockefeller's projects has "Would you like to read my the Scriptures offered freely for sale been the restoration of the Par- book," holding out the New Tes- on street bookstalls. The situation in thenon; and because it is fitting tament. He took it, and after regard to religion in Spain was that something far more signifi- glancing at the page said, "Why summed up to us by a very acute cant than the friezes of Praxit- did you give me this?" "Why English observer of dispassionate eles should be remembered, Mrs. did you give me the paper?" she views, one who knows Spain well and Josephine Demas, daughter of countered. "Because the news is is himself a practicing Catholic, in the one of the most famous archi- interesting this morning," he following terms :-"There is a strong said. "My book is interesting anti-clerical movement but no anti- every morning." He looked God movement in Spain." again at the book. "This is my mother's favorite text, John -The Christian. 5: 24. It is years since I have read it." The P. T. L. member Evangelizing at Funerals tects in Athens, has urged upon the municipality the enshrining Great is the astonishment of of Paul's speech in the rock of Catholics in Belgium when they Mars Hill. T~e press an~ a attend their first Protestant number of emment Athemans funeral. They are familiar with – have. backed the proposal ~nd the pomp and ceremonies of the dIrector of.the A~cheologlCal their own funerals, the mo- Bureau has gIven hIS endorse- notonous recital of the Latin ment. He says that £350 to £400 liturgy, the gestures of the offi- is ne.e~ed,. and h.e hopes .that t~e ciating priest and his apparent ~umc}pahtr ~Il~ prOVIde ~~IS indifference to grief. At a Prot- relatIvely mSIgmficant sum.
estant funeral they hear things -Christian Advocate.
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Paid Persecutors in Galicia Church has extended its serv- while Pravda laments the inac- ice and the social side of the tivity of the "Godless League." The National Lutheran Coun- Church as a colony center has cil is authority for the report not been neglected. Spiritually, This new life is particularly that agitators in Poland are be- there are the regular services noticeable in the country. Heads ing paid approximately 120 zloty the Church Festival6bservances' of collective farms even conduct per month to persecute members and th?se on national holidays; Church Councils, and other colof the Lutheran Church and MemOrIal Day, Fourth of July lective farms permit Bible readcompel them to return to the Thanksgiving Day and the like: ing, ch?ir singing, and evening Catholic Church from which The names of Ambassador W. entertam~nts. It is also anthey originally came. In a re- E. Dodd and Consul-General nounced that the number of cent legal process it was re- General Jenkins are on the members of the Militant Godless vealed that one such agitator Church Council roll. League has decreased from was offered a bonus of 50 zloty 5,000,000 in 1933 to less than for every person he succeeded in -Lutheran News. 2,000,000. Five anti-religious intimidating to return. But even though there are constant Religious Freedom in Russia museums in the provinces have difficulties and hardships the been closed. A correspondent Ukrainian peasants are firmly The much-heralded religious in another paper notes that the steadfast, and manifest an ever- freedom promised by the new jeering at religion has largely increasing interest in the Gospel constitution of Soviet Russia gone. turns out to be a disappointof Jesus Christ. ment. Four conditions must be AFRICA Christian Convention in Italy a~op:pvrocvleosd~d,be.if~oorepenaendy. Tchheurpcoh~ Student Alliance in Alexandria The Director of Spezia Mis- htIcal rehabIlIty of the petition- as Young Emgaytpetriiaanlissttiucdaenndtsiarrree~ ers "must be above suspicion." a rule, sion writes: "Those who can go The church must be more than 15 minutes' walk from a school ligious; their education is of the freely to Christian conferences the condition of the building must be above criticism, there sort to make them vain, shallow, and share the fellowship of kin- must be no protest from the local organization of the godless. selfish. For this reason Chrisdred minds know little of the tian work among them advances According to official Soviet grave difficulties to be sur- figures, 14,000 churches and slowly. But a young men's club chapels were closed in 1935 and mounted, the severe testing of 3,700 priests, preachers' and known as the "Christian Alliance other servers of the churches of Young Men," reports some faith, the patience, and the condemned, twenty-nine of them to death. prayers involved in accomplish- progress. On the other hand a renewal mg such a gathering in Italy. of spiritual life is appearing. In Two Bible classes and other the province of Swerdlovsk the prayer – meetings are h e I d But God worked what seemed to population have requested that at~eist propaganda be stopped. us miracles indeed, in breaking ThIS movement began in the in- weekly; Copts, Moslems and dustrial districts, where almost Jews sing hymns together and down obstacles." the whole population consisted of factory workers. Collections Representatives cam e from are held among the workers to study God's Word; the numbers restore the churches and rebuild far and near, and the organizers them. A Czech correspondent are increasing. Two young men wr!tes that !Ie found a newly !Iad their hands full, in arrang- bUIlt church m almost every vil- have been converted recently lage in the neighborhood of Mosmg for the accommodation and cow. In some of the collective one a Copt, one a Greek. ' farms, club buildings are being the meals for those to whom they set up to get the church free The members of this Alliance once more. gave so warm a welcome. are asked to sign a basis stating Religious Interest in Russia T~e supreme point of the Con- that they are uniting with other It seems unquestioned that reventIOn was the service in the ligion is reviving in Russia to a young men who know the Lord degree disturhing to commu- Church of Casa Alberto, which nists. W 0 r l d Evangelization as Saviour, and desire to bring mentions a town of 4,500 which was crowded,-a long and won- has 30 religious organizations, others into the Kingdom. Twelve derful service. It included the baptism of groups of those who members have signed. -Life of Faith. at La Spezia and at Leghorn'
had recently tfhoeuncdelCebhrraitsit~nanodf Medical Service to Felahe'en ended with Dr. Harpur of the Church the Lord's Supper. Missionary Society founded a hospital in Old Cairo 48 years -Life of Faith. ago which is still known 'to Egyptians, especially the fela- American Church in Berlin heen, as "Harmel," a corruption of Dr. Harpur's name. The Despite the fact that the felaheen are a lovable and Ame~ICan Colony in Berlin is friendly people, though ignorant and superstitious; it is from growmg. smaller, the American this class that the majority of Church m that city is growing the patients are drawn. They ~tronger both financially and in are almost overcome by the mfluence. Truly American is strangeness of being put into the "Ladies Aid Society" in the form ?f an active Sewing Guild. The hbrary connected with the
beds with sheets and blankets, favor the Westernization of the ing developments, avoiding un- instead of lying in a dark and country. There is a movement necessary risk and exposure of dirty corner, surrounded with in the Egyptian University to missionaries, and at the same noise and clatter, the talking of introduce compulsory Moslem time gradually reducing ex- relatives and neighbors, and the religious equcation and to abol- penditures in view of the uncer- noise of animals and chickens. ish coeducation. The Dean of tainties of the future.
Arabic texts are painted in red Arts in the University thinks The Italian Minister of For- on the white walls, giving a there is nothing in the Koran eign Affairs has informed the touch of brightness t~ the whole; against coeducation, while the American Ambassador at Rome instead of being thought too Rector of EI-Azhar University is that "The Italian Government much bother to be looked after, against it. has decided not to entrust to for- the patients are treated kindly The Westernizing faction ig- eigners whatever may be the re- by the Egyptian staff of nurses. nores the Ramazan Fast, neg- ligion they profess, the work of Biblewomen and evangelists lects the study of the Koran, establishing schools in terri- have prayers for half an hour in seldom prays in the Masjids and tories of Ethiopia." The com- the mornings in the out-patient encourages their women to dis- munication also states: "Should departments; for those in the card the veil. An article in a pro- foreign missionaries wish to con- wards prayers twice each day. Moslem paper declares that tinue their other humanitarian Recently some of the Egyptian "Most Egyptian households, es- and philanthropic activities, out- men nurses have been singing pecially those in high life, have side the field of education, their hymns and giving a talk on Sun- no prayer-carpet, and no copy requests for permission will be day evenings to the patients in of the Koran, and do not know considered in due time and after the men's hospital. what these are." de jure recognition of the Italian -Life of Faith. -World Dominion Press. empire is an accomplished fact."
Missionaries can scarcely see Faith and Freedom Times of Trial how evangelistic and medical The February number of Protestant missions are rapid- work can be carried on success- Faith and Freedom calls atten- fully without at least some type tion to the new constitution of ly disappearing from Ethiopia. of educational institution. the Soviet Union, in which many Mussolini's own paper, the Gior'- nale d' ltalia, has carried a front -United Presbyterian.
have seen the end of the struggle page story predicting the end of Liberia's Hinterland against church and worship; Protestant work. The Swedish for protection of religious con- missionaries and three Ameri- The native population of Liviction is expressly guaranteed can independent mlSSlOnaries beria, divided into many tribes, in the new project. This in no have been expelled, and the prop- is about 1,000,000 of good, virile erty of the Sudan Interior Mis- stock. The Liberians, who are sense means that a change has sion has been requisitioned. the descendants of liberated Necome about in the attitude of offi- groes brought to Africa by the cial circles towards church and The pastor of the Swedish United States and Great Britain religion, or that the time of per- church in Addis Ababa, Kes Ba- about 120 years ago, now numsecution is past. The Soviet at- dima, has grown old and gray ber about 12,000, and are the titude remains the same. The in the service of his Lord, and ruling group of the country. new policy means that those re- knows what it is to be chained sponsible must carryon with the and driven from place to place The Methodist C h u r c h of eradication of church and reli- for his faith. His son was killed America has been active in gious life, though they must not during the riots. He spoke often spreading the Christian mesthereby injure too greatly the of the keeping power of God, sage, and churches now number religious conviction of the peo- and of his longing for the day 102. The great need is to peneple. Stalin has said, "Why when his earthly pilgrimage trate the thick bush country of should one be actively unmerci- would be ended. He told count- the interior, where live most of ful? One must explain the harm- less people how God had judged the natives who have been pracfulness of religion to the young Ethiopia, and warned the-:n tically unreached with the Goswith patience, and supply them against the final judgment. He pel. A pioneer mission penewith propaganda for a material- encouraged those who were trated for 200 miles to Ganta istic outlook as the only scientific weak, gave liberally to the poor, and there organized a station a one !" Communist patience will and not even the great slaughter few years ago, and a road for 80 in future be set against Chris- of February shook his faith in miles of this distance has been tian and religious patience; but the least. -Alliance Weekly. _ made. For three years a doctor the extirpation of church and and his wife have labored here, religion is still the purpose. Ethiopian Situation then sleeping sickness claimed them and forced them back to The V nit e d Presbyterian Modernism in Islam Board has not been willing to the States. A similar effort by abandon established work in another doctor and his wife was A conflict is going on in Egypt made three years ago to reach between those who would revive Ethiopia unless obliged to do so. the tribes in the hinterland of interest in Islam and those who They have been watchfully wait- Barclayville, sit u ate d in the
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
southeastern corner of Liberia. ble and Prayer Circle, a move- 'the blood of martyrs is the seed Sickness again defeated a fine ment which has grown out of of the Church," for not long aftwork, and the workers have been the evangelistic ministry of Mr. er Rasalama's execution church compelled to return to the States. G. A. Gush, a colporteur-evan- membership increased tenfold, gelist who was at one time a and the adherents twentyfold. The Firestone Rubber Com- farmer, and who was converted pany have cleared 70,000 acres during a mission conducted by -The Chronicle. of jungle and planted it with Gipsy Smith in South Africa, rubber trees, 15,000 acres of about thirty-three years ago. Call for Protestant Unity which are now bearing. This has Those who found Christ through greatly increased prosperity in Mr. Gush are to be found all Dr. Daniel A. Poling, inter- Liberia. over South Africa today; and national president of Christian there are hundreds, especially Endeavor, told a group of hear- -World Dominion Press. among the European population ers in Grand Rapids, Mich., re- of the eastern Cape Province, cently that Protestant Christian- Angola Leper Work where the Prayer Circle has been ity, instead of being in a posi- the result of a hunger for deep- tion to conduct a successful of- A large part of the work con- er spiritual life. fensive against the powerful nected with the Camundong~ forces opposing the Church, Leper Colony, Angola, South Af- The Prayer Circle is an unde- might be unable to maintain its rica, is undertaken by the lepers nominational body made up of own position. Among these opthemselves. It was considered many praying bands in cities, posing forces he cited militant impracticable to send nurses or towns and villages. The differ- Shintoism in Japan; a united orderlies from the station to the ent bands meet on different eve- Hinduism in India, Burma and villages; the more intelligent nings~ and each has its own Siam; a united, world Bud- Christian lepers were therefore method and procedure; but dhism; Mohammedanism, shaktaught to use the hypodermic twice a year there is a large ing off its age-old superstitions; syringe, and to administer chaul- gathering in a central place. the German Neo-pagan movemoogra oil treatment. Only ment, and Communism. Christians, and those who can -Life of Faith. read the Bible and preach the Under the slogan "Christ for Gospel, are sent out. Dlalagasy Centenary the Crisis," Christian Endeavor has adopted a program of ob- Christian lepers have also en- Among this year's centenaries jectives that have to do with gaged in evangelistic work. Re- is that of the martyrdom of Ras- world peace, cooperation in the cently a party, many of them alama, Malagasy Christian, in enactment and enforcement of advanced cases, set out on a the reign of Ranavalona I, "ty- law support for Christian mismission of testimony, traveling rant queen of Madagascar." sions at home and abroad, the from village to village, telling During her reign of thirty-three furtherance of economic justice what had been done for them, years from sixty to eighty pro- and racial good will, and the and preaching the Gospel. This fessing Christians were publicly fight against alcohol and narcombined medical and evangel- put to death; s 0 m e were cotics. istic work is meeting with great speared, others burnt, and many response. -Life of Faith. stoned. Later, 500 died from -Presbyterian Tribune. the poison ordeal. Of those who Congo Prayers voluntarily confessed the i r Interesting Documents Christian faith, 400 officers were A missionary has w r itt e n reduced in rank and 2,000 were The Life of Faith reports that down some of the prayers of fined, while an unknown number half a million private journals men and women in the Congo. suffered privation and under- and letters sent home by mis- Here are two of them. mined health as they hid away sionaries in Africa, India, China in mountain fastnesses, or up and the West Indies, during the We have two hands each full of to their necks in rice bogs. last 140 years are to be reclassiseeds, seeds of goodness and seeds of fied by experts and preserved in evil. Day by day we scatter thfs8 Rasalama, 39 years of age, fireproof rooms at Livingstone seeds. Father in lieaven, help us to sang cheerfully most of the way House, Westminster, England. fill both hands with good seeds. Daily to her execution, and when This task will take two years. I seem to scatter evil seeds, and as reaching the spot where she was The documents include letters yet I am not worthy to go and tdi to be martyred, she asked per- from the first missionaries to others of Jesus. mission to kneel in prayer, and reach Tahiti, in 1797; from Dr. in that posture she was speared John Philip, who defended the * ** to death. rights of the Kaffirs in South Africa; Robert Moffat, during As the charcoal burns in the fire of Today, Rasalama's cottage his pioneer days in Southern the village smithy, and is consumed as still stands as she left it. There Rhodesia; David Livingstone; it makes the iron hot, so let me burn is a strong church here under Robert Morrison, the first transout in Thy service, 0 God, my King the London Missionary Society, lator of the Bible in Chinese; and Lord. and Christians can worship W. G. Lawes and James Chal- without fear of consequences. mers, of Papua; and from many -Wonderlands. It has been literally true that others.
Young People's Prayer Circle Between 500 and 600 people attended the fifteenth rally of the United Young People's Bi-
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Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information I ~i==============–=-=~ TWENTY-FIVE "BEST BOOKS" IN THE STUDY OF MISSIONS TO MOSLEMS PREPARED BY THE REV. SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, D.D.
Editor of "The Moslem World"; author of "Arabia, the Cradle of Islam," etc., etc.
Shortly after the World War 3. The Origin of Islam in Its signon's Annuaire du Monde a German scholar, Gus t a v Christian Environment. By Musulman. Paris. 1934. Pfannmuller compiled a Hand- Richard Bell. $3.50. Macbook of Literature on Islam and Millan, New York. 1926. 8. Christendom and IrSlam. By missions to Moslems. It com- W. W. Cash. $2.00. Harpprised over four hundred pages The writer gives the back- ers, New York. 1937. and over two thousand titles. ground of the new religion in Since that survey appeared, in- Arabia and indicates the sources A succinct account of the conterest in Islam as a world prob- of its strength and vigor. . tacts between Christendom and lem, and in missions, has not de- Islam and the influence for good creased. For one who has him- 4. Islam: Beliefs and Institu- and ill mutually exerted by Cruself written more than twenty- tions. By H. Lammens. sades and conquests. five books on Islam and Missions 8's. 6d. Methuen, London. to be asked to select twenty-five 1929. 9. An Eastern Palimpsest. By "best" books is therefore some- O. Wyon. 2s. 6d. World what an embarrassing task. A careful analysis of the creed Dominion Press, New York. New books (like new art, new and practice in Islam. Full of 1928. wine, or new violins) are not information and accurate in all always better than the old. Yet its statements. A brief account of missions in the latest view may be the only the Near East with maps and true picture of a scene that has *5. The Legacy of Islam. By statistics. witnessed kaleidoscopic changes. Sir Thomas Arnold and We have therefore selected some Others. Oxford. 1931. *10. Moslem Women Enter a new and some old volumes, while New World. By Ruth scores of others here omitted are A compendium of what the F ran c e s Woodsmall. "best" in their own field. The West owes to Islam in literature, $3.00. R 0 u n d Table titles marked with an asterisk art, architecture, science, phi- Press, New York. 1936. are popular and suitable for losophy and culture. No other younger readers also. book contains such fascinating The most recent book on the material on the "glory of Islam." subject and gives the brighter r. MOHAMMED AND ISLAM: side of the picture. Needs to be 6. The Koran (translated). By supplemented by present-day re- 1. Mohammed the Man and His E. H. Palmer. 80 cents. ports of women – missionaries Faith. By Tor Andrae. Pocket edition. Oxford Uni- who live close to the illiterate Scribners, New Y 0 r k. versity Press, New York. masses. 19.36. 1929. 11. The Moslem World of To- The latest attempt to evaluate The most idiomatic transla- day. Edited by John R. Mohammed's character. It is tion of the Koran with valuable Mott. $2.50. Doran, New fair and discriminating. Shows introduction and good index. York. 1926. how much Mohammed owed to Nestorian Christianity. II. EXTENT AND CHARACTER OF This consists of a series of monographs by missionaries and THE MOSLEM WORLD: orientalists on present-day as- pects of the problem, education, *7. Across the World of Islam. the press, medical work, etc. By S. M. Zwemer. $3.00.
2. Mohammed and the Rise of Revell & Co., New York. III. MISSIONS TO MOSLEMS: Islam. By D. S. Margo- 1929. liouth. $2.50. Putnam, THEIR VALIDITY, HIS- New York. 1905. A statistical and political sur- vey of the Moslem world and its TORY AND CHARACTER. The best brief life story of the missionary opportunity. Lacks Prophet; fully documented from a clJ,apter on the Near East and *12. Henry Martyn, Confessor original sources. should be supplemented by Mas- of the Faith. By Con- stance E. Padwick. S. C. M., London. 1922.
Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the R~IllW publishers on receipt of price.
[510 ]
OUR MISSIONARY BOOKSHELF
The best life of the first mod- it deserves special mention. Full They teach a lesson without the ern missionary to Islam. of inspiration. necessity of pointing a moral. Children, parents and teachers 13. Modern Movements Among 21. The Arab at Home. By Paul will find these tales delightful Moslems. By S. G. Wil- and helpful. son. $1.50. Revell, New W. H a r r i son. $3.50. York. 1916. Africa and Christianity. By Diedrich Crowell, New York. 1924. Westermann. 221 pp. $2.25. Ox- Excellent, especially on Iran, ford University Press. New York. but not quite up-to-date. One of the best books for the 1937.
*14. The Persian Journey of the study of the Arab mind and soul Dr. Westermann of Berlin, Rev. Ash ley Wishard, the author of "Africa Today," is etc. By Elgin Grosclose. by one who has lived close to this one of the best-informed and $2.50. Bobbs – Merrill, people and loves them. . most interesting writers on Af- Indianapolis. 1937. rica from a Christian point of *22. The Expansion of Islam. view. He is professor of African A novel full of missionary ap- By W. W. Cash. 38.6d. languages at the University of peal and interest. Edinburgh House Press, Berlin and the material here London. 1929. presented was given in the Duff 15. History of the Arabian Mis- Lectures in Scotland in 1935. sion. By Mason & Barney, An excellent, popular general The author dwells on aspects of 25 East 22d Street, New survey. missionary work in Africa and York. the change this work is bringing 23. The Eclipse of Christianity about in the character, culture An account of thirty years' in Asia. By L. E. Browne. and condition of the people. He pioneer effort in the hardest of $3.50. Cambridge Uni- shows the old and new standards Moslem lands. versity Pre s s, London. and ideals in family and commu- 1935. nity life; the influence of Euro- 16. Vital Forces of Christianity pean commerce and control; the and Islam. 3s. 6d. Oli- Here is the history of Islam's changes in religious faith and phant, Anderson & Fer- penetration and spiritual con- practice-from superstition, ig- rier, London. 1915. quest of those lands in Asia norance, fear, to belief in God as where the Crescent has super- presented by missionaries. Dr. Six studies by missionaries to seded the Cross. Scholarly yet Westermann includes a chapter Moslems on Method of approach most interestingly written. on Christianity vs. Competition to the Moslem heart. with sects, with Islam and with 24. The Crescent in Northwest secularism-not c h e e r i n g to 17. Indian Islam. By Murray China. By G. Findley An- read; the growth of the Church; T. Titus. 12s. 6d. Ox- drews. China Inland Mis- and the production of Christian ford Press, New York. sion, London. 1922. literature. He does not hesitate 1930. to criticize missions construc- Sketch of Missions in North- tively as a friend. A scholarly survey of the his- west China. tory, character and peculiarities The information is general of Islam in India, its distribu- 25. A Desert Journal. By Evan- rather than specific for Africa is tion, and its present-day in- geline French & Mildred too large a continent to be sucfluence. Cable. $3.00. China In- cessfully dealt with in one short land Mis s ion, German- volume. For a general view, 18. Temple Gairdner of Cairo. town. 1934. however, this volume is highly By Constance E. Padwick. commended. It shows the prob- $3.00. Macmillan, New This book is a type of many lems and the progress noted in York. 1929. that tell of the daily life of Mos- two centuries of modern mis- lems and their attitude toward sions in Africa; also the forces The life of a versatile, schol- Christians in the great unoccu- for and against Christ and the arly and devoted missionary by pied areas. Church, forces that must largely one who is herself doing work determine the future of this for Moslems in all lands through OTHER RECENT BOOKS great continent. Christian literature. Stocking Tales. A Book of Stories Ablaze for God. By Mary W. Dunn 19. The Reproach of Islam. By for Children. By J. T. Stocking. Pattison. 317 pp. 38. 6d. Japan Temple Gairdner. C. M. Illustrated by Winifred Bromhall. Evangelistic Band, London. 1937. S., London. 119 pp. $1.25. Pilgrim Press. Boston. 1937. This is the biography of Paget There is no better textbook for Wilkes written by his sister. all who desire to know Islam as Dr. Stocking is a prince of Wilkes was born in Suffolk in it is and Christianity as it ought story-tellers, with lit era r y 1871, was educated at Oxford to be in witnessing for Christ. charm, a truly Christlike spirit, with Temple Gairdner, J. H. Not a lukewarm book, but full of imagination and a love for chilfire. dren. He fascinates adults and young people as well. His death *20. Young Islam on Trek. By has brought a great loss as his Basil Mathews. 25 cents. life was a great blessing to Friendship Press, New many. These stories are a mix- York. 1926. ture of fairy tale and parable.
This earlier textbook for mission study is so well written that
Oldham and Stuart Holden and the Plan of Union between Pres- meet are not so ready to be led." went to Japan to work with Bar- byterianism and Congregational- Doubtless Dr. Wilson has also clay Brocton in 1897. Later he ism and the controversy growing met many utterly indifferent to became the leader of the Japan out of it. the Word of God, who needed to Evangelistic Band, an undenom- be a wakened to a sense of sin. inational movement which em- Part Two is made up of docu- This is probably a selection of phasized direct evangelism and ments illustrating the frontier certain experience.'3 that show the "Second blessing." He was work of the Pre s b y t e ria n the great truth to be presented a man of great ability and of churches-an immense wealth of in Bible words to sinners, namepure devotion, whose motto source material. It is of course ly the way of justification and might well have been Henry ·only a fraction of what is avail- peace through the atoning death Martyn's "Now let me burn out able and a vast deal is of neces- of Christ. These true sketches for God." He mastered the Jap- sity omitted, many times as are very informing because they anese language and he inspired much as could be included; one show how thousands of people his associates, both Japanese and would rather have some of the who have gone to church and foreign, with his own zeal, and omitted material than that which have read the Bible for years, his consecration and sacrifice is included, some, for example, have never really understood the were a stimulus to many in the from the records of the old Penn- Gospel that Christ died for the missions of the British and sylvania presbyteries and from remission of sin, and that we American churches. At home, the period and area covered in are not saved by our own goodin England or in Canada or in Waddell's "Annals of Augusta ness, but by faith in Jesus South Africa, he conducted mis- County, Virginia, from 1726 to Christ. That is the one thing sions for the conversion of non- 1871." But we are grateful for that stands out in this book. We Christians and for the deeper the mass of old documents which must add this also that readers life of Christians. He was a Dr. Sweet has presented. They will be convinced that most Church of England evangelical enable us to enter intelligently Christians do not sufficiently and was a notable illustration of into the religious atmosphere of recognize the sinfulness of sin, the great body of British Chris- our country a century, and a cen- and the necessity of the shedding tians who move out on their own tury and a half ago, to realize of Jesus' blood; therefore they lines beyond the bounds of de- the social and cultural conditions do not feel impelled to seek the nominational action. He had the of that early time and, by such salvation of others. Finally, this Keswick mind, with a turn of a term of comparison, to see how book shows that Christians his own, and he served his Mas- far on we have come in true re- ought to know their Bibles and ter with his whole heart and ligion and Christian charity. be able to diagnose a soul's need mind and soul and strength. T9 and offer the remedy. We should read such a life is to have one's ROBERT E. SPEER. definitely study the book with own lethargy and reticence :r:e- this in mind. We may well note buked and to feel the glow of the The Romance of a Doctor's Visits. the Scripture passages used. New Testament discipleship at By Dr. Walter L. Wilson. 128 pp. Dull is the conscience of the work amid the conditions of our Is. Pickering & In~lis. London. Christian, either at home or on own day. 1937. the mission field, that will not be moved to personal work by read- Religion on the American Frontier. This small, easy-reading vol- ing this book. Vol. II, The Presbyterians, 1783- ume is one of the "World-Wide 1840. By William Warren Sweet. Library of Famous G 0 s pel FRANK LUKENS. 939 pp. $3.50. Harper & Brothers, Books." The author is a physi- New York and London. 1936. cian of some years' experience Consider Him. By Vance Havner. who but devotes much of his $1.00. American Bible Conference This volume by Dr. Sweet of time to Christian ministry. For Association. Philadelphia, Pa. 1937. the University of Chicago is the a number of years he regularly broadcast the morning Bible les- For those that like a "stimsecond in a series dealing with son over the radio station of the ulus" in Bible study and meditathe different denominations on Kansas City Star, and was said tion and desire a greater fellow- to have an audience of a million ship with the Spirit of God, this the early American frontier. people. book will be of great help. In it we find one hundred medita- The first volume dealt with the Here are twenty-eight short tions on some of the great pas- Baptists and the third is to deal pen-pictures of different persons sages of the Bible. These mediwit h the Congregationalists. seeking salvation whom he led tations were gathered by a Part One (125 pages of this to assured faith by use of Bible pastor from his everyday "walk volume) deals generally with passages. The cases represent and talk" with the Master and American Presbyterianism at all sorts and conditions of life, with his people in the parish. the close of the Revolution, the but the need and the solution In a book form they will inspire Presbyterians and Westward are practically the same in all. a much greater parish. To min- Expansion, the cultural and edu- The first impression on the read- isters they will serve as seeds of cational influence of the Presby- er is that everyone of these peo- thoughts for sermons. terians in the Early West, re- ple were seekers, conscious of vivalism and Presbyterian con- their sin, and wanting peace. A. H. PERPETUO. troversy, and the operation of Some may say, "The people I
Books Obituary Notes The
Across Africa in a Lorry. W. B. Red- (Concluded from page 449.) A weekly religious newspaper in mayne. 128 pp. $1.40. Zondervan. Grand Rapids. Dr. Edward M. Poteat, prominent its lo6th year of continuous pub- in Baptist work both North and South Books for the Traveler or Sojourner for two generations, died June 26, at Iication under the same name. in China. Harriet Hardison Rob- Raleigh, N. C. After a period of son. 24 pp. 25 cents. American years as preacher, college president, It is conservative and evangel- Council, Institute of Pacific Rela- and denominational worker, he went tions. New York. to China to be a professor in Shang- ical, gets its news by telegraph hai College. His son, Gordon Poteat, is Burmese Brothers. Story Lessons professor in Shanghai College; an- and keeps abreast of the times. for Little Children. Eleanor Mar- other son, Edwin M. Poteat, Jr., is a tin. 42 pp. 6d. S. P. G. London. prominent pastor in Raleigh. It goes into every state of the Union, the District of Columbia, Fun, Fear and Faith. The Story of *** the Church in Burma. Ruth Hen- and U. S. possessions. rich. 91 pp. 18. S. P. G. London. Dr. Danjo Ebina, Professor Emer- itus of Doshisha University, died in It goes to Asia and AFrica, South Cycle of Prayer and Praise, 19'37-38. Tokyo, on May 22. He first learned 100 pp. 68. S. P. G. London. about Christ from Gapt. L. L. Janes, America, Canada and New Zealand and afterwards was a member of the Christ of the Countryside. Malcolm first graduating class of Doshisha in and into twelve countries of Eu- Dana. 128 pp. $1.00. Cokesbury. 1879. He founded the Hongo Congre- Nashville. gational Church in Tokyo, was its rope. pastor until 1920 when he became Communism. John Horsch. 30 pp. university president. He was the Subscription Price, – 15 cents. B. I. C. Assn. Chicago. author of many books on Christianity. Ministerial Rate, The Land of Umbrellas. Lessons on *** the Church in Burma. Ruth Hen- 50c. extra—Canadian postage rich. 92 pp. Is. S. P. G. London. Emile Doumergue, for 66 years the leader of the French conservative $1.00 extra—foreign postage Flaming Milestone. Report of the theological group, died recently in World's Conference of the World France at the age of ninety-three. He THE PRESBYTERIAN Alliance of the Y. M. C. A.'s. 115 was the author of the Life of Calvin pp. World's Committee, Y. M. C. A. in seven volumes, and contributed 1217 Mark..t: Str….t, Philad..lphia, Pa. Geneva. editorially to the leading journal of Protestantism in France. He was not ciety, and president of the Bible Highland Heritage. Edwin E. White. in favor of church union for the sake League of North America. 196 pp. $1.00, cloth; 60 cents, of union. His was the phrase: "Fu- paper. Friendship Press. New sion without proper evangelical basis *** York. is nothing but confusion." Sir J. Charles Clegg, president of Is Not This a Brand? Percy Rush. *** the British Temperance League for 96 pp. Is. Pickering & Inglis. sixty-three years, died at Sheffield, London. Mrs. Elizabeth Murdoch Poage England, June 26. His most recent entered into rest at her home in Co- efforts in the cause of temperance was An Introduction to the New Testa- lusa, California, on July 4, at the age the preparation of a booklet, "Out to ment. Edgar J. Goodspeed. 362 of sixty–one. For forty years Mrs. Win." pp. $2.50. University of Chicago Poage had been an officer of the Press. Chicago. Sacramento Presbyterial and for nine *** years was president. The loss of her Little Talks to Little Folks. Charles service is keenly felt for she had been John T. Underwood, founder of the A. Puncker. 92 pp. Is. Pickering faithful in the performance of re- Underwood Typewriter Co., and & Inglis. London. sponsibilities both little and great. brother of Dr. Horace G. Underwood of Korea, died July 2. Mr. Under- Lessons in Soul Winning. Will H. Dr. Frederick H'" . W* ri*ght, who ren- wood was a former member of the Houghton. 23 pp. Free. Moody Presbyterian Board of Foreign Mis- Bible Institute. Chicago. dered effective service in both the sions, president of the Buckhorn As- heme and foreign work of the Metho- sociation of Kentucky, and a generous Medical Missions at Work. H. P. dit<: Episcopal Church, died June 11 supporter of work in Korea. Thompson. 82 pp. Is. S. P. G. in Ocean Grove, N. J., aged seventy- London. eight. He served as past)!· of the Gifts during his lifetime were con- Methodist Church in Rome from 1899 tinued in numerous bequests, among More Sources of Power in Famous to 1905. Some years later he becama them: $50,000 each to the Buckhorn Lives. Walter C. Erdman. 160 superintendent of the Italian Mission Association and to Chosen Christian pp. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. Nash- Conference under the Board of Home College; $20,000 to the Orphan ville. Missions and Church Extension. Asylum Society of Brooklyn; $10,000 each to the Lafayette Avenue Presby- Work of the Chaplain in the Civilian Mrs. Thomas *E. * Ba*rber, former terian Church of Brooklyn, the Pres- Conversation Corps. Col. Alva J. byterian Board of Foreign Missions, Brasted. 48 pp. Command & Gen- missionary in the Columbia Mission, the Brooklyn Bureau of Charities and eral Staff School Press. Ft. Leaven- Presbvterian, U. S. A., died in the the Brooklyn Museum. worth, Kansas. Pasad"ena Hospital, Pasadena, Cali- fornia on June 2. Most of Mrs. Bar- *** Women of the New Testament. ber's time during her 25 years on the Abraham Kuyper. $1.00, cloth; 65 field was spent in educational and Rev. Wilhelm Zoellner, D.D., for- cents, paper. 95 pp. Zondervan evangelistic work at Barranquilla, Bo- mer head of the Church Affairs De- Pub. Co. Grand Rapids. gota and Medellin. partment of the Nazi government and one-time leader in the ecumenical The West Indies. H. P. Thompson. *** movements of Stockholm and Lau- 70 pp. 18. S. P. G. London. sanne, died at Duesseldorf, July 17. Mr. William Philips Hall, for 26 The World, the Church and You. years president of the American Tract When, in December, 1936, Hitler Outlines for Group Study. 34 pp. Society, died on August 14 at Walling- ,rarned Nazi leaders to cease their at- 3d. Edinburgh House Press. Lon- ford, Conn., in his seventy-third year. tacks upon Christianity, part of the don. Mr. Hall was born at Stamford, credit was given to Dr. Zoellner, who Conn., on February 1, 1864. He was was reported to have warned the gov- Yahrbuch Der Ostasien Mission. 96 the founder and for many years the ernment that its anti-Church program pp. Allgemeiner Evangelische-Pro- president of the Hall Signal Co., vice- had gone too far. tantische Missionsverein. Berlin, president of the American Bible So- Germany.
The Man that Changed the World. Frederick B. Fisher. 208 pp. $2.00. Cokesbury Press. Nashville.
~o Noi MU4 A DAILY USE
THE •.. Cbt lIPPtf Room (America's Leading Devotional Guide) MOSLEM Will Lift the CONTENTS OF THE WORLD Level of the OCTOBER-NOVEMBER- Sfiritual Life A Christian Quarterly Review of o Any Church DECEMBER ISSUE Current Events, Literature and and Its Homes Thought Among Mohammedans Inte,.pretation of COf)er Picture, "Christ amont the Lowl," Editor: SAMUEL M. ZWEMER October 1-9 SOME ARTICLES IN THE The Christian and His Home OCTOBER NUMBER October 10·20 Herbert Udny Weitbrecht Stanton The Christian and His God By Samuel M. Zwemer Octobe,. 21-21 Missionary Adventure in the Sahara The Christian and the Christ By Dugald Campbell Octobe,. 28-31 Northern Nigerian Opportunity The Christian and the Holy Spirit By H. G. Farrant NOf)ember 1-6 Islam in India The Christian and Social Responsi. bility By James W. Sweetman NOf)ember 1-13 Moslem Women of North Africa Foundations for a Stable and Peace. By Frances E. Roberds ful Society The Joy of Preaching to Moslems N of)ember 14-20 By Stephen Khoobyar The Kingdom of God and the So· cial Order The Political Fortunes of Islam By G. L. Schanzlin NOf)embe,. 21-21 The Spirit of Thanksgiving and Hitti's History of the Arabs the Social Order By Nabih A. Faris NOf)ember 28-30 Also Book Reviews, Current Top. Working Together with God ics, Survey· of Periodicals, and the Index for the Year. December 1-11 The Christian and His Attitudes SUBSCRIBE NOW December 12-18 50 Cents a Copy. $2.00 a Year (postpaid) The Christian and His Daily Walk THE MOSLEM WORLD December 19-25 156 Fifth Ave., New York City "Unto Us a Saviour Is Born"
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The Missionary Review of the World — April 1937
1937
India Advances in Politics and Religion J. R. Edwards When a Korean Magistrate Went to Church William Scott A Chinese Concubine Tells Her Story James P. Leynse A Caravan in the Australian Bush Marjorie A. Burton An African View of Africa's Needs s. s. Tema A Golden Anniversary in Evangelism A. C. Snead Youth and the Christian Frontier Charles A. Platt 25 Cents a Copy $2.50 a Year
to Remember THE IDEAL GIFT AT ALL
May ll–General Conference, United Brethren in Christ, Chambersburg, Pa. GOD'S MINUTE ••• May 18-21- National Convention of Here is a marvelous collection of 365 Daily Prayers. A Spiritual the Evangelical Women's Union, each 60 seconds long. written by 365 of the most emi. thoughtfor St. Louis, Mo. nent preachers and laymen in the world. Cloth. 60 every day cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50. May 20-25 – Northern Baptist Con- • vention, Philadelphia, Pa. GOD'S MESSAGE •• A daily May 26 – General Assembly, United 365 prominent clergymen have chosen their favorite Presbyterian Church, Oak Park, Dl. Scripture passage. and, with this as a text. have written reminder of a Message that quickens faith. brings comfort. Cloth. May 27 – General Assembly, Presby- the giver terian Church in U. S. A., Colum- bus, Ohio. 60 cents; Limp Leatherette. $1.00; Art Leather. $1.50.
June 3, 1937-General Synod, Re- Iiii_ _ _ _ _ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bid"" Phil•• formed Church in America, Asbury Park, N. J. would have retired as secretary for active service in 1982, he had spent rural church work of the Presbyterian his time in translating and editing. . June 3-8, 1937 – World's Woman's Board of National Missions. Dr. Christian Temperance Union, Wash- Warren H. Wilson was born on May A PLEA FOR THE "IMPRAC- ington, D. C. 1, 1867, at Tidioute, Warren County, TICAL" Pa. He received the B.A. degree from June 23-30, 1937 – Alliance of Re- Oberlin in 1890, the B.D. from Union Men said Jesus was "impractical." formed Churches Throughout the Theological Seminary in 1894, and World Holding the Presbyterian was ordained to the Presbyterian min- He preached a Gospel which men System, Montreal, Canada. istry. Dr. Wilson's first charge was Christ's Church at Quaker Hill, N. Y., called too idealistic. July 3-10, 1931- Association of Ex- near Pawling. From there he went ecutive Secretaries of Councils of to the Arlington Avenue Church in He said: "Love your enemies." Churches and Religious Education Brooklyn, and in 1908 took charge of Employed Officers' Association, work in rural fields. He was presi- Practical men have said: "In a Lake Geneva, Wis. dent of the International Association competitive world you must be armed of Agricultural Missions from 1919 to July 7 – August 11- Winona Lake 1929. Dr. Wilson was the author of to fight tour enemies. That is the School of Theology, Winona Lake, several books on country churches and safe way.' Ind. their problems. Surviving are his The World War cost to all partici- July 16-22-World Conference on Life pants $200,000 for every bour since and Work. Oxford, England. Jesus was born. .
August 3-18 – World Conference on widow, Mrs. Pauline Elizabeth Lane The next war will probably wreck Faith and Order. Edinburgh, Wilson, and two sons. civilization. Scotland. *** Practical men have had their way August 11-22-Winona Bible Confer- for many generations. It would be ence, Winona Lake, Ind. Canon P. Stacy Waddy, Secretary worth while to try Christ's way.-The of the Society for the Propagation of Indian Social Reformer.
CONFE'RENCES AND SCHOOLS the Gospel, died in the Hospital for II If you use OF MISSIONS Tropical Diseases, London, on Feb- ruary 8. Not only the Anglican Council of Women for Home Mis- Church, but the whole cause of Chrissions and Affiliated with the tian missions, has lost a notable Committee on Women's Work, worker. Canon Waddy had just re- Foreign Missions Conference turned from a visit to the Gold Coast PRINTING of Africa and had been seriously ill June 26-July 3-Eagles Mere, Pa. with malaria on the return voyage.
July 7-15-Northfield, Mass. He was born at Carcoar, New South YOU will profit from an ac- July 17-24-Mt. Hermon, Calif. Wales, on January 8, 1875, son of quaintanceship with us. We July 19'-23-Bethesda, Ohio. Lieut.-Col. R. A. Waddy. He became do the job complete in our own Canon of St. George's Cathedral, plant. whether it be large or Jerusalem, in 1919, and was Arch- small. deacon of Palestine from 1922 to 1925, when he came to England to be- Obituary Note. come secretary of the S. P. G. While our specialty is Books, Maga.tines and Pamphlets. yet Rev. Dr. Warren Hugh Wilson, for *** we have a variety of modem almost thirty years in charge of rural equipment to meet all the rechurch work in the Presbyterian Dr. Clarence A. Barbour, president quirements of your particular Church and a leader in the efforts to of Brown University since 1929, died job. You will find our service revive rural churches, died March 2, on January 16 at his home in Provi- prompt, careful and courteous. at 69 years of age. For several dence, R. I., at the age of 69. Dr. decades Dr. Wilson had been recog- Barbour had been active for many Will you allow us to estimate nized as an authority on religious and years in educational and religious on your next printing ? We beother problems of rural life. He work. It was under his leadership lieve you will be delighted with helped to develop the "larger parish that Rochester Theological Seminary our product, price and service. system" for combining country par- merged with Colgate to form the presishes. In 1908 he was appointed by ent Colgate-Rochester Divinity School.
President Theodore Roosevelt as a *** The EVANGELICAL PRESS member of the Country Life Commis- Rev. Thomas J. Porter, S.T.D., sion. In 1930 he was sent to India Print…. of for a survey of rural life for the Na- who had served under the Presby- The Missionary Review of the Warld terian Church, U. S. A., since 1884, tional Christian Council of In4ia. In as missionary in both Persia and two months Dr. Wilson would have Brazil, died suddenly in California, PLANT AND MAIN OFFICE Third and Reily Streell reached the 70-year age limit and December 26. Since he retired from
MISSIONARY USED IN OVER ONE MILLION CHRISTIAN
REVIEW OF THE WORLD HURLBUT'S STORY OF THE BIBLE By.JESSE LYMAN HURLBUT. D.O. DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Editor Recommended by all denominatlonsforitsfreshness and accuracy, for its simplicity of language, for its freedom from doctrinal discussion. VOL. LX APRIL, 1937 No.4 THE BEST GIFT FOR YOUNG AND OLD Publication and Business Office- Third and Reily Sts., Harrisburg, Pa. FOR TEACHERS-STUDENT8–FOR THE HOMEAND SCHOOL Editorial and Executive Office- One hundred and sixtY-<lightstories, each complete in itself, yet form- 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City. ing a continuous narrative of the Biblefrom Genesis to Revelation. Entered as second-class matter at Each ofthe world-old stories is told by the noted author in a manner thatia vitally interesting and instructive to young and old alike. Post Office, Harrisburg, Pa., under Act of March 3, 1879. Biggest _d Best Illustrated Book Ever Sold for the Price 25 cents a copy-$2.50 a year. Beautifully illustrated with 281 pictures in colors and in black and Foreign Postage, 50 cents a year. Published monthly, except August. white; over 100 famous Leinweber paintings. 759 pages. Price ..$2.00 All rights reserved. Gopyrighted 1937. British agents – Marshall, Morgan' At all bookstores or froTn the publishers and Scott, 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 1 shilling per copy, . .__ THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO., Winston Bldg., Philadelphia _ __ 10 shillings a year. I would simply have to drop all the Personal Items MISSIONARY REVIEW PUB- work I am doing in various groups. LISHING CO., INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Yesterday we finished a course on ROBERT E. SPEER, Pre8ident Africa. I gave everyone 'home work' Dr. George S. McKune, President A. L. WARNSHUlS, Vice-President to do-taken mostly from THE RE- of Union Christian College of Pyeng- WALTER MCDOUGALL, Treasurer DELAVAN L. PIERSON, Secretary VIEW. All went at it with a real zest. yang, Chosen, has been forced by the I've 'talked' about Africa in Methodist Japanese to resign because of his re- SAMUEL MCCREA CAVERT and Baptist groups also – in Xenia and neighboring towns and – once fusal to do homage before Shinto WILLIAM I. CHAMBERLAIN more-it has been THE REVIEW that shrines. He regarded the act as one D. J. FANT supplied most of my 'background.' I find the current issues are nearly al- of worship. In a respectful letter to MRS. ORRIN R. JUDD ways out of the library." the Governor-General, he asserted his loyalty to the government, and stated WM. B. LIPPHARD that he taught his students such ERIC M. NORTH MRS. D. WALTER FERGUSON. loyalty, but that as a Christian he SAMUEL M. ZWEMER Xenia, Ohio. could not bow in worship to the dead men whose spirits were supposed to Editorial Chat *** De present in the temple.
THE REVIEW endeavors to be up-to- CORRECT10N *** date in publishing articles on important current events and Christian The caption to the picture on page Dr. Paul deSchweinitz, for many world movements. As a matter of 79 of the February REVIEW, illus- years Treasurer of Missions of the fact, a seeming delay in such com- trating the article "Christ Comes to Moravian Church in America, is rements may, in reality, be due to the the Navajo," should read "Governor tiring from that office on May 1. He fact that we have been ahead of the B. B. Moeur of, Arizona and two was consecrated as a bishop of the other periodicals. For example: the Navajo Nurses, Ganado." Moravian Church at a service in the "New Life Movement in China," spon- Central Church of Bethlehem, Pa., sored by General and Mme. Chiang *. * * Kai-shek, which is just now receiving much pUblicity in America, was fully WANTED: By a correspondent vol- on March 14. All honor to Bishop described in the July, 1934, issue; the umes II to X of THE M[SSIONARY deSchweinitz. "Zoa (Life) Movement" (in the Greek Church) now first noted in the daily REVIEW OF THE WORLD. Can any *** press, was fully.described in THE RE- reader supply them? Please commu- VIEW in August, 1928; the Moody nicate with ·the Editorial Office, 156 Rai Bahadur A. C. Mukerjee is re- Centenary recently widely advertised Fifth A ven~-e, New York. tiring as General Secretary of the and observed was dealt with by Dr. National Missionary Society of India, John McDowell in our May, 1936, *** after a period of marked service to number. Read THE REVIEW to be up~ the Society and to India. He is now to-date on important matters relating Two sub~cribers write: at work up'on a plan for occupying a to the Kingdom of God. field where a mass movement toward "I can't do without your wonderful Christianity is taking place. *** magazine,'and what puzzles me is how any good missionary Christian can." Have you ordered your June (Rural Life) Number of THE REVIEW? Se- • MRS. AGNES HAZARD. *** cure copies for all in your mission Bouliler, Colo. study groups. This will be a great . Archdeacon John Batchelor, vethelp. Note what one enthusiastic .';,.. '" * * eran worker of the C. M. S. among the reader says: Ainu of Northern Japan, was the first "Enclosed $– is to be applied to missionary to take part in a television "The March REWIEW is especially program, Januar:v 20. Dr. Batchelor fine-Dr. Speer's article being 'tops.' my l.!ubscription as long as the money has worked for more than sixty years I am very sure I could not get along among the primitive Ainu of Hokat all without the REVIEW. Without it will last. This will save the work kaido. Although 83 years old, he has connected with the annual renewal, recent:ly returned to Japan to con- tinue his work. and serves as evidence that the RE- VIEW is much appreciated."
N. NIELSEN, PH. C., M.D. Siu-Yen, Manchoukuo.
*** PLAN NOW to Spend Next Summer's Vacation with Amer. Rev. Frank Houghton, editorial sec- ica's Greatest Theological Teachers. retary of the China Inland Mission in Winona Lake School of Theology, Winona Lake, Indiana London, has been made bishop of a new diocese created by the division of For Ministers9 Teachers, Missionaries, Sunday School Workers and Laymen SO the Diocese of Szechuan into the Free eastern and western. The eastern is Courses leading to Regular Theological Degrees, Cost Reasonable staffed by the China Inland Mission, July 7 to August ll···Two Terms 15 Days Each···lnterdenominational Rooms the western diocese by the Church Evangelical Faith and High Scholarship Combined Missionary Society. Dr. W. E. Biederwolf, Director (Ask for free Prosl>ectus) Dr. J. A. Huffman. Dean [ 177]
VILLAGE OF SAMHO, CHOSEN, WHERE "THE MAGISTRATE WENT TO CHURCH"
(See page 187)
NARY
REVIB ORLD VOLUME LX AN INTERDENOMINATIONAL REVIEW OF WORLD-WIDE CHRISTIAN PROGRESS NUMBER 4 APRIL, 1937 Topies of the Times CAN CHRISTIANS BE NEUTRAL nation bind itself ;to do so irresJ)€ctive of the moml issues involved? Neutrality is now a major Subject in press, Con- To the first questiDn, the answer of the best in- gress, peace societies, labor disputes, and in many formed students .of internationa] affairs is negachurch assemblies. Its slogans are popular: tive. They tell us ,that the circumstances that led "Keep us .out of war," "Let us mind .our own busi- us into the World War of 1914-1918 wDuld in- ness," "Other people's quarrels are not .our af- evitably draw us into another general conflict; fairs." While some .of this demand for "hands that international relations are now so interwDven off" is motivated by selfishness, much of it is that a strong nation cannot possibly maintain an prompted by a real desire for harmony. Mission- isolated position; that actual neutrality would ary wDrk, both home and foreign, is involved in mean no freedom .of the seas for American ships, peace promotion, since war demoralizes it, diverts no passports to Americans traveling in war zones attention and cripples its support. Boards and or on ships of a natiDn at war, no loans to belmissionaries and their supporters are theref.ore ligerents, no trade with them in food .or war ma- concerned in the question: When should Chris- terials, or with neutral agencies for reshipment tians be neutral in disputes and conflicts and when to them. This would mean the closing .of many should they take sides in the contrDversies that manufacturing plants and very widespread unare agitating the Church, nation and the world? employment. When the results .of such neutrality Neutrality, is certainly sometimes wise. FDr thus become clear to the American people, the example, most Americans do not strongly take business and labor interests affected would bring sides in the present internecine strife in Spain, such pressure to bear on Congress that politicians realizing that the outcome will probably be either would not dare to resist. Few, if any, students a Fascist government under a military dictator, of the problem believe that America would be or a Soviet government .of a communistic type. willing to pay the price, especially as popular feel- It is significant that Germany and Italy openly ing might be inflamed by the sinking of an Amer- encour.age the "insurgents" and that Russia as ican ship, or the loss of American lives .on a toropenly encourages the "loyalists." But France J)€doed neutral ship.
was not neutral in America's war for independ- The second question cuts deeper. When an ence and Americans were not neutral when Italy atheistic government attempts tD extirpate all re- invaded Ethiopia Dr when Japan bombed and ligion in Russia; when Jews are being inhumanly killed civilians in Shanghai. The fact that the persecuted and Christian churches are being made American Government did not invoke the "sanc- vassals of a totalitarian state as in Germany; tions" in either case does not imply that Amer- when Christian schools are forbidden to teach ican citizens were neutr,al, save in a technical Christian truths, as in China and Mexico; when sense of not taking active sides. palpable injustice is being perpetrated every- The pending issue, in America however, is not where, we believe that Christians should be outone .of popular sympathy but of national policy spoken in protest. Under such circumstances neu- expressed in law. This raises two questions: traIity would be culpable. Few Christians are Could America keep out of another world war if prepared to say that, no matter what wrong may one should develop? Even if it could, should our be inflicted by a strong nation upon a weaker .one, [179 ]
or by a powerful individual on a weaker 'One, he that the conference was entertained by the Ma- will, like the priest and the Levite in 'Our Lord's harajah of Mysore, himself a Hindu, is one indi- parable, "pass by on the other side." It was Cain, cation of the great change that has taken place in the murderer, who said that he was "nQt his the attitude of Hindus toward all that is labeled brother's keeper." Christian. The basis of this new tolerance and Bat taking sides against wrong does not neces- cooperation is seen in the address of the Dewan sarily mean war. The applicati'On of "sancti'Ons" of Mysore, Sir Mirza Ismail, who said: "You are in such circumstances are simply the exercise of deliberately planning an offensive against the the same kind of police power in international af- warring powers of evil, whose threat is now more fairs that every civilized state and cQmmunity deliberate and threatening than ever before. You exercises against lawless evildoers within its own stand for ideals that inspire us also-the freedom borders. Is it not high time that Americans of spirit, and unity and peace. And we are not should stop criticizing the League of NatiQns for merely your hosts; we are with you in this fight."
weakness in dealing with international disputes The delegates came from many nations and for which their own refusal to join is the chief represented different racial, cultural and early re- cause for failure? ligious backgrounds, but there was remarkable In the sphere of morals and religion, there is unity in worship, for all acknowledged allegience certainly nD proper place for neutrality when to Christ and were bent on discovering and doing there is a clear issue between right and wrong. the will of God. The general theme was: "The A man is either moral or immDral. In religion, Youth, the World and the Future."
the supreme Authority for the Christian has very Many grave problems were presented for dis- plainly said: "He that is not for me is against cussion, especially as they relate to young men of me." "Ye cannDt serve God and mammon." Any today. A study of seven main themes had been compromise with· the wDrld is sharply rebuked in made in advance and these were brought up for the. Bible and in the Epistle 'Of James we read: discussion by seven Commissions into which the "Kno'Y ye not that the friendship 'Of the world is delegates were divided. enmi,ty with God ?" In this time of rampant god- First, there is the problem of International Reless pOlitical evils, there is urgent need that the lations. The question was raised as to whether the Y. M. C. A. should take active part in organfollowers of Christ should repudiate all compro- ized movements to prevent war or should be con- tent with promoting the spirit of brotherhood and mises with wrong and should boldly stand for the advocate peaceful settlement of disputes. Should the Association endeavor to stop fighting or right and for right alone. If we cannot win on mainly serve the contending factions and aid the wounded in time of war? Can the Y. M. C. A. this issue, we cannot win at all. God himself will inaugurate and promote economic, social and political reforms that will remove causes of war, not bless such neutrality. "Because thou art or should it confine its endeavors to spiritual work lukewarm," He said to the church at Laodicea, "and neither cold n'Or hot I will spue thee out of my mouth." Christians cannot afford to do other- wise than to stand unequivocally for the right as God has revealed it. ARTHUR J. BROWN.
THE WORLD Y. M. C. A. CONFERENCE with individuals and Christian character build- IN INDIA ing? Some delegates asked for an immediate call for a World Congress to express the mind of the For the first time in the history of the Young M'Ovement 'On international issues and even ad- Men's Christian Association, the scene of the·· vocated a permanent bureau to watch the situaworld conference has been shifted to Asia, and tion.
one-half of the delegates came from Africa and Second: the Race Relations section was pre- the Orient. Here is an indication of the increas- sided over by J. H. Tobias, an American Negro.
ing importance of the youth of Asia in world af- One result was a resolution adopted to the effect fairs. This twenty-first world conference was that no one should be excluded from the Y. M.
held in Mysore, India, from January 5 to 10 and C. A. and its privileges on the ground of race or was attended by 200 selected delegates represent- color.
ing thirty different nations, races and tongues. Third, Difference in Religious Faiths. The Most of the delegates were over fifty years 9f age. Y. M. C. A. was founded by Sir George Williams Dr. John R. Mott, the President of the World's Al- in 1844 for the purpose of promoting the cause of liance, was chairman and was unanimously asked Christ among young men, by prayer, Bible study to continue as president of this youth movement, and personal work. Recently, however, even vot- although he is now over threescore and ten years ing power is not always based on public con- of age. The value of the wisdom and experience fession of faith in Christ. Jews and those of of "Elder Statesmen" is still recognized. The fact other religions are now admitted to active mem-
TOPICS. OF THE TIMES
bership and in many non-Christian lands there man's personal relation to God governs all his has been a strong move against "proselytizing" or standards, is the source of power and determines seeking to persuade men to change their religion. his relationship to others. Christ is the secret of It is not surprising, therefore, that at the Mysore strong, fruitful living and He offers the great Conference many held that a share in the control challenge to Godlike life and service to fellow men. of the Y. M. C. A. should be offered to members who are not Christians. This we believe to be a The Y. M. C. A. was founded to bring young grave mistake, since the movement should be kept men into vital personal relationship to God, definitely. and openly Christian. through Christ. The "Paris Basis" for member- ship is still the same as adopted in 1855. Various Fourth: On National Problems and Responsi- related ideals and activities may rightly be added bilities, the main question is whether situations so long as these do not conflict with or displace arise where a Christian should choose to follow the main purpose; but if Christ is left out of the the revealed will of God even where that is in con- Y. M. C. A. then the institution will be spiritually flict with the requirements of his national govern- dead and forfeits its right to the name Christian. ment. This problem is acute in Russia, in Ger- Other groups are free to found and support a many, in Japan, in Italy and in other lands dom- "Young Men's Religious Association" and to reinated by materialistic, militaristic or non-Chris- ceive members who do not acknowledge allegiance tian rulers. While the Y. M. C. A. should train to Christ, but it is not honest for others to "steal" men to be loyal to their rulers and to serve their the Y. M. C. A. and to attempt to change its charcountry, these duties cannot supplant obedience acter and purpose. to God, as He is revealed in Christ. In his opening address at the Conference, Dr. Fifth: The Need for Building a Better Social John R. Mott sounded a note that may well serve Order is evident. The feeling at Mysore was as the basis for all Y. M. C. A. membership and strong that the Y. M. C. A. should work definitely activity, in every land. He said: for economic betterment and social justice. Demands were formulated for action to "abolish "Our governing objective in the Y. M. C. A. is rights of property divorced from function"; to to make Christ known and trusted and loved and eliminate the "profit motive" from industry and to exemplified (as personal Saviour, Son of God, and adjust the conflicting interests of various classes Lord), not only in the whole individual range of in the economic order. This subject naturally individual life, boy, mind and spirit, but in all our deeply concerns the rising generation and calls for human relationships and with special reference to reforms. It must be kept in mind, however, that youth." new laws alone have not proved effective; there must also be a new, unselfish spirit instilled into Are we honestly seeking to discover and to do individuals to change human nature. This is ac- the will of God? That will mean something revocomplished by a new life motive, with power re- lutionary in every life. Let the Y. M. C. A. conceived through union with Christ. tinue to be positively, intellectually, evangelically and aggressively Christian in all of its ideals and Sixth: The Church and Her World Mission was activities. Then it will continue to live and grow another topic discussed. What is the relationship and be effective in the lives of young men and in of the Y. M. C. A. to the Church? How can they the world. work together effectively in the interest of boys and young men? One whole day was given at the THE NEED FOR A CHRISTIAN Conference to discuss the needs of the boys of the INTERNATIONALE world and youth representing six nationalities spoke on the varied problems but universal needs. More and more we are discovering that the In India the child suddenly becomes a man, while world is not made up of watertight compartments. in England many years are spent in preparing There is a real solidarity of human welfare or the boy for manhood; in the Philippines boys are woe. No man liveth to himself and no nation is ignorant of their own country's history while in independent of its neighbors. We are all of one Germany and Japan they are taught to worship blood and our present economic social and politinational ideals and heroes. Since youth is the cal problems are interlocked. period when the coming generation must be prepared to take their places in the Church, the na- The Communists are working on the principle tion and the world, the Y. M. C. A. should furnish that Communism, to be successful, cannot be contraining for these responsibilities. fined to the U. S. S. R., but must extend its in- fluence and ideals everywhere. This is the motive Seventh: The Challenge of Personal Life is the back of the Third Internationale and the presentroot of all other problems. Without ideal men and day world-wide propaganda from Moscow. Monwomen it is impossible to have an ideal world. A signor M. d'Herbigny, writing in the Revue des Deux Mondes, exposes the program which the
"militant godless" propose to follow in their sec- he noticed that the flag with its sickle and hammer ond five-year period. This plan for the "liquida- was unfurled only on special occasions. He says: tion of religiol}" is carefully studied and con- "When not unfurled it was protected by a canvas stantly brought up to date. There are special case made out of a waterproof oil painting of our seminaries for the training of antireligious Com- Lord's birth which I believe was taken from the munist workers to organize "cells"; they have Gospel Hall at Pensui. On the painting could be also opened museums in which Christianity and seen Bethlehem, the shepherds with their sheep, other faiths are exposed to ridicule. An atheistic and the star." Mr. Bosshardt was led captive bepress and colored posters are everywhere in evi- hind the Red flag, but the flag itself was embraced dence, copied from the Bezbozhniki and Die by the love manifested in Bethlehem. Kampfende Gottlosen. We quote from their manual: The great Slavic race with its religious tradi- tion, its remarkable literary genius, and its ca- A sympathizer with the U. S. S. R. is anyone who, with- pacity for suffering is surely not beyond the love out definite political tendencies, feels by intuition or re- of Christ. What a challenge the Communist flection that something interesting is going on in the Party of the U. S. S. R. offers to the pioneer mis- U. S. S. R., and that it would be a good thing to profit sionary spirit. Who will show them the Star of thereby. Consequently anyone is a sympathizer with the Bethelehm? Who will help organize, by prayer Communist Party who, having sympathy with the work of and a faith that prevails, a Christian Internathe Soviet Union, ;whether he goes or not to meetings of a tionale, a true and universal brotherhood of social party-cell or of a nucleus of sympathizers, readily accepts justice and divine compassion, with Christ as the the revolutionary party-orders and has the intention of center? The tragedy of the present situation is executing them, as far as lies in his power. that these lands where atheistic Communism is centered are not on the program of missionary While Protestant Christendom is planning for advance. To meet such an opportunity there must an Ecumenical understanding and an advance be the united cooperation of all the churches. program at Oxford and Edinburgh this coming Members of the Protestant Church need to recogsummer, the Central Committee of Atheists have nize the fact that, before the Reformation, many held a World Congress at Moscow in February, faithful members of the Oriental and Roman 1937, with the following program: churches that impinge upon this vast area, with- stood the terrific impact of Islam, and born wit- 1. Founding of an office for the antireligious propaganda ness to Christ by martyrdom. Now in many of the world. places members of these same churches are seal- ing their testimony with their own blood in the 2. Founding of an Atheist-Internationale conducted by the struggle against Godless Communism. Soviet Russian Atheist Union. S. M. ZWEMER. 3. Organization of a systematic antireligious propaganda in all countries.
4. International exchange of experiences in the struggle of the atheists.
5. Financial support of the Atheist Organizations.
In preparation for this Congress a powerful radio THE GREAT TEMPLE IN MADURA, IKDIA station was to be erected to be used exclusively for atheistic propaganda. The fool no longer says only in his heart, "There is no God"-he broadcasts his foolish blasphemy. In Madrid, Prague, Mexico, India, Northwest China, and closer home, in the United States, the fight against all religion is carried on with united front.
Shall we as Christians sit still when our brethren in many lands are living and dying as martyrs to God's truth? R. A. Bosshardt, of the China Inland Mission, who was for eighteen long months a captive of the Red Communistic army in western China, relates an incident which is illuminating. Marching in fetters behind the standard bearer,
Advan'ces in Politics and
By the REV. J. F. EDWARDS, Poona, India Recently Editor of Dnyanodaya I N THIS age of dictatorships and antireligious against possible breakdowns, that the most fully movements, India is making solid progress in organized party, the Congress party, talks of re- both politics and religion. Consider the po- jecting it with contumely. This same party, howlitical outlook of this great oriental country. ever, is straining every nerve to capture every possible seat and will take the oath of allegiance, A New Constitution leaving till later the decision whether to accept office. This April India enters upon a new and great chapter in its history by the inauguration of a The framers of the new constitution say that new political constitution which bids fair to make such, "safeguards" are meant only for crises and this land the first democracy in Asia. that they are necessary and indeed inevitable in these days of unstable government the world over. If the latest estimates of China's population be This is especially true as fourteen per cent of the correct (342 millions, including Mongolia and people are being given the right to vote in a land where only eight per cent know how to read and Tibet *) then India's 353 millions t means that write.
this is the largest human family on earth. Thus The autonomy bestowed upon the nine major one person out of every six in the world belongs Provinces into which India is divided, each havto India. ing its own separate government, is so far-reach- ing that one trusted leader, Dr. Natarajan, the William E. Gladstone used to say that "the task veteran editor of the Indian Social Reformer, of statesmanship is to discover where God Al- holds that the authority should have been more mighty is going the next fifty years," If India's centralized to prevent the Provinces becoming so new constitution does all that its framers hope many unrelated units. for, then it will become one of the mightiest powers for good in the Orient. While these two factors of responsibility and autonomy have been steadily developing ever since The democratic provision of the New Consti- the political reforms of 1919, when many imtution, enabling 35 million people to vote, will en- portant departments of Government, such as sure the dethronement of the Brahmin. This fact liquor and education, were transferred to Indian in itself marks a new epoch in India, and some statesmen, the third factor of an all-India federaunprejudiced observers believe this als'o helps to tion is wholly new, having come to birth during explain, in part, the unpopularity of the new con- the Round Table Conferences in London. By this stitution to many of the higher caste people. Some federation, the two great sections, called British of these would say with Goethe, "The century has India and the Indian States, are to be welded into given birth to a great epoch, but the great moment a unity that has never before existed. finds a petty generation." Uniting Two Indias Into One We have been watching the great constitutional argument in India for more than twenty-eight It is often forgotten in America that there are years, twenty of them as a missionary editor for 675 Indian States, comprising some 45 per cent six missions, and believe that both British and of India's area and nearly 25 per cent (over 81 Indian statesmen have been sincerely aiming at millions) of India's population. The rulers of India's welfare. these states may rule as they like, except when cases of grave miscarriage of justice cause the These three words may be said to sum up the British Resident to intervene. If, in the last reaims of India's new political constitution. sort, justice is not assured to the citizens, the Viceroy (representing the King-Emperor's Para- As to the first, the responsibility for governing mount Power) offers the defaulting ruler the the most complex nation in the world, which has alternative of a trial by his own fellow-Princes been placed in the hands of the people's leaders, is surrounded with so many "safeguards" to guard • Professor Wilcox, of Yale, maintained at the Conference on Pacific Relations a few years ago that China's population had always been grossly exaggerated. mirl~~;. 1931 official census, while the present estimate is 370 [ 183 ]
or a voluntary abdication; one of the recent cases constitution. They even hope that at the last in which abdication ensued was that of the Ma- some factor may lead the Princes to withdraw. harajah of Indore, well known by his marriage Our own hope is that, by working in close associato the American citizen Nancy Miller. Many in tion with the democratic councils in India, the India believe that, for the sake of India's people, Indian Princes may be led to liberalize their rule. direct intervention of the Paramount Power How essential such liberalization is for the fushould take place oftener than it does. ture of Indian democracy will be realized when we realize that no amendments to the new con- The new constitution brings under one scheme stitution can be carried out without the unaniof self-government the people all over India, and mous approval of the whole body of Indian rulers. that the new unity of India is officially regarded The only alternative for one who disapproves is as one of the greatest achievements of the new to secede from the Federation. constitution. It must have been some such hope as ours that This much is certain, that to continue much led the editor of the Indian Christian weekly longer the arrangement of two Indias, British Guardian of Madras to say: India ruled by the British, and the Indian States ruled by the Princes, would be to risk a destruc- If a place has to be found for them (the Indian tive civil war. When it is remembered that the States) in a self-governing India, it necessarily implies total population of India is nearly three times that their association would to some extent curtail the that of the United States, though in area it is only freedom of British India at the start. Their medieval about half, it will be realized how great the character, with but a few exceptions, must be recognized; dangers of delay might be. and their paralyzing effect upon British India must be faced and overcome. The sooner the Indian States and The Price of India's Unification the communal groups are brought into the current of na- tional administration, the better hope there is. But the unifying of India in one all-Indian Parliament is to be purchased at a heavy price. Here The Autocracy of India's Princes we begin to understand something of the forces moving behind the clash between the British Gov- The foregoing facts do not set forth the full ernment and those Indian leaders who desire sep- price being paid for the unification of India under arate independence. one supreme Indian Government. These 675 In- dian Princes, who are well organized in an Indian The Indian Princes are probably not only the Princes' Chamber of their own, have put a ban richest but the most reactionary rulers on earth. on India's separate independence by stipulating A few years ago that fearless journal of India's that the basic condition of their joining the allprogressive leaders, The Servant of India, af- India federation is that the connection between firmed that the most advanced Indian States are India and Britain must continue, and that on no below the level of British India, that "everyone account will they sign their new treaties or agreeof the Indian States without exception is miles ments with India's Parliament but only with the behind British India," that "the only two States King-Emperor direct, through his representative which approximate to the British Indian stand- the Vicerby. The reason is that they distrust ard of administration are Mysore and Baroda," their own fellow-countrymen, both Hindus and both of which were "under direct administration Moslems, whose failure to conclude an agreement of British Government for some time in their his- between their two communities regarding the tory," and that "even these lag behind British basis of representation in the councils, does not India in the matter of constitutional develop- encourage the Princes to make any agreement ment." with them on still larger questions.
Indian rulers of course have their own point of These Indian rulers have steadfastly refused to view, but Britain's democrats are deeply troubled allow their own representatives in the all-India in their minds over this aspect of the question, Federal Legislature to be appointed by election, as was shown by the leader of the British Labor thus denying the vote to their citizens. This Party, Major Attlee, in the House of Commons means that the representatives of Indian States when he asked "how long British democrats would in the Parliament will be nominees of the Princes, continue to maintain autocracies without some which means their palace favorites, and that these' better guarantee of what was happening inside will sit side by _side in· the all-India Parliament them." with the representatives from British India who have been elected by the 35 million voters of the Some Indian patriots (how many it is hard to more democratic part of the country. say) go the length of saying they wish the Indian Princes had not suggested this federation for all British Commonwealth of Independent Nations India, because the price India is paying for the cooperation of the Princes is a less democratic In 1931 there was passed by the British Parlia- ment an extremely important measure called the
INDIA ADVANCES IN POLITICS AND RELIGION
"Westminster Statute" which sets forth the far- How nobly India's own sons are fighting against reaching significance of that elastic term "Do- caste-inhumanity is shown by what Gandhi said minion Status." This Act made clear that all the at Faizpur where the Indian Congress was held countries forming the British Commonwealth are in the last week of 1936: "I went to your Local free and independent peoples and are at liberty to Board, well situated just near the Harijan (outleave the Commonwealth any moment they wish. caste) quarters, and I inquired if the Harijans It was not long after the important legislation of were allowed to draw water from that well. I 1931 that the Indian constitutional question as- was told they might not do so, but that they were sumed crucial importance. The Dominion Pre- suffered to take water out of an open trough from miers clearly intimated they were not willing to which cattle also drunk their water. How dare concede to India the "Dominion Status" of full you, who want to win swaraj (autonomy) suffer nationhood represented by full membership in the to keep your own brethren on a level with cattle?" Commonwealth. This has been a great blow to Yet in that same village of Faizpur Rs. 30,000 India's pride. The Right Honorable Srinivasa (over 10,000 dollars) were collected as gate-money Sastri, early in 1935, pleaded that Federation and to attend the Indian Congress that was crying Dominion Status could exist side by side, but that out for independence, and 25,000 people were the free and independent Dominions making up fed daily for a week. the British Commonwealth of Nations were not willing to receive India into the inner family Why then is there such appalling poverty as circle of the Commonwealth until India shows prevails in India? There are two reasons at least: more fitness for self-government. The Indian So- one is India's worship of the cow; for while 64 cial Reformer recalled that in connection with the definitions of Hinduism all differ, yet all include conflict between British and Boer in South Africa, cow-worship as essential. However decrepit or the world-renowned phrase was coined that "good milkless a cow may be, it must never be killed even government is no substitute for self-government." by a merciful anresthetic, but must drag on its weary existence under the hot Indian sun. India's Capacity for Self-Government It is estimated that in British India alone there Opinions greatly differ on the question as to are twenty-four and a half million useless cattle, how far the Dominion Premiers' position is justi- the maintenance of which costs India 176 crores fied by India's fitness, or unfitness, for complete of rupees (or more than 650 million dollars) self-government. There is evidence on both sides. every year. When we pointed this out, Mr. Gandhi replied that India ought to pay something Much has been made of the alleged inefficiency for its religious principles. Whether such prinand alleged nepotism of Indian Ministers in ciples are behind another cause of India's poverty, charge of various departments of government. India's money lenders, we know not, but it is not The reforms of 1919 provided for a large majority uncommon for them to charge 75 to 150 per cent of Indian members in every Council, Provincial or more for their loans. and National, with a large number of nationbuilding departments transferred to Indian con- India's Influence on the West trol. India has a very noble culture distinctively her The most capable judges of the results are the own. The influence of that culture is increasing British members of the Indian Civil Service. One in the West as is indicated by the recent appointof them, Sir John Thompson, says: ment of that renowned Indian scholar, Dr. Sir S. Radhakrishnan, to the newly instituted Spalding It would be unjust and ungenerous, especially in those Professorship of Eastern Religions and Ethics in of us who once helped to control the departments now the Oxford University. This eloquent scholar transferred to Ministers, not to recognize what they have rightly affirmed in his inaugural address: "Redone and where they have gone beyond what we were aJle ligion has been the master passion of the Indian to effect. Let me mention one or two points. The villager mind." Should Dr. Radhakrishnan repeat in with a sick wife or baby now finds that medical relief has England his well-known defence of idolatry, as been brought nearer to his door. The number of hospitals being an infant state in religion and to be tolhas increased by 35 per cent. The man with children to erated as such, we have no doubt the philosophers educate finds things made easier for him. In ten years of Epgland and Scotland would know how to deal the number of schools went up by 24 per cent, the number with him. of pupils by 50 per cent, and the number of girl pupils by 80 per cent. Even in the last five years the number of Indian Christianity and Indian Nationality girls in the secondary schools has risen by over 100 per cent and the number of girl graduates by nearly 80 per All would-be vindicators of Indian idolatry are cent. answered by Indian citizens themselves, as is Over against this fair picture are such blots as the inhumanity of the Indian caste-system, and the superstitions and evil practices that lie at the root of India's poverty.
shown by the returns of the 1931 official census years (from 6,062 in 1931 to 4,467 in 1935), on which indicated that over a million and a half account of decrease in funds from Western lands, had been added to the Christian Church during has some compensation in the steady growth of the preceding decade. This means an average of voluntary service in many sections of the Indian 12,855 additions to the church every month, and Church. the present (1937) monthly increase is probably at least 15,000. Indian Christians are not overlooking their duty to India's national movements. They are to Nor is this the only index of an advancing In- be found in almost every political party in India. dian Christianity, for thousands of caste-people One of Mr. Gandhi's right-hand men is Mr. J. C. are every year entering the Indian Church and Kumarappa, an Indian Christian, occupying the are giving as their reason that they want the help strategic post of organizing secretary to the Allof the same Lord who is transforming so many India Village Industries Association. Several In- Indian outcastes and is transfiguring their homes dian Christian leaders are candidates for seats in and villages. India's Provincial and all-India Councils in the present general election. The influence of Jesus Christ and His message is also making itself felt upon every public move- Happily the day is past when Indian Christians ment in India. The searchlight of His personality can be left out of India's nation-building organizaand teaching is revealing some of the darker as- tions. One of the best known of India's Christian pects of India's time-worn faiths, so that a silent leaders, Dr. S. K. Datta, President of Forman revolution is being effected in these faiths. More- Christian College, in a notable speech in the Allover, educated Indian Christians say they see clear India Legislative Assembly at Delhi, told the Britsigns of a "mass movement of the Spirit of God ish and Indian statesmen gathered in India's Paramong the educated people of India." These vari- liament, that if they wished to see Indian democous factors are contributing to the building of an racy at its best they should see it at work in the enduring Indian Church. Even the reduction of Indian Churches, which he described as "so many missionaries in India by 1,595 during the past few little Indian republics."
THE IDEAL MISSIONARY FOR TODAY By THE REV. D. S. HIBBARD, D.D., PH.D.
"What kind of a man or woman should be sent out to the younger churches of Christ?" The missionary has the only God-given world message, but he is human. He talks with God, but he must deal with men. It must, therefore, weigh heavily upon anyone who is in any way responsible for choosing a foreign missionary.
David Livingstone was one of the greatest, if not the greatest of all missionaries. _But if he could be brought into the Philippines today with only his former preparation, he would be badly handicapped.
And yet I must frankly come out and state before I retire that the modern missionary in the Islands has to be a bigger and better man than those who came over in the early days, or he is doomed to be a dismal failure.
We had wonderful opportunities and privileges in those early days. The facts of change and of new ideals in the government opened the way for the preaching of the Gospel.
The people listened, and were willing to study the Bible of which they had heard but never seen. The Roman Catholic Church had failed to hold all of its members. Many of them, insurgents at heart, now broke away from that body. It was easy to teach, to preach, and to heal.
Today these conditions are materially changed. Instead of an uneducated younger genera- tion, we find holders of the master's degree, and even some with a doctorate from the best institutions in America, scattered throughout the Islands. And college graduates are every- where. The school system here is the best in the Orient. Printing presses,good and bad, are running full time.
Briefly then sermons, which would have held the attention and won approval of an audi- ence a generation ago, will not be effective today. There must be true vitality, intelligent pres- entation, practical relationship to life, and sacrificial service in the ideal missonary and in his Christian message for present-day needs at home and abroad.
the Magistrate Went to Church*
What Happened to Magistrate Kim Seung Myung in Korea -t€{ I Told by himself and WILLIAM SCOTT I )Be- I~==============================~ I T WAS a hot summer day and I hesitated to go, his conversion. The church was crowded, and for church openings, at the best of times, are among the audience were many of elder Kim's old long and tedious. But Samho, I reckoned, cronies,. still in their pagan unconcern. He ad- would be different. Samho Christians are rugged dressed himself particularly to them.
fisher folk, who pit their strength against the ele- The Story of His Conversion ments and wrest a living from the sea. When pagan, they were gloriously pagan; when they "You all know me for what I was and what I became Christian, life was still an adventure car- am," he began. "Money was no concern to me.
ried through with the old lt came easily; I spent it energy and daring. There freely. My chief concern before one's eyes stood a was the public good. I witness to this fact. They served you long and well as were only a fishing village, village h e a d man and as and only a handful of county magistrate. Yonder Christians, yet they had hill belongs. to the village dared to build the finest because I fought the Gov- church in all our section of ernment for it. I gave the Korea. On this particular public cemetery in which day they had met to dedi- you bury your dead. I built cate their church to God your first school and made and to honor the man whose you send your sons to it. I enthusiasm and generosity fathered a dozen projects had made it possible. for your good, till our vil- Elder Kim lage became the pride of the province. You, in your Elder Kim was the man, turn, were good to me. You and a fitting tribute asso- honored me and trusted ciated his name with the me. You raised a magnifichurch. A tablet graced cent stone to perpetuate my one of the walls, "In honour name.. I sat on the Goverof Elder Kim, a Christian and a Public Benefactor." nor's council. I was chosen His name was on the pro- to visit the palace and to gram to lead in prayer, MAGISTRATg KIM, NOW ELDER KIM receive some silver wine and this is how it ran: CUPSI as a token of respect.
"0 God, I thank thee for taking a man like me "Then came the Christians. You remember -a haughty, brawling, drunken man like me- how I hated them – upstart fellows who babbled for cleaning up my life and making me the man I about God and Christ and thought we were all am. I thank thee for putting it into my head sons of the devil because we drank and smoked to help build this church. May it be used to and enjoyed life. You remember how I set the Thy glory, and to the saving of many more like police on them, dogged their steps wherever they me." went, refus·ed to sell them land for a church, and Having unburdened his heart to his God, he threatened to drive them out of the village. Even wiped his eyes and turned to the congregation: when I went to the city I would walk through "I'd like to say a few things before I sit down," dirty narrow lanes and climb a fence rather than he remarked, and proceeded to tell the story of pass a foreigner's house or a Christian church.
• From Ko.rean Echoes, published by The Korea Mission of the "But they beat me to it in the end. My own United Church of Canada (October, 1936). nephew was converted; one of my own stock [ 187 ]
whose business it is to get things done. They might do. I said we were all proud to have such a bought land for a meeting place~the brow of a building in the village, and ended by wishing them hill that nobody wanted. They built a church and all success. Next I turned to you fellows who had boasted of its size. They put up a bell to ding in brought me to church. I said it was a disgrace to our ears, and finally they sent out invitations to dedicate a building to God with a debt on it, and all and sundry to attend the opening. It was a that it was up to us to do our bit. I promised to give three hundred and fifty yen, if you would pay the rest. It was my turn to chuckle as I made you open your purses and pay heavily for the prank you had played on me that day.
Magistrate Kim Cleans House "By this time I was thoroughly sober and a great decision was forming in my mind. You re- member it wen. I took you all to the wine shop.
'Boys,' I said, 'drink to your heart's content. I pay the bill. But remember: this is the last drink you'll ever get from Magistrate Kim. I'm through with it for ever. No man ever did me a better turn than you did when you filled me with liquor and took me to church. It's not the old Kim that's talking to you now. From today on I travel a dif- ferent road." I left you there befuddled and scep- THE' ORIGINAL CHURCH AT SAMHO, KOREA tical. God forgive me for filling you with drink that day, but you would have got drunk anyway.
great day. The whole town was agog with excite- , You didn't believe me then, and you may not be- ment. Perhaps the feast that was to follow ap- lieve me now, but I want to tell you that from pealed to some of you. As for me, I stormed and that day until this not a drop of liquor has passed fumed and threatened; too proud to acknowledge my lips. The very taste of it went out of my life defeat. Then some of you came to my office and that day and has never returned. And that's dared me to attend the ceremony. It was my eighteen years ago."
duty, you said, as headman and magistrate to do At this point the speaker paused, visibly moved the honors for the community. But I only laughed at the memory of the miracle that had trans- and drank to their confusion. And then you played your trick. You plied me with wine and still more wine until you got me gloriously drunk.
Then you carried me bodily to the church door and chuckled as my own nephew took me in hand, thanked me for coming, and led me staggering to a prominent place.
"Well, thank God for that day. Something so- bered me where I sat. It may have been a sense of shame. It may have been resentment at your handling of me, and a desire to get even. It was likely more than that, for I found myself thinking that these Christians were really men after my own heart. The courage with which they had car- ried on, despite my threats. The way they took our snubbing and persecution. The energy and enthusiasm they put into their church building.
The tremendous earnestness with which they TEE NEW CHURCH AT SAMHO, KOREA faced us with the need of religion. Even to that long, lanky foreign fellow who pleaded for help to formed his life. The day was hot and gave him pay the deht on the church, telling us that he who an excuse to mop his face and incidentally to wipe gave was not losing his money but only putting it away a tear. But he soon forgot himself again in the Bank of Heaven. All that somehow got me. in his tale, the audience following with keen I threw all caution to the winds and stood up to interest.
congratulate the Christians. I extolled the virtue "I don't wonder that you thought me crazy; of religion. I spoke of the good a Christian church the very children used to talk of the queer things
WHEN THE MAGISTRATE WENT TO CHURCH
I did. I called my family and relatives together done magnificently, and raised more than their and told them that I was now a Christian, that share. But a debt still remains, as on that day they were all Christians, and that if anyone long ago. Fourteen hundred yen must be raised wished to disagree he was at liberty to do so, but today. I'll give a thousand if you raise the four that henceforth he would be no connection of hundred here and now. It's a joy to do it. I've mine. I then wrote my eldest boy, at college in done many a good thing for the village, but the Japan. I told him what had happened and added, greatest good that.r have done, and the one which 'Son, you've got to become a Christian or you no brings me greatest satisfaction, is my share in the longer belong to me. I will wait your answer be- building .of this church. They have raised a tablet fore I send your next allowance.' His answer to my honor. My first impulse was to tear it came soon enough and showed that he really was d.own, but I finally consented to its remaining a son of mine. 'Dad,' he wrote, 'I knew how you there that it might be a lasting memorial of what hated the Christians and I kept it a secret from the grace of God did for Magistrate Kim. I only you, but I've been a Christian for over a year. wish that you could share the j.oy that came to me I've been praying daily for you, and I'm more that day you brought me to church against my than glad to hear you've come across.' will."
"I had set my own house in order. Now I Elder Kim sat down amid a round of applause. turned to public affairs. I may have been too He had stood up to pray; he had added a glorious hasty, but this new interest I had found seemed testimony. The church was duly dedicated and to come like a flood, sweeping my past life away the remaining four hundred yen fully subscribed like-a thing of straw. I resigned from the mag- by the congregation-part of it from non-Chrisistracy, and from the governor's council. I paid tian sources. The three hours of ceremony had men to pull down and bury the stone you had no dull moments, and was brought to a close with raised in my honor. I even destroyed my precious a strong appeal for decisi.ons. Elder Kim was silver wine cups. It was my way of breaking with again on his feet-his vigorous personality domthe past. Then I went to the city, no longer afraid inating the proceedings, and his oldtime magisof the missionary. I bought Bibles and hymn terial authority carrying some wavering ones over books for all my family and hired a man to teach the line. us to sing. How the town laughed when they heard of it. But there was laughter in my soul I was glad I went to Samho. The new church too, for a new strange joy possessed me. From is an honor to the Christian cause. Built of red that day until now my supreme aim in life has brick with two graceful towers flanking the enbeen to honor Christ." trance and capped by pointed spires, it stands on Building the New Church an eminence which overlooks the beautiful bay and the village which hugs the shore. It will long "That brings me to this day. There stands the remain a landmark to guide the fishing fleets old church, a silent witness both to my shame and home. It will be a perpetual reminder of God to my glory. I love that old church. But it has who ruleth over all. It is a fitting memorial to grown too small. We must replace it with some- the devoted group of men and women who built thing bigger and better, they said, and I knew it-among whom towers Elder Kim. God bless that my chance had come to do one more good the day that Kim the magistrate was brought to thing for the village. I would bear half the ex- church. His name belongs with those "whose pense, and I put my name down, as you know, for righteous deeds have not been forgotten, whose twenty-five hundred yen. The church people have name liveth to all generations."
MISSIONARIES ARE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST, NOT DIPLOMATS OF THE CHURCH; THEY ARE SENT TO PREACH AND TEACH- Not human experience, but divine redemption Not social reform, but spiritual salvation. through Christ. Not a new organization, but a new creation. Not economic deals, but the Gospel of Christ. Not the benefits of civilization, but the bless- Not human culture, but spiritual conversion. ings of Christ.
Not personal reforms, but liberation from sin. -Adapted from R. P. Richardson, North K iangsu, China. Not laws of earthly progress, but God's for- giveness for sin.
A Prison Shaken in
By REV. ANDREW GIH, Bethel Mission, Shanghai, China I N THE city of Hankow, the so-called "Chicago saved the penitent thief on the cross! They con- of China," the church was packed every night fessed their sins and we taught them to pray so with eager listeners and the Lord worked with that many sad, hopeless sinners and criminals power. Many came with the burdens of sin on were soon rejoicing in the salvation offered by their hearts and went away happy in forgiveness. Him who came "to set the captives free." If we When the HQly Spirit works, people who have had not seen their prison garb we would never done wrong want to make it right. As a result have guessed that they were convicts! About things stolen were returned, old debts were paid, seventy truly accepted the Lord Jesus as their enemies who had not spoken to each other for personal Saviour and their faces shone with light years were reconciled. ' f r o m above.
Earnest-hearted pastors sent messengers to the As we were about to close the meeting one of outlying churches inviting them to send in dele- the officers stepped to the front and, in a choking gates and more than 100. responded so that it re- voice, asked to say a few words. He was trem- quired hundreds of dollars to entertain them for bling and his face was deathly pale, and there two weeks. The pastor and I took the matter to was a strange look in his eyes as he faced that the Lord and the next day a church member said prison audience. Then he said: to the pastor: "I have received a great blessing "God's Spirit is moving me mightily. My heart during these meetings and would like to do some- is pounding. I have no peace. I must confess thing for the Lord in return for what He has done my sins to you men. I have been crooked in my for me. I want to pay whatever you lack for feed- dealings with you. I have extorted bribes from ing these people; but please don't mention my your friends who come to visit you. I have been name to anyone." cruel and overbearing to you."
At the close of the campaign, twenty volunteer It seemed that something within him was driv- preaching bands were organized and at their con- ing him on as he turned from one side to the secration service crowded onto the platform carry- other and cried out in a voice that rang to all parts ing white flags on which were written the motto of the hall: "Will you forgive me? Will you for- of each band. They then went out to preach. give me?" The campaign in the church was over. Then The prisoners listened in astonishment as their something happened more wonderful than our officer confessed his wrongdoing and asked foreyes had ever witnessed. The Christian warden giveness! Such a thing had never before hap- of one of the great city prisons had attended many pened in a prison. Amazement kept them silent of the meetings and received a great blessing. a few seconds and the room was so still that one After that closing service he begged us to preach could almost hear the heart throbs of the agonized to the men in his prison. Speakers had occasion- officer. Then the response broke forth from these ally addressed the men on political subjects but a shackled ones who themselves had been forgiven Gospel service had never been held, as that was and delivered from sin that day. "We forgive not part of a prison program. The warden said: you!" "We forgive you!" came the response over "God has so blessed me in these meetings that I and over from all parts of the room.
dare not deprive the men of the privilege of hear- The officer, apparently unconscious of everyone, ing the same message, though I may risk my posi- fell on his knees before them all, while we knelt tion by inviting you." beside him and prayed. There must have been a So the next morning found us in the prison, with wonderful Hallelujah chorus in Heaven that day, all the men gathered in the hall used for instruc- for we are told there is "great joy in heaven over tion. The warden introduced us by saying: one sinner that repenteth." . "God has sent these men with a wonderful mes- The following afternoon, at the request of the sage. You must listen carefully and I hope you will accept what they preach to you." warden and this converted officer, we outlined a course of Bible study for the prisoners, to be con- We first taught the men a Gospel chorus, "I ducted by earnest pastors of the city. Will you am so glad that Jesus loves me," and in a few min- pray for these Bible classes in the Hankow prison utes practically every man was joining in the sing- and for God's blessing on the work of the Bethel ing. Then, as we gave the Message, we saw many Mission Bands for the evangelization of the of the prisoners in chains turn to the Lord who Chinese?
[ 190]
A Chinese Concubine Tells Her
-~I I~- By the REV. JAMES P. LEYNSE, Peiping, China i ~==============================~ I T WAS early in the morning when I entered my Opportune Rain, the proprietor. After much talk, study and found young Mrs. Chung already the price was settled and it was arranged that I awaiting me. Demurely she sat in a big chair, go to his home as his concubine number four.
her simple sea-green robe immaculate, her face "My lord proved to be a magistrate. His· pen frowned with care. Listlessly her hand moved a was powerful and he wrote excellently. He under- painted fan forth and back. The sounds of the stood how to stand between court and man, and heavy gong of the famous Lama Temple faintly he was friend to many high and mighty all filled the room. through the land. He did not weary of thinking Politely Mrs. Chung rose and bowed deeply; for of ways to earn much money; yea, did not count as long a time as it takes to walk a mile, she it hardship to tire himself doing so. But his deeds shielded the real object of her visit behind a of mercy were also many and they were talked clatter of polite vocabulary. Her voice rose and about beside river and lake. Many people thought fell in soft cadences over the four tones of the that good luck had come to me; but in the rice I Mandarin language, the Italian of the Orient. ate at his home there were many husks and Without any sign of impatience I waited. Then pebbles.
with a timid smile she began in more serious vein: "None of my master's other wives had a son, "I came on purpose to call upon you, Shepherd and when a year after my arrival, I presented my Teacher, as my heart is heavy with a problem that lord with the first-born one, their jealousy knew eats away my peace. I am ,burdened with a ques- no bounds. I called my precious one by Ii. girl's tion truly too big for me to solve, and I feel like a name, 'Autumn Pattern,' so that the demons in sparrow that has to battle with an eagle. the air would ignore him, thinking him to be a "When I was still a young child my father sold maiden. My little son, the only one in the family, me into the Hall of Lingering Perfume, a house of grew up a priceless possession in the eyes of my wine and pleasure. I had heard the flying gossip lord. But, as for me, I was but a thing who ate of such places but I never imagined the bitterness bitterness from dawn to dusk on account of the I would have to cover up there behind winning darkish ways of the women's quarters. Often I smiles. Everybody called me 'Sweet Water Pond,' poured out my hatred of the other wives before but Lake of Bitterness would have been a more the altar of the King of the Devils in the temple appropriate name for me. Ai ya! that life was hall at the end of our street. I filled the hand of my only means for food and clothing and it the priests with many gifts but they couid not aid brought my father a bag full of good pieces of me against the other women. If I made an error, silver which he used to start a small business that but as small as the half of a grain of rice, my lord filled the family rice bowls. What more need there would be told all about it many times over. By be said about this. Let these things be hidden be- day and by night I ever feared that my lord might hind a jade screen. be displeased and tire of me. I became ill with "One day when I had seen but nineteen New weeping because of my bitter fate, and my cough Year moons and had spent all of six years of serv- would not leave me; through all the hours my ice in that house, I was ordered to attend the man blood ran feverish in my veins. In vain I offered who now is my lord and master. When I first saw much good money and incense to the God of Medi- him, he wore an incense-eolored robe; upon his cine; without result I swallowed the large pills feet were white cloth stockings and silken shoes of herbs and took dried lizards which the nuns and in his hand he carried a painted fan. Straight- advised me.
way I saw that he was a man of good learning and "At the homes and courtyards of other ladies that his silver would roll freely. Many a time he they urged me to go to a Western hospital. I had visited me in the Lute Pavilion and all the maids heard many a good thing about the hospital of the talked about him into my ears until I was fairly Presbyterian Mission here in Peiping. On street made deaf with the clatter. Several months later and road it is told that your doctors are true over a pot of warm wine he talked about me with guardians of life and warmth of heart in stretch- [ 191]
ing forth hands skilful in medicine. Therefore ing and reviling are now heard only from the lips my lord paid out some silver pieces for me and I of the servants. Even that will change if the entered your hospital. There they healed my body ladies of our household truly believe in Christ. and moreover they prayed with me. Step by step they led me to know the only living God and Jesus "But, oh Worthy One, there is a problem daily Christ, my Saviour. Kneeling in prayer, my life before me, and what must I do? The Christian became to me as insignificant as a firefly's light. Way of Life does not allow a man to have several But Jesus regarded me with the forgiving eye of wives; neither should a Christian woman be a God and I learned that He Himself atoned for all concubine, yet here I am, a lowly sinner, concubine my sins and washed me white as snow. I became number four. It frightens me and often in prayer a new being, truly reborn, and I changed my name my heart falls to pieces. This lowly one knorws to Pervading Peace. her fault, but I have gone into a blind alley and do not see a clear way out, neither a path to con- "With a happy heart I returned home, a newly tinue on. I am of one heart with our household made soul, and with a healed body. The first and our master looks upon all of us with favor morning when it was my turn to burn incense be- and kindness. Willingly he uses silver high and fore the household gods I testified of my newly low for me and the others. Every day the maidfound faith in Christ. I refused to bow down any servants enter our women's quarters carrying in longer before idols made by the hands of man. their hands plates of good meat, dishes of fish The ladies of our household, known to be ardent fried with swee-sour sauce, bowls of rice and plat- Buddhists, made a big flutter about it, running ters of warm steamed bread. It is not as if I am back and forth and shouting that they were horri- afraid to eat course food, work hard, and wear a fied and that calamity would come to our house. coat of common cloth, but from childhood I never But I stood where I stood and did not light any was taught to provide for my own living and earn incense. Then the women busied themselves aU pieces of money. the more to give the gods and all the vessels of worship an extra dusting. They put the gong, the "I am but a feeble woman and my learning is bronze incense burner, the pewter candlesticks little. I know only what is connected with the and the paper flowers in especially good order. duties of a wife and mother. Our ways in China For many days they caUed the attention of my are not the bold ways of Western lands where a lord to the fresh peaches of long life which they woman is taught to stand by herself and, yea, even put daily before his favorite idol. compete with a man for a living. If I should leave the lord of our household, another man would put "Then it came about that all those in the wom- forth his hand before the next moon could shine en's court hated me with a strong hatred. They and would place me in his house. Clearly I could dispised my Christian religion, yet faithfully I not stand out against my father and uncles in such read my Bible and prayed for them. Months a thing, and they surely would want to put me passed by and gradually, in answer to my prayers, into another home. the atmosphere around me was changed. No longer did the women scold me when they saw me "You, Shepherd Teacher, are greatly learned reading God's word. The first lady of the house about the way of life, the will of God, and the allowed aJl of us to go once a week outside our teaching of Christ, therefore tell this lowly one gate to visit friends, and that allotted time I used what to do. I will let it be as you decree, and will for attending the church service. then make my bow of farewell and depart. It will be to me as if Heaven sent me the mess.age "When you, Shepherd Teacher, announced that through your lips. Dr. Sun was coming to hold revival meetings I redoubled my prayers, with a strong heart asking A VALID MISSIONARY MOTIVE God that I might be allowed to attend all the meetings. Great was my joy when the first lady spoke Albert Schweitzer, of West Africa, says that to our lord saying that it would be all right with he is there, at least in part, because he must make her if I went every day to the services. Yea, the up to those black people some of the wrong that third wife even went with me each morning and his brother white men have done them. Almost evening. The Living God answered my prayers every contact on the continent of Africa, other and her heart became so moved that now no longer than that of the Christian missionary, has· been does she contribute to the Temple of the Precious for exploitation, or at least for selfish acquisition. Pear. Together we are reading the Bible and to- The missionary more than anyone else stands as gether we pray at dawn and dusk. It seems to me the unselfish friend of the man who is in need. that heaven is going to use us to lead the others This would be a sad world if there should be taken to a belief in the Jesus, the Son of the Living God. out this supremely sacrificial service, but the true Our household is changing already so that scold- motive and power come through Jesus Christ.
A Caravan in the Australian Bush*
~I~=========B=Y=M=A=R=J=O=R=IE==A=.=B=U=R=T=O=N========~I~ "I SHOULD do so much hetter if only there dence, and then proceed to furnish the altar, give were three of me!" expresses what a Bush out books, and greet his congregation as they ar- priest of Western Australia often feels, for rive. Yet often in these Bush services a real he has a parish the size of two English counties. atmosphere of devotion will be found and people That is why we have a mission caravan, for there will drive many miles to get to them: although are twenty-two such parishes in the Bush. The one parishioner did sum up things by saying, "I caravan, staffed by two women workers, visits wish we could get a church of our own here; you any parish at the rector's invitation, so that with can't possibly feel devotional kneeling on a stale an extra vehicle, driver and teacher he is, in some jam tart!"
small measure, enabled to have "three" of him for a few weeks.
The caravan is a house on wheels, complete with two beds, cupboards, table, and locker; all these are fixtures, and every added box or suitcase has to be made a fixture by means of straps and cords before the caravan moves.
The main Bush roads can be pretty good, but they can be very bad. In dry weather the sur- face corrugates, and the van has to slow down to ten miles per hour. While my driver became an expert in dodging corrugations where possible, I became an expert at securing the cupboard with one hand when the fastening shook loose, the while I pushed a suitcase into place with one foot and a bookshelf with the other! In wet weather greasy roads and bogs have to be contended with.
The main roads mostly follow along beside the rather primitive railway lines, crossing them here and there. Along these roads the little townships may be found, ten, twenty, thirty or more miles apart, each with its railway siding. A Bush parish is formed, not of one or two such town- A MISSION CAR IN THE AUSTRALIAN BUSH'
ships, but of six or eight as well as of the other It is to parishes and people such as these that centres, far from any railway, consisting of a the caravan is invited, either for an ordinary school and all the neighboring farms, be they visit, a special visit, or a mission visit. eight or ten miles from it. In the ordinary visit one is simply unofficial The main township of the parish has, besides curate for a few weeks. This usually includes the railway siding, a church, rectory, hospital, day-school teaching, Sunday school teaching, talkdoctor, bank, post office, hotel, roads-board hall, ingat Mothers' Union, guild or other services, school, and from five to fifteen shops. The church sometimes the brief training of future Sunday is frequently the only church in the parish. In the school teachers, and unlimited visiting, a few days other centres services are held in the hall. When being spent in ea'ch district of the parish. the rector arrives on Sunday morning the hall may be open and ready, or he may have to fetch I arrived just before nine one Monday morning the key, arrange the benches, sweep the floor clear at a school which was reassembling after a week's of the remnants of last night's dance, heave table holiday. When I asked the teacher whether I and kerosene boxes into place for altar and cre- might take the children he simply leaped at it. He had ended his week's holiday by traveling all • Condensed from pamphlet published by the S. P. G. "World night, and had arrived back at 5 a. m: He didn't 'Vide Series," London.
[ 193]
wait to enquire which of the children took reli- schools, visiting, services, etc., the van may be ingious instruction; he went to bed and left me with vited for a special purpose. A rector coming new the whole school! to a parish is often glad of extra help in his early months. In the caravan we undertake anything I have been to a school in a district that bor- that he wants done in the way of blazing the trail ; dered two parishes; it had first belonged to one map out his unknown districts, take greetings to parish and then to another. The parishes, too, his parishioners, assuring them that he will call had changed hands, with the result that this dis- as soon as possible, find out existing Sunday trict had had no service for over a year and one schools and possibilities of starting them where celebration of Holy Communion in the last seven they do not exist. years. Could one expect much of the children in the way of religious instruction in that school? In one very isolated district where there were many would~be candidates I was giving some in- But I have been to schools where the children tensive confirmation instruction in the few days know nothing of the Christian faith, and where I was there; boys and girls at school and after the teacher has said to me, "Before I came here s'chool, adults in the evenings. At their request I there was only one family that knew the Lord's returned on Sunday afternoon to instruct them on Prayer." Holy Communion. As it was the Sunday before Christmas, we started with a Christmas prepara- I have been to a school where, as I was teach- tion service. In a schoolroom that accommodated ing, I realized that the children were hearing for ten children there were now ten children and ten the first time of Calvary and the Resurrection. adults. Most of them had driven three or four These are children of a nominally Christian race, miles on open lorries and the thermometer regiswhite children, English-speaking children of tered 106°! After the preparation service I sug- British descent. But how they listen! Not infre- gested that anyone who wished to go could do so quently the teacher will sit down and listen with before our final instruction. Noone moved; all them. twenty stayed throughout; and we were there an hour and a quarter in all! Visiting in a Bush parish is also very varied. One house may be well and solidly built of sun- Then lastly there is the mission visit. From baked bricks, with a wide verandah all round; the many parishes where one has been for an ordinary next-a mile or so away from its neighbor, if you or special visit, an invitation comes for a return are out of a township-may be of weatherboard visit to conduct a mission. A children's mission or galvanized iron, while others are built of wheat is a joyous affair. The usual procedure is: Prepbags stretched on upright poles. A wall of one aration service the first evening; then, during layer of wheat bags does not offer very sound pro- each day of the mission, prayers at 8: 30 before tection, but inner and outer layers stretched firmly they go to school, fifteen minutes' blackboard inon each side of the poles and whitewashed make struction in church when they come out at 12, and quite a comfortable and attractive house. thirty minutes' mission service after afternoon school. This is sometimes followed immediately, In visiting one finds names of would..be con- or later in the day, by "quiet time," a very infirmation candidates, or of the unbaptized, or of formal time when the children are free to copy those who would like to join the Sunday school by blackboard illustrations, make their self-examina- Post. Usually we are warmly welcomed and of- tion, write intercessions and thanksgivings, or fered tea and cakes. Once I was met outside the come and discuss anything they wish. house by the mother of an unbaptized family, and we held our conversation there, not much assisted I have also taken children's one-day missions by two very butting goats; we finished the discus- behind the caravan at remote Bush schools far sion on baptismal regeneration with the mother from any church, where listeners sit on rugs (not holding the horns of one goat while I held the for damp.,proof but ant-proof purposes), and inhorns of the other! terviews are carried on in the caravan.
At one house the husband welcomed me with, "I'm so thankful," said one mother, "that my "I was glad when I saw it was two ladies coming; Ken has got into touch with the Church; he's been my wife never sees another woman, for our near- a different boy at home." est neighbor is seven miles off and has a little baby and can't get out." "I think," said one mother, Scorching sun and unending wind, hideous galafter we had talked and talked, "that God must vanized iron and revolting flies, but endless sparks have sent you to me; I'd got right down and was of keenness and new life, and the chance to lend needing someone to help me pick up again." This a hand in helping to build up the Church and to was not just a pious utterance; it was the normal see it witnessing in places where it did not; and, expression of what she felt. in spite of innumerable setbacks and disappoint- ments it is tremendously worthwhile. But besides these ordinary caravan visits to a parish, with the daily and weekly round of
African View~of Africa's
By S. S. TEMA -.e( A Minister of the Dutch Reformed Church,. at Present Assisting )at- at the Bantu Men's Social Center in Johannesburg, C. P.
A FRICA has just awakened from a deep sleep. white man's philosophy of life, but that it is Di- vine truth for all the world. The greatest need .i"1 She finds nations, great and small, on the then, is to bring to my people, as clearly as pos- march of civilization. She has now just sible, the truth that Christianity is no white man's joined the march, though well in the rear of the theory of what life should be; but that it is the caravan of civilization. She was called "Dark real, true, pure and best teaching about life, im- Africa," and rightly so. Today she may be called parted by Christ Himself, the Founder, Master "The Awakening Africa." The impact of West- and King. ern civilization is so great that the "real" that is in African life is at present put back, and we are The ground on which Christian principles are really oscillating between Africa and Europe. Our resting in the mind of Africa is rather unstable. greatest battle today is how to adjust ourselves We want something solid and firm, something to this civilization that is deeply influencing Afri- which would keep us going even if all the missioncan culture. We feel we are fast losing our foot· ary activities were to go on holiday for centuries ing. -something which would make the missionary bodies in Africa happy over the good work they We need then those elements and qualities have been doing. The African must learn above which make life worth living-justice, good will all to worship God as an African believer, not as and real happiness. Africa needs to develop spir- itually, intellectually and temporally. She is with- a Christian imitator. We must learn to deal diout doubt poor in mind and spirit. She is a slave rectly with God as a prayer-hearing God, as a God intellectually, and to a far greater extent is spir- of the impossibles and above all as a wonderful itually imprisoned. As a people we need spiritual God Who can guide and protect a nation, but Who stability, spiritual independence, intellectual inde- in turn demands that He shall be given His place pendence, and temporal independence. Do the in its life. Africa needs to be taught that she has present world trends promise Africa these? responsibilities to carry, and her spiritual respon- sibilities are not the least of her duties. Africa First of all is spiritual independence, which means the complete dependence on God and in- must still learn to trust God as her own God, a dependence of man. My people view Christianity God of the very poor, backward, black and needy as the white man's religion. They do not feel it souls in the heart of a dark, hot continent. is their religion. Some go so far as to say Chris- The second great need I have called intellectual tianity is but another way of the white man for independence. To me intellectual independence getting the best of the native. means that my people need to be taught how to When they look at the manner in which the think for themselves. They must learn to do Europeans are dealing with the many problems of things for themselves and by themselves. They life-political, industrial, educational, economic, must be creative, self-reliant, constructive and and even social-and realize that things are not self-supporting. Today we are but little more than what they think they should be, they are skeptical. machines taught certain principles and doctrines, They wonder why it is the Golden Rule is not good and merely doing or saying what we have learned.
enough for the Europeans. They begin to loosen The African needs originality in all the plans of their grip on the reality of Christian standards. his life. He also has to learn the importance of Enthusiasm dies away when they see nothing but cooperation and unity, which are so indispensable. shame. They say like the Israelites, "For it were to the whole system of life. The Africans must better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we learn how to fill in for themselves the gaps in the should die in the wilderness." Africans measure molding of their own destiny. The need is to Christian standards by the failure of Western teach the African to use his own resources. He civilization. Europeans gave us very fine and has mental gifts just as well as any human being. lofty ideals, but why can they not live up to these But he has not known how to use them. Africa ideals? The Bantu do this because they do not needs to be inspired with the truth that as a peorealize the great fact that Christianity is no clever pIe she has great possibilities in both the religious [195 ]
and the intellectual fields. Have we no contribu- to save the situation? Another thing that is dotion to make in science, art, philosophy and in ing my people a certain amount of harm is deother spheres of life? We need to learn how to nominationalism. Our religion was a socio-relihave faith in other peoples, but more how to have gious system, or a relig~()-social system. Today faith in ourselves as a people. Let Africans learn we are broken up into denominations, all working to trust, and to be trusted by other races, then we on different lines and more or less on policies and have Africa developing for the good of humanity. doctrines which are in some cases contradictory. They cause bitterness and schisms in the lives of We cannot depend on the Europeans and re- people who w~re used to the old tribal family sysmain a spoon-fed nation. Africans should be tem. The common spirit of the joint family ties taught how to govern themselves. They must is gradually undermined, and the people are loslearn to direct their own affairs, and to become ing the real spirit of brotherhood and unity. Dethus an asset and not a liability as today. When nominationalism does more than that; it brings shall we grow to maturity? Some say we must in overlapping. The danger in the political world take about two thousand years because the Euro- seems to be a mania for colonial expansion, and I peans took that time. From the European point believe the danger in our religion today is overof view, we are only about two hundred and emphasized denominationalism with its doctrinal eighty-four years old, so that we are surely very differences. These things make an opening for young. Nevertheless, it is time we learned to sects, separatists, Roman Catholicism, and perwalk, and to stand on our own feet in upbuilding haps later even for such dangerous religions as and maintaining ourselves. In a half century or Mohammedanism. Why not give Africa the pure so we will be far from the stage we are in now. Gospel and leave out minor differences? Africa What is being done by those who are the trustees, is crying for the living God. Give Africa Christ the guardians, of Africa to prepare her for ma- and the new life He offers. turity? In Christianizing Africa, let us not forget that Missionary Work Africa has her own peculiar customs, beliefs and traditions and you cannot uproot all of these be- I believe I express the real feelings of Africa, cause they are deeply fixed in the minds of the religious or irreligious, when I say there is no African. Can we not find out by more research better memory in any true African than the those things which were part and parcel of primimemory of missionary work. What could Africa tive African religion and recognize in our work be, or do, if it were not for the work of Christian those sound principles which made our people a missionaries? No history of Africa can be com- people even before the arrival of Western civplete if it does not bring in the missionary as part ilization? and parcel of it. The chief need in making her whatever she should be is to allow missionary in- Africa wants to see Christ in Europe. We do fluence to become more dominant than it is today. not want to hear of wars, crises, economic depres- sions, unemployment, racial greed and pride. We In doing things, God has been using ordinary do not wish to hear of dictators and wild, brutal men, and ordinary men are not angels. They make war. These things make us think that Europe is mistakes, and so it is with the -missionaries. They planning and scheming things without God, or at made mistakes, and are still making some. As a least they do things first and then ask God to result we have had certain problems. These have bless them. We want only the best from Europe, come in the form of Ethiopianism, in the form of and to fuse these with the best that we possess. those undesirable separatist movements which are Africans want to be given a share in the spiritual, today very common in the South here. Many the intellectual and the temporal wealth of humansects are growing like mushrooms. There is also ity. We want a Christianity which will help us the problem of the rising generation of Africans to adjust ourselves to the overpowering prestige who are fast losing confidence in the Church. It of Western civilization. is difficult today to get the more educated youth of Africa to give the Church her rightful place in Missions in Africa can be improved by using their lives. The more they are educated, the more the African himself in Christianizing his own irreligious they seem to become. What are we go- people. Africa has very few leaders of her own ing to do with this growing skepticism in the edu- today. -Many of her present leaders are not the cated youth? best for us, but Africa needs the best. Our cry; then, is for the training of Africans of ability, Western civilization has brought a change in vision, faith and of love to God and Africa. Rethe life of Africa, but this change has done us ligious problems, social problems, and moral probsome harm. We have lost customs, traditions and lems are now so much one and the same that we laws, and even our very moral standards are need in Africa men of a special type to lead us. shaken. Demoralization is resulting in the growing generation. Can the Church not do something
Daniel-A Congo Apostle*
By JOHN MORRISON I }5t-.- American Presbyterian Congo Mission, ~ THE silence of early morning was broken by it all. Soon word came drifting in of a new force the mournful death wail which came from working for Christ in and around Luebo. He be- one of the little mud huts. The natives turned gan to travel farther afield, and on his own initiauneasily on their rough mats and shivered. It tive, many times in hut-to-hut visitation, brought was no uncommon noise, yet one could not still the together little groups for worship, often leaving shiver that crept up one's spine as the wailing them to form the nucleus of a future church.
sound rose in the air. But at intervals, pene- Mweka, a mushroom town on the new railroad, trating even the lamenting voices, a shrill cry be- was drawing away many mission boys in its de- tokened the presence of a little baby in the midst mand for labor. In towns of this kind there is of that awful sound. Such was Tshisunga's en- always great opening for the devil's agents and, trance into the world! The wasted body of his in spite of an evangelist being there, we knew heathen mother lay before him in the hut, sur- rounded by a group of heathen women, one of whom held the baby in her arms, rocking him to the swaying rhythm of her body as she lifted up her voice in valiant effort to drive the spirits from the hut wherein death had laid its hand.
When the hasty funeral was over there still re- mained the problem of the disposal of the child.
Many relatives raised their voices in the death- chant, but these same voices were still when a guardian was solicited for the new-born child.
Tshisunga's chance of learning much more about this world was a slender one until some one hit upon a happy solution. "Don't they care for orphan babies up there at the mission ?" Thus God prepared the way and the tiny babe was carried up the hill to become an inmate of the little home established by Miss Thomas and Miss Fearing.
As time went on Tshisunga became a school- teacher and later he entered our Industrial School, where his natural ability showed itself in his apti- T SHI SUNGA DAN I E L – A CONGO APOSTLE tude for fashioning little ivory curios out of ele- phant tusks and in acquiring a rough knowledge that many of the boys who had been reared on the of mechanics which served him later on. mission station were subject to sore temptation. Then Tshisunga took a hand. He had an old, He grew restless, however, and accepted an broken-down bicycle, which he patched up, and offer to work for a trading company on Lac Leo- one day off he set for Mweka, forty miles away. pold II, a spot several hundred miles from the He spent the week-end trying to enlist services of mission. Here for a considerable time he became some of the old mission boys in forming a Chrisindifferent to the claims of Christ and drifted tian Endeavor and succeeded in interesting about along with no definite aim in life. twenty. He came back to Luebo, but next week- end he returned and spent his time in going from One day at Luebo, however, as Mrs. Motte Mar- house to house until he had over a hundred who tin pled with him to come back to Christ, the promised to come out on Sunday to church. He shackles fell from his soul and he stood forth a kept up his visits there until he had some 200 soldier of the Lord Jesus. It seemed as if he re- going to Christian Endeavor, and when he left, gretted every moment that he had spent away from Christ, and was determined to make up for • Condensed from Congo Missi on News. there was a flourishing meeting run by its own [197 ]
native officers, many of them boys who, had they painful attacks of elephantiasis, when his leg bebeen left to themselves, might have been lost to came so swollen that even while resting he suf- Christ forever. He was so delighted with the suc- fered much, he still persisted in carrying on his cess of this first venture that he repeated his ef- work of soul-winning. I met him one day as he forts in several other places. came hobbling along after having been to see an old heathen woman. Poor old soul, she was cross Tshisunga's custom on Saturdays is to go to the with the world, and who can blame her? She native market, held not far from the mission, and lived in a little tumble-down mud hut, and toiled talk with anyone with whom he can strike up a painfully each day to the forest for firewood and conversation, telling him of Jesus and the way of to the spring for water. Each day meant a labosalvation. As he walked off from the market rious journey down a very steep hill, and a toilplace one day, he noticeq a woman carrying a some climb back with her heavy burden on her number of articles on her head, as is the native head. Uncared for, the only thing left for her was custom. When he broached the subject of Jesus, death, death without hope. It was just after one his Master, she laughed at him. of these expeditions that Tshisunga met her for the first time, and perhaps the time was a little "What do I want with Jesus; He is nothing to inopportune to speak to her at all. One job must me!" always follow another, she probably thought, as she was trying to repair her scanty fence. Tshi- He endeavored to say something more, but she sunga gave her "Good-day," and received a grunt. stepped out and left him. He kept on his way, He asked her if she knew Jesus; she glared at stopping to chat with people now and again, but him, and told him to be off about his business. As his heart was full of the woman who had spurned he didn't move quickly enough, she seized her staff his Master saying, "He is nothing to me!" He and drove him off. But he was undaunted. The prayed within himself, "Oh, God, help her to see old woman resumed her work on the fence, and the light." About two hours afterwards he came Tshisunga moved along to the other end, and to a village six miles farther on, and noticing a without further word started repairing it from group of women seated in the shade of a hut, he that end. She glanced at him from time to time went over to bid them "Good-day." He then no- as much as to say, "What game are you trying to ticed that the woman to whom he had spoken on play with me?" But he never looked her way. At the road was among the group and he spoke with last they met in the middle and the job was done. her again, but she mocked him. He sat there for "Well, that's one job done," said Tshisunga smila while praying silently: "Oh, Lord, do not let ingly, and the old woman smiled in response. this woman leave without accepting the Lord Poor woman, she had little chance to smile in this Jesus," and as he spoke to her, his innermost self life, and the help she received from others was communed with the Holy Spirit, striving to bring very little. They sat down to rest while Tshisunga His aid in helping the woman to see the light. told her of an old, yet new, Friend. Satan was loath to let go, but the faith that can remove mountains was his adversary. The woman Having been a backslider himself, he knows the grew silent, seemed to meditate; and then others wonderful peace and joy that a return to Christ who composed the group broke in. brings. He started a meeting for. those who had fallen by the wayside, and soon it grew so popular "Weare Christians," they said. "Why don't that the open spaces around his house were you accept Jesus?" crowded every Sunday evening with hundreds of people. He made the meeting as attractive as pos- Yet still the woman sat on, and still Tshisunga sible. He has a good ba8's voice and has sufficient prayed within himself, while pleading the Cross. ingenuity to construct a native xylophone. From At last the woman rose and moved off to another time to time he has added fresh attractions. He hut. She stood for a moment irresolute, then taught a number of boys to play simple reed inasked for a drink of water, and as the little group struments made from a native reed, and trained a watched her every movement, they saw her face choir of other boys and girls. He finally found break into a smile and turning, she came towards an old cast-off folding organ, and worked at it them. until he_ could accompany his choir. The main purpose of his meeting was never forgotten, and "Yes," she said, "I want to know Jesus, but how each evening a plea was made for all backsliders can I learn about Him? There is no one near us, to return to the fold. Many of them openly confor I live in a little village twenty miles from fessed their sins, and prayer was always made for here." them, and they were asked to stay behind when Tshisunga talked with them personally. He fol- She sat down again and Tshisunga told her of lowed up his work by going to their huts in the the wonderful love of Jesus, and when she rose to go she said: "I have no one to teach me, yet I will pray every day and God will send me help."
Tshisunga shows infinite patience and is never put out by refusal. He has suffered from very
A GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY IN EVANGELISM
village, and many a sinner was brought back to the satisfaction of playing it in the Second Church the fold in this way. The meeting still flourishes at Luebo, and of being choir leader and trainer in and, notwithstanding the fact that it has been go- that church. He has a good working knowledge ing on for some years, is still as popular as ever. of English and French and has not hesJtated to In fact, there are other places within the radius use this talent in the Master's service. In our of our Luebo work that have Sunday evening native service we were surprised to see two Pormeetings which they call "Tshisunga Daniel tuguese traders attend one Sunday morning and meetings." they have since become fairly regular attendants. Tshisunga had spoken to them of Christ. Surely the true value of a man's service will come out in his own household. His wife, Madia, He carries a little notebook and jots down the says, "I was always too timid to speak to others names and villages. of his converts, so that he can about their soul's salvation, but Tshisunga kept remember them in prayer. I asked him if he had urging me and I kept on trying. It was difficult any record of the number who had accepted for a long time, but now it gives. me great joy." Jesus through his ministrations. "Well," he said, Tshisunga conducts women's meetings at which "I can count only this year." That number was he teaches the Christian women how to do per- 2,145, and others had promised to learn. sonal work among other women. Would that we had more Tshisungas, white and He practiced hard at the organ, and now has black!
A Golden Anniversary in Evangelism Fifty Years Work of the Christian and Missionary Alliance, Founded by the Late Dr. A. B. Simpson By the REV. A. C. SNEAD, New York Foreign Mission Secretary of the Alliance FIFTY years ago, at Old Orchard, Maine, there ice, giving glory to God. China, the Tibetan was formed "a simple and fraternal union of all who hold in common the fulness of Jesus in border, India, Annam; Africa – Congo, Sudan, His present grace and coming glory." This simple union developed into The Christian and Mission- Timbuctoo; Latin America and the Isles of the ary Alliance, "pledged to take the whole Gospel to the whole world till Jesus comes." The "whole Seas called urgently and with whole-hearted en- Gospel," as presented by Dr. Simpson is a "fourfold Gospel" – including redemption, sanctifica- deavor he responded. The record of occupation tion, divine healing and the Second Coming of Christ. and achievement in Alliance Missions today is a This year the Golden Jubilee anniversary is be- roll call of places and lands over which he yearned ing celebrated in the twenty fields into which the Alliance has gone with the Gospel. As one result and for whose evangelization he prayed. of this work the baptized membership of 44,497 in the foreign fields is now (in 1935) greater than "The Christian and Missionary Alliance is not the total membership of these churches in the United States and Canada. Rev. A. C. Snead says: a missionary movement only, but it is called of "Dr. A. B. Simpson, like Abraham, when he God to declare at home and abroad the message of was 'called, . . . obeyed, . . . went out, . . . sojourned,. . looked,' and God gloriously the fulness of Jesus. We not only have a work to blessed him. And because He blessed him, the movement grew and spread far and wide. Since do but we have a life to live, and only as we truly the Founder died, the work has further increased and the movement goes on in scope and power, the live this life – Christ in you – can we surely do ministry continues in humble dependence upon God, and the message is still Christ Himself. Dr. this work in the regions beyond. By the grace of Simpson lived and wrought by faith that the grace of God might be fully manifested and the God, and through grace in the loyal, loving minglory of God fully revealed. He waxed strong in faith and pressed onward in the world-wide serv- istries of thousands at home and in the foreign fields, the missionary work of the Alliance has grown and borne fruit in goodly measure.
"The following figures show the growth of the work in the last fifteen years: 1920 1935 Number of fields ………………. . 16 20 Number of missionaries …………. . 342 508 Native Workers ……………….. . 715 1,527 Baptisms during year …………… . 1,649 6,187 Inquirers during year …………… . 3,993 21,759 Organized churches …………….. . 130 473 Church Membership …………….. . 11,923 44,497 Sunday Schools ……………….. . 162 935 Sunday Scholars ……………….. . 8,949 37,098 Stations ……………………… . 111 134 Outstations …………………… . 475 1,344 Bible School students …………… . 241 362
"The Christian and Missionary Alliance is now as we increase in the knowledge and fulness of working among ninety-five languages and prin- Christ can we increase in the scope and fruitfulcipal dialects. Twenty-four of these were entered ness of our service for Christ. Surely in this before the end of 1919, the year that Dr. Simpson Jubilee Year God wants us to continue and indied. The other seventy-one have been entered in crease our obedience to Christ's command, 'Go ye.' the years 1920 to 1936, inclusive. In about thirtysix of these languages and dialects The Christian "Let us go forward by preaching and pen, by and Missionary Alliance is the only evangelical prayer and purse. We must send forth the workwitness. The population for which The Alliance men by prayer and purse, that they may make is responsible in its mission fields is 72,643,000. God known to men and bring men to God."
"The Alliance, in its foreign work, ministers We also quote as follows from the Golden Anthe Word of God to men and women among all niversary Booklet: the great racial and religious groups of earth- Indians in South America, Negroes and pagans in "The Golden Anniversary of the Alliance this Africa, the peoples of India, China, Japan and the year will be observed throughout the fellowship Isles of the Sea, among many others. Roman by a renewed emphasis on prayer and evangelism. Catholics, Syrian and Greek church groups; Mos- With God's blessing organized evangelism will be lems, Jews, Tibetans, Confucianists, Taoists, energized by the working of the Holy Spirit and Buddhists, Hindus; Animists and pagans of many the harvest will be of God's own gathering. The kinds are found in our world-wide parish. Missionary Training Institute at Nyack, New York, is a vital link in doing effective missionary "God has set the Alliance in strategic crossways work. Throughout the United States and Canada of the world for work among tribes and peoples the anniversary is being commemorated in a Bible yet unevangelized. In a recent trip in Kwangsi, and Missionary Crusade which will be featured South China, two missionaries, a new recruit and in the Annual Council in New York City in May an older veteran, met people of six different tribes and throughout the summer conventions. Misand had previously visited those of a seventh. sionary conventions will also be held in thirty or The tribes are: Chwang, Timber Yao, Dog Yao, forty principal cities of America and definite ad- Black Miao, White Miao, Tung, and Red Yao. In vance is planned in reaching new objectives and Kweichow-Szechuan are eleven counties with opening pioneer areas to the Gospel. their vast multitudes of Chinese and tribespeople and as yet the Alliance has opened work in only "The intent of Dr. Simpson was not to found a four. French Indo-China presents three great new denomination, but to bring about an Alliance racial groups, totaling more than twenty million of those who would cooperate in taking the fullsouls, and in addition eighty or more tribes and orbed message of the Bible to the unreached peomany dialects. In the Southern Philippines are ples of earth. The General Council of the Somany Moslem and pagan groups and work is being ciety, in 1934, passed a Special Resolution bearing done in seventeen languages and dialects. In the on the broad fraternal relations of the work as Netherlands East Indies, six languages are being follows: regularly used and many others are represented in our Bible School. In French West Africa, Al- "The Society is not merely an organization but a moveliance responsibility is for five million out of the ment, and God is not interested in the preservation and twelve million total and for more than one-third of perpetuation of organizations as such, but in the blessing the 103 tribes. Already the witness is being given of great movements that honor Christ in all His Scripin thirty-one languages or dialects. In the new tural fulness, and are loyal to His calling to world-evanfield of French Gabon, six tribes are represented gelization. . . . The statement of objects in its Constituat the station and other tribes are yet to be tion clearly indicates the fact that the Alliance earnestly brought within the range of the Gospel. The desires the full fellowship and cooperation of Christians three missionary couples are studying respec- everywhere, in the great program of a full Gospel mestively: Massango, Banzebi, and Yipounou. In sage to the world and of prosecuting an intensive mis- Colombia, Ecuador and Peru are other tribes of sionary advance. mountain Indians and denizens of the jungles, while in all of the twenty fields of the Alliance "Areas newly opened by the developments of there are hungry hearts and needy lives to whom world trade, tribal chiefs bewildered by the imwe must minister. pact of civilization; independent kings puzzled by the urgency of world events, exploration of hidden "We have a work to do, a commission to obey, highways in the dark heart of Gontinents, and the a message to proclaim, which can only be accom- roar of aeroplanes that are making the inaccesplished by God Himself working in us and through sible a commonplace of travel, call us anew to an us to will and to do of His good pleasure. Only unfinished task. . . . God grant that the obedience of God's people shall move to bring His blessing down upon a sin-sick, weary world." * • The anniversary objectives include 100.000 prayer partner,. $700.000 for Missionary Evangelism. and 30.000 subscribers to The Alliance Weekly.
on the Christian
I By REV. CHARLES A. PLATT, East Orange, N. J. I~ _…et Assistant Minister of the First Presbyterian Church ~==========================~ I F YOU want to know the power of Christ in produce in the youth of America a missionary zeal this modern world, go out on the frontiers .of that will lead them to accept Christ as their Lord Christian thought and action. Look at our and to spread the vital, dynamic world-brotherreligion as it comes face to face with the majQr hood that He represents. problems which confront human life. How does it measure up in comparison to the other two II world forces, Communism and Facism? What is it doing to promote world peace and good will PrQbably the best method of understanding the among the nations? The best way to answer these power of Christ in the world today is to approach questions is to study the missionary enterprise. our present problems from the frontier angle. What has Christianity tD .offer a mDdern, indus- I trialized, interrelated mass of peoples? Why should we nDt all turn cDmmunist and dedicate . One .of the most erroneous ideas about Chris- our lives to the crushing of all unsympathetic tian work tDday is that missions is an appendage groups and to the glorification of the proletariat? .of the Church. Many are apt to think of religiQn Why should we be concerned with the problems as consisting of theolQgy, educatiQn, social proh- .of the wDrld, why nQt build up a colossal defense lems, and worship activities of the average Amer- in our own nation and then defy the rest .of maniean church, and we think of missionary activity kind? as some additional service-rather magnanimous but unnecessary. To hold such a view is to miss Looking at such questions from the Christian the whole spirit of Christ and (what is just as missionary angle has two distinct values. In the first place, we see Christianity stripped of past serious) to neglect the best available .medium .of momentum, standing on its own twentieth-eentury religious and Christian education. feet. On the frontier .our Christian life must go For fifty-one weeks we have been studying mis- forward to victory or must go down in inglDrious sions, with a group of young men and women in defeat. Secondly, the missionary enterprise is our church. Why? In order that we might under- seen to be an international institution already stand Christianity! We want to see Christianity functioning, and capable of exerting a tremendous on the firing line, not as it exists behind a mass influence in many .of the conflict areas of the .of traditi.ons and well established institutiQns. world. We want t.o know what Christianity has to offer Not long agD an outstanding church leader was when Communism is calling youth to follow a asked: "Can the Church be a force in the estabmaterialistic cause. We want to know Christ's lishment of world peace tDday?" His answer was answer when nationalistic forces, fill youth with an unqualified, "No!" But many thinking young ambitious ideas as to the supremacy of one nation people are thankful that they have a different or one race. idea. They say, "Look at the great number of out- posts of Christianity in countries like Persia and The youth of America seem to be placidly talk- China and Mexico where the influence of Coming about world friendship, while the youth of munism is being felt. Think of the mission staother countries are being filled to the bursting tions in Chosen and Japan and Cuba where napoint with nationalistic propaganda. Will this tionalism is the order of the day. The Church on wave of acute nationalism sweep America into the firing line offers one of the greatest .oPporwhat will be virtually another "holy war," s,imply tunities for fostering the cause of world peace because Christian youth has not caught the ideals that we have." and enthusiasm of Christ? The one world Leader who came to bring peace is receiving less support Youth is learning to expect great things from from the youth .of today than are any of the other the missionary enterprise in the way of influencworld leaders who seem to be hurtling civilization ing the international activities of various countoward another horrible struggle. What can we tries. It is the best program yet devised for the do to change this, condition? The answer is to education of all peoples to a sense of W.orld broth- [201 ]
erhood, and to the Christian (not Western) way will enable the Christian to face the world and its of living. We do not need more peace agencies! problems, and to triumph? To answer this phase We have enough overhead organization! We of Christianity it is again necessary to look have made enough resolutions! What we must do through the eyes of the missionary. What would is to give a more whole-hearted support to those you do if you were a missionary in a land where Christian missionary agencies that are already Christ is almost unknown? What are the qualifiset up, and which can do a most effective piece of cations of the missionary that enable him to prework when backed by the Christians of the world. sent Jesus Christ in a vital, appealing way? And What keeps the missionary going in the face of III incredible odds?
Furthennore, missions is our only hope for These questions bring us face to face with our pl'ogress toward the supremacy of Christ. We own spiritual needs. Viewing the whole matter hear many prophecies these days concerning the of personal religious life from the standpoint of future of the world. Whatever else may be said, "frontier life" enables us to see more clearly that it is certainly obvious that as the years go on the the Christian's devotional life is the power-station Orient will play an ever increasingly important of successful endeavor. Our great task in the part in international affairs. Does not this offer home church is to inspire in our youth that devoto us a great challenge? Some say that the next tion-to -Christ and that missionary zeal which will world empire will be that of the yellow race: transform character. China-Japan. This is only a human prediction. But the fact remains that the future of the world, Christian frontiers present the most vital kind in its uplifting aspects, depends largely upon a of Christian activity for thinking youth today. Christian Orient. How can this be brought about? Out there is no dependence on the momentum of Missions is our best and most practical answer. the past. There, we must do or die. Christ is the only One who is sufficient to meet the needs of the But let us get back to the next immediate step valiant souls on the mission fields. Is He not suffiin Christian progress, What is the Christian dy- cient also to meet the needs of those of us who namic of life? What are the qualifications which remain at home?
Missions and the Critics* By the REV. HOWELL D. DAVIES, Chicago, Illinois Regional Secretary of the Congregational and Christian Churches CRITICISM of missions is nothing new. It is should help themselves; that we shouldn't med- naIve to suppose that all went swimmingly dle and disturb those already contented; that they until the Laymen's Inquiry was launched. don't want us anyway; that missionaries cause The East India Company refused passage to mis- trouble; that they destroy native culture; that sionaries and stigmatized missions as the most they are all agents of American imperialism, etc. fantastic and lunatic idea that ever entered the human mind. Ridicule was common. Classify the Criticisms "Here you propose to export religion, whereas 1. Those hostile to Christianity itself. People there is none to spare at home," said a Massa- who see no value in the Gospel will see no value in chusetts legislator. His attitude was typical. Missions. Such a playas "Rain" and such articles as those in the American Mercury ridiculing mis- A list of objections a century back is identical sions in the South Seas are only caricatures like _ with what is heard today: that we have so many that of Jack London, who pictures a missionary needs at home; that we shouldn't interfere with in a Prince Albert and stove-pipe hat preaching the religions of others; that their own religion is the creation of the world in six literal days, to best suited to them; that missions are pater- near-nudist natives who are skeptical because they nalistic and pauperizing; that foreign peoples could not make even a canoe in less than two weeks. * From The .Missionary He,raId, Boston.
MISSIONS AND THE CRITICS
Over against all such we can put the judgment those wh'O receive it who are most competent to of first..hand, able observers. judge of it. None apparently are dissatisfied with "I suppose," said R. L. Stevenson, "I am in the the article sold them and want to return it.
position of many persons. I had conceived a great Rather they recommend it to their friends as prejudice against missions in the South Seas. I something superior to what they have had before.
had no sooner come there than that prej udice was The Japanese list six points 'Of superiority of reduced, and then at last annihilated." Christianity to Buddhism. God, as personal. God "A man that took one fairly by storm for the seeking men. The sense of personality. Pracmost attractive, brave, and interesting man in the tical, convenient Scriptures. A superlative ethical whole Pacific," he said of James Chalmers of New sense. Social justice and service. Guinea. 4. The criticisms of those who judge everything "I certainly should have predicted," said Darwin by a single unfortunate detail, such as an ignorant after seeing the work among the Indians of Tierra or tactless missionary, an unwise local policy, a del Fuego, "that not all the missionaries in the bungled program, a wasted dollar. Judged by world could have done what has been done." this standard, "Who or what, 0 Lord, anywhere, shall stand?" Ex~President Taft could not praise too highly the missionary work he observed in the Philip- One poor farmer is not sufficient t'O condemn pines when he was governor. agriculture, a poor preacher the ministry, a fake mining scheme the whole mining enterprise, a stu- "I have observed the results of their labors," dent flunk all education, nor a quack doctor the wrote the author and traveler, Alexander Powell, whole medical profession. "in every great field of evangelistic entleavor, and it angers me to hear missionaries and their work 5. The laissez-faire obiections of those who condemned." want things left alone-all forces and factors, to work out themselves. But laissez-faire never built "In my judgment the Christian missions have a school, founded a hospital, or developed a lightdone more lasting good to the people of India than ing plant and water system at a conference camp. all other agencies combined," stated the Governor The consistent laisseZ-faire critic will recognize of Bengal. Christianity as a force with the same rights as any other force. "After thirty thousand miles of travel and something like three hundred interviews," wrote the newspaper correspondent, Charles A. Selden, 6. The cross-fire based on the idea that we have "my prejudices gave way to great respect f'Or the only a social Gospel to offer and that nearly every missionaries and their work." effort is of a political scheming sort, gate~rashing "I believe that every dollar invested in foreign and imperialistic, the work of reactionary, self- missions has produced greater returns than any centered or even villainous denominational dollar invested in any human enterprise," said Boards.
William Boyd, Advertising M.ana,ger, Curtis Pub- The answer is that the motive and movement lishing Company. of missions are love and friendship, however in- 2. Those of ardent nationalists like Gandhi who adequate be the channels through which it flows. object to proselyting. Should courtesy .keep us The earthen vessel is only too apparent but in it is the treasure of divine redemption. from offering the Gospel, therefore, in India?
No, for it can be offered without objectionable 7. The criticisms of uninformed and selfish proselyting. Moreover, the Gospel is n'Ot one cul- church people. Education, persistent and kindly, ture displacing another and it belongs no more to can help the former and more Christian grace the America, England, or France than to India itself. latter. The trouble is to connect information and The Gospel has no less right of way than love with these parties. All that can be said for science, commerce or education. It can only help the Gospel itself can be said for missions, and India's nationalism in the higher sense. It is shall it not be said?
doubtful if many or if any Hindus regard their There is a sufficient answer to every criticism religion as for others. . honestly and sincerely proffered. But better than 3. Those ignorant of the whole idea. All objec- all answering of objections is an infusion of tions based on misconcepti'Ons are invalid. On Christlike love. Our great need is to make more any such theory all life would stop, for there is church members into Christians.
nothing against which objections based on igno- 8. The criticisms of sincere friends of the rance are not directed. B'Oth Democrats and Re- cause. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend."
publicans will tell you this. Prejudice being the All constructive criticism can do 'Only good. The thing that begins where your information leaves cause most to be pitied is the one that has lost the off, no enteliprise should halt for just that. capacity to criticize itself.
Presumably it is those who take the Gos,pel and The church of the 16th century was saved by
the self…criticism of Protestantism.· And this goes gation, knowing this means vindication and infor missions too. The verdict was: "The mission terest. Worse than to be criticized is to be must go on and there is enough in its program to ignored, and most of all to be ignored by church bankrupt Christendom if we try to do all that is people. calling to be done." But it may be safely said that missions cannot *** and will not be ignored by those who know the God who is the God of all the earth and not the In brief, most negative criticisms of missions God of a tribe, whether it be a family tribe, a are at bottom rationalizations of prejudice, igno- community tribe or a national tribe. rance and selfishness. Missions welcome investi- Combating Communism With Christian Service in Kiangsi* By GEORGE W. SHEPHERD, Kienning, Fukien Secretary of the North China Christian Rural'Service Union A FEW years ago some missionaries met at training that type of men: the Union High School Kuling to discuss communism. We invited in Foochow." Madame Chiang Kai-shek and asked her what she thought about how to overcome com- The government of Kiangsi expressed itself as munism. "I would like to ask this question," she determined to replace crooked politicians and corsaid; "what are we Christians doing? Do we rupt magistrates with men who have a definite not have some responsibility toward the needs of interest in the welfare of the people. China ?" In addition to supplying the government with "We are not an official body," we replied. men and women of integrity and training, the "Then pass it on to an official body." Church decided that it ought to respond to the The challenge was passed on to the National challenge to help reorganize society in the recov- Christian Council, and this body invited its rural ered communist areas, and to lend a hand in worksecretary, Mr. Chang Fu-liang, and myself, mis- ing out some of the acute economic and social sionary of the American Board, to report to an problems of the toiling masses. enlarged meeting in Nanchang, Kiangsi. A thorough investigation convinced these Chris- The Kiangsi Christian Rural Service Union was tian leaders, that the government had already em- organized and the National Christian Council apbarked upon a program for the improvement of proved the plan agreed upon: the life of the people, and that the invitation extended to the Christian forces was no political That it should be people-centric, rather than move, but was actuated by a sincere desire for the centered in an institution or the government; well-being of the farmers and workers. that it should train local leadership; that it The government leaders argued that the should test and adapt results of successful experi- Church and its institutions had men and women ments already under way in China; that it should of character and training, who ought to be re- work in a limited area; that it should assist local leased for remolding the life of the people in war- leaders in carrying out a program within the ecotorn Kiangsi and adjoining territory. nomic capacity of the people to support; that it "Do you have three hundred young men," asked should give the Christian religion an important the Commissioner of Education, "such as are place in serving the whole man and the whole trained in the Union High School in Foochow? community. Men who could come into the business of rural reconstruction under the government?" The central feature of this proposed project was "No! there is only one school in China that is to be the training of indigenous leadership by a traveling normal school of experts through serv- * From The Missionary Herald. ice-in-training and supervision of work.
The lines of service were intended to include vil- lage organization, agricultural extension, public health, the development of village industries, or-
COMBATING COMMUNISM WITH CHRISTIAN SERVICE IN KIANGSI
ganization of cooperatives, and the teaching of sician, who came highly recommended by her religion. school, went out into the area and began by treat- At the head of the traveling normal school were to be two executive secretaries, a Chinese and a ing disease. One pair of hands could not wait on missionary, to spend most of their time on the all who came to her, so her business was to find field, directing the work of the project. out the things she could teach the farmers to do The area selected for work was Lichuan, a Hsien forty miles from the American Board Mis- for themselves, such as to put drops into their sion at Shaowu. It is impossible to convey to outsiders the depths of human misery which have own children's eyes. . been accepted as the common lot of almost every human being born into Lichuan society. Through "Go into the villages and find out some things corrupt administration, banditry, and Communism the people have been reduced to extreme poverty. they need," we said to the college girls. They dis- It is a good place for the Church to tackle the covered that none of the women could cut out and economic, social, and religious problems of the make their children's clothes and had been empeople, who declare that, given peace and security, they can make a living. ploying traveling tailors. These tailors had been The question arose-how to finance this work a pesky nuisance for a few hundred years. with trained men? Doctors, nurses, agriculturists, specialists in industry, chemistry, and rural The college girls got those farmer women toeducation-college graduates-were needed. gether and cut out women's and children's gar- Christianity has a program for China and workers were invited to volunteer for service, for ments. their expenses. No farmer in that district has tools with which I was asked to come and speak to the boys for to make or mend his own baskets. We called in two hours at the Central Political Training Academy in Nanking, where all the diplomats and key- a man to teach them. men of the Chinese Government are trained. The We felt that we ought to appeal to Chinese President said that he wanted these young men, the future leaders of China, to know what the Christians to support this work and were sur- Church is attempting to do. Only one other foreigner had ever been invited to speak there, prised at the response. Muriel Lester of London. "We will give you half your budget of $100,- We had so many volunteers for service that we 000," said General and Madame Chiang Kai-shek. were perplexed and surprised. The National Mass Education Movement, of which Dr. James Yen is "I will give $5,000," said one man. "If you the director, sent three experts to organize a rural school and direct mass education. Yenching Uni- don't raise your budget come back and I will give versity, through its Department of Political Science, put two men in the village of Lichuan. another $5,000." That five-year work budget of Ginling College put two women graduates on the field and Nanking Theological Seminary sent one $100,000 is now practically assured. of its graduates to take charge of religious education under the direction of Professor Frank The National Economic Council and the Pro- Price. vincial Government are both deeply interested in the work at Lichuan and expect to utilize methods The young volunteers were asked to move out into the villages, live where there were nothing and materials that may be of value to other combut dirt floors, and to sleep on camp cots or pine planks. munities.
"We had no idea that the people of China lived The influence of this experiment upon the naas these people live," they said; "not even ancient Chinese culture is here, to say nothing about mod- tional program has far exceeded its intrinsic ern China." worth. Springing out of this move toward a fuller Some members of the group said: "We don't need $30 (Mex.) a month living expenses; we life for country dwellers is a widespread detercan live on $20." mination to abolish corruption and insist upon a How does the group work? The woman phy- fair deal for toilers. For the first time in the history of modern China the nation has a sufficient number of tech- nically trained men and women to fill important government positions. It is noteworthy how large a proportion of these are graduates of Christian colleges and universities. The people in our group justify our claim that a man who has had Christian experience should have a higher type of character than any other person in the world. Some institutions in China are academically the equals of Christian colleges, but are they producing character? Many in China say that they are not. This first year we will begin to give Christian teaching to the farmers who have been Commu- nists for a long time. Little booklets by Frank Price on the relationship of citizenship and char- acter make a very good approach. Much of the Christian religion is introduced and readers are
invited to come to special classes for the definite struction which will effectively neutralize Comstudy of Christianity. munist influence. An enormous amount of money and energy has been unavoidably devoted to the This project was launched as a venture in former of these which General Chiang and his Christian faith and we are being given an oppor- colleagues would otherwise have expended on the tunity to prove that we are followers of our latter. But with perhaps less of the former men- Lord, who was rich, yet for our sakes became ace hereafter to be feared and a sobering realizapoor, that we through his poverty might be rich. tion of the urgency of agrarian and other eco- nomic improvements, this Government has Dr. Leighton Stuart, President of Yenching achieved so much thus far in the face of stagger- University, Peiping, writes: "No more construc- ing obstacles that I have full confidence in its tive service could be rendered by Chinese intel- ability and intention to undertake the progressive lectuals than in the clarifying of these two issues measures which become more possible with grownow so confused – the protection of territorial ing confidence among its own people and less of administrative integrity from Japanese encroach- foreign interference." ments and an enlightening policy of social recon- Pioneering in a Cairo Slum* ~ ~.. I By MISS M. C. LIESCHING, Cairo i }lJE-•.- ~==========================~I BOULAC is the most thickly populated and the school. In those days every little pupil came with poorest part of Cairo. It is the haunt of a baby brother, or sister, hoisted up astride her vice, fanatically Moslem, and a place where shoulder. These filthy mites, generally full of the unfortunate drug addict abounds. Most fam- sores, and with fly-infested eyes, were the next to ilies live in one room, with no water supply and ·claim our attention. Government baby welfare no sanitation. Water has to be fetched daily from centres were only just being thought of in Egypt public taps, and paid for; so it is not surprising (it was the C. M. S. in Old Cairo that had the that cleanliness is at a discount. Rubbish is either honor of opening the pioneer welfare), and they thrown out into the streets, where it lies all day had not reached Boulac. rotting and collecting masses of flies, or it is left on the roof to dry, to be used later as fuel. So we started a Baby Welfare, with a clinic open twice a week, and systematic visiting in the The Ragged Sunday School homes on four other days. But what a business it was gaining the women's confidence and overcom- We looked from the windows of the C. M. S. ing their suspicion! High School in Boulac into this slum, and thus its existence was forced upon our consciousness and It takes a very long time for a new idea to peneour consciences. We began to fear that we might trate the mind of a Boulac woman, or of any other be allowing our girls, themselves receiving a first- uneducated woman, sufficiently for her to act rate education, to think of Christianity far too upon it. "How much better," we said, "to premuch as something which flowed into one, and not pare the future mothers than to repair those in through one to others. So we took them out, under whom wrong ideas are ingrained." chaperonage, into the almost unpenetrated fastnesses of Boulac to open a Ragged Sunday school The Little Girls' Club for little girls in the most despised section of this despised neighborhood. Two years pre- Thus we were led to the opening in 1~31 of what viously the C. M. S. had opened a boys' club in a is now known as the Little Girls' Club. We have rented coffee house, and it was in the same prem- some fifty children who come daily from 2 to 4 ises that we started the School of Love. "Sunday p. m. to learn reading and writing, hygiene, and school" would convey nothing to the people. the care of the home and baby. Each child is en- gaged at present on making a set of baby clothes, For some years it was more like a zoo than a and six at a time take turns in attending the wel- fare twice a week, to help in the bathing room and • Condensed from Church Missionary Outlook. to watch treatments. Last year we added another
A CHINESE COMMUNIST FINDS CHRIST
educative agency in the form of a children's have some real alleviation to offer that one feels prayer corner, i. e. a place set apart for quiet and is not just charity. with such an arrangement of beauty as to suggest worship and reverence. It is proving a real The Nursery School help to the children's prayer life, and indeed to all .of us. This year we have been able to start among The significant years between two, when the the senior girls who have learnt to read, both baby leaves the welfare, and six, when she can Moslem and Christian, a branch of the Bible Read- enter the club, were, however, not cared for. Last, ing Fellowship, using notes on Course C which we started, two years ago, a nursery class, the have recently been published in Arabic. first of its kind in Egypt. Elder girls from the club find here another practising school, by acting The Embroidery Industry as voluntary helpers with the toddlers, a most val- uable training for future motherhood. The med- We want to help our girls to deal with the two ical inspection that watched over the first two big problems of their life, boredom and poverty. years of the baby's life through the visits of the It was to find a solution to these that Miss Elsie welfare doctor, is now continued through mem- Anna Wood started an embroidery industry, using bership· of the nursery class. The happy home the beautiful eastern designs and coloring. This spirit and individual care that characterize the work is sold; a proportion of the profits goes to Nursery School are due to the personality of its the girls, and the rest helps to make the club self- superintendent, the babies' beloved "Sitt Linda," supporting. A most interesting development has an Egyptian girl, herself a trained welfare been that some of the poorest of the welfare moth- worker, who combines a deep spirituality of char- ers begged to be taught the embroidery'too, and acter with a most practical efficiency of detail. through its means have been able to live through long periods when their husbands have been out Thus we can now through the Baby Welfare, of work. They themselves greatly benefit by the the Nursery School, and the Little Girls' Club mental and social uplift of the work; and what an bring Christian influence to bear on every year immense help it is to us as we go about, meeting of a Boulac girl's life from birth to marriage. We on all sides such hopeless, grinding poverty, to must bring living water to the girls of a Cairo slum, as our Lord long ago offered it to a woman of despised Samaria.
A Chinese. Communist Finds Christ The Story of a Young Chinese Who, in Times Past, Had Participated in Some of the Communist Attacks upon Christian People in Shensi By the REV. JOHN G. MAGEE Church of the Triumphant Way, Hsiakwan, l~anking, China A CHINESE youth who belonged for six years the subject for that day was Jesus as the Saviour. to the "kill-or-be-killed" group of Commu- He was deeply impressed and began to read the nists in Shensi, went last year as a dele- Bible. Later he came to a missionary and said gate to the secret Communist meeting in Peking. that while praying he had seen Christ, who told Upon his return he was arrested by Chinese offi- him that he must fast and pray for a whole week. cers but escaped execution through a confusion of At the end of the week the boy told him that it names. While in prison he began to think seri- had been the greatest experience of his life, ously of the past years and realized that, though that hereafter he belonged to Christ and would his motives were to help China, the whole cam- preach the Gospel. He immediately began to paign had only caused more suffering. In prison preach publicly and to denounce the Communists. he read Karl Marx and Confucius, but received He is now in a Christian university and hopes no help. He was in despair after his release after five years to go back to Shensi to preach the from prison he attended a Bible School where Gospel. Effective Ways of Working 'fested Methods for Increasing Interest at Home I EDITED BY MRS. ESTELLA S. AITCHISON, GRANVILLE, OHIO d~,.,=============================================== MISSIONARY PLANS FOR was being used by the woman's Stuart visits us about every two society of the church. Most years. He speaks Sunday mornings ALL CHURCH WORKERS plans and programs featured in and then meets groups, particularly this Department under a wom- in the homes. In this way the foreign Among ihe life renewals of an's signature might be used mission appeal becomes concrete and equally well by "the brethren" personal. This is the best kind of the season is the springtime and vice versa. Pastors take thing we do in our church. notice! forecast of fresh endeavors Lacking a personal represenamong local missionary organ- Undergirding Principles tative on the field, any pastor or other church leader may secure izations whose plans and pro- There should be a united aim, such "living links" from time to gram building must take their all the way from beginners. and time and arrange opportunities primary tots up to pulpit 'en- for contacts with every age keynote from the new mission deavors, namely: So to present group in the church. In the instudy books and their presenta- a missionary theme as to give terim between such visitations, an .appreciative understanding the use of impersonations (costion in regional conferences soon of the people under considera- tumed or otherwise) of workers to be held. If nature is to set the tion, feel our kinship with them living or dead whose biographies pace, a mere duplication of last and realize the opportunity for can be obtained from most de:' sharing with them the task of nominational publication headyear's procedures will be inade- building the Kingdom of Jesus quarters warms up and vitalizes quate; for nature is cumulative Christ on earth. Away with the informational matter. There is in her output, whether it be of idea of racial superiority and the no substitute for life or as near weeds or useful vegetation. In gesture of patronage. Even if an approach to it as possible, in view of the resemblance of ruts it were consistent with the spirit motivating missionary activity. to graves, the Department Edi- and teachings of Christ, it would Plans for visualizing or dramator renews her plea for diversi- have become obsolete in the pres- tizing the new missionary topics fication and the adoption of im- ent state of mind of all "foreign" will be given in succeeding proved "ways of working" each peoples. They are all poten- issues. year. In this and the succeeding tially our equals, and the task of issue timeless principles and actuating that potentiality is It may seem redundant to plans mainly of a universal our privilege and obligation. mention as a second undergirdmould will be considered; and The ways of bringing to pass ing principle the value of swingwhile some suggestions may be that "appreciative understand- ing into line with other evanspecific to definite age interests, ing" form the motivation of all gelical folk by adopting the the majority can be adapted to plans and programs. It is not United Mission Study texts and their purP9ses by pastors, Bible for any of us finally to evaluate helps. But the contents of the school workers and a variety of those ways, but a paramount one Department E d ito r 's correlocal organizations. And by the is that of furnishing opportunity spondence file would surprise way, isn't the label "women's" for personal touch with live mis- you in their revelation of the and "men's" this and that be- sionary workers. number of inquirers who are coming a bit passe? Save for still in the hop-skip-and-a-jump certain adolescent features in Justin Nixon, pastor of the wilderness and have not heard unripe youth, is not teamwork Brick Presbyterian church 9f of any union highw.ay. In addirather than sex segregation our Rochester, N. Y., said in a recent tion to the advantage of finding ideal? Our pace setting young letter to the Editor: available the great volume of people would dub you a "back textbooks, suggestions, programs number" if a sex label were made The appeal of foreign missions to and other helps on the united a discriminatory measure in sub- the 25-45-year-old group is the appeal themes each year, there is the ject matter or methods. An ad- through person~lities. For instance, paramount value of a common vance step was taken by the in our church we support President J. atmosphere, of coordinated ac- Men's Missionary Lea,gue of the Leighton Stuart of Yenching Univer- tion, of good fellowship and United Presbyterian church in sity at Peiping, China. President Elyria, Ohio, when they took for their mission study text the [208 ] book, "Congo Crosses," which
EFFECTIVE WAYS OF WORKING
teamwork throughout Christen- ary organizations in the i r are sent each month, to be kept dom that you can't afford to churches. for 30 days, the postal departmiss. Never before were neigh- ment giving the plan the library borly borrowings of missionary A third undergirder is the privileges of three cents for the plans and programs so free and holding of a definite mission or first pound and one cent for each so helpful. Only those hope- World Friendship school at additional pound. The Convenlessly bogged down in denomina- whatever seems the most propi- tion pays the postage one way tional religiosity can fail to see tious period in the course of the and the church meets the return that we are now meeting new year. It yields returns far postage at the library rate by and emergent world conditions greater than any series of pro- using the enclosed sticker. The for which only a Christ-led, grams, though both have their local Reading Contest Secretary united Christendom can be ade- place. For plans and instruc- attends to the circulation of the quate; and for any denomina- tions, see this Department in volumes and their prompt retion to remain outside of such a THE REVIEW for January 1936 turn, whereupon a fresh supply union of forces is suicidal. and February of the present is sent. The Baptist Missionary year. Reading courses for cred- Reading Contest books serve as The new topic in home mis- its, such as a number of denom- a general guide in the selection sions is "Rural Life," and the inations now maintain, or the of the volumes, although some foreign, "The Moslem World." vigorous promotion of a circu- others are included. It is an il- Textbooks for the various age lating library of selected books, luminating fact that the women groups and coordinated helps are in a Sunday school class, a group of Vermont captured the silver usually ready by June or possibly organization or a department of cup of the New England district earlier. Send for lists of these the Bible school, is a corollary in the reading contest as a reeither to your own denomina- of the annual missionary school. sult, apparently, of the use of tional missionary e d u cat ion this circulating library. headquarters or to the Mission- Missionary Reading As a Promotional Plan On the Master's Waterways ary Education Movement, 150 Church leaders will find that Under this title the Woman's Fifth Ave., New York, and also little permanent interest in mis- Society of the First Baptist sions can be maintained without plan to send one or more repre- the use of reading matter. The church of Santa Ana, California, sentatives to some good summer effect of even a rousing booster have sent out their 1936-37 an- meeting will soon evaporate un- nual outline of activities which conference where the themes are less the new enthusiasm and truly is "a thing of beauty and interest are continuously nour- charm" as expressed in its into be discussed and materials ex- ished. The Baptist State Con- troductory literature, and em- vention in Vermont tried an bodies not so much a program ploited. (See "Dates to Remem- experiment which is yielding in- schedule as a policy and an ideal. creasing dividends in the way of Its theme and make-up are symber" on inside cover page of THE missionary zeal. For some years bolic. On a silver background, back a circulating free library of the cover presents a full-rigged REVIEW for location of many of good missionary books has been ship passing a lighthouse on a maintained. Previous to the de- promontory, and this design is these conferences.) As usual pression the library was financed delicately etched in green on entirely by the Convention, in- every inside page. The delightthe June issue of THE REVIEW cluding two-way postage on the ful surprise in keeping the whole volumes. Necessity altered this thing secret until its release at will feature the home mission plan, both as to purchase of the opening autumn meeting books and their transportation. added to its welcome. Infinite topic and the October the for- Baptist women hit upon the plan labor and pains must have been eign topic, although the home of having a penny collection dur- expended upon the preparation ing the dinner hour at all Asso- of the little 47-page booklet, for mission plans and programs in ciational meetings and urging the keynote, the opening poem, upon the local missionary or- Van Dyke's "0 Maker of the this Department cannot appear ganizations to solicit offerings Mighty Deep," "The Sailor's for new volumes. A sizeable Prayer," "Our Sailing Song," as in any great number until the fund comes in each year from well as all the headings of de- these sources. With annual re- partments and programs form a September number, due to the vision to delete out-of-date vol- fine anthology of prose and umes, a library of many hun- poetry centering upon the sea. fact that program builders never dreds of volumes is in continuous circulation. Each church is Among the policies reprehave their material ready as asked to appoint a reading sec- sented are those of a very broad retary to whom 10 or more books community service; caring for early in the spring as copy must the general social life of the be sent, and the Editor is obliged to wait until she can browse around at summer conferences. If not a subscriber to THE RE- VIEW, be sure to place your order for those two paramount issues early, at 25 cents per copy. It gratified the writer to note among the denominational leaflets and programs sent her last year what a large amount of REVIEW material or references thereto was included. Pastors will find an abundance of the best material in the magazine for their sermons, mid-week services and the various mission-
church (the "all church party" ship Port (Christian friendliness In October a speaker from Los in October being termed "Head- meeting). Angeles presented the issues of the in' for the Big Round-up," for coming election as they affected the purpose of better acquaint- Cotton Blossom Lunch . . . Negro Christian citizens (men at this meetance); coordinating the work Mariners (home mission theme). ing) in a setting representing a ship's and interests with those of "the railing extending across the deck, brethren" in that the men of the Dixie Dinner . . . Up the Bayous steamer chairs, life preservers, etc., in church are made special guests (home mission theme with young evidence. Patriotic decorations and at some of the luncheons and people's organization). flags were everywhere displayed. programs; "Husbands' Day" as Eight Bells-Ship's Rations . . . Hos- For November a Congo River observed at one of the executive pital Ship (White Cross work). jungle scene of tropical plants, a board luncheons; the society canoe, etc. The luncheon tables were sponsoring of some of the eve- Chart and Compass Lunch. . . Chart- decorated with miniature African huts ning church services; loans ing Unknown Seas (foreign mismade to University of Redlands sions-Albert Schweitzer). students, etc. This merging of the interests and endeavors of Lunch in Harbor Cafe . . . Western and figures nestled among bamboos men and women is a hopeful sign Har.Jors (Negro work in S. Cali- and palms. Tropical fruits served. of the day when invidious distinctions are to be wiped out. fornia). Decorated gourds as collection plates.
Apt nomenclature and rhetori- Eight Bells-Captain's pinner . . . The Student Counselor arranged the cal figures are used throughout. Through the Customs (installa- plan for the December meeting, a The official personnel is listed tion of officers). worker among the Negroes who had under "Our Ship's Officers"; the recently visited their southern schools standing committees are "Able Seamen"; the executive board is The devotional topics, taking being the speaker. "The Ship's Crew"; the presi- The Southern California Director dent's opening message, "We the meetings in the same order,' of Christian Friendliness (former Break New Seas Today"; the are: Christian Americanization work) social gatherings are "Pleasure Trips"; the financial plan is the Beacon Light-Clear Vision. Provo spoke in January. synthetic erection of a light- 29: 18; Acts 16: 9. house; the complete membership The setting for February was the I'oster is "The Passenger List"; Tower Light-Breakers Ahead. Isa. deck of a boat sailing on southern the programs are "The Monthly 55: 7; Provo 14: 34. waters. At the luncheon much cotton Sailings," etc. At these latter, was used in the table decorations. all the morning sewing sessions Running Lights – Beware of Sandare designated as "Seamen at bars. Heb. 12: 1, 2; Mat. 26: 41. The meetings in March and April Work," all business sessions as are to be in charge of the World Wide "Sailing Orders," the song serv- Harbor Lights-Quiet Waters. Mark Guild (girls) and the Children's ices as "Waves of Melody" and 4: 34-41; Ps. 107: 29, 30. World Crusade, each navigator being the devotionals as "Guiding advised by a member of the general Lights." Luncheons are coor- Signal Lights-Ship Ahoy! Provo 18: program committee so the session will dinated as far as possible with 24; 1 John 1: 3-7. program themes for the day, and Buoy Lights-Rocks and Shoals. Ps. be fitted into the year's theme. members whose birthdays fall in 19: 9-14; 119: 132-135. In July, the baggage of officers and each successive month sit together at one table with a special Pier Sighted. Acts 21: 1-8. chairmen will be examined carefully birthday cake as an extra. Search Light-Throw Out the Life- 0y the customs officer or baggage line. Ps. 103: 1-4; Rom. 16: 1, 2. master (historian) and the members The correspondence of lunch- will learn from their annual reports Starlight-Steer by the Stars. Dan. eons with topics is as follows, 12: 3; Mat. 2: 1,2. what has been accumulated during the beginning with September and tours on the Master's Waterways. Channel Lights-Deep Water. Provo The president will read her annual extending through July: 18: 4; 1 Cor. 2: 9, 10. report as "The Log of the Ship Serv- Landing Lights-Drop Anchor. Ps. ice," then the good vessel will go into dry dock during August. 91: 1,2; Heb. 6: 19, 20.
An outstanding feature for the year All program leaders are desig- will be the month-by-month building nated as "Navigators," the pro- of the financial "Lighthouse." This gram committee having entire completed will be a cylindrical model charge of the first meeting and standing six feet high, the additions the officers of the last. Special of a door, windows, foundation, lamp, plates, etc., being placed as they are music is on marine themes; and paid for month by month. At the first meeting the lighthouse has a firm as the luncheon tables are being foundation (rocks of papier-mache) cleared away the pianist plays and a lamp which is waiting for the Southern melodies or Negro cap before it can revolve. The mem- songs, Negro singers so far as bers waited with interest the succes- sive additions to the structure as fi- possible being also introduced nancial goals were attained. In addi- into the programs. It i·s mani- festly impossible to give a de- tion to this a Treasure Chest receives the offerings from the special gift tailed outline of all the programs boxes each month. It is always a prominent feature of the decorations. Bon Voyage Luncheon . "All but the following hints may . Our illustrations show- the lighthouse Aboard." prove suggestive to any societies wishing to build outlines sim- at the start of the year, also the set- Eight Bells, Luncheon on the Prom- ting for the September meeting. enade Deck . . . Ship of State (Civics meeting). ilarly: Jungle Lunch . . . Cruising on the The September meeting took the A few extra copies of this out- Congo (foreign mission theme). form of a play entitled "Sail On" and standing year book and the play, Plantation Dinner … Floating Uni- was held in the garden of the presi- "Sail On," are available and may versity (Christian e d u cat ion dent with marine decorations repre- theme). sentative of a deck. The theme was be had for 25 cents by address- most adroitly and helpfully elab- ing Mrs. E. L. Morris, 812 E.
Lunch in the Pavilion . . . Friend- orated. First St., Santa Ana, California. BULLETIN OF The Council of Women for Home Missions EDITH E. LOWRY, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, 105 EAST TWENTY-SECOND STREET, NEW YORK ~'~I~==~~====~~~~=~ FOR ALL MOTHERS of their beloved sons by the est maternal mortality rate of hideous institution of war; all.civilized countries. From slowness of heart to comprehend what is divine in the We beseech Thee to hear us, We think especially of the Indepth and constancy of a Moth- good Lord. dian and Migrant mothers for er's love; whom the Council has an imme- That it may please Thee also, to diate responsibility. Good Lord, deliver us. lay upon our conscience the un- The death notice in the county From the unreality of superficial equal lot of the Mothers of the paper was not more than two sentiment, from commercial ex- poor, the underprivileged and inches in depth but it had neverploitation, and from all lip serv- the unemployed; theless its modest headline: ice to Motherhood while we neglect the weightier matters of We beseech Thee to hear us, PEA-PICKERS' CHILD DIES . , . justice and mercy and love; good Lord. . the shallow headline of Zetilla Good Lord, deliver us. That it may please Thee to kindle Kane, the seventh child and only within us divine discontent with daughter of Joe and Jennie Bell By our remembrance of the any social order which tolerates Kane. Mother of our Lord standing by war or poverty, or any preventthe cross of her well-beloved able suffering among the Moth- "We come from Texas," Joe son: ers of the world; Kane had told the "lady from the ,government." . . . "We been Good Lord, deliver us. We beseech Thee to hear us, back three times in the five years good Lord. we been messin' 'round like this That it may please Thee to open without no home." … our ears that we may hear the That it may please Thee to Saviour's word from the cross, hasten the coming of the divine He glanced around the tent Behold thy Mother; society, when every Mother shall with its three cots for the family be secure, encompassed by lov- of nine – eight now – with its We beseech Thee to hear us, ing provision for all her need; stove that once had been a gaso- good Lord. line container, with its oilcloth- We beseech Thee to hear us, covered table on which was a That it may please Thee to give good Lord. pan of boiled potatoes black with us grace from this hour, with flies. . . . the swift obedience of beloved In the name of the Father, and disciples, to take unto our own of the Son, and of the Holy "Back in 1930 things had got every woman widowed, bereft, so doggone tough we sold off our hard-pressed in life; Spirit. Amen.* furniture and radio and cow and chickens and all and pulled out We beseech Thee to hear us, On May 9, thousands across of Texas for Missouri. . . . good Lord. our country will pause in rev- erence to honor their mothers. "We started on down toworge That it may please Thee to touch How much this Day could mean Texas. We got in a little cotton our hearts that we may behold if these thousands would express our Mother in every woman; in this love in help to the thousands women who toil in the factories of mothers who are physically and on the farms, in office and broken, socially outcast, economshop and home; in women of ically caught and spiritually alien race and foreign clime, in starved. It is reported by the women of every creed and color Maternity Association, New and condition; York City, that 8,000 mothers in the United States die needlessly We beseech Thee to hear us, every year and this is the high- good Lord. * From "Prayers for Self and Society," by That it may please Thee to excite our pity for all Mothers robbed James Myers. Industrial .Secretary, Federal Council of the Churches of Christ In America.
[211 ] pickin' but cotton was sorry and "These hard times sure ain't ment, "Christian Youth Building we seen there wasn't no chance made none of us no younger," a New World" to make a trade for a place to she sometimes said in apology. The United Christian Adult Movement stay another year, and we heard The Protestant Laymen's Commission pickin' was good over in Ari- "The old will be young there on Character Building zona. Well, we went and it forever," they sang. Missionary Conferences wasn't but we got in enough to keep us eatin' off and on, and we A woman had brought a tight The plan will make these sevrun into a fellow that said fruit bunch of wild flowers-lupin and eral field enterprises mutually pickin' was good out here, so we California poppies and baby- supporting and enriching. It come on to California. We been blue-eyes – wrapped in a news- will avoid duplication and the messin' along like that ever paper for Zetilla's grave. Ze- irritation of unrelated promotion since, pickin' hops and cotton tilla's mother stooped when the in the field. It will make possible and oranges and peas, prunin' a song was ended and took four an orderly sequence of field projlittle and spacin' peaches and of the blossoms. She looked at ects and an efficient use of field cuttin' lettuce and workin' at one her husband. Then she put her personnel, better equalizing field crop and another, and then flowers back with the others, on service and providing a more movin' on some more. We the mound of earth beside the balanced field program. might's well be gypsies and be grave. done with it. When Zetilly was The United Christian Advance born we was campin' on a picnic- "I might's well leave 'em," she may ultimately include all the ground up in Washington. We'd said brokenly. "I wouldn't have programs and field enterprises been up to see could we get on a no place to press 'em. Back of the participating national homestead." home we ust to press 'em in the agencies. While its initial ap- Bible." proach in the field is being made His voice shook and, waiting during the ensuing year, it is asto gain control of it, he bent to THE UNITED CHRISTIAN sumed that as many as possible straighten the stove-wood at his ADVANCE of the ongoing enterprises will feet. "Zetilly was born on the be caught up and carried forroad and she died on the road. It is increasingly apparent ward as an integral part of the The undertaker's is the first that the functions of preaching, United Christian A d van c e. house she's ever been in, and pastoral guidance, m iss ion s, Those which cannot be so insome say the County don't aim Christian education, evangelism, tegrated will presumably confor us to be there when she's social service and social action tinue their regular procedure. buried. She sure did hate being are mutually interdependent and left by herself. She was such a therefore inseparable in the The initial approach involves little thing and she wouldn't program of the church. The primarily those cities or areas hardly rest a minute lessen some wholesome trend toward unity in which a Preaching Mission of us had holt of her. Do you and comprehensiveness in the has been held or will be held this reckon it's so that they don't aim church's program should be sup- year. In this initial approach for us to be there?" ported by the unifying of field the United Christian Advance activities and approaches affect- will include three major phases. It wasn't. ing the church and community. While these will be mutually in- terdependent and supporting Joe and Jennie Bell Kane and The United Christian Advance they will ordinarily be planned their six sons went to the brief responds to this need as a plan so as to follow a sequence of emservice at the undertaker's, fol- for unifying into one "grand phases as follows: lowed Zetilla's body to the small strategy" the major field activigrave the County had prepared ties being projected by the fol- The National Preaching Mis s ion for it. Deacon, his wife and five lowing national agencies: (Evangelism) other pea..,pickers went also. Deacon was short and white- The Federal Council of Churches of Schools in Christian Living (Teachhaired and walked with a Christ in America ing) limp.. The International Council of Religious Projects in Building Together the The minister from the local Education Christian Community, Local and church said a prayer and spoke Worldwide (Action) briefly to the little group at the The Home Missions Council undertaker's.. In next month's Bulletin plans The Council of Women for Home Mis- Jennie Bell Kane uncovered sions for the Conference on Life and her face and pushed back a brittle strand of blonde hair that The National Council of Federated Work, Oxford, England, July 12 was streaked with grey. She Church Women was thirty-four. Whenever she ttohe2~6ea1n93t7i,mwe iwllebreecreopmomrteendd. In told her age to the women in the The Missionary Education Moveme:t:lt the camps they shook their heads and made lamenting sounds. The Foreign Missions Conference following study in preparation Among the field movements or for the Conference: "Christ's activities involved are the fol- lowing: Way and the Worl d's -In The National Preaching Mission Church, State, and Society," by The New Home Missions Advance The United Christian Youth Move- Henry Smith Leiper; 144 pages, paper cover 65 cents, cloth 90 cents.
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~ oUfM!:~r~~':!!~:cu5?t~~~~ok J1i EDITED BY MRS. HENRIETTA H. FERGUSON, XENIA, OHIO l @7' '~l§i INDIA largest gathering of I n d ian to perform the rites, and, even Important New Trends Christian women in the history after remonstrance from others, of the South India Baptist Mis- would not yield. Finally, he One of the most obvious trends in Burma, India, is the absorb. sion took place. Over 500 wom- asked the principal for an intering interest in rural work. Daily papers are full of rural findings, en, representing 80 different vil- . view, and told him that he was rural experiments, rural reports from all parts of the country. lages, met at the 4th Women's no longer satisfied with Hindu- The new viceroy is interested in improving the breed of cattle, Convention on the Madura field. ism. The principal, in a rage, inquires into the condition of the local milk supply, has the mu- These village women, who 20 burned the Bible and the young nicipality give free milk to poor children to see the effect on their years ago were almost wholly, man fled. health and mentality. Rural Uplift committees are organized illiterate, conducted the sessions Here is the sequel: A worker all over the provinces. entirely by themselves and con- in the "Regions Beyond Mission- This logically tends to bring tributed 112 rupees to the work. ary Union" writes, "One Sunabout cooperation bet wee n It should be remembered that day morning, a young man Christian and non-Christian; both are reading the same books, village women seldom have any dressed in the saffron robes of serving on the same committees, attending the same meetings and money. -Missions. the Sadhu came to our service, discussing the same problems. Indian Gospel League and asked for a talk. We sat There is also a tendency to down, and for about two hours voice in open forum' fearless The Indian Gospel League was conversed together. A few days criticism of Hinduism. One founded for the purpose of later, the Sadhu surrendered his might also mention trends along spreading the Gospel of St. John life to Christ"-Life of Faith. the line of temperance work in which the Government gives in everyone of the 300,000 The Most Christian Mission money to work against alcoholic towns of India. Together with Field liquor, which is a Government tracts on the Christian life, "The monopoly; women voting and serving on public committees; Way of Life and the Way of In the Guntur North and intercaste marriages; interre- Death," and "Which Route to South Godavery mission field in ligious marriages; marriages of Madras Presidency, the propor- East and West; researches along Take," a letter of explanation the lines of nutrition; the ad- entreating each recipient to read tion of Christians to the total vances made in the cure and con- the "Gift of the Gospel," the population of the district, won trol of leprosy: and also the con- from heathenism, exceeds the stant raising of standards in books are sent all over the counteaching, in medicine and in try. The Hoskote district, where ratio of Christians to general nursing. 400 villages are waiting to be population in all other parts of evangelized, is engaging the spe- India. According to the 1931 -Woman's Missionary census, one in every nine citi- Friend. cial attention of the League at present. A gospel car is used, zens in the Guntur District was Telugu Women Advance and some of the workers are a Christian. In the entire Ma- equipped with bicycles and dras Presidency, including na- If a group of village women tive states, one citizen in every can develop such initiative as did blankets, in order to reach vilone at Ootcur, South India, there lages off the highway. twenty was a Christian. For is hope for a Christian India. the entire Telugu country the In this village last year the -Life of Faith.
A Hindu Finds Christ census reported one in thirty- The son of a rajah's priest in seven a Christian. In British a .native State some distance India, including the native from Chapra, North India, was states, there is a Christian pop- studying for the Hindu priest- ulation of 5,961,794. These mil- hood. After five years' study he went to the Panjab for examina- lions have been won during the tion, and while there met a mis- past 135 years. sionary from whom he bought a Bible. As he read, doubts re- Another notable feature of the garding Hinduism came into his Gospel's influence within the mind. A climax came when one Guntur-Rajahmundry field is the of his friends died; he refused fact that these converts all be- long to the "Panchamas," sub- stitute term for outcastes. There has also been an advance among [213 ]
the Sudras. Statistics for 1932 World Congress, due in the year which they are supporting. an.d show baptisms in that field 1944. -London Missionary reports show over 1,000 patIents totaled 7,075; the following with 1,400 on the waiting list. three years also brought contin- Herald. -Christian Advocate. uous increase. First Christian Church -Lutheran News. in Sikkim CHINA Trends in Mungeli Sikkim is one of the Hima- Prayer Brings Victory layan states where Christian Chinese officials ordered Lisu At Mungeli the work of the work has had to be carried on Christians to tear down their Disciples Church is largely under severe restrictions. For chapel. After twice rebuilding the last 36 years the small group it, an official demanded, "Whatamong the Satnami Chamars, of Christians who have come ever made you Christians thi'nk one of the most approachable into existence there as the result I gave permission to rebuild the peoples of Central Provinces. chapel? You must tear it down They are Untouchables who of the work of a Scotch Mission at once." When the Christians about 100 years ago broke away has been asking peI:mission of refused to do so, he put two of . the Maharaja to erect a church the leaders in prison. They said, from their ancestral religion, "You may kill us if you like, but trying to find a way up to the in Gangtok, but without avail. you cannot force us to tear down light. But without books or But at last permission was given the chapel again." All joined the missionaries in prayer and teachers, and surrounded by and on October 30 the dedication fasting. Three days passed, but Hinduism they drifted back to of the first Christian church in even the heathen sent food to idolatry. In 1890 Hira Lal, a Sikkim state took place. The these prisoners. When their Satnami boy, was converted and Maharaja not only sanctioned friends came to the bars to comjoined the mission staff at Mun- the erection of the church, but fort them, they would laugh and gave the piece of land upon geli. He won all the members of his immediate family to which it was built. -Christian Century. Christ and has labored inces- santly for the conversion of his Singapore Churches say, "Don't worry about us." caste fellows. His faithfulness, One of them said, "Be sure to integrity and earnest Christian Ralph A. Felton tells some take good care of our missioncharacter won for him added re- ways in which churches in Sing- aries, as we are not home to look sponsibilities in the Mission, and apore differ from those at home. after them." The other said, "I in 1925 he was ordained. By One is that they are run by felt this trouble was coming and 1916 there were 52 villages in young people, for in the ordinary have stored up plenty of food which there lived Christians. In church there are more youths and firewood for my family, so several places large groups had than adults. The explanation I am quite willing to remain here professed the Christian faith. for this is found in the fact that as long as God wishes." Between 1914 and 1924 there the church conducts primary On Monday evening the offiwere 890 baptisms. But there and secondary schools in every cial's heart softened, and he was a downward movement. In- section of the city. These mis- said, "I'll let the prisoners out, terest is again stimulated in sion schools meet the govern- and the Christians need not tear Mungeli, hopes revived. The ment standards, and teach reli- down the chapel. But you must workers believe that there are gion during these formative not call the building a chapel. thousands-one missionary says years so that religious education Call it a dwelling, and have 20,000-Satnamis who in their is a part of the whole process, someone live there." hearts believe that Christianity and not merely a Sunday morn~ Since then a man, claiming he is for them the only way out and ing project. was sent by the official, tried to up, and it seems probable that Another difference is that the tear dow n another chapel. when the first 500 are won other Christians asked the official thousands will hasten to declare congregations are interracial; their faith. -World Call. the Sunday school and worship about it. Instead of defending service may be in Chinese from the man, the official put him in 8: 30 to 10: 30. English may be prison. -China's Millions.
New Baptist Union the language for the next two Chinese Leaders Condemn .War hours and Malay in the after- The recently formed Baptist noon. The same minister may From Chengtu, China, there Union of India, Burma and Cey- have two of these groups and comes a "Statement of Conviclon expects to be fully organized sometimes the third. Race does- tions" signed by fifty-three lead-. and at work some time in April. not matter-only language. ers, Chinese and Westerners, de- The first general gathering is nouncing war as un-Christian planned for 1938, and the hope Six out of ten churches in and unmoral, and calling for is being widely expressed that Singapore are self-supporting. world-wide condemnation of it. the Union may find itself able to Those receiving mission help are The statement originated at a invite the Baptist World Alliance the newly organized ones. Some conference of the Fellowship of of the Chinese laymen have to come to India for the seventh started an anti-opium clinic Reconciliation, and has been is-
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
sued in Chinese and in English. 1932-33 …. 64 328 139 467 Such missionary journeys across 1933-34 …. 96 748 326 1,248 These leaders in China believe 1934-35 …. 119 816 211 1,027 Turkestan and the Gobi Desert "in the moral order of the uni- 1935-36 …. 129 1,652 711 2,363 by cart are now becoming imverse and that man is included possible. Special danger comes in that moral order. We are -Presbyterian Tribune. from bands of wild people who, convinced that war is an offense Act of An Apostle more than ever since the recent to God." revolution, ravage the country- The manifesto concludes that "Can a Chinese business man side raiding caravans for a liv- "warfare, armed or economic, become a Christian?" Rev. An- ing. There is also the danger of as a method of settling interna- drew Thomson, United Church death from thirst, because the tional or national disputes, is in- of Canada missionary at Taokou, water stages are being left to fill compatible with the teaching has an answer. In January he up with sand. The only safe and example of the great moral distributed 500 suits of winter way to cross the Gobi desert in clothing among the flood suffer- future will be by motor truck, leaders of all ages."
-The Churchman. ers of eastern Honan, the gdt of and this is no good to mission- Leper Work a Hankow business firm. These aries because they cannot stop were quite unsolicited, and were off at all the oases and talk to the The China Inland Mission only a fraction of their total do- people and distribute the Scrip- Hospital in Kaolan (formerly nation for this purpose. After tures. called Lanchow), is the only in- the distribution was completed, This was the fifth time the stitution attempting leper work Mr. Thomson received the fol- three women had crossed the in the whole of Northwest lowing letter: Gobi. They found people at the China. They have about eighty DEAR MR. THOMSON: different oases thrilled to see leper patients, more than thirty them again, for when the mis- I am very happy to receive your sionaries last passed through, in of whom are Tibetans. The lett.er of 24th February and hereby the other direction, they were men have been classified into offer my sincere thanks to you, your· running away from the Mohamfive groups – two Chinese, two associates and the Magistrate for the medan General, Ma Chong lng, Tibetan and one Moslem. Two services in the distribution. the Thunderbolt, as he is called. At Tungwang, the City of Sands, services are held each day, one We feel grateful that God minisin the morning attended by all, tered seed to us for sowing and put in our heart to make winter garments for the flood refugees. So we seized the travelers heard rumors of and one at night especially for the opportunity as per Galatians 6: 10 communist activities in Kansu Christians. There are now more and made 4,800 suits (principally for Hupeh districts) entirely financed by and when at last they reached than twenty lepers asking for our firm ,with the twofold object to Suchow, their old C. I. M. stabaptism, and of these the majority are Tibetans. Bible classes cause thanksgiving to God and to . tion in the northwest of that have been arranged for the spe- supply the want of the poor. Now province, the city was under with your cooperation through Mr. cial instruction of those asking Stewart's introduction the work was martial law and they soon refor baptism. completely done. Christian unity is ceived the order to leave. They -Moody Institute Monthly. essential; as there are many mem- thereafter returned to Europe bers to one body, one can not dispense by the Trans-Siberian route. Christian Schools with the other. These her 0 i c missionaries The national secretary of the Again thanking you for your. serv- have, between them, given 108 China Christian Educational As- ice and wishing you abundant blesssociation says that Christian ing from God upon your work and years of service in China. For schools as a whole are making a yours. the last 16 years th~ have had large contribution to China's with them in their adventures a life. They have considerable Yours very truly, little Chinese deaf and dumb prestige, are well managed, and LI JUl. girl, whom they found as a baby, are growing steadily. "In our 13 Christian colleges and univer- -United Church Record. left by its mother on their doorsities, there are 6,700 students; step, and whom they named and in the approximately 250 The Gobi Trio Topsy. She has recently learned high schools about 250,000 stu- to speak a little to the great asdents. The number of primary Miss Mildred Cable, Miss tonishment of the simple people school students is about 125,000. Evangeline and Miss Francesca The stl1dents in colleges and high French, "the Gobi Trio" of the living in the oases of the Gobi. China Inland Mission, have re- "The missionaries' words are turned to England from their true," they said, "their Lord can last adventurous journey to make the dumb to speak." China. In the summer of 1935 schools are nearly 10 per cent they received a permit to cross Chinese Light Shines of the total number in the whole Russia and traveled by the country." Turkish – Siberian Railway, en- The ambition of Mr. Shan, A few years ago it was feared tering Turkestan fro m the Manchurian Christian, is to see that the day of Christian educa- north. From Chuguchak, they a house of worship in his home tion in China was over. But the went to Urumchi where they town before he dies. To this end number of baptisms in Christian found wonderful opportunities, he has contributed liberally.
high schools is as follows: and stayed for some months. Three years ago he made his
first contribution, $100; last mens. Dr. Lewis B. Franklin makes the Japanese feel the year he gave $200 more and re- visited this mission on his recent Church is their own, and not an cently an additional $60. He tour of the field. outside agency.
has frequently been reviled; once he was thrown into prison Tent Mission-Thirty Converts Night Clubs-Korean Style for a month because he had in "One of the most blessed and The original Night Club for his possession a Christian maga- encouraging tent missions we Boys was organized in 1930. Its zine published in China some have ever held," is thus de- success led to the formation of years ago. He was released another group to include gMiorrls~ scribed by Miss M. A. Burnet,' and meeting in day time. when missionaries vouched for of the Central Japan Pioneer his high character. Mission. It was conducted by than 150 boys and girls were two native evangelists in Mita- soon enrolled, and the title was The money he has given dur- gaya, a tiny village. The tent changed to Pioneer Clubs for ing three years is approximately was pitched in rice fields, with Korean children. In the fall two scarcely any houses in sight. Pyengyang churches organized the amount of his whole earnings Prayer preparation had been groups and in the following in one year.
-Evangelical Christian.
JAPAN-CHOSEN made by a Christian doctor born spring others were formed. Politics and Christianity in the village, who gave his testi- The movement was prosper- mony at the first meeting; and ing when a new Director of Edu- cation began to ask questions. Nearly 100 Japanese delegates by a young farmer, who has not "Pioneers" was also the name of attended the 14th annual meet- only prayed but worked. He ing of the National Christian has for several years sold forty a youth movement of commu- Council in Japan just before Gospel papers a month, accom- nistic Russia. What about these Christmas. The outstanding panying the sales with personal Korean "Pioneers"? What was message to the gathering was -talks wherever possible. Night going on? The purely evangelisthat the secret of power in the after night the tent was filled to tic purpose of the work, its world today depends upon per- overflowing with an eager and metho~ of C.hristian training, sonal spirituality. Plans, meth- attentive congregation, number- and Its antI-communistic inods, even duties are secondary ing between 150 and 200. Bi- fluence were explained at length. to the need for the Holy Spirit. cycles were stacked up outside Finally, at the suggestion of the One speaker opened the question the tent. Thirty confessed of peace, a subject which occu- Christ and sixteen have made offidals, the name "Pioneer" was pied the minds of all the dele- themselves responsible for hiring changed to "Bible Clubs." By gates. "The world is armed and an empty house to carryon regarming today as never before," ular meetings. An evangelist is 1935, there were fifteen such he said. "We who believe in the going to Mitagaya each week for groups meeting every day in Prince of Peace, what shall we the present, to shepherd this do? The peace of the world still little flock. -Life of Faith. Pyengyang, with about 1,500 children enrolled. Inspection rests with the churches. Japan's Day occurs every five or six fundamental spirit is peace, Literature of Their Own weeks. Leaders examine the children for their intellectual though Japanese patriotism is The Protestant Episcopal For- and physical improvement, innot yet true patriotism. Only in ward Movement has not only the spirit of Christ's self-sacri- translated the booklet, "The spect hands, faces and necks, and fice is there hope of peace." Coming of the Light," but has conclude with a "consdence in- redrawn the illustrations to con- spection," when the children are -World Dominion Press. told to look into their hearts, and then in prayer confess their evil deeds and thoughts to God and form with Japanese life. More before their playmates. "De- Opportunity in Rural Japan than 40,000 copies were distrib- cision Day" is the grand climax A little Japanese country mis- uted. A Tokyo writer in The at the end of the year. sion of the American Episcopal Living Church says: Church, which began to develop The whole Forward Movement has No Perseverance among the farmers and fisher- proven to be one of the most stim- men at Isoyama after Deaconess ulating, educational and spiritual Pak was a Korean bead Ranson went to live there, illus- forces in the Church. . . . Some of maker, and for 20 years had trates the opportunity now the most cheering letters of apprecia- been .working in the ~ame town, awaiting the Church in rural tion have been received from men and formmg glass into beads with women workers in all parts of the Japan. Thirty miles from any Empire, and in all dioceses a large his little blowpipe and lampresident pastor, a church has number of the parishes, missions and been built and dedicated by the institutions are now buying the book- for American five-and-ten-cent Episcopal Mission. At the dedi- lets for their members' daily use. stores. One day a colporteur called with a set of Gospels.
cation thirteen adults were bap- The fact that this literature is "I can't read those any more," tized and confirmed, six children printed in their own country and Pak said. "I read one of them were baptized, and seven per- presented in their own language once and it made me think too sons were admitted as catechu- wit h Japanese illustrations much of my sins."
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
"But if you keep on reading trips east and west on the coast tionship of this work with govand learn to pray, you will find ernments and disabilities ima way to get rid of your sins." about twenty miles each way, posed upon aborigines.
"That's just the trouble – I and so satisfactory is his over- Under the heading "Pacific," have no perseverance." The col- the Conference will study coopporteur pondered a moment and sight that the government med- eration, the attitude toward nathen said, "But you've been tive customs, and education and working at this same job-how ical patrols do not operate over evangelism. Methods, training long?" of missionaries and .the relative this section, content to leave the emphasis of different phases of "Twenty years." the work will be discussed under "In that case, you have perse- oversight of these villages to the Home Base. verance enough to read the Gospel." him. -The Chronicle. -Australia Missionary Pak is reading. Review. Javanese Christians -Monday Morning. Koreans in Hawaii The mission of the Reformed Korea Needs More Missionaries Church in Middle Java reports Since 1930 a mass meeting of that the number of Javanese Young Koreans of Hawaii, fea- The progress of K 0 rea n Christians increased in 1935 to turing oratorical and song conchurches, great as it is, has not 13,893, a growth of 1,842 in one tests among various church been sufficient as yet to warrant year, or 15 per cent. The Jav- groups, has been held at least the assumption that they can anese Christian sets a high value once a year. The last meeting, carryon successfully without on baptism. At present, there in the Mission Memorial Hall, missionary aid. The Christian are 2,076 people in the course Honolulu, was sponsored by the constituency in Korea is only of instruction for baptism who Korean University Graduates' about 500,000 out of a total pop- in a short time may be baptized. Club with Dr. Y. C. Yang, Presiulation of more than 22,000,000. There is great interest also dent, as the master of cere- The young churches need and among the young people, of monies. More than 500 young desire the continued cooperation whom it appears 5,637 are regis- people with their usual enthuof missionaries in the task of tered as catechumens; this is' siasm assembled to discuss the witnessing to these multitudes upwards of 40 per cent of those question, "Can youth improve concerning Jesus Christ. in the Javan.ese churches. and maintain Korean institu- tions in Hawaii?" – World Outlook.. Medical work is also expand- ing. There are nine hospitals, This hopeful second genera- ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC and the number of patients is tion, though U. S. citizens, re- constantly increasing. main loyal to their ancestral Papuan Medical Service background. Fiji Centenary Church All London Missionary Society Imported Sects in the appointees to Papua receive ele- The Fiji Methodist Church has Philippines mentary medical training at Liv- received the voluntary gift of ingstone College, London, before £1,000 from the Fiji Govern- The number of sects imported going to their field. The last ment for assistance in the build- to the Philippines from the few years have brought marked ing of a new centenary church. United States is becoming a matimprovement i n government The Methodists were the pioneer ter for concern. Filipinos edumedical service in Papua, one missionaries in the Fiji group. cated in America, and missionfeature being trained natives as This Memorial Church will be aries working independently are medical patrols. Cases beyond erected at Suva, capital of Fiji, introducing the Four – Square their power are taken to the to celebrate the centenary of Gospel, the Church of God, the nearest hospital where there is their advent to Fiji, at an esti- Church of the New Jerusalem, a European doctor. mated cost of £5,000. This is a the Pentecostal Church and mark of appreciation for the other similar organizations. In- Lameka, a Papuan lad only a contribution of the Mission to- stead of inquiring about the second generation from canni- ward educational uplift and good most needy parts of the archibalism, showed such aptitude in government. pelago and beginning work in his medical training that the unoccupied fields, they break government authorized the -Australia Missionary into well-established territory building of a small hospital Review. and undertake to set up new conwhere he could exercise the heal- gregations. ing art, the government assum- Australian National Council ing the cost of upkeep. A missionary of "the Four- From April 5-9 the National Square Gospel" who went to For ten years the little hospi- Missionary Council of Australia Laoag last April was asked to tal has been a center of help and will hold a Conference in Sydney confer with representatives of healing. Lameka runs the place, when three general topics will the National Christian Council, assisted by his wife and by a be considered: the Aborigines, younger lad whom he has taught. the Pacific, and the Home Base. Periodically he makes patrol Ques.tions involving the aborig- ines have to do with the half- castes and the ideal policy for Christianizing them; the rela-
who pointed out the great prog- religious groups on the campus. ganized basketball teams, physiress made in the last fifteen Records at the office of the dean cal training, adult education in years toward mutual under- show that of the 2,458 under- citizenship and current social standing, good will and Chris- graduates enrolled, only 147 problems, mothers' club, clinic tian cooperation, and asked in have no definite affiliation with for children, Boy Scouts, Girl the interests of Christian har- a religious denomination. More Scouts, home visitation, commumony, that this missionary with- than 1,000 are members of nity meetings, personal probdraw to territory where no either the Y. M. C. A. or the lems, daily vacation Bible school, other Protestant church is at Y.W.C.A. entertainments, manual trainwork? .Her reply was that her ing, sewing classes, dramatics, superintendent had assigned her – Watchman-Examiner. labor problems, kindergarten, to Ilocos Norte and she must do playground from June to Sephis bidding. The superintendent The Christian Observer tember, recreation for all ages, is a Filipino with a Mexican library for all age groups. wife. The Converse family has con- Through the whole program tinuously owned and edited the runs a golden thread of syste- NORTH AMERICA Christian Observer for one hun- matic Christian instruction. dred and ten years-since Feb- Income and Giving ruary 17, 1827. This Southern The community has responded Presbyterian weekly was found- until an enrolment of 2,300 has Returning prosperity is not ed by Dr. Amasa Converse, who overtaxed the capacity of the reflected in the philanthropies of was editor for 45 years. His building. -C. L. Zorbaugh. United States citizens, according grandson, Harry P. Converse, to Mr. C. V. Vickrey, President has been business manager and Indian Need of Christ of the Golden Rule Foundation. then managing editor since There was more generous giv- 1899. Chief Umpathtuh, last sachem ing in the deepest depression of the Mohicans, a graduate of year, 1932, than in subsequent The Religious Remembrancer Carlisle University and a strong years. In fact, that year marked appeared September 4, 1813 and advocate of Christianity for his the highest percentage of contri- later its name changed to the race, believes that unless there butions to religious., educational, Philadelphia Observer. The n is a change of heart among the scientific and other forms of two papers were merged under Indians through the acceptance service for society. On the the name· Christian Observer, of Jesus Christ as Saviour, the whole, the social services have which through all the years has education given them by the received approximately two per stood squarely for the integrity United States would be wasted. cent for a period of twenty of the Word of God, the deity of He says: "The Government years, which is one-fifth of the Christ, the reality of the atone- means well, but if education of biblical standard of the tithe. ment, and the purity and peace the soul does not go along with Giving is not according to in- of the Church. education of the mind, the recome, for more than one-half of sult for the Indian will be disasthe 1935 contributions declared The City Ohio Forgot trous. An educated Indian is in the income tax reports came liable to be a bad Indian, without from about four million persons Some ten years ago Youngs- religion." He pointed to his own whose net incomes averaged less town, Ohio, shocked the church tribe, now dwindled to a small than $5,000 a year. However, and the nation by a bloody strike number, as 75 per cent Christian forty-one persons who had an and disastrous fire. The Chris- and 100 per cent American. income of more than $1,000,000 tian conscience was aroused. each in 1935 claimed tax exemp- Here was a neglected city of new -United Presbyterian. tion on contributions totaling Americans employed in the steel $4,454,000, or 6.049 per cent of mills for whom the churches had Community Church in Alaska their declared net taxable in- felt little responsibility. As a come. The National Committee result among others, the West- Christmas, 1936, was more for Religion and Welfare Recov- minster Presbyterian church of than Christmas for the settlers ery is carrying on a countrywide Youngstown started a Sunday in Matanuska Valley, Alaska. It educational program to stim- school, putting $50,000 into a was the day of their first service ulate higher standards of philan- lot and a "Neighborhood House." in their new church, built of logs thropy. -Boston Transcript. A young Hungarian Christian, hewn from the "forest primeval" Mr. Zotlan Irshay, was put in by the men of the congregation, Campus Christian Training charge. This section of Young&- taken to the sawmn-l, faced on town, with its 14,650 people, al- two sides, and carried by theITl Twenty-six religious denom- most solidly foreign, is called to the site of the church. inations are represented at Duke Campbell. University, North Carolina, and Evenings aft e r working more than 94 per cent of the stu- The list of last year's activi- hours, the Young People's Sodents are members of some ties at "Campbell Christian ciety cleared the plot, dug the church. There are 15 organized Neighborhood House" give an basement, and hauled gravel for idea of its scope: Sunday school, the cement work. All together religious education classes, or- the congregation worked by shifts during the short days of
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
the fall and early winter. The day on some occasions. Lay tions." Six were "to live a life missionary pastor, Rev. Bert workers and young people's so- of service," "to end class distinc- Bingle, writes: "We look for- cieties were used effectively. tion in Colombia," "to help ward to a great work among' Brief services of ten or fifteen others." Several hoped "to make these unafraid people in the minutes were held in each home, Colombia a Christian nation." tracts distributed, invitations These young people have Northland." given and personal work done. charge of the Sunday night serv- LATIN AMERICA Results were very encouraging. ice once a month in one of the Two young pastors visited suburbs. Bible Distribution in Mexico several untouched places in Jan- -Colombian Clippings.
The house-to-house distribu- uary. Several small preaching Colombia's National Church tion of the Gospel in Mexico has stations were opened. It is met with opposition in some planned to cross the island from A little over ten years ago, places. A. B. De Roos reports: Havana to the south coast, Colombian and American Prot- touching man y communities estant leaders met in Medellin, In the first rural district in which a center of the Roman Church, the distribution was undertaken the where no Christian worker has yet gone. head of the village said, "We will not to exchange ideas regarding the Religion in Brazil Schools organization of the Presbyterian permit such propaganda, for we have The director of public instruc- Church in Colombia. Lack of all sworn not to accept any religion." ordained ministers prevented Only 30 Gospels were distributed there and throughout the district there is great suspicion. In twelve days tion of Rio De Janeiro has issued organization of presbyteries, but instructions to the principals of a rudimentary one took the thirty-four villages and ranchos were name "Council of the Coast." covered, in the midst of difficulties,. government schools to provide a Increasing needs of this group place and time for religious in- Yesterday we visited a number of villages, and going from house to house, a gendarme accosted us, rifle struction, other than Roman led to the organization of the in hand, asking us what we were do- Catholic, wherever the parents Church in Colombia on a real ing. I told him our mission, and he of 20 children desire it. Catholic Presbyterian basis. Last July said we must leave the place at once. religious instruction has been ten ordained ministers, four mis- "No strangers are allowed and no such propaganda is permitted, by requested by 70 per cent of' the sionaries and six Colombians order of the military chief of the district." parents of Catholic children. met again in Medellin and after This instruction is being given careful study decided: In one place we were subjected to a rigorous questioning, and our packs largely by priests. The director were searched for ammunition. When has asked Protestant groups to To adopt the Constitution of the Presthey had finished looking over our suggest the manner in which byterian Church, U. S. A., as the things I asked them to give me their the instruction 'requested by basis of the incipient Church. attention for a moment, and I read them shall be given. them Paul's sermon to the Athenians. To organize three presbyteries cov- I dwelt at length on the God Unknown -United Presbyterian. ering the states in which the but revealed in Jesus Christ through Presbyterian Mission is working. the Word. In conclusion I offered Young People in Bogota them "The Way of Salvation." They These presbyteries would be formed answered, "Yes, we'll take this, but Every Friday evening thirty by ordained ministers, without not the New Testament, as we have to forty young people of Bogota distinction of nationality, and been forbidden to take it." meet for a social and devotional licentiates residing in the respec- evening. Interest and enthu- tive territory, together with one -Scripture Gift Mission. ruling elder from each organized church. siasm have developed this or- ganization into a real force in To invite the Cumberland Presby- the evangelization of Bogota. terian Mission in the south- The Challenge of Cuba The object of this society, western part of Colombia to join this movement. A Mississippi pastor who re- To call a meeting of this same Ascently visited Cuba said the idea sembly to be held in Ibague in July, 1937, to take action toward prevails in his section that Cuba pledged by each person who beis almost a finished missionary comes a member, is (1) to pro- the organization of the "Synod of the Presbyterian Church in task; that great progress had mote all activities that develop Colombia."
been made, and Cuban Chris- a Christian life among its mem- With this Synod, the organiza- bers, by means of Bible study tion of the "Presbyterian Church tians are almost, if not quite, and meditation; (2) to develop in Colombia" will be completed, able to take care of their own Christian friendship and to take evangelization and other reli- part in activities of service. In and she will thus join the ingious work. The visitor was creasing fa mil y of national soon convinced that this is very a recent meeting those present churches that have been organ- were asked to write briefly their ized in Mexico, Guatemala, Brafar from being true. During this year much at- main ideal in life. The result zil, India, Siam, the Philippines, tention has been given to per- was interesting. Seven were China, Chosen and Japan. -Colombian Clippings. sonal house-to-house evangelism. "to get the most out of life," "to Cruces, in Santa Clara province, be intelligent," "to be something For Indians in Chile took the initiative, organizing worthwhile." Five were "to be- the forces of the congregation to come more spiritual," "to know Rev. Charles A. Sadleir many make several hundred visits a peace," "to conquer tempta- years ago founded a mission to
the Araucanian Indians of Chile. seven centers and the execution soil. They are largely literate, His son is continuing the work of others has been reported. but primitive, and enjoy few ma- and writes in the Evangelical Many are imprisoned and other terial comforts. Mr. Rahneff Christian: evangelicals are in hiding. Gen- works exclusively among these eral Franco is said to have stated humble villagers. Within less We now have three men working be- publicly that in the future Spain than a decade he has opened 50 sides myself, including our old helper would be "one nation, united in little churches, which have 5,000 Espinoza, who is in charge of the one faith – that of I sabel la adherents, almost entirely peas- press work. Domingo Carilaf, the Catolica." -Alliance Weekly. ants. This is the largest evan- first of our evangelists, has done and gelical group in Bulgaria. Rah- is doing excellent work in visiting the nlodern nlartyrs neff receives about $50 a month houses of the people in Witramalal, salary. Most of his preachers Chomio and two other reserves east Dr. John S. Bonnell, pastor of nave no regular pay. He seeks of Metrence Station on the railway Fifth A v e n u e Presbyterian little for himself, spends most of line. These reserves had never before Chureh in New York, likens the his time in the field, and works been visited by evangelists, 'and the German Christians of today to indefatigably. When n i g h t Indians there are showing great in- the martyrs of the early church. comes he asks his village hosts, terest, , . . The Capuchin Friars are "It is heartening to know," he who usually sleep on mattresses the bitterest enemies of our work says, "that the German Church on the floor or on a low platform, among the Indians, and will stop at is not a whit nearer surrender to shove over a little so that he nothing to hinder us and prejudice the today than three years ago. The may lie down beside them. Indians against us. Some of the tales German people today, in the they tell people are unbelievably ab- hour of persecution, are show- His services are revival meet- surd, and are only accepted by some ing a true unity and exhibiting ings. He invites his hearers to because of the superstition in which a fortitude and courage similar come forward and begin a new they live. to that which marked the early life. Many do. They become martyrs. Little did we think at "God's children." Hundreds Congregations vary from twenty- the beginning of the twentieth have been transformed. They five to sixty Indians, and while re- century that the relations of are turned into active, ardent, sults are hard to see, there are sev- church and state would become aggressive Christians and tell eral who are very much interested, one of the paramount issues of their good news to others. Vil- . and ask to hear more and more about the century. This question was lages become cleaner, more pros- the way of salvation. settled for Christians 1,900 perous, more orderly. This work years ago, when Jesus said: is .as modern, and as old fash- EUROPE 'Render therefore unto Cresar ioned as St. Paul's. the things that are Cresar's and "Christian Communism" unto God the things that are Pan-Orthodox Congress God's.' These words acknowl- A remarkable new religious edge the fact that the state pos- The first Pan-Orthodox Con- movement in France is called sesses certain rights over its gress of Theology, which was Christian Communism. It is led citizens, but they also make it held in Athens last December, jointly by Catholics and Prot- clear that there are bounds be- dealt with such subjects as the estants; its symbol is the Cross yond which the state must not position of theology and science of Divine Love on which are go in the coercion of Christian in the Church; Biblical criticism placed a sickle and a hammer, conscience. The principle enun- in its relation to revelation and and its quarterly magazine, The ciated by the founder of Chris- to ecclesiastical authority; the New Earth, has a circulation of tianity denies the right of a relation of the Church and so- 15,000 copies. The Christian totalitarian state to render the cial problems; the relation be- Communists are opposed to Christian Church impotent by tween religion and culture, be- the godlessness of Communism. making it merely the mouthpiece tween the Church and State and They derive their principles of dictatorial leaders. That is questions of doctrine. It was from Marxism, but they deny the religious issue which is para- wide, indeed, in its scope. The that this is "anti-God." They mount in Germany today." purpose of this first Congress believe that the moral principles was not, however, to solve these which underlie Christianity are -Presbyterian Banner. problems, or even to discuss compatible with those of Marx- them exhaustively, out to begin ism. They oppose violence, but A Successful nlissionary _ the work of discussing and solv- point out instances where it is ing some of them. Considered in justifiable. They do not wish to A correspondent in the Chris- this light, the Congress had a "reform the church," but rather tian Century tells of a young striking significance in that it to "free it from the capitalist pastor-missionary in Bulgaria, focused the mind of the Church regime." Paul Rahneff. Most of the upon the theological and prac- 6,000,000 Bulgarians are quite tical problems of the day. -Presbyterian Tribune. poor and four-fifths of them live in villages, where they work the -The Living Church. Spanish Evangelicals Suffer There seems a general tend- ency on the part of the insur- gents in Spain to put the Prot- estant element in an impossible position. Eleven evangelical workers have been killed in
OUR WORLD-WIDE OUTLOOK
Hardships in Russia listen to their teaching. Guards ham is the general director. British and American repre- Mr. I. V. Neprash, Director of were placed at the end of the sentatives at the capital pro- Russian Missionary Service, street to turn people back, and tested but to no avail. When publishes a bulletin called The men even came into the waiting- asked what was to become of a Link, from which we quote the room and tried to drag the pa- score of missionary workers, following: mostly women, who had been tients out. In spite of all this driven into the capital by war A Russian Christian from New the numbers kept up, and the conditions there was no reply Jersey went to Russia to see his aged women would slip in by side- but a shrug of the shoulders. father. Upon reaching Moscow he "For many weeks," writes a searched for some Gospel service, and streets; although they were missionary, "we have lived with after much hunting discovered that afraid to listen to the Gospel as many as twenty in one native the only place in which the believers message. hut. The mission station at were permitted to worship was the Lambuda has been completely space up under the roof of a Greek Then, gradually, a change destroyed and practically all the Catholic Church. It was a cemetery homes in the Gudella area have church, very inconveniently located, came. One day, in the middle of been burned." with narrow steps on the outside of a message, a woman jumped up the building. About 400 were present. Fighting Yellow Fever The people were constantly afraid and said, "Tell me again the that the beams of the ceiling would name of the One who can save Great Britain has invited Dr. give way and the whole crowd smash me,and keep my heart clean." Victor G. Heiser to make a spein a heap on the cement floor beneath. Turning to the others she said, cial study of the possibilities of "Listen, my sisters, to these controlling malaria and yellow From Moscow this man went to fever in British Africa. Dr. Leningrad and found that the largest wonderful words and take heed Heiser has spent thirty years preaching hall in Russia had been to them, for they are the truth." warring against plagues in all confiscated, and is being used as a parts of the world. He is recogmariner's clUb. He went next to a One by one they are turning nized as outstanding in the field country town where his father lives. to the light. -Life of Faith. of medical engineering. There was a group of believers there, but no services for fear of unbearable World's Youngest Elder The airplane, it appears, has persecutions. The coming of a Chris- become a potential disease cartian brother from the outside world In the Lokoja district of rier. European planes making was too great an occasion, and so they the regular journey to Brazil, finally decided to have a service. Nor,thern Nigeria the major part via the west coast of Africa, They gathered in a private home, have taken with them from Affrom three to five a. m., windows cov- of the Church responsibilities rica a new type of malaria that ered, with just one small oil lamp so is doing much damage in Brazil. that the visitor could read his New and organization falls upon one British health officers are anx- Testament. ious to prevent the spread in lady missionary. There are India from those areas in Africa At five a. m. the meeting dispersed, in which the host mosquitoes and it was well it did, for some spies ninety-two churches and only flourish. -Alliance Weekly. had already discovered them, and about ten minutes after the close of two catechis,ts with the help of Heathen in Union of S. A. the meeting the police were there. The man from New Jersey was then an African clergyman who pays The Union of South Africa has on his way to another town and not an approximate population of even his father knew which way he a visit once a quarter from the 9,479,985 persons, of whom more had gone. than two-thirds are nat i v e s. other side of ,the river. Since There are more than 3,000,000 AFRICA heathen in the Union; more this one missionary cannot visit heathen today than when the Work for Women missionaries began their work all the churches she adopted the over a century ago. One ex- A Girls' School and a Dispen- planation is the lack of a missary are firmly established in plan of caUing together two sionary spirit in the native Abu Hammad, under the control church and. a diminished evanof the Egypt General Mission, elders from each church in gelistic zeal on the part of nain a village of 5,000 Egyptian in- tive pastors. Furthermore there habitants. It was occupied by groups of 40 ata time, and giv- is among Europeans in South missionaries several years ago, Africa a widespread fear of the but opposition was so bitter that ing them a two-day course of competition of the black man, retreat became necessary. In should he be encouraged along 1934, a clinic was opened by mis- instruction. On one of these ocsionaries and soon many women were attending, both Egyptian casions, a boy of eleven apand Bedouin. As the numbers increased, act i v e opposition peared. When asked why he sprang up and spies were sent to the clinics. The work was de- had come he replied that he was nounced in the mosques, and pamphlets were printed and dis- a church elder, and so it proved. tributed, warning the people not to go near the missionaries or He frequently took the morning service,as he could read better than anyone else in the village, and he reminded the missionary that she had given him a New Testament four years previ- ously. -Eastward Ho.
Mission Property in Ethiopia The Sudan Interior Mission issues a report from its Toronto office that Italians in Addis Ababa have demanded all of the buildings, including headquar- ters and the leprosarium owned by the Sudan Interior Mission, of which Rev. Rowland V. Bing-
the path of progress. He is year ended without a single case under the rule of other Euro- more readily exploited when of default, or delayed payment. pean powers. Of the remaining -Christian Advocate. 34-35 million, Dnly those in Turignorant. -Alliance Weekly.
key, Arabia, Afghanistan and What Only Missions CanDo The Good Shepherd in Iran Iran are under Mohammedan rule. They no longer have a Northern Nigeria, equal in Most of the patients in a mis- sionary hospital of Iran are Mo- caliph; in 1924 the Ottoman calsize to the South Central U. S., hammedan. The medical superis Mohammedan and has been iphate was abolished with one entirely closed to missionary intendent asked his nurses to work. Some British leprosy try various schemes Df religious stroke of a pen, and the other teaching, and note the results Dn workers were allowed in govern- their charts just as they would Mohammedan states have never ment leper camps with the distinct understanding that they do nDte a rise in temperature or since been able to agree upon ap- other physical symptoms. The no religious work. pointing another. Then Dr. A. D. Helser, of the most successful was found to be the nurse's repetition of the Par- Moslems are themselves de- American Mission to Lepers, able of the Good Shepherd. The stroying their specifically Ismade a survey of this area. It patients became eager to hear revealed a growing dissatisfac- the great words, and soon lamic intellectual and spiritual tion on the part of the govern- learned them by heart, so that leadership. The great Azhar ment with its own efforts in when the "nurse departed from dealing with leprosy. In Sokoto, the true text, they would correct University, fDunded nearly one her. The explanation? The where the Sultan is the head, the parable supplies what is lacking thousand years ago, has for most government doctor was so dis- in Mohammedanism. Allah is of this time been the center from couraged that the leper camp great and powerful, in the minds which orthodox Islam derived its was closed down entirely. An- of his followers, but never tender other medical officer expressed or sympathetic. dynamic. The Azhar has IDSt himself as believing that "the first 40 per cent of leprosy treat- respect; it is continually mod- ernizing its curriculum. But missionaries dD not rejoice that modernization is takng the place of the old Islam, if it means their falling a prey toO Western ma- terialism. GEORGE SWAN.
ment lies in instilling hope in the -Christian Advocate. Annotated Testaments heart of the leper." The gov- Fernand Faivre, of Huguenot ernment now recognizes that MISCELLANEOUS descent, gave up the prospects missions can do that in a way Haven for Jews of a brilliant business career to that others cannot, and proposes that if missions will put a full- The New York Herald-Trib- devote himself e n t ire I y to time doctor in each camp, they une states that the French Min- preaching the Word. He has will finance him. ister Df Colonies has proposed been engaged for Dver 45 years The Sudan Interior Mission is that some colonies-specifically in evangelistic activity in southespecially eager to take advan- Madagascar, the New Hebrides, west France. tage of this opportunity to open F'rench Guiana, and New Cale- In 1922, he brought out the northern Nigeria to missionary donia-be thrown open to immi- first editiDn of his "Annotated effort for the first time. grants largely made up of Jews. New Testament," designed espe- -Mission to Lepers. This colonization is to be largely cially for evangelistic work. but not exclusively, Jewish; the Since then it has been issued in WESTERN ASIA immigrants must have capital Spanish, Italian, German, Por- and be prepared to work on the tuguese and other languages. Cooperatives in Palestine land or in other productive ac- Hundreds of copies have been The British Government is tivities. The plan is receiving shipped to the Cameroon, West helping to organize credit unions the careful attention of both Africa, where they have been and thrift societies among the Polish and Jewish press. used in the American Presby- Arabs in Palestine. There are It has also been proposed to terian Mission field. They were 74 societies, with 2,422 members settle Jews in the island of Cuba. adopted as textbooks on PrDtand capital of 1,709 Palestinian estant doctrine fDr native evanpounds. Borrowings amounting The plan has been laid before gelists. the President Df Cuba for conto 39,013 Palestinian pounds sideration and has the approval Rev. Andrew Gih, of the were made in one year by Bar- of President Roosevelt. Bethel Mission, S han g h a i, clays Bank at six per cent, and China, has translated the nDtes the societies reloaned to mem- The Moslem World Today – into Chinese (Mandarin). He bers at nine per cent, the cur- contemplates a first edition of rent charge made by the banks Of the approximately 235,- 20,000 copies, but wishes it were to borrowing bodies not Drgan- 000,000 Moslems in the world to- possible to have 150,000,000 ized as cooperative societies. day, 106,000,000 are under copies printed. Pastor Faivre Personal advances for seasonal British rule; 39,000,000 under offers toO pay one-half the cost of periods and medium-term loans Dutch rule; 32,000,000 under printing 100,000 cDpies ($6,250) up to five years are made. The French rule and 23,000,000 if the other half is provided.
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I Our Missionary Bookshelf Books Briefly Reviewed for the Readers' Information ~'i~================'~ The Way of the Witnesses. By Ed- sealed orders." These first wit- from quotations from other ward Shillito. Pages viii, 152. nesses to the crucified and risen writers, with whom of course Cloth, $1.00; paper, 50 cents. Christ began at Jerusalem and Dr. Speer is in agreement. These went as far as Rome. In obey- quotations are of real value and . Friendship Press, New York. 1936. ing the call they came to know more of the "mystery" of the na- show wide and discriminating This "New Testament Study ture and purpose of their Lord. reading, but they are not the in Missionary Motive" is by an They founded churches and fos- author's personal testimony. Oxford graduate who was a min- tered them, by visits and by letister in various parishes in Eng- ters, to meet the inevitable trials The first chapter, dealing with land and for some years Literary and dangers. They made prog- Christ's earthly life and its Superintendent of the London ress through conflict, as did the meaning, gives clearly the evi- Missionary Society before com- churches which they fathered. dences for the deity of Jesus. ing to America as a lecturer in In the Gospel of John, "the Gos- The second chapter, on the our colleges and theological pel of the Holy Spirit," the new "Person of Christ," points out schools. He is the author of generation "found a bridge be- that the whole essence of Chris- "Nationalism-Man's Other Re- tween their own day and that of ligion," and other works. Jesus their Lord." In its name tianity is in this God-man, rather the new society "claimed all the than in any philosophy, social Mr. Shi1lito's brief Introduc- world and all the ages." "The program or human organization. tion sums up the whole book, pattern of the New Testament," We do not agree with Dr. Speer, "The New Testament does not revealing "the love of Christ, un- however, in his view that "when contain a section given up to searchable and passing knowl- Christianity becomes a religion, . missions; it is a missionary edge," without that love "is book. . . . From cover to cover broken into fragments"; but the it ceases to be Christianity." it deals with one new fact – a constraint of that love will make That depends on one's definition power newly revealed and newly every Christian a missionary, a of religion. But the reviewer released in this human scene. A witness to all the world. new age begins. The revolution agrees that Christ is the essence is not of man, though it changes We would like to see this little of Christianity and without Him the life of man, but of God, book read by everyone interested there is no Christian religion. whose glory had been seen in the in missions, then placed in each face of Jesus Christ." But the one's lending library to be The chapter on the "Death of New Testament is not the end of recommended to every Christian it. It "deals with mankind and friend not yet interested. Mis- Christ" is a valuable contribuclaims the world for its scale." sion Study Classes will find it tion to this deeply mysterious The missionary is simply the attractive and inspiring. but most important subject. The servant of a world kingdom who author shows the deadly conflict "believes that a word meant for COURTENAY H. FENN. between two personalities-God all men should be offered to all and Satan – a conflict in which men." The Meaning of Christ to Me. By Satan seemed to be victorious Robert E. Speer. 12mo. 102 pp. but was definitely defeated at It is impossible to set forth in $1.50. Fleming H. Revell Co., New Calvary. Dr. Speer says: "The a brief review a hundredth part York. 1937. death of Christ reveals both the of the arresting thought, the con- limitlessness and the limitedness vincing argument, and the in- Here is a personal testimony of God, and also shows what he spiring challenge which the au- that is characterized by capital has done and will do for us." A thor has compressed into this "H" rather than by a capital railroad brakeman is quoted as small book. He pictures vividly "I"; "He"-Christ-is magni- expressing the truth when he "the first impressions of a pa- fied, not "I," the writer. For the said: "He (Christ) died my gan" on reading the New Testa- most part, the testimony is clear death for me, that I might live ment. Such a man is brought but only indirectly personal. His life for Him." face to face with a historic Jesus Some readers w.m wish that Dr. who committed His message of Speer had made it more direct The chapter on "The Resurthe Kingdom to witnesses whom rather than so largely made up rection of Christ" shows that He sent into all the world "under this is conclusive evidence of Christ's deity, and proof of man's immortality. The resur- rection imparts vitality to the Gospel and to be "risen with Any of the books noted in these columns will be sent by the R:o;vntw publishers on receipt of price.
[223 ]
Christ" means eternal life to the cares for the unemployed and capable of taking the conscious- Christian. ness of Christ as taught in the redeems the loss caused by "The Lordship of Christ" oc- panic." If it is true, as Dr. New Testament into their lives." cupies another chapter in which Kagawa repeatedly urges, that With the ultimate objectives the author shows that this means the recognition of Christ as the social reform must be motivated of Kagawa – the uplift of men supreme divine teacher, leader, by the Christian Spirit, then it overseer, owner of all who be- is highly important to know just and the introduction of a better long to Him. He is King of life. social 0 r d e r – there can, of what is the character of this im- course, be no disagreement. His Dr. Speer's most personal tes- pelling motive and how it is retimony is found in his final chap- sincer.ity and tireless energy ter on "The Second Coming." ceived. But here there is much also command admiration. It is This doctrine, belief, hope – is uncertainty as to the author's unfortunate, however, that he proved to be "an integral part of our Christian faith," clearly and position. No light is shed on the does not unite with these qualifrequently taught in the Scrip- problem by this further state- ties a clearer perception of tures, and of infinite importance ment: "If religion concerns itto every Christian. self only with the salvation of in- Christian truth, more of eco- nomic wisdom, and a truer his- Anyone who reads these dividuals and does not permeate torical perspective. studies carefully will find them society, it has but one result, the spiritually stimulating, encour- HUGH R. MONRO. aging, interesting, informing deepening of individuail conand convincing. They will prove sciousness." Or the following: 1936 Handbook of the Christian a blessing, not only to pastors, "The belief that the redemptive Movement in China under Protteachers and missionaries, but to estant Auspices. 8vo. 352 pp. every thoughtful reader who is love of Christ is united with the $3.00. Published for the National ready to accept the testimony of true nature of God gave birth to Christian Council by the Hsueh the Scriptures and of enlight- the doctrine of the divinity of Pub. House, Shanghai, China. 1936. ened Christian experience. Christ." The latest China Mission Brotherhood Economics. By Toyo- There can be no impeachment Yearbook includes information hiko Kagawa. 200 pp. $1.50. on the evangelistic, educational, Harper & Brothers. New York. of Dr. Kagawa's sincerity and, social, literary and medical 1936. in the light of what he has ac- work. Suggestions on "How to complished in dealings with out- use the book" are helpful, as well This volume has two distinct as the brief "HistorJcal Backvalues: first, it assembles a cast men and women in Japan, ground" and the "Interpretalarge amount of interesting in- there must be a certain grasp of tion." Since the first Protestant formation concerning the coop- missionary entered China in erative movement and its expan- the underlying truths of the 1807, the communicants have sion throughout the world; sec- Gospel. Nevertheless, his vo- grown from 100 in 1807 to 600,- ond, it presents the philosophy cabulary seems confusing and 000 in 1936 and the Christian and outlook of this outstanding strange to the intelligent Chris- community of all sects numbers Christian leader and social re- at least 2,000,000 Chinese. The former. Dr. Kagawa writes tian reader and the impression Handbook is mostly made up of with the evident conviction that will increase that this eminent lists of 68 missions with 1,207 the Church is under deep re- resident stations and 5,816 misproach by reason of failure to reformer fans to relate in any sionaries. Information is also translate its message into terms given on literature, cable adof economic life. Here is a adequate way the fruits of social dresses and institutions. It is a typical statement: "I believe efforts to the roots. A coopera- valuable book for reference. that instead of keeping this prin- tive is not necessarily a brotherciple of Cross-embracing love as Southern Baptists in World Service. a theological theory in the pul- hood, in the Christian sense. By E. P. Alldredge. Cloth, 60 cents; pit, we must put it into the When Dr. Kagawa deals with paper, 40 cents. 172 pp. Sunday whole social life of man. Right economic questions there is much here lies the principle which de- that is suggestive, but a some- School Board, Southern Baptist mands that the essence of Chris- Convention. Nashville. 1936. tianity must become the essence what similar lack of coherence. of the economic movement." There is recurrence of well- All phases of the denomina- The ambiguity of this state- known terms, some with a rather tion's enterprises are discussed ment is more or less character- radical connotation, and an adistic of the book. What is Cross- vocacy of theories of finance, in- in detail in eight chapters, in embracing love? In one place it surance, and distribution of is defined as "a great love which this handbook, designed to in- commodities which would hardly commend themselves to a well- struct the young people in informed economist. Dr. Kag- Southern Baptist churches con- awa passes a severe and not too discriminating judgment on the cerning the what, why and how Christian Church in this lan- of Southern Baptist world-serv- guage: "The majority of church ice. The material is well ar- organizations today are depend- ranged; Bible study is encour- ent, unfortunately, on the privi- leged class of profiteering so- aged by frequent references to ciety. When selfish profiteers, Scripture; questions for review who are of the same stock as barbarians, d 0 min ate the and answers are added to each churches, they are rendered in- chapter. B. G. JUDD.
Wonderful Women. By E. conference. "The Religious Na- A N 0 P P 0 R TUN I T Y
H. Farrance. 96 pp. Illus. lB. ture of the Negro," "The Im- Pickering & Inglis. London. 1936. portance of Understanding Na- for Pastors Desiring SONG BOOKS tive Customs," "The Effect of . Brief biographical sketches of twelve women whose lives have Industrialism on the Congo at counted in worthwhile service. Katanga," "The Right Attitude The list includes Harriet Beecher Stowe, Fanny Crosby, Mary toward Native Chiefs," "The A collection of n of the Moody-5IIn"'y Slessor and Ann Judson. The Psychology of Conversion," "The Evangelistic Campaign Song. u…. during material is not new or skilfully Place of Sports and Athletics in the Founder'. Week Conference. presented but the assembling of Missions," and "The Self-Sup- $ 5 0 0 PER HUN D RED these sketches in one volume is port of the Chur~h" – s.uch are ",..".'d. Slightly u••d. 1I0t impressive. some of the subJects dIscussed with considerable wisdom. Con- D. L MOODY CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS Sheaves After Harvest. By Dr. An- servative evangelical mission- 163 Instltllte Place drew A. Bonar. 12mo. 126 pp. Chicago, III. lB. Pickering and Inglis. Glas- gow. 1935. aries will find little here to criti- – – – – – – – – – – – cize and much to approve. Dr. Bonar was .a famous City Man. Charles Hatch Sears. Scotch preacher of over a gen- S. M. ZWEMER. 236 pp. $1.50. Harpers~ New eration ago, whose addresses repay reading today. Pentecost, York. Praise, The Second Coming, The Holy Spirit and similar topics New Boole. Frances Ridley Havergal. Esther E. are Scriptural, practical and in- Enoch. 95 pp. lB. Pickering & spiring. Beyond Statistics. The Wider Range Inglis. London. ' of World Missions. Stephen J. Corey. "Are You Awake?" By Florence E. 188 pp. $1.00. Bethany Press. St. A Hundred Years in Fiji. J. W. Marshall. Pamphlet~ 96 pp. 50 Louis, Mo. Burton and Wallace Dean. 144 pp. cents a copy, $30.00 a hundred. 222 3s.6d. W. Main St., Lansing, Michigan. 1936. Samuel Logan Brengle. Portrait of I Live–Yet Not I. George Goodman. a Prophet. Clarence H. Hall. 254 96 pp. lB. Pickering & Inglis. These clever verses set forth pp. Salvation Army, New York. London. the virtues of abstinence from 1933. alcoholic drinks. They are Missionary Stories to Tell. Various catchy and popular and useful Christian High Schools in India. authors. 178 pp. 50 cents, paper; for Sunday schools and other Alice B. Van Doren. 170 pp. Rs. $1.00, cloth. Missionary Education temperance work with boys and 2-12. Y. M. C. A. Publishing House. Movement. New York. girls. Calcutta, India. Master of Money – A. A. Hyde. Exspectatio Gentium. Compte Rendu The Glorious Revival Under King George Irving.' 157 pp. $1.00. de la XIIIe Semaine de Missiologie Hezekiah. Wilbur M. Smith. Pam- Revell. New York. de Louvain. 330 pp. 35 francs. phlet. 54 pp. 35 cents. Zondervan Paris: Desclee de Brouwer & Cie. Publishing House. Grand Rapids, The Meaning of Christ to Me. Rob- 1935. Mich. ert E. Speer. $1.50. Revell. New York. Under this striking title we have the twenty-fourth publica- Dwight L. Moody-;A Mighty Man North Pacific. Edward Weber Allen. tion on Christian missions by of God. A. Chester Mann. Pam- 300 pp. Illus. $2.50. Professional the Museum Lessianum. A few phlet. 27 pp. 20 cents. Zondervan & Technical Press. New York. years ago another volume ap- Publishing House. Grand Rapids, peared entitled La Conversions Mich. One Hundred Years. Arthur Judson which dealt with methods of Brown. 1140 pp. $8.00. Revell. evangelism and the winning of Pools on the Glowing Sand. Story New York. converts in every missionary of Karl Kumm. Irene V. Cleverarea. don.. 194 pp. 58. Specialty Press. John E. Williams of Nanking. W. Melbourne, Australia. Reginald Wheeler. 222 pp. $2.00. The present volume consists Revell. New York. of seventeen papers by Roman 1936 Handbook of the Christian Catholic missionaries read at Movement in China. Charles Lu- Jungle Friends. G. A. West. 63 pp. the missionary conference of ther Boynton and Charles Dozier lB. S. P. G. London. Louvain last year. Ten are in Boynton. 352 pp. $3.00 (Shanghai). French; and seven in Dutch. Kwang Hsueh Pub. Co. Shanghai, Moslem Women Enter a New World. The papers merit perusal and Ruth Woodsmall. 431 pp. $3.00. show how the same missionary China,.. Round Table Press. New York. problems that perplex Protestant missions are faced by the White Missionary Plays and Pageants. Fathers and the Jesuits in Af- Fannie Smith Gray. 277 pp. $2.75. rica. Asia and the island world Western Baptist Pub. Co. Kansas were evidently left out of this City, Mo.
William Quarrier and the Story of the Orphan Homes of Scotland. Alexander Gammie. 196 pp. 2s. 6d. Pickering and Inglis. London.
Awake! An African Calling. 56 pp. Is. Church Missionary Society. London.
1936 STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE James Hudson Taylor. James J. Ellis. Is. 96 pp. Pickering & Inglis. London.
Four Parts-52 Lessons. Part I, The Bible-The The Blessing of the Tribes. E.
God 01 the Bible. Part II, The Christ 01 the Bible Bendor Samuel. 28. 160 pp. Pick- -The Holy Spirit. Part III, Man-Sin and Redemp- ering & Inglis. London. tion. Part IV, The Church-Future Events. Send 15c in stamps for cunent issue. Full Assurance. H. A. Ironside. 75 cents. 126 pp. B. 1. C. A. Chicago. HRISTIAN PU8L1CATIONS.IN<: Kill or Cure? Muriel Lester. 135 pp. $1.00. Cokesbury Press. Nash- 1502 N. Third St., Hlrrlsburg, PI. ville.
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THE MOSLEM WORLD SAMUEL M. ZWEMER, Editor Some articles in the April number : THE CROSS AND ISLAM' Edwin E. Calverley A JOURNEY THROUGH NORTHWEST CHINA Claude L. Pickens THE WORSHIP OF ADAM BY ANGELS . Samuel M. Zwemer ILLUMINATION—A SUFI DOCTRINE Edward J. Jurji ALEPPO AS A MOSLEM CENTER Alford Carleton SOME ARAB FOLK-TUNES . W. Idris Jones OLD ISLAM ~ OLD TURKEY . Lootfy Levonian THE FINAL WORD OF THE AHL-I-HAOO Charles R. Pittman ISLAM IN TRANSITION Paul S. McElroy NORTHERN NIGERIA Benjamin J. Marais Book Reviews Current Topics Survey of Periodicals ORDER THE SPECIAL RURAL NUMBER The Missionary Review th~ World The June Number will contain special articles on "CHRIST AND RURAL AMERICA"
Achievements in Rural Churches From a Colporteur's Notebook Challenge of the Rural Community Solving Some Rural Problems Rural Trends in Twenty-five Years The Youth and the Country Parish Cooperation in Rural Parishes A Rural Pastor's Job The Rural Community Church Some Unchurched Rural Districts Evangelizing Rural Foreign Born Responsibility of the City Church The Larger Parish Project Woman's Work in a Country Parish Order These Copies Now for Yourself and for 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